BigCommerce vs Shopify
A side-by-side look at BigCommerce and Shopify. On our scoring, Shopify comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 4.4/5 | 4.7/5 |
| User rating | 4.3 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 1,675 | 5,421 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $39/mo | $39/mo |
| Pricing model | per month, billed annually | per month, billed monthly |
| Transaction fees | 0% on all plans | 2.9% + 30¢ (0% with Shopify Payments) |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Fully hosted (SaaS) | Fully hosted (SaaS) |
| Free trial | 15 days | 3 days + $1/mo for 3 months |
| Staff accounts | Unlimited | 2–15 by plan |
| Product limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | 65+ gateways, no added fees | 100+ gateways + Shopify Payments |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | 12 free, 200+ paid | 12 free, 100+ paid |
| App marketplace | 850+ apps | 8,000+ apps |
| Multi-currency | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-language | Yes | Yes |
| POS included | No | Yes |
| Abandoned cart recovery | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in blog | Yes | Yes |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | Yes | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Support channels | 24/7 phone, live chat, email | 24/7 live chat, phone callback, email |
| Actions | Read review | Read review |
Why pick BigCommerce?
BigCommerce packs an unusually generous native feature set and charges no transaction fees, making it a strong pick for mid-market stores. Just watch the annual sales thresholds that quietly push you onto pricier plans.
Best for: Mid-market stores with complex catalogs
Read the full BigCommerce reviewWhy pick Shopify?
Shopify remains the platform to beat. Its polished admin, best-in-class checkout, and enormous app ecosystem make it the safest choice for most merchants — provided you are comfortable using Shopify Payments to avoid extra transaction fees.
Best for: Growing brands that want everything in one place
Read the full Shopify review