BigCommerce vs Shopify: The Best eCommerce Platform Comparison
If you are reading this, you are probably deciding between BigCommerce vs Shopify as your ticket to e-commerce stardom. You're either ready to scale up your thriving small business or about to launch the next big thing in eCommerce. It's a big decision.
Let's have an honest talk about these two giants. Consider this a friendly guide, helping you sift through the details to find your perfect platform match. Whether expanding your successful venture or kicking off a well-funded dream, the platform you pick is more than just a tool – it's the foundation of your future success. Let's dive in and figure this out together.
What is BigCommerce?
Imagine a platform that's not just a tool, but a partner in your e-commerce journey. That's BigCommerce for you. It's more than just a platform; it's a launchpad used by over 60,000 businesses, from budding startups to large-scale enterprises, to create online stores that don't just exist but excel.
At its core, BigCommerce is about versatility. Whether you're selling the coolest gadgets, downloadable software, or handcrafted goods, it's got you covered across various sales channels. Think of your website, mobile apps, bustling marketplaces, and even the social media universe – all synced and selling!
Here's where BigCommerce really shines:
- Device-Friendly Designs: Your store will look stunning on any screen, big or small. Mobile responsiveness isn't just an option; it's a standard.
- Marketing Made Easy: Integrated tools at your fingertips to whip up email campaigns, promotions, and social media ads. It's all about driving traffic and skyrocketing sales.
- Robust API for Seamless Integrations: Want to connect with your favorite tools and apps? BigCommerce's powerful API plays nice with a plethora of third-party applications.
- Budget-Friendly for All: Starting at just $29.95/month and with zero transaction fees, it's a wallet-friendly option for businesses of all sizes. And as you grow, BigCommerce grows with you, offering more advanced plans to suit your expanding needs.
In a nutshell, if you're after a comprehensive e-commerce solution that's intuitive yet powerful, BigCommerce is a contender you can't ignore. It's about making your life easier while setting your online store up for success.
What is Shopify?
Now, let's turn the spotlight on Shopify. Picture this: an e-commerce platform like your personal tech team, minus the tech headaches. That's Shopify in a nutshell. It's the go-to choice for entrepreneurs who want to focus on their passion – their products and brand – while leaving the nitty-gritty of website hosting, security, and maintenance to the experts.
Shopify is all about simplicity and empowerment:
- Templates That Talk: Choose from various user-friendly templates to kickstart your store. It's about making your style shine with minimal fuss.
- Dashboard Dynamics: Manage your products, orders, and customers with an intuitive dashboard. Its e-commerce management is made easy, with zero coding.
- Payment Processing, Simplified: Accept credit cards from the get-go. Shopify's seamless integration with major payment gateways like PayPal and Square means you're ready to roll out the welcome mat for customers.
- Sales Boosters at Your Fingertips: Shopify is your ally in boosting sales from discount codes to abandoned cart recovery. Engage customers with promo codes and automated email campaigns to keep them returning for more.
- App Store Extravaganza: Enhance your store's functionality with a few clicks. The Shopify App Store is a treasure trove of integrations, offering everything from live chat to customer reviews and email marketing tools.
- Round-the-Clock Support: Questions? Concerns? Shopify's 24/7 support team is always on standby, ensuring you're never alone on your e-commerce journey.
Shopify stands out for those seeking an easy, budget-friendly way to venture into online selling. With plans starting at just $29/month, it's tailored for businesses of all sizes, making it a smart choice for anyone ready to take the e-commerce plunge.
BigCommerce Vs Shopify Market share
Shopify, a name synonymous with e-commerce, currently leads the pack. It's the powerhouse behind over one million businesses globally and holds a significant presence in the market. As of the latest data, Shopify is the most popular technology in its category, especially among the top 1 million sites. This dominance reflects in its 22% market share across all websites using eCommerce technology, underscoring its role as a major player in the industry.
On the other hand, BigCommerce, while holding a smaller slice of the market at 7.41% of online stores, is showing signs of robust growth. Interestingly, in certain surveys, BigCommerce has been reported to have a 23.7% market share in the eCommerce platform segment, slightly edging out Shopify's 21.5%. This indicates a steadily increasing preference for BigCommerce among certain segments of the market.
As an e-commerce business owner, these figures are more than just numbers. They represent trends, community support, and the potential for future growth and innovation. Shopify's widespread adoption translates to a vast ecosystem of apps and developers. In contrast, BigCommerce's rising trajectory suggests it's becoming an increasingly attractive platform, likely to draw more partners and investments.
