Shopify vs WooCommerce vs BigCommerce: Platform Comparison
Choosing an ecommerce platform is one of the most consequential decisions for your online business.
The platform you select affects everything from daily operations to growth potential to costs over time to the technical expertise required to run your store. Switching platforms later is expensive and disruptive, requiring data migration, redesign, and potential SEO recovery that makes the initial decision worth careful consideration.
This comparison covers the three leading options: Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Each serves different needs, and the right choice depends on your specific situation rather than any universal ranking.
Platform Overview
Shopify
Shopify is a fully hosted ecommerce platform where you pay monthly and Shopify handles servers, security, and infrastructure. You never think about hosting, updates, or server maintenance because the platform manages all technical operations on your behalf.
The platform has achieved dominant market position as the most popular dedicated ecommerce solution, powering over four million stores globally. This popularity creates a mature ecosystem of themes, apps, and developers who specialize in the platform.
Shopify works best for businesses that want a reliable solution that just works without managing technical infrastructure. The platform excels for merchants who want to focus on products and marketing rather than technology.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a free, open-source WordPress plugin that transforms any WordPress site into an ecommerce store. The software itself costs nothing, but you provide hosting, security, and technical management.
As the most widely-used ecommerce solution overall, WooCommerce benefits from WordPress's dominance in web publishing. The platform powers more stores than any alternative when counting all implementations globally.
WooCommerce works best for businesses with existing WordPress sites who want to add commerce, those who want complete control over every aspect of their store, or those with strong technical resources available to manage infrastructure.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a fully hosted ecommerce platform competing directly with Shopify, with emphasis on built-in features that reduce reliance on apps. Like Shopify, BigCommerce handles hosting and infrastructure.
The platform has established position as the third-largest hosted platform, often chosen by growing mid-market businesses that have outgrown simpler solutions.
BigCommerce works best for businesses that want extensive built-in features without relying heavily on apps and their associated costs and complexity.
Cost Comparison
Shopify Pricing
Shopify's plans progress from Basic at thirty-nine dollars per month through Shopify at one hundred five dollars per month to Advanced at three hundred ninety-nine dollars per month. Enterprise customers can access Shopify Plus starting at approximately two thousand dollars monthly.
Transaction fees with Shopify Payments run 2.9 percent plus thirty cents per transaction on the Basic plan, decreasing at higher tiers. Without Shopify Payments, an additional two percent platform fee applies on Basic, making the integrated payment processor significantly more economical.
Additional costs beyond the platform subscription include premium themes priced between one hundred fifty and four hundred dollars as a one-time purchase. Apps range from free to five hundred dollars or more monthly depending on functionality. Custom development costs vary based on scope and complexity.
WooCommerce Pricing
The core WooCommerce software is free to download and use. However, this free core requires supporting infrastructure that carries its own costs.
Required costs for any WooCommerce implementation include hosting that typically runs twenty to three hundred dollars monthly depending on traffic and performance requirements. Domain registration costs approximately fifteen dollars annually. SSL certificates are often included with hosting but may require separate purchase.
Common additional costs include premium themes priced between fifty and two hundred dollars. Premium extensions for functionality like subscriptions, bookings, or advanced shipping cost fifty to three hundred dollars or more each. Payment gateway fees vary by provider. Security plugins run fifty to two hundred dollars annually. And developer time for setup, customization, and maintenance varies significantly based on store complexity.
The reality is that WooCommerce labeled as free often means one hundred to five hundred dollars monthly or more when properly implemented with adequate hosting, security, and functionality.
BigCommerce Pricing
BigCommerce pricing mirrors Shopify's structure with Standard at thirty-nine dollars monthly, Plus at one hundred five dollars, and Pro at three hundred ninety-nine dollars. Enterprise plans use custom pricing based on business requirements.
The significant difference is that BigCommerce charges no transaction fees on any plan. Payment gateway fees from your processor still apply, but BigCommerce does not add platform transaction costs on top.
Additional costs include themes between one hundred fifty and four hundred dollars. Apps are generally fewer in number needed than Shopify because more features are built into the platform natively. Custom development varies based on requirements.
