BigCommerce Review 2026: Features, Pricing and Shopify Comparison

Choosing the right ecommerce platform is one of the most important decisions when starting or scaling an online business. The platform you select affects everything from website design and product management to payment processing, marketing, customer experience, and long-term operating costs.

BigCommerce has established itself as a powerful ecommerce platform for businesses that need flexibility, built-in commerce features, and the ability to manage growing product catalogs. It offers tools for creating online stores, selling across multiple channels, managing inventory, processing payments, and optimizing the shopping experience.

But is BigCommerce the right choice for your business in 2026? How much does it cost? And how does it compare with Shopify, one of its biggest competitors?

In this comprehensive BigCommerce review, we’ll explore its features, pricing, advantages, disadvantages, and real-world use cases to help you decide whether it’s worth investing in.

What Is BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is a hosted ecommerce platform that allows businesses to build, customize, and operate online stores without managing their own servers or ecommerce infrastructure.

It provides a centralized dashboard for managing products, orders, customers, payments, shipping, promotions, and store performance.

Unlike platforms that depend heavily on third-party applications for essential ecommerce functionality, BigCommerce includes many commerce features directly within its platform.

Businesses can use BigCommerce to:

• Create and customize online storefronts.
• Sell physical and digital products.
• Manage product catalogs and inventory.
• Accept payments through supported providers.
• Configure shipping and fulfillment.
• Create discounts, coupons, and promotions.
• Connect with marketplaces and social commerce channels.
• Manage customer accounts and orders.
• Monitor store performance and sales.
• Build custom storefronts using APIs and headless technologies.

BigCommerce is suitable for startups, growing businesses, established retailers, and enterprises looking for a scalable ecommerce solution.

BigCommerce Review: Key Features

Let’s examine the major features that make BigCommerce a popular choice for online businesses.

1. Store Builder and Website Customization

BigCommerce provides tools for building and customizing online storefronts without requiring extensive coding knowledge.

Its visual store-building capabilities allow users to work with themes, layouts, and storefront elements to create a professional shopping experience.

Key Customization Features

• Responsive storefront themes
• Customizable page layouts
• Theme editor
• Product and category page customization
• Navigation and menu management
• Custom HTML and CSS support
• Mobile-friendly design
• Custom domain support

BigCommerce uses its Stencil framework for traditional hosted storefronts. Developers can customize Stencil themes using supported development tools.

For businesses that require greater flexibility, BigCommerce also supports Catalyst, a modern headless storefront framework built around Next.js and React.

This allows developers to create customized shopping experiences while using BigCommerce as the commerce backend.

Best for: Businesses that want a customizable storefront without sacrificing essential ecommerce functionality.

2. Product and Catalog Management

Product management is one of BigCommerce’s strongest features.

The platform allows businesses to create and manage product listings, organize categories, configure pricing, and maintain inventory from a centralized dashboard.

Product Management Capabilities

Feature	Description
Product Listings	Add products with descriptions, images, and specifications
Product Variants	Configure options such as size, color, and material
SKU Management	Assign unique identifiers to products
Inventory Tracking	Monitor available stock
Product Categories	Organize products into structured collections
Bulk Import	Manage large catalogs using CSV files
Digital Products	Sell downloadable products
Pricing Rules	Configure sale prices and selected pricing options
Product Filtering	Help customers find relevant products

BigCommerce is particularly useful for stores with complex catalogs because it supports a wide range of product options and catalog-management requirements.

However, businesses should review product variant limits and API requirements before choosing a plan or designing their catalog structure.

3. Built-In Ecommerce Functionality

BigCommerce includes many features that businesses commonly need to operate an online store.

These include:

• Shopping cart functionality
• Single-page checkout
• Customer accounts
• Order management
• Product reviews and ratings
• Discount and coupon management
• Gift cards
• Abandoned cart recovery on eligible plans
• Customer segmentation
• Inventory management
• Promotional tools

One advantage of BigCommerce is that businesses can access numerous essential commerce features without immediately installing multiple third-party applications.

