BigCommerce is a leading ecommerce platform with solid features, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Whether you’re frustrated by design limitations, rising costs, or the lack of control, there are other options out there.
In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the best BigCommerce alternatives. These tools offer more flexibility in different areas, from store design and SEO to scalability and cost.
Let’s take a closer look at what BigCommerce is missing, and where other platforms may do a better job.
Quick Answer
If BigCommerce feels too limiting or expensive, Shopify is the best all-round alternative for most businesses. It’s easier to use, supports unlimited products, and offers thousands of third-party apps.
If you want full design and SEO control, WooCommerce is a better fit—especially if you already use WordPress.
For design-driven brands, Webflow provides unmatched visual flexibility, while Squarespace and Wix are ideal for small stores or beginners.
Why You Might Want an Alternative to BigCommerce
BigCommerce has plenty of features that appeal to mid-size and enterprise users. But in my experience, store owners often run into certain challenges that push them to look elsewhere.
Common Issues with BigCommerce
- Pricing grows with your revenue
BigCommerce plans are tied to your annual revenue. That means your monthly costs go up as you sell more, even if your profit margin doesn’t. - Limited design flexibility
You can use templates and customize parts of them, but full control requires custom development. That’s a dealbreaker for brands that care about a unique user experience. - Fewer apps and integrations
Compared to Shopify or WordPress, the BigCommerce app store is smaller and less active. - Complex setup for new users
There’s a learning curve. Beginners often find the dashboard and site editor less intuitive than platforms like Shopify or Wix.
If you’re facing any of the issues above, here are the best platforms that can help fill those gaps:
1. Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms in the world. It offers a good mix of ease of use, design flexibility, and third-party integrations.
| Feature | Shopify |
|---|---|
| Monthly price | Starts at $39 |
| Templates | 100+ professionally designed themes |
| App store | Over 8,000 apps |
| SEO tools | Good, but limited URL control |
| Best for | Businesses of all sizes, especially growing online stores |
Why Choose Shopify
- Easy onboarding and store setup
- Large ecosystem of apps, developers, and templates
- Strong performance, fast page speeds, and secure hosting
- Excellent for dropshipping and multichannel selling
Possible Drawbacks
- Costs can rise quickly with apps and transaction fees
- Some design limitations unless you work with Liquid (Shopify’s coding language)
- Full checkout customization only available on Shopify Plus
If your main priority is launching a scalable ecommerce business with minimal setup time, Shopify is one of the best BigCommerce alternatives out there.
2. WooCommerce (WordPress)
WooCommerce is a plugin that turns any WordPress site into a full-featured ecommerce store. If you already use WordPress or want total control, it’s worth a serious look.
| Feature | WooCommerce |
|---|---|
| Monthly price | Free plugin, plus hosting and extensions |
| Templates | Unlimited via WordPress themes |
| App store | 60,000+ WordPress plugins |
| SEO tools | Best-in-class control |
| Best for | SEO-focused stores, developers, and agencies |
Why Choose WooCommerce
- Complete design freedom using WordPress themes and builders
- Advanced SEO capabilities
- Fully open source with no platform lock-in
- Great for content-driven ecommerce or hybrid blog/store sites
Possible Drawbacks
- You manage hosting, performance, and updates yourself
- Requires more technical knowledge or developer support
- Can become complex if you install too many plugins
WooCommerce is ideal if you want full control over design, performance, and SEO structure.
3. Webflow with Ecommerce
Webflow blends web design freedom with ecommerce functionality. It’s best suited for brands that prioritize visual storytelling and custom layouts.
| Feature | Webflow |
|---|---|
| Monthly price | From $42 for ecommerce |
| Templates | 100+ responsive templates |
| App store | Limited native integrations |
| SEO tools | Advanced control |
| Best for | Designers, agencies, and high-end product brands |
Why Choose Webflow
- Complete control over layout, animations, and styling
- Clean code output and fast load times
- Native CMS features for blogging or editorial content
- Webflow University provides excellent learning resources
Possible Drawbacks
- Not built for high-SKU or high-volume ecommerce
- Requires familiarity with design principles and layout logic
- Limited out-of-the-box ecommerce features compared to Shopify
Webflow is a great option for brands where design and branding matter more than inventory management.
4. Squarespace
Squarespace offers stylish templates and a simple editing experience. It’s a popular choice for creatives, service businesses, and small product catalogs.
| Feature | Squarespace |
|---|---|
| Monthly price | From $36 for ecommerce |
| Templates | 150+ high-quality templates |
| App store | Limited extensions |
| SEO tools | Basic to intermediate |
| Best for | Small stores and visual brands |
Why Choose Squarespace
- Beautiful, polished templates designed for strong visuals
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
- Good native blogging and content tools
- All-in-one solution with hosting and security included
Possible Drawbacks
- Limited flexibility for complex stores
- Fewer integrations and ecommerce apps
- Not ideal for SEO-heavy projects
Squarespace is perfect for small stores that want to look professional without a lot of technical work.
