BigCommerce Reviews and User Ratings

Navigating the world of online sales can be challenging, and choosing the right platform is crucial for success. Our BigCommerce review and user ratings aim to provide you with an unbiased assessment based on objective data and feedback from real users. Unlike other review sites that might award top scores to the highest bidder, our ratings are free from affiliate influences or sponsorships.

Product

Pros and Cons

Ratings

BigCommerce

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Flexible and scalable.

Excels with multi-channel selling.

Strong SEO Performance.

Inconsistent loading speed.

High volume stores pay more.

Limited free themes.

Value 4.3

Features 4.2

Integrations 4.0

Ease of Use 4.0

Security & Scalability 4.0

4.2

Our Score

User Rating

4.6

43 Reviews

Whether you’re new to ecommerce or looking to switch platforms, BigCommerce is a leading contender. We encourage any of our readers with experience on BigCommerce to leave their reviews below. Is BigCommerce the right fit for your business? Click the button to share your opinion, or read on to make an informed decision for the future of your business!

What is BigCommerce

BigCommerce, founded in 2009 by Eddie Machaalani and Mitchell Harper, is an ecommerce platform that allows anyone to set up online stores and sell a wide range of products. Sellers can offer anything from clothing and electronics to digital goods and services. BigCommerce provides a user-friendly interface for setting up product listings, managing inventory, and processing payments.

BigCommerce supports integration with various payment gateways, shipping services and shopping carts, enabling seamless transactions. The platform also offers customizable templates and marketing tools to help businesses optimize their online presence. Whether selling physical or digital items, BigCommerce provides a comprehensive solution for expanding online sales with much less effort than building a custom website.

Businesses Powered by BigCommerce

BigCommerce powers over 41,520 sites, helping businesses around the world reach new heights. Companies like Z Gallerie, Uplift Desk, Homedics, Rock Bottom Golf, Olay, FishUSA, and Daily Steals trust their online presence and success to the platform. With BigCommerce, you can transform your business vision into a reality, without a team of developers.

• Z Gallerie
• Uplift Desk
• Homedics
• Rock Bottom Golf
• Olay
• FishUSA
• Daily Steals

BigCommerce serves a diverse range of businesses, from startups to established enterprises. Whether in retail, health, beauty, sports, or tech, this platform offers the tools you need to grow. If you’re looking to leverage technology to enhance your business reach and achieve the success you deserve, this platform has all the tools you need.

BigCommerce Pros and Cons

Considering BigCommerce for your online store? Let’s weigh the positives and negatives to help you decide! BigCommerce is a powerful ecommerce platform that can fuel your business’s growth. It offers flexibility and robust features that cater to diverse business needs. However, its pricing structure and certain limitations can pose challenges for some small businesses. Approach this decision with a focus on your long-term goals, as switching platforms down the road is a significant undertaking.

Pros

• Highly customizable for unique business needs
• Strong integration capabilities with other tools
• Reliable and secure platform
• Excellent customer support
• Scalability to support growing businesses

Cons

• Higher cost compared to some competitors
• Limited free themes available (extra cost options available)
• Complex for beginners without technical skills
• Additional fees for certain advanced features

Pricing and Value for BigCommerce

BigCommerce offers a range of pricing plans designed to cater to businesses of different sizes and sales volumes. There are three self-service plans plus a custom enterprise tier, and rather than charging on features alone, BigCommerce ties your monthly cost to your annual sales volume. As your store grows, it automatically moves you up to the plan that fits your revenue.

Recent change to note: On June 1, 2026, BigCommerce renamed its plans. Standard became Core, Plus became Growth, Pro became Scale, and Enterprise became Performance. Revenue thresholds were also lowered and a new Open Payment Provider Fee was introduced, so figures from older reviews are likely out of date.

Here is how the current plans break down. All prices exclude tax, and the annual column shows the effective monthly cost when you pay for a year up front.

One important detail: BigCommerce measures your plan against GMV, which is your gross order value minus 10%, and taxes and shipping now count toward that figure. Because the caps dropped in the June restructure (Core fell to $30K and Growth to $100K), many stores will be nudged to the next tier sooner than they would have been previously. It is worth mapping your projected revenue against these caps before you commit.

