BigCommerce vs Shopify – Which is best for online store owners? This is a never-ending debate for the eCommerce industry. Some businesses might vouch for BigCommerce, whereas, for others, Shopify might be the best option.
Whatever difference of opinion one might have regarding the best eCommerce platforms in the market, the answer will greatly depend on the customer’s needs and preferences.
In this blog post, we are going to take you through a detailed difference between BigCommerce vs Shopify by emphasizing their advantages and disadvantages. So, if you are contemplating making a switch from any existing eCommerce platform, other than BigCommerce or Shopify, make sure to go through the blog post.
Getting Introduced to These Two Platforms
BigCommerce and Shopify are the two most powerful contenders on the market.
These eCommerce platforms have made the task of creating, maintaining, and expanding online stores of hundreds and thousands of online retailers very easy; without compromising on profitability.
Rather, these two eCommerce rivals are helping online retailers by generating business worth billions of dollars.
BigCommerce vs Shopify: The Basics
BigCommerce and Shopify are both leading eCommerce platforms designed to help businesses create and manage their online stores. While Shopify has been a popular choice for many small businesses, BigCommerce has become the go-to platform for B2B and B2C merchants looking for a more robust and scalable solution.
Both BigCommerce and Shopify are subscription-based eCommerce platforms that can cater to businesses of all sizes. The best part about these eCommerce platforms is that they are both user-friendly, provide a variety of features, and offer responsive and mobile-friendly templates.
BigCommerce vs Shopify: Head-on Differences
While both BigCommerce and Shopify are great in their own way, there are certain differences that make these platforms ideal for specific users and scenarios. Without wasting any time, let’s go for a head-to-head comparison between BigCommerce vs Shopify Plus or BigCommerce vs Shopify pricing, and so on.
Hopefully, after this detailed comparison, you will get a clear picture of these eCommerce platforms that would best suit your online business needs.
BigCommerce vs Shopify Feature Comparison
In terms of features, both BigCommerce and Shopify vary greatly. Let’s take you through the details to help you understand how BigCommerce and Shopify differ in terms of scalability, payment processing, design, and SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
Scalability
As a part of the BigCommerce vs Shopify comparison, the scalability feature comes first. BigCommerce is designed for businesses of all sizes, with enterprise-level features to support rapid growth.
Unlike BigCommerce, Shopify requires the use of third-party apps for advanced functionality. On the other hand, BigCommerce comes with built-in features that minimize the need for additional plugins. Thus, ensuring a more streamlined experience and lowering the total cost of ownership.
Payment Processing
If you are going for BigCommerce vs Shopify comparison, you can’t overlook the payment processing feature. Well, BigCommerce is known to support over 65 payment gateways sans transaction fees. Thus, offering merchants the flexibility to choose the best payment solution for their business.
On the other hand, Shopify charges additional fees for using any other payment gateways other than its in-house solution, such as Shopify Payments.
Design & Customization
If you are considering BigCommerce vs Shopify design comparison, you get to see that both platforms offer a variety of themes and design options. However, when it comes to customization comparison BigCommerce offers more control over customization.
With BigCommerce’s intuitive interface and flexible design tools, you can create a unique online store that perfectly reflects your brand identity. Shopify’s customization options are more limited, often requiring coding expertise to achieve the desired look.
SEO
As a part of the BigCommerce vs Shopify SEO comparison, one will get to know which one is the best.
BigCommerce has a robust set of built-in SEO tools and features, such as automated image optimization, built-in schema markup, and customizable URLs. These features can improve your online store’s visibility and help drive organic traffic.
On the other hand, Shopify’s SEO capabilities are more basic, often requiring additional apps for optimal results.
So, it won’t be wrong to say that in the BigCommerce vs Shopify SEO debate, BigCommerce gets the upper hand. With BigCommerce, you can stay assured of the fact that your online store will rank high in search results.
BigCommerce vs Shopify: The Market Share
In the US (United States), Shopify used to dominate the eCommerce market. But over the past years, BigCommerce has steadily gained a strong market share; eventually overtaking Shopify in the process.
In 2015, BigCommerce and Shopify were at par in the overall CMS market, with BigCommerce’s market share coming to 0.4% and Shopify’s at 0.7%. At that time, WordPress was leading the market as it was powering more than 60% of websites.
