Shopify v/s BigCommerce Platform Limits – What you do not know?

In the e-commerce industry, Shopify and BigCommerce are competing for the title of the ultimate platform. While much has been said about the features, customization options, and scalability of their platforms, there’s a hidden realm that is often overlooked – the lesser-known platform limitations. Besides the dazzling array of templates and payment gateways, there are subtle restrictions that can have a significant impact on your online business success. 

Here, we will uncover the hidden limitations that may influence your choice between Shopify and BigCommerce. So, let’s dig deeper and find out what these platforms might not be overtly revealing about their limitations.

Shopify v/s BigCommerce Main Difference in Features

Shopify: A Quick Overview	BigCommerce: A Quick Tour
Shopify- the digital haven where dreams of thriving online businesses transform into reality. Serving as a comprehensive e-commerce platform, Shopify is your one-stop solution for crafting and managing captivating online stores. It was founded in 2006 by the dynamic duo Tobias Lutke and Scott Lake, isn’t just a platform; it’s your launchpad into the dynamic world of e-commerce. Imagine a world where launching your virtual storefront is as easy as a few clicks, and navigating the complexities of online retail is a breeze. Shopify boasts a treasure trove of features that span from customizable templates that reflect your brand’s essence, to seamless payment and shipping integrations that make transactions a joy.  However, here’s the interactive twist: consider Shopify as your artistic canvas, where you paint your idea of success, and then see it come to life in pixelated perfection. When you think things can’t get any better, Shopify decides to welcome companies of all sizes, from quick startups to multinational corporations. Explore the range of pricing options catered to your needs and budget, and add some third-party magic with applications and connections to boost your commercial power.	Step into the world of digital commerce with BigCommerce, a dynamic powerhouse that empowers businesses, both large and small, to transform their online store dreams into fascinating success stories. It was founded in 2009,  a brainchild of Eddie Machaalani and Mitchell Harper. According to BuiltWith, BigCommerce stands proud with over 47,000 live websites and a legacy of nearly 100,000 more that have benefited from its offerings.  It’s a realm where crafting, managing, and expanding your virtual storefront is a breeze, whether you’re an entrepreneur or business owner. BigCommerce offers you an arsenal of user-friendly tools and integrations that transform the complexities of e-commerce into a seamless experience. And that’s not all – delve into advanced reporting tools, tap into various sales channels, and rest assured with secure payment processing, all encapsulated within the BigCommerce ecosystem.
Shopify OS2 Pricing	BigCommerce Pricing
On Shopify’s Pricing Page there are six pricing options.  The basic package is included in the first pricing category: $1 for the first three months instead of $32 per month.  Simple reports. 1,000 maximum inventory locations.  2 employee accounts.  Your store may accommodate any number of products.  A number of sales channels. 24 hour support.  Customers’ abandoned cart emails should be sent automatically  Gift cards are offered.  No cost SSL certificate  Put your store’s content in many languages.  In multiple different international marketplaces, you can establish various prices for the same product.  Your consumers can be filtered and divided into several categories and groups. Shopify is the second plan in this first category, which includes everything above plus.  $1 for the first three months, $92 per month.  Reputable reports. 1,000 maximum inventory locations.  5 employee accounts.  Create workflows and automate manual work.  In the first category, the Advanced plan offers everything offered in the previous two plans: $1 for the first three months, $399 per month.  Creator of custom reports. 1,000 maximum inventory locations. 15 employee accounts  Shipping costs determined by a third party.  To provide clients with a clear understanding of the whole cost and lower your risk of returns and parcel refusals, you can estimate and collect tariffs and import taxes at the point of sale. The “Starter package” is the first pricing plan in the second pricing category. Starting plan for 3 months for $1; after that, it costs $5 per month. Sell goods through online stores and messaging services. Shopify Plus is the second pricing option in this group. Begins at $2,000 per month. 24/7 priority technical assistance through phone, email, or live chat  Through the merchant success program, you can gain platform expertise and industry insights. Free of charge customized migration, startup, and account management assistance  Platforms may be customized The Shopify commerce components are included in this category’s third pricing level. You must speak with sales if you want further information because prices are fixed for the components you want in your store.	There are four pricing options available on BigCommerce, standard, plus, pro, and enterprise. Standard Pricing Plan Annually Payment – $29 monthly bill; Monthly Payment – $39 bill.  Reputable payment gateways – No additional transaction costs.  Products, file storage, and bandwidth – Unlimited.  Several employee accounts.  An online storefront is included with this pricing strategy.  To handle more brands, you can build up to 3 multi-storefronts; each extra storefront costs $30. You can link your shop with Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.  Connect your store to Facebook Shop and Instagram Checkout to reach more customers and boost sales.  Provides expert reporting tools, accepts payments in more than 100 different currencies, supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Amazon Pay, offers single-page checkout, provides real-time shipping rates, etc.  Up to 4 inventory locations. Plus Pricing Plan Annually pay – cost is $79; Monthly pay – cost is $105 each month.  Similar features to the basic pricing plan.  Up to five shops may be combined, and each additional storefront costs $50. For price, product access, and promotional purposes, you can segment your consumer base.  It offers a feature called “abandoned cart saver” that automatically sends emails to customers who leave their carts unattended to remind them to finish their orders.  The shopping carts of your customers are saved to their accounts under this price structure, so even if they transfer devices, the carts are still available.  keeps track of returning clients’ billing and shipping details. The consumer experience is thereby enhanced.  Up to 5 inventory locations. Pro Pricing Plan Annually pay – cost is $299; Monthly pay – cost is $399. Identical features to the plus pricing plan. Up to 8 storefronts may be combined; each additional shop costs $100.At this price point, Google customer reviews are activated. Customers may filter products quickly and dynamically- shopping is improved. Benefits of personalised product filters. Features up to 8 inventory locations. Enterprise Pricing Plan For the pricing at this level, you must speak with sales.  It permits many storefronts, but you must speak with sales to get a personalised strategy. It costs $100 for each extra store.  Custom pricing is available down to the SKU level.  You can sync data from 3rd party systems, such ERPs, into BigCommerce at this price point.  Includes a specific amount of stock locations.

