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Developer Tools · head to head

PhpStorm vs Wix Studio

PhpStorm logo

PhpStorm

Developer Tools

JetBrains IDE for PHP web development

From
$24/month
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite
Wix Studio logo

Wix Studio

Web Development

Web platform for agencies and enterprises to build high-performing sites

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Wix Studio has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: PhpStorm requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use.; Wix Studio free plan lacks advanced features and requires Wix branding
  • They diverge on capability: PhpStorm covers PHP-aware coding assistance, Wix Studio covers Responsive editor with pixel-perfect control.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PhpStorm and Wix Studio actually diverge.

Attributes where PhpStorm and Wix Studio differ
AttributePhpStormWix Studio
Starting price$24/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionsubscription, rates shown per country and not published in a fixed currency
Free tierNoYes
Platformswindows, mac, linuxWeb, Mobile app
CategoryDeveloper ToolsWeb Development
Founded20002006

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in PhpStorm

  • PHP-aware coding assistance
  • Integrated debugger
  • Front-end tooling
  • Database tools
  • Version control integration
  • Docker and remote deployment

Only in Wix Studio

  • Responsive editor with pixel-perfect control
  • Flexbox and section grid controls
  • No-code animations
  • Custom CSS capabilities
  • JavaScript support
  • Frontend and backend APIs
  • eCommerce with customizable checkout
  • Bookings and appointments

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

PhpStorm

  • Building PHP web applications with Laravel or Symfonynot Wix Studio
  • Debugging PHP code with Xdebugnot Wix Studio
  • Working across PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in one projectnot Wix Studio
  • Managing databases alongside application codenot Wix Studio

Wix Studio

  • Building responsive websites for creative portfoliosnot PhpStorm
  • Launching high-converting eCommerce storesnot PhpStorm
  • Managing service business bookings and schedulingnot PhpStorm
  • Creating event ticketing and registration platformsnot PhpStorm
  • Scaling multi-site management for agenciesnot PhpStorm

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

PhpStorm

  • Requires an ongoing paid subscription with no free tier for commercial use.
  • Heavier and slower to start than lightweight code editors.
  • Some advanced framework-specific tooling requires additional configuration or plugins.
  • Renewal pricing rises for lapsed subscriptions after the grace period.

Wix Studio

  • Free plan lacks advanced features and requires Wix branding
  • Pricing increases with additional site collaborators
  • Storage limits on lower-tier plans may constrain media-heavy sites
  • Prices shown are GST-inclusive and vary by location
  • Business Elite tier at $159.77/month is expensive for small sites
  • Published plan prices vary by country and are rendered dynamically, so the rate you see may differ from the figures quoted here

Pricing, plan by plan

PhpStorm

$24/month
  • Individual$24/month
    • Personal use license
    • Access to PhpStorm
    • Free for students and open-source maintainers
  • Organization$34/month
    • Business use license
    • Access to PhpStorm
    • Volume and renewal discounts

Wix Studio

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Wix Studio review.

Which should you pick?

Choose PhpStorm if

  • You need php-aware coding assistance.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want integrated debugger.
PhpStorm review

Choose Wix Studio if

  • You need responsive editor with pixel-perfect control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app.
  • You also want flexbox and section grid controls.
Wix Studio review

Questions people ask

Is PhpStorm or Wix Studio better?
Neither clearly leads. PhpStorm starts at $24/month and Wix Studio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PhpStorm or Wix Studio?
Wix Studio has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $24/month for PhpStorm and Free for Wix Studio.
Does PhpStorm or Wix Studio run on more platforms?
PhpStorm runs on windows, mac, linux. Wix Studio runs on Web, Mobile app.
Can I use Wix Studio for free?
Yes. Wix Studio has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. PhpStorm starts at $24/month.
What is PhpStorm best used for?
PhpStorm is most often used for building php web applications with laravel or symfony, debugging php code with xdebug, working across php, html, css, and javascript in one project, managing databases alongside application code. Of those, building php web applications with laravel or symfony and debugging php code with xdebug are not what Wix Studio is typically brought in for.
What can PhpStorm do that Wix Studio cannot?
PhpStorm covers PHP-aware coding assistance, Integrated debugger, Front-end tooling, Database tools. Wix Studio covers Responsive editor with pixel-perfect control, Flexbox and section grid controls, No-code animations, Custom CSS capabilities.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PhpStorm: How much does PhpStorm cost?

PhpStorm is sold via JetBrains Toolbox subscription starting around $24/month for individuals and $34/month for organizations, with free licenses for students and open-source maintainers.

Source
Wix Studio: What is included in all Wix plans?

All plans include custom domain option, reliable web hosting, AI creation tools, 24/7 customer care, and 14-day money-back guarantee.

Source
PhpStorm: Is there a free trial?

JetBrains offers a free trial of PhpStorm so developers can test it before subscribing.

Source
Wix Studio: How does storage scale across Wix Studio plans?

Free and Light plans offer minimal storage. Core plan includes 50 GB, Business plan includes 100 GB, and Business Elite includes unlimited storage.

Source
PhpStorm: What platforms does PhpStorm support?

PhpStorm is a desktop IDE available on Windows, macOS, and Linux via JetBrains Toolbox.

Source
Wix Studio: Are Wix Studio prices the same globally?

No. Prices and currency vary by location. USD prices displayed are for reference only and include GST.

Source
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