Choosing the right e-commerce platform for your business is a critical decision that influences the efficiency of your operations, how well you scale, and, ultimately, the experiences you provide to your customers. The platform you select can shape everything from inventory management and payment processing to site performance and user interaction.
As your business grows, you'll need a system that adapts and scales with you. A good e-commerce platform should also make managing your products easy, tracking customer data, integrating with external tools, and delivering a seamless shopping experience across different devices and platforms. However, every business is unique, so finding the best fit involves assessing your needs.
Right now, two platforms that are often compared are BigCommerce vs Commercetools. Each offers powerful capabilities, but their design, approach, and functionality differences can make one a better option, depending on your goals and resources.
What is BigCommerce and How Does it Work?
BigCommerce is an e-commerce platform that takes the complexity out of setting up, managing, and growing an online store. It is an excellent solution for merchants because it has a solid set of built-in tools that simplify the process. Whether you're just starting or looking to expand your online presence, BigCommerce lets you easily create a custom store and sell across multiple channels, all from one place.
Overview of BigCommerce as an E-commerce Platform
BigCommerce is a hosted e-commerce solution, which means it handles a lot of the technical work for you—things like hosting, security, and software updates. I really appreciate this because it allows me to focus on running my business without worrying about backend issues. Whether a small startup or an established enterprise, BigCommerce is built to support businesses of all sizes, giving you a reliable and easy-to-use platform for selling products online.
Key Features of BigCommerce:
BigCommerce allows you to make your store with various customizable templates. If you're into tweaking designs, you can also dive into the code with HTML and CSS to truly personalize your store. It's all about flexibility, which I love because it means I can fine-tune the look and feel of my shop without feeling restricted.
One of the best things about BigCommerce is its multi-channel selling options. Thanks to its built-in integrations, you can easily sell your products on Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Instagram, and more. This is a real game changer for someone who wants to expand sales across different platforms without a lot of extra effort.
When it comes to payment gateways, BigCommerce doesn't leave you hanging. It supports popular options like PayPal, Stripe, Square, and credit card payments, so customers can pay however they prefer. This helps boost conversions because everyone has their go-to payment method.
BigCommerce also excels at SEO optimization. The platform provides several tools to improve your store's visibility on search engines, like the ability to customize URLs and metadata and integrate with Google Analytics. This makes it easier to optimize your store for search engines right from the start.
Who Should Use BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is an excellent choice for businesses that want to streamline their online presence and scale smoothly. If you're looking to grow without the headaches of managing complex tech details, BigCommerce makes it easier to focus on what matters most: running your business. So, who's the ideal user for BigCommerce? Here's a breakdown of who would benefit the most from this platform:
Small to Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs): If you're starting or trying to grow without diving deep into the technical side of things, BigCommerce has got you covered. Its user-friendly platform makes it easy to start without the headache of managing every little detail.
Businesses Looking for Quick Setup: One of the things I love about BigCommerce is how quickly you can get up and running. With pre-built templates and a drag-and-drop builder, setting up your store is quick and easy—even if you're not super tech-savvy. This makes it perfect for business owners who want to launch fast and keep things simple.
B2C Stores: While BigCommerce can handle B2B operations, it's particularly ideal for business-to-consumer (B2C) stores. It's designed to work seamlessly for businesses needing extensive out-of-the-box functionality and a straightforward, intuitive setup process.
What are Commerce tools, and How Does it Work?
Commercetools is a flexible, headless e-commerce platform that gives you total control over your store's front and back end. If you're a business that wants to go beyond the limits of traditional e-commerce solutions, Commerce Tools could be a great fit. Unlike rigid platforms, it lets you fully customize your customer-facing website, backend systems, and every aspect of the online store experience.
The idea behind headless e-commerce is all about giving you flexibility. The front end (what your customers see) and the back end (everything that makes the site run smoothly) are decoupled, so you have complete control over how everything functions and looks without being limited by built-in templates.
Overview of Commercetools as a Headless E-commerce Platform
At its core, Commerce Tools is a headless e-commerce platform, meaning the front end and back end of your store are decoupled. This gives you way more freedom and flexibility to create exactly what you want for your online store.
