Shopify vs BigCommerce: Which Ecommerce Platform Is Best in 2025?

Shopify is sleek, beginner-friendly, and comes with a massive app store. BigCommerce, meanwhile, packs more features out of the box and gives you more control—if you're willing to climb a steeper learning curve.

This guide won’t just throw features at you. We’ll break down everything that actually affects your store's growth: pricing, design, SEO, dropshipping support, performance, and more. If you're looking for fluff, this isn’t the place. But if you want a real, side-by-side comparison to help you choose the best ecommerce platform in 2025, you’re in the right spot.

Let’s dig in.

Shopify vs BigCommerce Summary Table (2025 Edition)

Before we dig deeper into features, pricing, and performance, here’s a high-level comparison to help you see where each platform stands. Whether you’re looking for flexibility, ease of use, or dropshipping power—this table gives you a clear view of the essentials.

At a Glance: Key Differences Between Shopify and BigCommerce

What Is Shopify and Why Do Millions Choose It?

Now that you’ve seen how Shopify stacks up on the surface, let’s dig into why it’s one of the most popular ecommerce platforms on the planet. It’s not just hype—there are real reasons why over 4.6 million websites run on Shopify today.

If you’re looking for ease, speed, and scalability, Shopify checks a lot of boxes.

Shopify Overview: Platform, Purpose, and Popularity

Shopify is a fully hosted ecommerce platform designed to help anyone—yes, even total beginners—start and scale an online store. It handles everything from storefront design to payment processing, shipping, and analytics.

What really makes Shopify stand out is how accessible it is. You don’t need to know a single line of code to launch a professional-looking store. But if you do have technical skills, it’s flexible enough to let you customize deeply.

In 2025, Shopify powers businesses in nearly every industry—from handmade candles to billion-dollar brands.

Shopify Features That Make It a Market Leader

Let’s break down some of Shopify’s standout features that make it a go-to platform for entrepreneurs:

1. User-Friendly Store Builder

Shopify’s drag-and-drop editor lets you build your store visually. You can customize sections, rearrange product displays, and tweak your layout without touching code. Want to go deeper? Shopify’s Liquid templating language gives developers full control under the hood.

2. Shopify Payments and Checkout Optimization

With Shopify Payments, you skip third-party gateways—and their extra fees. You get a fast, integrated checkout experience that’s optimized for conversions. In fact, Shopify reports a 12% better checkout conversion rate compared to BigCommerce.

3. Mobile-Optimized Themes

All Shopify themes are mobile-first. That means your store looks clean and functions smoothly across smartphones and tablets—something Google loves when ranking ecommerce sites.

4. AI Tools Like Shopify Magic

Need to write product descriptions or generate content fast? Shopify Magic uses AI to help you create text that converts. It’s especially handy for new store owners trying to move fast without hiring a copywriter.

5. Built-in Analytics and Reporting

With Shopify’s dashboards, you can track sales, customer behavior, abandoned carts, and more. Everything is visual, easy to digest, and actionable—so you’re never guessing what’s working.

6. App Store Access and Growth Flexibility

Want to add email marketing? Upsells? Dropshipping? Shopify’s 13,000+ app marketplace has everything you need to scale. It’s a platform that grows with your business instead of boxing you in.

What Is BigCommerce and How Does It Compete?

Now that you know why Shopify is a fan favorite, let’s look at its biggest rival—BigCommerce. It’s not trying to be Shopify. In fact, it takes a completely different approach. And for the right type of business, that’s a very good thing.

If you want more power out of the box and fewer app dependencies, BigCommerce might be exactly what you’re looking for.

BigCommerce Overview: Flexibility, Scalability, Control

BigCommerce is a robust ecommerce platform built for serious sellers—whether you’re scaling a niche brand or managing thousands of SKUs. It gives you more advanced tools upfront, which means fewer plugins and external costs later.

Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce doesn’t rely heavily on third-party apps to deliver core features. Instead, it loads them into the platform from day one—things like product filtering, SEO controls, and multi-channel selling.

