Our verdict
Choose Wix if you want the easiest drag-and-drop builder with built-in business apps. Choose WordPress.com if content and long-term flexibility matter, especially the option to use plugins or move to self-hosted WordPress.
Wix and WordPress.com are both hosted website builders with free plans, but they come from different worlds. Wix is a drag-and-drop builder with hundreds of templates and built-in business apps. WordPress.com is Automattic's hosted version of WordPress, where higher plans unlock plugins and themes from the wider WordPress ecosystem.
Choose Wix if…
- You want drag-and-drop design without learning WordPress
- You need bookings, events or simple stores built in
- You want everything managed in one place
- You value lots of polished templates
Choose WordPress.com if…
- Blogging and content publishing are central
- You want access to WordPress plugins and themes
- You want the option to move to self-hosted WordPress later
- You want a low-cost paid plan
Side by side
| Criterion | Wix | WordPress.com |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.2 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Features & fit | 8.8 | 8.4 |
| Ease of use | 9.0 | 8.4 |
| Value for money | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| Support & reliability | 7.8 | 7.6 |
| Security & privacy | 7.8 | 8.6 |
| Integrations & ecosystem | 8.4 | 8.6 |
| Starting price (indicative) | Free plan with Wix branding; paid from around $17 / month | Free; paid from around $4–8 / month |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Non-designers | Bloggers and publishers |
Feature by feature
| Feature | Wix | WordPress.com |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes (Wix branding) | Yes (WordPress.com subdomain) |
| Paid from (indicative) | ~ $17 / month (annual) | ~ $4 / month (annual) |
| Plugins | Wix App Market | WordPress plugins on Business+ |
| Editor | Drag-and-drop | Block editor |
| Blogging | Good | Excellent |
| Ecommerce | Built in on business plans | WooCommerce on Commerce plan |
| Export / portability | Limited | Yes (WordPress export) |
| Best fit | Design-first small businesses | Content-first sites |
Pricing compared
Wix
| Plan | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Wix branding and subdomain |
| Light | ≈ $17 / mo | Billed annually |
| Core | ≈ $29 / mo | — |
| Business | ≈ $36 / mo | — |
WordPress.com
| Plan | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | WordPress.com subdomain |
| Personal | ≈ $4 / mo | Billed annually |
| Premium | ≈ $8 / mo | Billed annually |
| Business | ≈ $25 / mo | Billed annually |
| Commerce | ≈ $45 / mo | Billed annually |
Indicative USD list prices; excludes tax, add-ons and promotions. Confirm on each vendor’s site.
Ease of use
Wix is easier for beginners, with freeform drag-and-drop. WordPress.com uses the block editor, which is powerful but has a learning curve.
Extensibility
WordPress.com's Business plan and above allow plugins and custom themes, opening the WordPress ecosystem. Wix uses its own app market.
Pricing
Wix paid plans start around $17 per month annually. WordPress.com paid plans start around $4 per month annually, with Business around $25 for plugins.
Portability
WordPress content can be exported to self-hosted WordPress. Moving away from Wix usually means rebuilding.
Business features
Wix includes bookings, events, restaurant and ecommerce apps. WordPress.com relies on plugins such as WooCommerce on higher plans.
Pros & cons
Wix
- Very flexible editor
- Large app market
- Bookings and ecommerce
- Templates hard to switch after launch
- Can feel cluttered
WordPress.com
- Maintenance handled
- Huge theme ecosystem
- Plugins on Business
- Plugins only on higher tiers
- Confusion with WordPress.org
Key features of each
Wix
- Drag-and-drop editor. Place elements freely.
- Wix Bookings. Appointments and scheduling.
- App Market. Hundreds of add-ons.
- AI site generator. Generate a first draft.
Integrates with: Google Analytics, Mailchimp, PayPal, Stripe.
WordPress.com
- Managed WordPress. Updates, backups and security.
- Block editor. Modern content editing.
- Plugins. On Business and Commerce.
- Jetpack. Stats, security and performance.
Integrates with: WooCommerce, Jetpack, Google Analytics, Mailchimp.
Who should avoid each
Skip Wix if…
- Users who might switch platforms later
- Large content sites
Best for: Non-designers; Service businesses needing bookings; Feature-rich small sites.
Skip WordPress.com if…
- Users needing plugins on a budget
- Developers wanting full server control
Best for: Bloggers and publishers; Businesses wanting WordPress without upkeep; Content-heavy sites.
Switching between Wix and WordPress.com
Migration difficulty: Hard
Moving from Wix to WordPress usually means rebuilding the design; blog posts can be exported via RSS or tools. Moving to Wix requires rebuilding too.
- Inventory pages, posts, forms and integrations.
- Export blog content (RSS or migration tools).
- Rebuild design and pages in the destination.
- Set up 301 redirects from old URLs.
- Connect your domain and check search console.
Weigh it your way
Adjust the weights to your priorities to see which tool comes out ahead for you. Print or export the result for your team.
| Tool | Features | Ease | Value | Support | Security | Integrations | Your score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Wix | 8.8 | 9.0 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 8.4 | 8.24 |
| 2. WordPress.com | 8.4 | 8.4 | 8.0 | 7.6 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 8.21 |
Drag the sliders to match your priorities. Scores are our editorial sub-scores; weights start at the values we publish on the methodology page. Nothing you change is stored or sent anywhere.
How our scores and weights work · Add a third tool side by side
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress.com the same as WordPress.org?
No. WordPress.org is free software you host yourself; WordPress.com is a hosted service by Automattic.
Can I use plugins on WordPress.com?
Yes, on the Business plan and above.
Is Wix good for SEO?
Yes. Wix provides solid SEO tools for small businesses.
Which is cheaper?
WordPress.com's entry plans are cheaper; plugin access requires its Business plan.
Does Wix or WordPress.com have a free plan?
Wix has a free plan; WordPress.com has a free plan. Indicative starting prices: Wix — Free plan with Wix branding; paid from around $17 / month; WordPress.com — Free; paid from around $4–8 / month.
Which scores higher in our review, Wix or WordPress.com?
Wix scores 8.2/10 and WordPress.com 8.2/10 on our weighted rubric. Wix leads on 3 of six criteria. A higher score does not make it right for every buyer — see the “choose if” lists above.
