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Best Alternatives to BigCommerce Top E-Commerce Platforms


Best Alternatives to BigCommerce Top E-Commerce Platforms
Best Alternatives to BigCommerce

BigCommerce is undeniably a major player in the e-commerce world. With its built-in SEO tools, strong integrations, and scalable infrastructure, it’s a solid choice for many growing businesses. However, let’s face it—not everyone finds it to be the perfect fit.


For some users, BigCommerce can be costly, especially as your business scales and you hit revenue thresholds that require you to upgrade your plan. Additionally, its pricing structure can feel complicated, and the platform’s customization options often don’t offer the same flexibility as open-source platforms like WooCommerce.


If you’re looking for a more affordable e-commerce platform, that offers greater flexibility, or simply provides a smoother user experience, you’re in luck. There are plenty of great Alternatives to BigCommerce out there that might be a better fit for your needs.


Why Look for BigCommerce Alternatives?

Why Look for BigCommerce Alternatives?
Source by: litextension.com

I’ll be honest—BigCommerce is a solid e-commerce platform. It offers built-in SEO tools, fantastic integrations, and a scalable infrastructure. But, let’s face it, it’s not the best choice for every business.


If you’re reading this, chances are you’re frustrated with BigCommerce in one way or another. Maybe it’s too pricey, perhaps the pricing tiers feel too limiting, or maybe you're just after something simpler and easier to use. Whatever your reason for seeking something different, the good news is, you’ve got options.


I’m here to help you explore the best alternatives to BigCommerce that may suit your business even better.


Common Complaints About BigCommerce

Even though BigCommerce is often hailed as one of the best e-commerce platforms out there, it certainly isn’t without its frustrations. If you’re currently using BigCommerce or are thinking about trying it out, you might come across some common complaints from users that make you think twice. That’s why it’s important to consider the best alternatives to BigCommerce to see if a better fit might be out there for your business needs.


High Pricing: It Can Get Costly Fast

One of the most common things I hear from users is that BigCommerce can get pretty expensive, especially as your business grows. The platform starts at $39/month, which might seem manageable at first. However, the problem is that as your sales increase, you’ll end up paying more. BigCommerce follows a revenue-based pricing model, meaning it automatically upgrades you to a higher-tier plan once your sales cross certain thresholds. If you’re looking for the best alternatives to BigCommerce that offer more flexibility or lower costs as your business scales, it’s worth considering other platforms that better fit your needs.


Revenue-Based Pricing Tiers: Scaling Can Be Costly

This is a biggie. Since BigCommerce uses revenue tiers, once your store earns over $50,000 annually, you’re required to upgrade to the next level. This forces businesses to pay more as they grow, which doesn’t feel great if you’re trying to manage your expenses.


Limited Free Themes: Costs Add Up

BigCommerce isn’t exactly known for having a lot of free themes to choose from. The few that are available are nice enough, but if you want something more unique, you’ll be shelling out $150 to $300 for a premium theme.


 Restrictions on API Calls: Limited Integrations

Another complaint that slows down the process for many businesses is BigCommerce’s limitations on API calls. If your business relies on a lot of integrations and automation, you might run into some issues, as BigCommerce restricts API calls on its basic plans.


Limited Multilingual Support

Lastly, if you run an international e-commerce store, BigCommerce may not be the easiest solution for multilingual support. Unlike platforms like WooCommerce or Shopify, BigCommerce’s built-in support for non-English stores is pretty limited.


Key Factors to Consider in an Alternative

If BigCommerce isn’t working for your business, it’s important to know what factors to keep in mind when choosing another platform. After all, there’s a lot to consider—and you don’t want to end up jumping from one disappointment to the next. From cost to ease of use, here are the key elements to weigh before making the switch.


Pricing & Cost Efficiency

Cost matters a lot, right? One of the first things I always check when I’m evaluating any new platform is how affordable it is—not just the initial cost, but the hidden fees that might surprise me later on.


Things to think about:


  • Are there hidden fees? For example, does the platform charge transaction fees on sales? These little extras can add up quickly.


  • What’s the cost of scaling? As your store grows, will your e-commerce platform’s pricing grow with it? Some platforms increase pricing based on your sales or the number of features you use. That might be a deal-breaker if you don’t want to break the bank as your sales rise.


  • Is there a free plan? If you’re just starting out or on a tight budget, you might want to go with something more affordable. Open-source platforms like WooCommerce have free options, and freemium models can give you more flexibility in the early stages without locking you into heavy commitments.


Ease of Use & Customization

Let’s be real—you want something simple and intuitive, especially if you're juggling other aspects of your business. Some platforms can be incredibly robust, but they're also incredibly complicated. That's a red flag if you don’t have a lot of tech experience!


