Starting an e-commerce store is a big step, and choosing between hosting platforms like BigCommerce and Shopify is often the first hurdle you’ll face.
POWR has been a partner developer on both platforms for 10 years and have millions of users so we know a thing or two about each of them.
In this article, I’ll break down what makes BigCommerce and Shopify unique, and how they’re the same, so you can pick which one that feels right for you.
Shortcuts:
- BigCommerce at a Glance
- Shopify at a Glance
- Pricing and Plans
- Ease of Use and Setup
- Design and Customization
- Features and Functionality
- AI Integrations and Capabilities
- Specific Use Cases: BigCommerce vs Shopify
- My Recommendation: BigCommerce or Shopify?
- Comparison Table
Both platforms make building a successful e-commerce store possible, but each one shines in different ways that might work better for your specific needs.
Whether you're planning to sell your own products, start a dropshipping business, or bring your physical store online, picking the right platform from the start can save you a lot of hassle later on.
BigCommerce at a Glance
Think of BigCommerce as that reliable friend who comes packed with everything you need right out of the box. It's built to grow with you, featuring more built-in tools than you might initially need - but that's actually a good thing.
What makes BigCommerce stand out is that you won't have to keep adding extra apps (and extra costs) as your business grows.
They're especially good at handling larger catalogs and multiple product variations, which is perfect if you're planning to sell lots of different items or if each product comes in various sizes, colors, or styles.
Shopify at a Glance
Shopify is like the Swiss Army knife of e-commerce - it's incredibly flexible and user-friendly, which is why it's become so popular with first-time sellers.
While it might not pack as many built-in features as BigCommerce, it makes up for it with an amazing app store that lets you add exactly what you need, when you need it.
Shopify really shines when it comes to ease of use and design options. Plus, if you're into selling on social media or in person, Shopify has some of the best tools for connecting all these different ways of selling.
Understanding the cost structure of an e-commerce platform is crucial because it directly impacts your bottom line as your business grows.
Both platforms offer tiered pricing plans, but they differ significantly in what's included and how they handle transaction fees.
Pricing and Plans
Understanding the cost structure of an e-commerce platform is crucial because it directly impacts your bottom line as your business grows.
While both platforms offer tiered pricing plans, they differ significantly in what's included and how they handle transaction fees.
BigCommerce Pricing Structure
BigCommerce packs a lot of built-in features into each tier, and they never charge extra transaction fees. All pricing plans also come with a 15-day free trial. Here's how the plans break down:
- Standard Plan - $39/month
- Up to $50k in annual sales
- Unlimited products and file storage
- Multiple staff accounts
- 24/7 customer support
- Built-in ratings and reviews
- Plus Plan - $105/month
- Up to $180k in annual sales
- Everything in Standard, plus
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Customer segmentation tools
- Stored credit cards feature
- Pro Plan - $399/month
- Up to $400k in annual sales
- Everything in Plus, plus
- Google customer reviews
- Custom SSL
- Product filtering tools
Also worth noting, each plan comes with a 25% discount if you choose annual billing, as well as a custom Enterprise option for established businesses (best for $1m+ online revenue).
Shopify Pricing Structure
Shopify's pricing is straightforward, but remember - you'll pay additional transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments. Here's the breakdown:
- Basic Plan - $19/month
- 2.9% + 30¢ per credit card transaction
- 2 staff accounts
- Basic reports
- Online store and mobile store
- Shopify Plan - $52/month
- 2.6% + 30¢ per credit card transaction
- 5 staff accounts
- Professional reports
- Gift cards
- Hardware support
- Advanced Plan - $399/month
- 2.4% + 30¢ per credit card transaction
- 15 staff accounts
- Advanced report builder
- Third-party calculated shipping rates
- Custom pricing by market
- Plus Plan - $2,300/month
- 3-year term
- Unlimited staff accounts
- Competitive for high-volume merchants
- 200 inventory locations
- 200 POS Pro locations with Shopify merchants
- Sell wholesale/B2B
Shopify also offers discounted rates for annual billing and $1/month for the first 3 months and 24/7 chat support for all plan types.
Transaction Fees Comparison
- BigCommerce: No transaction fees on any plan
- Shopify:
- With Shopify Payments: No additional transaction fees
- Without Shopify Payments:
- Basic: 2% per transaction
- Shopify: 1% per transaction
- Advanced: 0.5% per transaction
Ease of Use and Setup
Store Setup Process
Setting up shop looks a bit different on each platform, and here's what you need to know.
