Online Business Tools

Shopify vs BigCommerce

Shopify and BigCommerce are ecommerce platforms designed to help businesses create, manage and grow online stores. Both support product catalogues, checkout, payments, themes, apps, integrations and multi-channel selling, but they take slightly different approaches. Shopify focuses on a streamlined ecommerce workflow with a large platform ecosystem, built-in checkout, POS options and tools for selling across online and in-person channels. BigCommerce focuses on open SaaS ecommerce, built-in commerce features, flexible catalogue management, multi-storefront options and support for more complex selling models. The right choice depends on your store size, catalogue complexity, payment preferences, team workflow and long-term growth plans.

Last updated: May 14, 2026

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Shopify Inc.

Shopify

A streamlined ecommerce platform for building, managing and scaling online and in-person sales.

BigCommerce Pty. Ltd.

BigCommerce

An open SaaS ecommerce platform for flexible catalogues, multi-storefront selling and complex commerce needs.

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Specifications

FeatureShopifyBigCommerce

Starting PricePricing varies by plan, billing term, region, taxes and promotionsPricing varies by plan, billing term, region, taxes, sales volume and enterprise agreement

Transaction FeesThird-party transaction fees may apply depending on plan and payment provider setupBigCommerce states no additional platform transaction fee on listed plans; payment processor fees may still apply

Free TrialTrial availability and duration may vary by country, offer and product accessTrial availability and duration may vary by country, offer and product access

App EcosystemLarge app and integration ecosystem through the Shopify App StoreApp and integration ecosystem available through BigCommerce Apps and partners

Product VariantsSupports product variants and options; exact limits and behaviour should be checked in current Shopify documentationSupports product options, variants and catalogue features; exact limits and behaviour should be checked in current BigCommerce documentation

AI ToolsAI-related features may vary by plan, product access, country and release statusAI-related features may vary by plan, product access, country and release status

B2B FeaturesB2B features are available, with access and limits depending on plan and setupB2B-related features are available, with access and limits depending on plan, edition and setup

Multi-storefrontMulti-market and multi-store workflows depend on plan, setup and Shopify features usedMulti-Storefront allows multiple storefronts from one BigCommerce store, with access depending on plan and setup

ThemesShopify themes and custom theme development are availableBigCommerce themes and Stencil theme customisation are available

Sales ThresholdsPlan and usage requirements should be checked in current Shopify pricing and billing documentation⚠️ Some pricing and plan requirements may depend on sales volume or enterprise agreement

Checkout CustomizationCheckout customisation depends on plan, checkout features and developer accessCheckout customisation depends on storefront type, checkout configuration and developer setup

Product OptionsProduct options and variants are supported, with limits depending on current Shopify product documentationProduct options, modifiers and catalogue features are supported, with limits depending on current BigCommerce documentation

SEO FeaturesSupports common ecommerce SEO needs such as editable metadata, URLs, redirects, sitemaps and app/custom implementation optionsSupports common ecommerce SEO needs such as metadata, URLs, redirects, sitemaps and platform/theme configuration

Payment OptionsShopify Payments and third-party payment providers are available depending on country, plan and eligibilityMultiple payment provider options are available depending on country, plan and payment setup

POS IntegrationShopify POS is available for in-person selling, with features depending on plan, hardware and locationPOS may be supported through integrations and partner solutions depending on store setup

Pros & Cons

Shopify — Pros

✓Designed to help merchants launch and manage online stores through a guided ecommerce workflow.

✓Shopify Checkout, payments, orders, inventory and sales channels are closely connected inside one platform.

✓Shopify POS can connect in-person sales with online orders and inventory.

✓Strong ecosystem of themes, apps, integrations and developer resources.

✓Supports B2C, B2B and international selling features, with availability depending on plan and setup.

✓Suitable for small stores, growing brands and businesses that want a managed ecommerce platform.

Shopify — Cons

✕Total cost can vary depending on plan, billing term, payment setup, apps, POS needs and third-party services.

✕Some advanced features may require higher-tier plans, apps or Shopify Plus.

✕Third-party transaction fees may apply depending on the plan and payment provider used.

✕More complex catalogues or B2B workflows may require careful planning, apps or higher plan access.

✕Store customisation can depend on theme structure, app compatibility and developer support.

✕Moving away from Shopify may require migration planning for products, orders, customers, theme design and apps.

BigCommerce — Pros

✓Built for ecommerce with strong catalogue, checkout, theme, API and multi-channel selling capabilities.

✓BigCommerce presents no additional platform transaction fee on its listed plans, although payment processor fees can still apply.

✓Supports customer groups, price lists, multi-storefront and B2B-related workflows depending on plan and setup.

✓Useful for merchants with complex product catalogues, multiple brands, regions or customer segments.