With commercetools, you're not stuck with a template or pre-set design. You can build and design your e-commerce site however you like, using whatever technology stack works best for you. Suppose you're the kind of business that wants to deliver a super personalized experience for your customers. In that case, this setup makes it easier to make your store truly unique—whether it's integrating custom features or creating an experience that fits your brand perfectly.
Key Features of Commerce Tools:
Commercetools stands out thanks to its headless architecture. Decoupling the front and back ends gives businesses total freedom in design and customization. This flexibility is perfect if you need a custom solution for your store, and it allows for creating unique shopping experiences without being boxed in by traditional e-commerce setups.
Another key feature is its API-first approach. Commercetools provides APIs for almost everything, making it super easy to integrate with any third-party tools you're already using, like ERPs, CRMs, or custom apps. Whether connecting with existing systems or building new ones, the integration process is smooth and adaptable.
Commerce tools are built to cater to larger businesses. It can handle high traffic, complex operations, and large product catalogs. Companies with high-volume sales or those operating internationally will find it especially useful because they're designed to support large enterprises. They don't just survive under pressure and excel.
Commerce tools excel when it comes to delivering a consistent shopping experience across multiple touchpoints. You can seamlessly integrate shopping across any device or channel, from mobile and desktop to in-store kiosks and even voice commerce. So, no matter where your customers shop, they'll get a cohesive, smooth experience.
Who Should Use Commercetools?
Commercetools is geared toward larger enterprises or businesses with more complex e-commerce needs. If you're in a position where you need a platform that can handle intricate setups, high volumes, or custom solutions, commerce tools might be just what you're looking for.
Here's a breakdown of the types of businesses that should seriously consider it:
Commercetools is perfect for large enterprises or businesses with specific, complex e-commerce needs. If your company requires custom workflows or has unique features that can't be achieved with traditional e-commerce platforms, Commercetools shines. It's built to tackle complex requirements without breaking a sweat.
One thing to remember, though: commercetools is more technical than other platforms. You'll be in good hands if you have a dedicated development team in place. The platform needs some technical know-how to set up and manage, so it's best suited for businesses with the right resources to make the most of it.
Lastly, suppose your business needs high levels of customization, whether it's a tailored e-commerce experience, specific features, or unique integrations. In that case, commerce tools allow you to create precisely what you need. You won't be limited to off-the-shelf templates, which means you have complete control over every aspect of your store's performance and customer experience.
BigCommerce vs Commerce Tools Key Differences
Choosing between BigCommerce vs commerce tools really comes down to your business's specific needs—things like your budget, how much you need to scale, and how much customization you want. It's not always a clear-cut choice, so I've broken down the key areas where these two platforms differ to help you decide which suits you best.
Approach to E-commerce Architecture: Monolithic vs Headless
One of the biggest differences between BigCommerce and commerce tools is how they're built. They take completely different approaches to architecture, which really affects how you can customize and scale your online store.
BigCommerce follows a monolithic architecture, which means it provides a complete solution for your store's front and back end. It comes packed with pre-built themes, templates, and many built-in functions, making it ideal for people like me who want a quick, out-of-the-box e-commerce setup. If you're looking to get up and running fast without spending too much time customizing, BigCommerce takes care of a lot of the heavy lifting for you.
Commerce tools, on the other hand, follows a headless architecture model. This means it separates the front end (what your customers see) from the back end (where all the business operations happen). This setup gives you much control over your store's design and functionality. Hence, commerce tools are the way to go if you want high customization or want to create innovative experiences. Plus, if you need to integrate with other platforms or manage multiple touchpoints—like mobile apps or even physical stores—commerce tools offer way more flexibility to connect it all.
Scalability and Flexibility
BigCommerce is an all-in-one solution that works great for SMBs and mid-market businesses looking for scalability. It offers a solid foundation for those needing to grow but might hit some limitations regarding more significant, complex operations. It relies on pre-set functionalities, which can sometimes limit customization as your needs get more intricate. So, while it's an excellent choice for many businesses, more significant or customized setups may be restrictive.
