BigCommerce vs Shopify - Detailed Comparison 2026
Shopify is rated slightly higher on SAASAF.AI (4.5/5 vs 4.2/5). BigCommerce starts at $29/month with no free tier. Shopify starts at $39/month with no free tier.
Which Is Better, BigCommerce or Shopify?
Shopify holds a slight edge in user satisfaction with a rating of 4.5/5 compared to BigCommerce's 4.2/5. When it comes to features, BigCommerce offers 6 capabilities while Shopify provides 8. BigCommerce differentiates with Multi Channel and Headless Commerce, while Shopify stands out with Online Store and Pos. On pricing, BigCommerce is the more budget-friendly option at $29/month compared to Shopify at $39/month. Both BigCommerce and Shopify are AI-powered, making them strong choices for users who want intelligent automation. Shopify has broader platform support (3 platforms vs. 1), which may matter for teams with diverse device needs.
At a Glance
Full Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | BigCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $[object Object] | $[object Object] |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| AI-Powered | Yes | Yes |
| AI Model | proprietary | Shopify Magic |
| Platforms | web | web, ios, android |
| Founded | 2009 | 2006 |
| Company Size | 1000+ | 1000+ |
| Integrations | 5+ | 5+ |
| Affiliate Program | Yes | Yes |
| Analytics | ✗ | ✓ |
| App Store | ✗ | ✓ |
| B2b | ✓ | ✗ |
| Customization | ✓ | ✗ |
| Headless Commerce | ✓ | ✗ |
| Inventory | ✗ | ✓ |
| Marketing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multi Channel | ✓ | ✗ |
| Online Store | ✗ | ✓ |
| Payment Processing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Payments | ✗ | ✓ |
| Pos | ✗ | ✓ |
| Seo | ✓ | ✗ |
| Shipping | ✗ | ✓ |
How Much Do BigCommerce and Shopify Cost?
BigCommerce Pricing
Subscription
$[object Object]
Billed monthly
BigCommerce uses a subscription pricing model starting at $29/month. No free tier is offered.
Shopify Pricing
Subscription
$[object Object]
Billed monthly
Shopify uses a subscription pricing model starting at $39/month. No free tier is offered.
Pros and Cons
BigCommerce Pros
- No transaction fees on any plan
- Strong native B2B features without apps
- Open SaaS supports flexible headless deployments
- Native multi-storefront for brand portfolios
- Lower TCO than Shopify at enterprise scale
BigCommerce Cons
- Smaller theme and app marketplace than Shopify
- Brand awareness lags Shopify globally
- Sales volume-based plan limits surprise some merchants
- Onboarding less polished than Shopify
Shopify Pros
- Industry-leading e-commerce platform with 8,000+ apps
- Shop Pay delivers the fastest checkout on the web
- Shopify Magic AI generates content and themes
- POS unifies online and physical retail
- Hydrogen + Oxygen enables custom React storefronts
Shopify Cons
- Transaction fees on third-party payment gateways
- App costs add up quickly for advanced setups
- Theme customization beyond basics requires Liquid knowledge
- Plus tier pricing is enterprise-grade ($2K+/month)
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose BigCommerce if...
Best for: BigCommerce is best for mid-market and enterprise e-commerce brands with B2B needs or headless commerce ambitions. Companies wanting low TCO without app sprawl benefit most.
- You need Online Store
- You need B2B Commerce
- You need Headless Commerce
- You need Multi Channel
Ideal for: smb, mid-market, enterprise
Industries: ecommerce, retail, manufacturing, wholesale
Choose Shopify if...
Best for: Shopify is best for D2C brands, omnichannel retailers, and enterprise commerce teams who want a battle-tested platform with vast app ecosystem. Growing brands graduating from Etsy or Squarespace benefit most.
- You need Online Store
- You need Dropshipping
- You need Pos
- You need B2B Ecommerce
Ideal for: individual, smb, mid-market, enterprise
Industries: ecommerce, retail, food-service
Platform Availability
BigCommerce
Web-based application accessible via any browser. No dedicated desktop or mobile apps are currently offered.
Shopify
Available on Web, iOS, and Android. Mobile apps are offered but there is no dedicated desktop client.
Get Started with BigCommerce
Enterprise ecommerce platform for growing brands
Earn 200% first payment commission
Visit BigCommerceGet Started with Shopify
All-in-one ecommerce platform to start and grow a business
Earn up to $150 per referral commission
Visit ShopifyBecome a Reseller
Interested in reselling BigCommerce or Shopify? These tools offer reseller programs for agencies and consultants.
BigCommerce Reseller Info Shopify Reseller InfoExplore More
Tool Profiles
Alternatives
Categories
Use Cases
- Online Store
- B2B Commerce
- Headless Commerce
- Multi Channel
- Dropshipping
- Pos
- B2B Ecommerce
BigCommerce vs Shopify: Frequently Asked Questions
Is BigCommerce or Shopify better?
Shopify is rated slightly higher on SAASAF.AI, at 4.5/5 versus 4.2/5 for BigCommerce, but the better pick depends on your use case. BigCommerce is best for mid-market and enterprise e-commerce brands with B2B needs or headless commerce ambitions. Shopify is best for D2C brands, omnichannel retailers, and enterprise commerce teams who want a battle-tested platform with vast app ecosystem.
How does BigCommerce pricing compare to Shopify?
BigCommerce is cheaper to start, at $29/month versus $39/month for Shopify. Both use a subscription pricing model. Neither lists a free tier. Listed figures are starting prices; seats, usage and add-ons can change the final bill. Check each vendor's pricing page for current plan limits before you buy.
What is the difference between BigCommerce and Shopify?
BigCommerce is an enterprise ecommerce platform that provides headless and traditional storefront options. Shopify is the leading ecommerce platform for building online stores. BigCommerce lists features such as Multi Channel, Headless Commerce and B2B. Shopify lists Online Store, Pos and Payments.
What are alternatives to both BigCommerce and Shopify?
Alternatives to BigCommerce include WooCommerce (4.3/5). Alternatives to Shopify include WooCommerce (4.3/5) and Lemon Squeezy (4.5/5). WooCommerce has a free tier. Lemon Squeezy has a free tier. Each tool has a full alternatives page on SAASAF.AI with pricing and feature comparisons.
What platforms do BigCommerce and Shopify support?
BigCommerce is available on Web. Shopify is available on Web, iOS and Android. BigCommerce integrations listed on SAASAF.AI include Google Analytics, Mailchimp and QuickBooks. Shopify integrations include Google Analytics, Facebook and Mailchimp. BigCommerce lists 5 integrations and Shopify lists 5 in the SAASAF.AI directory.