Shopify v/s BigCommerce: Pricing – Which is the Better Option?

In the battle of pricing, it’s a thrilling tie between Shopify and BigCommerce, both offering enticing options for your online journey. Let’s unravel the cost-effective secrets that lie within each platform, ensuring your e-commerce venture takes flight without breaking the bank.

	Shopify	BigCommerce
Count of Staff Accounts	Based on Pricing Plan, from 2 to 15	Unlimited
Transaction Charge	Depending on the pricing plan, between 0.5 and 2 percent (excluding Shopify Payments)	Free of Transaction Fees
Reports	The Basic Plan does not include reports	All plans come with professional reporting tools
Abandoned Card Recovery	Offered on all plans	Not offered in the Standard Plans
Shipping Charges	Only on Advanced Plan	Allowed on all the Plans
Available Ratings and Reviews	Not available	Available on all the plans

Shopify v/s BigCommerce: SEO – Which is the Better Option?

BigCommerce has the edge here because you can customize your URLs more effectively. As well as all the other features Shopify provides, it also provides personalization.

There is one thing to remember about all the elements above: they are all part of what is called technical SEO. To rank well on search engines, you need much more than that. It takes time and effort to create great content for your website. So consider these points before choosing any platform to make your site rank high on SERPs.

Shopify: SEO	BigCommerce: SEO
Completely responsive	Completely responsive
Sitemap Accessible	Sitemap accessible
Access to complete meta title and meta description editing	Customization to meta titles, meta description, and URL slugs
A 301 automatic redirect	A 301 automatic redirect
Change heading, page, title, etc.	Change heading, page, title, etc.
Free SSL certificate	Free SSL certificate
URL cannot be fully customised

Shopify v/s BigCommerce: Security – Which is the Better Option?

When it comes to security, both Shopify and BigCommerce stand shoulder to shoulder, providing robust fortresses to shield your online business. With equally impressive measures in place, your e-commerce realm remains well-guarded and poised for success.

Shopify: Security	BigCommerce: Security
All plans include free SSL certificate	All plans include free SSL certificate
PCI DSS 3.0 certificate is provided at Level1	PCI DSS 3.0 certificate is provided at Level1
HTTPS security	HTTPS security
Endless storage space	Endless storage space
Guaranteed uptime of 99.99%	Guaranteed uptime of 99.99%
Additional internal security procedures	Additional internal security procedures

Shopify v/s BigCommerce: Customizability – Which is the Better Option?

