BigCommerce vs Shopify: Which Ecommerce Platform is Best?

Ecommerce Platform Showdown

Choosing between BigCommerce vs Shopify can be tough. This comparison helps you select the best ecommerce platform for your business in 2025. Selling online requires the right tools, and this list breaks down the pros and cons of top platforms including Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Wix eCommerce, Squarespace Commerce, and Magento (Adobe Commerce), so you can confidently build your online store.

1. Shopify

When comparing Bigcommerce vs Shopify, Shopify often emerges as a top contender for its user-friendliness and extensive app ecosystem. It's a fully hosted, all-in-one platform designed to empower entrepreneurs to build and manage online stores without needing coding skills. From hosting and security to payment processing and inventory management, Shopify handles the technical complexities, allowing you to focus on growing your business. This platform powers over 2 million businesses in 175 countries and is renowned for its intuitive interface, vast app marketplace, and robust infrastructure. It's a particularly attractive option for beginners and those looking for a scalable solution that can grow alongside their business. Learn more about Shopify

Shopify’s drag-and-drop store builder, coupled with 70+ professional themes, simplifies the design process significantly. You can quickly customize the look and feel of your store, even without any design experience. The extensive app store, boasting over 6,000 integrations and extensions, allows you to add functionalities like advanced analytics, marketing automation, and specialized shipping solutions. This makes Shopify incredibly versatile and adaptable to diverse business needs. Built-in marketing tools, encompassing SEO features, social media integration, and email marketing capabilities, streamline your marketing efforts and help you reach a wider audience. Features like abandoned cart recovery and discount code creation further enhance your sales potential. Shopify's mobile-first approach, using responsive templates, ensures a seamless shopping experience for customers across all devices.

Pricing: Shopify offers several pricing tiers, starting from around $29/month for the Basic plan, and scaling up to Shopify Plus for enterprise-level businesses. Each tier unlocks more features and capabilities, allowing you to choose a plan that aligns with your business size and budget.

Technical Requirements: None! As a fully hosted solution, Shopify takes care of all the technical aspects, from server maintenance to security updates. All you need is an internet connection and a device to access your store's backend.

Pros:

• Extremely user-friendly interface: Perfect for beginners with no coding experience.
• Robust ecosystem of apps and integrations: Extend functionality to meet specific business needs.
• 24/7 customer support: Get assistance whenever you need it via chat, email, and phone.
• Scalable solution: Suitable for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.

Cons:

• Transaction fees: Incurred when using third-party payment gateways instead of Shopify Payments. This is a key consideration in the Bigcommerce vs Shopify debate, as Bigcommerce doesn't charge transaction fees regardless of the payment gateway.
• Cost of apps: While the app ecosystem is a huge advantage, relying on multiple apps can increase your overall monthly costs.
• Customization limitations: Lower-tier plans may have limitations in terms of theme customization and access to advanced features.
• Basic content management: While adequate for basic blogging, Shopify's content management features are less robust than dedicated CMS platforms.

Website: https://www.shopify.com

Shopify's ease of use, powerful features, and extensive app ecosystem make it a strong choice for businesses looking to establish and grow their online presence. While the cost of apps and transaction fees can be a factor, its comprehensive offering and scalability make it a worthy contender in the Bigcommerce vs Shopify comparison, particularly for those prioritizing user-friendliness and a wide range of integrations. Setting up your Shopify store is straightforward thanks to the intuitive interface and ample resources available. The platform offers extensive documentation, tutorials, and a helpful community forum to guide you through the process.

2. BigCommerce

BigCommerce stands as a robust contender in the "BigCommerce vs Shopify" debate, particularly for medium to large businesses seeking a scalable and feature-rich ecommerce solution. Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce adopts an enterprise-grade approach, offering extensive built-in functionalities that often eliminate the need for numerous third-party apps, a common requirement with Shopify. This translates to potentially lower overall costs and a more streamlined management experience. This platform operates on a SaaS (Software as a Service) model, meaning you don't need to worry about hosting or technical infrastructure.

