BigCommerce vs Shopify
Please select two different options.
BigCommerce and Shopify are two popular e-commerce platforms that offer a range of features for online businesses. BigCommerce is known for its robust built-in tools and scalability, while Shopify is praised for its user-friendly interface and extensive app store.
General information
BigCommerce
Shopify
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.
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 :
Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform that was launched in 2006. Unlike open-source platforms like WordPress, Shopify is a subscription-based service that offers a user-friendly interface, extensive customization options, and a wide range of built-in features for online stores. Its popularity stems from its ease of use, scalability, and dedicated customer support, making it a top choice for businesses looking to set up and manage their online stores efficiently.
Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform that was launched in 2006. Unlike open-source platforms like WordPress, Shopify is a subscription-based service that offers a user-friendly interface, extensive customization options, and a wide range of built-in features for online stores. Its popularity stems from its ease of use, scalability, and dedicated customer support, making it a top choice for businesses looking to set up and manage their online stores efficiently.
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 :
- Easy to use for beginners
- Wide range of customizable themes
- Excellent customer support
- Integrated payment gateways
- Scalable for growing businesses
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 customization options compared to others
- Transaction fees can add up quickly
- Dependency on third-party apps for advanced features
- Higher monthly costs for larger businesses
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
Website users : Thousands
BigCommerce is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for e-commerce businesses of all sizes.
BigCommerce is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for e-commerce businesses of all sizes.
Website users : Over 1 million websites
Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform used by a significant portion of online stores, making it a top choice for businesses.
Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform used by a significant portion of online stores, making it a top choice for businesses.
🟡 Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with BigCommerce requires some initial learning, but the platform offers resources and support to help users navigate the process.
Getting started with BigCommerce requires some initial learning, but the platform offers resources and support to help users navigate the process.
🟢 Difficulty : Easy.
Shopify offers a user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation, making it easy for beginners to set up and start selling online quickly.
Shopify offers a user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation, making it easy for beginners to set up and start selling online quickly.
Year launched : 2009
BigCommerce was launched in 2009, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for businesses to use.
BigCommerce was launched in 2009, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for businesses to use.
Year launched : 2006
Shopify was launched in 2006, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for businesses to create online stores.
Shopify was launched in 2006, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for businesses to create online stores.
Official website :
https://www.bigcommerce.com/
Official website :
https://www.shopify.com/
Commercial details
BigCommerce
Shopify
🟡 Open source : Partially.
BigCommerce is not fully open source, but it does offer some level of customization through the use of APIs and themes.
BigCommerce is not fully open source, but it does offer some level of customization through the use of APIs and themes.
🔴 Open source : No.
Shopify is not open source. The platform is proprietary and does not allow access to its source code.
Shopify is not open source. The platform is proprietary and does not allow access to its source code.
⚪ 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.
BigCommerce offers a free trial but does not have a permanently free option. Limited features may be available during the trial period.
🟢 Free option : Yes.
Shopify offers a 14-day free trial, allowing users to test out the platform before committing to a paid plan. Limited features available during trial.
Shopify offers a 14-day free trial, allowing users to test out the platform before committing to a paid plan. Limited features available during trial.
🟢 Paid option : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a paid option with advanced features and capabilities, providing users with more customization and scalability for their online store.
BigCommerce offers a paid option with advanced features and capabilities, providing users with more customization and scalability for their online store.
🟢 Paid option : Yes.
Shopify offers a paid option with more advanced features, customization options, and support compared to its free plan.
Shopify offers a paid option with more advanced features, customization options, and support compared to its free plan.
Platform details
BigCommerce
Shopify
🟢 Hosted : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a hosted option for users, providing a convenient and hassle-free solution for setting up and managing an online store.
BigCommerce offers a hosted option for users, providing a convenient and hassle-free solution for setting up and managing an online store.
🟢 Hosted : Yes.
Shopify offers a hosted option for users, providing a convenient and hassle-free solution for setting up an online store.
Shopify offers a hosted option for users, providing a convenient and hassle-free solution for setting up an online store.