Here’s what to consider:

  • How tech-savvy are you? If you’re someone who loves figuring things out on your own and is comfortable with coding or server management, platforms like Magento could be a great option. But if you prefer drag-and-drop tools, something like Shopify might be your best bet.


  • How much customization do you need? Are you okay with a template or do you want to design everything from scratch? Platforms like WooCommerce offer tons of customization options for those looking for complete flexibility. If you’re just getting started and need something super simple to build, Wix might be a better fit.


  • Built-in tools or plugins? If you need features like inventory management, SEO tools, or marketing apps, consider how many tools are built into the platform. Platforms like Shopify offer an extensive app store with many built-in tools, while BigCommerce might require more third-party apps for the essentials.


SEO & Marketing Tools

You want your store to be found on Google, right? So, SEO is a huge deal. Plus, effective marketing can make or break your business—no matter how awesome your products are.


Things to think about:

  • Is the platform SEO-optimized? You want to make sure it has clean URL structures, fast page load times, and mobile-friendly features. These are essentials if you’re looking to rank high in search engines.


  • Does it include built-in marketing tools? Check for things like email automation, abandoned cart recovery, and the ability to run discount campaigns. These tools can save you time and help drive sales, which can be game-changers for growing your store.


Best BigCommerce Alternatives (Comparison & Features)


Best BigCommerce Alternatives

If you’ve decided BigCommerce isn’t the right fit for you, no worries—you’re not alone! Finding an alternative can be tricky because it depends on your business size, budget, and the features you need. That’s why I’ve put together a comparison of the top BigCommerce alternatives. I'll be covering each platform’s strengths, weaknesses, and the best use cases so you can pick the one that fits your business like a glove.


Shopify – The Most Popular BigCommerce Alternative

So, you’ve probably heard of Shopify, right? It’s one of the most popular e-commerce platforms out there, and for good reason. Over 4.5 million stores are powered by Shopify worldwide. I mean, that’s a pretty big number!


Key Features:


Shopify makes setting up an online store super simple. Here are a few features that I love:

  • Drag-and-drop builder: No coding needed. Build your store easily with this intuitive tool.

  • 80+ templates: Choose from free and paid professional designs to make your store look great.


  • Shopify Payments: Avoid extra fees with built-in payment processing.

  • Abandoned cart recovery & email marketing: Recover lost sales automatically and stay connected with customers.


  • 8,000+ apps: Enhance your store with plenty of apps and integrations for extra functionality.


Shopify vs. BigCommerce Features:

Trying to figure out whether Shopify or BigCommerce is right for you? Here’s how these two platforms compare across some important features:


Ease of Use

When it comes to ease of use, Shopify shines. It’s incredibly beginner-friendly and lets you set up your store with minimal effort—whether you’re tech-savvy or not. BigCommerce, on the other hand, has a bit of a steeper learning curve, which could be a challenge if you're just starting.


Transaction Fees

A major win for Shopify is that it offers 0% transaction fees when you use Shopify Payments. That means no surprises when it comes to costs! BigCommerce, however, charges 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction unless you’re using their built-in payment system, which adds up over time.


App Store

If you need extra features, Shopify’s app store is massive, with over 8,000 apps available. Whether it's marketing tools, shipping integrations, or sales enhancements, you’ve got endless options. BigCommerce, while great, only has 1,000+ apps, so its selection is more limited in comparison.


Templates & Themes

Shopify offers more than 80 professional themes, so you can find a design that fits your brand. Plus, many are easily customizable, and there's a solid mix of free and paid options. BigCommerce, however, has a more limited selection of free themes, so you might feel a little more restricted in terms of design flexibility unless you invest in paid themes.


Multilingual Support

If you need to run an international store, Shopify offers built-in multilingual support right out of the box—perfect for expanding your reach without much extra effort. BigCommerce, on the other hand, requires third-party apps to support non-English stores, which could add a layer of complexity and extra cost.


Pricing:

Here's a look at the different pricing tiers for Shopify, so you can get a sense of what suits your business:

  • Basic Plan: $39/month – a solid choice for businesses just starting with e-commerce.

  • Shopify Plan: $105/month – ideal for growing stores that need more advanced features like gift cards and professional reporting.

  • Advanced Plan: $399/month – perfect for larger stores needing more customization, advanced reporting, and lower transaction fees.

  • Plus (Enterprise): Custom pricing – made for bigger businesses with unique requirements.