BigCommerce shines in several key areas. Its out-of-the-box features cover a wide spectrum of ecommerce needs, from essential product filtering and real-time shipping quotes to professional reporting tools that provide valuable business insights. For businesses with international aspirations, BigCommerce provides robust multi-currency support and global shipping options. Furthermore, its strong SEO capabilities, including customizable URLs and microdata implementation, give your products a better chance of ranking higher in search engine results. If you're interested in exploring more about competitive landscapes, you might find this article helpful: Learn more about BigCommerce.

A key differentiator in the BigCommerce vs Shopify comparison is BigCommerce's powerful B2B functionality. It offers features tailored to wholesale and distributor relationships, including custom pricing, bulk discounts, and quote management. This makes BigCommerce a compelling option for businesses operating in the B2B space. Furthermore, BigCommerce's headless commerce architecture options provide greater flexibility for businesses wanting highly customized storefronts or unique integrations. Native integrations with major marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart, as well as various social channels, further extend your selling reach.

Pros:

• No transaction fees on any plan: This is a significant advantage compared to Shopify, which charges transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments.
• More built-in features: Reduces reliance on paid apps, potentially lowering overall costs and simplifying store management.
• Unlimited staff accounts, products, and bandwidth on all plans: Allows for scalability and flexibility as your business grows.
• Powerful B2B functionality and customization options: Caters to complex business requirements and wholesale operations.

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve than some competitors: Its extensive features can be initially overwhelming for new users.
• Annual sales thresholds that can force plan upgrades: While offering scalability, exceeding sales limits necessitates moving to a higher-priced plan.
• Smaller app marketplace compared to Shopify: Although fewer apps are generally needed, the selection is more limited for niche functionalities.
• Theme selection is more limited than some competitors: While the available themes are high-quality, the overall number is less than what Shopify offers.

Pricing: BigCommerce offers tiered pricing plans based on features and sales volume. Contact BigCommerce directly for the most up-to-date pricing details.

Technical Requirements: As a SaaS platform, BigCommerce handles all technical aspects. You simply need a web browser and an internet connection to manage your store.

Implementation/Setup Tips: While BigCommerce offers comprehensive documentation and support, consider engaging a BigCommerce expert or partner for complex setups or migrations from other platforms. This can ensure a smooth transition and optimal configuration for your specific business needs.

BigCommerce deserves its place on this list because it provides a powerful, scalable, and feature-rich solution that caters specifically to the needs of growing businesses. Its emphasis on built-in functionality, B2B capabilities, and omnichannel selling makes it a compelling alternative to Shopify, especially for businesses anticipating significant growth and complex requirements. You can explore their platform further at https://www.bigcommerce.com.

3. WooCommerce

When comparing Bigcommerce vs Shopify, WooCommerce often emerges as a powerful alternative for those prioritizing flexibility and control. Unlike those SaaS platforms, WooCommerce is a free, open-source ecommerce plugin built for WordPress. This means you have complete control over your data and store configuration, a significant advantage for businesses wanting to avoid vendor lock-in. It's highly customizable and extensible with thousands of WordPress plugins and WooCommerce-specific extensions, making it suitable for a wide range of online businesses, from small startups to large enterprises. WooCommerce powers approximately 28% of all online stores and is ideal for businesses already familiar with the WordPress ecosystem.

If you're already running a WordPress site, integrating WooCommerce is seamless. You can easily add ecommerce functionality to your existing blog or website, creating a unified online presence. For Shopify users looking for more control, WooCommerce offers a compelling alternative. While Shopify provides a streamlined, out-of-the-box experience, WooCommerce allows for deeper customization and control over every aspect of your store, from design and functionality to data ownership and security. You're not locked into specific themes or apps like you are with Shopify. This freedom can be especially valuable as your business scales and requires more specialized features. You can tailor the platform to your precise needs without being limited by a closed ecosystem.

While the WooCommerce plugin itself is free, it’s essential to consider the associated costs of running a self-hosted platform. You'll need to purchase hosting, a domain name, and an SSL certificate. These costs can vary depending on your provider and requirements, but they are essential factors to consider when comparing WooCommerce to the all-in-one pricing of Shopify and Bigcommerce. Technically, you'll need some basic knowledge of WordPress to get started. While the setup process is generally straightforward, managing updates, security, and server-side configurations requires more technical involvement than Shopify's managed platform. As your store grows and you incorporate more extensions for added functionality, managing these aspects can become more complex.