If you run more than one storefront, that comes at an added cost too: extra storefronts are $30/mo on Core (up to 3), $50/mo on Growth (up to 5), and $100/mo on Scale (up to 8), with custom terms on Performance.

Free Trial, Refunds and Hidden Costs

BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial with no credit card required, and it is fully functional, so you can build a store and even take live payments before you pay anything. There is no permanent free plan, so you will need to pick a paid subscription to keep your store live once the trial ends.

On the plus side, there are no setup fees and no separate hosting costs, so the subscription and payment fees above are the core of what you will pay. Just be aware of the refund policy: the self-service plans (Core, Growth, and Scale) have no contract and can be cancelled anytime from the control panel, but refunds are generally not provided except in specific cases, so cancel promptly if you decide to move on.

Value verdict: BigCommerce is not the cheapest platform, and the lowered caps plus the Open Payment Provider Fee mean the running cost can climb faster than the headline prices suggest. For feature-heavy and B2B stores that will actually use its depth, though, the amount included at each tier still represents strong value compared with rivals that push the same capabilities into paid add-ons.

Does BigCommerce Offer Refunds?

BigCommerce offers a 15-day free trial to kickstart your business endeavors. While they don’t have a free plan, their low-cost option is suitable for the needs of those just starting out. You can cancel your subscription anyimte through the BigCommerce control panel, just be aware of their limited refund policy; Refunds are generally not provided, except in specific cases, so make your decisions wisely and act promptly if you decide to move in another direction.

BigCommerce Transaction and Payment Fees

BigCommerce used to market itself on charging no extra transaction fees, and that is still true, but only if you use one of its Embedded Payment Providers. That list includes major names such as Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, Amazon Pay, Klarna, Worldpay, and BigCommerce Payments. Process an order through any provider outside that list (an “Open Payment Provider”) and BigCommerce adds a monthly Open Payment Provider Fee, calculated on the sales handled by those providers: 2.0% on Core, 1.0% on Growth, 0.6% on Scale, and 0% on Performance with a contract. This is billed to you, not your shopper, and shows up as a separate line on your invoice.

Separate from that, you also pay your payment processor’s standard rate. Through BigCommerce’s own payments, debit and credit card processing starts at 2.89% plus $0.29 per transaction, while American Express runs at a flat 3.50% with no fixed fee. International cards may cost more depending on the provider. For most stores this is a straightforward, competitive rate, though it can add up if you process a high volume of small, low-value orders.

The practical takeaway: to keep costs down on BigCommerce, stick with an embedded provider so you avoid the Open Payment Provider Fee entirely, and choose your payment mix with your margins in mind.

While the standard processing fee for debit and credit card transactions is 2.59% + $0.49, international transactions might incur different costs, depending on the provider. In general, this is a straightforward and affordable rate, unless you process a large amount of inexpensive orders.

Give some thought to which payment options you want to offer, weighing customer convenience with profit margins. Offering more options is generally good for converting more shoppers, though some options come with higher fees and managing an excessive number of payment portals could be cumbersome.

Selling Online with BigCommerce

BigCommerce offers comprehensive features to help sellers thrive in the competitive ecommerce landscape. The platform provides powerful built-in tools that can accelerate growth, allowing sellers to manage their online stores with ease. Sellers also benefit from platform flexibility, allowing extensive customization to stand out from the crowd.

BigCommerce also provides robust B2B functionalities (something not found on many platforms), enabling businesses to diversify their sales strategy. A dedicated customer service team provides 24/7 live, US-based support, ensuring sellers have the assistance they need to overcome common ecommerce challenges.

To further bolster seller success, BigCommerce offers personalized guidance through its Launch Coaches, which are available to new customers on annual Pro or Plus plans. These coaches provide expert advice on setting up a BigCommerce store, helping sellers get their online business up and running quickly. For those seeking additional design and development support, BigCommerce connects sellers with verified freelancers who are proficient with the platform.

1-Click Selling

1-Click Selling streamlines online shopping for your customers, making conversions quick and hassle-free. By reducing the number of steps needed to complete a purchase, cart abandonment rates decrease and sales increase. BigCommerce offers this capability through its integration with Bolt One-Click Checkout. This tool enables effortless purchases from your website.