Fast forward, to 2022 and BigCommerce’s market share remained the same at 0.4% while Shopify’s market share saw a significant increase. It had a market share of 6.2%.
On taking a closer look at the websites that use hosted eCommerce solutions, then one gets to see Shopify, including Shopify Plus leads the show with a 38% market share.
According to a 2023 eCommerce Platforms Market Share report, BigCommerce now holds a 23.7% market share, while Shopify trails behind at 21.5%. This growth can be attributed to BigCommerce’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric approach.
BigCommerce vs Shopify: Pricing Plans
The BigCommerce vs Shopify pricing is another crucial element that needs to be considered to have a better understanding of these two eCommerce platforms.
Both BigCommerce and Shopify are SaaS (Software as a Service) platforms. This means to use these platforms; one must either pay a monthly or an annual subscription fee.
Coming back to the BigCommerce vs Shopify pricing debate, one gets to see different pricing plans being offered by BigCommerce and Shopify.
In the ongoing debate between BigCommerce vs Shopify, BigCommerce offers 4 pricing plans, while Shopify offers 5 pricing plans.
Let’s go through these pricing plans.
BigCommerce Pricing Plans
These are the popular pricing plans offered by BigCommerce.
- BigCommerce Standard: $29.95 per month
- BigCommerce Plus: $79.95 per month
- BigCommerce Pro: $299.95 per month
- BigCommerce Enterprise: varies depending on requirements
Shopify Pricing Plans
These are the popular pricing plans offered by Shopify.
- Lite: $9 per month
- Basic Shopify: $29 per month
- Shopify: $79 per month
- Advanced Shopify: $299 per month
- Shopify Plus: pricing varies depending on requirements
BigCommerce Vs Shopify Pricing Summary
When it comes to picking the right eCommerce website builder, the recurring monthly cost of the chosen plan is the most crucial factor for your budget. One must keep in mind that there will be also some additional costs associated with these two platforms, i.e., BigCommerce and Shopify.
Before delving deep into the BigCommerce vs Shopify pricing details, it is crucial to remember that BigCommerce’s pricing plan starts from $29.95/month and goes up to $299.95/month, while Shopify’s pricing plan range from $29/month and goes up to $299/month.
However, BigCommerce offers discounts of up to 10% if one goes for an annual subscription rather than a monthly subscription. For the case of Shopify, the discount is 25%.
BigCommerce vs Shopify Value for Money
Both BigCommerce and Shopify offer immense value for money. Both offer free trials. BigCommerce offers a trial for 15 days (about 2 weeks) and Shopify for 3 days. But when it comes to BigCommerce vs Shopify comparison, it is all about the tools and features that one gets from the price one pay,
In fact, BigCommerce relies less on third-party apps. This means more tools come included within the cost of the BigCommerce store you are building. For instance, BigCommerce comes with a built-in drag-and-drop website editor that allows one to move and even insert content elements directly on any store page.
However, this is not the case with Shopify. Although Shopify allows you to drag-and-drop elements into the homepage; however, for getting the same level of control for each page, one must install a separate all like Buildify. The app costs an additional $12.99/month.
Basically, Shopify offers tiered pricing plans, which might initially appear attractive; however, as your business grows, the expenses can accumulate rapidly. In contrast, BigCommerce provides a clearer pricing structure, eliminating transaction fees and including a range of built-in features, making it a financially smarter choice for expanding enterprises.
BigCommerce vs Shopify: Ease of Use
If you are facing a dilemma and don’t know what to choose between BigCommerce vs Shopify, you can consider the BigCommerce vs Shopify reviews to reach a decision. However, ease of use must be also considered when picking an eCommerce platform.
When it comes to ease of use, Shopify is the clear winner. Studies have shown that Shopify is easier to operate than BigCommerce. Thus, making Shopify the top choice for beginners. However, BigCommerce is even more powerful, and it’s a bit harder platform to master.
In fact, on the other hand, Shopify is easy to operate. This makes it an excellent choice for many online businesses.
