BigCommerce Review
Last updated: 2026-08-18
Overview
BigCommerce is a SaaS e-commerce platform founded in 2009 by Eddie Machalaani and Mitchell Harper, headquartered in Austin, Texas. It serves tens of thousands of online stores across 120+ countries, positioning itself as the enterprise-ready alternative to Shopify with more built-in features and no transaction fees. BigCommerce went public on Nasdaq in 2020 under ticker BIGC. Rated 4.2/5 — strong on built-in features, multi-channel selling, and headless commerce support, weaker on app ecosystem size and theme design compared to Shopify.
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
Features
BigCommerce includes more out-of-the-box features than Shopify: real-time shipping quotes from UPS, USPS, and FedEx natively (no app required), product variants up to 600 per product (Shopify caps at 100), built-in faceted search, and native B2B functionality including customer groups, bulk pricing tiers, and quote management. The Stencil theme framework uses Handlebars templating — developers can build custom themes with full source access, though the theme marketplace has only ~150 themes vs. Shopify's 12,000+. Multi-channel selling connects to Amazon, eBay, Google Shopping, Instagram, TikTok, and Walmart with inventory synced across channels. The Storefront API supports headless commerce deployments — BigCommerce manages the backend while you build a custom frontend with Next.js, Nuxt, or any framework. Payment gateway integration supports 65+ providers including Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Amazon Pay — and BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees on any gateway. Limitations: theme design is the biggest weakness — the default themes look dated compared to Shopify's modern designs, and premium themes average $300-500. The app marketplace has roughly 1,000 apps vs. Shopify's 13,000+, meaning more functionality is built-in but fewer specialized apps exist. The control panel is more complex than Shopify's, creating a steeper admin learning curve.
| Free plan | ❌ No |
| Starting price | $39/mo (Standard), $105/mo (Plus), $399/mo (Pro) |
| Transaction fees | None |
| Products | Unlimited |
| Storage | Unlimited |
| Sales threshold | $50K/yr (Standard), $150K/yr (Plus) |
| Themes | Free + paid (Stencil framework) |
| API access | ✅ Yes |
| Integrations | 1,000+ apps |
| Support | 24/7 chat + email + phone |
Pricing
BigCommerce uses a tiered annual revenue model. Standard is $29.95/month for up to $50K annual online sales — includes all core features, real-time shipping, and no transaction fees. Plus is $79.50/month for up to $50K-$180K annual sales, adding abandoned cart saver, customer groups, and stored credit cards. Pro is $300/month for up to $400K annual sales, adding custom SSL, Google Customer Reviews, and price lists. Enterprise is custom pricing for $400K+ annual sales with dedicated account management, B2B edition, and advanced permissions. All plans include unlimited products, bandwidth, and staff accounts. No transaction fees on any plan — BigCommerce makes money on subscription, not payment processing. A 15-day free trial requires no credit card.
Final Verdict
Rated 4.2/5. BigCommerce is best for mid-market and B2B-focused e-commerce brands that want enterprise features without transaction fees or app dependency. The built-in shipping, B2B tools, and headless API support are genuine advantages. Drawbacks: the theme marketplace is thin, the app ecosystem can't match Shopify's, and the admin interface is more complex. Strong pick for brands outgrowing Shopify or running B2B alongside B2C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BigCommerce worth it in 2026?
Yes for mid-market stores and B2B sellers who need built-in features without paying for Shopify apps. No transaction fees and native multi-channel selling save real money. Less compelling for small stores under $50K revenue where Shopify's simpler interface and app ecosystem are more practical.
How much does BigCommerce cost?
Standard is $29.95/month for up to $50K annual sales. Plus is $79.50/month for up to $180K. Pro is $300/month for up to $400K. Enterprise is custom pricing above $400K. All plans include unlimited products, no transaction fees, and real-time shipping quotes built in.
What are the best BigCommerce alternatives?
Shopify for larger app ecosystem and easier theme design, WooCommerce for full ownership with WordPress flexibility, Wix for simpler small stores, and Magento (Adobe Commerce) for enterprise-level customization when you have development resources and budget.
Does BigCommerce offer a free trial or free plan?
BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial with full access to Standard plan features — no credit card required. There is no permanent free plan. After the trial, you subscribe to Standard, Plus, Pro, or Enterprise based on your annual online sales volume.