BigCommerce vs Shopify
BigCommerce rates 4.3/5 and starts at $39/mo. Shopify rates 4.6/5 and starts at $39/mo. Shopify is the higher rated.
Shopify rates higher (4.6/5 vs 4.3/5). BigCommerce suits Mid-market & B2B stores, while Shopify is aimed at DTC brands & growing stores.
BigCommerce vs Shopify at a glance
| Measure | BigCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Reviews | 5,200 | 21,400 |
| Starting price | $39/mo | $39/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Public API | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations listed here | 5 | 5 |
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3 | 4.6 |
| Starting price | $39/mo | $39/mo |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| API available | ||
| Best for | Mid-market & B2B stores | DTC brands & growing stores |
| No transaction fees | ||
| Rich built-in features | ||
| B2B Edition | ||
| Headless/API-first | ||
| Multi-channel | ||
| Hosted storefront | ||
| Shopify Payments | ||
| Huge app store | ||
| POS & omnichannel | ||
| Checkout optimization | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Pricing side by side
BigCommerce
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $39/mo | $468 |
| Plus | $105/mo | $1,260 |
| Pro | $399/mo | $4,788 |
Shopify
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39/mo | $468 |
| Shopify | $105/mo | $1,260 |
| Advanced | $399/mo | $4,788 |
Which should you choose?
Choose BigCommerce if…
- No transaction fees matters to you.
- Strong built-in features matters to you.
- Good for B2B matters to you.
- Transaction fees off Shopify Payments would be a problem.
Choose Shopify if…
- Easy to launch matters to you.
- Massive app ecosystem matters to you.
- Reliable & scalable matters to you.
- Annual sales thresholds force upgrades would be a problem.
BigCommerce
Pros
- No transaction fees
- Strong built-in features
- Good for B2B
Cons
- Annual sales thresholds force upgrades
- Smaller app store than Shopify
Shopify
Pros
- Easy to launch
- Massive app ecosystem
- Reliable & scalable
Cons
- Transaction fees off Shopify Payments
- Apps add up in cost
Frequently asked questions
Is BigCommerce better than Shopify?+
Shopify rates higher (4.6/5 vs 4.3/5). BigCommerce suits Mid-market & B2B stores, while Shopify is aimed at DTC brands & growing stores.
Which is cheaper, BigCommerce or Shopify?+
BigCommerce starts at $39/mo and Shopify starts at $39/mo.
Do BigCommerce or Shopify have a free plan?+
Neither offers a permanently free plan, but free trials are often available.
Which is better rated, BigCommerce or Shopify?+
Shopify, at 4.6/5 across 21,400 reviews, versus 4.3/5 for BigCommerce.
What is BigCommerce best for, and what is Shopify best for?+
BigCommerce is aimed at Mid-market & B2B stores (b2b ecommerce, feature-rich stores). Shopify is aimed at DTC brands & growing stores (DTC stores, scaling brands).