Hey there, future online store owner! If you’re stuck choosing between BigCommerce vs Shopify, Shopify vs BigCommerce, or even tossing in Shopify vs WooCommerce vs BigCommerce and others like Squarespace, you’re not alone.
Picking the right platform feels big because it is, your store’s success hinges on it. Today, I’m breaking down these things for you and even BigCommerce vs Shopify Plus, with facts, costs, and simple comparisons.
Table of contents
- What Are These Platforms Anyway
- BigCommerce vs Shopify The Core Showdown
- Shopify vs WooCommerce vs BigCommerce The Trio Face-Off
- BigCommerce vs Shopify Plus Enterprise Level
- BigCommerce vs Shopify vs Squarespace Adding the Creative Angle
- Shopify vs Squarespace vs BigCommerce Side by Side
- WooCommerce vs Shopify vs BigCommerce Deep Dive
- Facts and Stats Roundup
- Final Comparison Table
- Wrapping Up Which Wins
We’ll look at pricing, ease of use, features, and more, all laid out with tables to keep it clear. Whether you’re a beginner or scaling up, this guide’s got you covered. Let’s find the perfect fit for your ecommerce dream!
E-commerce is booming, with global sales hitting $6 trillion in 2024, per Statista. Platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and Squarespace power millions of stores, each with its own strengths.
Shopify’s over 2 million users, BigCommerce serves 60,000+, WooCommerce runs 29% of top online stores, and Squarespace appeals to creatives. I’ll compare them head-to-head so you can see what works for you.
What Are These Platforms Anyway
Before we dive into BigCommerce vs Shopify or any combo, let’s define them. Shopify is an all-in-one hosted platform, everything from hosting to design is included, perfect for quick setups.
BigCommerce is similar, a hosted solution with robust built-in tools for growing businesses. WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin, that gives you total control but needs more setup.
Squarespace is a website builder with e-commerce add-ons, ideal for smaller, design-focused stores. Knowing this sets up our Shopify vs Squarespace vs BigCommerce and beyond comparison.
BigCommerce vs Shopify The Core Showdown
Let’s start with BigCommerce vs Shopify, two heavy hitters. Both are subscription-based, hosted platforms, meaning no separate hosting fees.
Shopify is known for simplicity and a massive app store, while BigCommerce packs more features out of the box. Which wins in Shopify vs BigCommerce? Depends on your needs.
Pricing Breakdown
Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, then plans from $29 to $299 monthly (billed yearly). BigCommerce gives a 15-day trial, with plans matching Shopify’s $29 to $299 range.
BigCommerce skips transaction fees, unlike Shopify unless you use Shopify Payments.
| Feature | Shopify Basic | BigCommerce Standard | Shopify Advanced | BigCommerce Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $29 | $29 | $299 | $299 |
| Transaction Fees | 2% (non-Shopify Payments) | 0% | 0.5% (non-Shopify Payments) | 0% |
| Staff Accounts | 2 | Unlimited | 15 | Unlimited |
| Sales Limit | Unlimited | $50,000/year | Unlimited | $400,000/year |
| Products | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Shopify’s cheaper entry at $29 suits startups, but BigCommerce’s no-fee approach saves money as sales grow. Data from Website Builder Expert (2024) shows Shopify’s app costs can add up, while BigCommerce keeps it leaner.
Ease of Use
Shopify’s drag-and-drop editor is a breeze, even for newbies. BigCommerce’s interface is clean but has a steeper learning curve due to more options. Shopify wins here for simplicity, per Forbes Advisor (2024).
Features
Shopify shines with 8,000+ apps, like Shopify Email for marketing. BigCommerce offers built-ins like abandoned cart recovery (Plus plan, $79) and multi-currency support, with no apps needed.
Shopify vs BigCommerce? Shopify’s app flexibility edges out, but BigCommerce is more self-contained.
Shopify vs WooCommerce vs BigCommerce The Trio Face-Off
Now, let’s widen the lens to Shopify vs WooCommerce vs BigCommerce. WooCommerce flips the script as a free plugin, but you handle hosting and extras.
Pricing Details
WooCommerce is free to install but costs pile up: hosting ($3-$15/month via Bluehost), domain ($10-$15/year), and plugins (e.g., $59/year for WooCommerce Payments).
Shopify and BigCommerce are predictable, while WooCommerce’s flexibility comes with variable costs.
| Platform | Base Cost | Hosting | Transaction Fees | Extras (e.g., Plugins) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | $29/month | Included | 2% (non-Shopify Payments) | $10-$50/month apps |
| BigCommerce | $29/month | Included | 0% | $0-$30/month apps |
| WooCommerce | $0 (plugin) | $3-$15/month | Varies by gateway | $0-$200/year plugins |
WooCommerce can start at $5/month, says ToolTester (2025), but scales with needs. Shopify and BigCommerce are pricier upfront but simpler.
Ease of Use
Shopify is the easiest, followed by BigCommerce. WooCommerce needs WordPress know-how—installing themes and plugins takes effort. Pixlogix (2024) notes WooCommerce’s tech hurdle vs Shopify’s plug-and-play.
Features and Flexibility
WooCommerce offers endless customization via WordPress, with 100+ payment gateways. Shopify’s app store and BigCommerce’s built-ins (e.g., 65+ gateways) are strong, but WooCommerce wins for control, per Ecommerce Platforms (2024).
| Feature | Shopify | BigCommerce | WooCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Themes | 212 ($100-$350) | 196 ($150-$399) | Thousands ($0-$80) |
| Apps/Plugins | 8,000+ | 1,000+ | Thousands |
| SEO Tools | Good | Great | Best |
| Scalability | High | Highest | High with tweaks |
WooCommerce vs Shopify vs BigCommerce? WooCommerce is king for customization, BigCommerce for growth, and Shopify for balance.