This can simplify store management and reduce dependence on external plugins for everyday operations.

4. Payment Processing and Checkout

BigCommerce supports integrations with several payment providers, allowing businesses to choose payment solutions based on their location and customer requirements.

Supported providers include options such as:

• PayPal
• Stripe
• PayPal Braintree
• Adyen
• Authorize.Net and other supported providers

The availability of payment gateways depends on your country, account eligibility, and business requirements.

Checkout Features

BigCommerce offers a streamlined checkout experience with support for:

• Credit and debit cards
• Digital wallets
• Supported alternative payment methods
• Guest checkout
• Customer accounts
• Secure payment integrations

The platform also supports customization options for businesses that need a more tailored checkout experience.

Important for 2026: BigCommerce introduced an Open Payment Provider fee for eligible orders processed through providers outside its Embedded Payment Provider program on self-service plans. This fee is separate from the payment processor’s own transaction charges. We’ll explain this in the pricing section.

5. Shipping and Fulfillment Management

Shipping is essential for businesses selling physical products, and BigCommerce provides tools to configure delivery options and shipping rules.

Shipping Capabilities

Feature	Description
Shipping Zones	Define geographical delivery areas
Flat-Rate Shipping	Charge a fixed shipping fee
Free Shipping	Offer free delivery under selected conditions
Weight-Based Rates	Calculate shipping based on order weight
Carrier Integrations	Connect supported shipping services
Real-Time Quotes	Display calculated shipping rates where supported
Shipping Rules	Configure advanced shipping conditions
Order Management	Track order processing and fulfillment

Businesses can also integrate third-party shipping applications to automate label creation, tracking, and fulfillment workflows.

The availability of specific shipping services depends on your location, plan, and integrations.

6. SEO and Marketing Tools

BigCommerce provides several features to help businesses improve organic visibility and attract potential customers.

SEO Features

• Custom page titles and meta descriptions
• SEO-friendly product URLs
• Editable URL structures
• Automatic redirects for certain URL changes
• Image alt text
• Responsive storefronts
• Built-in blogging functionality
• Structured ecommerce page architecture
• Secure HTTPS connections

These features provide a foundation for ecommerce SEO.

However, technical SEO alone does not guarantee rankings. Businesses still need keyword research, original product descriptions, useful category content, quality backlinks, and ongoing content optimization.

Marketing Features

BigCommerce supports several promotional and marketing activities, including:

• Discount codes
• Coupon campaigns
• Gift cards
• Product reviews
• Email marketing integrations
• Customer segmentation
• Abandoned cart recovery on eligible plans
• Social commerce integrations
• Marketplace selling

For businesses that need advanced marketing automation, integrating dedicated email marketing or CRM software may still be necessary.

7. Multichannel Selling

BigCommerce enables businesses to connect their online stores with additional sales channels.

Depending on the integrations and configuration, merchants can sell through:

• Amazon
• eBay
• Walmart Marketplace
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Google Shopping
• TikTok
• Other supported marketplaces and channels

Multichannel selling allows businesses to reach customers beyond their primary website while managing important ecommerce operations from a centralized system.

This is especially useful for brands that want to expand their customer acquisition strategy without creating entirely separate inventory and order management workflows.

8. B2B Ecommerce Capabilities

BigCommerce is also suitable for businesses that sell to other businesses.

Its B2B functionality supports features such as:

• Customer groups
• Company accounts
• Custom pricing
• Price lists
• Buyer-specific experiences
• Bulk ordering
• Account-based purchasing
• B2B-focused integrations

Advanced B2B capabilities and pricing features may depend on the plan or specific product offering.

Businesses with wholesale operations, distributors, or complex purchasing requirements should evaluate these capabilities carefully before making a final decision.

9. Analytics and Reporting

Understanding store performance is essential for making informed business decisions.

BigCommerce provides reporting tools that help merchants monitor important ecommerce metrics.

