BigCommerce vs Shopify

Choosing the right eCommerce platform for your online business can be a daunting task, especially when considering the many excellent options available. Two of the leading platforms in the eCommerce space are BigCommerce and Shopify. Both platforms offer robust features to help online merchants create and manage their stores, but they also have distinct differences.

In this article, we'll provide a detailed comparison of BigCommerce and Shopify, exploring their features, pricing, ease of use, and more to help you make an informed decision.

1. Ease of Use

BigCommerce:

BigCommerce offers a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality. Though its dashboard can be a bit more complex compared to Shopify, it provides many in-depth features that cater to different business needs.

Shopify:

Known for its intuitive design, Shopify's dashboard is sleek and straightforward, making it suitable for beginners and experienced users alike.

2. Themes and Customization

BigCommerce:

• Free Themes: 12 free themes, customizable.
• Paid Themes: Ranging from $150-$300.
• Customization: Allows HTML and CSS customization for more advanced designs.

Shopify:

• Free Themes: 9 free themes, with different styles for each.
• Paid Themes: Ranging from $140-$180.
• Customization: Offers Liquid template language for further customization.

3. Pricing

BigCommerce:

• Standard Plan: $29.95/month.
• Plus Plan: $79.95/month.
• Pro Plan: $299.95/month.
• Transaction Fees: None.

Shopify:

• Basic Plan: $29/month.
• Shopify Plan: $79/month.
• Advanced Plan: $299/month.
• Transaction Fees: None if using Shopify Payments; otherwise, fees range from 0.5% to 2%.

4. Payment Gateways

BigCommerce:

• Over 65 integrated payment gateways.
• Offers digital wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay.

Shopify:

• Over 100 integrated payment gateways.
• Shopify Payments for integrated payment processing.

5. SEO & Marketing

BigCommerce:

• Strong SEO tools.
• Integrates with various marketing platforms.
• Built-in blogging functionality.

Shopify:

• Comprehensive SEO features.
• Variety of marketing tools and integration with social media.
• Built-in blogging platform.

6. Inventory Management

BigCommerce:

• Robust inventory tracking.
• Unlimited product options and variants.

Shopify:

• Efficient inventory management system.
• Allows various product variations.

7. Customer Support

BigCommerce:

• 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support.
• Comprehensive knowledge base.

Shopify:

• 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support.
• Extensive tutorials and community forums.

8. Additional Features

BigCommerce:

• B2B features.
• Built-in Akamai Image Manager for image optimization.

Shopify:

• Point-of-Sale (POS) system.
• Mobile app to manage the store on the go.

Conclusion

Both BigCommerce and Shopify have much to offer, and the right choice depends on your specific needs and preferences.

• Choose BigCommerce if: You need more built-in features out of the box, have complex product options, or require specific B2B functionalities.
• Choose Shopify if: You prioritize ease of use, diverse payment options, and want a large selection of third-party apps and integrations.

A free trial is available for both platforms, so you can explore them hands-on before making your final decision. Either way, both BigCommerce and Shopify are poised to provide a powerful foundation for your eCommerce business.