BIGCOMMERCE VS SHOPIFY

If launching an online shop is on your to-do list, you've likely encountered the question: Should I choose BigCommerce or Shopify?

Both platforms are highly capable, but each has distinct features that may sway your decision depending on your goals, technical ability, and long-term growth plans. In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between BigCommerce and Shopify—from pricing and usability to features, design, and beyond—to help you make an informed choice.

Pros and Cons of Shopify and BigCommerce

Before committing to either Shopify or BigCommerce, it’s important to weigh the strengths and drawbacks of each platform.

Shopify is known for its user-friendliness, robust app ecosystem, and ease of integrating with third-party tools. It's a favourite among entrepreneurs and growing businesses looking for a straightforward yet powerful way to sell online.

Key Advantages of Shopify

1) Excellent suite of built-in sales tools

2) Flexible pricing options including Shopify Plus for enterprises

3) Highly customisable backend with access to apps and extensions

4) Active community of Shopify experts, developers, and designers

5) Strong inventory and product management system

6) Supports multi-channel selling (e.g. Instagram, Facebook, Amazon)

7) 24/7 customer support

Drawbacks of Shopify

1) Scaling may require third-party apps, particularly for international selling

2) Transaction fees apply when not using Shopify Payments

3) Changing templates requires reformatting your site

4) Blogging features are somewhat limited

5) URL structure can be less SEO-friendly

Now let’s consider BigCommerce, which focuses heavily on built-in e-commerce features and scalability.

Key Advantages of BigCommerce

1) Comprehensive set of built-in selling tools

2) No transaction fees, so you retain more profit

3) Strong SEO features to boost search engine visibility

4) Scales easily for fast-growing online shops

5) Offers multi-channel selling across various marketplaces

Drawbacks of BigCommerce

1) Less beginner-friendly due to more complex terminology

2) Requires some programming knowledge to fully unlock its potential

3) Annual sales thresholds may force you to upgrade plans

4) Setting up multilingual stores can be tricky

5) Interface may be overwhelming for first-time users

Pricing and Plans

Price is often the first consideration when choosing an e-commerce platform. Both BigCommerce and Shopify offer plans that cater to different budgets.

Shopify makes it easy to start small. Its entry-level plan provides a “Buy” button, which you can embed on an existing website or social media platform. For a fully-fledged online store, both Shopify and BigCommerce offer plans starting at roughly £25 per month.

While Shopify might appear more affordable upfront, keep in mind the added costs of themes, apps, and transaction fees if you opt out of Shopify Payments. BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees, which can save you money in the long term especially if you process a high volume of sales.

Features and Functionality

Both platforms offer a solid foundation for running an online shop. Standard features include:

1) Unlimited products and orders

2) Unlimited bandwidth and storage

3) Mobile-optimised storefronts

4) Visual store builders and drag-and-drop editing

5) Built-in shopping cart functionality

6) Credit card processing with multiple gateways

7) Shipping integration

8) 24/7 support

9) Point of Sale (POS) functionality for brick-and-mortar setups

However, the difference lies in how these features are delivered.

Shopify shines with its extensive app store and plug-and-play functionality. It's ideal for businesses that prefer adding features as needed through extensions.

BigCommerce, by contrast, packs more features into its core product. You can run a powerful online shop without relying heavily on apps or upgrades, making it a strong choice for those who want advanced tools built in from the start.

Design and Themes

A sleek, attractive website can make all the difference in converting visitors into customers.

Shopify offers over 100 themes, both free and paid, organised by industry type, helping you find a style that suits your business. Its themes are mobile responsive, fast, and optimised for sales. Customising your store is straightforward, and the editing experience feels familiar if you’ve used platforms like WordPress before.

BigCommerce also offers a strong range of professionally designed themes. These are fully responsive and allow for deep customisation. However, the editing interface is a bit more technical, and some users find it less intuitive than Shopify’s.

While both platforms offer beautiful designs, Shopify generally provides a smoother design experience, especially for users without coding experience.

App Ecosystem and Extensions

Shopify has arguably the most comprehensive app store in the e-commerce space. With over 500 apps and integrations, you can add everything from dropshipping and live chat to advanced analytics and loyalty programmes. Many apps are free, while premium options typically cost between £10 and £40 per month.

Some popular Shopify apps include:

1) Oberlo – for importing dropshipping products

2) Sales Pop – for real-time sales notifications

3) Klaviyo – for email marketing and automation

BigCommerce offers a similar variety of apps and integrations. While not as extensive as Shopify’s, the BigCommerce marketplace includes tools for marketing, sales, inventory management, and POS. Notable integrations include Vend (for inventory syncing across physical and online stores) and Marsello (for loyalty and automation campaigns).

Shopify’s advantage here is the sheer scale and maturity of its app ecosystem, which gives you more flexibility and room to grow.

Payment Gateways and Checkout

When it comes to accepting payments, both platforms support online and offline transactions.

BigCommerce comes with over 65 payment gateways built-in, supporting more than 250 local payment methods across 100+ countries. Set-up is seamless, and there are no additional transaction fees, something many merchants value.

Shopify supports over 100 payment providers, but charges a transaction fee unless you use its in-house solution, Shopify Payments. That said, Shopify Payments is available in most regions and supports multiple currencies and payment methods, making it easy to sell internationally.

If avoiding extra fees is a priority, BigCommerce may be the better choice. If you value ease of integration and a simple setup process, Shopify Payments is a compelling option.

Ease of Use and Support

Both platforms are committed to helping merchants succeed, but they differ in how beginner-friendly they are.

Shopify is known for its intuitive setup and clean dashboard. It walks you through the store-building process and requires minimal technical knowledge to get started. If you're new to e-commerce, Shopify is likely to feel more approachable.

BigCommerce, while feature-rich, can feel overwhelming at first. The terminology and interface are more complex, and unlocking its full potential may require a bit of coding know-how.

In terms of customer support, both platforms offer 24/7 assistance via phone, live chat, and email. However, BigCommerce typically prompts you to fill out a form and review help articles before contacting support. Shopify also suggests DIY resources, but tends to get you through to an agent a bit faster.

Final Verdict

There’s no definitive winner—your best choice depends on your specific business needs.

Choose Shopify if you want a user-friendly platform with a vast app marketplace, vibrant support community, and smooth onboarding. It’s ideal for those just starting out or looking for a platform that grows alongside their business.

Choose BigCommerce if you’re an experienced seller who wants powerful features built-in, robust SEO capabilities, and no transaction fees. It’s particularly suitable for larger businesses or those expecting to scale rapidly.

Both platforms are excellent. The key is understanding what matters most to your business, ease of use, price, customisation, scalability and selecting the platform that aligns best with your goals.

Need Help Migrating or Launching on Shopify? As a Shopify agency, we help brands migrate from BigCommerce to Shopify and build high-performing stores that scale with your business goals. Whether you’re replatforming or starting fresh, let’s talk.