Wix vs Hostinger in 2025: Which website builder fits SMBs best?

Choosing between Wix and Hostinger’s Website Builder comes down to how much you value all-in-one simplicity, design freedom, and built-in AI versus ultra-low bundled pricing (hosting + domain + AI builder) and a lighter, faster path to launch. Below I compare them across the SMB criteria we standardized for this project: features, AI, ease of use, support, scalability, security, performance, ecosystem, e-commerce depth, content marketing, analytics, pricing, and migration—using only current, primary or vendor sources.

Quick SMB snapshot

Market presence & direction

• Wix continues to invest in AI and performance. In 2025, it introduced an AI Visibility Overview to help sites optimize for AI search (GEO), adding to a broad AI roadmap begun earlier.
• Hostinger has leveraged AI Website Builder, along with a steady stream of 2025 product updates, including on-site AI Writer enhancements, shop analytics, low-stock alerts, and the ability to generate a full WooCommerce store with AI (when choosing WordPress on Hostinger).

Head-to-head: AI capabilities

Wix

• AI Website Builder flow + ongoing AI customization for content and tone; tightly integrated into the editor.
• AI tools hub: free AI tools with more advanced features on upgraded plans (copy, design, images, SEO helpers).
• AI Visibility Overview (2025): assists with Generative Engine Optimization (how brands surface in LLM/AI search).

Hostinger

• AI Website Builder: type brand + business description; AI generates a custom site you refine with drag-and-drop.
• Horizons (advanced AI): build/write/design in 80+ languages; broader “AI partner” positioning.
• 2025 updates: AI Writer embedded across the builder; AI can auto-create WooCommerce stores if you go the WordPress route on Hostinger.

Takeaway for SMBs: Wix’s AI is deeper inside a single platform; Hostinger’s AI is strong for fast first drafts/sites, and uniquely bridges into WordPress/WooCommerce if you later need that path.

Ease of use & onboarding

• Wix: Free-to-build onboarding, templates and AI; upgrade when you need payments or advanced features.
• Hostinger Builder: Sign up for a low-cost hosting plan that includes the builder + domain, answer a few prompts, and publish. 

For non-technical SMBs, both are simple. Wix gives more design freedom and an extensive app ecosystem; Hostinger gives a streamlined, budget-oriented path with fewer moving parts at checkout.

Pricing (what SMBs actually pay)

• Wix: Pricing is region-specific and tiered; you can build for free, but accepting payments requires upgrading to a Business/Ecommerce plan. Wix documents e-commerce plan ranges on its blog and pricing pages.
• Hostinger: From $2.99/mo including hosting, a free domain, SSL and the website builder. Plans and localized pricing pages reiterate this bundled approach.

Budget lens: If cash flow is tight and you want one invoice for hosting + builder + domain, Hostinger’s bundle is compelling. If you prefer free build time, then upgrade only when revenue starts, Wix’s model resonates.

Scalability & flexibility

• Wix: Scales well for small to mid-sized stores and service sites; Wix Stores officially supports up to 50,000 products, including many retail features and apps. 
• Hostinger Builder: Targets small catalogs (up to 500 products) with 20+ payment methods—suited to leaner stores and simpler logistics. 
• Growth path difference: With Hostinger you can later pivot to WordPress/WooCommerce on the same provider, using AI to bootstrap the store—handy if you outgrow the builder’s caps. 

Security & compliance (non-negotiable for payments)

• Wix: PCI DSS Level 1 (Merchant & Service Provider), SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, GDPR/CCPA/LGPD, hosted on AWS/GCP/Equinix; automatic SSL. 
• Hostinger: Automatic lifetime SSL (Let’s Encrypt) on builder sites; security stack with proactive monitoring and malware scanning; PCI-compliant SSL offering; vendor publishes security practices and 2023/24 threat stats. 

Bottom line: Both give SMBs strong, managed security without hiring a security engineer.

Performance

• Wix: Centralized performance tuning, WebP conversion, real-time platform monitoring; Wix reports major Core Web Vitals gains platform-wide. 
• Hostinger: Positions hosting for speed/uptime; with the builder you don’t manage servers or caching details—performance optimizations are baked in by the provider.

Neither exposes low-level server tuning like self-hosted WordPress would—but for most SMBs both are “fast enough” when content and images are optimized.

Third-party ecosystem (talent, agencies, apps)

• Wix: Large app market and partner network; wide breadth of add-ons and templates. (Wix features & help centers) 
• Hostinger Builder: Smaller, more curated environment—but the same provider can run WordPress if you need the massive plugin/talent ecosystem later.

If you anticipate frequent customizations by outside freelancers, Wix’s ecosystem is broader inside the builder world; if you expect to “graduate” to WordPress, Hostinger offers a smoother in-house transition.

E-commerce depth

Wix Stores

• Up to 50,000 products; subscriptions; multichannel; marketing and analytics; many extensions.
• You can build for free, but must upgrade to take payments.

Hostinger Builder Store

• Up to 500 products, 20+ payment methods, shipping options, discounts, zero platform transaction fees claimed. The recent update added store analytics dashboards and low-stock alerts.

SMB guidance: Micro/small shops with simpler catalogs do well on Hostinger. If you plan for extensive catalogs and advanced retail workflows, Wix’s upper ceiling is higher within a hosted builder.

Content marketing & SEO

• Wix: AI copy tools, meta helpers, SEO resources; new AI Visibility Overview for optimizing how brands appear in AI/LLM search—unique among builders.
• Hostinger: Builder includes built-in SEO tools and AI SEO Assistant; the company publishes updated how-tos on AI content and design.

Both are solid options for beginner-to-intermediate SEO; Wix currently leads the way in “GEO” for AI results.

Analytics & business insights

• Wix: Native analytics, ecommerce insights, and performance tooling (platform resources).
• Hostinger: 2025 release adds on-site shop analytics (revenue, orders, AOV) inside the builder dashboard.

Is Wix or Hostinger best for your business?

Final verdict (for SMBs)

• Choose Wix if you want the most capable all-in-one builder, heavier e-commerce ceilings, and the most mature native AI and app ecosystem within a no-code platform.
• Choose Hostinger Website Builder if you want the leanest cost structure (hosting + domain + builder at $2.99/mo), fast AI-generated sites, and a future path to WordPress/WooCommerce on the same provider when you outgrow the builder. 

FAQ: Wix vs Hostinger (2025)

Is Wix cheaper than Hostinger?
Not typically for entry level. Hostinger’s bundle starts at $2.99/mo, including hosting, domain and builder. Wix lets you build for free, but taking payments requires a paid plan; prices vary by region and tier.

Which has stronger AI for websites?
Wix offers deep, native AI (site creation, ongoing content/design, and GEO via AI Visibility Overview). Hostinger’s AI builder is excellent for creating fast site drafts and now integrates with WordPress/WooCommerce builds as well. 

Which is better for larger online stores?
Wix: up to 50,000 products and a wider retail feature set in-builder. Hostinger’s builder supports up to 500 products (fit for small shops). 

Do both include SSL and strong security?
Yes. Wix has PCI DSS L1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, and automatic SSL on AWS/GCP/Equinix. Hostinger builder sites auto-provision lifetime Let’s Encrypt SSL, and the provider runs security measures and monitoring.

Can I start on a builder and later move to WordPress?
With Wix, full design/logic export is limited—you’d typically rebuild. With Hostinger, you can switch to WordPress/WooCommerce on the same host and even use AI to generate the initial store.