Advanced AI Analytics and Reporting

Advanced AI analytics and reporting on BigCommerce empower sellers with insightful data to drive informed decision-making. By integrating with various apps, business owners can delve deep into sales trends, customer behavior, and market performance. Some of these features are only available at additional costs, but offer significant value for growing businesses looking to optimize their sales and growth strategies.

Email Marketing Automation

Email marketing automation streamlines and enhances your email campaigns, saving you time and increasing your store’s efficiency. This powerful feature helps you connect with your audience, deliver personalized messages, and drive sales without manual effort. However, it’s important to note that BigCommerce does not include built-in email marketing automation. To access these features, you’ll need to integrate a third-party email marketing app with your BigCommerce store, which usually comes with additional fees. However, the platform makes the option available which is a plus for many businesses.

Order Management

Order management is a crucial feature that sellers use to process and fulfill customer orders from a centralized hub. This capability provides an overview of the entire customer journey from order placement to delivery, and is included free of charge.

BigCommerce offers built-in order statuses to represent various stages of the fulfillment process, delivering clarity and organized sales information. These statuses guide you in recognizing whether an order needs packaging, shipping, or any other action. With this structured approach, sellers can effectively manage their workflow, enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction.

BigCommerce Multi-Channel Integrations

Expanding your sales channels is crucial for ecommerce success. By broadening your reach, you can tap into diverse customer bases across different platforms, growing your potential sales exponentially. By integrating with giants like Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Walmart Marketplace, and Google Shopping via BigCommerce, you’re setting yourself up to meet customers wherever they are most active.

This multi-channel approach boosts your brand visibility and offers multiple touchpoints for potential buyers of all demographics, increasing sales. While integrating with Etsy currently involve additional steps and costs, the potential return on investment from accessing their massive user bases is often worth it. Or stick with the built-in integrations to greatly expand your reach and stay in front of millions of potential buyers.

Facebook

Integrating BigCommerce with Facebook enables ecommerce business owners to connect their store catalogs with Facebook Shops, offering a seamless shopping experience on the most popular social media platform. Through Meta for BigCommerce, your store’s product data is synchronized with Facebook allowing for targeted advertising and product listings directly on Facebook and Instagram. This integration uses Feedonomics for efficient data synchronization. While Meta for BigCommerce is free, US-based stores may incur processing fees when utilizing Facebook and Instagram checkouts. Merchants should also know that similar integration apps might offer varied functionalities and features.

TikTok

Integrating TikTok with BigCommerce offers ecommerce business owners a dynamic way to reach potential customers. By linking their BigCommerce store with TikTok, merchants can effortlessly sync product catalogs, create ads, and manage campaigns through the TikTok Ads Manager. This integration, facilitated by the TikTok app, supports features like Collection Ads and Dynamic Showcase Ads. Users can install the TikTok Pixel for enhanced ad performance tracking. While costs may vary depending on advertising choices, this setup provides a robust solution for increasing store visibility, especially to younger markets. There are similar apps available, offering additional options for sellers.

BigCommerce Website Builder Features

However, while BigCommerce provides a robust foundation for ecommerce sites, there are some limitations to be aware of. Customization, while extensive, may still require a learning curve for those unfamiliar with website design. Some users might also find the range of theme styles could be improved if they look for particular design elements. Additionally, while the platform offers many out-of-the-box features, advanced customizations or highly unique site functionalities might necessitate some technical know-how or outside assistance. Nevertheless, with its powerful tools and comprehensive support, BigCommerce equips business owners with impressive resources for building a successful and visually appealing online presence.

BigCommerce Website Themes

BigCommerce offers a vibrant selection of website themes tailored to meet the needs of diverse ecommerce businesses. With over 100 templates available, business owners have a wide range of design options, ensuring they can find a look that aligns with their brand’s identity. These themes are designed to provide a welcoming shopping experience with modern functionality and aesthetic appeal. The pricing for these themes varies, with options ranging from free to around $300.

