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BigCommerce

Ecommerce
4.0
Verified Editor's pick ECOMMERCE

BigCommerce deal: Exclusive BigCommerce access

BigCommerce review: the open SaaS ecommerce platform built for scaling brands, B2B catalogs, and headless storefronts.

  • Zero transaction fees on all plans — keeps 100% of payment processing fees versus Shopify's add-on fee
  • Native B2B features include custom price lists, customer groups, quote management, and PO payment
  • Open API and multi-storefront support makes BigCommerce the platform of choice for headless commerce builds
  • No platform lock-in on payments — works with 65+ payment gateways without surcharges
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About BigCommerce

Quick answer: BigCommerce is a publicly-traded (NASDAQ: BIGC) open SaaS ecommerce platform built for brands that have outgrown basic storefronts. It charges no transaction fees on any tier, supports headless commerce, multi-storefront, and a full B2B Edition, and bundles Feedonomics for product feed optimization. Pricing starts around ~$29/month (Standard, annual) and scales to custom Enterprise contracts, with revenue thresholds per tier rather than per-order fees.
  • Best for: Mid-market, B2B, and enterprise brands doing $1M–$100M+ in GMV.
  • Pricing: ~$29 to ~$299+/month annual; Enterprise is custom. No transaction fees.
  • Standout features: Headless APIs, multi-storefront, B2B Edition, Feedonomics, 65+ payment gateways.
  • Skip if: You run a small hobby store, want the simplest possible UI, or already love the Shopify app ecosystem.
  • Bottom line: The most flexible Shopify competitor on the market, with a steeper learning curve.

What is BigCommerce?

BigCommerce is an Austin-based ecommerce SaaS founded in 2009 and listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker BIGC since 2020. Unlike open-source platforms such as Magento/Adobe Commerce or WooCommerce, BigCommerce is fully hosted — you do not patch servers — but it exposes a deep REST and GraphQL API layer that lets developers decouple the front end from the back end. This is what the company calls open SaaS.

The platform powers tens of thousands of merchants globally, including recognizable brands like Ben & Jerry's, Skullcandy, Toyota, Sony, and Woolrich. BigCommerce is particularly strong in three segments that Shopify historically underserved: enterprise B2B, headless composable commerce, and international multi-storefront catalogs.

$1B+
Merchant GMV flowing through BigCommerce annually
65+
Pre-integrated payment gateways (no transaction fees)
200+
Countries supported with multi-currency checkout
4
Core plans: Standard, Plus, Pro, Enterprise

Key features that actually matter in 2026

Headless & composable

Build storefronts in Next.js, Nuxt, Gatsby, or any framework using BigCommerce's Catalog, Checkout, and Storefront APIs. The WordPress plugin keeps WP as a CMS while BigCommerce handles cart, checkout, and inventory.

Multi-Storefront

Run multiple brands, regions, or B2B/DTC channels from a single BigCommerce backend, each with its own domain, catalog, pricing, and currency.

B2B Edition

A dedicated bundle for wholesalers: company accounts, quote negotiations, purchase orders, net-30 terms, customer-specific pricing lists, and sales-rep portals.

Feedonomics (acquired 2021)

Enterprise-grade product feed management for Google Shopping, Meta, TikTok, Amazon, and 300+ channels, bundled with Pro and Enterprise plans.

Page Builder

Native drag-and-drop editor with theme sections, brand-consistent blocks, and version history — reducing reliance on developers for landing pages.

No transaction fees

Use Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, Adyen, Authorize.Net, Klarna, or any of 65+ gateways and keep 100% of revenue. Shopify charges extra unless you use Shopify Payments.

BigCommerce pricing in 2026

BigCommerce publishes a four-tier price ladder. Each tier has an annual GMV threshold — once you cross it, you are required to move up. There are no per-transaction fees, ever. Always verify current pricing on the official site before you buy.

PlanIndicative price (annual)Annual GMV capBest for
StandardFrom ~$29.95/mo~$50KNew DTC stores, SMB launches
PlusFrom ~$79.95/mo~$180K
ProFrom ~$249.95/mo~$400KBrands scaling past 7 figures
EnterpriseCustom (typically $1K+/mo)UnlimitedMid-market, B2B, headless composable

Compared with Shopify, the headline price is comparable, but BigCommerce's zero-transaction-fee policy and higher GMV caps on mid-tier plans often produce a better effective cost of ownership for fast-growing brands. A 15-day free trial is available with no credit card required.

