BigCommerce vs Shopify
Last updated: 2026-08-18
Two e-commerce platforms compared — features, pricing, and scalability — pricing, features, and our verdict.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | popular BigCommerce | best Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $39/mo | $39/mo |
| Free trial | 15-day free trial | 3-day free trial, then $1/mo for 3 months |
| Best for | Scalable e-commerce without transaction fees | E-commerce businesses of all sizes |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✗ |
| Starting price | $39/mo (Standard), $105/mo (Plus), $399/mo (Pro) | $39/mo (Basic), $105/mo (Grow), $399/mo (Advanced) |
| Transaction fees | None | — |
| Products | Unlimited | — |
| Storage | Unlimited | — |
| Sales threshold | $50K/yr (Standard), $150K/yr (Plus) | — |
| Themes | Free + paid (Stencil framework) | Free + paid (premium) |
| API access | ✓ | — |
| Integrations | 1,000+ apps | — |
| Support | 24/7 chat + email + phone | 24/7 chat + email + phone |
| Storefront builder | — | Drag-and-drop + Liquid |
| Payment processing | — | Shopify Payments + 100+ gateways |
| Inventory | — | Unlimited products |
| App store | — | 8,000+ apps |
| Abandoned cart | — | Standard plan+ |
| SSL + PCI | — | Included |
BigCommerce Pros & Cons
Pros
- No transaction fees (unlike Shopify which charges 0.5-2%)
- More built-in features — fewer paid apps needed
- Strong SEO features (URL structure, meta data, AMP)
- Headless commerce support for developers
- Unlimited products, storage, and bandwidth on all plans
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers — Standard $39, Plus $105, Pro $399
- Sales threshold limits (Standard: $50K/yr, Plus: $150K/yr, Pro: $400K/yr)
- Fewer apps than Shopify (1,000+ vs 8,000+)
- Fewer themes than Shopify
- Steeper learning curve than Shopify
Shopify Pros & Cons
Pros
- All-in-one e-commerce — store, payments, shipping, marketing
- Shopify Payments — no need for third-party payment processor
- Massive app store (8,000+ apps) for extending functionality
- Excellent themes — free and paid (designed for conversion)
- Reliable and fast — hosted on Shopify's infrastructure
- Built-in SSL, security, and PCI compliance
Cons
- Transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments (0.5-2%)
- App costs add up — many essential features need paid apps
- Limited blog functionality (not a WordPress replacement)
- Customising themes requires Liquid (Shopify's templating language)
- Abandoned cart recovery only on Grow plan ($105/mo)+
Final Verdict
Both BigCommerce and Shopify are solid choices in the E-commerce space. The right pick depends on your budget, team size, and specific feature needs. We recommend trying both via their free plans or trials before committing.
Our pick: Shopify
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small businesses: BigCommerce or Shopify?
For small businesses, the better choice depends on your budget and specific needs. Shopify generally offers better value for money, while BigCommerce has more advanced features for growing teams.
Do BigCommerce and Shopify offer free trials?
Yes, both platforms offer ways to try before buying. 15-day free trial offers a trial, and 3-day free trial, then $1/mo for 3 months also offers a trial. We recommend trying both before committing.
Can I switch from BigCommerce to Shopify (or vice versa)?
Yes, most platforms offer data export tools. Contact lists, settings, and historical data can usually be migrated, though some manual setup will be required. Check each platform's migration documentation before switching.
Ready to try?
Start with a free trial and see which tool fits your workflow.