WooCommerce – The Best Open-Source BigCommerce Alternative


WooCommerce

If you're looking for complete control over your online store, WooCommerce is likely the best alternative to BigCommerce. This open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress offers incredible flexibility, making it a top choice for store owners who want to tailor every aspect of their business. WooCommerce powers over 28% of online stores worldwide, which speaks to its popularity and reliability, whether for small businesses or larger enterprises.


Key Features:

What makes WooCommerce stand out is the level of control it gives you. Here are the key features I think are worth noting:


  • 100% Free and Open-Source: WooCommerce doesn’t cost a thing to download or use. You only pay for the features you need, whether that's premium themes, plugins, or hosting.


  • Full Customization: Because it’s built on WordPress, you’ve got endless options when it comes to themes and plugins. You can make your store look and work exactly how you want, with no restrictions.


  • Unlimited Integrations: Whether you need to add a new payment method or automate your marketing, WooCommerce lets you easily integrate with third-party tools. It’s flexible like that.


  • SEO-Friendly: WooCommerce is naturally SEO-friendly, helping you get your store discovered by search engines. Plus, the built-in blogging tools give you a chance to create content that drives even more traffic.


  • Supports Multiple Payment Gateways: Need different ways to process payments? WooCommerce supports hundreds of gateways, so you can choose what works best for you and your customers.


BigCommerce vs. WooCommerce Features:

Here’s a quick comparison of the key features of WooCommerce and BigCommerce:


Customization

WooCommerce gives you complete flexibility with full customization options, especially if you use WordPress.BigCommerce allows for customization but is more limited without coding.


Pricing

WooCommerce is free, but expect to pay for hosting, themes, and plugins.BigCommerce starts at $39/month and includes more built-in features.


SEO

WooCommerce is excellent for SEO with great optimization tools. BigCommerce is solid for SEO but doesn’t offer as much flexibility. 


Payment Gateway Fees

WooCommerce depends on the payment provider you choose.BigCommerce charges 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction, unless you use BigCommerce Payments.


Hosting

WooCommerce is self-hosted—you manage hosting.BigCommerce is cloud-hosted, so hosting is handled for you.


Pricing:

WooCommerce is free to download and use, which is a huge plus if you’re looking to keep costs low. But, just like any e-commerce store, there are other costs to consider:


  • Hosting: You’ll need to find a host (like Bluehost or SiteGround), and that typically costs anywhere from $5–$30/month depending on the plan you choose.


  • Themes & Plugins: While WooCommerce itself is free, many premium themes and plugins come with extra costs. Expect to spend $0–$100 per year depending on the features and customizations you need.


Wix E-Commerce – The Best BigCommerce Alternative for Beginners

Wix E-Commerce
Source by: firebearstudio.com

If you’re just starting and looking for a simple platform, Wix E-Commerce is one of the best alternatives to BigCommerce. It’s a highly beginner-friendly, all-in-one platform that doesn’t require any technical expertise. With Wix’s drag-and-drop functionality, you can quickly design and launch your online store with just a few clicks. If ease of use is your top priority, Wix might be the perfect fit for your business!


Key Features:

Wix E-Commerce shines when it comes to ease of use and helping you get your store up and running fast. Here are some standout features:


  • No Coding Needed: Wix is all about simplicity. You can easily build your store using drag-and-drop editing, so there’s no need for any coding skills at all.


  • 100+ Designer-Made Templates: Choose from over 100 professional and fully customizable templates. Whether you're into sleek, modern designs or something more creative, there’s something for every style.


  • Built-In SEO & Marketing Tools: Wix comes packed with SEO features to help you get your store noticed by Google. Plus, you'll find helpful marketing tools like email campaigns and social media integrations.


  • Payment Options: You can accept payments through PayPal, Stripe, and major credit cards, making it easier for your customers to pay how they prefer.


  • AI-Driven Store Design Assistance: Not sure where to start? Wix’s AI assistant helps guide the design process, offering personalized recommendations based on your preferences.


Wix vs. BigCommerce Features:

Let’s take a quick look at how Wix E-Commerce and BigCommerce stack up in terms of some key features:


  • Ease of Use: Wix E-Commerce is known for being super beginner-friendly with its drag-and-drop builder. If you want something simple and fast, it’s a 5-star platform!BigCommerce is a bit more complex, especially for newcomers. There’s a learning curve here, but once you get the hang of it, it’s powerful.


  • Customization: Wix makes customization easy with its drag-and-drop interface. It’s not as customizable as you might need for a large enterprise, but it works great for small businesses. With BigCommerce, you get a lot of flexibility, but customization often requires more coding or third-party help.


  • SEO Features: Both platforms are solid when it comes to SEO. Wix offers some basic SEO features that will help you get found on Google, while BigCommerce provides robust built-in tools, too.


