Framer vs Wix: Which Website Builder is Right for You

March 17, 2025

min read

Choosing between Framer and Wix depends on your needs:

Framer: Best for designers and tech-savvy users who want advanced creative control and performance-focused websites. Starts at $5/month.
Wix: Ideal for non-technical users and small businesses needing a quick, user-friendly setup with built-in business tools. Starts at $17/month.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Framer	Wix
Design Control	Freeform canvas, advanced creative tools	Drag-and-drop editor, template-based
Target User	Designers, developers, creative agencies	Beginners, small businesses, content creators
Templates	1,000+ templates and sections	800+ templates
Performance	Optimized code, faster load times	Automated optimizations, global CDN
Mobile Design	Pixel-perfect control for mobile/desktop	Auto-optimized with mobile editing tools
Pricing	Starts at $5/month	Starts at $17/month
Key Strength	Advanced design flexibility	Ease of use, built-in business tools

Key Takeaway: Use Framer if you prioritize design freedom and performance. Choose Wix for simplicity and fast setup without technical skills.

Core Features Compared

Interface and Learning Curve

Wix offers a straightforward drag-and-drop editor, making it ideal for users without technical skills. Its AI assistance simplifies the setup process even further. On the other hand, Framer's interface resembles tools like Figma and Sketch, catering to those who want more advanced creative control. These differences shape how each platform handles design flexibility.

Design and Layout Options

Both platforms leverage AI tools, but they approach design differently:

Feature	Wix	Framer
Design Interface	Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor	Figma-inspired tool with advanced options
Layout System	Structured sections, customizable	Grids, Stacks, and Auto-Layout
Design Import	Limited import capabilities	Seamless import from Figma or Sketch
Customization	Two-panel editor for global changes	Detailed control over every element
AI Assistance	Conversational AI for guidance	Text-based AI generation

Available Templates

Templates play a key role in how users start their projects. Wix provides over 800 templates covering a variety of industries. Framer, however, offers more than 1,000 templates and sections tailored for businesses and SaaS products.

Mobile and Desktop Design

Wix automatically optimizes designs for mobile devices, with options for minor adjustments. Framer, in contrast, allows users to create pixel-perfect designs for both mobile and desktop, offering more precision for those who need it.

Framer vs Wix Review: Choosing the Best Website Builder

Framer

Best Uses and Users

Understanding the types of users for each platform can help pinpoint which one aligns with your website-building goals.

Who Should Use Framer

Framer is ideal for design pros and tech-savvy entrepreneurs who want full control over their website's look and feel. Its freeform canvas and advanced design tools are especially appealing to:

User Type	Features They’ll Love
Web Designers	Interface similar to Figma/Sketch, advanced animations
Tech Startups	Scalable hosting, built-in SEO, high-performance layouts
Creative Agencies	Total design freedom, custom interactions, advanced features
Developers	HTML/CSS/JavaScript integration, deep customization options

This platform shines for those ready to dive into its powerful tools and features.

"Framer gives you complete creative freedom to design, build, and publish stunning, responsive websites without Wix's drag-and-drop limitations, design constraints, or restrictive templates"

On the other hand, Wix focuses on simplicity and speed for users who need a website up and running quickly.

Who Should Use Wix

Wix is a go-to for small business owners, content creators, and entrepreneurs who want a professional-looking site without the hassle of coding or complex tools. Key user groups include:

User Type	Features They’ll Love
Small Business Owners	Fast setup, built-in tools for managing businesses
Content Creators	Blog integration, media galleries for showcasing work
Service Providers	Appointment scheduling, client management features
Online Retailers	E-commerce tools, easy payment processing options

Wix’s AI tools and templates make it simple to create a polished site without technical expertise.

"Wix is truly a beginner-friendly platform. Its drag-and-drop editor lets you add design elements like text boxes, images, buttons, and more directly onto a web page. It doesn't require coding, making it intuitive for anyone to understand."

Choosing between Framer and Wix depends on how comfortable you are with technical tools and your design goals. If you're after maximum creative flexibility and can dedicate time to learning, Framer is a strong option. For a fast, user-friendly setup, Wix is the way to go.

Technical Comparison

Page Load Times

Framer focuses on improving performance through targeted updates, while Wix leans on automation to streamline processes. Framer's updates deliver:

Reduced JavaScript loading by up to 50%
5x faster optimization for larger sites
50% quicker interactivity
42% faster cookie banner display on mobile devices

Wix, on the other hand, uses a global Content Delivery Network (CDN) alongside features like automatic CSS/JS optimization, browser caching, and WebP image conversion to maintain fast load times.

"Wix always makes performance their priority and it definitely shows, both in monitoring tools and in their user's experience" – Yoav Weiss, Senior Software Engineer and Developer Advocate at Google

Next, let's see how both platforms manage the increasing demand for mobile optimization.

