Why the BigCommerce vs Shopify Debate Still Matters
Choosing an ecommerce platform feels like picking a foundation for your house—you want it solid, flexible, and future-proof. Two names dominate the mid-market conversation: BigCommerce and Shopify. Search volume for bigcommerce vs shopify hovers near 2,000 queries a month, proving merchants still weigh each option carefully. In this guide we examine core features, 2025 pricing updates, SEO performance, and enterprise upgrades such as Shopify Plus vs BigCommerce Enterprise. We’ll also touch on all-in-one comparisons—shopify vs woocommerce vs bigcommerce—so you can choose a platform that supports growth rather than limits it.
1. Snapshot Overview of BigCommerce vs Shopify
Before diving deep, here’s how both platforms position themselves:
| Platform | Core Message | Typical User |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | “Launch fast and scale without code.” | Creators, DTC brands, Instagram sellers |
| BigCommerce | “Sell everywhere with open SaaS flexibility.” | Catalog-heavy stores, B2B wholesalers |
Both solutions deliver secure hosting, PCI-compliant checkout, and 24/7 support. The difference lies in pricing tiers, native features, and ecosystem philosophy.
2. Pricing Comparison—Where BigCommerce vs Shopify Diverge in 2025
2.1 Monthly Plans
| Tier | Shopify (2025) | BigCommerce (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39/mo + 2.9 % + 30¢ | $39/mo + 2.59 % + 49¢ |
| Standard | $105/mo + 2.6 % + 30¢ | $105/mo + 2.35 % + 49¢ |
| Advanced/Pro | $399/mo + 2.4 % + 30¢ | $299/mo (10 k orders) + 2.05 % + 49¢ |
Key Takeaway: Shopify offers lower card fees on higher tiers, whereas BigCommerce lowers monthly cost but keeps a flat 49-cent transaction add-on.
2.2 Annual Discounts
Both platforms cut roughly 25 % when paid yearly, so factor annual cash flow into budgeting.
2.3 Revenue Thresholds
BigCommerce automatically upgrades stores surpassing $400k GMV, whereas Shopify only nudges users when features—not revenue—require higher plans.
3. Core Features Face-Off—BigCommerce vs Shopify
| Category | Shopify | BigCommerce | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Themes | 11 free, 150+ paid | 15 free, 100+ paid | Shopify wins on variety |
| App Store | 8,000 extensions | 1,250 extensions | Shopify richer, costs add up |
| Native B2B | Shopify B2B (Plus only) | Built-in on Pro | BigCommerce easier for wholesale |
| Multi-Storefront | Plus tier only | Standard tier supports 3 storefronts | BigCommerce cheaper to expand |
| Checkout Customization | Checkout.liquid (Plus) | Open API on all plans | BigCommerce more open |
| POS Hardware | Shopify POS Go ecosystem | Third-party integrations | Shopify smoother in-store |
Because of these distinctions, catalog size, B2B needs, and in-person retail determine the smarter choice.
4. SEO Showdown—BigCommerce vs Shopify
Google rewards speed, structure, and crawl control.
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URL Structure
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Shopify locks blog posts under
/blogs/news/. -
BigCommerce allows custom URLs at root.
Result: BigCommerce earns a small edge.
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Blogging Tools
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Shopify’s new Online Store 2.0 blocks support rich metadata out of the box.
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BigCommerce uses built-in schema but fewer layout options.
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PageSpeed
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Both score mid-80s on Core Web Vitals out of the box; heavy apps slow Shopify if you’re not cautious.
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Built-In AMP
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BigCommerce dropped AMP support in 2024; Shopify removed it in 2023 after Google sunset preference.
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SEO Verdict: With fewer mandatory subdirectories and open robots.txt editing, BigCommerce slightly outperforms Shopify for advanced SEO teams. However, merchants using Shopify’s native blog and speed-optimized themes still rank competitively.
5. BigCommerce vs Shopify Enterprise—Scaling Past $1 Million GMV
| Feature | Shopify Plus | BigCommerce Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Starts $2,300/mo or variable GMV % | Starts ~$1,500/mo (negotiated) |
| Checkout | Full UI control via Checkout Extensibility | Custom checkout SDK on all Enterprise tiers |
| Wholesale Portal | Native but limited; partner apps fill gaps | Robust B2B suite with price lists & quote workflows |
| International Domains | 200+ markets, tax/FX auto | Multi-storefront locales share inventory |
| Support | Merchant Success Manager | Dedicated Account Manager |
High-volume brands leaning on influencer drops may prefer Shopify Plus for its unrivaled app ecosystem. Complex catalogs with tiered pricing excel on BigCommerce Enterprise.
