Shopify vs BigCommerce: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Shopify is built for online stores, while BigCommerce suits mid-market stores. For most users Shopify is the stronger default, but BigCommerce can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. BigCommerce has the lower entry price.
Shopify and BigCommerce look similar on the surface; the differences show up in practice. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Shopify | BigCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | E-commerce platform | E-commerce platform |
| What it's known for | Leading hosted e-commerce platform; full storefront, payments, and app ecosystem for online stores. | Open SaaS e-commerce platform for mid-market and B2B stores with no transaction fees. |
| Pricing | From ~$29/mo (Basic) to Advanced and Plus enterprise tiers. | From ~$29/mo (Standard) to Pro and Enterprise tiers. |
| Best audience | Online stores, DTC brands and dropshippers wanting an all-in-one hosted commerce platform. | Mid-market, B2B and high-catalog merchants who want built-in features without per-transaction surcharges. |
| Best for | Online stores, Dropshipping, DTC brands | Mid-market stores, B2B e-commerce, No-transaction-fee sellers |
| Entry price | $39/mo | from $29.95/mo |
| Biggest strength | Easiest path to a full-featured hosted store with payments and POS. | No platform transaction fees (you still pay your processor's card fees). |
| Main caveat | Transaction fees (0.6-2.0%) when not using Shopify Payments. | Steeper learning curve and deeper customization often needs a developer. |
Features compared
Where they really diverge is in the day-to-day feature set:
Shopify key features
- Fully hosted storefront with built-in checkout and Shopify Payments
- POS Lite included on every plan; POS Pro add-on for in-person retail
- Large app store ecosystem and multi-channel selling
- B2B foundational features available on all plans (as of April 2026); advanced B2B on Plus
BigCommerce key features
- Open SaaS architecture: fully hosted but developer-friendly and API-extensible
- Zero platform transaction fees across 65+ pre-integrated payment gateways
- Built for headless commerce with strong API coverage (B2C and B2B)
- Native B2B: customer groups, pricing tiers, quote management
Pricing tiers side by side
Shopify plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39/mo | 25% off with annual billing |
| Shopify | $105/mo | mid-tier |
| Advanced | $399/mo | lower transaction fees |
| Plus | from $2,300/mo | enterprise, zero transaction fees |
BigCommerce plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | from $29.95/mo | sales-threshold upgrades apply |
| Plus / Pro | higher | more features |
| Enterprise | custom | advanced B2B |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Shopify wins
The leading hosted e-commerce platform with the deepest app ecosystem and tightly integrated payments + POS.
- Easiest path to a full-featured hosted store with payments and POS.
- Shopify Payments is usually the cheapest processing option (avoids the surcharge).
That makes it the stronger pick for online stores, DTC brands and dropshippers wanting an all-in-one hosted commerce platform.
Where BigCommerce wins
Open SaaS positioning: hosted convenience with headless/API flexibility and no platform transaction fees.
- No platform transaction fees (you still pay your processor's card fees).
- Strong native feature set reduces reliance on paid apps.
That makes it the stronger pick for mid-market, B2B and high-catalog merchants who want built-in features without per-transaction surcharges.
Verdict: choose by fit
Both are good at the job, so let your priorities decide.
- Choose Shopify if you fit its core audience — online stores, DTC brands and dropshippers wanting an all-in-one hosted commerce platform.
- Choose BigCommerce if you fit its core audience — mid-market, B2B and high-catalog merchants who want built-in features without per-transaction surcharges.
FAQ
Is Shopify better than BigCommerce?
Shopify is the stronger default for most users, but BigCommerce can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Shopify and BigCommerce?
Shopify is the leading hosted e-commerce platform with the deepest app ecosystem and tightly integrated payments + POS. BigCommerce is open SaaS positioning: hosted convenience with headless/API flexibility and no platform transaction fees.
Which is cheaper, Shopify or BigCommerce?
Entry pricing differs: Shopify starts at $39/mo, while BigCommerce starts at from $29.95/mo. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Shopify and BigCommerce: