Shopify vs BigCommerce
Shopify is easier to use and has a much larger app and theme ecosystem, which suits most UK small and medium businesses. BigCommerce includes more features out of the box and no extra transaction fees, but its plans have sales limits that can force upgrades as you grow.
By Abdullah Ashraf, Shopify expert · Last updated: October 2026
Side-by-side comparison
| Shopify | BigCommerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Very easy | Easy, steeper for advanced features |
| Built-in features | Core features, apps for more | More features included |
| Apps and themes | Largest ecosystem | Smaller ecosystem |
| Transaction fees | None with Shopify Payments | None on any payment provider |
| Plan limits | By features | By annual sales thresholds |
| UK agency and freelancer support | Very widespread | Less common |
Costs in the UK
Shopify starts at £25 a month (or £19 yearly). BigCommerce plans are similar at entry level but tied to annual online sales limits, so a growing store can be moved to a higher plan automatically. Check BigCommerce's current UK pricing.
Prices change. Check each provider's current UK pricing page before deciding.
Which should you choose?
Choose Shopify if…
- You want the easiest platform to run
- You want lots of apps and themes
- You want easy access to UK developers
Choose BigCommerce if…
- You need more built-in B2B features
- You'll use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments
- You're comfortable with sales-based plan limits
Frequently asked questions
Can I move from BigCommerce to Shopify?
Is BigCommerce better for SEO?
Both are capable. Content and site structure matter most.
Which is better for B2B?
BigCommerce includes more B2B features on lower plans; Shopify's native B2B is on Plus.
Keep exploring
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