Features:

• Complete customization freedom with access to source code
• Unlimited products, categories, and selling capabilities
• WordPress integration providing robust content management and blogging
• Extensive payment gateway options including PayPal, Stripe, and regional processors
• Self-hosted solution with full data ownership and control

Pros:

• Free core plugin with no mandatory monthly fees
• Unmatched flexibility and customization options
• Massive WordPress ecosystem of plugins and themes
• Strong content marketing capabilities through WordPress

Cons:

• Requires separate hosting, domain, and SSL certificate
• Technical knowledge needed for setup and maintenance
• Security and updates must be managed by the store owner
• Can become complex as your store grows and requires more extensions

If you're curious about other ecommerce platforms and how they compare, you might find this article about another platform helpful: Learn more about WooCommerce. Ultimately, when weighing Bigcommerce vs Shopify, WooCommerce presents a compelling alternative for those prioritizing ownership, control, and long-term flexibility, especially for businesses already invested in the WordPress ecosystem. It offers unparalleled customization but requires more technical involvement than the all-in-one SaaS solutions.

Website: https://woocommerce.com

4. Wix eCommerce

When comparing BigCommerce vs Shopify, Wix eCommerce often emerges as a compelling alternative, especially for beginners. Wix eCommerce is fully integrated into the Wix website builder, making it exceptionally easy to create and manage an online store. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface empowers users to design unique storefronts without needing any coding knowledge, offering a significant advantage over platforms requiring technical expertise. This all-in-one platform is particularly well-suited for small businesses and creative professionals seeking to establish a strong online presence and effectively showcase their brand identity while selling products. Think of artists selling prints, photographers offering digital downloads, or independent boutiques showcasing handmade goods – these are ideal Wix eCommerce users. Learn more about Wix eCommerce to understand how it fits within the broader eCommerce landscape.

Wix eCommerce provides a wealth of features designed to simplify online selling. These include a true drag-and-drop editor with over 500 designer-made templates, integrated secure payment processing with multiple providers (like Stripe and PayPal), and built-in marketing tools such as email campaigns and social media integration. Managing sales tax and shipping is also streamlined with automatic tax calculations and customizable shipping rules. Furthermore, Wix eCommerce ensures your store looks great on any device with its mobile optimization and provides a dedicated mobile app for managing your store on the go.

While Wix might be easier to get started with than Shopify or BigCommerce, there are some tradeoffs to consider. Wix shines when it comes to design flexibility, offering precise visual editing capabilities unmatched by many other platforms. The all-in-one nature of Wix simplifies setup, with hosting and security included, eliminating the need to manage these aspects separately. Its strong multilingual capabilities also make it an attractive option for businesses targeting international markets.

However, Wix eCommerce does have some limitations. Its scalability can be a concern for high-volume merchants, and it offers fewer advanced eCommerce features compared to specialized platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce. One significant drawback is the inability to switch templates after your site is created. So, choosing the right template from the start is crucial. Additionally, while Wix has an app marketplace, it's smaller than Shopify's or BigCommerce's, meaning fewer integrations and extensions are available. This could be a limiting factor if you require specialized functionalities. Pricing for Wix eCommerce varies based on the chosen plan, starting with basic eCommerce features and scaling up to include more advanced functionalities like abandoned cart recovery and subscription selling. Therefore, when deciding between BigCommerce vs Shopify, carefully consider whether Wix eCommerce's design-focused approach and ease of use outweigh its limitations in scalability and advanced features, based on your specific business needs.

5. Squarespace Commerce

When comparing BigCommerce vs Shopify, Squarespace Commerce often emerges as a compelling alternative, particularly for businesses prioritizing aesthetics. Squarespace Commerce extends the popular website builder with robust ecommerce functionalities, creating a unified platform where design and selling go hand-in-hand. It shines with its visually stunning templates and integrated features, minimizing the need for third-party apps, unlike some competitors. This makes it an ideal choice for design-conscious brands in creative industries like fashion, art, and food, who prioritize presentation as much as selling functionality.