True Cost Comparison
For a typical small to medium business, the true monthly cost comparison reveals important differences beyond headline pricing.
| Cost Factor | Shopify | WooCommerce | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base monthly | $39-105 | $30-100 (hosting) | $39-105 |
| Essential apps/plugins | $50-200/mo | $20-100/mo | $20-50/mo |
| Payment processing | 2.6-2.9% | 2.9%+ varies | 2.9% (processor) |
| Developer needs | Low-medium | Medium-high | Low-medium |
| Typical monthly | $100-300 | $75-400 | $75-200 |
WooCommerce can be the cheapest option but often is not when factoring in time investment and technical requirements. The platform requires more hands-on management that carries either direct cost for developers or opportunity cost for owner time.
Feature Comparison
Core Ecommerce Features
The three platforms differ significantly in how they handle product complexity and commerce functionality.
| Feature | Shopify | WooCommerce | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product variants | 100 per product | Unlimited | 600 per product |
| Product options | 3 (without apps) | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Digital products | Yes | Yes (extensions) | Yes |
| Subscriptions | Via app | Via extension | Via app |
| B2B features | Plus plan | Extensions | Built-in |
| Multi-currency | Yes | Extensions | Yes |
| Staff accounts | Varies by plan | Unlimited | Varies by plan |
Shopify's three-option limit can constrain stores with complex products, though apps exist to extend this capability. WooCommerce offers unlimited flexibility but requires extensions for features like subscriptions. BigCommerce provides generous limits and includes B2B features that competitors charge extra for.
SEO Capabilities
Search engine optimization capabilities affect long-term organic traffic growth.
| Capability | Shopify | WooCommerce | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| URL structure | Fixed patterns | Full control | Flexible |
| Meta control | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Schema markup | Apps needed | Plugins needed | Some built-in |
| Blog | Basic | Full WordPress | Basic |
| Page speed | Good (managed) | Varies (your hosting) | Good |
WooCommerce offers the most SEO flexibility due to its WordPress foundation, with complete URL control and access to the full range of WordPress SEO plugins. Shopify and BigCommerce are adequate for most needs but impose some structural limitations. Shopify's fixed URL patterns including /products/ and /collections/ cannot be changed, which occasionally creates suboptimal URL structures.
Design and Customization
Visual flexibility and customization depth vary significantly across platforms.
| Aspect | Shopify | WooCommerce | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free themes | 12+ | Thousands | 12+ |
| Premium themes | 100+ official | Thousands | 200+ |
| Customization depth | Medium | Full | Medium |
| Page builder | Native (2.0) | Many options | Page Builder |
| Code access | Liquid templates | Full PHP | Limited |
WooCommerce provides the most design freedom through WordPress's vast theme ecosystem and full code access. Shopify offers moderate customization through its Liquid templating system, with version 2.0 adding significant flexibility. BigCommerce falls between the two with reasonable customization options but less depth than WooCommerce.
App and Plugin Ecosystem
The ecosystem of extensions determines how easily you can add functionality beyond core features.
| Platform | App Store Size | Quality Control | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | 8,000+ apps | Moderate review | Free-$500+/mo |
| WooCommerce | 50,000+ plugins | Varies widely | Free-$300+/mo |
| BigCommerce | 1,000+ apps | Higher standards | Free-$300+/mo |
Shopify's ecosystem is most mature for ecommerce-specific apps, with solutions for nearly every commerce need. WooCommerce has far more options overall but quality varies dramatically, and finding reliable plugins requires research. BigCommerce has fewer apps but includes more features natively, reducing the number of extensions needed.
Technical Considerations
Hosting and Infrastructure
The hosting model fundamentally differs between hosted platforms and self-managed WooCommerce.
Shopify provides fully managed hosting with a 99.99 percent uptime guarantee. Automatic scaling handles traffic spikes without intervention. SSL is included for all stores. Security monitoring and updates are handled by the platform.
WooCommerce requires you to choose and manage hosting. Uptime depends on your hosting provider and configuration. You manage scaling, which means anticipating traffic needs and upgrading infrastructure accordingly. SSL is often included with hosting but requires proper configuration. Security is your responsibility, requiring vigilance about updates and monitoring.
BigCommerce, like Shopify, provides fully managed hosting with 99.99 percent uptime. Automatic scaling, included SSL, and managed security match Shopify's infrastructure offering.