The BigCommerce theme store stands out by providing industry-leading design options that cater to different market needs, whether you’re just starting or looking to refresh your online presence. Themes are designed to be mobile-responsive, ensuring customers have a smooth browsing experience no matter what device they use. Furthermore, BigCommerce offers personal training through its Enterprise Launch Package, helping users quickly set up and optimize their stores. This approach simplifies creating a professional-looking store and frees business owners from the need of designers and developers.

BigCommerce Admin Interface

The BigCommerce admin interface serves as your command center, streamlining the setup and management of your store. It offers intuitive navigation to help you configure essential components such as product listings, payment gateways, and shipping options.

Here’s a quick roadmap to guide you through the process:

• Explore the Interface: Familiarize yourself with the control panel, where you’ll manage your store’s operations.
• Set Up Your Foundation: Configure currencies, payment gateways, and shipping options to suit your business needs and customer preferences.
• Design Your Storefront: Choose a theme and customize it to reflect your brand’s identity, ensuring a cohesive look across your site.
• Build Your Product Catalog: Organize your products into categories for easy browsing and add detailed descriptions and images to attract customers.
• Fine-tune Checkout Settings: Optimize your checkout process to ensure a smooth and frictionless experience for your customers.
• Engage Your Customers: Import customer data and set up customer groups to tailor the shopping experience.

Each step of building your BigCommerce site improves the experience for your customers. With determination and a clear vision, you can build a competitive website from the ground up.

BigCommerce’s AI Copywriting Solution

BigCommerce understands the challenges ecommerce business owners face in crafting engaging product descriptions. Enter BigAI Copywriter: a free tool that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to create rich, engaging product descriptions that capture the essence of your brand. Integrated into the product management process, this AI-driven tool can save sellers untold amounts of time while still producing useful text.

With customizable settings for style, tone, and SEO optimization, BigAI Copywriter transforms the mundane task of product description writing into a streamlined and efficient process. Let AI handle the grunt work so you can focus on the big picture.

Built-In BigCommerce Blog

BigCommerce offers an empowering Built-In Blog feature designed to bolster the online presence of ecommerce businesses. This tool provides sellers with a straightforward way to engage with their audience, share valuable insights, and enhance their brand visibility.

By incorporating a blog into their store, business owners can create a dynamic content hub that drives traffic, improves search engine rankings, and fosters customer relationships. The blog functionality is a natural extension of your web store, adding value without compromise.

Get Creative with BigCommerce Page Builder

BigCommerce knows that creating a captivating online store is crucial for ecommerce success, and that’s where Page Builder saves the day! This handy tool lets you quickly customize your store’s look and feel. Think of it as your creative playground where you can tweak colors, adjust text sizes, and decide how many products to spotlight on your homepage.

With Page Builder, you have the power of a designer and developer to create a shopping experience that’s not only visually appealing but tailor-made for your brand and vision.

BigCommerce Integrations & Apps

BigCommerce offers a robust suite of integrations and ecommerce apps designed to enhance various aspects of online store management. Among its popular integrations is QuickBooks Online, which simplifies financial management by syncing products, customers, orders, and payments. The Avalara AvaTax app is another handy tool that automatically calculates and tracks sales tax for you.

For those looking to expand their marketing reach, the integrated Google Ads feature helps businesses advertise products directly on Google, aiming to capture the attention of even more potential shoppers. Additionally, the Enhanced Customer Notes app by oBundle provides a valuable resource for improving customer communication. It’s important to note that BigCommerce does not currently integrate with TeePublic or Zazzle, which may be a deal breaker for businesses who rely on those platforms.

The ability to automate various processes is a cornerstone of BigCommerce’s offerings. With the Kintsugi AI app, businesses can automate sales tax compliance globally, easing the burden of regulatory adherence. Moreover, dedicated apps optimize shipping efficiency through customized rates, pickup and delivery options, and precise delivery times. For those interested in social media and digital marketing, BigCommerce supports apps that integrate email and SMS marketing, AI-powered automation, content creation tools, and social media management capabilities. These integrations allow ecommerce business owners to automate operations in order to save money or offer a competitive edge in their market.