It’s also an open SaaS platform, which gives developers more room to customize without sacrificing the benefits of a hosted solution. That makes it especially attractive to enterprise stores and complex catalogs.

BigCommerce Built-In Tools That Eliminate App Overload

Here’s where BigCommerce shines—it gives you enterprise-grade tools straight out of the box. No chasing add-ons. No racking up extra monthly fees.

1. Native SEO and Site Structure Control

BigCommerce comes with powerful SEO features built-in. You can edit URL structures, metadata, and robots.txt files without any external plugins. It even supports AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) for faster mobile loading, which is rare among ecommerce platforms.

2. Multi-Channel Selling Without Extra Fees

BigCommerce lets you list products on Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and social channels directly from your dashboard. These integrations are already included—you don’t need to rely on third-party apps unless you want something super specific.

3. Advanced Product Filtering and Variants

If you sell a large catalog or configurable products (think color, size, brand), BigCommerce makes it easier to organize and filter without heavy coding or external tools. That’s a big win for usability—and for customer experience.

4. Open API Access and Developer Flexibility

With its open SaaS approach, BigCommerce offers strong API access. That’s a fancy way of saying you can build custom features and integrations without being locked into BigCommerce’s native framework. Developers love this flexibility.

5. Built-In B2B Features

BigCommerce is especially strong for B2B ecommerce. Features like custom pricing lists, quote generation, and gated content come natively. Shopify can handle this too—but only with paid apps or Shopify Plus.

Shopify vs BigCommerce Pricing Comparison: Which Platform Is More Cost-Efficient?

Choosing the right platform isn’t just about features—it’s also about what you’ll pay to keep your store running. And while Shopify and BigCommerce might look similar at first glance, their pricing models tell very different stories once you dig in.

Let’s break it down to see which one gives you better value in the long run.

Shopify Pricing Tiers and What You Actually Get

Shopify offers three main plans, plus an enterprise option:

• Basic: $39/month (or $29/month when billed annually)
• Shopify (Standard): $105/month (or $79/month annually)
• Advanced: $399/month (or $299/month annually)
• Shopify Plus: Starts at $2,300/month (for high-volume stores)

Every plan includes core features like abandoned cart recovery, analytics, and access to Shopify’s app store. The more you pay, the lower your transaction fees—and the more advanced tools you unlock, like custom reporting and third-party shipping rates.

Shopify also offers a 3-day free trial, plus $1/month for the first 30 days, giving you time to build and test your store with almost no upfront cost.

But keep an eye on the transaction fees:

• Shopify charges 2.9% + $0.30 on the Basic plan.
• These fees drop to 2.5% + $0.30 on the Advanced plan.
• You can avoid extra fees by using Shopify Payments, their native gateway.

BigCommerce Pricing Plans and Hidden Upgrade Triggers

BigCommerce also has four pricing tiers:

• Standard: $39/month (or $29/month annually)
• Plus: $105/month (or $79/month annually)
• Pro: $399/month (or $299/month annually)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing (usually $1,000+/month)

What makes BigCommerce unique is its zero transaction fees—even on the entry-level plan. That’s a big plus if you're not using the platform's preferred payment processors.

However, BigCommerce does have annual revenue limits that push you into higher plans automatically:

• Standard: Up to $50,000/year
• Plus: Up to $180,000/year
• Pro: Up to $400,000/year

Once you exceed those thresholds, BigCommerce auto-upgrades your plan—even if you don’t need the extra features. This can catch some store owners off guard.

Shopify vs BigCommerce Transaction Fees Explained

Let’s simplify this.

• Shopify charges extra fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments.
• BigCommerce charges no extra fees—but their payment processors may have slightly higher base rates.

Shopify’s edge is in conversion rate optimization. According to Shopify, their checkout converts 12% better than BigCommerce’s, which could result in more revenue—even if you’re paying transaction fees.