BigCommerce takes the crown with its abundant theme selection in the quest for tailor-made excellence. With over double the themes offered compared to Shopify, BigCommerce empowers you to handpick the ideal visual identity for your online business, ensuring a seamless fusion of aesthetics and functionality that truly sets your brand apart.

Shopify: Customizability	BigCommerce: Customizability
More than 80 themes (10 fress, 70 Premium)	More than 170 themes (12 fress, 158 Premium)
Excellent Customizability	Excellent Customizability
Custom HTML CSS code support	HTML, CSS code customizability is permitted
Anytime theme changes	Theme change at any moment
A wider selection of typefaces for any theme	600 different option for each product
100 different variations for each product

Shopify v/s BigCommerce: Ease to Use – Which is Better Option?

In the realm of ease of use, Shopify claims the throne. While both platforms embrace user-friendly designs, Shopify takes the lead by offering a seamless website setup and an unparalleled user experience tailored especially for beginners. So whether you’re starting your business or want to lead up your business to new heights, Shopify guides you effortlessly toward crafting your online presence. 

Shopify: Ease to Use	BigCommerce: Ease to Use
Easier Setup	Increased learning curve
Better custom onboarding	Drag-and-drop builder
Simple Language usage	Use of several technical words

Shopify v/s BigCommerce: For Mobile – Which is Better Option?

Regarding mobile prowess, Shopify emerges as the front-runner with its superior mobile app, empowering store owners to manage their e-commerce empire from anywhere seamlessly. Both platforms ensure a responsive layout, adapting flawlessly to customers’ devices. So, while BigCommerce provides mobile optimization, Shopify gives you the power to wield your online store on the move.

Shopify: For Mobile	BigCommerce: For Mobile
The mobile app has received 4.6 out of 10 on iOS (7,600 ratings)	The mobile app has received 4.6 out of 10 on iOS (493 ratings)
4.4 out of 5 stars for the Android app (19,931 reviews)	3.5 out of 5 star for Android app (176 reviews)
AMP requires third-party applications	AMP by default
Numerous functionalities in a mobile application	A mobile app with few features

Shopify v/s BigCommerce: Blogging – Which is Better Option?

For weaving your digital narratives, both Shopify and BigCommerce offer solid foundations for a simple blog. Yet, Shopify takes the spotlight by adding an extra layer of features compared to BigCommerce. With Shopify, importing blog posts and nurturing your subscriber list gains enhanced support.

But here’s the twist: whether you choose the Shopify path or tread the BigCommerce route, blogging can be further amplified. Imagine expanding your blog’s horizons with an array of tools seamlessly integrated into these platforms, unlocking a world of functionality and customization that sets your online presence apart.

Shopify: Blogging	BigCommerce: Blogging
Publish a blog post at a specific time	Tags Integrations with external blogs
Automatic creation of an RSS feed for each blog established	Built-in blogs
Build-in blog	Blog excerpts
Blog excerpt	Social sharing buttons
Social sharing button	Comments
Remarks
Tags
More. Integrating with external blogs
Ability to publish blog entries in bulk

Shopify v/s BigCommerce: Platform Limitations – Which is the Better Option?

In the realm of platform limitations, BigCommerce emerges as the victor, offering a more expansive horizon for your e-commerce ambitions. Discover how BigCommerce’s prowess in overcoming limitations can shape your online success.

Shopify: Platform Limitations	BigCommerce: Platform Limitations
The base fee is $29 per month.	BigCommerce’s standard price is $29 per month.
Has unlimited design options	Has many themes to select from. Perfect for Startup.
A limited number of international stores are supported	Many international stores are supported for creating creative, engaging stores.
A blog feature is available in Shopify.	BigCommerce by default comes with basic blog features.
Shopify is a perfect platform for many businesses, but not suitable for all businesses.	BigCommerce is unquestionably among the top options for companies of every size and individuals with all levels of experience.

Final Verdict

In the captivating clash between Shopify and BigCommerce, it becomes clear that their platform limits are the lesser-explored facets that hold the potential to shape your e-commerce journey. Beyond the glitz of features and user-friendly interfaces lies a realm of nuanced restrictions that demand attention. 

As we conclude this exploration, remember that the true power lies in understanding and navigating these limitations. Armed with this hidden knowledge, you can make an informed decision that aligns seamlessly with your business aspirations. 

As you embark on your digital venture, may this newfound awareness guide you toward a path that fits your present needs and propels you toward future success in the ever-evolving world of online commerce.