On the technical side, BigCommerce offers a comprehensive API so developers can build custom solutions tailored to their business needs. This API allows for the addition of third-party applications, so you could hir a developer to create custom tools for your site. The BigCommerce API supports a range of functions, including product management, order processing, and customer data management. With a focus on flexibility and scalability, the API empowers businesses to create a cohesive ecommerce ecosystem, accommodating the unique requirements of diverse business models. This adaptability makes it a valuable tool for ecommerce businesses aiming to expand and innovate beyond existing functionality.

Is BigCommerce Easy To Use?

Assessing whether BigCommerce is easy to use can be pretty subjective, yet approaching the question objectively provides some clarity. For ecommerce business owners, the usability of a platform like BigCommerce can significantly impact day-to-day operations. Features like Mobile App Management allow seamless business oversight from anywhere, offering flexibility and convenience. The Community Forum fosters a space for exchanging ideas and solutions, which can be invaluable for those facing challenges. Courses and Training provide structured learning, helping users navigate the platform effectively and efficiently. The Knowledge Base is a comprehensive resource that answers questions arising during usage. These features collectively make BigCommerce a user-friendly platform, yet individual experiences may vary based on personal needs and familiarity with ecommerce technologies.

Ultimately, while BigCommerce significantly lowers the bar for creating an ecommerce store without coding experience, some technical knowledge is still necessary to unlock the full potential of the platform. If you have little to no skill with computers, it’s going to be an uphill battle or require extra help. However, if you have decent technical ability or do have coding experience, your capabilities will multiply with BigCommerce. To truly gauge the ease of use, learn from other entrepreneurs with hands-on experience with who have kindly shared their insights at the end of this article. An individual’s feedback can offer invaluable perspectives that guide others in understanding what to expect and how to make the most out of the platform.

Mobile App Management

That said, managing your ecommerce store on the go has never been easier thanks to their mobile app. This tool streamlines essential tasks, allowing BigCommerce users to monitor store performance, update orders, and manage customer relationships directly from their mobile devices. The app’s user-friendly interface is great, making complex management tasks feel intuitive and straightforward from any device.

Order Fulfillment

Order fulfillment is a crucial component in the ecommerce process that ensures customers receive their products promptly and accurately. On BigCommerce, businesses have access to various fulfillment providers, making the process smoother and more efficient. This can enhance customer satisfaction, but often comes with higher costs for additional services. Business owners should weigh profitability against the benefits of a more streamlined fulfillment process. Choosing the right provider(s) is an essential step on the road to success.

BigCommerce Customer Service

BigCommerce provides a robust array of customer support options to support the success of their clients. With 24/7 support, customers can access assistance anytime, ensuring that help is always available. AI support and live chat options allow for quick and efficient problem-solving. Additionally, BigCommerce offers a Dedicated Account Manager and set-up assistance to guide users through the initial stages of their online store journey.

For those who prefer more traditional methods, phone support is also available, providing direct communication with the support team. Together, these options demonstrate BigCommerce’s commitment to simplifying the user experience and reducing the stress of managing an online business.

BigCommerce Scalability & Security

BigCommerce is a versatile platform that can accomodate a wide range of goods and services, making it a good choice for any number business models, including B2B, enterprise, and headless commerce. Whether you’re an established retailer or a budding entrepreneur, BigCommerce provides the flexibility to cater to different market demands. BigCommerce’s robust infrastructure ensures that companies can maintain their operations without technical limitations or downtime.

Moreover, BigCommerce offers scalable solutions that can be adapted to more complex business needs at additional costs. BigCommerce can be enhanced to support marketplace, multi-vendor, print-on-demand, and scheduling/booking systems for those looking to add functionality. This adaptability ensures businesses can grow and diversify their offerings without migrating to a different platform.

The different pricing plans also cater to different sized businesses, and you can upgrade anytime if your operation outgrows its current tier. This flexibility, coupled with up-to-date security measures guarantees your success won’t be hindered by these types of issues.

B2B Edition

BigCommerce offers a comprehensive B2B ecommerce platform designed to meet the unique demands of this sort of business model, providing an intuitive and customizable experience. The platform features tools such as an open-source buyer portal for bespoke buying experiences, seamless account credit management, and control over payment visibility to streamline purchasing processes. The invoice portal offers new ways to conduct business and keep things running smoothly.