BigCommerce walks you through everything step-by-step, but it can feel a bit overwhelming at first because they show you all the features at once. Think of it like getting the keys to a new car and seeing all the buttons and switches on your first sit - it's a lot to take in, but you'll get the hang of it.
Shopify takes more of a "learn as you go" approach. They start you off with a checklist of the basics - adding products, picking a theme, and setting up payments. It's like having a friend guide you through just what you need to know right now, saving the advanced stuff for later when you're ready.
Dashboard Interface
Both platforms have clean, modern dashboards, but they serve different types of users.
Shopify's dashboard feels more like using your favorite social media app - everything is where you'd expect it to be, with big buttons and clear labels. The design seems to say, "Don't worry, you've got this!"
BigCommerce's dashboard is more like a pilot's cockpit - there are more controls visible upfront, which some people love because everything's at their fingertips. Your product stats, order management, and marketing tools are all front and center. It might take a day or two to get comfortable with it, but once you do, you'll appreciate having all that power readily available.
Learning Curve
Shopify is easier to learn if you're brand new to e-commerce. Most people can have a basic store up and running in an afternoon. It's like using a smartphone - you can start with the basics and discover more features as you go.
BigCommerce has a steeper learning curve, but for good reason. Since it comes with more built-in features, there's simply more to learn upfront. Think of it like learning to drive a manual car instead of an automatic - it takes more time to master, but you'll have more control once you do.
Design and Customization
Theme Options
Your store's look and feel can make or break your first impression on customers, and both platforms understand this well.
Both Shopify and BigCommerce have significantly invested in their theme offerings, though they take different approaches to design flexibility.
Let's break down what each platform offers in terms of themes and designs:
Shopify Themes:
Source: Shopify
- Free Themes
- 13 free themes to choose from
- Each includes 2-4 style variations
- Modern, mobile-ready designs
- Regular updates and support
- Paid Themes
- 100+ premium options
- Price range: $150-$350
- Industry-specific designs available
- Advanced features included
- Free theme updates
BigCommerce Themes:
Source: Omnisend
- Free Themes
- 12 free themes available
- Multiple style variations
- Built-in feature-rich designs
- Industry-optimized layouts
- Paid Themes
- Around 50 premium options
- Price range: $150-$300
- More built-in features than Shopify
- Advanced product display options
- Regular security updates
Customization Capabilities
Shopify uses a drag-and-drop editor that feels a lot like putting together a PowerPoint presentation. Want to move something? Just click and drag.
Want to change colors? Click and pick. It's super intuitive, and you don't need to know any code to make your store look professional.
BigCommerce recently updated their visual editor to be more user-friendly, but they still give you more technical control if you want it.
It's like having both an automatic and manual mode on a camera - use the simple controls if you want, or dive into the advanced settings if you're feeling tech-savvy.
Mobile Responsiveness
Let's face it - most of your customers will probably shop on their phones, so this part really matters. Both platforms handle mobile really well, but in slightly different ways:
Shopify themes are basically foolproof when it comes to mobile. Everything automatically adjusts to look great on phones and tablets, and you can preview your mobile store with one click. It's pretty much "set it and forget it."
BigCommerce gives you a bit more control over how things look on mobile, which can be both good and bad. Good because you can fine-tune everything, bad because you might need to spend more time making sure everything looks perfect on all screen sizes.
Features and Functionality
Built-in Features
This is where BigCommerce and Shopify really start to show their differences. Think of it like buying a car: BigCommerce is like getting all the extras included in the base price, while Shopify is more like choosing which features you want to add on.
BigCommerce comes with:
- Real-time shipping quotes
- Professional reporting tools
- Product ratings and reviews
- Advanced product options
- Multiple currencies
- Filtered search
- Bulk pricing rules
- Customer segmentation
It’s worthwhile to have a look at the full list of BigCommerce features.
Shopify base features include:
- Basic inventory management
- Manual shipping rates
- Discount code creation
- Basic reports
- Blog functionality
- Abandoned cart recovery (on higher plans)
- Gift cards (not available on Basic plan)
- Basic product options
As above, so below – a look at the best Shopify features.
App Ecosystem
Shopify absolutely dominates here. Their app store is like the iPhone App Store of e-commerce.
Source: Shopify
Shopify's massive app marketplace means you'll find multiple solutions for pretty much any feature you can imagine.
The downside to this flexibility is that you might end up paying monthly subscriptions for several apps to get all the features you need, which can quickly add up to significant costs.
While this might seem like a drawback, it actually works in your favor if you're just starting out since you can begin with just the basics and add functionality as your business grows.
