Shopify stands out for its ease of use, offering an intuitive interface, extensive app marketplace, and flexible features suited for a wide range of brands. BigCommerce, on the other hand, delivers a powerful out-of-the-box experience with built-in advanced features that often require paid add-ons elsewhere.

In this comparison, we’ll break down their pricing, customisation, scalability, and performance to help you find the right fit for your business.

BigCommerce or Shopify: Key Differences at a Glance

Shopify is known for its ease of use, making it a popular choice for businesses that want to launch quickly and focus on customer experience. It offers a user-friendly interface, polished design, and built-in tools such as Shopify Email, segmentation, and abandoned cart recovery on all plans. Its extensive app ecosystem allows businesses to expand functionality as they grow.

BigCommerce, on the other hand, provides robust built-in features from the start. It includes multi-storefront capabilities (available on any plan for an additional fee), strong native SEO tools, and B2B-specific functionalities through its B2B Edition.

An advanced version of each platform exists for larger businesses.

Shopify Plus includes multi-storefront management, a fully customisable checkout, and automation tools like Flow and Launchpad. It also offers built-in B2B features, including wholesale pricing, customer-specific catalogues, and bulk order management, making it a strong choice for both DTC and B2B brands.

BigCommerce Enterprise similarly provides advanced functionality with a focus on flexibility and control. It includes strong API capabilities, customisable workflows, and built-in B2B tools, such as corporate account management and purchase order processing. While it offers more built-in customisation options without reliance on third-party apps, it requires more technical expertise to fully leverage its capabilities.

Ultimately, both platforms cater to high-growth businesses, with Shopify Plus excelling in ease of use, automation, and an extensive app ecosystem, while BigCommerce Enterprise provides deeper customisation and flexibility for teams that prefer a more hands-on approach.

BigCommerce vs. Shopify: What should you pick?

Selecting the right ecommerce platform directly impacts your business efficiency, growth potential, and customer experience. Each platform excels in specific areas, whether it’s Shopify’s ease of use for startups, BigCommerce’s built-in advanced features for mid-sized companies, or Shopify Plus’s powerful automation for enterprises and B2B sellers

1. Small Businesses & Startups → Best Choice: Shopify
   with easy setup, intuitive admin, and built-in social selling tools for Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

1. Mid-Sized Businesses → Best Choice: BigCommerce
   because of its advanced built-in tools, flexible product setups, and sophisticated sales workflows without heavy reliance on third-party apps. 

1. Enterprise & High-Growth Brands → Best Choice: Shopify Plus
   because it provides automation tools, multi-channel selling, and extensive integrations.

1. B2B & Wholesale Sellers → Best Choice: Shopify Plus
   for tis native B2B features like company profiles, customer-specific pricing, bulk ordering, and flexible payment terms.

• Multi-Store or International Sellers → Best Choice: BigCommerce
  because it provides multi-storefront capabilities on all plans, higher API limits, and no transaction fees.

1. DTC & Lifestyle Brands → Best Choice: Shopify
   because it is built for DTC brands focused on aesthetics, marketing, and branding. Its high-quality themes, drag-and-drop design tools, and social commerce integrations make it the top choice for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands.

1. Businesses Needing In-Person Sales → Best Choice: Shopify
   for its native POS system that seamlessly syncs inventory across online and physical stores.

Key Features Comparison Shopify vs BigCommerce

1. Subscription Pricing

• Both platforms share identical standard plan pricing: $39 (entry), $105 (mid-tier), and $399 (advanced), with 25% annual discounts available.
• Enterprise pricing differs. BigCommerce starts around $1,000/month (custom), while Shopify Plus starts at $2,300/month (3-year term) or $2,500/month (1-year term).
• BigCommerce enforces annual revenue limits: $50K (Standard), $180K (Plus), and $400K (Pro); exceeding these triggers a required upgrade. Shopify has no revenue caps.
• BigCommerce supports multi-storefronts on all plans (additional monthly fee per store); Shopify offers this at the Plus plan.
• B2B functionality is available via BigCommerce’s B2B Edition (custom setup across plans); Shopify offers B2B features on Shopify Plus.

