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Platform comparison

Shopify vs BigCommerce: which platform fits your store?

Shopify and BigCommerce side by side — hosting, costs, customisation, apps, B2B, international selling and maintenance — and how to decide between them.

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Our verdict

These are the two closest rivals on this list: both hosted, both built to scale. Shopify has the larger app and theme ecosystem and the smoother out-of-the-box experience; BigCommerce builds more in — B2B tools, multi-storefront and open APIs — so it often suits wholesale and multi-brand businesses better.

At a glance

Shopify vs BigCommerce compared

A practical, high-level comparison based on the projects we deliver. Every business is different — use it as a starting point.

Shopify and BigCommerce compared by criterion
CriterionShopifyBigCommerce
HostingFully hosted SaaSFully hosted SaaS
Best forD2C brands that want speed to marketGrowing, wholesale and multi-storefront brands
Cost modelMonthly subscription plus apps; extra transaction fees unless you use Shopify PaymentsMonthly subscription tiered by sales volume; no platform transaction fees
CustomisationLiquid themes, apps, Shopify FunctionsStencil themes, open APIs, headless
Apps & extensionsOne of the largest app stores and partner networksSolid app marketplace; smaller than Shopify's
B2BNative B2B on Shopify PlusB2B Edition
International sellingShopify Markets for currencies, languages and domainsMulti-storefront and multi-currency
Maintenance effortLowLow

How to decide

When to choose Shopify, and when to choose BigCommerce

Both platforms can run a successful store. The right choice depends on your catalogue, your team, your budget and where you plan to sell.

Shopify

Shopify is a fully hosted commerce platform: hosting, security, checkout and updates are handled for you. Features are added through themes and one of the largest app stores in e-commerce.

Choose Shopify if

  • You want to launch quickly and keep maintenance low
  • You sell direct to consumers and expect to scale
  • You want a large app ecosystem and a proven checkout
  • You would rather pay a subscription than run servers

Keep in mind

  • App subscriptions add up as the store grows
  • Checkout and core logic change only through Shopify's extension points, and the deepest options need Shopify Plus
Shopify development

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a hosted SaaS platform with an open, API-first architecture. Much of what needs apps elsewhere — B2B tools, multi-storefront, generous APIs — is built in.

Choose BigCommerce if

  • You want SaaS reliability with open APIs
  • You sell wholesale or B2B alongside B2C
  • You run several brands or storefronts from one back end
  • You plan a headless front end

Keep in mind

  • Smaller theme and app ecosystem than Shopify
  • Plans are tied to annual sales volume, so costs step up as you grow
BigCommerce development

Switching

Moving from Shopify to BigCommerce — or the other way

Already on one of these platforms and considering the other? We migrate stores between Shopify and BigCommerce in either direction, without losing data, revenue or search rankings.

  • Products, variants, customers and order history transferred
  • Every old URL mapped to its new address with 301 redirects
  • Integrations reconnected and tested before launch
  • A rehearsed go-live, so sales continue uninterrupted
E-commerce migration service

FAQ

Shopify vs BigCommerce FAQ

Can't find your answer? Talk to our team.

These are the two closest rivals on this list: both hosted, both built to scale. Shopify has the larger app and theme ecosystem and the smoother out-of-the-box experience; BigCommerce builds more in — B2B tools, multi-storefront and open APIs — so it often suits wholesale and multi-brand businesses better.

It depends on what you count. Shopify: Monthly subscription plus apps; extra transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments. BigCommerce: Monthly subscription tiered by sales volume; no platform transaction fees. Compare the total cost over two or three years — platform fees, apps or extensions, hosting, development and maintenance — rather than the monthly price alone.

Maintenance effort on Shopify: Low. On BigCommerce: Low. Hosted platforms take care of servers, security patches and updates for you; self-hosted platforms leave that work to you or your agency.

Yes, in either direction. We move products, customers, order history and content, map every old URL to its new address with 301 redirects, and rehearse the go-live so that sales and search rankings carry over.

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