BigCommerce vs Shopify vs WooCommerce: Which is the Best Ecommerce Platform?

Are you differentiating between BigCommerce, Shopify, and WooCommerce? Dive into this detailed comparison to discover the perfect e-commerce solution for your business needs.

Key Takeaways

• BigCommerce stands out for its scalability and flexibility, catering to businesses with growth ambitions. It allows for managing multiple storefronts and boasts a robust set of built-in ecommerce features.
• Shopify excels in simplicity and user-friendliness, making it a preferred choice for those seeking an easy setup process. With a plethora of apps and integrations, Shopify offers powerful marketing and sales tools to support business growth.
• WooCommerce seamlessly integrates with WordPress, providing extensive customization options and flexibility for users familiar with the WordPress ecosystem. Its wide range of plugins and extensions allows for tailored solutions to meet specific business needs.

BigCommerce, Shopify, and WooCommerce: At a Glance

BigCommerce is an ecommerce platform that offers software as a service solution to retailers, allowing business owners to set up an online store and sell their products online. The platform provides a range of features and tools to facilitate smooth online transactions. 

On the other hand, Shopify is a leading ecommerce platform that provides a comprehensive set of tools and services for businesses of all sizes. With Shopify, users can easily create and customize their online stores, manage inventory, and process payments securely.  

Lastly, WooCommerce is an open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress, is suitable for small to large-sized online merchants using WordPress. 

BigCommerce vs Shopify vs WooCommerce: A Quick Comparison Table

Take a closer look at the key features, pricing, and flexibility offered by each platform to make an informed decision for your online store.

BigCommerce vs Shopify vs WooCommerce: The Goods and The Bads

Let’s take a moment to consider the strengths and weaknesses of BigCommerce, Shopify, and WooCommerce. Each platform offers unique features and functionalities, catering to different business needs and preferences. 

BigCommerce

Pros

• Ability to build multiple stores with one account
• Extensive range of built-in ecommerce features
• Robust multi-currency support
• Inclusion of third-party real-time shipping quotes
• Absence of transaction fees
• Unlimited user accounts on all plans

Cons

• Annual sales limits
• Similarity among free themes
• Need for improvement in drag and drop editor
• Limited variety of typefaces
• Availability of abandoned cart saver only on pricier plans
• Lack of RSS feed on blog

Shopify 

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• Extensive app marketplace
• Excellent customer support
• Seamless payment integration
• Mobile-responsive themes
• Built-in SEO tools

Cons

• Transaction fees for external payment gateways
• Limited customization options on basic plans
• Monthly subscription costs

WooCommerce

Pros

• Source code is freely available
• Easy to use and limitless customization
•  Large community
• Wide range of plugins and themes
• Popularity and wide adoption
• Compatible with WordPress
• Profits from Content Marketing
• Best support from the Community 

Cons 

• Limited scalability
• Security risks
• Additional costs

BigCommerce vs Shopify vs WooCommerce: Our Expert Reviews 

Delve into our expert evaluations as we provide insightful reviews of BigCommerce, Shopify, and WooCommerce, offering firsthand experiences and recommendations to aid in your platform selection.

Pricing 

BigCommerce

BigCommerce offers a 15-day trial period before committing to a subscription. Following the trial, users can select from three main pricing plans, starting at $39 per month and up to $399 per month. Additionally, there’s an Enterprise plan, which requires a custom quote.

Shopify 

Shopify provides a 3-day free trial, allowing users to explore its extensive features before committing to a subscription. 

After the trial period, users can select from a range of pricing plans, starting at $5 and reaching $2000 when using an exclusive Shopify Plus. It’s worth mentioning that new users can enjoy their first month for just $1, which is a fantastic offer.

WooCommerce  

I appreciate that WooCommerce is a free plugin, removing the initial cost barrier for users. However, I feel it’s essential to budget for additional expenses like an SSL security certificate, priced at $9 per year, and web hosting, which typically costs around $10 per month.

The Verdict 

After carefully considering and weighing each platform’s pros and cons, I have concluded that BigCommerce is the ideal choice for my e-commerce venture. 

Despite the fact that it may incur higher overall costs compared to WooCommerce and Shopify, I find that the ability to manage the monthly pricing effectively is a significant advantage. With BigCommerce, I appreciate the simplicity of having a single lump sum payment each month, which makes budgeting and financial planning much easier.