Growth Trajectory of BigCommerce vs Shopify: A Comparative Analysis
BigCommerce and Shopify have been prominent players in the e-commerce industry, with both platforms continually evolving to meet the demands of online retailers. However, according to Google Trends, the growth trajectory of BigCommerce appears to be slightly slower than that of Shopify.
Let’s delve into the reasons behind this disparity and provide you with the latest facts and details.
BigCommerce vs Shopify: Market Presence
Shopify has been in the eCommerce space since 2006, which allowed it to establish its brand and expand its market presence before BigCommerce, which was founded in 2009.
As of March 2023, Shopify powers over 2 million businesses across more than 175 countries, while BigCommerce supports over 70,000 online stores. This disparity in market presence partially explains the gap in their growth trajectories.
Marketing and Brand Awareness
As a part of the BigCommerce vs Shopify comparison, the marketing and brand awareness endeavors can’t be overlooked.
Shopify has made significant investments in marketing efforts, including celebrity endorsements, strategic partnerships, and advertising campaigns. These initiatives have substantially boosted its brand awareness and attracted a large customer base.
In contrast, BigCommerce has adopted a more conservative approach to marketing, focusing on specific niches like B2B and mid-market businesses. This difference in marketing strategies has contributed to the varying growth rates between the two platforms.
User Base and Popularity
In some BigCommerce vs Shopify reviews, Shopify gains an edge for its user-friendly UI (User Interface).
Shopify’s user-friendly interface and ease of use have made it a preferred choice for small businesses and first-time online retailers. As of March 2023, Shopify boasts over 2.1 million active stores, catering to a broad user base that has fueled its rapid growth.
Meanwhile, BigCommerce, with over 75,000 online stores, has gained popularity among businesses seeking advanced features and scalability.
The platform’s focus on mid-market and enterprise-level businesses may limit its appeal to a narrower audience, contributing to a slower growth trajectory compared to Shopify.
Third-Party Integrations and App Ecosystem
Shopify’s extensive app ecosystem, with over 8,000 apps, has played a significant role in its growth. These third-party integrations allow users to easily customize their stores and add functionalities tailored to their specific needs. This vast selection of apps has contributed to Shopify’s popularity among businesses of all sizes.
Although BigCommerce offers numerous built-in features that cater to various business requirements, its app marketplace is smaller, with around 1,500 apps as of March 2023. While this number is still substantial, it is considerably smaller than Shopify’s offering. This difference in third-party integrations can influence the platforms’ growth trajectories, as users may gravitate towards the platform with more extensive customization options.
Funding and Valuation
Shopify has consistently raised more funding than BigCommerce, enabling it to invest in product development, marketing, and global expansion. As of March 2023, Shopify’s market valuation is around $200 billion, while BigCommerce’s valuation stands at approximately $5 billion. This disparity in valuation and funding could be another contributing factor to their differing growth rates.
The choice between BigCommerce and Shopify ultimately depends on the specific needs and requirements of the online retailer. Despite their growth trajectories, both platforms remain strong contenders in the e-commerce industry and continue to evolve to meet the demands of their users.
Quick Sneak-Peak of The Two Platforms
This BigCommerce vs Shopify comparison gives a quick synopsis of what these two eCommerce platforms have in common and in what way it differs.
| BigCommerce | Shopify | |
| Pricing | $29.95/month to $299.95/month | $29/month to $299/month |
| Bandwidth & File Storage | Available for all Plans | Available for all Plans |
| Security | Free SSL Certificates on All Plans; Compliant to Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard | Free SSL Certificates on All Plans; Compliant to Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard |
| Transaction Fee | No Transaction Fees on any plans. (No matter what system is used for transaction and processing) | Zero Percent on all plans provided Shopify Payment is being used (For external payment gateways, transaction fees are 2% for Shopify Lite and Basic Shopify; 1% for Shopify and 0.5% for Advanced Shopify.) |
| Mobile- Friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Customer Support | All plans come with 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support. | Shopify Lite comes with 24/7 live chat and email. For other plans, one gets an email, 24/7 live chat, and phone support. |
| Page Speed & Load Time | Slow Page Load Time | Fast Page Load Time |
| Extension and Apps | BigCommerce offers 600+ apps in 19 categories in its marketplace, which includes Marketing, Payment Security, and Accounting | Shopify offers many apps for merchants. Among its Shopify Plus offers 42 free and paid certified apps of high-quality |
Why BigCommerce Enjoys an Extra Edge Over Others?
