BigCommerce vs Strapi

BigCommerce is a popular e-commerce platform known for its robust features and scalability, while Strapi is a headless CMS that offers flexibility and customization options. Both platforms cater to different needs and preferences in terms of online store management and content creation.

General information

BigCommerce
Strapi
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 :
Strapi is a headless CMS that was launched in 2015 and has gained popularity for its open-source nature and flexibility. It allows users to create, manage, and distribute content across multiple platforms seamlessly. Strapi's user-friendly interface, customizable API, and extensive documentation make it a preferred choice for developers and content creators looking for a modern and efficient CMS solution.
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 :
  • Highly customizable and flexible for developers
  • Easy to use and manage content
  • Offers a wide range of plugins and extensions
  • Strong community support and documentation
  • Scalable for small to large projects
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 community support
  • Steeper learning curve compared to some platforms
  • Less flexibility in terms of customization
  • Limited number of available plugins and extensions
  • Higher cost for enterprise-level features
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 : 0.1% of websites
Strapi is a relatively niche platform, with a small but dedicated user base compared to more widely used CMSs.
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 Strapi requires some technical knowledge but provides comprehensive documentation and community support for assistance.
Year launched : 2009
BigCommerce was launched in 2009, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for businesses to use.
Year launched : 2013
Strapi was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems.
Official website : https://www.bigcommerce.com/
Official website : https://strapi.io/


Commercial details

BigCommerce
Strapi
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.
Strapi is fully open source and written in JavaScript. The entire platform is available for modification and customization 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.
Strapi offers a free self-hosted option with no limitations on features, making it a cost-effective choice for users on a budget.
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.
Strapi offers a paid Enterprise Edition for organizations requiring advanced features, support, and customization options beyond the free Community Edition.


Platform details

BigCommerce
Strapi
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.
Hosted options may be available through third-party vendors, but direct hosting by Strapi is unclear.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
BigCommerce offers a self-hosting option through third-party vendors, giving users more control over their hosting environment and infrastructure.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Strapi, giving users more control over their hosting environment and data security.
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.
๐ŸŸข Headless CMS : Support natively.
Strapi is a headless CMS by design, offering robust API capabilities for decoupled front-end development and seamless content delivery.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
BigCommerce does not natively support static content generation but can potentially be achieved through popular plugins.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Strapi does not natively support static content generation but can be achieved perhaps via a popular plugin.


Key features

BigCommerce
Strapi
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.
๐ŸŸข Content management : Support natively.
Strapi is a native platform for managing content, offering robust features and customization options without the need for additional plugins.
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.
Strapi can be used for blogging with the help of third-party plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for bloggers.
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.
Strapi is not specifically designed for e-commerce functionality, but it can be adapted for this purpose with custom development or integrations.
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.
Strapi can be used for a community/forum with the help of third-party plugins/extensions for enhanced functionality.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions on BigCommerce.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions in the Strapi ecosystem.


Other features

BigCommerce
Strapi
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.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved through the use of the Strapi Multisite plugin, offering flexibility and customization for managing multiple sites.
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.
๐ŸŸข Multi-language : Support natively.
Strapi supports multi-language natively, allowing users to easily create and manage content in multiple languages without the need for additional plugins.
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.
๐Ÿ”ด XML Sitemaps : Not supported.
Strapi does not support XML sitemaps natively or through a popular 3rd party plugin/extension, limiting SEO optimization capabilities.


When choosing between BigCommerce and Strapi, consider your specific requirements for e-commerce functionality and content management. BigCommerce is ideal for businesses looking for a comprehensive e-commerce solution, while Strapi is perfect for those who prioritize flexibility and customization in their content management system. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your unique business needs and goals.