Additionally, BigCommerce simplifies integration with existing systems like ERP, OMS, and CRM and offers headless support for future-proofing businesses. Its capabilities in custom catalogs, pricing, and seller quoting enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Users can manage B2B and direct-to-consumer sales from a single platform, though additional fees may exist for certain advanced features or integrations.

Enterprise Ecommerce

BigCommerce stands out in the enterprise ecommerce landscape by offering a robust, flexible platform designed to meet the dynamic needs of businesses at any growth stage. With no additional transaction fees, the BigCommerce Enterprise solution provides a range of advanced features to help ecommerce businesses thrive.

From multi-storefront capabilities and real-time shipping quotes, to comprehensive customer segmentation and unlimited API calls, BigCommerce equips businesses with the tools necessary to innovate and expand their reach without limits. Built on the reliable Google Cloud Platform, it ensures top-notch performance and security with ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and PCI DSS 3.2, Level 1 certification. The absence of extra transaction fees helps businesses manage costs effectively, making BigCommerce an appealing choice for ecommerce business owners looking to optimize their operations at any sales volume.

Headless Commerce Solution

BigCommerce provides a robust platform for businesses seeking to integrate headless ecommerce solutions, empowering business owners to craft unique and personalized shopping experiences without the constraints of traditional setups. Decoupling the front-end and back-end components allows developers the flexibility to select preferred applications and frameworks, such as Next.js, Gatsby, and Nuxt.js.

This approach enhances the ability to deliver seamless, high-performing customer journeys across multiple channels. The platform supports scalability and complex transactions while offering an extensive app marketplace to cater to growing business needs. While BigCommerce provides powerful REST and GraphQL API endpoints for building custom storefronts, businesses should be aware of potential additional fees associated with specific integrations and services.

Security on BigCommerce

BigCommerce maintains a robust security policy designed to protect sellers from various cyber threats while ensuring the integrity of their online operations. The PCI-compliant platform ensures sellers adhere to the payment card industry standards for securely processing card payments. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a layer of security, requiring a second verification step during login to prevent unauthorized access. Moreover, BigCommerce utilizes TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt data in transit, safeguarding sensitive information. Automatic backups, malware protection, and encrypted server locations further reinforce the platform’s commitment to data security, ensuring that sellers’ data is protected against potential breaches. Additionally, BigCommerce aligns with GDPR and CCPA compliance standards, emphasizing its dedication to protecting consumer data privacy and adhering to global data protection regulations.

Although BigCommerce offers comprehensive security measures, it does not provide direct fraud protection or reimbursement. However, it does equip sellers with a free SSL certificate, which is crucial for encrypting data between the server and the client. It even provides DDoS protection to maintain uninterrupted service in the face of common cyber-attacks. While BigCommerce excels in creating a secure environment with these measures, it encourages sellers to explore additional apps available in its marketplace for specialized fraud prevention and security solutions. By leveraging these resources, sellers can take proactive steps to further protect their business operations and customer data from the evolving threat of ecommerce fraud.

BigCommerce Fraud Protection

BigCommerce provides a platform for businesses to enhance their fraud protection by integrating third-party fraud detection and prevention tools. While BigCommerce itself does not directly offer a comprehensive fraud prevention system, it facilitates the use of external services that employ advanced techniques to identify and mitigate fraudulent activities.

This integration can incur additional costs, as third-party tools often require separate subscriptions or fees. Businesses using these services may benefit from features such as real-time fraud management and chargeback management, which can help reduce financial losses. However, compensation for fraudulent charges is typically handled through these third-party services rather than BigCommerce itself. Businesses can proactively safeguard their operations and customer data against the ever-evolving threats of ecommerce fraud with additional tools or insurance as needed.

The Top Alternatives to BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a brilliant platform if you’re handling larger catalogs, B2B selling, or multiple storefronts at once. Still, there are alternatives worth looking at if you need a system that’s a little easier to use, connected with more useful apps, or just more focused on design.

1. Wix

Best for: Smaller retailers that want more website control and easy AI tools

Wix is one of my favorite alternatives to BigCommerce if you’re looking for a platform that’s very easy to set up, attractive, plus scalable at the same time. You can sell anything from physical products to digital downloads, memberships, or services here, usually without having to add the same apps you’d need for something like Shopify, and there’s even a built-in booking tool.

