BigCommerce vs Shopify: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between BigCommerce and Shopify? Both are popular e-commerce platforms tools. Below we compare them on pricing, free tiers, features, and pros & cons so you can pick the right fit for your stack.
Quick verdict
Both BigCommerce and Shopify are strong e-commerce platforms choices. The right pick comes down to your specific feature needs, existing stack, and team preferences. In our catalog, Shopify rates slightly higher (4.2 vs 4.0 out of 5).
BigCommerce vs Shopify — Side by Side
| BigCommerce | Shopify | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | E-commerce Platforms | E-commerce Platforms |
| Pricing | From $39/mo | From $39/mo |
| Starting price | From $39/mo | From $39/mo |
| Free tier | — | — |
| Rating | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| Best for | E-commerce Platforms — hosted, storefront | E-commerce Platforms — storefront, payments |
Pros & Cons
- No platform transaction fee on any gateway
- More included natively than Shopify
- Strong B2B and multi-storefront support
- Sales thresholds force plan upgrades
- Smaller app and theme ecosystem
- Template language is dated
- Best ecommerce ecosystem
- Handles payments and tax
- Scales to very large stores
- App costs stack up fast
- Transaction fees off Shopify Payments
Key Features Compared
BigCommerce
- Online store and checkout
- No platform transaction fees
- Multi-channel selling
- Built-in faceted search
- $50k annual sales limit
Shopify
- Online store and checkout
- Inventory and order management
- Payments and shipping
- App ecosystem
- Multi-channel selling
Choose BigCommerce if…
- No platform transaction fee on any gateway
- More included natively than Shopify
- Strong B2B and multi-storefront support
Choose Shopify if…
- Best ecommerce ecosystem
- Handles payments and tax
- Scales to very large stores
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BigCommerce better than Shopify?⌄
Both BigCommerce and Shopify are strong e-commerce platforms choices. The right pick comes down to your specific feature needs, existing stack, and team preferences. In our catalog, Shopify rates slightly higher (4.2 vs 4.0 out of 5).
What is the difference between BigCommerce and Shopify?⌄
BigCommerce — Hosted store platform with more built in and no platform fees. Shopify — The default hosted ecommerce platform. Both are e-commerce platforms tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.
BigCommerce vs Shopify: which is cheaper?⌄
BigCommerce pricing: From $39/mo. Shopify pricing: From $39/mo. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.
Which is rated higher, BigCommerce or Shopify?⌄
In our catalog, BigCommerce rates 4.0 out of 5 and Shopify rates 4.2 out of 5, so Shopify has a slight edge on reviews.
See more options in our guide to the best e-commerce platforms tools for startups.
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