Choosing the right eCommerce platform is a critical step, especially for high-risk merchants who can’t afford sudden account shutdowns or unsupported payment processors. While both Wix and Shopify offer powerful tools to build and grow online stores, they come with limitations for businesses in regulated or high-risk industries.
At Corepay, we specialize in payment processing for merchants who fall outside the box, whether you’re in telemedicine, supplements, adult, travel, or CBD. If you’re weighing Wix vs Shopify, here’s what you need to know.
Key Differences Between Wix and Shopify
| Feature | Wix | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly drag-and-drop builder | User-friendly dashboard with more structure |
| Core Focus | Website builder with eCommerce add-ons | Built for eCommerce from the ground up |
| Pricing (entry) | $36/month for Core plan | $39/month for Basic Shopify |
| Design Flexibility | 1,100+ free templates, can’t switch themes | 13 free themes, flexible paid themes |
| Multicurrency Support | No | Yes (with Shopify Payments) |
| Analytics | Basic + Google Analytics integration | In-depth native analytics + App Store |
| SEO Tools | Advanced built-in | Requires third-party apps for some features |
| App Ecosystem | 1,000+ apps | 8,000+ apps, more for scaling |
| POS Capability | Available in US/Canada only | Global POS support with hardware |
| High-Risk Friendly? | ❌ Not supported natively | ❌ Not supported natively |
Why High-Risk Merchants Should Not Rely on Shopify or Wix Alone
While both platforms support standard credit card processing, neither platform provides a compliant solution for high-risk industries.
- Wix relies on Wix Payments, Stripe, and PayPal, none of which allow high-risk verticals like adult, supplements, or telehealth.
- Shopify Payments is also powered by Stripe. If your store sells GLP-1s, peptides, vape, or regulated content, you risk being shut down without warning.
Many merchants discover this only after being terminated mid-growth.
Learn more about our telemedicine merchant accounts here.
Corepay: The Trusted Solution for High-Risk Businesses on Wix and Shopify
Both Shopify and Wix allow third-party payment gateways, which means you can integrate Corepay directly into your store and remain compliant.
We offer:
- Custom high-risk payment gateways compatible with both platforms
- Fast and secure onboarding, including assistance integrating via API or hosted payment forms
- Chargeback mitigation tools to reduce fraud and disputes
- Support for subscription billing, trial offers, and multi-currency transactions
- Global acquiring bank relationships across the US, UK, and EU
If your store is already running on Wix or Shopify, you don’t have to migrate, just plug Corepay in.
Platform Comparison for High-Risk Compatibility
| Feature | Wix | Shopify | Corepay Integration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default Gateway | Wix Payments (Stripe-powered) | Shopify Payments (Stripe-powered) | Yes (via plugin/API) |
| High-Risk Support | ❌ (third party required) | ❌ (third party required) | ✅ (full support) |
| Subscription Billing Support | ✅ (limited) | ✅ (Shopify + 3rd party apps) | ✅ (native) |
| GLP-1 / Telehealth OK? | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| CBD, Vape, Adult Friendly? | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Chargeback Tools | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (via CB-Alert) |
| Integration Time | 1–3 days with help | 1–3 days with help | ✅ Fast setup |
Verdict: Should You Use Wix or Shopify?
- Choose Wix if you’re a creator, portfolio builder, or small shop owner looking for ease of use, blogging tools, and flexibility. But it’s not ideal for growth-stage eCommerce or high-risk.
- Choose Shopify if you’re serious about scaling an online store, need robust inventory management, or plan to sell across multiple channels. Just be careful, high-risk products are not allowed on Shopify Payments.
- Choose Corepay if you’re in a high-risk vertical and need compliant payment processing. Our team will connect you to a custom gateway that works with both platforms and keeps your store live.
What We Think About Wix
Wix is a solid platform if you need a flexible website builder with some light eCommerce features. It’s simple to use, great for small shops and creators, and comes with built-in tools like Wix Stores and email marketing. But here’s the catch, Wix Payments is powered by Stripe.
That means if you’re selling anything considered high-risk—like supplements, GLP-1s, adult content, telehealth, or anything regulated, your payment processing will get flagged or shut down. We’ve seen it happen over and over again.
At Corepay, we help Wix users in high-risk industries process payments compliantly by integrating directly with their store, bypassing Stripe and giving you a secure, scalable solution.
What We Think About Shopify
Shopify is one of the most powerful eCommerce platforms out there. If you’re selling online and ready to scale, it’s hard to beat the tools Shopify gives you: product catalogs, fulfillment automation, international selling, the whole stack.
But just like Wix, Shopify Payments is built on Stripe. And Stripe doesn’t allow high-risk merchants. If your business sells CBD, peptides, GLP-1s, adult memberships, or anything else considered restricted, Shopify will not support you natively. Even worse, using a third-party processor without Shopify Payments adds extra transaction fees.
That’s where we come in. At Corepay, we integrate directly with your Shopify store, no account shutdowns, no added processing risk. Just fully compliant, high-risk-ready payment solutions that let you focus on growth.
Final Thoughts
Wix and Shopify both offer incredible tools, but when it comes to high-risk merchant processing, they fall short out of the box. Whether you’re in telemedicine, adult content, nutraceuticals, or any other high-risk vertical, Corepay ensures your store stays live and compliant.