Mobile Performance

With mobile traffic accounting for roughly 60% of internet usage, both platforms prioritize mobile performance. Framer simplifies this by automatically converting images into AVIF or WebP formats. Wix goes a step further with dedicated mobile editing tools, allowing users to customize their mobile site layout and functionality.

Feature	Framer	Wix
Image Optimization	Automatic AVIF/WebP conversion	Automatic WebP conversion
Video Handling	YouTube/Vimeo integration recommended	Built-in video player

For optimal mobile performance, Framer users should confirm their site is set to "Optimized" in the settings. Wix users can take advantage of its mobile editing tools to fine-tune their site's look and speed.

Now, let's explore how both platforms handle security and hosting.

Security and Hosting

Both Framer and Wix rely on enterprise-grade infrastructure to ensure reliability and safety. Framer uses AWS with CloudFront and S3, while Wix operates across AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Equinix.

Key security features include:

Data Encryption: AES-256 encryption with TLS 1.2+
Compliance: Adherence to ISO standards, SOC 2, and PCI DSS Level 1
Environment Management: Separate production, staging, and development environments
Security Tools: Application firewalls, bug bounty programs, and 24/7 monitoring

App and Tool Connections

Framer offers flexibility with tools for dynamic resource management, pre-rendering, and staging/versioning. Wix, in contrast, provides a more guided experience with built-in optimizations and secure integrations.

For best results, Wix users should keep image sizes under 8 MB and limit font types. Framer users should ensure their site is marked "Optimized" in the settings to maximize the platform's capabilities.

Cost Comparison

Pricing plays a key role in distinguishing these platforms after evaluating their technical features.

Framer Plans and Costs

Framer offers a range of pricing options, starting with a free plan and scaling up for personal and business needs.

Plan Level	Monthly Cost	Key Features
Free	$0	1,000 monthly visitors, Framer banner
Mini	$5	Custom domain, 2 pages, 1,000 visitors
Basic	$15	1,000 pages, 2 CMS collections, 10,000 visitors
Pro	$30	10,000 pages, 10 CMS collections, 200,000 visitors
Startup	$75	15,000 pages, 20 CMS collections, 6 editors
Scaleup	$200	30,000 pages, 30 CMS collections, custom proxy

For business users, additional editors and locales cost $40 each. The Scaleup plan also includes advanced options like custom proxy setup, available for an extra $350 per month.

Wix Plans and Costs

Wix offers a variety of plans tailored for personal and business use, with built-in marketing and eCommerce tools.

Plan Level	Monthly Cost	Storage	Key Features
Light	$17	2GB	Custom domain, 2 collaborators
Core	$29	50GB	Basic marketing suite, 5 collaborators
Business	$36	100GB	Standard eCommerce, 10 collaborators
Business Elite	$159	Unlimited	Advanced marketing, 15 collaborators

Additional Wix costs include:

Domain renewal: $14.95/year after the first free year
Premium apps: $2.50 to $499.90/month
Payment processing fees: variable percentage plus a flat fee per transaction
POS hardware: $1,495 for a complete package

These extras can add up, depending on your specific needs.

Price vs. Features by User Type

Choosing the right plan depends on your goals:

Portfolios: Framer's $5 Mini plan is a budget-friendly option, while Wix's $17 Light plan offers more storage and collaboration features.
Small Businesses: Framer's Basic plan ($15/month) is great for content management, but Wix's Core plan ($29/month) adds marketing and eCommerce tools.
Growing Companies: Wix's Business plan ($36/month) suits online stores, while Framer's Pro plan ($30/month) works well for content-heavy sites.

For enterprise-level needs, both platforms provide custom solutions. Wix leans toward offering more built-in business tools, while Framer focuses heavily on design and content management.

Conclusion

Main Differences

Framer and Wix differ primarily in their approach to building websites. Framer focuses on giving users creative freedom with its freeform canvas, while Wix emphasizes ease of use with its structured templates.

Aspect	Framer	Wix	Impact
Design Control	Freeform canvas	Template-based	Influences design freedom
Target User	Designers & tech-savvy users	Non-technical users & small businesses	Affects ease of use
Performance	Optimized code	Can be code-heavy	Impacts site speed
Starting Cost	$5/month	$17/month	Budget considerations

These differences help define which platform is better suited for specific needs.

Making Your Choice

Go with Framer if you:

Want full creative control over your website's design.
Are comfortable using design tools like Figma.
Need a marketing site that performs well.
Want to create custom animations without coding.
Plan to collaborate with a team on content management.

Choose Wix if you:

Need to set up an e-commerce store quickly.
Want access to a wide range of business tools.
Prefer working with structured templates.
Have little to no web design experience.
Rely on advanced AI-powered features.

Wix appeals to a broader audience, offering a stable option for general business needs. On the other hand, Framer is tailored for creative professionals and brands looking to stand out with unique, visually striking designs.

Your decision should depend on your technical expertise, budget, and project goals. While Wix provides a more extensive feature set starting at $17/month, Framer's $5/month entry-level plan is a compelling option for those who prioritize design flexibility over built-in business tools.