BigCommerce vs Shopify – Which One Is Better?

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When comparing top ecommerce platforms like BigCommerce vs Shopify, choosing the best provider can be a daunting task. Both platforms are renowned for their powerful features, robust integrations, and user-friendly interfaces. So, how do you decide which one is the right fit for your business needs?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine each ecommerce platform and its offerings, including pricing, key features, ease of use, and customer support. By examining their strengths and weaknesses, we aim to provide you with all the information necessary to make an informed decision.

Read on as we compare BigCommerce vs Shopify to help you determine which is the superior ecommerce platform.

BigCommerce
Shopify

BigCommerce vs Shopify Compared

Before diving into detailed comparisons, here’s a table highlighting the key features and differences between BigCommerce and Shopify:

BigCommerce Shopify
Starting Price Starting at $29/month Starting at $29/month
Free Version ❌
(15-day trial)		 ❌
(3-day trial and then 1 month for $1)
Free Domain ❌ ✅
Ecommerce Capabilities Extensive customization, API-driven commerce, cross-channel ecommerce, B2B, international, and much more Extensive customization, payment gateways, B2B process automation, mobile commerce, and much more
Included SEO Tools ✅ ✅
Customer Support 24/7 tech support (phone, chat, & ticket) 24/7 chat support
Bandwidth/Storage Unlimited Unlimited
Security Features Advanced (PCI DSS Level 1 certified) Advanced (PCI DSS Level 1 certified)
Moneyback Guarantee ❌ ❌

BigCommerce vs Shopify: Pricing Compared

Winner: BigCommerce

When comparing the pricing plans of BigCommerce and Shopify, it’s essential to evaluate the value each ecommerce platform offers at different price points. The following table provides a detailed comparison of the ecommerce platforms and their pricing structures:

BigCommerce Shopify
Free Version 15-day free trial 3-day free trial
Starter $29/month (1-year plan)

$39/month (1-month plan)

 $29/month (1-year plan)

$39/month (1-month plan)
Advanced $79/month (1-year plan)

$105/month (1-month plan)

 $79/month (1-year plan)

$105/month (1-month plan)
Premium $299/month (1-year plan)

$399/month (1-month plan)

 $299/month (1-year plan)

$399/month (1-month plan)

BigCommerce and Shopify both offer competitive pricing for their ecommerce solutions. What sets them apart is that BigCommerce’s 15-day free trial provides a more extended period for new users to explore its features compared to Shopify’s 3-day free trial.

Both platforms offer identical price points for their plans, making them equally accessible to businesses at various stages of growth.

However, BigCommerce pricing edges out as the winner due to its no-transaction-fee policy. The BigCommerce fees can lead to significant savings, especially for businesses with high sales volumes.

In contrast, Shopify has transaction charges of 2.7% + $0.30 USD online, 2.5% + $0.10 USD in person, and 1% for 3rd-party payment providers, so it isn’t the cheapest website builder available. You can read more about Shopify’s pricing structure in our full Shopify review.

Both platforms’ pricing plans are suitable for businesses of different sizes, but the BigCommerce cost structure may be more appealing to those looking to maximize profitability.

BigCommerce vs Shopify: Ease of Use

Winner: Shopify

It’s no news that when looking at Shopify vs BigCommerce, both popular platforms offer essential ecommerce services, but they serve different needs and have distinct approaches to ease of use.

BigCommerce offers a user-friendly interface with a straightforward setup process. However, it can be more complex for beginners due to its extensive range of features and customization options.

Advanced users will appreciate the platform’s flexibility and the control it offers over various aspects of their online store. The comprehensive nature of BigCommerce means there is a learning curve involved, which might be a barrier for those new to ecommerce.

On the other hand, Shopify excels in user experience with its clean, intuitive user interface designed to simplify the online store setup process. Its drag-and-drop editor is particularly beneficial for those without technical expertise, enabling users to create and customize their online stores with ease.

Shopify’s dashboard is organized logically, making navigation straightforward. It also offers a wealth of tutorials, community support, and 24/7 customer service, which further enhances its accessibility for beginners.

In summary, BigCommerce provides advanced customization options and extensive features for experienced users, while Shopify is our winner due to its simplicity. It is ideal for users seeking a straightforward solution for managing their online stores.

The choice between Shopify vs BigCommerce ultimately depends on your needs and priorities, with Shopify being number one for ease of use and BigCommerce being ideal for those needing advanced capabilities.

Shopify vs BigCommerce: Key Features

Winner: Shopify

While both Shopify and BigCommerce offer comprehensive ecommerce solutions, Shopify wins overall due to its user-friendly interface, extensive features, and superior application integration capabilities.

Here’s a detailed comparison of their key features:

Value for Money

BigCommerce provides excellent value for money, particularly because it does not charge transaction fees. This feature can lead to significant savings, especially for high-volume sellers. Its pricing plans are competitive, offering robust features across all tiers alongside a 15-day free trial.

