Shopify vs BigCommerce: Which Should You Choose?

E-commerce has become essential for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're a small business or an enterprise-level organization, choosing the right platform can greatly impact your success. Two of the most popular platforms are Shopify and BigCommerce. But how do they compare, and which one is better suited for your business? In this article, we'll explore Shopify vs BigCommerce by comparing their features, pricing, ease of use, integrations, and more, helping you decide which is the best fit for your online store.

Introduction

As the digital shopping experience evolves, more businesses are turning to platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce to power their online stores. Both platforms offer robust e-commerce solutions, but they cater to different types of businesses. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, it's important to understand the unique features and benefits each platform provides. In this detailed comparison, we'll dive into the strengths and weaknesses of both Shopify and BigCommerce to help you make an informed decision.

Background Information

Shopify Overview

Shopify was founded in 2006 and has since grown into one of the largest e-commerce platforms, powering over 1.7 million businesses worldwide. Shopify is known for its ease of use and intuitive design, making it a great choice for small and medium-sized businesses. With a wide range of customizable templates, payment options, and third-party apps, Shopify helps merchants create beautiful and functional online stores with minimal technical skills.

The platform is particularly popular with businesses that prioritize aesthetics and usability. Its large app ecosystem allows users to expand their store’s functionality with marketing tools, accounting systems, and shipping integrations, including the ability to use Shoppable videos and apps like ReelTok, which are increasingly vital in today’s marketing landscape.

BigCommerce Overview

Founded in 2009, BigCommerce has carved out a niche as a platform for rapidly growing businesses that need advanced functionality. While Shopify targets a broad spectrum of merchants, BigCommerce focuses more on scalability and flexibility. It’s ideal for businesses that expect to scale quickly or handle large inventories and multiple channels.

BigCommerce comes with more built-in features than Shopify, such as advanced SEO tools, multi-currency support, and B2B functionalities, making it a powerful choice for medium to large enterprises. Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees, which can result in significant cost savings for businesses that handle large volumes of transactions.

Key Features Comparison

Ease of Use

When comparing Shopify vs BigCommerce in terms of ease of use, Shopify clearly leads. Shopify's intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows users to set up and customize their store with minimal effort. Its dashboard is simple, making it easy for users with little to no technical knowledge to navigate through settings, add products, and manage sales.

BigCommerce, on the other hand, has a steeper learning curve. While it provides more powerful built-in features, its interface can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners. That said, for users who are comfortable with technology and need more advanced customization, BigCommerce offers greater flexibility.

Design & Templates

Shopify offers over 70 professional and customizable themes, with both free and paid options. These themes are highly responsive and optimized for mobile shopping, a crucial aspect in today’s e-commerce environment. Shopify’s themes are also easy to modify, even for users without coding knowledge, allowing merchants to create a visually appealing store with ease.

BigCommerce, while offering fewer themes (around 12 free and 100 paid options), provides more advanced customization out of the box. Users with coding skills will find it easier to make significant changes to the design. BigCommerce’s themes are also mobile-friendly, but the platform generally requires more technical know-how to create the same level of customization that Shopify offers by default.

Payment Gateways and Transaction Fees

Shopify supports over 100 payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and its native Shopify Payments. However, if you don’t use Shopify Payments, the platform imposes transaction fees ranging from 0.5% to 2%, depending on your pricing plan.

BigCommerce supports around 65 payment gateways, including popular options like PayPal and Stripe. One significant advantage BigCommerce has over Shopify is that it doesn’t charge transaction fees, regardless of the payment processor you choose. This can be a major cost-saving factor, especially for high-volume merchants.

Product Management

When it comes to product management, both Shopify and BigCommerce offer robust tools, but BigCommerce excels in handling larger, more complex inventories. Shopify makes it easy to add products, manage inventory, and set up variations like size and color. However, Shopify limits product options (e.g., size, color) to just three variants, which may be restrictive for businesses with more complex needs.

BigCommerce, on the other hand, offers unlimited product variants and categories, making it better suited for businesses with diverse inventories. Its product management tools are more advanced, allowing merchants to customize products and manage inventory on a deeper level.