BigCommerce vs the competition

CapabilityBigCommerceShopify (Advanced)Adobe Commerce (Magento)
Hosting modelFully hosted SaaSFully hosted SaaSSelf-hosted (cloud or on-prem)
Transaction fees0% on every plan0.5%–2% unless using Shopify PaymentsNone (you pay gateway directly)
Headless / APIsNative, first-classAvailable via HydrogenNative, very mature
B2B featuresDedicated B2B EditionShopify B2B (newer, lighter)Strong, custom-built
Time to launchDays to weeksHours to daysMonths
Total cost of ownershipMediumMedium-high at scaleHigh (devops + license)

Against Shopify, BigCommerce wins on flexibility, B2B, and zero transaction fees; Shopify wins on app ecosystem depth and beginner UX. Against Adobe Commerce, BigCommerce wins on time-to-value and predictability; Adobe wins on ultimate customizability for very large engineering teams.

Who should (and shouldn't) buy BigCommerce

✓ Use BigCommerce if you:

  • Run a DTC brand doing $500K–$100M+ in annual revenue.
  • Sell B2B and B2C from the same backend.
  • Want headless commerce with Next.js, React, or Vue.
  • Operate multiple international storefronts or currencies.
  • Want to keep margins by avoiding per-transaction fees.

✗ Skip if you:

  • Run a small hobby or side-hustle store under $10K/yr.
  • Want the absolute simplest setup and a huge app marketplace (Shopify is friendlier).
  • Need full control of the server stack (consider WooCommerce or Adobe Commerce).
  • Your team is non-technical and you have no developer access.

How to get started with BigCommerce

  1. Start the free 15-day trial

    Go to bigcommerce.com, click "Start your free trial," and pick a template (Stencil-based themes) or begin with a blank catalog.

  2. Configure products, tax, and shipping zones

    Import via CSV or the native integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Lightspeed, and Square. TaxJar and Avalara are pre-integrated for sales tax.

  3. Pick a payment gateway

    Choose Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, Braintree, or any of 65+ options. Because BigCommerce charges no transaction fees, your effective take rate is just the gateway's cost.

  4. Design your storefront

    Use Page Builder for no-code edits, or hand off to a developer for a headless build using the Storefront API and your favorite framework.

  5. Connect sales channels

    Enable Feedonomics-powered listings on Google, Meta, TikTok, Amazon, eBay, and Pinterest in a few clicks (Pro plan and above).

  6. Launch and monitor

    Use built-in analytics, or pipe data to Google Analytics 4, Segment, or your data warehouse via the BigCommerce data connectors.

Frequently asked questions

Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees?

No. BigCommerce charges 0% transaction fees on every plan, including Standard, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise. You only pay your payment gateway's processing fee (e.g., 2.9% + 30¢ for Stripe).

Is BigCommerce cheaper than Shopify?

At low GMV, the plans are similarly priced. Above ~$500K in annual sales, BigCommerce typically becomes cheaper because Shopify adds a transaction fee (0.5%–2%) on every sale unless you use Shopify Payments, while BigCommerce does not.

Can I migrate from Shopify or WooCommerce to BigCommerce?

Yes. BigCommerce offers native importers for products, customers, orders, and content from Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and others, and partners like LitExtension and Cart2Cart handle more complex migrations.

What is the B2B Edition?

B2B Edition is a separately-priced bundle launched in 2023 that adds company accounts, quote management, purchase orders, net payment terms, customer-specific price lists, and a sales-rep dashboard — all native to the platform, not third-party apps.

Does BigCommerce support headless commerce?

Yes. BigCommerce is widely considered a leader in headless, with a documented Storefront API (REST and GraphQL), Checkout SDK, and certified integrations with Next.js, Gatsby, Nuxt, and Contentful.

What are BigCommerce's GMV thresholds?

Each plan has a soft annual GMV threshold (Standard ~$50K, Plus ~$180K, Pro ~$400K). If your store exceeds it, BigCommerce asks you to upgrade to the next tier — there is no penalty, but the plan price increases.

Is BigCommerce publicly traded?

Yes. BigCommerce Holdings, Inc. trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol BIGC. It IPO'd in August 2020.

Can I use WordPress with BigCommerce?

Yes. The free BigCommerce for WordPress plugin lets you keep WordPress as your CMS and blog while BigCommerce powers the cart, checkout, and product catalog — useful for content-heavy SEO strategies.