Commerce tools offer unparalleled scalability, making them perfect for enterprise-level companies. Its headless approach allows you to scale seamlessly, handling more complex workflows as your business grows. This is particularly valuable for global brands or enterprises operating in multiple regions, as it allows you to manage different markets with ease and adaptability. If you aim to expand and need a platform to grow with you, commerce tools are built to handle those demands.
Pricing Comparison
Pricing is an essential factor when making your decision, and the cost structure for BigCommerce and commerce tools is a bit different:
BigCommerce typically uses a subscription-based pricing model, offering different plans based on the size of your business. For smaller stores, pricing starts at $39/month but increases as you scale. With BigCommerce, there are often extra costs for apps, themes, and payment gateways—though some features are included in the base plan. As you grow, these additional expenses are something to keep in mind, but the platform provides many built-in tools to help you manage your store without needing too many third-party add-ons.
commercetools uses a usage-based pricing model, where you're charged based on the number of API calls, storage, and other factors. This means the price can scale up as your usage increases, which makes it an excellent option for enterprise businesses that need that flexibility. However, for small businesses, commerce tools can get quite expensive, mainly because of the customization and support needed to set things up. So, while it's perfect for larger companies with complex needs, small businesses might find it a bit of a stretch budget-wise.
BigCommerce vs Commerce Tools Pricing Summary:
Here's a quick comparison of BigCommerce vs commerce tools based on their pricing and who they're ideal for:
BigCommerce follows a subscription-based pricing model, with plans starting at $39/month. It's significant for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), entrepreneurs, and mid-market companies that need a solid, easy-to-manage platform for online sales.
Commercetools, on the other hand, uses a usage-based pricing model, with custom pricing based on your business's specific needs. This makes it a better fit for enterprises with more complex e-commerce needs that require a highly flexible and customizable platform.
Features Comparison: BigCommerce vs commerce tools
Both BigCommerce vs commerce tools have impressive features, but each one caters to different kinds of users. Depending on your business's goals and complexity, what works for one might not be the best fit for the other.
BigCommerce Features
Design and Customization Options:
BigCommerce provides customizable themes, and you can tweak your site with HTML and CSS if you're familiar with code. What makes it even easier is that it's super user-friendly, with a drag-and-drop feature that allows business owners without a tech background to design and manage their stores effortlessly. It's a great option if you want flexibility but don't want to dive too deep into coding.
Built-in Tools:
BigCommerce has valuable tools, like abandoned cart recovery, automated emails, advanced shipping options, and integrated payment processing. These features are all built into the platform, so you don't have to worry about adding them separately. It's perfect for streamlining operations and ensuring your store runs smoothly without extra effort.
SEO Optimization:
BigCommerce also excels at SEO. It offers customizable URLs, meta tags, and even Google Shopping integrations to help boost your search engine rankings. Plus, the platform generates automatic sitemaps, making it easier for search engines to crawl and index your site. These built-in SEO tools provide a solid foundation for increasing visibility without extra work.
Multi-channel Selling:
BigCommerce makes it super easy to integrate with major platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook. This means you can expand your reach and sell across multiple channels, all from one place. It's a huge time-saver and helps you connect with a broader audience without the headache of managing everything separately.
Commerce tools Features
Headless Architecture:
Commercetools' headless structure gives you complete control over customizing your store's front and back end. This means you can create a unique shopping experience tailored precisely to your needs. If you're a business with complex requirements, this flexibility is a game-changer, as you can build exactly what you need without being restricted by pre-set templates.
API-First:
Commerce tools provide a robust set of APIs for every part of e-commerce, making it easy for businesses to create customized customer journeys and handle multiple touchpoints seamlessly. Whether you're managing your website, mobile app, or in-store experiences, these APIs allow you to integrate and customize everything exactly how you need it.
