Shopify vs BigCommerce (2024 Comparison)
Shopify offers a user-friendly platform with extensive integrations and robust payment processing options. It's an excellent choice for businesses looking to establish a professional online presence.
- Extensive app store for integrations.
- User-friendly interface for beginners.
- Robust payment processing options.
- Limited customization without coding.
- Transaction fees on external gateways.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$5 per month
BigCommerce provides advanced SEO tools and scalable solutions, making it ideal for businesses planning to grow. Its comprehensive marketing features help drive sales and expand your customer base.
- Advanced SEO tools for better visibility.
- Scalable solutions for growing businesses.
- Comprehensive marketing features.
- Steeper learning curve for beginners.
- Higher cost for advanced features.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$29 per monthWhat is Shopify?
Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that empowers businesses to create and manage their online stores with ease. It offers a user-friendly interface, a wide range of customizable templates, and robust features like inventory management, payment processing, and marketing tools. Shopify helps businesses streamline their operations, reach a global audience, and boost sales. Whether you're a small business owner or a large enterprise, Shopify provides the tools you need to succeed in the competitive world of e-commerce.
What is BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is a powerful e-commerce platform designed to help businesses of all sizes build and grow their online presence. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including customizable templates, advanced SEO tools, and seamless integrations with popular third-party applications. BigCommerce is known for its scalability, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking to expand their operations. With its user-friendly interface and robust functionality, BigCommerce enables businesses to create a professional online store and drive sales effectively.
Pros and Cons of Shopify vs BigCommerce
Pros & Cons of Shopify
- Shopify's app store offers a wide range of integrations, allowing businesses to enhance their online stores with additional features and functionalities. This flexibility makes it easy to tailor your store to meet specific needs.
- Shopify's interface is designed with beginners in mind, making it easy for anyone to set up and manage their online store. The intuitive design ensures a smooth user experience, even for those with limited technical knowledge.
- Shopify offers a seamless payment processing experience with its integrated payment gateway, Shopify Payments. This feature simplifies transactions and reduces fees, providing a hassle-free experience for businesses and customers alike.
- While Shopify offers a range of customizable templates, more advanced customization may require coding knowledge. This limitation can be a drawback for businesses looking for highly tailored designs.
- Shopify charges transaction fees for businesses using external payment gateways, which can add up over time. This cost may be a consideration for businesses looking to minimize expenses.
Pros & Cons of BigCommerce
- BigCommerce provides a comprehensive suite of SEO tools that help businesses improve their search engine rankings and drive more traffic to their online stores. These tools are essential for businesses looking to enhance their online visibility.
- BigCommerce is designed to support businesses as they grow, offering scalable solutions that can accommodate increased traffic and sales. This scalability makes it an ideal choice for businesses planning to expand their operations.
- BigCommerce offers a wide range of marketing tools that help businesses promote their products and reach a wider audience. These features are crucial for businesses looking to boost their sales and grow their customer base.
- BigCommerce's advanced features may require more technical knowledge, making it less accessible for beginners. This learning curve can be a challenge for those new to e-commerce.
- BigCommerce's advanced features come at a higher cost, which may be a consideration for businesses with limited budgets. This expense can be a drawback for smaller businesses looking to minimize costs.
Shopify vs BigCommerce: At A Glance
Value to Price
Shopify offers a competitive pricing structure with a wide range of features, making it a great value for businesses looking to establish an online presence. BigCommerce, while slightly more expensive, provides advanced features that justify the cost for larger businesses. If you're a small business owner, Shopify might be the better choice due to its affordability and comprehensive features.
Ease of Use
Shopify is renowned for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to set up and manage their online stores. BigCommerce also offers a straightforward interface but may require a bit more technical knowledge. If you're new to e-commerce, Shopify's ease of use makes it an ideal choice.
Functionality
Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer robust functionality, but BigCommerce stands out with its advanced SEO tools and customizable options. Shopify provides a wide range of apps and plugins to enhance functionality. If you need advanced SEO features, BigCommerce might be the better option.
Scalability
BigCommerce is known for its scalability, making it an excellent choice for businesses planning to expand. Shopify also offers scalable solutions but may require additional apps for certain features. If you're looking to grow your business, BigCommerce's scalability is a significant advantage.
Integrations
Shopify offers a vast library of integrations, allowing businesses to connect with various third-party applications seamlessly. BigCommerce also provides numerous integrations but may not have as extensive a selection as Shopify. If integrations are crucial for your business, Shopify's extensive library is a strong point.
Customer Support
Shopify provides excellent customer support with 24/7 availability, ensuring businesses can get help whenever needed. BigCommerce also offers reliable support but may not be as readily available. If customer support is a priority, Shopify's 24/7 service is a significant benefit.
Security
Both Shopify and BigCommerce prioritize security, offering SSL certificates and PCI compliance. Shopify's security features are slightly more comprehensive, providing peace of mind for businesses handling sensitive customer data. If security is a top concern, Shopify's robust features are a key advantage.
Overall Rating
Shopify and BigCommerce are both excellent e-commerce platforms, each with its strengths. Shopify's ease of use and extensive integrations make it a top choice for small to medium-sized businesses. BigCommerce's scalability and advanced features cater to larger enterprises. Your choice should depend on your specific business needs and goals.
