Shopify vs BigCommerce: Which E-Commerce Platform is Right for You?

Selecting the right e-commerce platform is definitely one of the most critical decisions that you will take for your online business. When choosing between so many options, Shopify and BigCommerce have become two of the greatest solutions with their own strength that suits different segments of businesses.

Shopify has earned a reputation of being accessible to new businesses and suitable for growing brands, with its user-friendly interface and an extensive app ecosystem. BigCommerce excels with a wide range of robust built-in features and superior scalability which is what makes it a robust option for businesses who need more advanced functionality.

In this comprehensive comparison guide we’ll go over what sets these platforms apart from each other in vital aspects such as ease of use, pricing, features and scalability. By the end, you’ll know which option best suits your business objectives and tech specifications.

Overview of Shopify and BigCommerce

The first thing to know is each platform’s core strengths and target audiences before we get into the details. Both Shopify and BigCommerce power thousands of online stores, but serve a different business need. Here’s a snapshot of what each platform does and what it provides for you.

Shopify: The User-Friendly E-Commerce Giant

Shopify is one of the most used e-commerce platforms due to its ease of use and an extensive app ecosystem. It’s made for businesses of all sizes, from small startups up to big corporations and offers users the opportunity to have a fully operational online shop.

An intuitive dashboard is one of Shopify’s biggest strengths as it makes it easy to manage products, orders and customer data. Also, Shopify has a huge number of apps and integrations which allow businesses to integrate additional functionality as needed.

Related read: Top 17 Most Popular Web Design Platforms

BigCommerce: The Feature-Rich Alternative

Another leading e-commerce platform that takes a different approach is BigCommerce which includes more built in features, as opposed to relying on third party apps. This is a great option if you’d like to get more advanced functionality, without the hassle of managing multiple plugins.

BigCommerce is very well suited for medium and large businesses, especially those with complex product catalogues or B2B sales requirements. It also excels in SEO and selling on multiple channels which makes it a perfect choice for businesses focused on organic growth.

Related read: How to Create High-Converting Product Pages for Your E-Commerce Website?

Shopify vs BigCommerce: Detailed Feature Comparison

To help you decide which platform suits your business needs, let’s compare some major differences between Shopify and BigCommerce. Every factor from SEO and scalability to pricing and quality of web design affects the selection of the solution as per the goals of your Melbourne business.

1. Ease of Use

A platform’s learning curve can make or break your workflow, especially if you lack technical expertise. Let’s compare how intuitive Shopify and BigCommerce are for beginners and advanced users.

Shopify:

• Extremely beginner-friendly with a clean, intuitive dashboard.
• Drag-and-drop editor simplifies store customisation.
• Minimal technical knowledge is required for setup, though some familiarity may still be helpful.

BigCommerce:

• More robust in features which can make the interface slightly more complex.
• Offers greater customisation but may require a learning curve for beginners.
• Better suited for users with some e-commerce experience.

Verdict: Shopify is easier to use, so if you’re just starting out it’s the one for you. BigCommerce is better for those who need advanced features and don’t mind a steeper learning curve.

2. Design and Themes

Your store’s appearance impacts branding and conversions. Here’s how the platforms stack up in web design flexibility and theme options globally.

Shopify:

• Offers a wide selection of free and premium themes (both modern and mobile-friendly).
• Themes are visually appealing but may require customisation for unique branding.
• Extensive third-party theme marketplace available.

Related read: Importance of Mobile-Friendly Website Design to Gain Traffic

BigCommerce:

• Fewer free themes compared to Shopify, but they come with strong built-in e-commerce features.
• Themes are highly customisable and optimised for conversions.
• Better suited for businesses that prioritise functionality over aesthetics.

Verdict: Shopify has more theme options, while BigCommerce’s themes are more feature-packed out of the box.

3. Pricing

Costs can escalate quickly with add-ons. Below, we break down base plans and hidden fees to watch for.

Shopify:

• Basic plan starts at $29/month, Advanced at $299/month, with Shopify Plus for enterprise-level businesses (custom pricing).
• Charges transaction fees (unless using Shopify Payments).
• Additional costs for premium apps can add up.

BigCommerce:

• Standard plan starts at $29.95/month, Pro at $299.95/month, with Enterprise solutions available.
• No transaction fees, regardless of payment processor.
• More built-in features reduce the need for paid apps.

Verdict: BigCommerce offers better value for businesses that need advanced features without extra costs. Shopify’s pricing is competitive but can become expensive with add-ons.

4. Built-In Features vs. Apps

Some platforms bundle advanced tools, while others rely on apps. See which approach suits your business model.