SEO and Marketing Tools

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a crucial aspect of any e-commerce strategy, and both platforms offer solid SEO features. Shopify provides essential tools like customizable title tags, meta descriptions, and automatic generation of XML sitemaps. However, its URL structure is rigid and less SEO-friendly than BigCommerce’s, which allows for more flexible and cleaner URLs.

BigCommerce has a slight edge in built-in SEO tools, offering advanced features like server-side rendering and full control over URLs and metadata. BigCommerce also provides better multi-channel integration, allowing merchants to seamlessly sell across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Google Shopping. Both platforms support Shoppable videos, which can be a powerful tool to boost engagement and conversions.

Pricing Comparison

Shopify Pricing Plans

Shopify offers a tiered pricing structure with plans ranging from $39 to $399 per month:

• Basic Shopify ($39/month): Suitable for small businesses and includes basic e-commerce features like product uploads and online store support.

• Shopify ($105/month): Adds professional reporting and lower transaction fees.

• Advanced Shopify ($399/month): Ideal for growing businesses that need advanced reporting and shipping discounts.

Additional costs can arise from transaction fees (if not using Shopify Payments) and premium themes or apps.

It’s important to also note that Shopify has a strong app ecosystem that can add up in costs. For example, if you want to use advanced marketing tools like ReelTok for Shoppable videos, you might need to install premium apps, which can range in price depending on the features you need.

BigCommerce Pricing Plans

BigCommerce also offers tiered plans, ranging from $39 to $399 per month:

• Standard ($39/month): No transaction fees and supports up to $50,000 in annual sales.

• Plus ($105/month): Adds features like abandoned cart recovery and customer segmentation.

• Pro ($399/month): Ideal for high-volume businesses, supporting up to $400,000 in annual sales.

BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees, which can save businesses a lot of money compared to Shopify, especially for high-volume sellers. In addition, BigCommerce provides more built-in features at each pricing tier, reducing the need for expensive third-party apps.

Which Platform Offers Better Value?

While both platforms offer similar pricing structures, BigCommerce tends to provide more value for businesses with larger inventories or higher transaction volumes, thanks to its lack of transaction fees and more advanced built-in features. Shopify is ideal for smaller businesses that prioritize ease of use and can afford to spend on third-party apps.

When looking at total costs over time, businesses that need fewer third-party apps may find BigCommerce’s pricing more straightforward and cost-effective, whereas Shopify’s transaction fees and app costs can add up, especially for stores processing a high number of sales.

Integrations and Apps

Shopify App Store

Shopify’s app store is one of its biggest strengths, offering over 6,000 apps that add various functionalities, from marketing tools to accounting software. The platform integrates seamlessly with apps like ReelTok, which helps merchants create Shoppable videos, making it easier to engage customers through interactive content.

Shopify’s app ecosystem includes everything from social media integrations, email marketing, and tools for dropshipping. This is an essential factor for businesses that want to customize and scale their store without having to hire a developer. However, these apps can add significant monthly costs to your overall Shopify bill.

BigCommerce Marketplace

BigCommerce’s app marketplace is smaller, offering around 1,000 apps. However, it provides more built-in functionality than Shopify, meaning fewer apps are needed to get the store up and running. BigCommerce also integrates well with essential business tools like ERPs and CRMs, making it a great choice for businesses that need robust backend solutions.

BigCommerce’s marketplace is more focused on high-growth and enterprise-level tools, which makes it a good choice for larger businesses. The apps cover a wide range of needs, including logistics, inventory management, and B2B tools.

Which Platform Has Better Integrations?

For businesses looking to enhance their store through third-party apps, Shopify’s larger ecosystem is a clear advantage. However, if you want more advanced functionality without relying on too many apps, BigCommerce may be the better choice. BigCommerce offers a more robust set of built-in features, which can minimize reliance on third-party solutions.

Customer Support and Resources

Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer excellent customer support, including 24/7 live chat, phone, and email options. Shopify provides a more extensive range of tutorials, documentation, and a vibrant community forum where users can find solutions to common issues.