Shopify vs BigCommerce: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Customizable Templates
Shopify offers a wide range of customizable templates that allow you to create a unique and professional-looking online store. The templates are easy to use and can be tailored to fit your brand's aesthetic. BigCommerce also provides customizable templates, but they may require more technical knowledge to fully utilize. If you're looking for a platform with user-friendly templates, Shopify is the better choice.
SEO Tools
BigCommerce excels in providing advanced SEO tools that help businesses improve their search engine rankings and drive more traffic to their online stores. Shopify also offers SEO tools, but they may not be as comprehensive as BigCommerce's offerings. If SEO is a priority for your business, BigCommerce's advanced tools are a significant advantage.
Payment Processing
Shopify offers a seamless payment processing experience with its integrated payment gateway, Shopify Payments. This feature simplifies transactions and reduces fees for businesses. BigCommerce also provides robust payment processing options, but they may not be as integrated as Shopify's solution. If you want a hassle-free payment processing experience, Shopify is the better option.
Inventory Management
Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer powerful inventory management tools that help businesses keep track of their stock levels and manage orders efficiently. BigCommerce's inventory management features are slightly more advanced, making it a better choice for businesses with complex inventory needs. If you require advanced inventory management, BigCommerce is the way to go.
Mobile Responsiveness
Shopify ensures that all its templates are mobile-responsive, providing a seamless shopping experience for customers on any device. BigCommerce also offers mobile-responsive templates, but Shopify's designs are often more polished and user-friendly. If mobile responsiveness is crucial for your business, Shopify's templates are a strong point.
Marketing Tools
BigCommerce offers a comprehensive suite of marketing tools that help businesses promote their products and reach a wider audience. Shopify also provides marketing tools, but they may not be as extensive as BigCommerce's offerings. If marketing is a key focus for your business, BigCommerce's tools are a significant advantage.
Pricing Comparison of Shopify and BigCommerce
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Shopify and BigCommerce. This comparison will highlight the best option for creating your online store.
Shopify Pricing Plans
- Create a simple online store with ease.
- Access to basic ecommerce features and tools.
- No setup fees or hidden charges.
- Ideal for testing ecommerce waters.
- 10 inventory locations for better stock management.
- 24/7 chat support for continuous assistance.
- Localized global selling across 3 markets.
- POS Lite for in-person sales.
- 5 additional staff accounts for team collaboration.
- Localized global selling across 3 markets.
- Advanced reporting and analytics tools.
- POS Lite for seamless in-person sales.
- Custom reports and analytics for data-driven decisions.
- 15 additional staff accounts for larger teams.
- 10x checkout capacity for high traffic handling.
- Enhanced 24/7 chat support for priority assistance.
- 200 inventory locations for extensive stock management.
- Priority 24/7 phone support for immediate help.
- Localized global selling across 50 markets.
- Customizable checkout with 40x capacity.
BigCommerce Pricing Plans
- Support access with 24/7 live agent availability.
- Major payment gateway integrations for smooth transactions.
- Support for multiple currencies to cater to global customers.
- Real-time shipping and additional features for efficient logistics.
- Abandoned shopping cart recovery to boost sales.
- Customer segmentation for personalized marketing.
- Google customer reviews integration for trust building.
- Analytics and reporting to track performance.
- Product filtering for enhanced user experience.
- Google Shopping integration to reach more customers.
- Dedicated SSL certificate for secure transactions.
- Premium support with dedicated account management.
- Unlimited API calls for high-volume operations.
- Custom pricing options for tailored solutions.
- Priority support with a dedicated account manager.
- Advanced security features including PCI compliance.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each e-commerce platform, focusing on key aspects like ease of use, functionality, and scalability. By analyzing user reviews and testing features, we ensure our recommendations align with your needs. Each factor is weighted by importance to deliver a reliable final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
Shopify or BigCommerce: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Shopify If You Need ...
- User-friendly e-commerce platform
If you are a beginner or small business owner looking for an easy-to-use website builder, Shopify is the ideal choice. Its user-friendly interface and extensive app store make it easy to set up and manage your online store.
- Seamless payment processing
If you want a hassle-free payment processing experience, Shopify's integrated payment gateway, Shopify Payments, simplifies transactions and reduces fees, providing a seamless experience for businesses and customers alike.
Choose BigCommerce If You Need ...
- Advanced SEO and marketing tools
If you need advanced SEO features and comprehensive marketing tools, BigCommerce is the better option. Its robust suite of tools helps businesses improve their search engine rankings and reach a wider audience.
- Scalable solutions for growth
If you are planning to expand your business, BigCommerce's scalable solutions can accommodate increased traffic and sales, making it an ideal choice for growing businesses looking to enhance their online presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is better for beginners, Shopify or BigCommerce?
Does BigCommerce offer better SEO tools than Shopify?
Which platform offers more integrations, Shopify or BigCommerce?
Is Shopify more affordable than BigCommerce?
Which platform is better for scalability, Shopify or BigCommerce?
Does Shopify offer better customer support than BigCommerce?
Martin Lunendonk
Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.
