Shopify vs BigCommerce: Which E-commerce Solution is Best for Mid-Sized Stores
If you're an online store owner looking to scale your business, you've probably considered using an e-commerce platform. And if you've done your research, you've likely come across two of the most popular solutions: Shopify and BigCommerce.
In this comparison, we'll take a look at each platform's features, pricing, and overall performance to help you decide which one is the better fit for your mid-sized store.
Features
Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer a wide range of features to help you run your e-commerce business smoothly. However, there are some differences between the two platforms.
Shopify features
Shopify offers a user-friendly interface and a simple setup process, making it an excellent option for beginners. Some of its key features include:
- A wide range of customizable templates
- A user-friendly interface
- Easy access to Shopify's app store, which offers hundreds of apps to extend functionality
- Strong SEO tools to help you rank in search engines
- A range of payment options, including Shopify Payments
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Built-in analytics tools
BigCommerce features
Like Shopify, BigCommerce offers a host of features to make running your online store easier. Some of its key features include:
- A seamless checkout process
- Strong SEO tools for ranking in search engines
- A wide range of customizable templates
- Easy access to BigCommerce's app marketplace, which offers dozens of useful apps
- In-built payment solutions, such as PayPal and Apple Pay
- Advanced product options, including custom fields, variants, and options
Pricing
When it comes to pricing, Shopify and BigCommerce offer similarly-priced plans. Let's take a closer look.
Shopify pricing
Shopify offers three main plans to choose from:
- Basic Shopify: $29/month
- Shopify: $79/month
- Advanced Shopify: $299/month
All Shopify plans include an SSL certificate, 24/7 support, and unlimited products, file storage, and bandwidth.
BigCommerce pricing
BigCommerce also offers three main pricing plans:
- Standard: $29.95/month
- Plus: $79.95/month
- Pro: $299.95/month
All BigCommerce plans include unlimited storage, bandwidth, and products, as well as 24/7 customer support.
In contrast to Shopify, BigCommerce doesn't charge transaction fees, even on its lower-level plans.
Performance
When choosing an e-commerce solution for your mid-sized store, performance is a key consideration. Let's take a look at how both platforms stack up.
Shopify performance
Shopify boasts fast load times and a robust infrastructure. The platform has a 99.94% uptime, with an average load time of 2.6 seconds.
BigCommerce performance
BigCommerce is also known for its reliable infrastructure and fast load times. The platform has a 99.99% uptime, with an average load time of 1.90 seconds.
Conclusion
Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer a wide range of features and excellent performance. However, there are some key differences between the two platforms when it comes to pricing and specific features.
If you're looking for a user-friendly platform with a range of customization options, Shopify may be the better option for you. However, if you prioritize advanced product options and don't want to pay transaction fees, BigCommerce might be the better choice.
Ultimately, the choice between these two platforms will depend on your specific needs as a mid-sized e-commerce store owner.
References
- Shopify. (2021). Pricing. https://www.shopify.com/pricing
- Shopify. (2021). Shopify features. https://www.shopify.com/features
- BigCommerce. (2021). Pricing. https://www.bigcommerce.com/pricing/
- BigCommerce. (2021). Features. https://www.bigcommerce.com/features/