Shopify:

• Relies on apps (6,000+ in the Shopify App Store) for extended functionality.
• Some essential features (like advanced filtering) require paid apps.
• Great flexibility but can increase costs.

BigCommerce:

• Includes more built-in features (multi-currency support, faceted search, B2B tools).
• Reduces dependency on third-party apps.
• More cost-effective for businesses needing advanced capabilities.

Verdict: BigCommerce is better for businesses that want everything included, while Shopify is ideal for those who prefer modular customisation.

5. SEO and Marketing Features

Organic traffic and promotions drive sales. Compare their SEO tools and marketing integrations.

Shopify:

• Solid SEO basics but has limitations (e.g., URL structure isn’t fully customisable).
• Excellent marketing tools (abandoned cart recovery, discounts, email integrations).
• Relies on apps for advanced SEO.

Related read: Shopify SEO: Quick Tips to Boost Your Store’s Rankings

BigCommerce:

• Superior SEO capabilities (custom URLs, auto-generated sitemaps, rich snippets).
• Built-in marketing tools (coupons, customer groups, product reviews).
• Better for businesses prioritising organic traffic.

Verdict: BigCommerce is the clear winner for SEO, while Shopify offers better marketing flexibility through apps.

Related read: Importance of Digital Marketing For ECommerce Websites

6. Multi-Channel Selling and Integrations

Selling beyond your website? Here’s how they handle social, marketplaces, and POS systems.

Shopify:

• Seamlessly integrates with Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, eBay, and more.
• Strong POS system for brick-and-mortar stores.
• Excellent for omnichannel selling.

BigCommerce:

• Supports multi-channel selling (Amazon, eBay, social media).
• Lacks a native POS system but integrates with third-party solutions.
• Strong B2B and wholesale capabilities.

Verdict: Shopify is better for businesses combining online and offline sales, while BigCommerce excels in B2B and multi-store management.

7. Customer Support

When issues arise, responsive support is critical. Both platforms offer help, but their resources differ.

Both platforms offer:

• 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone.
• Extensive knowledge bases and community forums.
• Enterprise-level support for high-volume businesses.

Verdict: Tie—both provide excellent customer service.

Related read: Benefits of an eCommerce website

Shopify vs BigCommerce: Benefits and Limitations Compared

Every platform has its strengths and trade-offs. To help you weigh your options at a glance, we’ve condensed the key advantages and limitations of Shopify and BigCommerce into a clear comparison. Whether you prioritise ease of use, cost, or advanced features, this breakdown will highlight which platform aligns with your priorities.

Which Platform is Right for You?

Struggling to know which is better: Shopify or BigCommerce? Well, it depends on the size of your business, technical needs and growth plans. To help you decide, we will briefly summarise below, which platform will work best for different scenarios.
Choose Shopify If:

• You’re a small-to-medium business looking for an easy-to-use platform.
• You want a visually appealing store with lots of theme options.
• You need strong multi-channel and POS integration.

Choose BigCommerce If:

• You run a larger or more complex store with advanced needs.
• SEO and built-in features are a top priority.
• You want to avoid transaction fees and reduce app dependency.

The Bottom Line: Shopify or BigCommerce?

The choice of platform depends entirely on the size of your business and your goals. With its user-friendly interface, a wide selection of templates, and useful apps, Shopify is ideal for beginners and small businesses. However, for a truly customised and unique website, working with a web design company can elevate your brand’s online presence. It is especially good for stores that have both online and in-person sales. BigCommerce works better for growing businesses, offering powerful built-in tools for SEO, product organisation, and B2B sales – plus no extra transaction fees.

When making your decision, consider these key takeaways:

• For simplicity and quick launches, Shopify’s user-friendly platform gets stores up and running faster with less technical knowledge required. The extensive app store allows for gradual feature expansion as your business grows.
• For advanced functionality out-of-the-box, BigCommerce provides more robust built-in tools that reduce reliance on third-party apps. This becomes increasingly valuable as your store scales and transaction volumes grow.
• Omnichannel sellers may prefer Shopify’s superior POS integration, while B2B operations will appreciate BigCommerce’s native wholesale capabilities.

At Make My Website, we transform these platforms into powerful sales engines tailored to your brand. Our team specialises in crafting custom e-commerce experiences that convert, whether you choose Shopify’s elegant simplicity or BigCommerce’s enterprise strength. As experts in web design in Melbourne, we create stores from start to finish that not only stand out aesthetically, but also deliver tangible business results.

Looking to take your e-commerce business to the next level? Let’s discuss how we can create an ideal online store. Get in touch with our team today to begin your journey.