BigCommerce vs Shopify

BigCommerce

• ✓Zero transaction fees on all plans
• ✓Built-in multi-currency and multi-storefront support
• ✓B2B features included — price lists, bulk pricing, corporate accounts
• ✓Headless capabilities for custom frontends
• ✓More built-in features than Shopify at the same price

Shopify

• ✓$150 affiliate commission per new merchant — top-tier payout
• ✓Highest-converting checkout in e-commerce — 15% better than average
• ✓8,000+ app integrations for every use case
• ✓Omnichannel: sell online, in-store, on social, and marketplaces from one dashboard
• ✓Shopify Payments eliminates third-party transaction fees

BigCommerce

• !Annual sales thresholds trigger mandatory plan upgrades
• !App ecosystem smaller than Shopify's
• !Steeper learning curve than Shopify for beginners

Shopify

• !Transaction fees apply if not using Shopify Payments
• !Advanced customization requires Liquid templating knowledge
• !Monthly costs add up with apps

BigCommerce

• →Run a B2C and B2B store simultaneously with separate pricing rules
• →Build a custom storefront in React while keeping BigCommerce as the commerce engine
• →Expand to international markets with local currencies and tax rules per region

Shopify

• →Launch a fully branded online store in one day with no technical skills required
• →Sell on Instagram, TikTok, and your website simultaneously with synced inventory
• →Enable Shop Pay to offer one-tap checkout for returning customers

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is the open-SaaS e-commerce platform that gives enterprise-level features without the enterprise price tag. Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce charges zero transaction fees on all plans and includes features like multi-currency, faceted search, and B2B functionality that competitors charge extra for. Its headless commerce capabilities let brands build custom storefronts with any tech stack while using BigCommerce as the backend. Preferred by larger merchants, BigCommerce handles up to $400M in GMV per year and has been named a Gartner Magic Quadrant leader.

Shopify

Shopify powers over 4.6 million businesses in 175 countries, making it the undisputed leader in e-commerce. Every Shopify store includes a fast, customizable online storefront, the world's highest-converting checkout (15% better than competitors), built-in payment processing, inventory management, and analytics. The App Store has 8,000+ extensions for everything from email marketing to loyalty programs. Shopify's Shop Pay accelerated checkout reduces cart abandonment dramatically. Whether you're selling your first product or scaling to millions in revenue, Shopify grows with you.