✓Offers open SaaS flexibility, including APIs, headless commerce options and integration-friendly architecture.

✓Can suit growing, mid-market and enterprise commerce teams that need more built-in commerce controls.

BigCommerce — Cons

✕May feel more complex for beginners who want a very simple launch workflow.

✕Pricing and feature access can vary by plan, store revenue, region, enterprise agreement and add-ons.

✕Some advanced B2B, multi-storefront or enterprise features may require specific plans or sales-led setup.

✕App and theme ecosystem may feel different from Shopify’s, depending on the merchant’s needs.

✕Design and setup may require more planning for complex catalogues, storefronts, checkout or integrations.

✕Businesses should check current plan limits carefully before committing to a specific setup.

⚖️

Our Verdict

Shopify and BigCommerce are both capable ecommerce platforms, but they are not identical in the way they approach online selling. Shopify is often a strong choice for merchants who want a streamlined ecommerce platform, connected checkout, POS options, apps, themes and a guided store management experience. It can work well for new stores, growing DTC brands, retail businesses and teams that want a managed platform with a large ecosystem. BigCommerce is often a strong choice for merchants who need more built-in commerce flexibility, complex catalogues, multi-storefront workflows, B2B-related features or an open SaaS approach. It can work well for growing, mid-market and enterprise businesses that want more control over catalogue structure, customer groups, integrations and selling models. The safer decision is not to ask which platform is better overall. Choose Shopify if you want a more streamlined ecommerce workflow with strong POS and app ecosystem support. Choose BigCommerce if your store needs more complex catalogue, B2B, multi-storefront or open SaaS flexibility.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Shopify if...

→You want a guided ecommerce platform for launching and managing an online store.

→You value a connected workflow across checkout, products, inventory, orders and sales channels.

→You need POS features for in-person selling.

→You prefer a large app, theme and partner ecosystem.

→Your store is mainly B2C, DTC, retail or brand-led.

→You want a managed ecommerce platform that can grow with your business.

Choose BigCommerce if...

→You need more built-in ecommerce flexibility for catalogue, pricing or customer group workflows.

→You are planning multi-storefront, multi-brand or multi-region selling.

→You need B2B-related features, price lists or more complex buyer structures.

→You want an open SaaS ecommerce platform with strong API and integration options.

→You want to reduce reliance on too many third-party apps where built-in commerce controls are available.

→Your store has more complex operational, catalogue or enterprise requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Shopify or BigCommerce better for small businesses?

A: Shopify may suit many small businesses that want a guided setup, connected checkout, payments, themes, apps and POS options in one ecommerce platform. BigCommerce may suit small businesses that already need more catalogue flexibility, more built-in commerce controls or a setup that can grow into more complex selling models. The better choice depends on the store’s products, payment needs, team skills and growth plans.

Q: Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees like Shopify?

A: BigCommerce states that it does not charge an additional platform transaction fee on its listed plans. Payment processor fees can still apply depending on the payment provider used. Shopify’s third-party transaction fees can depend on the selected plan and payment setup, especially if a merchant uses a third-party payment provider instead of Shopify Payments where available.

Q: Which platform is better for SEO — Shopify or BigCommerce?

A: Both Shopify and BigCommerce can support ecommerce SEO when they are configured well. Shopify supports common SEO needs through theme settings, metadata, redirects, sitemaps, apps and custom development. BigCommerce also supports ecommerce SEO through platform settings, theme configuration, metadata, URLs and technical controls. SEO performance depends more on site structure, product content, internal linking, technical setup, speed, structured data and ongoing content quality than on the platform alone.

Q: Can I migrate from Shopify to BigCommerce or from BigCommerce to Shopify?

A: Yes, migration is possible, but it should be planned carefully. Products, customers, orders, redirects, theme design, apps, integrations, SEO settings and checkout workflows may not transfer perfectly in one step. Larger stores should test the migration process and consider professional support before moving a live ecommerce site.

Q: Which platform is better for in-person selling?

A: Shopify has a strong built-in POS pathway for businesses that want online and in-person selling connected through one platform. BigCommerce can support POS workflows through integrations and partner solutions. The better choice depends on hardware needs, retail locations, payment setup, inventory syncing and the level of in-store functionality required.

Q: Which platform is better for B2B ecommerce?

A: BigCommerce may be a strong fit for businesses that need customer groups, price lists, multi-storefront workflows or B2B Edition features. Shopify also supports B2B features, but access and limits depend on plan and setup. For B2B ecommerce, the best choice depends on account management, custom pricing, catalogue visibility, company locations, payment terms and integration needs.

Sources & References

Prices, features and specifications in this comparison were verified from official sources.

Last verified: May 2026

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