BigCommerce vs Shopify in 2025: Which One is Better for Your Business?

When it comes to choosing the right ecommerce platform, BigCommerce and Shopify often top the list of options. Both platforms are powerful tools for running an online store, but they cater to slightly different needs and priorities. So, BigCommerce vs Shopify: Which is the best option for your business in 2025?

This article breaks down the key differences, advantages, and disadvantages of both platforms, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals.

Pricing: Understanding the true cost

At first glance, Shopify and BigCommerce seem similarly priced. Both Shopify’s and BigCommerce’s basic plan starts at $39/month ($29/month if paid yearly). But if you dig deeper, you’ll see differences that can significantly impact your bottom line.

• BigCommerce: BigCommerce does not charge transaction fees, no matter which payment gateway you choose. This can make a significant difference for growing businesses. Additionally, BigCommerce’s pricing includes more features out of the box, reducing the need to pay for extra apps or plugins.
• Shopify: While the platform’s pricing is competitive, Shopify charges additional transaction fees (ranging from 0.5% to 2%) if you use a payment gateway other than Shopify Payments. These fees can add up quickly, especially for high-volume stores.

💡 Key takeaway: For businesses focused on minimizing costs and maximizing value, BigCommerce’s lack of transaction fees and robust built-in features give it an edge.

Integrations and Ecosystem

When it comes to expanding your store's functionality, both platforms provide a wealth of integrations, but the way they deliver features differs.

• BigCommerce: BigCommerce prioritizes built-in functionalities. It includes many advanced features as part of its core offering. For instance, features like multi-currency support, real-time shipping rates, and bulk pricing rules come standard. Its app marketplace focuses on specialized needs, but many stores can operate effectively without additional tools.
• Shopify: Shopify boasts a vast app store with thousands of third-party apps to enhance everything from marketing to inventory management. While highly customizable, it relies heavily on third-party apps to expand its functionality.

💡 Key takeaway: If you prefer a plug-and-play solution with minimal app dependency, BigCommerce's integrated features can save you time and effort. Meanwhile, Shopify's extensive app ecosystem may appeal to businesses with niche requirements. Be aware that managing and updating numerous third-party tools can lead to operational inefficiencies and complications in platform performance.

SEO and Marketing

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving organic traffic, and both Shopify and BigCommerce provide strong SEO tools. However, there are some notable differences:

• BigCommerce: Stands out with advanced features like customizable faceted search, bulk 301 redirects, and more control over URLs. BigCommerce provides a slight edge with its built-in SEO capabilities.
• Shopify: Offers essential SEO features like customizable meta tags and URL structures. However it is not possible to change the Shopify URL structure of your blog (by default, the root structure of the URL would be domain.com/blogs).

💡 Key takeaway: If SEO is a priority for your business, BigCommerce’s flexibility can help you structure your site to maximize visibility and drive more traffic.

Scalability

As your business evolves, your ecommerce platform must be able to scale seamlessly to meet growing demands. This is where the distinctions between Shopify and BigCommerce become more pronounced.

• BigCommerce: Built with scalability in mind, BigCommerce caters to both small and enterprise-level businesses. Its pricing structure remains transparent, and the platform’s performance does not require costly upgrades or additional server resources as you scale.
• Shopify: Designed for businesses of all sizes, Shopify works well for small to mid-sized stores. However, as your business grows, you may find yourself needing advanced apps or even upgrading to Shopify Plus (starting at $2,300 - $2,500/month) for features like automation and custom workflows.

💡 Key takeaway: Shopify provides just about everything that small businesses need with its quick start interface and easy to use functionalities. Meanwhile, BigCommerce offers a smoother path to scale, with fewer surprises and no hidden costs.

Customer Support and Resources

Reliable customer support and access to comprehensive resources are critical for addressing challenges and ensuring smooth store operations. How does Shopify and BigCommerce compare in this regard? Let’s take a look.

• BigCommerce: Offers 24/7 customer support through live chat, email, and phone across all plans. The platform includes a help center with guides and tutorials, as well as developer-focused resources for managing integrations and customizations. BigCommerce also provides onboarding services tailored to enterprise clients or businesses with complex requirements, making it a strong choice for larger-scale operations.
• Shopify: Provides 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, similar to BigCommerce. Its help center and active community forums are valuable resources for finding solutions and best practices. Additionally, Shopify’s ecosystem of third-party experts is well-established, offering businesses access to specialized help for customizations, integrations, and other projects.

💡 Key takeaway: Both platforms deliver robust customer support and extensive resources. BigCommerce emphasizes developer tools and enterprise-level onboarding, while Shopify’s strong community and third-party expert network cater well to businesses of varying sizes and needs.

Which Ecommerce Platform is Better for Your Business?

The choice between Shopify and BigCommerce ultimately depends on your business’s unique needs, goals, and priorities. We can break down each platform’s value proposition as follows:

• Choose Shopify if...
  • You value simplicity and ease of use for small to medium-sized stores.
  • You’re comfortable relying on apps for advanced functionality.
  • Your business benefits from Shopify-specific features like Shopify Payments or its app ecosystem.
• Choose BigCommerce if...
  • You want a scalable platform with built-in features for advanced ecommerce needs.
  • You’re looking to reduce app dependency and associated costs.
  • You anticipate needing robust B2B capabilities or to operate in international markets with multi-currency requirements.

Ready to Make the Switch?

While both platforms are excellent choices, BigCommerce stands out as the better option for businesses focused on scaling efficiently and reducing long-term operational complexities.

If you’re currently using Shopify and considering a migration to BigCommerce, we’ve got you covered. Transitioning platforms might seem daunting, but with the right guidance, it can be a smooth and rewarding process.

Download our free step-by-step guide to learn how to migrate from Shopify to BigCommerce seamlessly. Discover tips, tools, and strategies to ensure your new ecommerce store is set up for success.

👉 Get the Free Migration Guide + Bonus Checklist Today.