Ease of Use

BigCommerce

In term of ease of use, BigCommerce presents a bit of a challenge. I see that it has a clean user experience that makes it easy to build a website. Once you are set up, BigCommerce is easy to run via a simple shop page for adding products or managing orders. 

Moreover, BigCommerce offers a significant benefit for backend users through its headless options. It provides pre-built plug-ins to frontend CMS and DXP systems like WordPress, Bloomreach, and Drupal. I can seamlessly integrate BigCommerce into my existing website setup and continue using the system you are familiar with on the frontend. 

Shopify 

Upon delving into the usability of Shopify, it becomes evident that the platform is designed with user experience in mind. Shopify boasts an array of visual cues, ensuring that users can easily navigate through the interface. From clearly labeled buttons to intuitive icons, Shopify’s design promotes ease of use and efficiency.

Furthermore, Shopify maintains consistency in typography throughout the platform, enhancing readability and coherence. This uniformity contributes to a cohesive and polished appearance, making the user experience more pleasant and engaging.  

WooCommerce  

WooCommerce has become the most challenging platform for the trio to use. It is primarily designed for technologically savvy people who are proficient in coding.

WooCommerce demands more effort than Shopify and BigCommerce, but users don’t worry. WooCommerce provides a setup wizard that guides users through initial steps such as creating pages, configuring payments, and selecting shipping options.

The Verdict

In the final assessment, Shopify emerges as the winner. Its intuitive interface, extensive range of features, and user-friendly design make it a standout choice for setting up an online store. With visual cues, consistent typography, and simple language, Shopify offers an unparalleled ease of use that sets it apart from the competition.

Themes & Designs 

BigCommerce

BigCommerce offers a selection of options to choose from. Users can access 12 free themes as well as 175 paid themes, priced between $75 to $300. With BigCommerce backing you up, I believe your business is more than likely to succeed in the long term.

Shopify 

There are 12 free themes available, as well as 172 paid themes priced between $100 and $380, with most falling towards the higher end of that range. However, I discovered that if you decide to switch templates, it’s not just a matter of paying for a new theme – you also need to reformat your entire site, which can be time-consuming. 

WooCommerce  

I found that WooCommerce offers unparalleled customization options, allowing users to unleash their creativity. With its limitless customization capabilities, users can even design their own themes if they possess coding skills. However, for those not comfortable with coding, WooCommerce provides the option to use WordPress’ built-in theme customizer to personalize menus, change titles and taglines, and update homepage settings.

One standout feature of WooCommerce is its impeccable performance in our research’s “Checkout and order status” section, scoring a perfect 100%. This highlights the platform’s exceptional customization capabilities for the checkout page. Users can add or remove fields such as “Company Name” and “Date of Birth,” and customize input field labels and placeholder text according to their preferences.

The Verdict

WooCommerce emerges as the winner. I have found that WooCommerce offers unparalleled customization options, allowing users to flourish their creativity. Additionally, the platform’s seamless integration with WordPress and the availability of the Storefront theme provide a solid foundation for building an online store. 

E-commerce Tools & Features 

BigCommerce

BigCommerce provides me with a comprehensive set of e-commerce tools and features that empower my online store. I like that I have the ability to sell unlimited products, organized into categories of my choosing. This flexibility allows me to tailor my store to meet the unique needs of my customers. Moreover, I appreciate the option to set shipping rates according to my preferences, providing a seamless shopping experience for my customers.

Including discount coupons and gift vouchers is a feature that I love, as it enables me to run promotional campaigns and reward loyal customers. Additionally, the product review feature allows my customers to share their feedback and experiences with my products, which helps to build trust and credibility.

Shopify 

Shopify provides me with a robust set of options to enhance my online store. I appreciate the flexibility it offers in managing product listings and categories, allowing me to organize my inventory effectively. With Shopify, I can easily customize shipping rates based on my preferences, ensuring a seamless shopping experience for my customers.

Shopify’s built-in discount and promotion tools make it easy for me to run marketing campaigns and incentivize purchases. From creating discount codes to offering free shipping, Shopify provides me the tools to drive sales and attract customers.

WooCommerce  

WooCommerce offers a wide range of options that I can take advantage of. However, I need to have a bit more technical knowledge to utilize them. Since WooCommerce is an open-source software, the possibilities for tools are endless – as long as I’m comfortable tweaking some code.

