BigCommerce
A hosted e-commerce platform built for higher-volume and B2B sellers.
BigCommerce Referral Code & Link
No referral code or link is currently available for BigCommerce.
Quick Summary
BigCommerce is a fully hosted e-commerce platform similar to Shopify, but positioned more toward mid-size and larger sellers with built-in B2B features, multi-channel selling, and no forced transaction fees regardless of payment gateway. It's a common Shopify alternative for stores that have outgrown smaller platforms.
BigCommerce at a Glance
| Category | E-commerce Platforms |
|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid |
| Starting price | $29 /month |
| Platforms | Web |
| Launched | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas, USA |
| Best for | A hosted e-commerce platform built for higher-volume and B2B sellers. |
| Community votes | 198 |
Pros
- No mandatory transaction fees regardless of which payment gateway you use, unlike Shopify's surcharge for third-party gateways
- Strong built-in B2B features (customer-specific pricing, bulk ordering) without needing extra apps
- Solid multi-channel selling (Amazon, eBay, social) built into core plans
- Annual sales thresholds on lower plans force upgrades, which is worth knowing upfront
Cons
- Smaller app ecosystem than Shopify, so some features need custom development
- Plans have annual online sales caps that trigger automatic upgrades to higher tiers
- Theme selection is smaller and less polished than Shopify's marketplace
- Steeper learning curve for store design customization than Shopify
BigCommerce Pricing Plans
Official pricing as published by BigCommerce. Verify current rates before purchasing.
BigCommerce’s positioning is clear: it wants the stores that have outgrown smaller platforms but aren’t ready for a fully custom enterprise build, especially those with B2B or multi-channel selling needs.
Who Should Use BigCommerce
Mid-size to larger sellers, especially those with B2B requirements or multi-channel selling needs, who want those features built-in rather than bolted on via apps.
Expert Verdict
BigCommerce is a credible Shopify alternative specifically for B2B and higher-volume sellers; smaller stores will generally find Shopify’s ecosystem and themes more convenient.
International Pricing Notes
Pricing displays in USD; annual online sales thresholds that trigger plan upgrades are calculated in USD regardless of your store’s local currency.
Free & open-source alternative
Looking for a free alternative to BigCommerce? WooCommerce is available at no licensing cost .
Best Alternatives to BigCommerce
2 alternatives listed. Looking for a BigCommerce alternative? Here are the top options our community recommends, ranked by popularity and editorial score.
Quick comparison: BigCommerce vs Shopify
| Feature | BigCommerce | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Community votes | 198 | 487 |
The leading hosted e-commerce platform, powering millions of online stores.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about BigCommerce, answered by our editorial team.
- Is BigCommerce cheaper than Shopify?
- BigCommerce avoids Shopify's extra transaction fee for using third-party payment gateways, which can make it cheaper for stores not using Shopify Payments — but annual sales caps on lower plans can force costly upgrades.
- Is BigCommerce good for B2B selling?
- Yes, BigCommerce has built-in B2B features like customer-specific catalogs and pricing that are stronger out of the box than Shopify's, which generally requires apps for equivalent functionality.
- Does BigCommerce have an app store like Shopify?
- Yes, but it's smaller than Shopify's — most core e-commerce needs are covered, but niche functionality may require custom development more often than on Shopify.
- Is there a free or open-source alternative to BigCommerce?
- Yes. WooCommerce is a free alternative to BigCommerce that covers most of the same core use cases at no licensing cost. See our full comparison below for feature-by-feature differences before switching.
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The leading hosted e-commerce platform, powering millions of online stores.
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Canva Design anything — presentations, social posts, and marketing materials — without design skills. Disclosure: Some links on this page are referral or affiliate links. When you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our editorial ratings or recommendations. All tools are evaluated independently by our team.
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