BigCommerce vs Shopify Plus Enterprise Level
For big players, BigCommerce vs Shopify Plus matters. Shopify Plus starts at $2,300/month, tailored for high-volume stores (e.g., Heinz uses it).
BigCommerce Enterprise quotes custom pricing, often $1,000-$5,000/month, per LitExtension (2025).
Cost and Scale
Shopify Plus offers unlimited bandwidth and advanced APIs, with 24/7 priority support. BigCommerce Enterprise adds multi-storefronts and custom consulting, with no transaction fees.
Both handle millions in sales, but Shopify Plus’s ecosystem is broader.
| Feature | Shopify Plus | BigCommerce Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Cost | $2,300/month | Custom ($1,000-$5,000) |
| Transaction Fees | 0.15%-0.85% | 0% |
| Staff Accounts | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Support | 24/7 Priority | Dedicated Consultant |
Shopify Plus wins for app integration, and BigCommerce for cost control, per Style Factory (2025).
Features
Shopify Plus has 3D product pages and Shopify Markets for global sales. BigCommerce Enterprise offers deep Google integration and SKU-level pricing. Both are top-tier, but Shopify’s community edges it out.
BigCommerce vs Shopify vs Squarespace Adding the Creative Angle
Now, BigCommerce vs Shopify vs Squarespace. Squarespace is a website builder with e-commerce, best for small stores or portfolios, not heavy retail.
Pricing Snapshot
Squarespace starts at $23/month (Personal) with e-commerce on Business ($33/month) or Commerce ($36-$72/month). It’s cheaper than Shopify and BigCommerce but less robust.
| Platform | Base Cost | E-commerce Cost | Transaction Fees | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | $29/month | $29/month | 2% (non-Shopify Payments) | Unlimited |
| BigCommerce | $29/month | $29/month | 0% | Unlimited |
| Squarespace | $23/month | $36/month | 0%-3% | Unlimited |
Squarespace’s $36 Commerce plan skips fees, per LitExtension (2025), but lacks scale.
Ease of Use and Design
Squarespace’s drag-and-drop shines for stunning designs, 44 extensions vs Shopify’s 8,000+. Shopify and BigCommerce prioritize function over form. Elegant Themes (2025) calls Squarespace the prettiest.
Features
Squarespace offers blogging and basic e-commerce (e.g., abandoned cart on a $72 plan). Shopify and BigCommerce dwarf it with sales tools, multichannel selling, and advanced analytics.
Shopify vs Squarespace vs BigCommerce? Squarespace for small, Shopify/BigCommerce for serious stores.
| Feature | Shopify | BigCommerce | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design Templates | 212 | 196 | 100+ |
| Apps/Extensions | 8,000+ | 1,000+ | 44 |
| Sales Channels | Many | Many | Few |
| Best For | Scaling Stores | Growing Businesses | Creatives |
Shopify vs Squarespace vs BigCommerce Side by Side
Let’s flip it to Shopify vs Squarespace vs BigCommerce. Shopify is the all-rounder, Squarespace is the artist, and BigCommerce is the grower.
Costs and Limits
Shopify’s $29 beats Squarespace’s $36 for e-commerce, with no sales caps. BigCommerce matches Shopify but caps sales ($50,000 on Standard). Squarespace fits tight budgets, per Forbes (2024).
Support and Community
Shopify’s 24/7 support and 2 million users lead. BigCommerce offers chat/email (phone on Plus+), and Squarespace has 24/7 email/chat. Shopify’s ecosystem wins, per White Peak Digital (2025).
WooCommerce vs Shopify vs BigCommerce Deep Dive
Back to WooCommerce vs Shopify vs BigCommerce. WooCommerce’s open-source nature contrasts with hosted Shopify and BigCommerce.
Setup and Maintenance
Shopify and BigCommerce handle hosting and updates. WooCommerce needs you to manage WordPress—security, backups, and hosting. DesignNBuy (2022) says WooCommerce’s freedom comes with work.
Scalability
BigCommerce scales best with multi-storefronts. Shopify grows via apps, and WooCommerce via custom code. BigCommerce takes it, per Pixlogix (2024).
Facts and Stats Roundup
- Shopify: 19% of top 1M stores (BuiltWith, 2025).
- WooCommerce: 29% of top 1M (BuiltWith).
- BigCommerce: 60,000+ merchants (company data).
- Squarespace: 2.8M users, less e-commerce focus (Statista).
Final Comparison Table
| Aspect | Shopify | BigCommerce | WooCommerce | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Cost | $29/month | $29/month | $5-$15/month | $36/month |
| Transaction Fees | 2% (non-Shopify Payments) | 0% | Varies | 0%-3% |
| Ease of Use | Easiest | Moderate | Technical | Easy |
| Features | App-driven | Built-in | Customizable | Basic |
| Scalability | High | Highest | High with effort | Low |
| Best For | Beginners/Scaling | Growing Stores | DIY Experts | Small Creatives |
Wrapping Up Which Wins
So, BigCommerce vs Shopify? Shopify vs WooCommerce vs BigCommerce? Shopify vs Squarespace vs BigCommerce? It’s your call! Shopify’s great for most, easy, scalable, app-rich. BigCommerce suits growing businesses with no fees and built-ins.
WooCommerce is for tinkerers who love control. Squarespace fits small, design-first shops. Test Shopify’s trial at Shopify.com, BigCommerce at BigCommerce.com, WooCommerce via WordPress.org, or Squarespace at Squarespace.com.
What’s your pick? Let me know below, I’d love to hear your plans!