Astro vs Wix

A developer-focused static-site framework versus an all-in-one website builder. Compare customization and performance with convenience and simplicity.

Quick verdict: Choose Astro for custom, high-performance websites built by developers. Choose Wix when a small business owner or non-technical user needs to get a site up and running independently.

Feature Comparison

Feature Astro Wix
Building Approach Code-based (HTML, CSS, JS/TS) Drag-and-drop visual editor
Technical Skill Required Developer (HTML, JS, Git) None -- designed for beginners
Page Load Speed Sub-second (static HTML from CDN) 2-5s typical (heavy runtime)
JavaScript Shipped Zero by default 500 KB+ Wix runtime on every page
Customization Unlimited -- any design, any feature Limited to Wix templates and apps
Hosting Any host (self-hosted, CDN, cloud) Wix hosting only (no export)
Vendor Lock-in None Complete -- cannot export your site
SEO Control Full control over HTML, meta tags, structured data Basic SEO settings; limited HTML control
E-commerce Via integrations (Snipcart, Shopify API) Built-in stores and payment processing
Pricing Free (open source) + hosting Free tier (with ads), $17-35/month paid

Performance

Astro

  • ✓Static HTML served from a CDN with no server-side rendering overhead
  • ✓Zero JavaScript by default -- pages load as fast as raw HTML
  • ✓Full control over asset optimization, lazy loading, and caching
  • ✓Lighthouse performance scores of 95-100 are standard
  • ✓Excellent Core Web Vitals which directly impact Google rankings

Wix

  • ●Heavy JavaScript runtime (500 KB+) loads on every page regardless of content
  • ●Pages are rendered client-side, leading to slower Time to Interactive
  • ●Wix has improved performance in recent years but still lags behind static sites
  • ●Lighthouse scores typically range from 40-70 for most Wix sites
  • ●Limited ability to optimize -- you cannot remove Wix's built-in scripts

User and Developer Experience

Astro

Astro gives developers complete freedom to build exactly what they want. There are no template constraints, no platform limitations, and no proprietary tools. You write standard HTML, CSS, and JavaScript/TypeScript and can use any npm package.

The trade-off is that you need development skills. Astro is not a self-service tool for non-technical users. For content editing, pairing Astro with a headless CMS provides a user-friendly interface for non-developers.

Wix

Wix is designed for people with no technical background. The drag-and-drop editor makes it possible to build a website in hours. Hundreds of templates provide starting points for restaurants, salons, portfolios, and small businesses.

The Wix App Market adds functionality like booking, forms, and social feeds. However, customization is limited to what Wix offers. You cannot write custom server-side code, access the underlying HTML, or integrate tools outside the Wix ecosystem.

Pricing

Astro

Astro is free and open source. Static hosting on Cloudflare Pages, Netlify, or Vercel costs nothing for most sites. Your only recurring cost is a domain name ($10-15/year).

The main investment is developer time for the initial build. Ongoing costs stay near zero because there are no platform fees, no subscription tiers, and no bandwidth overage charges.

Wix

Wix offers a free tier that includes Wix branding and ads. To use a custom domain and remove ads, plans start at $17/month. Business and e-commerce plans range from $17-35/month. Premium apps from the Wix App Market may add extra monthly fees.

Over 3 years, a Wix business site costs roughly $600-1,260 in platform fees alone. If you stop paying, you lose access to your site -- there is no way to export and host it elsewhere.

Best Use Cases

Choose Astro for

  • →Custom business websites with unique design requirements
  • →SEO-critical sites where performance drives revenue
  • →Companies that want to own their website code and hosting
  • →Projects needing integrations beyond what Wix apps offer
  • →Agencies building websites for clients

Choose Wix for

  • →Small businesses wanting a quick online presence
  • →Solo entrepreneurs with no budget for a developer
  • →Simple brochure sites, personal portfolios, or event pages
  • →Businesses needing built-in booking, forms, or simple e-commerce
  • →Projects where convenience matters more than performance

Our Verdict

Wix makes website creation accessible to everyone. If you need a basic site up today and have no technical skills or budget for a developer, Wix is a reasonable starting point. Its drag-and-drop editor and all-in-one approach remove the barriers to getting online.

The trade-offs are significant, though. Wix sites load slowly due to the heavy JavaScript runtime, offer limited SEO control, and lock you into the Wix platform permanently. You cannot export your site, and if you stop paying, your site disappears.

Astro delivers dramatically better performance, complete customization, and no vendor lock-in. For businesses serious about their web presence -- where page speed, SEO rankings, and long-term ownership matter -- Astro is the professional-grade choice. The investment in developer resources pays for itself through better search performance and lower ongoing costs.

Ready to Build with Astro?

Let us help you choose the right platform and build a website that performs.

Get My Free Platform Assessment