So, the question isn’t just about who charges less—it's about who helps you earn more.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Shopify’s 31% Advantage?

According to Shopify’s internal research, stores using Shopify experience a 31% lower total cost of ownership compared to BigCommerce. That’s based on things like development time, support needs, and app dependency.

So even though BigCommerce looks cheaper on paper, Shopify’s ecosystem, built-in support, and ease of use may save you time and money over the long haul.

Shopify vs BigCommerce Ease of Use: Which Is Easier to Learn and Launch?

Price is just one part of the puzzle. The next big question: how easy is it to actually use these platforms? Because let’s be honest—if you’re spending more time figuring out settings than selling products, something’s not right.

Let’s compare the user experience from setup to store management.

Shopify’s Intuitive UI and Onboarding Flow

Shopify is built with beginners in mind. From the moment you sign up, it walks you through every step—choosing a theme, adding products, setting up payments, and launching your store.

The dashboard is clean, minimal, and easy to navigate. You won’t be overwhelmed by buttons or menus you don’t understand. You can drag and drop sections, preview changes in real time, and customize without touching code.

Even if you’ve never built a website before, Shopify makes it feel like second nature. And if you get stuck? There’s built-in help, plus a smart AI assistant that answers questions as you go.

That’s why Shopify is often called the most beginner-friendly ecommerce platform in the world—and why so many first-time founders start there.

BigCommerce’s Feature-Rich Backend and Learning Curve

BigCommerce, on the other hand, is designed more for users who want control and customization upfront. The interface is a bit more technical, with more menus, options, and settings available right out of the gate.

That’s not a bad thing—but it can be overwhelming if you’re new to ecommerce. You might find yourself Googling more often, or needing a developer to set up advanced features like custom shipping rules or category filters.

However, once you’re past the learning curve, BigCommerce becomes incredibly powerful. You won’t need as many third-party apps, and you’ll find more built-in flexibility than Shopify offers natively.

Verdict: Best Ecommerce Platform for Beginners and Non-Tech Founders

If you want a fast, frustration-free setup, Shopify wins hands down. It’s ideal for non-technical founders who want to launch and grow without getting bogged down in complexity.

But if you’re building something more custom—or you’re comfortable navigating a more technical dashboard—BigCommerce gives you more control upfront. Just be ready to invest more time during setup.

Design and Theme Customization: Shopify vs BigCommerce Flexibility

Your store’s design isn’t just about looking good—it directly impacts trust, user experience, and conversions. Whether you're selling vintage watches or tech gadgets, the right look can make or break the sale.

Let’s see which platform gives you more creative freedom without requiring a degree in web development.

Shopify Themes, Online Store 2.0, and Custom Sections

Shopify makes designing your store simple, clean, and actually kind of fun. It offers over 180 professionally designed themes—13 of which are free—with layouts for every industry, from fashion to food to fitness.

But what really changed the game is Online Store 2.0.

With this upgrade, you can now add custom sections to any page, not just the homepage. That means full flexibility without touching code. Want testimonials on a product page? Done. Blog-style banners on your collection pages? Easy.

Everything is managed with a drag-and-drop editor, and themes are optimized for mobile right out of the box. If you ever want to go deeper, you (or your developer) can access and edit the Liquid theme code for full control.

Plus, you can preview themes before committing—so you're never designing blind.

BigCommerce Stencil Framework and Design Control

BigCommerce gives you more power under the hood. Its Stencil framework allows for highly customizable storefronts, especially useful for larger catalogs or brands with unique design needs.

You get a selection of free and paid themes—many of them clean, responsive, and tailored to specific industries. The Page Builder tool lets you customize pages with drag-and-drop blocks, much like Shopify, although the UI feels slightly more technical.

BigCommerce is great if you want your store to look less “template-y” and more custom, especially if you’re selling across multiple categories or need advanced filtering. Developers also have access to robust theming tools, which makes it easier to create something truly unique.

However, for non-technical users, the customization learning curve is noticeably steeper compared to Shopify.

