Quick answer
WordPress gives you an open-source CMS with broad hosting and plugin choice, but you are responsible for keeping the site, themes and plugins maintained. Wix bundles the editor, hosting and platform updates into one hosted service, making day-to-day management simpler but tying the site to Wix's infrastructure. A custom website gives the developer the most control over code, performance and integrations, but normally requires the highest upfront build investment. Compare the total cost over the period you expect to keep the site, not just the first monthly fee.
WordPress vs Wix vs custom website at a glance
| Area | WordPress | Wix | Custom build |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost model | Software is open source; hosting, build, themes/plugins and maintenance vary | Hosted subscription plus any paid apps or business features | Project build cost plus hosting and ongoing support if required |
| Hosting | Choose and change hosting provider | Runs on Wix infrastructure | Depends on the technology and hosting arrangement chosen |
| Editing | CMS and block editor, extended through themes/plugins | Visual hosted editor | Can include a CMS or custom admin where the project needs it |
| Maintenance | Core, themes, plugins and hosting need ongoing attention | Platform infrastructure and updates are handled by Wix | Depends on the stack; usually fewer third-party components if deliberately kept lean |
| Portability | Open-source software and data can be moved between suitable hosts | Site must run on Wix; content belongs to you but the Wix site itself is not externally hosted | Depends on contract and stack; confirm code, content and data ownership before commissioning |
| Custom integrations | Broad plugin ecosystem plus custom development | Strong app ecosystem and Wix developer tools within the platform | Can be designed around bespoke CRM, portal, automation or API requirements |
| SEO | Capable when configured and maintained well | Modern SEO controls are available within Wix | Maximum implementation control, but results still depend on content, authority and execution |
There is no universally cheapest platform. Compare build, subscription, hosting, plugins/apps, maintenance and the likelihood of a future rebuild over the expected life of the website.
WordPress cost vs Wix cost: compare the whole ownership model
WordPress itself is open-source software, so the CMS licence is not the main cost. You still need hosting and normally pay for design or development, and you may choose paid themes, plugins, security, backups or maintenance support. Costs therefore vary widely depending on how the site is built and who maintains it.
Wix packages the website builder and hosting into a hosted service. That makes the recurring cost easier to understand, but paid apps, e-commerce or business features can change the total. A fair comparison should use the features your business actually needs rather than comparing a bare WordPress install with a fully featured Wix plan.
WordPress: open source, portable and highly extensible
WordPress is open-source software licensed under the GPL. WordPress states that users are free to run, modify and extend it, and its plugin and theme ecosystem can support everything from straightforward business sites to stores, memberships and bespoke integrations.
That flexibility creates a maintenance responsibility. Your hosting, WordPress core, theme and plugins all need to remain compatible, secure and performant. A well-built WordPress site can be excellent; a site assembled from too many poorly maintained components can become slow or fragile.
Wix: hosted convenience with the platform managed for you
Wix is a hosted SaaS platform. Wix manages the underlying hosting, security infrastructure and platform updates, while the site owner works inside the Wix editor and product ecosystem. That can remove a lot of technical maintenance for a small business that wants to manage content itself.
The trade-off is portability. Wix states that a Wix site must be hosted and operated on Wix's servers because it relies on Wix technology. Your content belongs to you, and ownership of a site can be transferred to another Wix account, but moving the same Wix-built site to an unrelated hosting platform is not the same as moving an open-source WordPress installation.
Custom website: most control, but define ownership clearly
A custom website can be built around the exact customer journey, integrations and performance requirements of the business instead of starting with the assumptions of a general-purpose CMS or hosted builder. That is useful when the project includes CRM workflows, portals, complex forms, calculators, booking logic or other bespoke systems.
Custom does not automatically mean better. The developer still needs to produce accessible, maintainable code and give you a clear arrangement for hosting, source code, content and ongoing support. Ask who owns what before the project starts.
Which is better for SEO: WordPress or Wix?
Neither platform wins SEO simply because of its name. Search performance depends on crawlability, useful content, page structure, internal linking, mobile experience, page performance, backlinks and how well the site satisfies the search intent.
WordPress provides deep control through its core features, themes, plugins and code. Wix provides built-in SEO tools within its hosted platform. A custom build can give a developer very precise technical control. In all three cases, poor content or weak strategy can outweigh the technical platform choice.
When WordPress makes sense
Choose WordPress when you want an open-source CMS, expect regular publishing, want broad hosting choice, need a large ecosystem of extensions or have a team that can manage the ongoing maintenance. It is particularly useful when content management flexibility matters more than having the platform maintained for you.
When Wix makes sense
Choose Wix when ease of editing, bundled hosting and reduced technical administration matter more than being able to move the same site onto unrelated infrastructure later. It can suit small businesses that want to manage a straightforward site within one platform rather than coordinate hosting, plugins and updates separately.
When a custom build makes sense
Choose a custom build when the website is becoming part of the operating system of the business rather than just a brochure. If you need bespoke CRM connections, customer portals, AI assistants, calculators, automation, unusual booking logic or a highly controlled front-end experience, custom development can remove platform constraints.
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress cheaper than Wix?
Not automatically. WordPress software is open source, but hosting, development, premium plugins and maintenance can add cost. Wix bundles hosting and the website platform into a subscription. Compare the total setup and running cost for the features you need over several years.
Is Wix or WordPress better for SEO?
Both can support SEO. WordPress offers extensive technical flexibility through plugins and code, while Wix includes modern SEO controls in its hosted platform. Rankings depend more on implementation, content, site quality and authority than the platform name alone.
Can I move a Wix website to another host?
Wix states that Wix sites need to run on Wix's servers because they rely on Wix's proprietary SaaS technology. You own your content, but moving away normally means rebuilding the website on the destination platform rather than exporting and hosting the existing Wix site elsewhere.
Do I own a WordPress website?
WordPress is open-source software and its documentation emphasises control over your site and data. Your practical ownership also depends on your domain, hosting account, paid third-party licences and the agreement with whoever designed or developed the site.
When should I choose a custom website?
A custom build is most useful when the business needs functionality, integrations or performance control that would otherwise require significant platform workarounds. Make sure the contract clearly covers source-code, content and data ownership.
Related services
Sources and pricing checks
Product features and pricing can change. These official vendor pages were checked when this guide was updated.