In case you are wondering why B2B or B2C businesses are opting for BigCommerce and no other eCommerce platforms, read on.
Scalability: Future-Proofing Your Business
As your business grows, it’s crucial to have an eCommerce platform that can handle increased traffic and sales volume. Scalability issues lead to slow site performance or even crashes, which can be disastrous for your online store.
BigCommerce’s scalable infrastructure ensures that your online store can easily handle increased traffic and sales without compromising performance. The infrastructure of BigCommerce is designed to support businesses at every stage of growth.
With its powerful tools and features, you can easily scale your business without worrying about website performance or additional costs.
Unmatched B2B Functionality
When one goes through the BigCommerce vs Shopify reviews, one gets to see that eCommerce platforms, such as Shopify come with limited functionality.
Often online retailers that cater to the B2B market face unique challenges that can be addressed through specialized features and functionality. Since eCommerce platforms like Shopify offer limited B2B capabilities, providing an efficient and seamless shopping experience to wholesale customers becomes difficult for businesses. This is where BigCommerce stands out.
As a matter of fact, BigCommerce understands very well the needs of B2B merchants. Thus, it can offer a vast range of features designed to cater to this market.
With BigCommerce, it becomes easy to create a tailored B2B shopping experience by leveraging a comprehensive suite of B2B features, such as custom catalogs, customer group pricing, and advanced search options. These unique features make BigCommerce one of the go-to platforms for B2B merchants.
Looking into the BigCommerce vs Shopify comparison, one sees that Shopify requires additional apps and customizations to achieve the same level of B2B functionality.
Superior Analytics and Reporting
BigCommerce’s built-in analytics and reporting tools are far more advanced than those offered by Shopify. With access to real-time data and customizable reports, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize your store’s performance.
Exceptional Customer Support
Reliable customer support is vital for addressing challenges and issues in running complex online stores. Insufficient or slow customer support from e-commerce platforms frustrates retailers, hindering their business growth.
If you are looking for exceptional support for your online store and checking various BigCommerce vs Shopify reviews, stay assured that BigCommerce is the winner. In fact, BigCommerce is committed to providing top-notch customer support for online retailers. Their dedicated team of experts is available 24/7 to help you troubleshoot issues, offer guidance, and keep your store running smoothly.
With BigCommerce, receive prompt assistance via phone or email, focusing on business growth without technical worries.
Customization Options and Developer-Friendly Environment
Creating a unique and memorable shopping experience is essential for attracting and retaining customers. Many online retailers struggle with platforms that offer limited customization options, resulting in cookie-cutter online stores.
BigCommerce offers retailers various customization options and themes, providing a unique shopping experience for customers. The developer-friendly platform easily adapts in design and functionality to meet your store’s specific needs.
No More High Transaction Fees
One of the main concerns for online merchants is the cost of running their stores. High transaction fees can erode profits, making success challenging in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
BigCommerce is preferred over Shopify as the latter charges transaction fees if not using their payment gateway, deterring some businesses. BigCommerce understands the importance of minimizing costs for online retailers, which is why it doesn’t charge any transaction fees. This allows you to keep more of your hard-earned revenue, making it easier to grow your business.
BigCommerce is a top choice for online retailers, serving both B2B and B2C markets, due to various reasons.
Seek Professional Help
The eCommerce industry is booming. Building an online store using the right eCommerce platform is a daunting and time-consuming task. Businesses need to focus on their crucial business matters and not on anything else. So, if you are thinking of launching or running an eCommerce store, you can use the help of Wagento professionals. Our experts specialize in developing eCommerce websites, creating online stores on selected platforms that align with your business goals.
Concluding Thoughts
When it comes to BigCommerce vs Shopify, BigCommerce is the winner for online retailers. It comes packed with a powerful set of built-in features, customization, scalability options, and more. Its focus is to serve both B2B and B2C merchants.
eCommerce owners face choosing between BigCommerce and Shopify, a decision influenced by current needs and future business perspectives. So, why not give BigCommerce a try and see the difference for yourself?
