Shopify vs BigCommerce is a comparison that comes up whenever a store owner wants a hosted platform but is not sure Shopify is the automatic answer. Both are subscription platforms. Both handle hosting, security and updates for you. Both can run serious stores. From the outside they look very similar.
Underneath, they make different choices about what is built in, what you pay for, and who they are designed for. We build on both, and in this post we set out the real differences so you can decide which one fits your store, with a clear recommendation at the end.
The short version
Shopify is the easiest, most widely used hosted platform, with the best-known checkout and the largest app ecosystem. It suits most direct-to-consumer brands.
BigCommerce puts more features into the core platform, especially around catalogues, customer groups, B2B selling and running several storefronts. It suits mid-sized retailers and trade sellers who would otherwise need a stack of apps on Shopify.
The rest of this Shopify vs BigCommerce comparison explains where those differences show up in practice.
Built-in features vs apps
This is the core difference. Shopify keeps its base platform lean and relies on apps for many features: advanced product options, subscriptions, wholesale pricing, complex bundles and more. That keeps things simple for small stores, but a growing store can end up running a lot of apps, each with its own monthly cost, settings and potential for conflicts.
BigCommerce includes more in the core: product options and modifiers, customer groups, price lists on higher plans, and multi-storefront management. You still use apps, but often fewer of them. For a store with a complicated catalogue, that can mean a simpler and more predictable setup.
Before choosing, list every feature you need and mark whether each one is built in or needs an app on each platform. That list usually makes the decision for you.
Pricing and fees: read the small print
Both platforms charge a monthly subscription that rises with the plan. The way you move between plans is different, and so are the payment fees. We will not quote exact prices here because they change, so please check current pricing on each site.
Shopify
Shopify’s main plans are Basic, Grow and Advanced, with Shopify Plus for larger businesses. You choose your plan. If you use Shopify Payments, there is no extra transaction fee. If you use a different payment provider, Shopify adds one. Most of the real cost on top of the plan comes from paid apps and themes.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce renamed its plans in 2026 to Core, Growth, Scale and Performance (previously Standard, Plus, Pro and Enterprise). Plans are linked to your online sales over the past year, so as revenue passes each threshold you are moved up a plan automatically. Also from June 2026, self-serve plans carry an Open Payment Provider Fee on orders processed through providers that are not on BigCommerce’s embedded list.
In practice, compare the total monthly cost at your current revenue and at the revenue you expect in two years, including apps and payment fees. The cheaper platform today is not always the cheaper one later.
Catalogue and product options
Stores with many variants, custom options or configurable products often find BigCommerce more comfortable. Its option and modifier system handles things like engraving text, add-on choices and options that change price, without needing a separate app.
Shopify has steadily raised its variant limits and improved product options, and for most catalogues it is perfectly capable. But very complex products still tend to lean on apps or custom development. If your catalogue is unusual, test a few of your hardest products on both platforms before deciding.
B2B and wholesale
If you sell to trade customers, this section may decide it for you. BigCommerce has a dedicated B2B Edition with company accounts, quotes, purchase orders, buyer roles and customer-specific pricing. It is one of the platform’s real strengths.
Shopify’s native B2B tools, such as company profiles, price lists and payment terms, are part of Shopify Plus. On lower plans you would need apps. For a store that is mainly direct-to-consumer with a small wholesale side, Shopify plus an app can be fine. For a business where trade is a big share of revenue, BigCommerce usually fits better.
Checkout, themes and selling in person
Shopify’s checkout is its strongest asset. It is fast, trusted by shoppers, and Shop Pay makes returning customers very quick to convert. Checkout customisation is limited on standard plans, with more control on Plus.
BigCommerce’s checkout is solid and allows more customisation on lower plans, though it does not have the same shopper recognition as Shop Pay.
On themes, Shopify has the larger range and more developers who know its theme system. For in-person selling, Shopify POS is built in and well developed, which is a strong reason to choose Shopify if you run shops or markets. BigCommerce works with third-party POS systems instead.
SEO, content and headless
Both platforms handle SEO basics well: editable titles and descriptions, sitemaps, redirects and clean product pages. One difference we often point out is URLs. Shopify uses fixed prefixes such as /products/ and /collections/. BigCommerce gives you more control over URL structure, which some stores moving from older platforms prefer.
Neither is a strong content platform. Both have basic blogs. If content is central to your marketing, consider a headless setup or a platform built on a full CMS, which we discuss in our guide to the best CMS for ecommerce.
For headless builds, Shopify offers Hydrogen and its Storefront API, and BigCommerce offers Catalyst, a Next.js storefront, and well-documented APIs. Both are good options. Our post on headless CMS explains when this approach is worth it.
Shopify vs BigCommerce side by side
| Factor | Shopify | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting and security | Included and managed | Included and managed |
| How plans work | You choose your plan | Plans move up with annual sales |
| Payment fees | Extra fee if not using Shopify Payments | Extra fee for providers outside the embedded list on self-serve plans |
| Built-in features | Lean core, large app store | More in the core, fewer apps needed |
| Complex products | Capable, may need apps | Strong options and modifiers |
| B2B selling | Native on Shopify Plus | Dedicated B2B Edition |
| Checkout | Best-known, with Shop Pay | Solid, more customisable on lower plans |
| In-person selling | Shopify POS built in | Third-party POS integrations |
| URL control | Fixed prefixes | More flexible |
Which should you choose?
Choose Shopify if you are a direct-to-consumer brand, want the easiest platform to run, care most about checkout conversion, sell in person as well as online, or want the widest choice of themes, apps and developers. For most stores we speak to, this is the right answer.
Choose BigCommerce if you have a large or complex catalogue, sell to trade customers, need several storefronts from one back office, or want more features built in rather than spread across many apps. It is also a good fit for stores that want a headless front end on a stable, API-first commerce engine.
If the Shopify vs BigCommerce decision still feels close, pick the platform where your hardest requirement works with the least custom work. And if you are considering a self-hosted route instead, read our Shopify vs WooCommerce comparison too.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify better than BigCommerce for SEO?
Neither has a clear advantage. Both cover the basics well. BigCommerce gives more control over URL structure, while Shopify has a larger range of SEO apps. Content quality and site speed matter more.
Is BigCommerce cheaper than Shopify?
It depends on your revenue, payment provider and how many apps you would need. BigCommerce can work out cheaper if it replaces several paid apps, but its plans rise with sales. Model both at your current and expected revenue using current pricing.
Which is better for B2B, Shopify or BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is usually stronger for B2B, thanks to its B2B Edition. Shopify’s native B2B features are good but are only available on Shopify Plus.
Can I move from BigCommerce to Shopify, or the other way?
Yes. Products, customers and orders can be migrated in both directions. Plan your URL redirects carefully so you keep your search rankings. Our CMS migration checklist covers this.
Next steps
If you are deciding between Shopify and BigCommerce, or planning a move, book a free consultation. We will review your catalogue and requirements, give you an honest recommendation, and provide a fixed quote for the work.
