Ecommerce

Shopify Plus vs. BigCommerce Enterprise

Online ShoppingOnline Shopping

Updated: March 2026

The kings of ecommerce, Shopify Plus and BigCommerce Enterprise are generally considered the industry heavyweights when it comes to serving high-traffic, high-sales online stores. So which serves your needs better? Let’s get into it.

I hadn’t gotten but a few minutes into researching this subject when I discovered how direct these platforms are in trading barbs with each other. If you Google “Bigcommerce vs Shopify Plus”, this is what comes up:

This Spy Vs. Spy dynamic serves three important purposes, namely 1) it demonstrates the Coke/Pepsi-level dichotomy of this industry, 2) it makes researching this subject way easier, and 3) it’s kinda funny. We’ll hear from the contenders in a minute, but let me start by making a few observations of my own.

The Upper Hand

It seems to me like Shopify Plus, being the more established platform, is going into this on the higher ground. Here are several advantages Shopify is sitting on.

Content Delivery Network and Response Times. This is the big one, a critical point on which Shopify is inarguably better. Shopify has a global delivery network called “Fastly” that runs quickly everywhere on Earth (unless your internet connection sucks, but that’s on you). BigCommerce only has nodes in 10 large cities around the world, which could be a problem if you’re trying to shop one of their stores during the holidays from Des Moines. We Make Websites informs me that “Shopify’s Average response time boasts an average of 45 milliseconds in comparison to BigCommerce Enterprise which averages at 179 milliseconds.”

Customizable Scripts. Plus and Enterprise both bring a lot to the table where customization is concerned. Having things look and work exactly the way the client imagines them is paramount in this industry. Shopify does have an edge on BigCommerce due to its scripts, which allow customization of carts and checkouts.

More Themes For Less Money. It’s true that both platforms offer libraries of themes that are frankly overwhelming in their sheer volume. But Shopify has more to choose from, and BigCommerce’s themes cost about half again as much.

Equal Footing

There are a lot of essential categories where neither platform has the upper hand. Shopify Plus and BigCommerce are both hosted software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms. They both offer outstanding security that you can trust. Their API systems are great. They offer a vast number of apps and automation integrations. They come with a legion of senior support staff.

Pricing is near impossible to address here because it varies from vendor to vendor based on a wide list of factors. That said, BigCommerce often has a lower final price than Shopify.

BigCommerce’s Rebuttal

Of course, BigCommerce fields a counterargument to Shopify’s claim of superiority. They argue that Shopify’s division between business models makes them weaker and that BigCommerce’s focus on established businesses makes them a better solution for established businesses, while a majority of Shopify’s clientele are smaller and often floundering businesses.

They go on to cite a far higher number of SKU variants, an easier process for creating and scheduling discounts, a native faceted search, customizable URLs, more easily customizable and more complex shipping rates, a more traditional catalog tree, and the ability to host retail and wholesale on a single domain.

Seriously though, read the whole article. It’s too long and complex to tie a neat bow on it here.

Shopify’s Counter-rebuttal

Shopify explicitly comes back and states that a lot of BigCommerce’s native tools and customization actually limits the platform’s reliability. It goes on to cite a much higher annual growth rate among their clients — though this may be because Shopify tends to cater to smaller businesses, which you may remember BigCommerce itself pointed out earlier. They do cite dramatically faster page load times, which is true and a solid hit.

I didn’t agree with a lot of Shopify’s shots at BigCommerce; they felt unfair and invalid. At one point they make the case that BigCommerce’s incredibly efficient support resolution is only testament to their lack of sophistication. Is it really? What do you base that on exactly? If you don’t need to back up accusations with evidence, you can turn any virtue into a vice.

In my experience with Shopify — which I like — their greatest weakness is their support. Let me tell you about the time I spent a half hour on the line while the tech investigated product imports instead of 301 redirects as I asked. She was throwing shade, too:

So… Which One Actually Fits Your Business?

If you want a fast answer, here it is. Shopify Plus works better for most fast-growing brands. BigCommerce works better for more complex operations.

That’s the trade.

  • Running a DTC brand with frequent launches? Shopify Plus

  • Managing wholesale pricing, multiple catalogs, or regions? BigCommerce

  • Small team that needs speed? Shopify Plus

  • Operationally complex business? BigCommerce

For example, a lifestyle brand scaling quickly needs to move fast. They launch campaigns, update pages, and test offers constantly. Shopify Plus makes that easier. A distributor juggling pricing tiers across multiple customer groups will usually find BigCommerce easier to manage.

The mistake is choosing based on what sounds more powerful instead of what removes friction.

Pick the one that makes your day to day easier, not the one with the longer feature list.

I have to point out though that Shopify has the best documentation I’ve ever seen from a platform, product, or service. It’s been a joy to work with.

What You’ll Actually Pay (Not Just the Monthly Fee)

The monthly fee is just the cover charge. The real cost starts once you’re inside. If you want a clearer picture of where that money actually goes, this breakdown of what actually drives ecommerce costs is worth a look.

Shopify Plus might start around $2,000 per month, but once you layer in apps, custom features, and integrations, that number climbs. BigCommerce often looks cheaper upfront, but customization and development can quietly add up.

