Choose Your Database

When building a data-driven site with Wix, you can store your data in the built-in Wix CMS or an external database. The Wix CMS handles the vast majority of use cases, providing a fully managed, high-performance database solution that's optimized for Wix sites.

For specialized requirements that the CMS can't address, Wix also supports external database integration.

This article helps you understand when to use the CMS and the rare cases when external databases might be necessary.

Database types

There are 3 main types of databases, each optimized for different use cases:

  • Document databases: Store data as flexible documents, ideal for websites.
  • Relational databases: Store data in structured tables with relationships, ideal for complex queries and transactions.
  • Analytical databases: Store data optimized for reporting and analytics across large datasets.

Wix uses a document-oriented database for the CMS because document databases are best suited for websites. They store data as flexible documents that map naturally to the JSON objects used in web development, making it easy to store and retrieve the varied content types found on websites.

Advantages of the Wix CMS

The Wix CMS provides several key benefits that make it the preferred choice for most projects:

  • Zero setup: Data immediately available with no configuration required
  • Global performance: Automatically replicated worldwide for fast access from any location
  • Built-in security: PII encryption, GDPR compliance, and role-based security included by default
  • Automatic scaling: Handles traffic spikes and growth without manual intervention

Choose your database

The Wix CMS should be your default for most projects. However, you should consider using an external database if:

  • You have existing database infrastructure that you don't want to migrate.
  • You need advanced analytical capabilities across very large datasets.
  • You have specific compliance requirements that require a particular database technology.
  • You have an extremely large set of data.

For most other scenarios, the Wix CMS provides the best combination of performance, security, and ease of use.

See also

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