- 8,000+ apps available
- Solutions for almost any business need
- Many free options available
- Easy one-click installation
- Regular app updates and support
- Strong developer community
BigCommerce's app marketplace might not be as large as Shopify’s, but what it does have is straight to the point, and includes any app you’ll need to run a successful store.
Source: BigCommerce
BigCommerce's smaller app marketplace isn't necessarily a weakness - it's more a reflection of their "everything included" approach.
The apps they do offer tend to be more focused on extending advanced functionality rather than providing basic features, which means you won't need to rely on third-party solutions for essential store operations.
The trade-off is that you might have fewer options when looking for very specific or niche functionality, but the apps available are typically more robust and business-focused.
- About 1,000 apps available
- Quality over quantity approach
- Fewer apps needed (more built-in features)
- Carefully vetted integrations
- Focus on enterprise-level solutions
SEO Capabilities
Both platforms handle the SEO basics well, but there are some notable differences:
BigCommerce:
- Customizable URLs for all pages
- Automatic optimization for Google
- Built-in robot.txt file editing
- Advanced metadata controls
- Automatic 301 redirects
- Built-in SEO recommendations
Shopify:
- Easy-to-edit meta descriptions
- Automatic sitemap generation
- Basic URL customization
- Blog for content marketing
- Needs apps for advanced SEO features
- Automatic canonical tags
Payment Gateway Options
While both platforms offer payment gateways and support most major payment providers, they handle them differently:
Shopify:
- Shopify Payments (their own system)
- 100+ payment gateways
- Higher fees if not using Shopify Payments
- Built-in fraud analysis
- Apple Pay and Google Pay included
BigCommerce:
- 65+ payment gateways
- No extra transaction fees
- Multiple payment options per country
- Built-in integration with major providers
- Digital wallet support included
AI Integrations and Capabilities
Shopify has made AI a cornerstone of their platform development, rolling out new features almost monthly to help merchants automate routine tasks and enhance their stores.
Here's what they currently offer through their Shopify Magic suite:
- AI product descriptions that create engaging copy from basic details
- AI-powered image editing and background removal
- Smart product categorization
- Automated customer support responses
- AI-generated blog post ideas and content outlines
- Smart inventory predictions
- Personalized product recommendations
BigCommerce has taken a more measured approach to AI integration, focusing on practical applications that improve operational efficiency rather than flashy features.
Their AI approach is more focused on backend optimization:
- AI-powered search functionality
- Smart product recommendations
- Automated inventory management
- Predictive analytics for sales forecasting
- Integration with third-party AI tools like Google's AI features
- Customer behavior analysis
- Fraud detection systems
What sets them apart is their approach: Shopify is building their own AI tools in-house with Shopify Magic, making them immediately available to merchants.
BigCommerce takes a partnership approach, integrating with established AI providers and focusing more on business intelligence than content creation.
As of early 2025, Shopify seems to be investing more aggressively in consumer-facing AI features, while BigCommerce is prioritizing operational AI tools.
Specific Use Cases: BigCommerce vs. Shopify
Best for small businesses - Shopify
Starting small? Here's what you should know. Shopify typically works better for small businesses because:
- Lower upfront learning curve
- Simpler pricing for beginners
- Basic plan has everything you need to start
- Easier to manage without technical knowledge
- Great for shops with fewer than 50 products
- Perfect for social media selling
Best for enterprise - BigCommerce
Got bigger dreams? BigCommerce tends to be the better enterprise choice because:
- No revenue caps on lower tiers
- Built-in B2B features
- Advanced API capabilities
- Better bulk product management
- Custom checkout options
- More sophisticated catalog management
Best for dropshipping - Shopify
For dropshipping, Shopify takes the lead:
- Direct integration with Oberlo
- Huge selection of dropshipping apps
- Easy integration with AliExpress
- Built-in shipping label creation
- Simple inventory sync
- Better automated order fulfillment
Best for multi-channel selling - Neither edges out the other
Both platforms shine here, but in different ways:
Shopify excels at:
- Social media selling (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
- Point-of-sale integration
- Marketplace connections (Amazon, eBay)
- Local delivery options
- Buy button integration
BigCommerce stands out for:
- Wholesale channel management
- Multi-storefront capabilities
- Channel-specific pricing
- Inventory sync across all channels
- Better B2B features
My Recommendation: Shopify or BigCommerce?