In contrast, Shopify charges transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments, which might add to the cost. However, Shopify’s extensive tools and ease of use can justify these additional fees. Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, giving users a chance to explore its features before committing.

SEO Tools

When it comes to SEO tools, BigCommerce offers comprehensive features, including customizable URLs, meta descriptions, and automated image optimization. It also supports advanced features like 301 redirects and sitemaps.

On the other hand, Shopify provides user-friendly SEO tools that make it easy for beginners to optimize their online stores. It includes built-in features like automatic XML sitemaps, customizable title tags, and meta descriptions. Shopify offers a wide range of third-party SEO apps in its Shopify App Store, enhancing its SEO search engine optimization capabilities.

Ecommerce

BigCommerce excels in ecommerce capabilities, particularly with its advanced multi-channel selling options, which include integration with Amazon, eBay, and social media platforms. It also offers strong inventory management and product customization options.

Conversely, Shopify boasts extensive ecommerce tools designed for scalability, such as AI-powered recommendations and abandoned cart recovery.

The Shopify POS system ensures seamless integration for in-person sales, and with over 8,000 apps in the Shopify App Store, users can significantly enhance their store’s functionality.

Blogging

For blogging, BigCommerce provides basic capabilities suitable for simple content creation but with limited customization options compared to dedicated blogging platforms.

However, Shopify offers more robust blogging features with an easy-to-use interface. It supports SEO-friendly blog posts with tags, categories, and easy media integration.

Additionally, Shopify’s blogging tools are integrated with marketing features, allowing for better content promotion.

Templates & Design

BigCommerce offers a range of fully customizable free and paid themes, catering to users with coding knowledge who need advanced design options.

Shopify, in comparison, provides an extensive collection of professional, mobile-responsive themes. Its easy customization through a drag-and-drop editor is particularly beneficial for users without technical expertise.

Furthermore, Shopify’s AI-powered design recommendations help create a personalized look and feel for the store.

Other Features

In terms of additional features, BigCommerce is equipped with robust security measures, including PCI DSS Level 1 certification and automatic backups. It also offers unlimited storage and bandwidth, making it suitable for large catalogs, along with advanced API capabilities for custom integrations.

Shopify, however, provides superior customer support with 24/7 availability via chat, phone, and email. It also has strong security measures, such as SSL certificates and fraud analysis, and Shopify offers extensive integration options with third-party tools and services, enhancing its overall functionality.

BigCommerce vs Shopify: Integrations

Winner: Shopify

When it comes to integrations, both Shopify and BigCommerce offer a wide range of valuable connections but cater to different needs and preferences.

  • BigCommerce: This platform offers extensive integration capabilities, making it ideal for businesses needing advanced functionalities and flexibility. It integrates seamlessly with major marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, supports multiple payment gateways, and connects with shipping services such as ShipStation and FedEx. While its robust API allows for custom integrations, beginners might find setting up these features technically challenging.
  • Shopify: Shopify is known for its user-friendly integration process and extensive app ecosystem, hosting over 8,000 apps for marketing, sales, customer service, and inventory management. It integrates seamlessly with Mailchimp, QuickBooks, and Oberlo, and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Shopify Payments offers streamlined payment processing. Its ease of use and extensive support make integration straightforward, even for those without technical expertise.

If you are deeply invested in creating a highly customized and flexible ecommerce solution, BigCommerce’s robust integration capabilities and advanced API features are highly appealing. 

However, Shopify’s broader app ecosystem, user-friendly integration process, and extensive support resources mean that Shopify wins the integration crown. It allows you to build a tech stack that reflects your unique needs and scales effortlessly with your business.

    BigCommerce vs Shopify: Customer Reviews

    To better understand how Shopify and BigCommerce perform, we’ve analyzed customer reviews from trusted sources. On Trustpilot, Shopify has a TrustScore of 1.5 out of 5 from 2,265 reviews, reflecting significant customer dissatisfaction. BigCommerce has a slightly lower TrustScore of 1.4 out of 5 from 422 reviews, indicating similar user concerns.

    Many users have expressed frustration with Shopify’s customer service, reporting long response times and unresolved issues, particularly concerning payment processing and subscription management.

    However, a few positive reviews praised Shopify for its user-friendly interface and effective ecommerce tools, though these were in the minority.

    BigCommerce customers have reported issues with billing practices, such as unexpected upgrades and charges, and challenges with customer support. Additionally, some users noted difficulties in setting up and customizing their online stores, often requiring additional apps and third-party services.

    Despite these concerns, there are positive reviews that commend BigCommerce for its intuitive site-building tools and excellent customer service, with some long-term users highlighting consistent support and reliability.

    While both Shopify and BigCommerce face criticism, Shopify appears to have a higher volume of complaints related to customer service and payment processing. BigCommerce, though also criticized for billing and support issues, receives praise from some users for its intuitive tools and customer service.

    Ultimately, customer experiences vary widely, but BigCommerce seems to have a slightly more favorable perception in terms of support and usability.