6. Where WooCommerce vs BigCommerce vs Shopify Fits the Picture
WordPress lovers consider WooCommerce, especially for content-heavy brands.
| Question | Choose WooCommerce | Choose Shopify | Choose BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dev Resources | You have PHP talent | Prefer no-code | Hybrid team |
| Content Marketing | Blog is the funnel driver | Ads & social drive traffic | Marketplace listings matter |
| Ownership | Need server control | Don’t want hosting headaches | Want open API without server admin |
| Total Cost | Pay server + plugins | Pay monthly SaaS | Pay SaaS, fewer apps |
If flexibility beats convenience, WooCommerce edges forward. Otherwise, the shopify vs woocommerce vs bigcommerce debate often ends with Shopify for speed or BigCommerce for complex catalogs.
7. Payment Gateways & Transaction Fees
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Shopify Payments eliminates extra transaction fees, but only supports 23 countries.
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BigCommerce integrates PayPal powered by Braintree, Stripe, Authorize.Net, and Amazon Pay natively—no surcharge.
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Alternative Providers: Shopify adds 2 % on Basic tier if you skip its gateway; BigCommerce adds none.
Therefore, merchants already using non-supported gateways may pick BigCommerce to avoid penalties.
8. Native Marketing Tools
Shopify
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Shopify Email: 10 k free sends monthly.
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Shop App: Extra discovery channel.
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Abandoned Cart: Built-in on all tiers.
BigCommerce
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Coupon & Cart-Level Discounts: Advanced rules like “buy X, get Y” without apps.
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Google Shopping Feed: Included out of the box.
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Abandoned Cart: Pro plan includes 3-series email automation.
While Shopify’s app store fills gaps, BigCommerce provides many incentives natively.
9. Real-World Case Study—Migrating from Shopify to BigCommerce
Luxury sneaker brand Lunar Lace needed multi-currency price lists and customer-specific discounts. After struggling with Shopify app fees and duplicate-store hacks, the team migrated in Q4 2024.
Results Six Months Post-Migration
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Platform Costs: Down 18 % despite higher GMV.
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Checkout Conversion: Up 9 % due to localized pricing.
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PageSpeed: Improved from 71 to 82 on mobile after dropping heavy apps.
The project shows BigCommerce’s built-in B2B and multi-storefront capability pays for itself.
10. Decision Matrix—Which Platform Wins Your Use Case?
| Scenario | Winner (Why) |
|---|---|
| Drop-Shipping Print-on-Demand | Shopify – integrated POD apps, fast setup |
| Wholesale Apparel with 50k SKUs | BigCommerce – price lists, large catalog limit |
| Content-First Niche Shop | WooCommerce – superior blogging, custom post types |
| Pop-Up Shop with POS | Shopify – built-in hardware and unified inventory |
| International B2C Multi-Brand | BigCommerce – multi-storefront on lower tiers |
Use this table as a quick reference during stakeholder meetings.
11. Migration Checklist—From Shopify to BigCommerce (or Vice Versa)
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Export Products: CSV or LitExtension feed.
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Redirect URLs: Keep SEO equity using 301 mapping.
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Migrate Customer Passwords: BigCommerce’s transfer token or Shopify’s Bulk Invite.
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Rebuild MKT Automation: Reconfigure carts, flows, and coupon logic.
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QA Entire Checkout: Sandbox payments for every gateway.
Following these steps reduces launch-day surprises.
Need design inspiration? Read our guide on Ecommerce Clothing Website Tips.
Compare official platform docs on pricing at Shopify Pricing and BigCommerce Pricing.
Conclusion: Your 2025 BigCommerce vs Shopify Takeaway
The right platform aligns with business model, catalog complexity, and growth ambition. Shopify excels at rapid DTC launches and app-driven innovation. BigCommerce delivers open APIs, robust B2B features, and lower total cost for large catalogs. Evaluate transaction fees, native tools, and checkout flexibility before signing the annual plan. Whichever you choose, remember that ecommerce success comes from relentless testing, solid branding, and excellent customer experience—not just the logo in your admin dashboard.