Shopify vs BigCommerce

Shopify and BigCommerce are both serious ecommerce platforms for building online stores, but they are not positioned exactly the same way. Shopify is the more beginner-friendly, app-driven ecommerce platform with a very large ecosystem. BigCommerce is a powerful hosted ecommerce platform known for more built-in features, open SaaS flexibility, and a strong fit for growing or more complex stores.

This comparison explains the key differences between Shopify and BigCommerce, including ease of use, pricing, transaction fees, built-in features, apps, design, SEO, B2B, scalability, and which platform is better for beginners.

Shopify and BigCommerce are both hosted ecommerce platforms. That means you do not need to install ecommerce software on your own server, manage your own checkout infrastructure, or build a store from scratch with code.

At a high level, Shopify is usually easier for beginners. It has a simpler starting path, a large app marketplace, polished themes, strong onboarding, and a very broad ecosystem of tutorials, apps, agencies, and integrations.

BigCommerce is usually stronger for merchants who want more native ecommerce features and more technical flexibility. It can be a good fit for businesses that want robust catalog tools, complex selling needs, B2B features, multi-storefront options, or a more open approach to integrations.

This guide compares Shopify vs BigCommerce from a beginner’s perspective, while also explaining where BigCommerce may make sense for growing or more complex ecommerce businesses.

Last checked: May 9, 2026. Shopify and BigCommerce pricing, plan names, payment fees, transaction fee rules, features, and promotions can change. Always confirm the latest information on the official Shopify and BigCommerce websites before choosing a platform.

Quick Verdict

For most beginners, Shopify is usually the better starting point. For more complex ecommerce businesses, especially those that want more native features and a more open SaaS approach, BigCommerce can be a strong alternative.

Shopify vs BigCommerce: Best For

Both platforms can run real ecommerce businesses. The best choice depends on how much complexity you need on day one and how comfortable you are managing ecommerce operations.

Shopify vs BigCommerce Comparison Table

What Is Shopify?

Shopify is a hosted ecommerce platform that lets you build an online store, add products, accept payments, manage orders, customize themes, install apps, connect sales channels, and grow an ecommerce business from one admin.

Shopify’s main strength is usability. It is designed so beginners can start with a trial, add products, choose a theme, set up payments and shipping, test checkout, and launch without managing hosting or ecommerce infrastructure.

Shopify is also popular because of its ecosystem. There are many themes, apps, agencies, developers, tutorials, integrations, and communities built around Shopify. That matters for beginners because it is easier to find help, examples, and tools.

What Is BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is a hosted ecommerce platform for building and managing online stores. It provides website hosting, product management, checkout, payments, order management, marketing tools, design tools, integrations, APIs, and enterprise ecommerce features.

BigCommerce is often described as an open SaaS ecommerce platform. In practice, that means it is hosted like Shopify, but it emphasizes flexibility, APIs, integrations, and more native ecommerce capabilities for businesses with complex needs.

BigCommerce can be a strong choice for merchants who want powerful built-in features, B2B capabilities, multi-storefront workflows, complex catalogs, or an ecommerce platform that can support more technical customization and integrations.

Ease of Use

Both Shopify and BigCommerce are easier than building a custom ecommerce site from scratch, but Shopify is usually easier for beginners.

Shopify ease of use

Shopify gives beginners a clear path:

• Start a trial
• Add products
• Choose a theme
• Customize the store
• Set up payments
• Set up shipping
• Connect a domain
• Test checkout
• Launch

The admin is clean, the onboarding is straightforward, and most common beginner tasks are well documented. Shopify’s simplicity is one reason it is often the safer choice for new store owners.

BigCommerce ease of use

BigCommerce is still a hosted platform, but it can feel more advanced. It gives merchants many built-in options, but more options can mean more decisions.

Beginners may need more time to understand catalog settings, product options, shipping rules, integrations, channels, APIs, and advanced configuration. For a business with complex needs, that flexibility is valuable. For a solo beginner, it can be more than necessary at launch.