Where your money actually goes:

  • Apps and integrations

  • Development work

  • Ongoing maintenance

  • Fixing things as you grow

For example, it’s not unusual for a Shopify Plus store to run 8 to 12 apps, adding hundreds or more per month. On BigCommerce, you might skip some apps but spend more on developer time to get exactly what you want.

Neither is cheap. They just charge you differently.

The smarter move is to look at total cost over time, not just the monthly headline.

Not sure what your real costs would look like? We can break it down for your store.

Running B2B or Multiple Stores? Read This

If your business is simple, both platforms can work. If your business is complex, this is where things shift.

BigCommerce shines in B2B and multi-store setups. Customer groups, pricing tiers, and catalog management are built in. This reduces the need for custom work.

Shopify Plus can handle complexity, but often through apps or custom builds. It is stronger when growth, branding, and front end experience are the priority.

For example, a wholesaler managing multiple pricing levels across regions will usually find BigCommerce more natural. A fast-growing brand expanding into new markets will often prefer Shopify Plus.

Complex systems require more maintenance.

The more complicated your operation is, the more you will feel the difference between these platform

Can You Actually Grow on This Platform?

Both platforms support growth, but they support it in different ways.

BigCommerce gives you more built-in control, especially on the technical side. Shopify Plus gives you a large ecosystem that makes it easier to move fast.

What actually matters:

  • How quickly you can launch new pages

  • How easily you can test and iterate

  • How your site performs as traffic grows

For example, a brand focused on content, landing pages, and campaigns will often move faster on Shopify Plus. A technically focused team may prefer BigCommerce’s native control.

Growth does not come from features. It comes from execution. If you want to see what that looks like in practice, here’s how brands actually scale on Shopify Plus and apply real ecommerce growth strategies.

Pick the platform that helps your team execute consistently..

Thinking About Switching? Here’s What to Expect

Switching platforms is not a small decision. If you haven’t gone through one before, here’s what a real migration looks like and how ecommerce migrations actually work in practice.

It is more like open-heart surgery than a routine checkup.

The risks are real:

  • Temporary SEO drops

  • Downtime

  • Data issues

Even with a well-planned migration, there is usually a stabilization period.

For example, if redirects are not handled properly, rankings can drop quickly. If data is not mapped cleanly, things break in ways you do not expect. Switching makes sense when your current platform is actively holding you back, not just because another one looks better.

At Sleepless Media, we always weigh the upside against the disruption. If the gains are not clear, it is probably not time yet.

Still Not Sure? Here’s a Simple Way to Decide

If you’ve read this far, you do not need another feature list. You need a call.

Here it is:

  • Choose Shopify Plus if you want speed, flexibility, and a better front-end experience

  • Choose BigCommerce if you need built-in structure for complex operations

For example, if your team moves fast and relies on marketing, Shopify Plus will feel easier. If your business is operationally heavy, BigCommerce will feel more stable.

If you are still unsure, look at where you are losing time or money today. That is your answer.

Further Reading

I have a few closing thoughts. Most obviously, your specific needs and goals are going to determine which platform is right for you.

That said, I have to take Shopify’s side. All other things being equal, it’s the superior platform. The only way I would flip on the better platform is if I felt like they were exercising immoral business practices. I don’t believe that’s the case here, so I’m with Shopify.

But I’ll temper my endorsement with a word of caution. Shopify Plus and BigCommerce Enterprise launched in February 2014 and May 2015 respectively. Shopify Plus had a 15-month headstart, but BigCommerce is catching up. The history of Silicon Valley has always been written in terms of upsets and falls from supremacy. Remember Muhammad Ali standing over Sonny Liston? The world of technology is like that, over and over. To rest on your laurels is to commit corporate suicide. So be mindful of that.

Please reach out if you’d like to run a project by us. You can also browse our profile on DesignRush.com where we’re listed as one of the top Shopify Web Designers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shopify Plus better than BigCommerce?

Yes, for most fast-growing ecommerce brands Shopify Plus is the better choice. It is easier to use, faster to launch with, and offers more flexibility through its app ecosystem. BigCommerce is better suited for businesses with complex B2B needs or multi-store operations.

Which platform is cheaper, Shopify Plus or BigCommerce?

BigCommerce often appears cheaper upfront because it does not charge transaction fees. However, Shopify Plus costs vary depending on apps and integrations. In reality, total cost depends on your setup, not just the platform pricing.

Which platform is better for B2B ecommerce?

BigCommerce is generally better for B2B ecommerce. It includes built-in features like customer groups, pricing tiers, and multi-store capabilities. Shopify Plus can support B2B, but often requires apps or custom development to reach the same level.

Does Shopify Plus rely more on apps than BigCommerce?

Yes, Shopify Plus relies more on apps to extend functionality. This gives flexibility but can increase costs and complexity. BigCommerce includes more built-in features, which reduces app dependency but can limit customization.

Is Shopify Plus faster than BigCommerce?

In most cases, yes. Shopify Plus is known for fast load times and reliable performance during traffic spikes. BigCommerce can also perform well, but results depend more on how the store is configured and optimized.

Is it hard to migrate from BigCommerce to Shopify Plus?

No, but it requires careful planning. Migration involves handling redirects, transferring data, and testing functionality. When done properly, most issues can be avoided, but there is usually a short adjustment period after launch.

Read These Next

Back to the Blog