Which Offers Better Mobile Optimization and Speed?

Both platforms offer mobile-optimized themes, which is critical now that most ecommerce traffic comes from phones. Shopify themes are known for their speed and simplicity, while BigCommerce gives you more control over technical elements like image compression and page scripts.

If speed, SEO, and conversion are top priorities (and they should be), Shopify gives you a solid foundation out of the box. BigCommerce lets you optimize further—but you might need a developer’s help to fully unlock that potential.

Verdict: Best Platform for Store Design Flexibility

If you're looking for fast, polished design with minimal effort, Shopify makes it easier to get a professional-looking store online—fast. It’s perfect for non-designers and small teams.

But if you’re building a more complex catalog, want detailed layout control, or already have a dev team in place, BigCommerce gives you more design freedom and deeper customization.

App Ecosystem: Shopify App Store vs BigCommerce Extensions

No ecommerce platform can do everything on its own—that’s where apps and integrations come in. Whether you want to automate email marketing, add upsells, or connect to dropshipping suppliers, the app ecosystem becomes a huge part of how your store runs.

So which platform gives you more flexibility without making you feel like you're duct-taping your business together?

Shopify’s 13,000+ Apps for Scaling Faster

Shopify has one of the most extensive ecommerce app ecosystems on the planet—with over 13,000 apps in the Shopify App Store as of 2025. That means whatever you’re trying to do, there's probably an app for it.

Need an abandoned cart recovery tool? Done. Want to launch a loyalty program or create shoppable Instagram posts? No problem. Many apps offer one-click installs, so you can expand your store’s features without needing a developer.

What really makes Shopify shine is how smoothly these apps integrate. Most are designed specifically for Shopify, so they don’t feel like clunky add-ons. And with tools like Shopify Magic and other AI integrations, automation is built into the experience.

The downside? Some of the best apps come with a monthly fee—so costs can add up fast if you rely heavily on third-party tools.

BigCommerce’s Native Features vs 3rd-Party Apps

BigCommerce takes a different approach. Instead of relying on thousands of third-party tools, it packs more features natively into the platform. This means you don’t always need an app to do something basic—like running Google Shopping campaigns or offering faceted search filters.

That said, BigCommerce still has an app marketplace, and it's solid. You’ll find popular integrations for marketing, shipping, accounting, and analytics. Tools like 3Dsellers (for multichannel selling) or SOS Inventory (for advanced inventory management) are well-rated and business-ready.

The catch? The app selection is noticeably smaller, and in some cases, you may not find an app that’s as specialized or well-supported as what Shopify offers.

Headless Commerce Support: Shopify Hydrogen vs BigCommerce APIs

If you’re building a custom frontend (think: storefronts built with React or Vue.js), both platforms support headless commerce.

• Shopify offers Hydrogen, a React-based framework built specifically for custom storefronts on Shopify.
• BigCommerce supports headless builds through its Open SaaS architecture and robust API toolkit.

Shopify's headless stack is more beginner-friendly and better documented. BigCommerce gives dev teams more backend flexibility and control, especially for high-SKU or B2B stores.

Verdict: Who Wins in Flexibility and Growth Potential?

If you're aiming to scale quickly, test new features, or customize without code, Shopify’s app ecosystem gives you more to work with—faster. The huge marketplace, combined with AI tools and deep integrations, makes it easy to expand as your business grows.

BigCommerce is better if you want fewer apps and more native power from day one. It’s a quieter, more stable approach—but not as plug-and-play.

Shopify vs BigCommerce for Sales, POS, and Multichannel Selling

Selling online is one thing—but selling everywhere your customers hang out? That’s a real growth strategy. Whether you're running a retail store, selling on social media, or pushing products on Amazon, your platform needs to handle it all.

Let’s see how Shopify and BigCommerce stack up when it comes to point-of-sale features and multichannel selling.

