Wix vs. WordPress! Which is the Best Website Solution for Growing Organizations?

Choosing the right website platform is one of the most important decisions an organization can make because the wrong choice can lead to unexpected costs, technical headaches, and even website crashes. For most businesses, the choice often comes down to two leading platforms: Wix and WordPress. Both offer unique advantages, but the best one for your business depends on your goals, budget, and how much time you want to spend managing your site. To make the best decision, it’s important to begin by comparing the cost structures of Wix and WordPress and understanding what’s included with each.

Pricing

Cost is usually the first consideration for organizations evaluating website platforms. Wix keeps it simple by bundling all essentials into tiered monthly plans. Options range from $17 per month for a basic site to $159 per month for a business elite plan. Each includes hosting, templates, customer support, and even a domain name for the first year. The predictability of a single subscription fee makes budgeting easier, and Wix requires no coding or technical setup. When a business partners with an agency or freelancer for website development, Wix is typically faster and more cost-effective to manage because of its drag-and-drop functionality, intuitive interface, no-code setup, and managed security features.

WordPress follows a different model. The software itself is free to install, but additional costs come from third-party needs such as hosting ($36–$600 per year), domain registration ($10–$20 per year), premium themes (up to $130 per year), and plugins (ranging from free to $129 each). While WordPress offers more control over costs and customization, it also requires business owners to manage each component themselves, which can be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with the platform. Also, because WordPress often requires more development time and ongoing maintenance, its total cost of ownership tends to be higher over the long term.

Scalability

As your business grows, your website should scale with it. Whether you are adding new services, publishing blog content, launching products, or creating customer portals, scalability is essential. Wix streamlines this process through built-in tools and integrated apps that work seamlessly within the same system. This means you can add features like contact forms, blogs, social media feeds, and booking calendars without worrying about compatibility issues or website crashes.

WordPress, however, relies heavily on third-party plugins for added functionality. While this approach allows for nearly endless customization, it also increases complexity and the risk of plugin conflicts. Installing or updating the wrong plugin can cause functionality issues or even crash your site. For organizations that want stability and simplicity, Wix is the safer and more efficient choice. For those willing to consistently invest in an experienced developer, WordPress websites can scale, but at a higher cost.

To learn how to measure whether your website is performing well as it scales, check out Forge’s guide on A 100 Point System to Evaluate Website Performance.

Security

Threats from hackers, AI bots, and spammers are at an all-time high, so website security is non-negotiable for all organizations. Wix manages all security behind the scenes, drastically reducing the risk of hacking and data breaches. Every Wix plan comes with built-in website security that protects sensitive information, such as customer passwords and payments, from being stolen or seen by outsiders. This SSL certification also improves SEO rankings since Google favors secure websites. Unfortunately, organizations that do not use Wix often do not realize they need to manually register for SSL certificates, or they forget to renew them. When this happens, browsers display a “Not Secure” warning before visitors reach their websites. These warnings undermine trust, hurt credibility, reduce sales, and ultimately weaken search performance by discouraging potential visitors from reaching the websites.

Unlike Wix, WordPress requires a more hands-on approach when it comes to security. The majority of security concerns revolve around updating and maintaining the WordPress plugins. In fact, studies like the State of WordPress Security Report show that outdated plugins are the most common cause of vulnerabilities. You can think of a WordPress website like a house with many windows. Each plugin and theme is like a “window” into your website. Regular updates keep those windows locked, but neglecting them leaves everything open to attack. Hackers, whether bots or humans, will try to open each window until they find one that is unlocked. Wix eliminates this concern because its infrastructure and updates are managed automatically, keeping your website protected at all times. In addition to frequently updating plugins, website owners must also manually renew SSL certifications each year. 

SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is what helps your customers actually find your business online. Wix provides beginner-friendly SEO tools that are built directly into its platform. Automatic sitemap creation, SSL encryption, mobile-friendly layouts, and alt text editing are included by default. Seamless integrations with Google Analytics and Search Console also make it easy to track performance without using extra tools. Wix also offers meta data, meta description, and meta title editing capabilities for pages which are critical for on-page SEO adjustments. Most importantly, Wix prevents users from making advanced design and customization changes that can slow down page speed, which is an extremely important factor for effective SEO.

WordPress, by contrast, requires installing plugins like Yoast or Rank Math to handle SEO. These tools give users extensive control over every aspect of SEO, from customizing URLs and metadata to managing schema and advanced settings. However, the very complexity that makes WordPress so powerful is also what makes it prone to slowdowns. Customizing themes, adding plugins, or making small design adjustments can easily affect site speed, often creating the need for technical performance fixes later on. Wix takes a different approach by managing many of these elements automatically, maintaining strong SEO foundations without requiring manual optimization or plugin oversight. Both platforms can achieve excellent results, so it simply depends on whether you prefer a hands-on or guided approach to SEO management.

DIY User-Friendliness

Wix was built for non-technical users. Its drag-and-drop editor requires no coding knowledge, and its 800+ customizable templates are mobile-optimized and industry-specific. Hosting is built-in, setup is straightforward, and organizations can launch a professional-looking site in weeks instead of months. For organizations that prefer a hands-off, hassle-free approach, Wix is the obvious choice.

WordPress offers a deeper level of customization, but that makes for a more complex and nuanced design and development experience. You have full control over every element of your site, but themes often require significant modifications to achieve the right look and feel. Website owners must also manually handle hosting, plugin management, and frequent updates. The challenge with WordPress is that it demands time, technical skill, and a more significant budget if implementing professional support. For most organizations, Wix’s simplicity saves time and money while eliminating the stress of ongoing maintenance. That ease of use also extends to how Wix handles support, which is something that sets the platform even further apart from its alternatives.

Customer Support

When issues arise, dependable support makes all the difference. Wix provides 24/7 live chat, ticketing, and even phone support for paid plans. The platform also includes an extensive help center, AI-powered assistant, and a library of video walkthroughs that help users troubleshoot efficiently. In addition to the in-house support that Wix offers, there are also several user-generated video tutorials and written documentation for learning how to use Wix and how to troubleshoot if any problems arise. 

WordPress, on the other hand, does not have a central help desk since it is an open-source platform.  Instead, users rely on an ecosystem of community resources such as tutorials, active forums, and engaged groups across Reddit, Facebook, and Stack Exchange. Most popular themes and plugins also have their own dedicated support forums and documentation. However, the availability and quality of support can vary widely depending on which themes and plugins you choose. Outdated or less popular ones often lack the consistent updates and community engagement needed to resolve issues quickly. For that reason, we always recommend selecting WordPress themes and plugins that are widely used, well-documented, and regularly maintained.

Which Platform Wins?

Wix and WordPress both have their strengths, but organizations should consider how much time and technical expertise they want to invest in their website. Wix provides simplicity, security, and scalability in a single, easy-to-manage platform. It is perfect for organizations that want to dedicate more resources to other aspects of marketing rather than to website maintenance.

WordPress, though more powerful in the hands of an experienced developer, comes with hidden costs and maintenance responsibilities that many organizations are not prepared to take on. For organizations that need advanced functionality and have the budget for ongoing support, WordPress remains a strong option. But for most organizations that want a reliable, cost-effective, and user-friendly solution, Wix is the clear winner.

Now that you understand the key differences, you can confidently choose the platform that fits your goals, budget, and growth plans. If you are ready to create or redesign your website, Forge Marketing Group’s website design services can help you build a professional, high-performing site that reflects your brand and drives measurable results.