Nevertheless, even without extensive coding skills, I can still access essential features. WooCommerce provides automated tax calculations, live shipping rates from top carriers, and the ability to embed products into various store pages. These basic functionalities allow me to manage my online store efficiently and provide a seamless shopping experience for my customers.

The Verdict

In my evaluation, both BigCommerce and Shopify emerge as winners. Each platform offers unique strengths and features that cater to different business needs. Both platforms have proven track records in empowering businesses to succeed in the competitive e-commerce industry. 

Marketing Options & Features  

SEO

BigCommerce 

BigCommerce offers robust SEO tools, allowing you to edit meta titles and descriptions, update URLs, and add image alt texts to optimize your website for search engines. Additionally, it provides keyword recommendations for product descriptions to improve search engine rankings.

Shopify

Shopify provides essential SEO tools like meta title and description editing, URL updates, and image alt text addition. However, it lacks strong keyword support compared to other platforms.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce offers comprehensive SEO features, including meta title and description editing, URL updates, and image alt text addition. Like BigCommerce, it provides keyword recommendations for product descriptions to enhance search engine visibility.

The Verdict 

While all three platforms offer essential SEO tools, BigCommerce and WooCommerce stand out with additional support for keyword recommendations, providing a competitive edge in search engine optimization.

Social media 

BigCommerce 

BigCommerce offers a comprehensive suite of built-in features that cater to various aspects of e-commerce operations. While the platform excels in providing tools for managing online stores, it may require additional apps or integrations for social media functionality. 

Users can explore a wide range of third-party apps available in the BigCommerce Apps Marketplace to enhance their social media presence and integrate social media feeds seamlessly into their websites. Although this may entail additional steps, the flexibility offered by third-party integrations allows users to tailor their social media strategy according to their specific needs and preferences.

Shopify

As one of the leading e-commerce platforms, Shopify prioritizes user-friendly integrations and extensive customization options. When it comes to social media, Shopify provides a wealth of third-party apps and integrations that empower users to bolster their social media presence and leverage various marketing tools. 

From adding social sharing buttons to incorporating advanced social media marketing apps, Shopify enables users to seamlessly integrate their social media activities with their online stores. With a diverse ecosystem of apps and integrations available in the Shopify App Store, users have the flexibility to optimize their social media strategy and engage with their audience effectively.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce, being a plugin for WordPress, offers unparalleled flexibility and customization capabilities for online store owners. While the core WooCommerce plugin provides essential e-commerce functionality, users can expand their social media presence by leveraging a multitude of third-party extensions and integrations available in the WordPress ecosystem.

From integrating social media feeds to implementing advanced social media marketing tools, WooCommerce users have access to a vast array of options for enhancing their social media strategy. By tapping into the extensive library of WordPress plugins and extensions, users can tailor their social media integration according to their unique requirements and business goals.

The Verdict 

BigCommerce takes the crown as the ultimate winner. It shines brightly as a self-sufficient platform, offering a comprehensive array of built-in features that cater to the diverse needs of online businesses. While BigCommerce may require users to use separate apps for certain features such as integrating social media feeds, its robust selection of built-in features more than makes up for this minor inconvenience.

Plugins & Integrations

BigCommerce

BigCommerce has me covered with its extensive range of plugins and integrations. With BigCommerce’s Apps Marketplace, I have access to hundreds of free and paid plugins spanning various categories, including shipping and fulfillment, CRM, and customer service. This allows me to easily extend the capabilities of my store and provide a seamless shopping experience for my customers.

Whether I need to integrate additional payment gateways, optimize my store for different languages and currencies using geolocation services, or implement advanced segmentation for email marketing campaigns, BigCommerce offers a diverse selection of plugins to meet my needs.

Shopify 

With Shopify’s App Store, I have access to a wide range of both free and paid plugins that cover various categories, including marketing, sales, shipping, and customer support.

From enhancing the checkout process with additional payment gateways to integrating advanced marketing tools for email campaigns and social media advertising, Shopify’s plugins and integrations allow me to tailor my store to meet the unique needs of my business. Additionally, Shopify’s seamless integration with third-party services and apps makes it easy for me to connect with other platforms and streamline my operations.

WooCommerce  

As a plugin for WordPress, WooCommerce seamlessly integrates with my WordPress website, allowing me to effortlessly incorporate a wide range of e-commerce features.

