Shopify vs. BigCommerce: Which Online Store Platform Fits a Small Business?
Both start at $39 a month billed monthly, but they differ on sales caps, card rates and what is included.
Shopify and BigCommerce both let you build an online store, take payments and manage orders. Their entry plans cost the same, $39 a month billed monthly or $29 a month billed yearly. The big difference is that BigCommerce ties each plan to a yearly sales limit, while Shopify ties plans to staff accounts and card rates.
Prices below come from each company's official pricing page, checked today.
| At a glance | Shopify | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan, billed monthly | $39 (Basic) | $39 (Core) |
| Entry plan, billed yearly (per month) | $29 | $29 |
| Mid plan (monthly / yearly) | $105 / $79 (Grow) | $105 / $79 (Growth) |
| Top self-serve plan (monthly / yearly) | $399 / $299 (Advanced) | $399 / $299 (Scale) |
| Trial | 3 days free, then $1 a month for 3 months | 15 days, no credit card |
| Online card rate | 2.9% + 30 cents on Basic, down to 2.5% on Advanced | From 2.89% + 29 cents on all plans |
| Sales cap | None listed | Core up to $30K a year; Growth up to $100K |
| Top tier | Plus, from $2,300 a month | Performance, from $1,499 a month |
Shopify
- Basic plan includes online, in-person and AI-chat selling
- Built-in AI assistant
- Lower online card rates as you move up (2.9% down to 2.25% + 30 cents)
- Intro offer: 3 days free, then $1 a month for 3 months
- Basic has no extra staff accounts (5 on Grow)
- Top Plus tier starts at $2,300 a month
- POS Pro costs an extra $89 a month per location
BigCommerce
- 15-day free trial, no credit card needed
- No contract on Core, Growth and Scale
- 24/7 chat and email support on Core, and phone on higher plans
- Card processing starts at 2.89% + 29 cents on every plan
- Plans are tied to sales limits ($30K a year on Core)
- Plans upgrade automatically when you pass the cap
- Phone support is not included on Core
Pick Shopify if you want the built-in AI assistant, in-person selling and a cheap first three months. Pick BigCommerce if you want a longer, card-free trial and no contract, and you expect to stay under its sales caps. Prices match at the entry level, so test both trials with your real products.
Prices and features checked October 16, 2026 from each company's own site. They change often, so confirm before you buy. We are not paid by either company.
- Shopify pricing (Shopify)
- BigCommerce pricing (BigCommerce)
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