Squarespace Commerce offers award-winning designer templates optimized for both mobile and desktop, ensuring your online store looks professional and engaging on any device. Built-in features like integrated blogging and portfolio options enable content marketing strategies that seamlessly blend with your product offerings. You can manage taxes, shipping, and discounts directly within the platform, simplifying administrative tasks. Furthermore, POS integration facilitates in-person selling, creating a cohesive online and offline experience. Features like customer accounts and abandoned cart recovery tools help optimize sales conversions, similar to functionalities found in BigCommerce and Shopify.

While researching ways to enhance your Shopify store's social media presence, you might find resources that compare different platforms and their integration capabilities. Learn more about Squarespace Commerce and how it stacks up against other options. This can offer valuable insights into the broader ecommerce landscape and potentially inspire new strategies for your Shopify store.

Pros:

• Exceptional design and typography options: Squarespace is renowned for its visually appealing templates and extensive typography controls, allowing you to create a unique and polished brand identity.
• All-inclusive platform: No need for external hosting or complex setup processes; everything is managed within the Squarespace ecosystem.
• Seamless integration between content and commerce: Easily incorporate blog posts, portfolio galleries, and other content alongside your product listings to create a richer customer experience.
• Built-in image editing and gallery features: Optimize product images and create compelling visual displays without needing external software.

Cons:

• More limited customization than open-source platforms: While Squarespace offers a wide range of design options, it's less customizable than platforms like BigCommerce and Shopify, especially for those requiring advanced coding modifications.
• Fewer payment gateway options than specialized ecommerce platforms: While supporting popular gateways like Stripe and PayPal, Squarespace offers fewer options compared to platforms like BigCommerce and Shopify, potentially limiting flexibility for international businesses.
• Fewer third-party integrations than Shopify or BigCommerce: The Squarespace app marketplace is smaller, meaning you might have fewer options for integrating specialized tools and services compared to Shopify and BigCommerce.
• Can be slower to load than some competitors: Some users have reported slower loading speeds on Squarespace compared to other platforms, potentially impacting SEO and user experience.

Squarespace Commerce deserves its place in this BigCommerce vs Shopify comparison because it offers a distinct approach, prioritizing design and ease of use. While potentially less scalable than its larger competitors, it’s an excellent solution for smaller businesses and creatives who value a beautiful online store and a streamlined management experience. Specific pricing details are available on the Squarespace website, varying based on the chosen plan and features. Technical requirements are minimal as Squarespace is a fully hosted platform, requiring only an internet connection to manage and access your online store.

6. Magento (Adobe Commerce)

While evaluating platforms like Bigcommerce vs Shopify, it's crucial to consider options that cater to different scales and needs. Magento (Adobe Commerce) enters the scene as a powerful contender for enterprise-level businesses. This platform is geared towards companies with complex requirements, high transaction volumes, and a desire for ultimate control over their online store. It distinguishes itself through its unparalleled flexibility and robust B2B capabilities, making it a compelling choice for certain businesses, even if they are currently considering Shopify.

Magento offers both open-source (Magento Open Source) and commercial (Adobe Commerce) versions. The open-source version provides a solid foundation for businesses starting to scale, while Adobe Commerce unlocks advanced features like advanced B2B functionality and dedicated support, crucial for larger enterprises. This flexibility allows businesses to choose the edition that aligns best with their current resources and future growth plans. For businesses migrating from Shopify that are experiencing rapid expansion, Magento’s scalability becomes particularly appealing.

Magento’s robust feature set includes a highly scalable architecture designed to handle thousands of transactions per hour, advanced B2B functionalities like company accounts, custom catalogs, and negotiated pricing, and sophisticated product management tools for complex attributes and configurations. Its multi-store functionality allows management of different brands, regions, or B2B and B2C stores from a single admin panel, each with unique languages, currencies, and catalogs. These features present a stark contrast to Shopify’s more streamlined, out-of-the-box approach, making Magento a better fit for businesses with highly specific and complex needs.

Pros:

• Unmatched flexibility and customization potential: Magento allows for deep customization, giving businesses complete control over their online store's look and feel, functionality, and integrations.
• Powerful native B2B capabilities: Unlike Shopify, which relies heavily on apps for B2B functionality, Magento offers robust B2B features out-of-the-box.
• Advanced marketing and merchandising tools: Magento provides powerful tools to create targeted campaigns and personalize the customer experience.
• Robust international commerce capabilities: Multi-store management facilitates seamless operations across different countries and regions.

