Shopify vs BigCommerce Pricing 2026: Plan-by-Plan Cost Comparison
An honest pricing comparison between the two largest e-commerce platforms. BigCommerce is cheaper on transaction fees. Shopify has the bigger ecosystem. Here is which one costs less for your specific situation.
Plan-by-Plan Comparison
Both platforms offer tiered pricing with similar plan structures. BigCommerce is cheaper at every tier on subscription price and charges zero transaction fee surcharges. However, BigCommerce enforces annual revenue limits per plan, which Shopify does not. The table below compares the closest equivalent plans on each platform.
| Feature | Shopify Basic ($39) | BC Standard ($29) | Shopify Grow ($105) | BC Plus ($79) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $39 | $29 | $105 | $79 |
| Annual price (/mo) | $29 | $22 | $79 | $59 |
| Transaction surcharge | 2.0% | 0% | 1.0% | 0% |
| Revenue limit | None | $50K/year | None | $180K/year |
| Staff accounts | 2 | Unlimited | 5 | Unlimited |
| Product reviews built-in | No (app needed) | Yes | No (app needed) | Yes |
| Customer groups | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Multi-currency | 3 markets | Yes | 3 markets | Yes |
| App marketplace size | 8,000+ | 1,000+ | 8,000+ | 1,000+ |
| Theme options | 200+ | 100+ | 200+ | 100+ |
The Transaction Fee Advantage
BigCommerce's strongest pricing advantage is zero transaction fee surcharges. Regardless of which payment processor you use, whether it is PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.net, or a regional gateway, BigCommerce never charges an additional fee on top of your processor's rates. Shopify charges 0.2% to 2.0% surcharges on all third-party gateway transactions, which can be substantial for stores that do not use Shopify Payments.
If you use Shopify Payments, this advantage is less relevant because there is no surcharge. But if you need a specific payment gateway that Shopify Payments does not support, or if Shopify Payments is not available in your country, BigCommerce's zero-surcharge policy saves significant money. For a store doing $50,000/month on Shopify Basic with a third-party gateway, the 2.0% surcharge costs $1,000/month, which is more than BigCommerce's entire subscription.
However, for merchants who can use Shopify Payments, the comparison is closer. Shopify Payments rates (2.9% + $0.30 on Basic, 2.7% + $0.30 on Grow) are competitive with typical PayPal/Braintree rates on BigCommerce (2.59% + $0.49). The per-transaction fixed fee is lower on Shopify ($0.30 vs $0.49), which gives Shopify an edge for stores with many small transactions.
Total Cost Comparison by Revenue
The table below compares total monthly costs (subscription plus processing fees) assuming standard payment processors on each platform: Shopify Payments for Shopify and PayPal/Braintree (2.59% + $0.49) for BigCommerce. Average order value of $50, domestic transactions only. This represents the most common configuration for each platform.
| Revenue | Shopify Basic | BC Standard | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $214 | $208 | BigCommerce |
| $10,000 | $389 | $386 | BigCommerce |
| $25,000 | $914 | $922 | Shopify |
| $50,000 | $1789 | $1814 | Shopify |
| $100,000 | $3539 | $3599 | Shopify |
When Shopify Wins
Shopify's strengths are ecosystem breadth and ease of use. With 8,000+ apps in the Shopify App Store versus roughly 1,000 on BigCommerce, there is almost always a specialized app for any functionality you need. The Shopify theme marketplace is larger, with more free and premium options. There are also significantly more Shopify developers, agencies, and freelancers available for hire, making customization more competitive on pricing and availability.
Shopify also has no revenue limits on plans. You can stay on Basic at $39/month even if you do $500,000/month in revenue. BigCommerce forces plan upgrades at revenue thresholds ($50K, $180K, $400K annually), which means your subscription cost increases automatically as you grow, even if you do not need additional features. For fast-growing stores, this forced upgrade path can make BigCommerce more expensive than it appears at the entry level.
When BigCommerce Wins
BigCommerce wins on built-in features and payment flexibility. Product reviews, customer groups, unlimited staff accounts, and multi-currency support are included on all plans without apps. On Shopify, reviews require a third-party app ($0-$15/month), customer groups are limited, and staff accounts are capped by plan. For stores that need these features, BigCommerce's built-in approach is simpler and cheaper.
The zero transaction surcharge policy is BigCommerce's strongest pricing advantage for merchants who cannot or prefer not to use Shopify Payments. If you are in a country where Shopify Payments is unavailable, or if you have a negotiated rate with a specific processor that beats Shopify Payments rates, BigCommerce eliminates the 0.2-2.0% surcharge penalty that Shopify imposes on third-party gateways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BigCommerce cheaper than Shopify?
BigCommerce is cheaper at the subscription level: Standard costs $29/month versus Shopify Basic at $39/month. BigCommerce also charges zero transaction fee surcharges regardless of payment processor, which is a major advantage for merchants using third-party gateways. However, Shopify has a larger app ecosystem and more developer talent available, which can reduce total cost of ownership for stores that need extensive customization or integrations.
Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees?
BigCommerce does not charge any additional transaction fees or surcharges regardless of which payment processor you use. You only pay your payment processor's fees (typically 2.59% plus $0.49 through PayPal/Braintree or your negotiated rate with Stripe or other gateways). This is BigCommerce's strongest pricing advantage over Shopify, which charges 0.2-2.0% surcharges for third-party gateways.
Which is better for a small business, Shopify or BigCommerce?
For most small businesses, Shopify is the better choice due to its larger app marketplace, more themes, and easier setup. BigCommerce includes more built-in features (no apps needed for product reviews, customer groups, or multi-currency), but its smaller ecosystem means fewer options for specialized functionality. If you use a third-party payment processor, BigCommerce's zero surcharge policy can make it significantly cheaper.
Does BigCommerce have revenue limits on plans?
Yes. BigCommerce enforces annual revenue limits per plan: Standard up to $50,000/year, Plus up to $180,000/year, and Pro up to $400,000/year. If you exceed the limit, you are required to upgrade. Shopify has no revenue limits on any plan, so you can stay on Basic even at high revenue if the features meet your needs. This is an important distinction for fast-growing stores.