Pricing and Total Cost

Pricing is one of the most important comparison areas, but it is also one of the easiest to misunderstand. You should compare not only monthly plan price, but also payment processing fees, transaction or provider-related fees, apps, themes, development, integrations, and future scaling costs.

Shopify pricing model

As of the latest checked Shopify pricing page, Shopify lists Basic, Grow, Advanced, and Plus as its main plans. Shopify lists Basic starting at $29 USD/month billed yearly, Grow starting at $79 USD/month billed yearly, Advanced starting at $299 USD/month billed yearly, and Plus starting at $2,300 USD/month billed yearly on a 3-year term.

Shopify costs may include:

• Monthly or yearly Shopify plan
• Payment processing fees
• Third-party transaction fees if using third-party payment providers
• Paid apps
• Premium themes
• Domain name
• POS tools if selling in person
• Marketing, fulfillment, inventory, and shipping costs

BigCommerce pricing model

As of the latest checked BigCommerce Essentials pricing page, BigCommerce lists Standard at $39/month, Plus at $105/month, Pro at $399/month, and Enterprise pricing based on a merchant’s online sales and needs.

BigCommerce has also announced pricing and plan updates starting June 1, 2026. The announcement says some merchants will see different plans, different prices, or a new fee, and it introduces an Open Payment Provider Fee for self-serve plans when orders are processed through Open Payment Providers.

BigCommerce costs may include:

• Monthly BigCommerce plan
• Payment processing fees
• Open Payment Provider Fees where applicable under the 2026 update
• Premium themes
• Apps, extensions, or integrations
• Domain name
• Development or agency work for complex setups
• Marketing, fulfillment, inventory, and shipping costs

Pricing comparison

Payments and Transaction Fees

Payment fees can change the real cost of either platform.

Shopify payment fees

Shopify offers Shopify Payments in supported countries and regions. If you use Shopify Payments for orders processed through Shopify Payments, you generally avoid Shopify’s third-party payment provider fees. Payment processing fees still apply.

As of the latest checked Shopify pricing page, Shopify lists online card rates starting at 2.9% + 30¢ USD on Basic, 2.7% + 30¢ USD on Grow, and 2.5% + 30¢ USD on Advanced. Shopify also lists third-party payment provider fees of 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow, and 0.6% on Advanced.

BigCommerce payment fees

BigCommerce supports a wide range of payment providers. Its Essentials pricing page says debit and credit card processing begins at 2.89% + $0.29 per transaction for all BigCommerce plans, with eligibility requirements for published processing rates.

Historically, BigCommerce was often described as having no additional transaction fees. Its Enterprise pricing FAQ still says BigCommerce does not charge additional transaction fees. However, BigCommerce has announced that starting June 1, 2026, an Open Payment Provider Fee will apply to self-serve plans for orders processed through Open Payment Providers.

According to BigCommerce’s 2026 pricing update, the Open Payment Provider Fee rates are 2.0% for Core, 1.0% for Growth, and 0.6% for Scale. BigCommerce says the fee is billed monthly, separate from payment provider fees, and does not apply to Performance plans operating under contracted terms.

Built-In Features

One of BigCommerce’s main advantages is that it often includes more features natively, while Shopify often relies more heavily on apps for specialized features.

Shopify built-in features

Shopify includes the core tools needed to build and run an online store:

• Product management
• Inventory tracking
• Orders and customers
• Checkout
• Discounts
• Themes
• Basic SEO tools
• Analytics
• Sales channels
• Shipping settings
• Apps for extending functionality

Shopify’s strength is not that everything is built in. Its strength is that the core system is clean and the app ecosystem is huge.

BigCommerce built-in features

BigCommerce often appeals to merchants who want more ecommerce capabilities without immediately relying on apps. Depending on plan and setup, BigCommerce can be strong for:

• Product options and variants
• Faceted search and product filtering
• Customer groups and price lists on higher-level setups
• B2B and wholesale workflows
• Multi-storefront selling
• Headless commerce and API flexibility
• Complex catalogs
• Enterprise integrations

This can reduce app dependency, but it can also make the platform feel more complex for beginners.