Scalability and Flexibility:
With commerce tools, you can easily manage large inventories and operate smoothly across various devices or channels—all without the need to switch platforms. Whether you're selling on mobile, desktop, or through in-store kiosks, the tools are designed to provide a consistent experience across everything you use. This means no headaches from juggling multiple systems.
Integration Capabilities:
commercetools stands out when it comes to flexibility. Its integrations for third-party platforms, ERPs, CRMs, and marketing tools let you create custom solutions perfectly tailored to your business needs. This level of customization makes it easier to connect everything you use, creating a smoother, more streamlined experience.
BigCommerce vs commerce tools Features: Summary
Here's a quick rundown of how BigCommerce vs commerce tools stack up across some key features:
Architecture: BigCommerce operates with a monolithic approach (everything in one package), while Commercetools is a headless platform, offering more flexibility with an API-first design.
Customization: BigCommerce gives you flexibility with templates, but its customization options are somewhat limited compared to commerce tools, which let you fully customize both the frontend and backend to your heart's content.
Multi-Channel: BigCommerce has built-in integrations with popular channels like Amazon and Facebook, making it easy to start immediately. Commercetools, on the other hand, offers custom integrations through its powerful APIs so that you can create more tailored connections to different platforms.
SEO Features: BigCommerce comes with strong out-of-the-box SEO tools, making it easier to optimize your store for search engines right out of the gate. For more advanced users, commerce tools let you customize SEO through APIs for a more tailored approach.
Scalability: BigCommerce is excellent for small to mid-sized businesses looking to grow, while commerce tools is built for enterprises and more prominent brands that need robust scalability and flexibility.
Performance: BigCommerce vs Commerce tools
Performance is super important when you're picking an e-commerce platform. If your site is slow or unreliable, it can hurt your conversion rates, customer satisfaction, and SEO rankings. No one wants to wait around for pages to load, and a sluggish experience can lead to frustrated shoppers bouncing off your site.
BigCommerce Performance
BigCommerce is a cloud-based platform, so its performance is primarily tied to the hosting infrastructure. The good news? BigCommerce runs on high-performance cloud infrastructure, so it's built to handle high traffic volumes without slowing down. This ensures your store remains fast, even during peak periods when traffic is at its highest.
There are a few other performance-related features worth mentioning:
CDN (Content Delivery Network): BigCommerce includes a built-in CDN, which means data is delivered from the server closest to the customer. This helps speed up load times for visitors, no matter where they're located worldwide.
Mobile Optimization: BigCommerce also offers mobile-responsive themes, which are optimized for fast performance on smartphones. So, whether your customers are on a desktop or browsing their phones, they'll get a smooth experience.
Security: BigCommerce takes security seriously, with built-in SSL certificates and PCI compliance. This protects sensitive payment information and contributes to better performance by providing a secure and seamless checkout experience.
Commerce tools Performance
Since Commercetools uses a headless architecture, it offers incredible performance for large-scale businesses. Because the front and back end are decoupled, companies have complete control over their system architecture, improving efficiency and scalability. This setup allows for building highly customized and optimized e-commerce experiences that work seamlessly across all devices, making it a powerful choice for businesses with complex needs.
Commerce tools offer several key performance features that stand out:
Microservices Architecture: Commerce tools use microservices, which make scaling and adding features seamless without affecting performance. This is especially valuable for enterprises that require complex features and integrations across different systems.
Custom Hosting: The platform integrates with any backend infrastructure, allowing businesses to choose the hosting provider that best meets their performance needs.
Flexibility for Heavy Traffic: Commerce tools can efficiently handle large catalogs, millions of products, and heavy customer traffic without sacrificing speed. They're designed to meet the performance demands of global businesses and high-growth enterprises.
BigCommerce vs commerce tools Performance
Here's how BigCommerce vs Commerce tools compare in terms of key performance features:
Scalability
BigCommerce: Best suited for SMBs and mid-market businesses, offering scalability via cloud infrastructure as your business grows.
Commerce tools are ideal for large enterprises with complex needs. Its headless, microservices-based architecture provides unparalleled flexibility and scalability.
Performance
BigCommerce: Provides high performance through its cloud infrastructure and built-in content delivery network (CDN), ensuring fast, reliable performance worldwide.