BigCommerce Vs Shopify: Main Differences
We have two top-tier platforms; both are exceptional, but their strengths lie in different areas. Let's break down the main differences based on the insights gathered from our research.
Shopify Vs BigCommerce Pricing
It's particularly fascinating to see how the pricing contrasts for shopify plus vs bigcommerce enterprise. The one offers a flat rate while the later offers customizations to it. This only highlights the unique approaches each platform takes to cater to scaling businesses. Let's unpack these differences and see what they mean for your enterprise.
BigCommerce’s Plans:
- Standard: $29/month billed annually, suitable for new or small-scale businesses.
- Plus: $79/month billed annually, includes marketing tools for growing businesses.
- Pro: $299/month billed annually, offers comprehensive features for scaling businesses.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing, contact for a quote, tailored for high-volume and advanced business needs.
Shopify’s Plans:
- Basic Shopify: $29/month includes an online store and essential features for new businesses.
- Shopify: $79/month suitable for growing businesses, includes additional features.
- Advanced Shopify: $299/month offers advanced reporting and features for scaling businesses.
- Shopify Plus: Starts at $2000/month for high-volume merchants and large enterprises
Features/Plan | BigCommerce | Shopify |
---|---|---|
Products, File Storage, and Bandwidth | Unlimited (All Plans) | Unlimited (All Plans) |
Staff Accounts | Unlimited (All Plans) | 1 (Basic) to Unlimited (Plus) |
Additional Transaction Fees | 0% (All Plans) | 2.0% (Basic Shopify), 1.0% (Shopify), 0.5% (Advanced Shopify), Negotiable (Plus) |
Sales Channels | Online Storefront, Multi-Storefront (Up to 3 for Standard, more for higher plans), Amazon/eBay/Walmart Integration | Available |
Point of Sale | Available (All Plans) | Shopify POS Lite: All Plans (except Shopify Starter), Shopify POS Pro*: Additional Cost (Basic Shopify, Shopify, Advanced Shopify), Included (Plus) |
Mobile Responsive Website | Available (All Plans) | Available (All Plans) |
Multi-Currency | Available (All Plans) | Available (Higher Plans) |
Professional Reporting Tools | Available (Pro and higher) | Available (Shopify and higher) |
Abandoned Cart Saver | Available (Plus and higher) | Available (Shopify and higher) |
BigCommerce Vs Shopify Themes Customization
Shopify: Renowned for its stylish, mobile-optimized themes. The platform offers a plethora of options, ensuring your store not only functions well but also looks great. BigCommerce: While it too boasts attractive themes, the range of free options is somewhat limited compared to Shopify. However, both platforms excel in allowing easy customization of themes, even if you're not a coding wizard.
Feature | Shopify | BigCommerce |
---|---|---|
Transaction Fees | 2% (if not using Shopify Payments) for Basic, Shopify, and Advanced plans; 0% for Shopify Plus | 0% across all plans |
Product Listings | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Staff Accounts | Varies by plan; Unlimited for Shopify Plus | Varies by plan; Unlimited for Enterprise |
File Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Online Sales Channels | Multi-channel integration | Multi-channel integration |
Abandoned Cart Recovery | Available | Available |
Professional Reporting | Available on higher plans; Advanced reporting for Shopify Plus | Available on higher plans; Advanced reporting for Enterprise |
API Access | Limited for Basic, Shopify, and Advanced plans; Extensive for Shopify Plus | Limited for Standard, Plus, and Pro plans; Extensive for Enterprise |
Customer Support | 24/7; Dedicated support for Shopify Plus | 24/7; Priority Support for Enterprise |
Discounts and Gift Cards | Available; Advanced features for Shopify Plus | Available; Advanced features for Enterprise |
Multi-Currency Selling | Available with Shopify Payments | Available |
POS Integration | Available; Advanced POS options for Shopify Plus | Available; Advanced POS options for Enterprise |
Customizations and Themes | Limited free themes, paid themes available; Advanced customization for Shopify Plus | Limited free themes, paid themes available; Advanced customization for Enterprise |
Security | Standard security features; Advanced security features for Shopify Plus | Standard security features; Advanced security features for Enterprise |
SEO and Marketing Tools | Basic tools available; Advanced tools for Shopify Plus | Basic tools available; Advanced tools for Enterprise |
Sales and Marketing
- Shopify: Ideal for businesses that engage in both online and in-person selling, Shopify offers a comprehensive and user-friendly Point of Sale (POS) system. This system seamlessly integrates your physical and online sales, ensuring a unified approach to inventory management and customer experience.