What sets WooCommerce apart is its extensive library of extensions, offering both free and paid options to enhance the functionality of my online store. With WooCommerce, I have access to a plethora of plugins that cater to various needs, from payment gateways and shipping solutions to marketing tools and product enhancements.

Furthermore, WooCommerce goes above and beyond by offering pre-made “extension collections” tailored for specific purposes. These curated collections make it easier for me to discover and implement the right combination of extensions for my store, whether I’m launching a new venture or expanding my product offerings.

The Verdict

WooCommerce emerges as the clear winner. With its seamless integration with WordPress and extensive library of extensions, WooCommerce offers unparalleled flexibility and customization options for my online store.

Security 

BigCommerce

BigCommerce prioritizes security by regularly undergoing independent audits of security, privacy, and business continuity controls. This commitment ensures that BigCommerce maintains certifications against global industry standards, providing users with peace of mind regarding protecting their sensitive data and transactions. 

Shopify 

Shopify ensures the security of both buyers and sellers from the moment transactions and card data. Every Shopify store comes equipped with a free 256-bit SSL certificate for safeguarding sensitive information.

WooCommerce  

WooCommerce prioritizes security by implementing essential measures such as SSL encryption, strong authentication, firewalls, regular patches and updates, and website monitoring. By continuously assessing and strengthening these layers of security, WooCommerce ensures a robust and secure shopping experience for both online stores and their customers.

The Verdict

In my assessment, all three platforms – BigCommerce, Shopify, and WooCommerce – prioritize security measures to ensure the safety of user data and transactions. Each platform employs various security protocols, including SSL encryption, strong authentication, firewalls, regular patches and updates, and website monitoring.

Help & Support

BigCommerce

When I purchased a BigCommerce plan, I found the platform’s customer support to be exceptional. BigCommerce offers 24-hour “live agent” support via phone, email, or chat, ensuring that assistance is available whenever needed. 

I appreciated the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team, making it easier for me to resolve any issues or inquiries I had about the platform. Overall, I felt confident knowing that I could rely on BigCommerce’s support services to assist me in navigating and optimizing my online store experience.

Shopify 

Shopify offers various support channels, including email, phone, and live chat, ensuring assistance is available whenever needed. I appreciate the prompt and helpful responses from Shopify’s support team, which helped me resolve any issues or questions I encountered while using the platform. 

Additionally, Shopify boasts a vibrant community, interactive forums, informative videos, and a comprehensive knowledge center, offering users valuable resources and insights to enhance their experience and the challenges they may encounter.

WooCommerce  

WooCommerce goes above and beyond by offering its own dedicated support team and ticket system. Additionally, users have access to support services provided by their hosting provider. This comprehensive support approach that assistance is readily available whenever needed, whether resolving technical issues or answering inquiries about the platform’s functionality. 

The Verdict

After careful consideration and evaluation of all aspects, it’s evident that each platform—BigCommerce, Shopify, and WooCommerce—offers unique strengths and advantages. 

I like BigCommerce primarily because of its robust help and support system. The availability of round-the-clock customer support gives me confidence that I can resolve any issues promptly, contributing to a positive overall experience with the platform.

Which Platform is The Best For You?

Choosing the best ecommerce platform depends on your specific needs and preferences. Evaluate your business requirements carefully and compare the offerings of each platform to make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and objectives.

Choose BigCommerce if

• You prioritize scalability and flexibility for your online store.
• You manage multiple storefronts and need a platform that supports this feature.
• You prefer a platform with robust built-in ecommerce features and customization options.

Choose Shopify if

• You value simplicity and ease of use when setting up and managing your online store.
• You prioritize access to a wide range of apps and integrations to enhance your store’s functionality.
• You prefer a platform with solid marketing and sales tools to grow your business.

Choose WooCommerce if

• You have experience with WordPress and prefer to build your online store within the WordPress ecosystem.
• You prioritize flexibility and customization options, including the ability to code and customize your store extensively.
• You prefer a platform with a vast selection of plugins and extensions to tailor your store to your specific needs. 

Wrapping Up  

Choosing the right ecommerce platform among BigCommerce, Shopify, and WooCommerce depends on various factors such as your business needs, technical expertise, budget, and scalability requirements.

BigCommerce vs Shopify vs WooCommerce: FAQs