Shopify POS: Omnichannel Inventory Sync and Offline Sales

Shopify is one of the few ecommerce platforms with a built-in point-of-sale (POS) system. Whether you’re running a physical retail store, a weekend market booth, or pop-ups, Shopify POS keeps everything in sync.

Inventory updates in real-time across your online and offline stores. So if someone buys your last candle in person, it disappears from your online store automatically—no double selling, no awkward refunds.

Shopify POS also supports:

• Barcode scanning
• Staff permissions
• Customer profiles
• Custom discounts
• Hardware like card readers, receipt printers, and iPads

It’s seamless, sleek, and designed for modern retailers who want everything under one roof.

BigCommerce’s Marketplace Integrations and B2B Strength

BigCommerce doesn’t offer its own POS system, but it integrates well with third-party providers like Square, Clover, and Vend. If you already use one of those systems, it’s a smooth transition.

Where BigCommerce really shines is in multichannel and B2B selling. You can list products on Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Google Shopping, and Facebook—right from the dashboard. It’s built for merchants with large catalogs and operational complexity.

BigCommerce also includes powerful B2B tools like:

• Custom pricing by customer group
• Purchase order workflows
• Invoice generation
• Quote requests 

These are built in—not added through apps—which makes BigCommerce a strong fit for wholesale or high-volume stores.

Best Platform for Retailers, B2B Brands, and Multi-Location Stores

If you need a dedicated POS system and a smooth omnichannel experience, Shopify is the clear winner. It’s ideal for brands that sell online and offline, or plan to expand into retail spaces.

If you’re selling wholesale, managing complex catalogs, or running a multi-vendor operation, BigCommerce gives you more flexibility and fewer app dependencies, especially on the B2B side.

Shopify vs BigCommerce SEO and Marketing Features

You can have the best products in the world, but if no one finds your store? Game over. That’s where SEO and marketing tools make all the difference.

Shopify and BigCommerce both offer ways to drive traffic and boost visibility—but their approaches are very different. Let’s break it down.

Shopify SEO: Clean URLs, SEO Apps, and Google Shopping

Shopify gives you the SEO basics straight out of the box. You can easily update:

• Meta titles and descriptions
• Alt text for images
• Custom URLs and canonical tags
• XML sitemaps and robots.txt

Shopify’s themes are mobile-first and fast-loading, which helps with Google rankings. Plus, their app ecosystem gives you access to powerful SEO tools like Yoast SEO, SEO Manager, and Plug in SEO, which go deeper into optimization.

What makes Shopify extra useful is its integration with Google Shopping. You can sync products and run Shopping Ads without leaving your dashboard. It also connects smoothly with email platforms like Klaviyo and ad platforms like Facebook and TikTok.

Basically, it makes multichannel marketing doable—even if you’re not a pro.

BigCommerce SEO: Advanced Controls and AMP Support

BigCommerce takes SEO a step further for those who want more control.

You can:

• Customize every part of your URL structure
• Access and edit your robots.txt and .htaccess files
• Enable Google AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) for lightning-fast mobile product pages
• Add structured data (schema) for rich snippets

It also automatically generates SEO-friendly URLs, which helps with indexing. These features are all built in, not dependent on apps—which is perfect if you prefer fewer moving parts.

BigCommerce also includes a built-in blogging platform, which is helpful if you plan to build traffic through content marketing. Shopify has a blog too, but it’s more basic unless extended with apps.

Which Platform Helps Rank Faster and Drive Organic Traffic?

If you’re new to SEO and want tools that guide you step by step, Shopify makes it easier to start ranking, especially when paired with its powerful marketing apps.

If you’re more technical, or working with an SEO specialist, BigCommerce gives you deeper control over your site’s structure and page performance. It’s especially useful for large catalogs and teams that want to get technical with their strategy.

Verdict: Best Platform for SEO and Marketing Automation

For small to mid-sized stores focused on ease, automation, and fast setup, Shopify delivers a smoother SEO and marketing experience—with room to grow using apps and integrations.

