Shopify vs BigCommerce: best platform for a new store

Shopify vs BigCommerce: What's the difference?

Quick answer: Shopify is a lighter, more beginner-friendly platform with lower setup costs, while BigCommerce offers deeper customization and enterprise-grade features for larger operations.

Overview

Choosing an ecommerce platform is one of the earliest decisions a new store owner makes, and the choice between Shopify and BigCommerce shapes everything that follows—from monthly costs to design flexibility to scalability. Both platforms dominate the mid-market ecommerce space, but they serve different merchant profiles. Understanding where they diverge helps new store owners align their choice with their business size, technical comfort, and growth plans.

Feature comparison

Feature	Shopify	BigCommerce	Winner
Setup difficulty	Very beginner-friendly; minimal technical knowledge required	Steeper learning curve; more configuration options	Shopify
Pricing structure	Monthly subscription starting at entry level	Monthly subscription; pricing scales with features	Shopify (lower entry cost)
Built-in apps and integrations	Extensive App Store with thousands of third-party extensions	Robust native features; fewer apps required	BigCommerce (fewer dependencies)
Design customization	Liquid templating language; moderate flexibility	More advanced customization options available	BigCommerce
Payment processing	Shopify Payments + multiple gateways	Multiple gateways; no proprietary option	Tie
Scalability	Handles growth well; auto-scaling infrastructure	Built for enterprise-level traffic and complexity	BigCommerce
Multi-channel selling	Strong social and marketplace integrations	Comparable multi-channel support	Tie

Why this matters for new stores

New store owners often prioritize speed-to-market and simplicity. Shopify excels here—you can launch within hours without touching code. The platform handles hosting, security, and updates automatically. This is particularly valuable if you want to test a business idea quickly or lack technical resources.

BigCommerce takes a different approach. It assumes merchants want more control over their backend systems and may integrate with existing enterprise infrastructure. While powerful, this flexibility introduces complexity that newer merchants may not immediately need.

Costs and scalability

Shopify's transparent pricing model appeals to bootstrapped founders. You know your baseline monthly expense before launch. As your store grows, you upgrade to higher tiers that unlock additional features and higher transaction limits.

BigCommerce's pricing structure is similarly subscription-based but typically targets mid-market stores and above. In our view, if you're testing an early-stage concept with limited capital, Shopify's lower entry point is advantageous. However, if you're building a store you expect to scale significantly within months, BigCommerce's native capabilities might reduce your reliance on expensive third-party apps.

Customization and control

Shopify uses Liquid, a templating language that lets developers modify themes and build custom functionality. It's accessible but less powerful than direct backend access. Most customization happens via the App Store, where quality and pricing vary widely.

BigCommerce offers more direct access to your store's infrastructure and API. Developers can build deeper integrations and customize workflows with fewer limitations. For merchants with in-house technical teams or complex operational requirements, this is a significant advantage.

Learn more

Both platforms offer free trials. The best choice depends on your timeline, budget, and team capability. If you prioritize speed and simplicity, test Shopify first. If you need advanced customization or plan to build complex integrations, explore BigCommerce's documentation and developer resources to assess fit before committing.

Visit the official pricing and features pages for both platforms to compare current offerings and speak with support teams about your specific use case.

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