Choosing an ecommerce platform is one of the biggest decisions for a new online store. Shopify and BigCommerce are two of the most popular options, and both let you sell online without building a store from scratch.
But they work differently, and in 2026 the pricing picture changed. This guide compares BigCommerce vs Shopify for small stores: cost, ease of use, features, apps, SEO and who should pick which. If you’re still deciding whether a store builder is right at all, see our guide to the best AI website builders.
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How we put this guide together: This comparison uses public information and published reviews, checked in October 2026. We haven’t hands-on tested both platforms. BigCommerce changed its pricing in June 2026 and Shopify renamed some plans, so older articles may be wrong. Always confirm plan prices and fees on each company’s official page.
Quick Verdict
| Shopify | BigCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Beginners and small stores wanting an easy start | Larger catalogs, B2B and sellers wanting more built-in features |
| Ease of use | Very beginner-friendly | A bit more involved |
| App ecosystem | Very large | Smaller |
| Built-in features | Fewer, relies on apps | More built in |
| Transaction fees | Charged if you don’t use Shopify Payments | Changed in June 2026, check current terms |
| Skip if | You want lots of native features without apps | You want the simplest setup |
For most small, beginner-run stores, Shopify is usually the easier starting point. BigCommerce can suit sellers with larger catalogs or more complex needs.
What Are Shopify and BigCommerce?
Both are hosted ecommerce platforms. That means they provide your online store, hosting, checkout and security in one subscription, so you don’t need to install software or manage servers.
- Shopify is the most widely known store platform, built for easy setup and a huge app marketplace.
- BigCommerce is a competitor that offers more features built in and is often chosen by growing and larger stores.
If you want a store as a WordPress plugin or a different approach, that’s a separate decision. We cover WordPress options in other guides.
Pricing: What Changed in 2026
Pricing is the area where older comparison articles are most wrong.
Shopify
- Tiered monthly plans (the middle plan was renamed Grow in 2026)
- A cheaper starter-level option exists, though sources list different prices
- Transaction fees apply when you don’t use Shopify Payments, and they are lower on higher plans
- Many extra features come from paid apps, which add monthly costs
BigCommerce
- Tiered plans with sales caps, so your plan can change as your revenue grows
- June 2026 restructure: BigCommerce renamed plans, changed sales caps and added a transaction fee for stores using certain outside payment gateways
- Stores using BigCommerce’s approved embedded payment providers can avoid that fee, according to analyses
- Many features are built in, so you may need fewer paid apps
Important: You may still see “BigCommerce has no transaction fees” in older articles. Check BigCommerce’s current pricing page before you believe it.
Costs to Add Up Before You Choose
| Cost | Shopify | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan | Yes | Yes |
| Payment processing fees | Yes (card fees from the processor) | Yes |
| Platform transaction fee | If you skip Shopify Payments | Depends on gateway and plan after June 2026 |
| Paid apps | Often needed | Fewer needed |
| Theme costs | Some themes are paid | Some themes are paid |
| Domain | Extra cost | Extra cost |
Add up a realistic monthly total for your store, not just the headline plan price.
Ease of Use
Shopify is widely seen as easier for beginners. The admin is clean, setup is fast and most small sellers can launch without technical help.
BigCommerce offers more native tools but is generally more involved. One agency review says it may be more than a small business needs unless it has technical resources.
If you’ve never built a store, Shopify usually has the gentler learning curve.
Features
The feature gap is narrow on the basics, since both handle products, checkout, discounts and basic marketing. Differences show up elsewhere:
| Area | Shopify | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in features | Fewer, often through apps | More built in (such as multi-currency and B2B tools, depending on plan) |
| App marketplace | Very large (reported 6,000+) | Smaller (reported around 600) |
| Themes | Large marketplace | Smaller selection |
| B2B tools | Basic on all plans, advanced on Plus | Stronger native options |
| Multi-currency | Available through Shopify Markets | Depends on plan |
| Sales channels | Strong social and POS options | Good multichannel options |
SEO
Both platforms let you edit page titles, descriptions and URLs, and both create sitemaps. Neither can guarantee rankings. Your results depend on good product content, site speed and links, not just the platform. See our guide on how AI website builders work for how automated tools handle content, and review any generated text carefully.
Apps and Customization
Shopify’s large app store means you can add almost any feature, but many apps charge monthly fees that add up. BigCommerce includes more features by default, so you may need fewer apps, but there are fewer to choose from.
If you expect to need very custom features, check what’s available on each platform before choosing.
Support
Both offer help centers and support channels, but plan levels and response times vary. Check current details on each platform’s site.
Who Should Choose Shopify?
- First-time sellers who want the easiest start
- Small stores with a modest catalog
- Sellers who want a huge app and theme choice
- Businesses selling through social channels or in person
Who Should Choose BigCommerce?
- Stores with larger or more complex catalogs
- Sellers who want more built-in features and fewer apps
- B2B sellers who need native B2B tools
- Teams with some technical skill who want flexibility
Alternatives Worth Considering
Depending on your needs, you could also compare:
- WooCommerce on WordPress, for sellers who want full control
- Builder-based stores, such as those offered by Hostinger’s website builder. See our Hostinger website builder review.
- Marketplaces such as Etsy or Amazon, for testing demand with little setup
How to Choose: A Simple Checklist
- How many products will you sell? Larger catalogs may favor BigCommerce.
- How technical are you? Beginners usually prefer Shopify.
- Which payment provider will you use? Check how each platform’s fees apply.
- What apps or features do you need? Compare native features with app costs.
- What’s your real monthly total? Add plan, apps, themes and fees.
- Do you sell B2B or in multiple currencies? Check native support.
- Can you test both? Use free trials with a few real products.
Tips Before You Buy
- Use the free trials and add a few real products to see how each feels.
- Check the pricing page on the day you buy, since both changed in 2026.
- Add up app costs for the features you need.
- Check the transaction-fee rules for your payment provider.
- Plan your product data so you can move later if needed.
- Read the cancellation terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a small online store, Shopify or BigCommerce?
Shopify is usually the easier starting point for small stores and beginners. BigCommerce can be a better fit if you need more built-in features or have a larger catalog.
Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees?
Older articles say no, but BigCommerce restructured pricing in June 2026 and analyses report a transaction fee for some outside gateways. Check its current pricing page.
Does Shopify charge transaction fees?
Yes, if you don’t use Shopify Payments. Plans also have card-processing fees from the payment provider.
Which is cheaper?
It depends on your plan, apps, payment provider and sales. Add up your total monthly costs instead of comparing headline prices.
Which is better for SEO?
Both give you the basic SEO tools. Rankings depend on your content, site speed and links, not the platform alone.
Can I switch from one platform to the other?
Yes, but it takes work to move products, customers and pages. Keep exports of your data.
Do I need technical skills?
Not for either platform’s basics. Shopify tends to be simpler, while BigCommerce can involve more setup.
Conclusion
In the BigCommerce vs Shopify decision, Shopify is usually the better fit for small stores that want a simple start, while BigCommerce suits sellers who want more built-in features and have bigger or more complex needs. Because BigCommerce changed its pricing in June 2026, check both pricing pages before you decide, add up your real monthly costs and test both free trials with a few products.
