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Comparison

ShopifyvsBigCommerce

Scored by our methodology · Pricing last verified May 12, 2026

Our pick

Shopify

DuelStack Score 7.2/10 vs BigCommerce 5.9/10

It particularly excels at easy to use for beginners. That said, BigCommerce is the better pick if you need rich built-in features.

Try Shopify →

Or evaluate BigCommerce — full comparison below.


Shopify

Rating4.5/5
Starting PriceFree
ModelN/A

BigCommerce

Rating4.3/5
Starting Price$39/mo
ModelN/A

Feature Comparison

FeatureShopifyBigCommerce
Abandoned cart recovery✓✓
Analytics & reporting✓✓
App marketplace✓✓
Digital products✓✓
Discount & coupons✓✓
Free plan✗✗
Inventory management✓✓
Multi-channel selling✓✓
Online store builder✓✓
Payment processing✓✓
SEO tools✓✓
Shipping integration✓✓

Shopify

Pros

  • +24/7 support
  • +Easy to use for beginners
  • +Integrated payments reduce fees
  • +Highly scalable
  • +Excellent app ecosystem
  • +Reliable uptime
  • +Fast checkout conversions
  • +Strong SEO capabilities

Cons

  • −Transaction fees on non-Shopify payments
  • −App costs add up
  • −Limited customization without code
  • −Higher tiers expensive
  • −Learning curve for advanced features
  • −Dependency on Shopify ecosystem

BigCommerce

Pros

  • +Scalable for growth
  • +Strong multichannel
  • +Excellent B2B tools
  • +No transaction fees
  • +Multi-storefront support
  • +Unlimited bandwidth/products
  • +Robust SEO
  • +Rich built-in features

Cons

  • −Limited free themes/design flexibility
  • −Smaller app ecosystem
  • −Forced upgrades by sales volume
  • −Steep learning curve
  • −Phone support add-on (Core)

Why we landed here

Shopify takes this one with a DuelStack Score of 7.2/10 vs 5.9/10. It particularly excels at easy to use for beginners. That said, BigCommerce is the better pick if you need rich built-in features.

How we score this comparison

The DuelStack Score (1–10) weights feature breadth (25%), pricing value (25%), pros/cons ratio (20%), tier flexibility (15%), and maturity + user rating (15%). Last updated October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Shopify or BigCommerce?

Based on our analysis, Shopify is the better pick. Shopify takes this one with a DuelStack Score of 7.2/10 vs 5.9/10. It particularly excels at easy to use for beginners. That said, BigCommerce is the better pick if you need rich built-in features.

How much does Shopify cost vs BigCommerce?

Shopify offers a free plan. BigCommerce starts at $39/month.

Does Shopify have a free plan?

Yes, Shopify offers a free plan with limited features.

Does BigCommerce have a free plan?

BigCommerce does not offer a free plan, but pricing starts at $39/month.