🟢 Self host : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a self-hosting option through third-party vendors, giving users more control over their hosting environment and infrastructure.
BigCommerce offers a self-hosting option through third-party vendors, giving users more control over their hosting environment and infrastructure.
🔴 Self host : No.
Shopify does not offer a self-hosting option, as it is a fully hosted platform with hosting provided by Shopify itself.
Shopify does not offer a self-hosting option, as it is a fully hosted platform with hosting provided by Shopify itself.
🟡 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.
BigCommerce supports headless features through APIs, allowing for decoupled front-end experiences with custom-built interfaces or third-party platforms.
🟡 Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Shopify does not natively support headless architecture but can be achieved through plugins or custom development using its API.
Shopify does not natively support headless architecture but can be achieved through plugins or custom development using its API.
🟡 Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not natively support static content generation but can potentially be achieved through popular plugins.
BigCommerce does not natively support static content generation but can potentially be achieved through popular plugins.
🟡 Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Shopify does not natively support static content generation but can be achieved perhaps via a popular plugin.
Shopify does not natively support static content generation but can be achieved perhaps via a popular plugin.
Key features
BigCommerce
Shopify
🟡 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.
BigCommerce offers content management capabilities through plugins, but it may not be as robust as platforms with native content management features.
🟡 Content management : Supported via plugin.
Shopify offers basic content management capabilities, but may require additional plugins for more advanced features compared to other platforms.
Shopify offers basic content management capabilities, but may require additional plugins for more advanced features compared to other platforms.
🟡 Blogging : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not have native blogging capabilities but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins for blogging functionality.
BigCommerce does not have native blogging capabilities but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins for blogging functionality.
🟡 Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Shopify can support blogging with plugins like BlogFeeder, but it is not as robust as platforms like WordPress for native blogging capabilities.
Shopify can support blogging with plugins like BlogFeeder, but it is not as robust as platforms like WordPress for native blogging capabilities.
🟢 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.
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.
🟢 E-commerce : Support natively.
Shopify is a top choice for e-commerce with native features like customizable themes, secure payment options, and seamless integration with third-party apps.
Shopify is a top choice for e-commerce with native features like customizable themes, secure payment options, and seamless integration with third-party apps.
🟡 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.
BigCommerce does not have native forum functionality but can be integrated with popular third-party forum plugins for community engagement.
🟡 Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Shopify does not have native community/forum features but can be enhanced by third-party apps like Muut or Disqus for community engagement.
Shopify does not have native community/forum features but can be enhanced by third-party apps like Muut or Disqus for community engagement.
🟡 Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions on BigCommerce.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions on BigCommerce.
🟡 Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions and paywalls can be supported through third-party apps/plugins on Shopify, enhancing the platform's capabilities for such features.
Content subscriptions and paywalls can be supported through third-party apps/plugins on Shopify, enhancing the platform's capabilities for such features.
Other features
BigCommerce
Shopify
🟡 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.
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.
🟡 Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Shopify does not natively support multi-site functionality but it can be achieved through the use of third-party plugins or apps.
Shopify does not natively support multi-site functionality but it can be achieved through the use of third-party plugins or apps.
🟡 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.
BigCommerce does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
🟡 Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Shopify does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins/extensions for multi-language functionality.
Shopify does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins/extensions for multi-language functionality.
🟡 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.
Support for XML sitemaps in BigCommerce is available through popular third-party plugins or extensions, enhancing SEO capabilities for users.
🟡 XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Shopify does not natively support XML sitemaps but can be easily implemented through popular third-party plugins/extensions.
Shopify does not natively support XML sitemaps but can be easily implemented through popular third-party plugins/extensions.
Ultimately, the choice between BigCommerce and Shopify depends on the specific needs of your business. If you value flexibility and customization, BigCommerce may be the better option. However, if ease of use and a wide range of third-party integrations are important to you, Shopify could be the ideal choice. Consider your priorities and goals carefully to make the right decision for your online store.