    Read all BigCommerce customer reviews on Trustpilot

    Read all Shopify customer reviews on Trustpilot

    BigCommerce vs Shopify: Which One Wins?

    BigCommerce Shopify
    Price ✅ ❌
    Security ✅ ❌
    Ease of use ❌ ✅
    Features ❌ ✅
    Integrations ❌ ✅
    Customer reviews ✅ ❌

    In the showdown between Shopify vs BigCommerce, each platform shines in different areas, making the best website builder dependent on your business needs.

    BigCommerce takes the lead in terms of price and security. Its no-transaction-fee policy and competitive pricing plans offer significant savings for high-volume sellers. Additionally, BigCommerce’s strong security measures and positive customer reviews make it a reliable option for businesses prioritizing safety and support.

    Shopify, however, excels in ease of use, features, and integrations. Its intuitive interface is perfect for beginners, and the extensive app ecosystem allows for greater flexibility and scalability. Shopify offers seamless integrations with social media platforms and third-party tools, as well as its own Shopify POS and Shopify Payments system, to enhance its functionality, making it a versatile choice for businesses looking to grow quickly.

    Ultimately, the decision between BigCommerce and Shopify depends on your specific priorities. If cost-efficiency and robust security are your main concerns, BigCommerce is the superior choice.

    Conversely, if you value an easy-to-use platform with a wide range of features and excellent integration capabilities, Shopify is the better option.

    Both platforms offer unique strengths, catering to different business needs and goals.

    Methodology

    How We Review And Test Website Builders

    To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular website builders on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:

    • Template Variety and Quality: We evaluate the range and quality of pre-designed templates offered by each website builder, considering factors like aesthetics and customization options.
    • Mobile Responsiveness: We test the responsiveness of websites created with each builder to ensure they display correctly and function smoothly on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
    • Customization Options: We examine the level of customization available within each website builder: layouts, fonts, colors, custom CSS or HTML code.
    • Ease of Use: We assess the user interface and overall usability of each website builder to determine how intuitive and beginner-friendly the website builder is.
    • Speed and Performance: We measure the load speed and performance of websites built with each website builder, considering factors such as page load times, image optimization, and caching options.
    • SEO Features: We analyze the built-in SEO tools and features offered by each website builder, including meta tags, sitemaps, URL structures, and integration with analytics platforms.
    • E-commerce Functionality: We evaluate the e-commerce capabilities of each website builder, assessing product listings, inventory management, payment gateways, and order processing.
    • Integrations: We look at the integration capabilities of each website builder, including compatibility with third-party tools such as email marketing software, CRM systems, and social media networks.
    • Customer Support: We test the responsiveness and availability of customer support offered by each website builder, such as available support channels, response times, and user satisfaction ratings.
    • Scalability and Flexibility: We evaluate the scalability and flexibility of each website builder, considering factors such as the ability to add new pages, features, and functionality as the website grows and evolves.
    • Security Features: We review the security features of each website builder, including SSL encryption, malware scanning, and regular security updates.
    • Analytics and Reporting: We examine the analytics and reporting capabilities of each website builder, including the availability of built-in analytics tools, integration with external analytics platforms.

    How To Choose the Best Website Builder

    Evaluate Your Specific NeedsBudget & Value for MoneyEase of UseKey FeaturesDesign Options & CustomizabilityCustomer Support

    Identify your website’s primary purpose, whether it’s an ecommerce store, blog, or portfolio. Choose a builder with features that align with your goals, ensuring long-term success.

    Set a budget and compare pricing plans. Look for value by ensuring essential features are included. Free trials or money-back guarantees can help you make an informed decision.

    If you lack technical skills, opt for a user-friendly platform. Drag-and-drop builders like Shopify and Wix simplify the process, allowing you to create professional sites without coding.

    Ensure the builder offers essential features like ecommerce, SEO tools, and mobile responsiveness. Prioritize platforms with these features natively or through easy plugins.

    Choose a builder with a variety of professional templates and easy customization options. The ability to adjust layouts, fonts, and colors helps create a unique, branded site.

    Reliable customer support is crucial. Look for 24/7 support via chat, phone, and email, plus a robust knowledge base or community forum for additional help.

    FAQs

    Which one is better, Shopify or BigCommerce?

    What are the drawbacks of BigCommerce?

    What is BigCommerce best for?

    Which companies use BigCommerce?

    Is Shopify the best ecommerce platform?

    References

    1. The Importance of Meta Descriptions for SEO (WordStream)
    2. What is XML? – XML File Explained (Amazon Web Services)
    3. What is an SSL certificate? (Cloudflare)
      Aidan Weeks
      Technology Expert
      Aidan Weeks
      Technology Expert

      Aidan Weeks, a Master's graduate in Mechanical Engineering, has thrived as a freelance writer for over three years. Specializing in tech, engineering, and B2B sectors, Aidan adeptly crafts web copy, blog posts, manuals, product pages, and more, making complex concepts accessible and engaging. His transition from academia to full-time writing reflects his passion for bridging technical expertise with clear, informative content.

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