- BigCommerce: BigCommerce excels in the realm of online marketing and SEO. It boasts advanced features such as customer segmentation into groups, integrated ratings and reviews for enhanced customer engagement, and sophisticated product filtering options. These tools collectively contribute to a more tailored and effective online marketing strategy, making BigCommerce a strong contender for businesses focused on maximizing their digital presence.
Ease of Use
- Shopify: Known for its user-friendly interface, it's a breeze for beginners to set up and navigate.
-BigCommerce: Offers more advanced features, which might require a bit more time to master. It's well-suited for those with more experience or specific needs that align with its advanced capabilities.
Payment Processors
- BigCommerce: Integrates with over 60 payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net. There are no extra monthly fees for using these payment gateways & the transaction fees depend on the chosen payment gateway.
- Shopify: Shopify’s own payment gateway charges 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction. Using external gateways incurs additional monthly fees.
The Bottom Line: For small stores or those just starting, Shopify's ease of use and lower entry price point make it an attractive option. On the flip side, for larger, growing businesses looking for a robust and feature-rich platform, BigCommerce stands out as a formidable choice.
BigCommerce Vs Shopify: Feature Comparison
1. BigCommerce Vs Shopify: Pricing and Basic Features
Shopify's Plans:
- Starts at $5/month for the Shopify Starter plan, primarily for new or small-scale businesses.
- The Basic Shopify plan at $29/month includes an online store, 24/7 support, and access to Shopify's app store.
- The standard Shopify plan is $79/month, suitable for growing businesses.
- The Advanced Shopify at $299/month offers more comprehensive features.
- For large businesses or enterprises, Shopify Plus starts at $2000/month.
BigCommerce’s Plan:
- Standard Plan is at $29.95/month. Ideal for new businesses, offering unlimited products, storage, and bandwidth.
- Plus Plan costs $79.95/month (billed annually). Targets growing businesses with additional features like customer segmentation and abandoned cart saver.
- Starting at $299.95/month (billed annually) is the Pro Plan. For scaling businesses, includes advanced features and increases in price based on sales volume.
- Enterprise Plan comes with Custom pricing. Tailored for high-volume businesses, offering extensive features and API support
Features | BigCommerce | Shopify |
---|---|---|
Starting Price | $29.95/month (Standard Plan) | $29/month (Basic Plan) |
Products, File Storage, & Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Staff Accounts | Unlimited | Limited based on plan |
Sales Channels | Online storefront, Multi-Storefront, Amazon/eBay/Walmart, Facebook/Instagram | Online storefront, social media, marketplaces, in-person |
Payment Processing | No additional transaction fees | Additional fees for non-Shopify payments |
2. Marketing and Recovering Features
Features | BigCommerce | Shopify |
---|---|---|
Coupons, Discounts, and Gift Cards | Included | Included |
Abandoned Cart Recovery | Included | Included in higher-tier plans |
Email Marketing | Available through integrations | Available through Shopify Email and integrations |
SEO Tools | Advanced SEO features | Basic SEO features |
Customer Segmentation | Available | Available in higher-tier plans |
3. Shipping and Transaction Fees
Features | BigCommerce | Shopify |
---|---|---|
Real-Time Shipping Quotes | Included | Available in higher-tier plans |
ShipperHQ Shipping Rules Engine | Available | Not available |
Transaction Fees | 0% additional transaction fees | Additional fees for non-Shopify payment gateways |
Shipping Discounts | Available through partnerships | Available through Shopify Shipping |
4. POS and Advanced Features
Features | BigCommerce | Shopify |
---|---|---|
Point of Sale (POS) | Available through integrations | Shopify POS included |
Multi-Currency Support | Included | Included in Shopify Payments |
API Calls | Unlimited | Limited based on plan |
Headless Commerce Capabilities | Available | Available |
Advanced Reporting | Available in higher-tier plans | Available in higher-tier plans |
BigCommerce Vs Shopify: Pros and Cons
Shopify Pros:
- Affordable entry-level plans
- User-friendly, ideal for beginners
- Wide range of stylish themes
- Extensive app store
- Integrated Shopify Payments system
- Strong POS system for in-person sales
- Suitable for businesses of all sizes
- 24/7 support and large developer community.
Shopify Cons
- Higher transaction fees with external gateways
- Limited customization without coding
- Fewer advanced features in basic plans
- Basic SEO and marketing tools
- Additional fees for using external payment gateways
- May require app integrations for advanced needs
- Mixed experiences with support.