Key takeaways:

While Shopify and BigCommerce have similar headline pricing, actual costs vary depending on your business model. BigCommerce offers more built-in functionality upfront, ideal for B2B or multi-store sellers, but uses revenue-based plan upgrades, potentially increasing costs as your sales grow. Shopify provides greater predictability at scale, especially if you use Shopify Payments and stay within its ecosystem, which can simplify budgeting and forecasting.

For a full breakdown, see the BigCommerce pricing page and Shopify pricing page.

Note: Pricing plans may vary and the ones listed above are taken at the moment of writing this article. For accurate data, please check the official websites of both platforms.

2. Transaction Fees & Payment Processing

The biggest difference between BigCommerce and Shopify lies in how they handle third-party payment gateways.

BigCommerce doesn’t charge additional transaction fees, no matter which payment processor you use. You’ll still pay the standard processing fees (e.g. to PayPal or Stripe), but BigCommerce itself won’t take a cut.

Shopify, by contrast, applies extra fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments. These range from around 2% on the Basic plan to as low as 0.15% on Shopify Plus.

Both platforms offer competitive credit card processing rates via their default providers (BigCommerce via PayPal/Braintree, Shopify via Stripe). Rates improve on higher plans.

Both also support multi-currency, major payment gateways, and Buy Now, Pay Later options. Shopify includes Shop Pay Installments natively for eligible merchants.

3. Ease of Use

When it comes to user experience, Shopify is the clear winner. 

Its straightforward onboarding process, intuitive dashboard, and beginner-friendly interface make it ideal for users with little to no technical expertise. Store setup is quick, with step-by-step guides, a simple drag-and-drop editor, and a clean navigation structure.

BigCommerce, on the other hand, offers a more powerful but complex experience. It has a steeper learning curve due to its extensive built-in features, which require more configuration upfront. 

While its drag-and-drop page builder and structured dashboard are still user-friendly, the platform is better suited to users with prior eCommerce experience or technical knowledge.

In summary, eCommerce businesses that need a quick launch and minimal maintenance will find Shopify more approachable, whereas those that want greater initial built-in functionality may prefer BigCommerce despite the learning curve.

4. Design & Customisation

Feature	BigCommerce	Shopify
Theme Selection	BigCommerce offers free themes and hundreds of paid themes ranging from $99 to $400.	Shopify provides free themes and over 100 paid themes priced between $150 and $350.
Customisation Flexibility	Users have full access to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The platform uses the Stencil framework, which is structured and developer-friendly.  BigCommerce also supports headless commerce via its API.	Shopify’s Liquid framework allows for extensive theme customisations across all plans, but certain advanced modifications—especially in checkout customization—require Shopify Plus. The platform also supports headless commerce through Hydrogen and Oxygen.
Drag-and-Drop Editing	BigCommerce includes a built-in page builder that allows modular design changes.  While flexible, it is not as intuitive as Shopify’s editor.	Shopify’s Theme Editor features an easy-to-use drag-and-drop system, making it more user-friendly for store customisation.
Mobile Responsiveness	All BigCommerce themes are mobile-optimised.  The platform includes native AMP support for faster mobile page loading.	Shopify themes are fully mobile-responsive but lack native AMP support, requiring third-party apps for AMP functionality.
Checkout Customisation	Full checkout customisation is only available on the Enterprise plan.  Standard plans have more limitations.	Shopify Plus is required for full checkout customisation.  Users can modify checkout elements using Shopify Functions and Scripts.
Multi-Storefront Management	BigCommerce allows multiple storefronts on all plans. These can be managed from a centralised dashboard.	Shopify only includes multi-storefront functionality on Shopify Plus.  Standard Shopify plans require separate accounts for each store.

Key takeaways

• BigCommerce offers greater flexibility for theme customisation with full code access via its Stencil framework. Shopify’s Liquid framework allows extensive theme customisation but restricts certain areas (such as checkout modifications) unless using Shopify Plus.
• Shopify offers an easier drag-and-drop experience, making it more user-friendly than BigCommerce’s page builder.
• Both platforms support headless commerce, but Shopify has a more structured solution with Hydrogen and Oxygen.
• BigCommerce allows multiple storefronts even on lower-tier plans, whereas Shopify restricts this feature to Shopify Plus.

