BigCommerce
BigCommerce is built for serious, scaling online stores, with fewer forced app purchases and stronger SEO defaults than many competitors.
180+ themes are solidly built for commerce, though the design library is smaller and less trend-forward than Shopify's theme store.
The admin is powerful but denser than Shopify's, reflecting its focus on larger stores with more complex catalog and channel needs.
One of the strongest eCommerce SEO toolsets available — full control over URLs, redirects, and structured data without extra apps.
BigCommerce packs more native commerce functionality (multi-channel, B2B features) into the core platform, reducing reliance on paid apps.
Plans start at $29/mo, but annual online sales thresholds can push a store into a higher tier regardless of feature needs.
24/7 chat, phone, and email support, plus a comprehensive knowledge base geared toward serious store owners.
- 1Create a BigCommerce account
Sign up at bigcommerce.com — a free trial is available.
- 2Choose a theme
Select a free or premium theme suited to your product type.
- 3Add your products and catalog
Import or manually add products, categories, and variants.
- 4Configure payments and shipping
Connect a payment gateway (no forced provider) and set up shipping rules.
- 5Launch your store
Preview your storefront, connect a domain, and go live.
Is BigCommerce Right for Your Store?
BigCommerce focuses on stores that want room to grow. Many features that require paid apps elsewhere, such as product filtering, reviews, and advanced shipping rules, come included in the core plans.
Who BigCommerce Is Best For
Mid-size retailers, B2B sellers, and brands with large or complex catalogs benefit most. If you sell across several channels, including marketplaces and social platforms, central inventory management saves time and prevents overselling.
What Stands Out
SEO is a real strength, with editable URLs, automatic redirects, and clean page structure. Freedom to choose any payment gateway without extra platform fees also helps protect margins as sales grow.
Where It Falls Short
The admin has more settings than simple builders, so new users need time to learn it. Sales thresholds can force upgrades even when you do not need new features, and the app and theme selection is smaller than Shopify's.
Tips Before You Start
Estimate your annual online revenue before choosing a plan, so that sales limits do not surprise you. Use the free trial to import a sample of products and test filtering and checkout. Set up redirects from your old URLs if you are migrating, so you keep existing search rankings.
Our Bottom Line
BigCommerce is a strong Shopify alternative for growing stores that want more built-in features and fewer app subscriptions.
