Wix Headless enables you to build custom frontends using any technology stack, while leveraging Wix's business management platform. There are 2 headless development paths you can take to connect your custom frontend to Wix's backend services. Each path determines how much of the setup, configuration, and hosting you manage yourself, and how much Wix automates for you. The right path for you depends on your technical preferences, project requirements, and desired level of control. Understanding these development paths helps you choose the best approach for your project's needs.
Wix Headless supports 2 main development paths:
Take advantage of a fully Wix-managed solution for developing and hosting your headless project. Wix handles hosting, authentication, and infrastructure, so you can focus on building your frontend and business logic.
You can work with Wix-managed headless projects in 2 ways:
You can move between Vibe and CLI development:
Use this path when you want the fastest, most automated experience and are happy using Wix's recommended stack and hosting. It's a good fit for new projects where you want Wix to handle as much as possible, including hosting, authentication, and infrastructure.
To learn more about what Wix-managed headless provides, including the architecture, authentication model, extensions, and development workflow, see About Wix-Managed Headless.
Build your own frontend from scratch with any framework or platform, and connect it directly to Wix's backend using the Wix JavaScript SDK or the REST API. You're responsible for all configuration, authentication, and hosting.
Use this path when you need maximum flexibility and control. This approach supports integrating Wix business logic into existing sites, using any development framework, and building highly customized solutions.
| Feature | Self-managed headless | Wix-managed headless |
|---|---|---|
| Use any frontend framework | ✓ | |
| Use any hosting or deployment solution | ✓ | |
| Astro-based frontend with React, Vue, Svelte, or Solid | ✓ | |
| Wix JavaScript SDK integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Wix Client configuration | ✓ | |
| Automatic project scaffolding | ✓ | |
| Automatic environment variable setup | ✓ | |
| Wix-managed hosting with global CDN, SSL, and auto-scaling | ✓ | |
| App extensions for custom backend logic and dashboard features | ✓ | |
| AI-powered bootstrapping with Wix Vibe | ✓ | |
| Multilingual support | ✓ |