Commerce tools: Its microservices, custom hosting options, and seamless integration deliver advanced performance, making it ideal for enterprises with heavy-duty needs.
Speed
BigCommerce: Features optimized mobile performance and fast page load times across devices for a smooth user experience.
Commercetools is designed for high traffic and low latency, offering the flexibility needed to handle large volumes without sacrificing speed.
Security
BigCommerce: Offers PCI compliance and SSL encryption as part of its built-in security, ensuring secure transactions.
Commercetools: Since security is tailored to the hosting environment, businesses have complete control over their security measures, offering robust protection as needed.
Customer Support: BigCommerce vs Commerce tools
Choosing the right e-commerce platform isn't just about features and performance—customer support plays a huge role, too. Let's face it: when something goes wrong (and it probably will at some point), having access to fast, reliable support can make all the difference, especially during high-stress times like launch day or peak sales events. Solid support means fewer headaches for you and smoother customer experiences.
BigCommerce Customer Support
BigCommerce stands out when it comes to customer support. They've ensured that no matter what stage your business is in, help is always just a click—or a call—away.
Here's what they offer:
24/7 Support: Whether it's 3 a.m. or midday, you can reach their team via phone, email, or live chat. It's reassuring to know there's always someone available to assist, no matter the time.
Help Center & Community: If you like to solve things on your own (or just do a little research first), BigCommerce's help center has a rich library of articles, tutorials, and even webinars. Plus, its active community forum is a goldmine of shared knowledge from other merchants who've been there and done that.
Dedicated Account Managers: If you're on one of their higher-tier plans, you get access to a dedicated account manager who can offer personalized advice and guidance tailored to your business. It's like having an ecommerce coach in your corner.
Commerce tools Customer Support
Commercetools takes customer support to the next level for enterprise businesses, offering a tailored experience that ensures your success.
Here's how they do it:
Dedicated Technical Support: Commercetools assigns account managers and specialized support engineers to work closely with you. Whether handling custom builds or tackling complex integrations, they've got your back, helping you achieve the best possible setup and long-term performance.
Developer-Focused Help: This platform is highly technical, and they know it. That's why commerce tools prioritize in-depth developer support, assisting with API integration, custom features, and complex system architecture. It's a huge plus for businesses that have a strong technical team.
Extensive Documentation: If you like having a guide in hand, you're in luck. Commercetools has detailed API documentation to walk developers and businesses through custom builds, integrations, and troubleshooting. It's like having a manual for every step of the way.
BigCommerce vs Commerce Tools Customer Support Summary
Choosing the right platform also means considering the support you'll need to keep your store running smoothly.
Here's how BigCommerce and commerce tools stack up when it comes to customer support:
BigCommerce:
Support Availability: You get 24/7 support via phone, live chat, and email, perfect if you need immediate help.
Support Options: BigCommerce provides a robust Help Center with resources like webinars and an active user forum where you can connect with other merchants for advice.
Suitability: It's a great choice if you're running a small to mid-sized business and want reliable support for straightforward setups without breaking the bank.
Commerce tools:
Support Availability: Support leans more towards enterprises, with dedicated technical support that includes personalized assistance from account managers.
Support Options: They excel at offering detailed API documentation and tailored help for developers, which is invaluable if you're building complex e-commerce systems.
Suitability: If you're working on a large-scale operation with unique or advanced requirements, commerce tools deliver the customized support you'll need.
Integrations: BigCommerce vs Commerce tools
Integrations are a game-changer when it comes to running a successful e-commerce store. They ensure your platform can seamlessly connect with the tools you rely on—whether CRMs, email marketing software, inventory management systems, or even your accounting tools. Having these integrations in place saves you time and keeps your operations running smoothly, all while improving the customer experience.
BigCommerce Integrations
BigCommerce simplifies things with its wide range of pre-built integrations. If you're looking for a platform that's plug-and-play, this is one to consider.
Some of the most popular integrations include:
Payment Processors: Options like PayPal, Stripe, and Square are ready to go.