Apps and Integrations

Shopify and BigCommerce both support apps and integrations, but Shopify usually has the larger and more beginner-accessible ecosystem.

Shopify apps

The Shopify App Store includes apps for product reviews, upsells, bundles, subscriptions, email marketing, loyalty programs, print-on-demand, dropshipping, shipping, analytics, SEO, customer support, forms, page building, product filters, and more.

For beginners, this can be helpful because you can add functionality without hiring a developer. The risk is app overload. Too many apps can increase monthly costs and complexity.

BigCommerce integrations

BigCommerce also has an app marketplace and strong integration capabilities. It can be attractive for merchants who want to connect ecommerce with ERP, PIM, CRM, accounting, B2B systems, custom frontends, or more technical business systems.

BigCommerce may have fewer beginner-oriented apps than Shopify, but its open SaaS approach can be powerful for businesses with developers, agencies, or complex integration needs.

Design and Themes

Both platforms let you build a professional storefront, but Shopify usually has the larger theme ecosystem and more beginner-friendly design resources.

Shopify design

Shopify themes are built around ecommerce. You can start with a free theme, buy a premium theme, customize sections, adjust typography and colors, create product pages, organize collections, and launch a polished storefront.

Shopify’s theme ecosystem is large, and there are many tutorials and examples available. This makes design easier for beginners.

BigCommerce design

BigCommerce also offers professional themes and storefront customization. It can support strong storefront design, and advanced users can customize more deeply through development or headless builds.

For a beginner, Shopify may feel easier. For a business with developers or advanced requirements, BigCommerce can offer more flexibility.

SEO and Content

Both Shopify and BigCommerce can support ecommerce SEO, including product pages, category or collection pages, metadata, URLs, redirects, and image alt text.

Shopify SEO

Shopify is strong enough for most ecommerce SEO basics. It supports product SEO, collection pages, redirects, editable titles and meta descriptions, alt text, blogging, and theme-based structured ecommerce elements.

Some advanced technical SEO changes may require theme editing or apps.

BigCommerce SEO

BigCommerce is also strong for ecommerce SEO and can be appealing for merchants who want more native control over certain ecommerce structures. It can be a good fit for larger catalogs, technical integrations, and more advanced storefront architectures.

The better SEO platform depends less on the platform name and more on product quality, site structure, content, internal linking, speed, technical setup, and your ability to create useful pages for customers.

B2B, Multi-Storefront, and Complex Selling

This is one area where BigCommerce can be especially attractive.

Shopify for complex selling

Shopify can support complex businesses, especially with Shopify Plus, apps, custom development, and integrations. Shopify Plus includes features such as B2B tools, more checkout customization, unlimited staff accounts, and enterprise support.

For a beginner, these features are usually not necessary. For a large business, Shopify Plus can be powerful.

BigCommerce for complex selling

BigCommerce often positions itself strongly for B2B, multi-storefront, API flexibility, enterprise integrations, and open SaaS commerce. Businesses with multiple brands, regional storefronts, B2B catalogs, custom pricing, or complex product rules may find BigCommerce attractive.

If you already know that your store needs complex ecommerce architecture, BigCommerce deserves serious consideration.

Scalability

Both Shopify and BigCommerce can scale, but the scaling experience is different.

Shopify scalability

Shopify scales well for many ecommerce brands. You can start on Basic, move to Grow or Advanced, add apps, improve fulfillment, expand sales channels, and eventually consider Shopify Plus.

Shopify is usually easier for beginners to grow with because there are so many apps, agencies, examples, and standard workflows.

BigCommerce scalability

BigCommerce can be strong for scaling merchants who need more native features, complex catalogs, multiple storefronts, B2B capabilities, APIs, and enterprise integrations.

BigCommerce may be a better fit when your business is already complex or you expect complexity soon. For a simple first store, it may feel heavier than needed.

Maintenance and Support

Both Shopify and BigCommerce are hosted platforms, so neither requires the same server maintenance burden as self-hosted WooCommerce.