The setup process is straightforward, particularly with the Wix Harmony updates in 2026. It gievs you your own AI assistant that can produce pages, store sections, or content for you. There’s also a lot of support for bigger catalogs (with up to 50,000 products) and cross-channel selling (across channels like Amazon, TikTok, or Instagram) these days. 

Wix has also added APIs for more complicated catalogs, headless and log monitoring, plus design layout variations in 2026.

Pros:

• Easy to set up and use especially with the AI tools
• Support for physical products, downloads, subscriptions, and bookings
• Included marketing tools plus upgraded SEO features
• Free plan for initial building and testing
• Useful mobile app for on-the-move store management

Cons:

• Less suitable for complicated stores and B2B selling
• Fewer apps and add-ons than something like Shopify
• Adjusting templates after they’re set can be difficult

Pricing: There’s a free plan for testing, and the Light plan for basic websites, but you’ll need at least the Core plan starting at $29 per month (paid annually) to accept payments. Business starts at $39 per month, and there’s also Business Elite for $159 per month.

2. Shopify

Best for: Product-led businesses who want a big app marketplace and great retail tools

Shopify is probably the closest direct competitor to BigCommerce, even the pricing strategy for plans is similar. Still, with Shopify, the setup is easier, the range of available apps and integrations is much larger, plus there are extra tools for point of sale management or omnichannel selling.

Every year, Shopify adds exciting updates, too. For instance in 2026, the Spring update added 150 more changes, including features that let Shopify structure product information for AI shopping services, and enable purchases in tools like Microsoft Copilot.

Also, the Sidekick assistant can now work with a range of partner apps like Klaviyo, Smile, or Loop. The plans have updated too, with more B2B support, plus volume pricing. 

Pros:

• Much bigger choice of apps, developers, and themes
• Excellent checkout with multichannel selling
• Native B2B tools included in more plans than before
• Excellent tools for selling through AI channels
• Reliable performance for most teams

Cons:

• Extra app expenses can add to the overall cost
• The theme editor doesn’t give you as much control as Wix
• Using an external payment provider means paying another transaction fee

Pricing: There’s a Starter plan for $5 per month, but it doesn’t give you a full website. Basic is where most people start, costing $29 per month if you pay annually. Growth is $79 per month paid annually, then Advanced is $299 per month. Plus starts at around $2,300 per month.

3. Squarespace

Best for: Design-led brands, creators and stores with a shorter product list

Squarespace is the most popular option for companies that want to show off something visual. It tends to appeal to photographers, artists, consultants, or small product brands who want their portfolio and editorial content to impress visitors just as much as the shop itself.

Like Wix and Shopify, Squarespace added AI enhancements recently, including the Blueprint AI toolkit that can prepare your site’s structure or draft copy for you. Plus, every current plan gives you the freedom to sell as many products as you want, alongside subscriptions, memberships or courses.

There’s also some handy features included even on the lower-tier plans, such as abandoned checkout recovery, customer accounts, plus product reviews on the Basic plan. You can even update your marketing with AI visibility tracking now, too.

Pros:

• Some of the best templates in the market
• Unlimited products supported on every plan
• AI assistant for website building, analytics, plus content
• AI visibility tracking and SEO updates
• Useful features like abandoned cart recovery or customer accounts

Cons:

• Fewer integrations and fulfillment options
• Transaction fees are included on some plans
• Not really intended for B2B catalogs

Pricing: Plans start at $19 per month for the Basic plan, with 2% physical and 7% digital transaction fees. Core for $39 per month removes the transaction fee for physical products only. The Advanced plan for $139 per month is the only one without any transaction fees at all.

Final Verdict: Is BigCommerce Worth It?

BigCommerce is a serious, enterprise-grade platform built for merchants who are scaling rather than experimenting. Its strengths (deep built-in B2B tools, multi-storefront support, unlimited staff accounts, and genuine headless flexibility) make it one of the most capable SaaS platforms available for large catalogs and complex sales models, and it delivers most of that without the stack of paid apps rival platforms depend on.