BigCommerce Pros:
- Competitive pricing with more features at each level
- Advanced features included in basic plans
- Supports over 60 payment gateways with no additional fees
- Advanced marketing and SEO tools
- Ideal for large, fast-growing businesses
- Comprehensive support options.
BigCommerce Cons:
- Slightly higher starting price
- Steeper learning curve
- Fewer free theme options
- Customization can require technical knowledge
- Transaction fees vary by gateway
- POS requires third-party app integration
- Higher cost for high-volume stores
- Smaller community compared to Shopify.
BigCommerce or Shopify - Which is Your E-commerce Champion?
Let's make this easier. Imagine you're at a crossroads, each path leading to a different e-commerce adventure. Here's a little guide to help you compare shopify and bigcommerce.
- Cost: A Close Call
Shopify: Starts at $29/month. Watch out for the 2.9% + 30¢ transaction fees for online payments. BigCommerce: Begins at $29.95/month. Similar transaction fees, but no extra charges for using external payment gateways. Think About: Your budget and the payment gateways you plan to use. If you're tight on budget, every cent counts!
- Design and Customization: Style vs Substance
Shopify: Sleek, stylish, and ready-to-go designs. Perfect if you want a gorgeous store without much fuss. BigCommerce: Offers more customization. Ideal if you're looking to tailor every aspect of your store. Visualize: Your dream store. Do you see a chic boutique or a unique, customized storefront?
- Features: The Battle of Benefits
Shopify: Shines with its POS system, fulfillment services, and a vast app store. BigCommerce: Boasts superior SEO capabilities, B2B features, and a diverse marketplace app. Focus On: Your store's must-have features. Do you need advanced SEO or a seamless POS system?
- Ease of Use: Beginner-Friendly vs Feature-Rich
Shopify: User-friendly, perfect for e-commerce newbies. BigCommerce: A bit more complex but packed with features for the e-commerce enthusiast. Consider: Your comfort level with technology. Are you a tech newbie or a seasoned pro?
- Making the Choice: Your Business, Your Platform
The BigCommerce Vs Shopify showdown is about two top-tier eCommerce contenders. It's like choosing between a sleek sports car (Shopify) and a powerful SUV (BigCommerce) – both will get you to your destination, but the experience will be different.
Action Time: List down your top 3 business needs. Match them with the strengths of each platform. Which one ticks more boxes?
Remember, there's no 'wrong' choice here. It's about finding the platform that aligns with your business vision. And hey, if you ever feel like switching lanes, both paths are always open for exploration.
Your Next Step: Choose your champion, launch your store, and start your e-commerce adventure!
FAQs
1. Which one is better, Shopify or BigCommerce?
It depends on your business needs. Shopify is known for its ease of use and extensive app marketplace, while BigCommerce offers more built-in features and is often preferred for larger, more complex stores.
2. Is BigCommerce better than Shopify?
BigCommerce can be better for businesses needing advanced features without extra plugins. However, Shopify is often favored for its user-friendly interface and larger app ecosystem.
3. Does BigCommerce work with Shopify?
Direct integration between BigCommerce and Shopify isn't standard. However, third-party tools and services can facilitate data transfer between the two platforms.
4. What is better than BigCommerce?
"Better" is subjective and depends on specific needs. Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento are often considered alongside BigCommerce, each with unique strengths.
5. Why choose BigCommerce over Shopify?
Choose BigCommerce for its comprehensive built-in features, no transaction fees, and better handling of large product catalogs and complex pricing models.
6. Is Shopify cheaper than BigCommerce?
Shopify and BigCommerce have similar base pricing, but Shopify may incur additional costs for apps and plugins that are built-in with BigCommerce.
7. Who should use BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is ideal for medium to large businesses needing robust, built-in ecommerce features without relying heavily on plugins.
8. Can I switch from Shopify to BigCommerce?
Yes, you can switch from Shopify to BigCommerce. There are tools and services available to migrate your store data.
9. Can you migrate BigCommerce to Shopify?
Yes, migrating from BigCommerce to Shopify is possible using various data migration tools and services.
10. Is BigCommerce good for small business?
BigCommerce can be a good option for small businesses planning to scale quickly, as it offers extensive features without the need for many add-ons.
11. BigCommerce Vs Shopify SEO: Which is better?
Both platforms offer robust SEO capabilities. Shopify has a slight edge with its user-friendly SEO features, but BigCommerce offers more customization for technical SEO.