Shopify maintenance

Shopify handles the core hosted platform infrastructure. You still manage products, apps, themes, payments, shipping, store content, customer service, and business operations.

BigCommerce maintenance

BigCommerce also handles hosted platform infrastructure. You still manage store configuration, products, themes, integrations, apps, payments, business rules, and operations.

The main difference is not hosting maintenance. The main difference is complexity. Shopify is usually easier for beginners to operate; BigCommerce can be better for businesses that need more advanced configuration.

Which Should You Choose?

For most first-time store owners, Shopify is the safer recommendation. It is easier to learn, easier to launch, and easier to find help for.

BigCommerce is a strong choice when you already know your ecommerce needs are more complex than a simple beginner store, or when you value native features and open SaaS flexibility more than the easiest possible setup.

Can You Switch Later?

Yes, but ecommerce platform migration is not simple.

If you switch from Shopify to BigCommerce, or from BigCommerce to Shopify, you may need to migrate products, product options, collections or categories, customers, orders, redirects, content, themes, apps, integrations, payment settings, analytics, and SEO data.

Because migration can be time-consuming, choose the platform that fits your likely next 12 to 24 months, not only the platform that looks cheaper or more powerful on day one.

Shopify vs BigCommerce FAQ

Is Shopify better than BigCommerce for beginners?

For most beginners, yes. Shopify is usually easier to set up, easier to learn, and easier to support with tutorials, themes, apps, and beginner-friendly resources.

Is BigCommerce better than Shopify for advanced stores?

Sometimes. BigCommerce can be a better fit for merchants with complex catalogs, B2B needs, multi-storefront requirements, open SaaS preferences, and advanced integration requirements.

Which is cheaper, Shopify or BigCommerce?

It depends on plan, apps, payment provider, transaction or provider-related fees, development needs, and sales volume. Shopify’s Basic plan starts lower than BigCommerce Standard based on the checked pricing pages, but total cost depends on your full setup.

Does Shopify charge transaction fees?

Shopify lists third-party payment provider fees when merchants use third-party providers instead of Shopify Payments. Shopify also charges payment processing fees for card payments.

Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees?

BigCommerce has historically promoted no additional transaction fees, and its Enterprise FAQ says it does not charge additional transaction fees. However, BigCommerce has announced an Open Payment Provider Fee starting June 1, 2026 for self-serve plans when orders are processed through Open Payment Providers.

Which platform has better apps?

Shopify usually has the larger and more beginner-friendly app ecosystem. BigCommerce has strong integrations and can be powerful for complex business systems, but Shopify generally has more accessible app options for beginners.

Which platform is better for B2B?

BigCommerce can be a strong fit for B2B and complex commerce needs. Shopify can also support B2B, especially on Shopify Plus and with apps, but many B2B features are more relevant to advanced sellers than beginners.

Which platform is better for dropshipping?

Shopify is usually better for beginner dropshipping because of its large app ecosystem, tutorials, and beginner workflows.

Which platform is better for SEO?

Both can support ecommerce SEO. Shopify is easier for most beginners, while BigCommerce can be strong for larger catalogs and more technical ecommerce structures. SEO success depends more on content, site structure, product pages, performance, and technical implementation than the platform alone.

Should I choose BigCommerce for my first store?

Choose BigCommerce for a first store only if you already know you need its more advanced native features or open SaaS flexibility. If you are building a simple first store, Shopify is usually easier.

Final Thoughts

Shopify and BigCommerce are both capable ecommerce platforms, but they serve different beginner profiles.

Shopify is better for most first-time store owners because it is easier to start, easier to learn, and supported by a large ecosystem of apps, themes, tutorials, and experts.

BigCommerce is better for merchants who want more built-in ecommerce power, more open SaaS flexibility, and stronger support for complex catalogs, B2B, multi-storefront, and enterprise-style needs.

If you are launching your first store and want the clearest path forward, start with Shopify. If you already know your store will need more advanced native ecommerce functionality, compare BigCommerce carefully before making your final choice.

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