Shopify or Wix for a Small Boutique?

The short answer

If selling online is the main reason you need a website, or you also sell at a shop or market booth, I'd pick Shopify. If you mostly need a nice-looking website and only plan to sell a handful of items, Wix can be enough, and it's often a little cheaper to start.

In the interest of being upfront: I build stores on Shopify and I'm a Shopify Partner, so take that into account. I'll tell you when I'd pick something else.

What each one costs

These are the numbers commonly listed in 2026. They change, and they can vary by billing plan, so check Shopify's pricing and Wix's pricing before you decide.

• Shopify Basic: about $39 a month, or about $29 a month if you pay yearly.
• Wix plans that can sell online: about $29 to $36 a month, depending on how you pay.
• Card processing: usually close on both, often around 2.9% plus 30 cents per online sale.
• Shopify's extra fee: if you use an outside payment provider instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify adds its own fee, about 2% on the Basic plan. Most small shops avoid this by using Shopify Payments.

For a small shop, the monthly difference usually isn't what should decide this. How you plan to sell should.

When I'd choose Shopify

• You'll be adding products and filling orders regularly.
• You sell at a shop or market and want your inventory to stay in sync.
• You want to manage orders and products from your phone.
• You may want extras later, like subscriptions, through its large app store.

When I'd choose Wix

• Your website is mostly about your story and services, with a small shop on the side.
• You only have a few products and don't expect many orders.
• You want to build it yourself using a drag-and-drop editor.

Things to work out before you pick

• Shipping: where you'll ship and what it really costs you to do it.
• Returns: your policy, including if all sales are final.
• Sales tax: ask your accountant or attorney what you need to register for.
• Who owns the account: it should be you, whoever builds it. See who should own your website.

Common questions

Is Shopify or Wix better for a small boutique?

Shopify is usually the better fit if selling is the main goal or you also sell in person. Wix can be enough if your site is mostly information with a few products.

Is Wix cheaper than Shopify?

Often slightly, at the start. Plans are close enough that the way you plan to sell usually matters more than the price difference. Check both pricing pages, because they change.

Can I move from Wix to Shopify later?

Yes, but it takes some work to bring over products and rebuild the design. If you already expect to grow into a real online store, it's easier to start on the platform you'll stay on.