BigCommerce also offers strong support, especially for businesses that require more technical assistance with advanced features. Their support team is particularly helpful for larger businesses dealing with more complex e-commerce setups.

One area where both platforms excel is in their educational resources. Shopify Academy and BigCommerce University offer free courses, webinars, and guides, making it easier for users to learn about e-commerce best practices and platform features.

Scalability and Performance

Shopify Scalability

Shopify is well-suited for businesses that plan to scale. Shopify Plus, its enterprise solution, is designed for high-growth businesses and offers advanced features like automation, custom checkouts, and higher-level support. Shopify’s robust infrastructure ensures fast page loading and uptime, even during high-traffic events like Black Friday.

One of Shopify’s greatest strengths is its ability to handle rapid growth while keeping the platform stable and responsive. Shopify Plus is trusted by major brands and provides additional resources, including dedicated account managers and access to Shopify's partner network for custom development projects.

BigCommerce Scalability

BigCommerce is specifically designed for scalability. With no transaction fees, unlimited product options, and a focus on fast page loads, it’s built to handle large stores. BigCommerce also offers enterprise solutions, with a strong API allowing for complex integrations and customization.

BigCommerce’s scalability is particularly beneficial for stores with high transaction volumes or those that need advanced features without relying on third-party apps. The platform’s infrastructure is built to support growth, making it a solid choice for businesses that expect significant increases in traffic and sales.

Which Platform is Better for Growing Businesses?

Both platforms are highly scalable, but BigCommerce has a slight edge for large or complex stores that need extensive product catalogs and multiple integrations without incurring transaction fees. Shopify is better for businesses that want a more user-friendly interface and are willing to rely on third-party apps to scale.

Challenges and Limitations

• Shopify: Some users find Shopify’s reliance on third-party apps and transaction fees frustrating. For businesses with large product catalogs or complex needs, Shopify can become expensive when you factor in the additional costs of apps and transaction fees. Furthermore, while Shopify is great for beginners, it lacks the built-in advanced features that BigCommerce offers without requiring apps.

• BigCommerce: While BigCommerce offers powerful built-in features, it’s less user-friendly than Shopify, which could be a barrier for beginners. Customization, while more advanced, may require coding knowledge, which can be a challenge for smaller businesses without technical support. Additionally, the platform’s steep learning curve can deter users who are looking for a more straightforward, plug-and-play solution.

Another limitation of BigCommerce is its limited design flexibility compared to Shopify. While it offers advanced features, it may require more technical resources to achieve the same level of aesthetic polish that Shopify offers out-of-the-box.

Future Developments and Trends

Both Shopify and BigCommerce are evolving to meet the needs of modern e-commerce. Shopify continues to invest in mobile commerce and new marketing tools like Shoppable videos, which are becoming increasingly popular across platforms like ReelTok. BigCommerce, meanwhile, is focusing on expanding its capabilities in B2B commerce, offering better tools for wholesalers and enterprise-level businesses.

As e-commerce continues to grow, both platforms are well-positioned to take advantage of new trends, including the rise of artificial intelligence, automation, and headless commerce. Headless commerce allows businesses to separate the frontend and backend of their e-commerce platform, enabling them to create more customized and flexible storefronts. Shopify and BigCommerce are both exploring opportunities in this space, ensuring they remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.

Looking forward, Shopify is likely to continue expanding its app ecosystem, providing even more integrations and tools for store owners. On the other hand, BigCommerce may continue to focus on enhancing its built-in features, making it an even more powerful platform for large, complex businesses that don’t want to rely on multiple third-party apps.

Conclusion

When choosing between Shopify vs BigCommerce, the decision ultimately depends on your business needs. Shopify excels in ease of use, design flexibility, and a vast app ecosystem, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. BigCommerce, with its advanced built-in features, lack of transaction fees, and scalability, is better suited for larger businesses or those with more complex needs.

Consider your business size, budget, and growth potential before making your decision. Whichever platform you choose, both Shopify and BigCommerce provide powerful tools to help you build and scale a successful online store.