5. Wix
Wix is a flexible website builder that also supports ecommerce. It’s popular for its ease of use and wide template selection.
| Feature | Wix |
|---|---|
| Monthly price | From $27 |
| Templates | 800+ designs |
| App store | 300+ ecommerce and marketing apps |
| SEO tools | Decent, improving over time |
| Best for | Beginners and budget-friendly stores |
Why Choose Wix
- Intuitive editor with drag-and-drop layout control
- Lots of template choices
- Good balance between design and function
- Built-in marketing and CRM tools
Possible Drawbacks
- Limited scalability for large or fast-growing stores
- Slower performance compared to leaner platforms
- Advanced customizations are difficult without code
Wix works well for early-stage businesses that want an affordable, easy start in ecommerce.
6. Shift4Shop
Shift4Shop is a full-featured ecommerce platform that offers a completely free plan for US-based merchants who use Shift4 as their payment provider.
| Feature | Shift4Shop |
|---|---|
| Monthly price | Free with Shift4 payments |
| Templates | 100+ included |
| App store | Limited third-party integrations |
| SEO tools | Good, especially for technical users |
| Best for | Budget-conscious US merchants |
Why Choose Shift4Shop
- No monthly fees if you use Shift4 for payments
- Supports unlimited products and users
- Includes core ecommerce features like shipping, taxes, and inventory
- Advanced SEO control out of the box
Possible Drawbacks
- Only available in the US for free plan
- Payment gateway lock-in
- Interface and design tools feel outdated compared to others
Shift4Shop is a good option for budget-driven merchants who want a full ecommerce feature set without recurring software costs.
7. Adobe Commerce (Magento)
Adobe Commerce, formerly Magento, is an open-source platform built for large, complex ecommerce operations. It’s used by big brands and enterprise retailers.
| Feature | Adobe Commerce |
|---|---|
| Monthly price | Custom pricing (starts around $2,000 per month) |
| Templates | Custom themes or third-party options |
| App store | Large ecosystem |
| SEO tools | Advanced, with full control |
| Best for | Enterprise retailers and custom projects |
Why Choose Adobe Commerce
- Highly scalable and customizable
- Designed for large catalogs, internationalization, and B2B features
- Flexible checkout, product types, and workflows
- Rich in enterprise-level tools
Possible Drawbacks
- Expensive to set up and maintain
- Requires a team or agency to manage
- Long development cycles and ongoing costs
Adobe Commerce is best suited for businesses that have the budget and need for deep customization and enterprise tools.
8. Ecwid
Ecwid is a lightweight ecommerce solution that can be added to any existing website. It works with WordPress, Webflow, Wix, and other builders.
| Feature | Ecwid |
|---|---|
| Monthly price | Free for basic features, paid plans from $19 |
| Templates | Integrated into your existing site design |
| App store | Small but focused |
| SEO tools | Depends on host platform |
| Best for | Existing websites and small sellers |
Why Choose Ecwid
- Add ecommerce to any website without a full rebuild
- Syncs with social selling platforms
- Free plan includes up to 5 products
- Easy to manage from a single dashboard
Possible Drawbacks
- Not a full website builder
- Customization depends on the platform it’s installed on
- Limited growth potential for large stores
Ecwid works well if you already have a website and just want to add ecommerce capabilities.
Which BigCommerce Alternative Is Right for You?
Choosing the right platform depends on what you feel is missing from BigCommerce. Here’s a quick comparison of all the options mentioned:
| Platform | Best For | Monthly Cost | Templates | SEO Tools | Learning Curve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Growing stores | From $39 | 100+ | Good | Low |
| WooCommerce | SEO + full control | Varies | Unlimited | Excellent | Medium |
| Webflow | Design-led brands | From $42 | 100+ | Strong | High |
| Squarespace | Small visual brands | From $36 | 150+ | Basic | Low |
| Wix | Beginners | From $27 | 800+ | Decent | Low |
| Shift4Shop | US merchants | Free (with Shift4) | 100+ | Good | Medium |
| Adobe Commerce | Enterprise ecommerce | Custom | Custom | Advanced | High |
| Ecwid | Add-on stores | Free–$99 | N/A | Depends on host | Low |
Final Thoughts
BigCommerce is a solid platform for certain types of businesses, but it doesn’t work for everyone.
Whether you’re looking for better design tools, more pricing control, or a platform that grows with your business, there’s no shortage of alternatives to choose from.
Before you commit to a platform, think about what matters most to your business: customization, ease of use, scalability, or SEO control. The best ecommerce platform is the one that supports your goals, not the one with the most features on paper.
You can always start with a free trial, test the waters, and see which platform fits best.
