Shopify dominates the market with 28% of all e-commerce sites and simpler setup, while BigCommerce offers more advanced built-in features like multi-channel selling and better for enterprises requiring customization without coding.
BigCommerce vs Shopify — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Shopify if you're a beginner or small business prioritizing ease of use, fast setup, and extensive app ecosystem—it's the most accessible platform. Choose BigCommerce if you're scaling an enterprise, need native B2B/multi-vendor features, built-in multi-channel selling, or want advanced functionality without paying for 100+ apps.
Enterprise-focused e-commerce platform with native multi-channel and B2B capabilities.
Cloud-based SaaS e-commerce platform with managed hosting and user-friendly interface.
Transaction Fees (if using own payment processor)
BigCommerce vs Shopify — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for BigCommerce vs Shopify with 180 attributes.
Monthly Transaction Processing Limit (Entry Plan)
Typical Seller Monthly Revenue Threshold
Base Monthly Subscription (Starter Plan)
Monthly Active Buyers (Marketplace Access)
Profit Margin Retention (Example: $100 sale)
BigCommerce vs Shopify — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for BigCommerce vs Shopify.
BigCommerce is cheaper if you need multi-channel selling or B2B features—the $29.95 entry price and 0% transaction fees save thousands annually compared to Shopify's $39 base + 2.9% transaction fees + 10+ paid apps ($100-300/month). However, Shopify can be cheaper for single-channel micro-merchants with <$20K annual revenue who don't need additional features.
Can I switch from Shopify to BigCommerce later?
Yes, but it requires migration. Both platforms offer data export tools, and migration services exist, though you'll need to reconfigure apps, themes, and workflows. BigCommerce has native import tools that make Shopify migrations smoother than reverse migrations.
Which is better for selling on Amazon and eBay simultaneously?
BigCommerce wins decisively. It has native Amazon and eBay integration with inventory sync built-in. Shopify requires separate apps like Sellfy or Simprosys (costing $30-99/month each) to achieve the same functionality.
Shopify offers 24/7 live chat support across all plans. BigCommerce offers 24/7 phone/chat support only on plans $79.95+. Shopify's support is faster (average 2-minute response) while BigCommerce averages 5-10 minutes, though both have strong ratings (Shopify 4.8/5, BigCommerce 4.6/5 on Trustpilot).
Which platform scales better for large enterprises?
BigCommerce is purpose-built for enterprise scale with native B2B, wholesale, and multi-vendor support that don't require app dependencies. Shopify requires 15+ apps for equivalent enterprise features, creating fragility and higher costs ($200-400/month in app subscriptions). For stores exceeding $1M annual revenue, BigCommerce's 0% transaction fees provide significant savings.