In the fast-evolving world of e-commerce, choosing the right platform can significantly impact your business success. Among the most popular options in India and globally are Shopify and BigCommerce. Both platforms offer comprehensive tools for building, managing, and scaling online stores. But which one is better suited for your needs in 2025?
As a business owner or entrepreneur looking to thrive in the competitive e-commerce space, you must consider several factors: cost, ease of use, SEO capabilities, scalability, and more. This article offers a detailed comparison of Shopify and BigCommerce to help you make an informed decision.
Overview of Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms globally, with over 4 million businesses using it to run their online stores. It offers an all-in-one solution that includes web hosting, payment processing, inventory management, and SEO tools.
Key Features:
- User-friendly drag-and-drop website builder
- Hundreds of customizable themes
- Integrated payment gateway options
- Mobile-responsive design
- Extensive app marketplace
- 24/7 customer support
Overview of BigCommerce
BigCommerce is another robust platform designed to serve mid-market and enterprise-level businesses. It is known for offering more out-of-the-box features compared to many competitors.
Key Features:
- Advanced SEO capabilities
- Multi-currency support
- B2B functionality
- No transaction fees on any plan
- Strong security features
- API-driven flexibility
1. Ease of Use
Shopify:
Shopify shines in its simplicity. If you are new to e-commerce, Shopify’s intuitive interface allows you to set up a store quickly without any coding knowledge. The platform guides you through the setup process with clear instructions.
BigCommerce:
BigCommerce offers a steeper learning curve. While it provides more advanced built-in features, it may require more technical know-how to maximize its potential. If your team includes developers, you’ll appreciate the flexibility BigCommerce offers.
Verdict: If ease of use is a priority, Shopify is the winner.
2. Design and Customization
Shopify:
- Offers a wide range of professionally designed themes.
- Highly customizable with HTML, CSS, and Liquid code access.
- Responsive designs suitable for mobile commerce.
BigCommerce:
- Provides a variety of modern themes.
- Advanced customization available through Stencil theme framework.
- Mobile-friendly designs out of the box.
Verdict: Both platforms excel, but Shopify has a slight edge in ease of design customization.
3. SEO Capabilities
Shopify:
- Basic built-in SEO tools.
- SEO apps available in the Shopify App Store.
- Supports customizable title tags, meta descriptions, and image alt text.
BigCommerce:
- Advanced SEO features built-in, including customizable URLs and automated sitemaps.
- Better control over page structures.
- Faster page load times contribute to better SEO performance.
Verdict: BigCommerce takes the lead for SEO.
Scientific Data: Studies show that page load speed can improve conversion rates by up to 20% (Portent, 2023).
4. Pricing and Value
Shopify:
- Basic Plan: INR 1,994/month
- Shopify Plan: INR 7,447/month
- Advanced Plan: INR 30,164/month
Additional costs may include app subscriptions and transaction fees.
BigCommerce:
- Standard Plan: $39/month (~INR 3,200)
- Plus Plan: $105/month (~INR 8,600)
- Pro Plan: $399/month (~INR 32,800)
No transaction fees; more features included in base plans.
Verdict: BigCommerce offers better value for larger businesses with higher sales volumes.
5. Payment Gateways and Fees
Shopify:
- Supports 100+ payment gateways.
- Shopify Payments avoids transaction fees but incurs credit card fees.
BigCommerce:
- Supports 65+ payment gateways.
- No additional transaction fees regardless of payment gateway.
Verdict: BigCommerceprovides more flexibility and cost savings.
6. Scalability
Shopify:
- Suitable for small to enterprise businesses.
- Shopify Plus offers extensive features for large enterprises.
BigCommerce:
- Designed to scale with your business.
- Advanced B2B features and API integrations ideal for larger, complex operations.
Verdict: Both platforms are highly scalable, but BigCommerce caters slightly better to large, complex businesses.
7. Customer Support
Shopify:
- 24/7 support via chat, email, and phone.
- Extensive knowledge base and community forums.
BigCommerce:
- 24/7 support via chat, email, and phone.
- Dedicated account managers for higher-tier plans.
Verdict: Tie. Both platforms offer excellent customer support.
Additional Considerations for Indian Businesses
- Shopify offers extensive support for UPI, Paytm, and other Indian payment methods.
- BigCommerce supports local payment gateways but with slightly more setup required.
Mobile Commerce: With over 65% of Indian e-commerce transactions happening via mobile (Statista, 2024), both platforms offer robust mobile shopping experiences.
What Now
Choosing between Shopify and BigCommerce in 2025 depends largely on your business needs and priorities:
- If you want an easy-to-use, visually appealing store with a large app ecosystem, go with Shopify.
- If you need advanced SEO capabilities, lower total costs, and powerful B2B features, consider BigCommerce.
Both platforms have proven themselves in the Indian market. Your choice should align with your long-term business goals, budget, and technical resources.
If you are considering Shopify website development, RedCube Digital can help you build a stunning, high-converting store tailored to your business needs. Explore our Shopify Website Development Services.
FAQs
Q1: Is Shopify suitable for Indian businesses?
Yes, Shopify supports Indian payment gateways and has a large user base in India.
Q2: Does BigCommerce support Indian payment gateways?
Yes, though the setup may require additional configuration.
Q3: Which platform is better for SEO?
BigCommerce offers more advanced built-in SEO features.
Q4: Is there a free trial for Shopify and BigCommerce?
Both platforms offer free trials to help you explore their features.
Q5: Can I migrate from Shopify to BigCommerce or vice versa?
Yes, migration tools and services are available, but they require careful planning to ensure data accuracy.