Development and Customization
Technical requirements for customization differ across platforms.
Shopify uses the Liquid templating language with a moderate learning curve. Theme customization is accessible to those willing to learn. Deep customization requires Liquid expertise or developer assistance. Apps extend functionality without code changes.
WooCommerce uses PHP and WordPress development patterns with a steeper learning curve. Unlimited customization is possible for those with development skills. Complex changes typically require a developer. Plugins extend functionality across virtually every domain.
BigCommerce uses the Stencil templating system with a moderate learning curve. Good built-in features reduce customization needs. The platform is less customizable than WooCommerce when you need to go beyond standard options. Apps handle additional feature requirements.
Maintenance Requirements
Ongoing maintenance burden varies significantly based on the hosting model.
Shopify updates automatically without merchant intervention. Security is managed by the platform. Individual apps may need updates, but the core platform handles itself. Overall maintenance burden is low.
WooCommerce requires regular WordPress updates that should be applied promptly for security. Plugin updates need attention and testing since updates can cause conflicts. Security monitoring is your responsibility. Backups must be configured and verified. Overall maintenance burden is higher and requires ongoing attention.
BigCommerce, like Shopify, updates automatically with managed security and low maintenance burden.
Scalability
Traffic and Volume
Each platform handles growth differently based on its architecture.
Shopify handles high traffic well through automatic scaling on managed infrastructure. No practical limits exist for most businesses, and the platform has proven capable of supporting flash sales and viral traffic spikes.
WooCommerce scalability depends entirely on your hosting infrastructure. The platform can handle high volume with proper configuration, but achieving that requires expertise to optimize caching, database performance, and server resources.
BigCommerce handles high traffic well through automatic scaling. Unlike Shopify, BigCommerce imposes no transaction-based limits, though revenue thresholds determine which plan tier you require.
Growth Path
The upgrade path differs based on platform architecture.
Shopify progression moves from Basic to Shopify to Advanced to Plus, with each tier providing clear features and capabilities. The upgrade path is straightforward with increasing features at each level.
WooCommerce progression involves moving to better hosting as traffic grows, adding more plugins as needs expand, and investing in custom development for advanced requirements. Growth requires increasing technical investment.
BigCommerce progression moves from Standard to Plus to Pro to Enterprise, similar to Shopify but with revenue-based tier requirements that may force upgrades based on sales volume rather than feature needs.
When to Choose Each
Choose Shopify When
Shopify makes the most sense when you want reliability without managing infrastructure and need to focus on commerce rather than technology. The platform excels when time-to-market matters and you want to launch quickly. Teams without technical staff or preference for technical involvement benefit from Shopify's managed approach. Strong mobile app support and ecosystem maturity favor Shopify. And the platform works best when Shopify Payments is available in your region to avoid additional transaction fees.
The typical Shopify merchant is a direct-to-consumer brand, product-focused business, startup wanting quick launch, or business without a dedicated technology team.
Choose WooCommerce When
WooCommerce makes the most sense when you already have a WordPress site with established content and audience. The platform excels when you need maximum customization flexibility that hosted platforms cannot provide. Technical resources being available, either staff or agency, makes WooCommerce viable. The platform works well when budget is tight but time is available for setup and management. Content and SEO as primary traffic drivers favor WooCommerce's WordPress foundation. And complete control over every aspect of infrastructure and code may require WooCommerce.
The typical WooCommerce merchant is a content-first business adding commerce, a business with developers on staff, one with highly custom requirements, or a budget-conscious operation with technical capability.
Choose BigCommerce When
BigCommerce makes the most sense when you want a hosted solution with more built-in features than Shopify provides natively. Transaction fees being a concern favors BigCommerce's zero platform transaction fee model. B2B features like customer-specific pricing and bulk ordering are important for wholesale businesses. Wanting fewer apps and integrations to manage reduces ongoing complexity. Mid-market growth phase businesses often find BigCommerce hits the right balance. And multi-channel selling as a priority leverages BigCommerce's channel connectivity.
The typical BigCommerce merchant is a growing mid-market business, B2B seller, or business wanting a Shopify alternative with more features included.
