Wix vs WordPress: ease or control?

Wix is a hosted builder you rent. WordPress is software you can run anywhere, either on WordPress.com or on your own hosting.

Sign up free: 3 template sites on a we.inc address. AI building from $20/mo.

The short answer

Choose Wix if you want everything handled for you and never want to think about plugins, updates or hosting. Choose WordPress if you want full control, a huge plugin library, and the option to move hosts any time.

Wix paid plans run $17 to $159 a month. WordPress.com runs $4 to $45 a month, or you can self-host the free WordPress software and pay only for hosting.

We.Inc sits between them: hosted like Wix, but you can export real code like WordPress, and AI builds the first version from a description. Free for 3 template sites; AI from $20/mo.

Side by side

WixWordPressWe.Inc
Free planYes, with Wix ads and a wixsite.com addressYes, on a wordpress.com address; the software is free; you pay for hosting, a domain, and any premium themes or pluginsYes: 3 template sites, we.inc address, no AI
Cheapest paid planLight $17/moWordPress.com Personal $4/mo$20/mo Starter (250 AI credits)
All plansLight $17, Core $29, Business $39, Business Elite $159 per monthWordPress.com: Personal $4, Premium $8, Business $25, Commerce $45 per month (monthly billing $9 to $70)Starter $20, Pro $50, Unlimited $99 per month
Who maintains itWixYou (self-hosted) or WordPress.comWe.Inc
Plugins and appsWix App MarketTens of thousands of pluginsAsk in chat to add features
Take your site elsewhereNoYes, move hosts any timeYes, export to GitHub

Prices checked September 2026, in US dollars per month on annual billing unless noted. Vendors change prices often, so confirm on their pricing page before you buy.

Pros and cons

Wix

Best for: Owners who want a site live this week with no technical upkeep

Price: Light $17, Core $29, Business $39, Business Elite $159 per month

Pros: No updates, backups or security patches to manage; Visual editor anyone can learn; Hosting, SSL and support in one bill; Free plan to start

Cons: You cannot export the site or move hosts; Costs more per month than basic WordPress hosting; Advanced features depend on paid apps; Template cannot be changed after launch

WordPress

Best for: Blogs, content-heavy sites, and anyone who wants full ownership

Price: WordPress.com: Personal $4, Premium $8, Business $25, Commerce $45 per month (monthly billing $9 to $70). Self-hosted: the software is free; you pay for hosting, a domain, and any premium themes or plugins

Pros: Own your site and move it anywhere; Enormous plugin and theme ecosystem; Excellent for blogging and content; Any developer can work on it

Cons: Steeper learning curve; Plugins, themes and hosting add up; You handle updates and security when self-hosting; Quality varies a lot between themes

We.Inc

Best for: People who want to describe a site or web app in plain English and have AI build it

Price: Free plan: up to 3 template sites on a we.inc address, no AI. AI building from $20/mo (Starter, 250 credits). Pro $50/mo, Unlimited $99/mo.

Pros: Describe what you want in chat and AI builds a full, editable site or app; Edit by clicking on the page, by asking in chat, or in a real code editor; Export the React and TypeScript code to GitHub, so you are never locked in; Unlimited sites on paid plans, custom domains from Starter

Cons: The free plan is templates only; AI building needs a paid plan; Newer platform with a smaller app marketplace than the big names; Store features are simpler than a dedicated ecommerce platform

Start from a template

Frequently asked questions

Is WordPress cheaper than Wix?

Usually, at the low end. WordPress.com Personal is $4/mo on annual billing, versus $17/mo for Wix Light. Self-hosted WordPress can be cheaper still, but premium themes and plugins can push the total above Wix.

Is Wix easier than WordPress?

Yes, for most beginners. Wix is visual and fully managed. WordPress has more settings, and self-hosting means you look after updates and backups.

Which is better for SEO?

WordPress gives more control through plugins like Yoast. Wix covers the basics well. For most small sites, content quality matters much more than the platform.

Can I move from Wix to WordPress?

Yes, but by rebuilding. Wix offers an RSS feed you can use to import blog posts, while pages and layouts need to be recreated.

Can I export my We.Inc site?

Yes. Every We.Inc project is real React and TypeScript code you can export to GitHub and host anywhere.

Does We.Inc's free plan include AI?

No. The free plan publishes up to 3 template sites on a we.inc address. AI building starts on Starter at $20/mo with 250 credits.

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We.Inc is an AI-powered website builder you can resell under your own brand. Launch a branded client dashboard, bill on Stripe Connect, and deliver AI-generated websites in minutes. White-label plans are custom priced, with no per-site fees.

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