Metrics You Can Monitor

Metric	Purpose
Revenue	Measure sales performance
Orders	Track completed purchases
Average Order Value	Understand spending per transaction
Conversion Rate	Evaluate how effectively visitors purchase
Product Performance	Identify popular and underperforming products
Customer Activity	Understand purchasing behavior
Marketing Performance	Evaluate promotional activities
Inventory	Monitor stock availability

Businesses that need advanced analytics can also connect external reporting platforms and business intelligence tools.

BigCommerce Pricing 2026

BigCommerce updated its self-service plan names, sales thresholds, and payment-provider fee structure effective June 1, 2026.

The current plans are Core, Growth, Scale, and Performance. Older articles may still refer to Standard, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise, so make sure you’re reviewing the updated pricing structure.

According to the official BigCommerce pricing page, the current plans are as follows.

BigCommerce Pricing Plans

Plan	Monthly Billing	Annual Billing (Monthly Equivalent)	Best For
Core	$39/month	$29/month	New and smaller businesses
Growth	$105/month	$79/month	Growing businesses
Scale	$399/month	$299/month	High-volume stores
Performance	Custom, starting at $1,499/month annually	Custom	Enterprise businesses

Prices are in USD and exclude applicable taxes. Pricing, thresholds, and features may change. Check the official BigCommerce Pricing Page before purchasing.

1. Core Plan

The Core plan is designed for new ecommerce businesses and smaller stores.

It includes essential features such as:

• Online storefront
• Product and catalog management
• Responsive website
• Single-page checkout
• Discounts and gift cards
• Payment integrations
• Basic reporting
• Product reviews
• Multi-channel selling integrations
• Customer and order management

The plan is designed for stores with up to $30,000 in trailing 12-month GMV. Exceeding the threshold can trigger an automatic upgrade to Growth.

2. Growth Plan

The Growth plan is intended for businesses that are expanding and need more advanced ecommerce features.

It includes additional capabilities such as:

• Customer groups and segmentation
• Abandoned cart recovery
• Persistent shopping carts
• Stored payment methods
• Additional support options
• Advanced customer experience features

The plan supports up to $100,000 in trailing 12-month GMV, after which an automatic upgrade to Scale may apply.

3. Scale Plan

Scale is designed for fast-growing ecommerce businesses.

It includes advanced features such as:

• Product filtering
• Customer segmentation
• Advanced promotional functionality
• More inventory locations
• Additional customer experience capabilities
• Higher-volume store management

Scale is priced at $399 per month or $299 per month with annual billing. It supports up to $33,333 in monthly GMV under the published pricing structure, with a 0.9% overage rate applying to GMV above the threshold.

4. Performance Plan

Performance is designed for larger businesses with high sales volumes and complex ecommerce requirements.

It offers:

• Custom commercial terms
• Enterprise-focused support
• Dedicated Customer Success Manager
• Advanced API support
• Custom business requirements
• Enterprise-level ecommerce capabilities

Pricing starts at approximately $1,499 per month when billed annually, with final pricing based on business requirements and contract terms.

BigCommerce Payment Provider Fees Explained

One of the most important pricing changes in 2026 is the introduction of the Open Payment Provider fee.

This fee applies to eligible orders processed through payment providers that are not part of BigCommerce’s Embedded Payment Provider program.

Plan	Open Payment Provider Fee
Core	2.0%
Growth	1.0%
Scale	0.6%
Performance	Contracted terms

Orders processed through supported Embedded Payment Providers are not subject to this additional BigCommerce fee.

The fee is separate from the payment processor’s own transaction charges. Therefore, merchants should evaluate both costs before selecting a payment provider.

For example, a payment provider might charge its own processing fee while BigCommerce charges an additional fee if that provider falls outside the embedded program.

Recommendation: Before selecting a plan, check the official embedded payment provider list and calculate your expected total payment processing costs based on your sales volume.

BigCommerce Pros and Cons

Every ecommerce platform has strengths and limitations. Here’s a balanced look at BigCommerce.

Advantages of BigCommerce

1. Extensive Built-In Features

BigCommerce includes many essential ecommerce tools without requiring a large collection of third-party applications.

2. Flexible Product Management

Its catalog management capabilities make it suitable for businesses selling a wide variety of products and product variations.