5. eCommerce Features

Both BigCommerce and Shopify offer a strong foundation for selling online, covering everything from product management to SEO. 

But the differences in how these tools are implemented – and what’s included by default – can influence how much you’ll rely on apps or developer support as you grow.

5.1 Product management

Both platforms support unlimited products and bulk editing. BigCommerce includes more built-in flexibility for custom product fields and advanced product variants, whereas Shopify provides metafields and variant options that allow for similar configurations. However, businesses with highly complex product structures may need apps on either platform to extend functionality.

5.2 Inventory control

Both platforms offer multi-location inventory tracking and automated stock updates. BigCommerce provides more built-in automation for complex inventory workflows, while Shopify integrates inventory management directly into its admin panel, with additional apps available for businesses that need more advanced tracking capabilities.

5.3 Multi-channel selling

Both platforms support multi-channel selling with integrations for Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

5.4 SEO & URL structure

Both platforms offer strong SEO tools, including structured data, customisable meta fields, and automated sitemaps. BigCommerce allows full URL customisation and native AMP support, while Shopify has a fixed URL structure (e.g., requiring “/products/” in URLs). However, Shopify’s SEO performance remains strong, with deep integration into Google Search Console and a large ecosystem of SEO-focused apps.

5.5 Subscription & Recurring Payments

BigCommerce requires a third-party app for subscriptions. Shopify now includes a native “Shopify Subscriptions” app available to merchants on most plans.

5.6 Shipping & Fulfillment

Both platforms offer real-time shipping rates and fulfillment integrations. BigCommerce includes real-time carrier rates on all plans, while Shopify requires Advanced or Plus plans for third-party carrier rates—unless using Shopify Shipping. Shopify also provides access to Shopify Fulfillment Network (SFN), offering streamlined fulfillment solutions for eligible merchants.

6. Integrations & Apps

Feature	BigCommerce	Shopify
App Store Size	Offers 1,200+ apps in the BigCommerce App Marketplace.	Provides 6,000+ apps in the Shopify App Store, including many official Shopify-built solutions.
Built-in Features	Includes advanced eCommerce tools natively, such as product filtering and B2B features, reducing reliance on third-party apps.	Shopify has a lighter core platform but provides native solutions for marketing, automation (Flow & Launchpad for Plus users), and B2B within its app ecosystem.
Third-Party Integrations	Connects with major ERPs, CRMs, accounting tools, and shipping providers with deep API-based integration options.	Offers a vast range of third-party integrations.
API Capabilities	Provides high REST and GraphQL API call limits on all plans, making it a strong choice for API-heavy businesses.	API limits scale with plan tiers.
POS System Integrations	Does not have a native POS system.	Offers Shopify POS, a native system that syncs inventory, sales, and customer data across online and offline stores.
Headless Commerce	Uses an Open SaaS model, enabling headless commerce via APIs that integrate with WordPress, Next.js, and other front-end frameworks.	Provides Hydrogen (a React-based storefront framework) and Oxygen (a hosting solution for Hydrogen sites), available for all plans, though primarily used by Shopify Plus merchants.

Key takeaways:

• Shopify has a much larger app ecosystem (6,000+ apps), offering more flexibility for expanding store functionality.
• Both platforms offer strong API access, but BigCommerce provides high API call limits on all plans, while Shopify scales API access with plan tiers.
• Shopify POS is a major advantage for merchants needing integrated in-person selling tools, whereas BigCommerce relies on third-party POS providers.
• Both platforms support headless commerce, but Shopify has a dedicated headless framework (Hydrogen & Oxygen), while BigCommerce integrates with external CMS solutions.

7. Scalability & Performance

Shopify is widely recognised as a leading platform for high-growth brands, powering some of the world’s biggest eCommerce businesses. It is designed to handle large traffic spikes effortlessly, making it an excellent choice for brands scaling rapidly. Shopify’s intuitive interface, extensive automation tools, and vast app ecosystem allow businesses to grow with minimal technical complexity.