If you’re looking for advanced SEO tools that don’t rely on third-party plugins, BigCommerce gives you more control out of the gate, particularly if you're focused on speed and technical optimization.

Shopify vs BigCommerce Dropshipping: Which Platform Is Better?

If you’re planning to run an online store without holding inventory, dropshipping is likely at the center of your strategy. And here’s the good news: both Shopify and BigCommerce support it. But the way they do it—and how far you can scale—differs a lot.

Let’s break down how each platform performs for dropshippers in 2025.

Shopify + Spocket, AliDrop, and DSers: Best Dropshipping Ecosystem

Shopify has arguably become the top choice for dropshipping, and there’s a reason for that—it integrates with hundreds of apps designed specifically for this model.

Some of the most popular options include:

• Spocket: Source high-quality products from US and EU suppliers with fast shipping and branded invoicing.
• AliDrop: A smart tool for automating AliExpress product imports and order management.
• DSers: Ideal for AliExpress dropshipping and bulk fulfillment.

With Shopify, you can install a dropshipping app in seconds, import products in one click, and automate everything from pricing rules to order fulfillment.

The Shopify App Store is packed with niche-specific dropshipping tools, which makes it easy to experiment with trending products or test new suppliers without a huge upfront investment.

If you’re just starting out—or want to scale fast with minimal friction—Shopify’s ecosystem gives you everything you need to go from zero to sales.

BigCommerce Dropshipping Tools: Strengths and Limitations

BigCommerce supports dropshipping too, but it’s not the main selling point of the platform. It offers integrations with tools like:

• AliExpress Dropshipping
• Inventory Source
• Printful
• Wholesale2B

These tools work well for basic dropshipping needs. However, the options are fewer, and the integrations aren’t always as deep or seamless as they are on Shopify.

You’ll still get core features like inventory syncing, automated order routing, and supplier connections—but expect more manual setup and a smaller selection of suppliers with US or EU fulfillment options.

Where BigCommerce has an edge is in B2B dropshipping, especially if you’re dealing with high-ticket products, bulk orders, or want to build custom workflows using APIs.

Dropshipping Speed, Supplier Quality, and Automation Compared

In dropshipping, speed matters. Customers want fast delivery and branded experiences—even if you don’t control fulfillment yourself.

• Shopify + Spocket: Lets you offer 3–7 day shipping within the US and EU, giving you a huge edge over long AliExpress wait times.
• BigCommerce: Depends on third-party integrations, which vary in supplier quality and automation features.

Shopify also supports automated pricing rules, order tracking, and customer communication out of the box—while BigCommerce often needs external tools or custom workflows for the same.

Verdict: Best Platform for Dropshipping in 2025

If you want to hit the ground running, test multiple suppliers, and scale without getting buried in manual tasks, Shopify is the clear winner. Its app ecosystem—especially with tools like Spocket and AliDrop—makes it the top choice for modern dropshippers.

BigCommerce can work for dropshipping, especially if you’re building a niche B2B store. But if ease of setup, automation, and fast shipping are priorities, Shopify will save you time and help you scale faster.

Final Verdict: Shopify or BigCommerce—Which Should You Choose in 2025?

Choosing between Shopify and BigCommerce isn’t about which platform is better in general—it’s about which one is better for you.

If you’re looking for a platform that’s easy to set up, scales effortlessly, and gives you access to the largest app ecosystem in ecommerce, Shopify is likely your best bet. It's especially strong if you’re running a DTC brand, launching a dropshipping store, or need a POS system to unify your online and offline sales. Plus, tools like Spocket make it ridiculously simple to source quality products and automate fulfillment.

On the other hand, if you want more features built into the platform, less reliance on apps, and deeper technical control—especially for B2B or high-SKU businesses—BigCommerce delivers serious power under the hood. It’s a solid option for established teams who want to go beyond the basics and customize at scale.

Still unsure? Start a free trial on both, test them out, and see which platform fits your workflow best. The right decision now could save you time, money, and countless headaches later.