3. Strong Multichannel Selling

Businesses can connect their stores to marketplaces and additional sales channels.

4. Scalable Ecommerce Infrastructure

The hosted platform reduces the need to manage servers and core ecommerce infrastructure independently.

5. B2B Capabilities

BigCommerce offers useful functionality for wholesale and business-to-business ecommerce.

6. Customization Options

Businesses can customize traditional storefronts or explore headless development for more advanced requirements.

7. No Additional Fees on Embedded Payment Provider Orders

Eligible orders processed through supported Embedded Payment Providers do not incur the additional Open Payment Provider fee.

Disadvantages of BigCommerce

1. Pricing Can Become Complex

GMV-based plan thresholds and automatic upgrades mean businesses must monitor sales volume and plan eligibility.

2. Learning Curve for Beginners

Although the platform is user-friendly, some advanced settings may take time to understand.

3. Theme Customization May Require Technical Skills

More advanced design changes can require knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or the Stencil framework.

4. Payment Provider Fees Require Careful Evaluation

The Open Payment Provider fee can increase costs for businesses using providers outside the embedded program.

5. App Ecosystem May Require Research

Businesses with highly specialized requirements may need to evaluate third-party integrations carefully.

6. Advanced Features Are Plan-Dependent

Some customer experience, reporting, B2B, and operational capabilities may require higher-tier plans.

BigCommerce vs Shopify: Detailed Comparison

Shopify is one of BigCommerce’s closest competitors. Both platforms provide hosted ecommerce solutions, but their approach to store management, built-in features, pricing, and customization differs.

Let’s compare them in detail.

1. BigCommerce vs Shopify Pricing

Shopify offers Basic, Grow, Advanced, and Plus plans. BigCommerce offers Core, Growth, Scale, and Performance.

The following comparison uses published US pricing with annual billing where available.

Feature	BigCommerce	Shopify
Entry Plan	Core – $29/month	Basic – $29/month
Mid-Tier Plan	Growth – $79/month	Grow – $79/month
Advanced Plan	Scale – $299/month	Advanced – $299/month
Enterprise Plan	Performance – From $1,499/month annually	Plus – From $2,300/month
Free Trial	15 days	3-day trial; promotional offers may vary
Pricing Structure	Plan thresholds based on GMV	Subscription-based plan pricing
Additional Transaction Fees	Open Provider fee on eligible orders	Third-party transaction fees may apply
Sales Thresholds	Yes, on self-service plans	No equivalent GMV-based automatic plan upgrades

*Pricing is based on official US pricing pages. Regional pricing, taxes, payment processing rates, and promotions differ. Shopify’s third-party transaction fees depend on the plan and payment configuration. *

Which Platform Has Better Pricing?

At first glance, the entry-level and mid-tier subscription prices appear similar.

However, the overall cost depends on several factors:

• Monthly or annual billing
• Sales volume
• Payment provider fees
• Third-party transaction charges
• App subscriptions
• Theme costs
• Additional integrations
• Enterprise requirements

BigCommerce may be attractive for merchants who can use its built-in functionality and an eligible Embedded Payment Provider.

Shopify may be more appealing to businesses that prefer a predictable subscription structure and a large ecosystem of applications.

2. BigCommerce vs Shopify Features

Feature	BigCommerce	Shopify
Store Builder	Stencil and Catalyst	Shopify Theme System
Product Management	Extensive built-in catalog tools	Strong product management
Product Variants	Supports complex catalog structures; API limits apply	Up to 2,048 variants per product
Built-In Ecommerce Features	Extensive	Strong core features; apps extend functionality
App Ecosystem	Broad integrations	Very extensive app ecosystem
Multichannel Selling	Supported	Supported
B2B Features	Built-in B2B capabilities and extensions	B2B features vary by plan
Checkout	Single-page checkout	Highly optimized checkout
Customization	Stencil and headless options	Themes, apps, and advanced customization
SEO	Built-in SEO tools	Built-in SEO tools
Blogging	Built-in blog	Built-in blogging
Analytics	Ecommerce reporting	Reports and analytics vary by plan
Ease of Use	Moderate learning curve	Generally beginner-friendly

Both platforms are capable ecommerce solutions. The better choice depends on the complexity of your catalog, technical requirements, budget, and business model.