BigCommerce is a strong option for brands that require high API limits, built-in B2B tools, and multi-store capabilities. It offers more out-of-the-box features, reducing reliance on third-party apps. However, its revenue-based plan upgrades ($50K–$400K limits) may require businesses to move to a higher-tier plan sooner than expected.

Shopify’s scalability and ease of use make it well suited for businesses looking for a frictionless growth experience. While BigCommerce provides higher API limits on all plans and allows multi-storefronts at a lower entry point (for an additional fee), Shopify’s expansive ecosystem and seamless integrations provide businesses with more flexibility as they grow.

For businesses needing checkout customisation, multi-storefront management, or higher API call limits, Shopify Plus unlocks enterprise-level capabilities. Unlike BigCommerce, Shopify does not impose revenue-based plan upgrades, allowing businesses to scale without forced migrations.

BigCommerce includes built-in features for B2B and advanced product management, making it an efficient choice for companies with complex operational needs. However, Shopify’s automation, marketing tools, and user-friendly interface make it a preferred option for businesses focused on rapid growth and brand-building.

8. SEO & Marketing Tools

Feature	BigCommerce	Shopify
SEO Optimisation	Allows full URL customisation, structured data, editable metadata, automatic 301 redirects, and native AMP support.	SEO-friendly metadata, redirects, and sitemap generation. URL structure is less flexible (e.g., “/products/” must remain in URLs), but this has minimal impact on rankings.
Site Speed Optimisation	Uses a built-in global CDN, and fewer third-party apps may help maintain speed.	Uses a built-in global CDN (Fastly) for high performance. Speed depends on theme optimisation and app usage.
Blogging	Built-in blogging tool, but lacks advanced features found in WordPress.	Built-in blog with better product integration, though not as powerful as WordPress.
Email Marketing	No built-in email tool; integrates with Mailchimp, Klaviyo, and Omnisend.	Shopify Email is built-in, allowing basic email campaigns without third-party apps. Advanced features still require external tools.
Social Media & Ad Integrations	Native integrations with Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Google Ads.	Same native integrations, plus a larger ecosystem of marketing tools and automation options.
Abandoned Cart Recovery	Available only on Plus plan and above.	Included on all plans.

Key takeaways:

• BigCommerce provides greater SEO control, including fully customisable URLs and native AMP support. Shopify has a more structured URL format, but this has minimal impact on SEO rankings.
• Both platforms include built-in blogging tools, but Shopify’s blog feature is slightly more advanced with better product integration.
• Shopify has a built-in email marketing tool (Shopify Email), whereas BigCommerce requires third-party integrations.
• Shopify includes abandoned cart recovery on all plans, while BigCommerce restricts it to the Plus plan and above.
• Both platforms offer strong social media and ad integrations, but Shopify provides a larger ecosystem of marketing tools and automation options.

9. Security & Compliance

Both BigCommerce and Shopify offer strong security measures to protect stores and customer data.

• SSL Certificates: Both platforms include free SSL certificates on all plans, ensuring encrypted transactions and secure browsing. BigCommerce allows third-party SSL installations, providing additional flexibility, while Shopify’s SSL is standardised, simplifying setup and maintenance.
• PCI Compliance: Both platforms are PCI DSS Level 1 compliant, meaning merchants do not need to manage PCI compliance themselves.
• Fraud Protection: Shopify includes fraud analysis tools on all plans, flagging suspicious transactions. Advanced fraud prevention, including chargeback protection, requires Shopify Payments. BigCommerce integrates with third-party fraud prevention services like Signifyd, offering additional protection against fraudulent transactions.
• GDPR & Data Privacy: Both platforms offer GDPR compliance tools, including cookie consent banners and customer data access requests. BigCommerce provides more built-in GDPR features, while Shopify may require third-party apps for full compliance.
• DDoS Protection & Security Monitoring: Both platforms provide real-time security monitoring, automatic security updates, and protection against DDoS attacks.
• Backup & Data Recovery: BigCommerce performs daily automated backups, but merchants must contact support for data restoration. Shopify does not offer built-in backups, requiring merchants to use third-party apps or manual exports for data recovery.

