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It's a split decision.
Choose BigCommerce for its B2B tools, storefront customization, and API access, but check its GMV caps and eligible-order fees. Choose Shopify for broader selling channels and a 21,000+ app ecosystem; its listed Basic plan starts at CHF 21/month billed yearly, and third-party transaction fees may apply. The entry prices use different currencies, so they are not directly comparable. Shopify also lists a CHF 0 AI-channel plan, not a general free store plan.
01Side by side
| BigCommerce | Shopify | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29/month billed annually; $39 monthly | CHF 21/month billed yearly; CHF 29 monthly |
| Free plan | No free plan listed; 15-day trial | CHF 0 Agentic plan for AI-channel sales |
| Best for | B2B and B2C stores needing flexible storefronts | Selling across online, retail, social, and AI channels |
| Core strength | B2B pricing, quotes, approvals, and reorders | Multichannel selling and centralized commerce management |
| Learning curve | Not stated on the vendor's site | Not stated on the vendor's site |
| Integrations/data | API and code access; product-feed tools | 21,000+ apps in the Shopify App Store |
| Team/seat costs | Staff-seat limits and pricing not published | Grow adds 5 staff accounts; Plus has unlimited |
| Support | 24/7 chat and email on Core | Support terms not published on the vendor's site |
BigCommerce Choose BigCommerce if
- Choose BigCommerce if B2B pricing, quotes, and approvals matter.
- Choose BigCommerce if you need API and code access.
- Choose BigCommerce if its GMV caps fit your sales.
Shopify Choose Shopify if
- Choose Shopify if you need online, retail, social, and AI channels.
- Choose Shopify if access to 21,000+ apps matters.
- Choose Shopify if you need more published staff-account options.
02Pricing compared
BigCommerce Core starts at $29/month billed annually or $39 month to month, with a $30,000 trailing-12-month GMV limit and a 2% fee on eligible open-provider order GMV. Growth is $79 annually or $105 monthly, capped at $100,000 GMV, with a 1% eligible-order fee. Scale is $299 annually or $399 monthly; it includes a $33,333 monthly GMV cap and a 0.6% fee, plus a 0.9% overage above the cap. Shopify Basic starts at CHF 21/month billed yearly or CHF 29 monthly. Shopify also lists third-party transaction fees of 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow, and 0.6% on Advanced. The currencies differ, so entry prices are not directly comparable. BigCommerce has a 15-day trial; Shopify lists a 3-day trial and a CHF 0 AI-channel plan, not a general free store.
03Features and depth
BigCommerce is the stronger fit if B2B requirements or storefront control are central. Its listed tools include account-specific pricing, quotes, reorders, invoice payments, buyer roles, and approvals. Storefronts combine a visual drag-and-drop editor with custom components and API and code access. The platform also lists one-page checkout, digital wallets, multiple languages and currencies, and product-feed tools for improving product context in search and chat.
Shopify’s listed advantage is selling across more channels from one platform: online, in person, social, and AI. Its features include Shopify Markets, built-in shipping tools, AI store creation, and Sidekick for spotting growth opportunities and automating admin tasks. Shopify says its App Store has 21,000+ commerce apps. It also lists up to three B2B catalogs on Basic, Grow, and Advanced, while Plus includes unlimited catalogs. BigCommerce lists AI commerce features too, including product context for AI agents and purchases in AI experiences; neither product’s feature list alone establishes which will fit a particular integration.
04Ease of use and learning curve
Shopify may be the more approachable starting point for teams that want a prebuilt theme or AI-assisted store creation, then manage payments, fulfillment, and retail from one command center. Its review scores 8/10 for ease of use, compared with 7/10 for BigCommerce; those scores are directional, not a guarantee for your setup.
BigCommerce also offers a visual storefront editor, but its custom components and API and code access make it a better fit when a team needs more control. That flexibility can mean more decisions during setup. Before switching, check how your current theme, apps, checkout, and integrations map to the platform’s listed capabilities; the published materials do not establish migration effort or compatibility for a specific store.
Questions people ask
Is there better than Shopify?
There is no universal winner in the published information. BigCommerce may suit a store that needs its listed B2B tools, API access, and storefront customization. Shopify may suit teams prioritizing online, retail, social, and AI selling channels or its 21,000+ app ecosystem. Compare fees and required integrations before switching.
Did BigCommerce rebrand to commerce?
The published product information identifies the platform as BigCommerce and describes it as an open ecommerce platform. It does not document a rebrand or provide a rebrand timeline, so we can’t confirm a name change from these materials.
Can you make $10K a month on Shopify?
The published information does not establish how much a Shopify store can earn. Revenue depends on the store and its sales; it is not the same as profit after costs. Shopify’s listed plan information gives prices and fees, but no earnings guarantee or typical monthly revenue.
What are the biggest stores on Shopify?
The published materials do not name Shopify’s largest stores or rank merchants by sales. They describe Shopify’s selling channels, plans, and app ecosystem, but do not provide store-level revenue or a list of top merchants.