Shopify is a leading ecommerce platform, but it’s not the only one available for online store owners. While there are several competitors in the market, one stands out as a strong alternative: BigCommerce. In this blog post, we’ll compare Shopify and BigCommerce to determine who is Shopify’s best competitor and help you decide which platform is right for your online store.
1. Pricing and plans
Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer multiple pricing plans to cater to different business sizes and requirements. Here’s a quick comparison:
- Shopify offers three main plans: Basic Shopify ($29/month), Shopify ($79/month), and Advanced Shopify ($299/month).
- BigCommerce also has three main plans: Standard ($29.95/month), Plus ($79.95/month), and Pro ($299.95/month).
While the pricing for both platforms is quite similar, the key difference lies in their features and limitations. BigCommerce offers more built-in features, such as unlimited staff accounts and no transaction fees, even in its lower-tier plans.
2. Features & customization
Both Shopify and BigCommerce come with a wide range of features to help you create, manage, and grow your online store. Some key differences include:
- Shopify has a larger app store with over 4,000 apps, allowing for more customization and integration options. However, this may also mean that some essential features require third-party apps, increasing the overall cost.
- BigCommerce has fewer apps (around 800), but offers more built-in features, such as advanced product options and flexible shipping settings, reducing the need for additional apps.
3. Ease of use
Both platforms have user-friendly interfaces and are designed to be easy to use for store owners with varying levels of technical expertise. However, there are some differences in their ease of use:
- Shopify is known for its intuitive interface and simplicity, making it easy for beginners to set up and manage their stores.
- BigCommerce offers more advanced features out of the box, which may require a slightly steeper learning curve for beginners. However, it’s still considered user-friendly and offers extensive documentation and support resources.
4. SEO & Marketing
Both Shopify and BigCommerce provide built-in SEO tools, allowing you to optimize your store for search engines. They also offer marketing features, such as email marketing, social media integration, and discount codes. However, BigCommerce tends to have more advanced built-in SEO capabilities, such as automatic 301 redirects and customizable URL structures.
Conclusion
While both Shopify and BigCommerce are strong ecommerce platforms, BigCommerce stands out as Shopify’s best competitor due to its extensive built-in features, advanced customization options, and competitive pricing. Ultimately, the right platform for your online store depends on your specific needs, budget, and preferences. Be sure to thoroughly evaluate both platforms’ features and capabilities before making a decision.