10. Customer Support & Resources

Both BigCommerce and Shopify provide extensive customer support, but they differ in structure, availability, and the level of hands-on assistance offered.

BigCommerce Customer Support

BigCommerce offers 24/7 support across all plans via live chat, phone, and email, ensuring that merchants have access to immediate help when needed. Phone support is available on every plan. Shopify also offers 24/7 phone support, but availability depends on the merchant’s region, which can make access less consistent.

In addition to direct support, BigCommerce provides:

• A help center with guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting tips.
• A community forum where merchants can ask questions and share experiences.
• BigCommerce University, a library of training videos and webinars designed to help eCommerce businesses optimise their stores.

For enterprise-level users, BigCommerce offers:

• A dedicated account manager to assist with store growth, integrations, and troubleshooting.
• Priority support, ensuring faster response times for critical issues.

Shopify Customer Support

Shopify also offers 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, but phone support availability depends on location.

Beyond general support, Shopify has one of the most extensive self-help ecosystems in eCommerce, offering:

• A help center with detailed guides on store setup, management, and troubleshooting.
• An active community forum where merchants interact, share solutions, and get advice from experts.
• Shopify Academy, which offers training on eCommerce growth, marketing, and best practices, catering to both beginners and experienced merchants.

For Shopify Plus users, the platform provides premium support, including:

• Merchant success managers, who act as business consultants, helping merchants develop long-term strategies, optimise conversion rates, and implement best practices for store management.
• A launch team that assists with store migrations, complex integrations, and technical configurations to ensure a smooth transition to Shopify Plus.
• Priority support, offering faster access to senior support agents specialising in Plus-specific features and enterprise needs.

Key takeaways

Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer 24/7 customer support, though BigCommerce includes phone support on every plan, whereas Shopify’s phone support availability varies by location. Shopify stands out with a larger self-help ecosystem, providing extensive educational resources and an active community forum compared to BigCommerce. For enterprise-level support, BigCommerce assigns dedicated account managers, while Shopify Plus delivers strategic guidance through merchant success managers and specialised launch teams. Shopify Plus also offers priority support and personalised onboarding, making it particularly beneficial for rapidly scaling businesses.

11. Enterprise Comparison

At the enterprise level, BigCommerce and Shopify offer two very different models – both powerful, but suited to very different types of teams and businesses.

Shopify Plus is Shopify’s dedicated enterprise offering, and it’s where many of its most advanced tools live. Several key capabilities are locked behind the Plus paywall, including:

• Checkout customisation (via Shopify Functions and Checkout Extensibility)
• Automation tools like Shopify Flow (workflow automation) and Launchpad (scheduled sales & campaigns)
• B2B functionality, including customer-specific catalogues, company profiles, and payment terms
• Unlimited staff accounts and advanced permissions
• API rate limits that scale with traffic
• Dedicated support and implementation specialists

BigCommerce Enterprise takes a more developer-centric, API-first approach to enterprise commerce. Rather than gating features behind tiers, it exposes most of its power across all plans – and layers on custom services at the enterprise level.

BigCommerce Enterprise gives you:

• Higher API limits and advanced performance handling
• Custom checkout scripting and open access to code
• B2B Edition (as an add-on) for account-based pricing, purchase orders, quote workflows, and company-level user management
• Custom contract terms, priority support, and SLAs
• Full access to integrations, headless options, and staging environments

Key takeaways:

Shopify Plus is ideal for fast-moving brands seeking powerful features without relying heavily on developers. Its built-in automation tools, such as Flow and Launchpad, streamline operations, and its user-friendly admin area is effective for large teams. BigCommerce Enterprise, however, offers greater technical flexibility, particularly suitable for complex B2B scenarios, but typically requires more development effort to utilise fully. While Shopify reserves many advanced tools for its Plus tier, BigCommerce provides access to core functionality at lower tiers. Nonetheless, Shopify’s polished interface and extensive ecosystem often make managing growth simpler, requiring less custom development overall.

12. Automation Tools

Automation tools help merchants reduce manual work, maintain consistency, and scale operations without adding staff. These tools handle repetitive tasks and complex workflows automatically.