  • Transaction Fees: Wix charges no transaction fees when using any payment method (yay!). (0%)On the other hand, BigCommerce charges 2.9% + 30¢ per sale, unless you use their payment processor. (2.9% + 30¢)


  • Price: Wix starts at $27/month, which is pretty affordable for small businesses just starting. BigCommerce is a bit pricier, with plans starting at $39/month, but that comes with a lot of built-in features for scaling businesses.


Pricing:

Wix offers a few straightforward pricing plans, which makes it easy to pick the one that fits your needs:


  • Business Basic: Starts at $27/month – Perfect if you're just starting out and need the essentials.


  • Business Unlimited: Costs $32/month – Great if you're looking for a bit more, like unlimited bandwidth and extra storage.


  • Business VIP: At $59/month – Ideal for those who need priority support and advanced features like subscriptions.


Magento (Adobe Commerce) – The Best for Large Businesses

Magento
Source by: bairesdev.com

If your business is growing rapidly and you need serious flexibility, Magento (now known as Adobe Commerce) is one of the best alternatives to BigCommerce. This platform is ideal for larger businesses that demand heavy customization, high performance, and the ability to handle international sales with ease. Its scalability and flexibility make it a strong contender for businesses with complex needs.


Key Features:


Magento, now known as Adobe Commerce, is an incredibly powerful and customizable platform. Here’s a quick look at what it offers:


  • Fully Customizable: Being an open-source solution, Magento gives you the freedom to completely tweak and design your store exactly how you want it. No restrictions on what you can do.


  • Supports B2B & Enterprise Stores: This platform isn’t just for B2C; it’s a great choice if you’re running a B2B business or need an enterprise-level store with more advanced needs.


  • Multi-store & Multilingual: Magento is built for global businesses. You can easily run multiple stores in different languages, making it ideal if you’re selling to international customers.


  • Optimized for Large Product Catalogs: If you have a ton of products to manage, Magento is perfect because it’s designed to handle huge product catalogs and high-traffic websites without breaking a sweat.


Magento vs BigCommerce Features:

Customization: Magento offers 5 stars for flexibility, with complete control over design. BigCommerce has limited customization but still offers plenty of design options.


Best for Large Stores: Magento is ideal for large-scale stores, while BigCommerce is also good but better suited for growing businesses.


Hosting Requirements: Magento is self-hosted, requiring more tech skills. BigCommerce is cloud-hosted, meaning it handles everything for you.


SEO: Magento offers more SEO control, while BigCommerce provides solid SEO tools.


Cost: Magento is expensive overall, especially with hosting and maintenance. BigCommerce is more affordable.


Pricing:

Magento’s pricing varies depending on the option you choose:


  • Magento Open Source: It's free to download, but you’ll still need to cover hosting and development costs, which can range from $100 to $5,000/month, depending on the scale of your business and customization needs.


  • Adobe Commerce (Enterprise): This is the premium version and can cost you at least $22,000 per year, but it includes enterprise-level features and support if you're running a large business that needs advanced functionality.


Conclusion

The best alternatives to BigCommerce depend on your business size, budget, and specific needs. Shopify is a top choice for many, offering reliability, ease of use, and scalability, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes.


For small businesses looking for simplicity and growth potential, both Wix and Shopify strike the right balance, especially for those just starting out.


If you're working with a tight budget, WooCommerce is the way to go. It's a free, open-source platform that allows plenty of customization, though it requires some technical setup. Magento (Adobe Commerce) is ideal for larger businesses that need heavy customization and flexibility, thanks to its advanced features.


FAQs


Is BigCommerce better than Shopify?

If you need ease of use and built-in tools, Shopify is the better choice. For larger stores with more customization needs, BigCommerce is the way to go.


Which BigCommerce alternative is the cheapest?

WooCommerce is the most budget-friendly since the core plugin is free. However, you’ll still need to cover the costs of hosting, domains, and any additional plugins you may need. So, while it starts free, be prepared for those extra expenses down the road.


Does Shopify charge transaction fees?

Shopify doesn’t charge transaction fees as long as you use Shopify Payments. If you opt for a different payment gateway, though, they charge a 2% fee per sale. So, to avoid extra charges, using Shopify Payments is your best bet.


Is Magento better than BigCommerce?

Magento is great for large enterprises needing customization, but it’s complex. BigCommerce is easier to use and better for mid-sized businesses.


What is the most beginner-friendly alternative to BigCommerce?

Wix is the most beginner-friendly option. With its easy drag-and-drop functionality, even those with no tech experience can set up and manage an online store quickly.


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