3. BigCommerce vs Shopify: Ease of Use

Shopify is often considered beginner-friendly because its dashboard and setup process are designed to make launching a store relatively straightforward.

BigCommerce also provides a user-friendly control panel, but its extensive configuration options may require more time to understand.

Shopify Is Better For:

• First-time ecommerce entrepreneurs
• Businesses prioritizing ease of use
• Merchants who prefer guided setup
• Users who rely on app-based functionality

BigCommerce Is Better For:

• Merchants with complex catalogs
• Businesses needing extensive built-in functionality
• Companies with more advanced product requirements
• Merchants who want flexibility without depending heavily on apps

4. BigCommerce vs Shopify: Customization

Both platforms offer customizable themes and storefronts.

Shopify provides a theme ecosystem with a wide selection of free and paid themes. Its customization capabilities can be expanded through applications and developer tools.

BigCommerce supports theme customization through Stencil and provides headless options through Catalyst and APIs.

Customization Requirement	Better Option
Beginner-Friendly Store Design	Shopify
Large Theme Ecosystem	Shopify
Traditional Theme Customization	Both
Advanced Headless Storefront	Both
Built-In Commerce Flexibility	BigCommerce
App-Based Extensions	Shopify

Neither platform is completely unlimited in customization. Advanced requirements may involve developers, additional costs, and technical maintenance.

5. BigCommerce vs Shopify: SEO

Both BigCommerce and Shopify provide the essential tools needed to build an SEO-friendly ecommerce website.

SEO Feature	BigCommerce	Shopify
Custom Meta Titles	Yes	Yes
Meta Descriptions	Yes	Yes
Product SEO	Yes	Yes
Image Alt Text	Yes	Yes
SSL	Included	Included
Blogging	Built-in	Built-in
Responsive Themes	Yes	Yes
URL Customization	Supported	Supported with platform conventions
SEO Apps	Available	Extensive app ecosystem

Which Is Better for SEO?

Neither platform automatically guarantees better rankings.

Your SEO performance depends on:

• Website structure
• Product and category content
• Page speed
• Internal linking
• Keyword targeting
• Technical SEO
• Backlink quality
• Search intent alignment
• User experience

BigCommerce offers a solid SEO foundation, while Shopify provides a combination of built-in tools and a large ecosystem of SEO applications.

6. BigCommerce vs Shopify: Scalability

Both platforms can support businesses as they grow, but their pricing and operational structures differ.

BigCommerce provides different plans based on trailing 12-month GMV and offers enterprise-level options for larger businesses.

Shopify provides a subscription-based structure, with Shopify Plus designed for larger and more complex operations.

Businesses evaluating scalability should consider more than traffic or product volume. They should also review:

• Order volume
• Catalog complexity
• International selling
• B2B requirements
• API usage
• Payment processing
• Multi-storefront requirements
• Integrations
• Enterprise support

For businesses with advanced B2B or catalog requirements, BigCommerce deserves serious consideration. Shopify remains attractive for merchants who value its extensive ecosystem and operational simplicity.

BigCommerce vs Shopify: Which One Should You Choose?

The right platform depends on your business goals, budget, technical resources, and operational requirements.

Choose BigCommerce If:

• You need extensive built-in ecommerce features.
• You manage a large or complex product catalog.
• You require advanced product options.
• You want strong multichannel selling capabilities.
• You operate a B2B or wholesale business.
• You want flexibility in storefront development.
• You prefer minimizing dependence on multiple apps for core functionality.

Choose Shopify If:

• You want a beginner-friendly ecommerce platform.
• You prioritize a straightforward store setup.
• You prefer a large app and theme ecosystem.
• You want extensive third-party integrations.
• You need a platform with strong retail and POS capabilities.
• You prefer subscription-based pricing without GMV-based automatic upgrades on standard plans.