Feature	BigCommerce	Shopify (Plus Only)
Automation Tools	No built-in visual automation tool but includes basic automation features like price rules and customer segmentation. Advanced automation requires API-based workflows or third-party integrations.	Shopify Flow provides a no-code visual automation builder for workflows like auto-tagging customers, fraud detection, and inventory alerts. Launchpad schedules store-wide events like sales and product launches.
Customisation Approach	API-first platform offering flexibility through webhooks and REST/GraphQL APIs. Developers can modify checkout, pricing, and product logic.	Shopify Functions (replacing Scripts in 2025) allows custom checkout, discount, and shipping logic. Checkout Extensions enable custom UI elements like trust badges, loyalty perks, and upsells.
Ease of Use	Requires developer expertise for automation and advanced customisations. Best suited for brands with technical teams.	Designed for ease of use with built-in, guided automation tools. Shopify Plus users can modify checkout and pricing logic without deep coding knowledge.
Best For	Businesses that require API-driven automation and deep storefront control. Ideal for brands with in-house technical teams or agencies.	Brands that want structured, built-in automation tools with the option for both no-code and advanced developer-led customisations. Best for fast-scaling eCommerce businesses.

Key takeaways;

• Shopify Plus provides a major advantage with no-code automation tools like Shopify Flow and Launchpad, making workflow automation accessible without needing a developer.
• BigCommerce does not have a visual automation tool but supports basic automation through price rules and segmentation. Advanced automation requires APIs or third-party apps.
• BigCommerce is better suited for brands with in-house development teams that prefer API-driven automation.
• Shopify Plus is more accessible to a wider range of businesses, offering both easy-to-use automation tools and advanced developer customisation through Shopify Functions and Checkout Extensions.

13. Headless Commerce

Headless commerce separates the frontend presentation layer (what customers see) from the backend commerce engine (product management, checkout, etc.).

This architecture gives brands complete creative control over customer experiences across all touchpoints while maintaining a unified commerce backend.

BigCommerce Headless

BigCommerce supports headless commerce with comprehensive APIs that integrate with various front-end technologies. This allows brands to build custom storefronts using frameworks like React, Vue, or Angular while managing commerce functionality through BigCommerce.

The platform offers pre-built integrations with frameworks like Next.js and Gatsby, along with a WordPress plugin for hybrid headless implementations.

Shopify Hydrogen and Oxygen

Hydrogen is a React-based framework designed for building Shopify storefronts, offering pre-built commerce components, performance optimisations, and development tools.

Oxygen is Shopify’s managed hosting platform for Hydrogen-built storefronts, providing seamless deployment and scaling.

While Hydrogen is Shopify’s recommended headless solution, merchants can still connect Shopify’s backend to other front-end technologies using the GraphQL Storefront API.

Shopify provides a structured headless approach, optimising performance and simplifying development through Hydrogen and Oxygen. This can accelerate development for teams that follow Shopify’s ecosystem, though merchants can still use other frameworks via APIs.

Key Takeaways:

• BigCommerce supports flexible headless commerce integrations, offering APIs for connecting with various front-end frameworks.
• Shopify provides a structured headless solution through Hydrogen and Oxygen, but developers can still use other frameworks via Shopify’s APIs.
• BigCommerce offers more flexibility in choosing front-end technologies, while Shopify provides a pre-optimised development environment that simplifies implementation.

Alternatives to BigCommerce & Shopify

While BigCommerce and Shopify are among the most popular eCommerce platforms, they aren’t the only options. 

Depending on your business model, technical expertise, and scalability needs, other platforms may be a better fit.

1. WooCommerce 

A powerful open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress, WooCommerce is a viable option for businesses that want full control over their store. It offers unlimited flexibility, access to thousands of plugins, and no platform fees. This makes it a great long-term investment for brands that rely on content marketing and SEO. 

Since WooCommerce requires separate hosting, security management, and custom development, it better suits businesses with technical resources or developer support.

Compare Shopify vs BigCommerce vs WooCommerce here.