Migration Considerations
Difficulty of Switching
Moving to Shopify is relatively straightforward with many migration tools available. Data migration services exist for complex catalogs, and the process is well-documented.
Moving to WooCommerce often requires more manual work. Plugin options exist for data import, but having a developer involved helps ensure proper configuration.
Moving to BigCommerce follows a similar process to Shopify migration with available tools and documented procedures.
What Transfers
Product data generally migrates smoothly across all platforms since product information is relatively standardized. Customer data is usually transferable, though password resets may be required. Order history can often be imported, though some platforms handle this better than others. SEO elements including URLs and redirects require careful planning to preserve search rankings. Design must be rebuilt on any new platform since templates do not transfer between systems.
Migration Cost Factors
Several factors determine migration complexity and cost. Product catalog size affects data migration effort. Order history importance determines whether historical data must transfer or can be archived. Custom functionality requirements may need rebuilding on the new platform. SEO preservation needs require redirect mapping and careful execution. Timeline constraints affect whether migration can proceed methodically or must be rushed.
For detailed migration planning, see Migrating to Shopify.
Platform-Specific Considerations
Shopify Limitations
Shopify's limitations should factor into your decision. The fixed URL structure uses /products/, /collections/, and similar patterns that cannot be customized. Product options are limited to three without apps, constraining complex product configurations. The blog is basic compared to WordPress's publishing capabilities. Some customizations require apps that add ongoing monthly costs. And you are locked into the Shopify ecosystem, making future platform changes more significant.
WooCommerce Limitations
WooCommerce's limitations center on the self-managed model. Maintenance responsibility falls entirely on you. Plugin compatibility issues can arise when multiple extensions interact poorly. Technical knowledge or budget for developers is required for setup and ongoing management. Security is your responsibility, requiring vigilance and proper configuration. And performance optimization needs attention to achieve good page speeds.
BigCommerce Limitations
BigCommerce's limitations include a smaller app ecosystem with fewer options than competitors. Less community support and fewer resources exist compared to Shopify's large user base. Revenue limits on lower plans may force tier upgrades based on sales rather than feature needs. Design flexibility is less than WooCommerce offers. And fewer agencies and developers specialize in the platform compared to Shopify or WordPress.
Decision Framework
Quick Assessment
Answering key questions helps identify the right platform for your situation.
First, consider whether you have technical resources available. If yes, WooCommerce becomes viable. If no, Shopify or BigCommerce are more appropriate.
Second, determine whether content and SEO are your primary traffic drivers. If yes, WooCommerce likely makes sense given its WordPress foundation. If no, Shopify or BigCommerce work well.
Third, assess whether you need extensive customization. If yes, WooCommerce provides the most flexibility. If moderate customization suffices, any platform works. If minimal customization is needed, Shopify's simplicity becomes advantageous.
Fourth, evaluate whether time-to-market is critical. If yes, Shopify offers the fastest path to launch. If no, any platform is viable.
Fifth, consider whether transaction fees are a major concern. If yes, BigCommerce or WooCommerce avoid platform transaction fees. If no, any platform works.
Final Recommendation Matrix
| Priority | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Simplicity + Speed | Shopify |
| Maximum control | WooCommerce |
| Built-in features | BigCommerce |
| Content + Commerce | WooCommerce |
| B2B focus | BigCommerce or Shopify Plus |
| Limited budget + tech skills | WooCommerce |
| Limited budget + no tech skills | Shopify Basic |
| Scaling quickly | Shopify or BigCommerce |
The Bottom Line
There is no universally best platform. The right choice depends on your specific situation, resources, and priorities.
Choose Shopify for the most straightforward path to a professional store with minimal technical burden. The platform handles infrastructure so you can focus on products and customers.
Choose WooCommerce when you need maximum flexibility and have the technical resources to support a self-managed platform. The WordPress foundation provides unmatched customization potential.
Choose BigCommerce when you want a hosted solution with more built-in features and no transaction fees. The platform offers a middle path between Shopify's simplicity and WooCommerce's flexibility.
Whatever you choose, the platform is just the foundation. Success depends on what you build on it. The right platform makes building easier, but the platform alone does not determine outcomes.
Need help choosing the right platform for your business? Book a free CRO audit and we'll evaluate your requirements and recommend the best foundation for your ecommerce goals.