The trade-offs are real. Since the June 1, 2026 plan restructure, revenue caps dropped sharply (Core now tops out at $30K in trailing-12-month GMV, Growth at $100K), so many stores get pushed to a higher tier sooner than they used to. The new Open Payment Provider Fee also ends the old “no transaction fees” pitch for anyone using a payment provider outside BigCommerce’s embedded list.

The bottom line: BigCommerce is not the cheapest or the simplest option on the market. For the right business, though, it offers a depth of built-in capability that very few competitors can match, which makes it a smart long-term home for stores that plan to grow into it.

Best for

• Established and fast-growing brands with expanding catalogs
• B2B and wholesale sellers who need price lists and quoting
• Multi-storefront and headless operations
• Merchants who want advanced features without extra apps

Look elsewhere if you are

• A first-time founder on a tight budget
• Running a very small catalog or side project
• A design-led creator who wants maximum styling control
• Someone who needs a true drag-and-drop beginner experience

If you fall into the first group, BigCommerce is well worth a 15-day free trial to test against your own workflow. If you fall into the second, a lighter platform like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify will likely get you selling faster and cheaper.

BigCommerce FAQ

How much does BigCommerce cost?

BigCommerce has three self-service plans plus a custom enterprise tier. Core is $39 per month ($29 billed annually), Growth is $105 per month ($79 annually), and Scale is $399 per month ($299 annually). The top tier, Performance, uses custom pricing that starts at $1,499 per month billed annually. Each plan is tied to a trailing-12-month GMV cap (Core up to $30K, Growth up to $100K, Scale up to $33,333 per month), and your store upgrades automatically once you cross the threshold. All prices exclude tax.

Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees?

BigCommerce does not add its own per-order fee when you use one of its Embedded Payment Providers, a list that includes Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, Amazon Pay, Klarna, and Worldpay, among others. If you process payments through a provider outside that list (an “Open Payment Provider”), BigCommerce applies a monthly Open Payment Provider Fee: 2.0% on Core, 1.0% on Growth, 0.6% on Scale, and 0% on Performance with a contract. Separately, standard payment processing rates still apply and start at 2.89% plus $0.29 per transaction, with American Express at 3.50%.

Is there a free trial or a free plan?

There is a 15-day free trial that does not require a credit card, and it is fully functional, so you can build a store and even take live payments during it. BigCommerce does not offer a permanent free plan, so you will need to choose a paid subscription to keep your store online once the trial ends.

Is BigCommerce good for beginners?

It can be, but it has a steeper learning curve than pure drag-and-drop builders like Wix or Squarespace. The Page Builder handles basic layout without code, and the knowledge base, training courses, and 24/7 support all help newcomers find their feet. That said, unlocking the platform’s full potential (advanced customization, integrations, and headless setups) rewards some technical confidence. Complete beginners with little computer comfort may find BigCommerce demanding at first.

Is BigCommerce better than Shopify?

It depends on your priorities. Shopify wins on ease of setup, app selection, and point-of-sale, while BigCommerce includes more advanced features natively, such as B2B tools, faceted product filtering, and multi-storefront support, without extra apps. Entry-level pricing is broadly similar. Design-led and app-hungry merchants often prefer Shopify, while feature-heavy and B2B merchants often prefer BigCommerce.

Can BigCommerce handle B2B and wholesale?

Yes, and it is one of the platform’s biggest strengths. B2B Edition adds customer-specific price lists, quoting, an open-source buyer portal, account credit management, and integration with ERP, CRM, and OMS systems. Be aware that some advanced B2B features (SKU-level Price Lists, for example) sit on the higher tiers rather than the entry plans.

Is BigCommerce suitable for large or enterprise stores?

Very much so. The Performance tier is built for high-volume and complex operations, with multi-storefront capability, unlimited API calls, headless commerce, and a dedicated Customer Success Manager, all running on PCI DSS Level 1 and ISO/IEC 27001 certified infrastructure. It is a common landing spot for merchants who have outgrown lighter platforms.

Can I sell on marketplaces and social channels with BigCommerce?

Yes. BigCommerce connects to Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Google, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), TikTok, and Pinterest, with product feeds managed through Feedonomics Surface (free for up to 100,000 SKUs). That makes multi-channel selling straightforward to run from a single dashboard.