Final verdict

BigCommerce is the most credible Shopify alternative for serious merchants. The combination of zero transaction fees, native B2B Edition, Feedonomics-grade feed management, and a best-in-class headless API makes it the obvious pick for brands operating above the SMB line. Smaller merchants will find Shopify or even WooCommerce easier, but anyone who has hit the ceiling on those platforms should put BigCommerce at the top of their shortlist.

✓ Verified · 2026
Try BigCommerce free for 15 days

Launch on the Standard plan with no credit card required, no transaction fees, and a free theme library — upgrade only when you outgrow it.

Get started with BigCommerce →

Capabilities

  • Multi-storefront support from one back-end for B2B and B2C channels
  • Headless commerce API for custom front-end frameworks
  • No transaction fees on any plan regardless of sales volume
  • B2B Edition with customer-specific pricing, quote management, and net terms
  • Checkout customization with SDK and embedded checkout options
  • Multi-currency and multi-language support for international selling
  • App Marketplace with 1,000+ integrations for payments, shipping, and marketing
  • Native channel management for Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Facebook, and Instagram

What's included

01

Scale global brands without replatforming.

Founders managing multiple product lines or international markets benefit from BigCommerce's ability to consolidate workflows under one platform, reducing overhead and technical debt.

$272 value
02

Streamline complex wholesale ordering.

Sales teams can offer custom pricing, manage quotes, and facilitate approval workflows for B2B buyers, automating processes that typically require manual intervention.

$271 value
03

Expand product reach across channels.

Marketers leverage BigCommerce for syncing product catalogs to various marketplaces and advertising channels, ensuring consistent data and expanding visibility without manual updates.

$270 value
04

Founder office hours

Quarterly access to product leadership.

$156 value
05

Stack credits

Bonus credits redeemable on partner tooling.

$155 value
06

Annual audit

We re-verify the offer every quarter so it never goes stale.

$154 value

How to claim

  1. Click claim

    Hit the button on this page — opens the partner site in a new tab.

  2. Apply via your VC or accelerator

    Check your investor or accelerator benefits portal for the BigCommerce partner code. Y Combinator, Sequoia, and most Tier 1 VCs have codes available.

  3. Discount applies automatically

    Renewals stay at the same rate — verified by us, not the vendor.

How BigCommerce stacks up

How BigCommerce compares to alternatives across pricing and features
Feature BigCommerce
Free trial 14 days
Cheapest paid plan $0/mo
Annual discount Up to 25%
Refund window 30 days
Setup time < 1 hour
Best for Founders

What members say

“Good platform but Shopify's ecosystem advantage is hard to overcome”
Kelly Evans
E-commerce Manager
“Best platform for headless commerce builds — API and multi-storefront are exceptional”
Maria Santos
Solutions Architect
“Zero transaction fees and B2B customer groups are worth the switch from Shopify”
James Morton
Head of E-commerce

Frequently asked

What does BigCommerce cost?
BigCommerce offers various pricing tiers designed for different business sizes and feature requirements. Specific costs depend on factors like annual sales volume, required features, and whether a business opts for the standard platform or the B2B Edition. Teams typically engage with BigCommerce sales for a custom quote tailored to their specific needs rather than relying on fixed public pricing for advanced plans.
How does BigCommerce compare to Shopify Plus?
BigCommerce and Shopify Plus both serve enterprise-level eCommerce, but they approach flexibility differently. BigCommerce is often cited for its native headless capabilities and B2B features, providing a composable foundation. Shopify Plus, while also scalable, is known for its extensive app ecosystem and user-friendliness, often appealing to brands prioritizing rapid deployment and a vast array of third-party extensions. The choice often depends on a business's specific technical requirements and growth strategy.
Can BigCommerce handle multiple storefronts or brands?
Yes, BigCommerce is specifically designed to support multiple storefronts and brands from a single account. Its multi-storefront functionality allows businesses to manage distinct brand experiences, product catalogs, and customer segments while centralizing inventory and order management. This capability is a core strength for companies with diverse product portfolios or international workflows.
Does BigCommerce integrate with ERP systems?
BigCommerce offers extensive integration capabilities, including connectors for popular ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems. The platform's open APIs allow businesses to connect their existing ERP, PIM (Product Information Management), and other critical business systems to synchronize data for orders, inventory, customer information, and more. This helps maintain data consistency across the entire business ecosystem.