Shopify vs BigCommerce
Last updated July 6, 2026
Deciding between Shopify and BigCommerce? Here's how they stack up on price, fit and migration effort — so you can pick the right e-commerce platform tool without second-guessing.
Pricing disclaimer: All prices are list prices in USD, shown for general information only as of July 6, 2026, and may have changed since. Plans, tiers and features vary by region and are frequently updated by each vendor. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice — always confirm current pricing and terms on the provider's official website before you buy.
| Shopify | BigCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $39/mo (Basic) | $29/mo |
| Free tier | — | No |
| Best for | Established users on its plans | Growing stores that want Shopify-like power without transaction fees or app sprawl. |
| Migration effort | — | Moderate |
| Rating | — | 4.1 ★ |
Why teams switch from Shopify
- ✕Transaction fees on top of the monthly plan unless you use Shopify Payments.
- ✕Essential features often require paid apps, inflating the true monthly cost.
- ✕Plans climb steeply — Advanced is $399/mo and Plus starts at $2,300/mo.
- ✕Hosted and somewhat locked-in — you don't own the platform or fully control costs.
Where BigCommerce wins
- ✓Zero transaction fees on any plan
- ✓More built-in features, fewer paid apps
- ✓Scales to large stores
…and where it doesn't
- ✕Annual sales thresholds bump you up tiers
- ✕Themes less polished than Shopify
- ✕Steeper learning curve
The verdict on BigCommerce
BigCommerce is the closest like-for-like Shopify rival for merchants whose complaint is fees and app sprawl. It charges no platform transaction fees on any plan, and it bakes in more features out of the box, so you rely less on paid apps than on Shopify. It scales comfortably to large catalogs and multi-channel selling. The catches: plans have annual-sales thresholds that push you to higher tiers as you grow, themes aren't quite as polished as Shopify's, and there's a learning curve. For a growing store that wants Shopify-class capability while killing the transaction cut and app bill, BigCommerce is a strong switch with solid migration tooling.
Try BigCommerceWhat real users say: Shopify vs BigCommerce
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Frequently asked questions
Is BigCommerce cheaper than Shopify?
BigCommerce starts at $29/mo, compared with Shopify from $39/mo (Basic). Standard $29/mo, Plus $79/mo, Pro $299/mo, Enterprise $1,499/mo (verified Jul 6, 2026).
Is it hard to migrate from Shopify to BigCommerce?
Migration difficulty is rated Moderate. For a growing store that wants Shopify-class capability while killing the transaction cut and app bill, BigCommerce is a strong switch with solid migration tooling.
Who should choose BigCommerce over Shopify?
BigCommerce is best for: Growing stores that want Shopify-like power without transaction fees or app sprawl. If that describes your situation, it's a strong Shopify alternative.
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