Quick Recommendation

Business Type	Recommended Platform
Beginner Online Store	Shopify
Small Ecommerce Business	Both
Large Product Catalog	BigCommerce
Wholesale and B2B Store	BigCommerce
App-Driven Ecommerce Business	Shopify
Multichannel Retailer	Both
Enterprise Ecommerce	BigCommerce Performance or Shopify Plus
Highly Customized Storefront	Both, depending on technical requirements

Is BigCommerce Worth It in 2026?

BigCommerce is worth considering in 2026 if you need a comprehensive ecommerce platform with strong catalog management, multichannel selling, built-in commerce features, and flexible customization.

Its value is particularly evident for businesses that need more than a basic online storefront.

However, its revised pricing structure makes it important to evaluate your expected sales volume, plan thresholds, and payment provider choices before committing.

For smaller businesses, the Core plan provides a starting point. Growing merchants should carefully evaluate Growth and Scale, especially when their revenue approaches the applicable thresholds.

Ultimately, BigCommerce is a strong ecommerce platform, but its value depends on how well its capabilities align with your business requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is BigCommerce better than Shopify?

BigCommerce can be better for businesses with complex product catalogs, extensive built-in functionality, and B2B requirements. Shopify may be better for beginners and businesses that prioritize ease of use and a large app ecosystem. The best choice depends on your requirements.

2. How much does BigCommerce cost in 2026?

BigCommerce Core costs $39 monthly or $29 per month with annual billing. Growth costs $105 monthly or $79 annually. Scale costs $399 monthly or $299 annually. Performance pricing starts at approximately $1,499 per month with annual billing. Prices are in USD and exclude applicable taxes.

3. Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees?

BigCommerce does not charge its additional Open Payment Provider fee on eligible orders processed through supported Embedded Payment Providers. Orders processed through other providers may incur an additional fee of 2.0% on Core, 1.0% on Growth, or 0.6% on Scale. Payment processor fees still apply.

4. Is BigCommerce suitable for beginners?

Yes. BigCommerce provides a hosted platform with a visual dashboard and built-in ecommerce features. Beginners can build a store without managing hosting infrastructure, although advanced customization and configuration may require technical knowledge.

5. Does BigCommerce offer a free trial?

Yes. BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial for its self-service plans. According to its official pricing page, you can start the trial without providing a credit card.

6. Can I migrate from Shopify to BigCommerce?

Yes. You can migrate products, customers, orders, and other store data using migration tools, CSV imports, APIs, or specialized migration services. The exact process depends on your store’s complexity and data requirements.

7. Is BigCommerce good for SEO?

BigCommerce provides essential SEO features, including customizable meta information, product URLs, image alt text, responsive themes, and blogging capabilities. Strong SEO performance still requires high-quality content, technical optimization, and an effective marketing strategy.

8. Does BigCommerce support dropshipping?

Yes. BigCommerce can support dropshipping through compatible third-party applications and supplier integrations. The available functionality depends on the supplier and integration you choose.

9. Can I sell digital products on BigCommerce?

Yes. BigCommerce supports digital products, including downloadable files. You can configure digital product listings and manage their delivery settings.

10. Who should use BigCommerce Performance?

Performance is designed for large businesses and enterprises with higher sales volumes, advanced operational requirements, and more complex ecommerce needs. Pricing is customized according to business requirements.

Conclusion

BigCommerce is a powerful ecommerce platform that combines product management, store customization, payment processing, shipping, SEO, marketing, and multichannel selling in one solution.

Its extensive built-in features make it especially attractive for businesses with complex catalogs, growing sales operations, and B2B requirements.

Shopify remains a strong alternative for businesses that value ease of use, a broad application ecosystem, and a straightforward approach to store management.

Before choosing either platform, evaluate your product requirements, expected sales volume, payment processing costs, shipping needs, and long-term growth strategy.

Want to build your store with BigCommerce? Read our BigCommerce Complete Tutorial to learn how to set up your store, add products, configure payments, and launch your ecommerce business.