BigCommerce vs Gridsome

BigCommerce is a popular e-commerce platform known for its robust features and scalability, while Gridsome is a modern static site generator that offers fast performance and flexibility for building websites. Both platforms cater to different needs and preferences in terms of online presence and functionality.

General information

BigCommerce
Gridsome
Introduction :
BigCommerce is a popular e-commerce platform that was launched in 2009. It is not open source but is known for its user-friendly interface, robust features, and scalability. BigCommerce is widely used by businesses of all sizes due to its flexibility in customization, seamless integration with various third-party apps, and excellent customer support. It is a reliable choice for online retailers looking to create a professional and efficient online store.
Introduction :
Gridsome is a modern website development framework for creating fast, secure, and dynamic websites using Vue.js. Launched in 2017, Gridsome is open-source and gaining popularity for its simplicity, performance, and flexibility. It allows developers to build static websites with dynamic capabilities, making it a popular choice for those looking to create high-performing websites with modern technologies.
Advantages :
  • Easy to use and set up for beginners
  • Robust SEO features for better visibility
  • Wide range of customizable themes available
  • Excellent customer support and resources
  • Seamless integration with various third-party apps
Advantages :
  • Fast static site generation
  • GraphQL data layer for efficient data fetching
  • Extensive plugin ecosystem
  • SEO-friendly with built-in optimizations
  • Easy integration with headless CMS platforms
Disadvantages :
  • Limited design flexibility compared to others
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Higher cost for advanced features
  • Limited third-party integrations available
  • Less customization options compared to competitors
Disadvantages :
  • Limited plugin ecosystem
  • Steeper learning curve compared to WordPress
  • Less community support and resources
  • Limited built-in features compared to Shopify
  • Less flexibility for complex website designs
Website users : Thousands
BigCommerce is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for e-commerce businesses of all sizes.
Website users : Thousands
Gridsome is used by thousands of websites, making it a popular choice for developers looking for a modern and efficient static site generator.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with BigCommerce requires some initial learning, but the platform offers resources and support to help users navigate the process.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Gridsome may require some familiarity with Vue.js and GraphQL, but the documentation and community support can help navigate the learning curve.
Year launched : 2009
BigCommerce was launched in 2009, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for businesses to use.
Year launched : 2017
Gridsome was launched in 2017, making it a relatively new player in the CMS market compared to more established platforms.
Official website : https://www.bigcommerce.com/
Official website : https://gridsome.org/


Commercial details

BigCommerce
Gridsome
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
BigCommerce is not fully open source, but it does offer some level of customization through the use of APIs and themes.
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
Gridsome is fully open source and written in JavaScript. The entire platform is available for modification and contribution by the community.
โšช Free option : Unknown.
BigCommerce offers a free trial but does not have a permanently free option. Limited features may be available during the trial period.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
Gridsome offers a free option with basic features, making it a cost-effective choice for those on a budget or looking to test the platform.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a paid option with advanced features and capabilities, providing users with more customization and scalability for their online store.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Gridsome offers a paid option for users looking for additional features and support, providing a more comprehensive experience.


Platform details

BigCommerce
Gridsome
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a hosted option for users, providing a convenient and hassle-free solution for setting up and managing an online store.
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Gridsome does not offer a directly hosted option, but users may find third-party vendors providing hosting services for Gridsome sites.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a self-hosting option through third-party vendors, giving users more control over their hosting environment and infrastructure.
โšช Self host : Unknown.
Gridsome can be self-hosted, but details on self-hosting options are not clearly specified. Third-party vendors may offer hosting services.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce supports headless features through APIs, allowing for decoupled front-end experiences with custom-built interfaces or third-party platforms.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome is not inherently headless but can be used as a headless system with plugins and API integrations for decoupled architecture.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not natively support static content generation but can potentially be achieved through popular plugins.
๐ŸŸข Static content generation : Support natively.
Gridsome natively supports static content generation, allowing for fast and efficient website performance without the need for additional plugins.


Key features

BigCommerce
Gridsome
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce offers content management capabilities through plugins, but it may not be as robust as platforms with native content management features.
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome offers content management capabilities through plugins, making it a good platform for managing content with additional customization options.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not have native blogging capabilities but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins for blogging functionality.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome can be enhanced for blogging with plugins like Gridsome Source Filesystem for markdown files, but it's not native to the platform.
๐ŸŸข E-commerce : Support natively.
BigCommerce offers a robust set of e-commerce features out-of-the-box, making it a strong platform for online businesses looking for comprehensive functionality.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
Gridsome is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native e-commerce features. However, it can potentially be enhanced with third-party plugins/extensions.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not have native forum functionality but can be integrated with popular third-party forum plugins for community engagement.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not have native support for community/forum features but can be enhanced with third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions on BigCommerce.
โšช Content subscription : Unknown.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls is not a native feature of Gridsome and availability of third-party plugins/extensions is uncertain.


Other features

BigCommerce
Gridsome
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not support multi-site natively but can be achieved through third-party plugins or extensions for managing multiple sites from a single dashboard.
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not support multi-site natively but can be achieved through the use of third-party plugins or extensions.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not have native multi-language support but can be enhanced with plugins like @gridsome/plugin-i18n for multi-language functionality.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Support for XML sitemaps in BigCommerce is available through popular third-party plugins or extensions, enhancing SEO capabilities for users.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not support XML sitemaps natively but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.


When choosing between BigCommerce and Gridsome, consider your specific requirements for an online platform. If you need a comprehensive e-commerce solution with advanced features, BigCommerce may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize speed, flexibility, and control over your website’s design and development, Gridsome could be the ideal option for you.