Accounting Tools: Easily sync with QuickBooks or Xero to keep your finances in check.
Marketing Tools: Built-in integrations with tools like MailChimp, Klaviyo, and Google Analytics make it easy to reach and understand your audience.
Shipping Solutions: Services like ShipStation and Shipwire ensure that handling deliveries is efficient and straightforward.
Commerce tools Integrations
Commercetools, with its API-first design, really shines when it comes to integrations. It's built to handle various connections, giving you incredible flexibility and customization options.
Here's how it stands out:
Custom Integrations: APIs allow you to seamlessly connect third-party CRMs, marketing tools, and other business systems, creating solutions tailored to your specific needs.
Pre-Built Connectors: Commercetools also has ready-to-use integrations with enterprise-grade tools like ERPs, CRMs, and content management systems, making it easier to get up and running.
User Experience: BigCommerce vs commerce tools
The user experience (UX) of an e-commerce platform is a game-changer. It impacts everything—from how easy it is for me as a merchant to run my store to how smooth and enjoyable the shopping experience is for my customers. A solid UX isn't just about good design; it's about creating an effortless, intuitive flow for both sides of the equation. It's the foundation of an online business that grows and keeps people returning.
BigCommerce User Experience
BigCommerce makes life easier with its super-intuitive admin panel. Thanks to the drag-and-drop site builder, I can manage my store without being a tech wizard. Whether I'm launching a store or tweaking a design, I can get it done quickly—no coding required. Managing sales across platforms like Amazon, eBay, or social media is seamless. I love that everything's in one place, saving me time and headaches.
Commerce tools, User Experience
With Commercetools' headless architecture, I can create a personalized and consistent customer experience. Sure, it takes a bit more effort up front, but the payoff is enormous—I can ensure every interaction, whether on my website, a mobile app, or even in-store, feels seamless and tailored to their needs.
That level of customization does come with a learning curve. Setting everything up usually requires a solid developer team or technical expertise. However, the ability to control and design unique customer journeys across multiple touchpoints makes it worth the extra work for me. It's about building something less like a cookie-cutter solution and more like a brand experience people won't forget.
Conclusion
Both BigCommerce vs Commercetools are robust platforms, but they each shine differently. If I'm running a small to mid-sized business, BigCommerce is fantastic because it's all-in-one, easy to set up, and packed with built-in tools that make getting up and running a breeze. But commerce tools are the way to go if I manage a more significant business with more complex needs.
Its headless architecture and API-driven approach give me the flexibility and scalability to tailor every aspect of my e-commerce experience, no matter how intricate the requirements are. Ultimately, it all boils down to my business size and needs—whether I need a streamlined, ready-to-go solution or a highly customizable platform that grows with me.
When to Choose BigCommerce:
If I'm running a small to mid-sized business and need an affordable, quick-to-setup, and easy-to-manage e-commerce solution, BigCommerce would be a great fit. It offers everything I need right out of the box, so I don't have to worry about complex setups. Plus, if I don't require heavy customization and want a platform that works seamlessly with essential features, BigCommerce has me covered.
When to Choose Commerce Tools:
If I'm running a large enterprise or a growing business with complex requirements and need complete control over my storefront, then Commerce Tools is the way to go. It offers the flexibility I need to build a highly customized solution. If I also need to integrate smoothly with other systems using APIs, Commerce Tools gives me the tools to do that with ease, making it ideal for businesses that need to operate at scale.
FAQ
Can I switch from BigCommerce to Commercetools later?
Yes, you can migrate from BigCommerce to Commercetools, but it requires more technical work due to Commercetools' custom development needs.
Does BigCommerce support multi-language stores?
Yes, BigCommerce does support multi-language selling, but you might need additional apps or resources for more advanced customization.
Which platform is better for global businesses?
Commercetools is an excellent fit for enormous global businesses thanks to its flexibility in managing international sales and robust, enterprise-grade integrations.
What is the best option for non-technical users?
BigCommerce is ideal for non-technical users, offering an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop interface for simple store setup and management.
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