Cons:

• Significant technical expertise required: Implementing and maintaining a Magento store demands considerable technical expertise, often requiring dedicated developers. This contrasts sharply with Shopify’s user-friendly interface.
• Higher total cost of ownership: Compared to SaaS platforms like Shopify and Bigcommerce, Magento’s cost of ownership can be higher due to development, hosting, and maintenance expenses.
• Longer development time: Setting up and customizing a Magento store takes significantly longer than platforms like Shopify, requiring careful planning and execution.
• Resource-intensive platform: Magento requires robust hosting infrastructure to ensure optimal performance, adding to the overall cost.

Pricing: Pricing for Adobe Commerce is quote-based and varies depending on the business's size and requirements. Magento Open Source is free to download but requires investment in hosting, development, and extensions.

Technical Requirements: Magento requires a web server (Apache or Nginx), PHP, and MySQL. Specific version requirements vary depending on the Magento version.

Implementation Tips: Plan your implementation carefully, considering your specific requirements and budget. Partner with experienced Magento developers for a smooth and successful launch. Migrating from Shopify to Magento requires significant data migration and integration work.

Website: https://business.adobe.com/products/magento/magento-commerce.html

In the Bigcommerce vs Shopify debate, Magento emerges as a distinct alternative. While not suitable for every business, its power and flexibility make it an ideal solution for enterprise-level operations needing extensive customization and robust B2B capabilities. If your business has outgrown Shopify or requires features beyond its scope, Magento deserves serious consideration.

Top 6 Ecommerce Platforms Comparison

Platform	Core Features / Highlights	User Experience ★	Value Proposition 💰	Target Audience 👥	Unique Selling Points ✨
Shopify	Drag-drop builder, 6,000+ apps, marketing tools	★★★★☆	💰 Moderate, extra fees on non-Shopify Payments	Entrepreneurs, SMBs, Startups	Robust app ecosystem, 24/7 support 🏆
BigCommerce	Built-in features, no transaction fees, multi-currency	★★★★	💰 Higher, fewer app dependencies	Medium to large businesses	Powerful B2B & omnichannel selling ✨
WooCommerce	Full customization, WordPress integration, free core plugin	★★★★	💰 Low upfront, hosting & maintenance needed	WordPress users, developers	Open-source flexibility, full control ✨
Wix eCommerce	Drag-drop editor, 500+ templates, built-in marketing	★★★	💰 Affordable, all-in-one	Small businesses, creatives	Visual design flexibility, no coding
Squarespace Commerce	Designer templates, integrated blogging & POS	★★★★	💰 Mid-range	Design-conscious brands, creatives	Aesthetic design focus, seamless content
Magento (Adobe)	Scalable, advanced B2B, multi-store, complex product types	★★★★☆	💰 High, resource-intensive	Large enterprises, technical teams	Enterprise-grade flexibility & scale 🏆

Making the Right Choice

Choosing the right eCommerce platform can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available, from Shopify and BigCommerce to WooCommerce, Wix eCommerce, Squarespace Commerce, and even Magento (Adobe Commerce). Ultimately, the "BigCommerce vs Shopify" debate boils down to your individual business needs. Shopify stands out for its ease of use and vast app store, making it ideal for beginners. If you're curious about selling educational content, resources like the How To Sell Courses On Shopify Expert Guide from Tevello can offer valuable insights. You can learn more about effective strategies here: how to sell courses on Shopify. BigCommerce, on the other hand, offers robust built-in features and excellent scalability for growing businesses.

Key factors to consider when making your decision include transaction fees, your budget, your level of technical expertise, and your projected growth. Don't forget to factor in potential costs for apps and integrations that will enhance your platform's functionality down the line.

Choosing between BigCommerce and Shopify is a significant step in your eCommerce journey. By carefully weighing your needs and priorities against the strengths of each platform, you'll be well-positioned for online success. Want to maximize your Shopify store's reach through social media? LinkShop offers a powerful link-in-bio solution designed specifically for Shopify merchants, bridging the gap between your online store and your social audience. Supercharge your social selling and optimize your customer journey with LinkShop today!