When to choose BigCommerce:
Choose BigCommerce if you:
- Have big plans for growth from day one
- Want more features included without extra fees
- Plan to sell lots of product variations
- Need built-in wholesale or B2B capabilities
- Don't want to worry about transaction fees
- Prefer having everything built-in rather than adding apps
- Are comfortable with a slightly steeper learning curve
The bottom line: BigCommerce is your best bet if you're thinking long-term and want a platform that can grow with you without adding tons of extra costs along the way.
When to choose Shopify:
Go with Shopify if you:
- Want the easiest possible start in e-commerce
- Plan to sell on social media platforms
- Are starting with a small product catalog
- Like the idea of adding features as you need them
- Want access to the largest app marketplace
- Need an extremely user-friendly interface
- Plan to do dropshipping
The bottom line: Shopify is your go-to if you want to get up and running quickly and don't mind adding (and paying for) extra features as your business grows.
Final Thoughts
Remember, there's no "perfect" choice - it's about what fits your specific needs. Both platforms are solid options that have helped thousands of businesses succeed online.
The best choice is the one that aligns with your business goals, technical comfort level, and budget. And hey, if you're still not sure, both platforms offer free trials, so you can test drive them before making your final decision!
FAQ: BigCommerce vs Shopify
1: How do the costs compare between Shopify and BigCommerce?
Both platforms have similar starting prices, but their fee structures differ significantly. Shopify charges additional transaction fees (0.5-2%) unless you use Shopify Payments, while BigCommerce never charges extra transaction fees. However, BigCommerce requires you to upgrade based on annual sales volumes, which Shopify doesn't do.
2: Is there a BigCommerce to Shopify migration?
Yes, you can migrate from BigCommerce to Shopify or vice versa. Both platforms offer migration tools and partner networks to help with the process. The complexity depends on your store size, but typically involves transferring products, customer data, order history, and SEO elements. Most migrations take 1-2 weeks with professional help.
3: Do you need a business license to sell on shopify?
While neither Shopify or BigCommerce requires a business license to open a store, you'll need to comply with your local business regulations. This might include getting a business license, sales tax permit, or other relevant documentation depending on your location and what you're selling.
4: How do Shopify and BigCommerce B2B options compare?
BigCommerce has more built-in B2B features, including customer groups, price lists, fully-customizable forms, and quote management. Shopify requires additional apps for most B2B functionality. If B2B is a significant part of your business model, the BigCommerce B2B Edition offers more comprehensive solutions out of the box.
5: Is Shopify or BigCommerce dropshipping better?
Shopify has a clear advantage for dropshipping with direct integrations to platforms like Oberlo and AliExpress. While BigCommerce supports dropshipping, you'll find more dropshipping apps and automated solutions in Shopify's ecosystem.
7: What about Shopify and BigCommerce payment gateways and transaction fees?
Shopify pushes users toward their in-house Shopify Payments by charging additional transaction fees (0.5-2%) when using other payment gateways. BigCommerce doesn't charge extra transaction fees regardless of your payment gateway choice and offers more built-in payment options.
8: Can I pause a Shopify store or cancel my subscription?
Both platforms allow you to pause or cancel your subscription. Shopify offers a "pause" feature that reduces your monthly fee while maintaining your data. BigCommerce doesn't have a pause feature, but you can cancel anytime and export your data before doing so.
9: How does Shopify and BigCommerce handle shipping integrations?
Both offer integrations with major carriers, but Shopify has a slight edge with their in-house shipping service offering discounted rates. BigCommerce partners with shipping solutions and offers real-time quotes from multiple carriers as a built-in feature.
10: What support options are available?
Both platforms offer 24/7 support, but access levels vary by plan. BigCommerce provides phone support on all plans, while Shopify reserves phone support for higher-tier plans. Both offer email, chat support, and extensive knowledge bases.
11: Can I connect my GoDaddy domain to my Shopify store?
Yes, both platforms allow you to connect domains from any provider. The process is straightforward and well-documented for popular domain registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains.
12: How do inventory management features compare?
BigCommerce offers more robust inventory management features out of the box, including complicated variant management and bulk editing tools. Shopify's basic inventory management is simpler but might require apps for more complex needs like automated stock alerts or supplier management.
About the author:
I'm Mick and I run the growth team at POWR. We make no-code apps and plugins for e-commerce shop owners and small businesses globally. Last I checked, we have over 18 million POWR apps in the wild in every country on Earth 😎
My career spans two decades, primarily in growth marketing and advertising with stints in broadcast television, healthcare marketing, and copy editing.
I went to the College of Journalism at the University of Louisiana - Monroe. My wife Elizabeth, son Gavin, and pup Jolene (yes, only Jolene gets in the picture lol) call Lafayette, Louisiana, home.