2. Wix eCommerce

A simple and user-friendly website builder with eCommerce functionality. Wix is best for small businesses, entrepreneurs, or hobbyist sellers who want an easy, code-free way to launch an online store. It provides drag-and-drop design tools, built-in payment processing, and essential eCommerce features. 

However, while effective for small businesses, Wix eCommerce lacks the scalability, flexibility, and advanced integrations of Shopify or BigCommerce, making it less suitable for fast-growing brands.

3. Magento (Adobe Commerce)

A powerful, enterprise-level platform designed for high-volume businesses with complex product catalogues and international operations. Magento offers advanced customisation, deep B2B features, and robust inventory management. 

While undoubtedly comprehensive, Adobe Commerce requires significant development resources and a large hosting, security, and ongoing maintenance budget. It’s a strong choice for large corporations but overkill for most small to mid-sized brands.

Compare Abobe Commerce to Shopify Plus here.

Final Verdict: Which Platform is Better?

Choosing between BigCommerce and Shopify depends on your business model, growth plans, and technical requirements. Both platforms offer powerful eCommerce capabilities but cater to different needs.

When Shopify is the Best Fit

• Ease of use is a priority. Shopify’s intuitive interface and guided setup make it ideal for businesses that want to launch quickly with minimal technical effort.
• You need a rich app ecosystem. Shopify offers an extensive marketplace of apps, allowing businesses to expand functionality as they grow.
• Multi-channel selling is essential. Shopify integrates directly with Amazon, eBay, Instagram, TikTok, and more, making it a strong choice for businesses selling across multiple platforms.
• B2B and wholesale selling is a focus. Shopify Plus includes native B2B features such as company profiles, customer-specific pricing, net payment terms, and bulk ordering, making it a strong option for wholesalers and businesses with hybrid B2B/B2C models.
• You want an ecosystem with built-in automation. Shopify provides tools like Flow for workflow automation, Launchpad for scheduling promotions, and Shopify Functions for advanced checkout customisation.
• You prefer predictable scalability. Shopify does not enforce revenue-based plan upgrades, meaning you can scale without needing to switch to a higher-tier plan unless you require enterprise features.

When BigCommerce is the Best Fit

• You want more built-in features from the start. BigCommerce includes advanced tools like flexible product variants, bulk pricing, and SEO controls without requiring third-party apps.
• You want to avoid platform transaction fees (but revenue limits apply!) Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce does not charge additional transaction fees, regardless of the payment processor you use. However, each plan has an annual revenue limit, meaning you must upgrade as your sales grow.
• You need high API limits and flexibility. BigCommerce allows deeper custom integrations, headless commerce, and multi-storefront management at lower-tier plans. Shopify Plus also provides advanced API capabilities, but BigCommerce offers higher limits on standard plans.
• SEO control is important to you. BigCommerce provides greater native URL customisation and built-in AMP support, which can benefit organic search visibility. Shopify offers strong SEO tools, but some advanced features may require apps.

Making the Right Choice

• For fast-growing brands that prioritise ease of use, automation, and multi-channel selling, Shopify is in most cases the better fit.
• For businesses that require built-in B2B tools, flexible SEO capabilities, and fewer dependencies on third-party apps for core eCommerce functions, BigCommerce offers a strong solution. However, Shopify Plus also provides powerful B2B functionality, robust SEO options, and access to a vast app ecosystem that can extend capabilities further.
• BigCommerce has no platform transaction fees, but revenue limits on lower-tier plans must be factored into cost considerations.
• Both platforms scale well, but Shopify’s structured ecosystem makes growth more predictable, while BigCommerce offers more open-ended customisation options.

Get Expert Help

Selecting the best eCommerce platform is a crucial decision that impacts your store’s performance, scalability, and long-term success. Whether you’re looking to optimise an existing store, expand into new markets, or build an integrated multi-channel experience, having the right strategy in place is just as important as the technology you choose.

Our team has extensive experience helping businesses navigate their eCommerce journey—from platform selection to store development, optimisation, and growth. If you’re unsure which solution fits your needs best or want expert guidance on scaling your online business, we’re here to help.

Get in touch today to discuss your eCommerce goals and how we can support your growth.