Comparison · Ecommerce platform
Shopify and BigCommerce are the two leading modern SaaS ecommerce platforms. From the deck they read as direct competitors; under the hood they have different opinions on API openness, headless, B2B and the role of the app marketplace. This page sets out where each one is the stronger pick, from the perspective of an integration agency that delivers Patchworks engagements on both.
The honest summary
Shopify is the better fit when
Shopify is the stronger choice for brand-led merchants who want fast time-to-launch, the deepest app ecosystem and the broadest pool of design and development talent. The Plus tier covers ambitious operations including international (Markets) and B2B Edition. For most mid-market D2C brands, Shopify is the default and a strong one.
BigCommerce is the better fit when
BigCommerce is the stronger choice for B2B-first or B2B+B2C merchants who want unified B2B behaviours included on the platform rather than added via apps, for merchants who want a headless-first or composable architecture from day one, and for any operation that wants to choose its own payment gateway without a platform surcharge. Strong fit for distributors and manufacturers expanding into direct sales.
What Shopify is
Shopify is a hosted SaaS ecommerce platform founded in 2006 and the dominant platform in the industry by deployed-store count. Strong app ecosystem, modern checkout extensibility on Plus, Shopify Markets for international, B2B Edition, Shopify POS, and a brand-building product motion that emphasises ease of use for the merchant.
What BigCommerce is
BigCommerce is a hosted SaaS ecommerce platform founded in 2009. Designed from earlier with API-openness as a deliberate stance: more native multi-storefront capability, an open relationship with payment gateways (no platform-level surcharge for non-platform gateways), a strong B2B Edition included on appropriate plans, and a headless-friendly architecture. Smaller installed base than Shopify but enterprise-credible.
By dimension
Both columns framed in the most generous light for their respective platforms. We integrate both; the comparison is about fit, not advocacy.
B2B Edition on Plus tier covers company hierarchies, customer-specific catalogues, price lists, payment terms and quote-to-order. Strong, particularly with SparkLayer B2B added.
B2B Edition included on appropriate plans without a tier upgrade. Native shared catalogues, buyer roles, requisition lists. Historically stronger out-of-the-box for B2B-first merchants.
Hydrogen and the Storefront API enable headless. Common but not the default. Most merchants run hosted storefronts with Liquid themes.
Headless-first more common. BigCommerce's API design and front-end choice (Stencil or headless) makes it a common destination for composable-commerce projects.
Largest in the industry by app count, depth and ratings. Most merchants build operational stacks of 10-30 apps.
Smaller but well-curated app marketplace. Higher per-app quality bar perceptually; lower overall choice depth.
Shopify Payments is the path of least resistance; non-Shopify gateways incur a per-transaction platform fee unless on Plus with negotiated rates. Drives a strong default toward Shopify Payments.
Open payment gateway model. No per-transaction surcharge for using a non-platform gateway. Materially better for merchants negotiating directly with PSPs at scale.
Possible via Shopify Markets (different markets, shared catalogue) or separate stores. Multi-store with a shared catalogue typically requires integration glue.
Native multi-storefront capability on Enterprise tier. Shared catalogue, separate storefronts, shared backend.
Subscription tiers (Basic through Plus / Enterprise). Plus pricing starts in the low thousands per month and scales with revenue.
Subscription tiers (Standard through Enterprise). Enterprise pricing comparable to Shopify Plus; positioned as cost-competitive for similar functionality.
Largest pool of designers, developers and agencies. Recruiting and outsourcing for Shopify is straightforward in any market.
Smaller but capable talent pool. Often more API-fluent because the platform demands it.
REST and GraphQL Admin APIs, mature webhook coverage. Predictable, well-documented, broadly equivalent quality across the two platforms.
REST API v3 is comprehensive and well-documented. Some BigCommerce buyers cite the API as a positive differentiator in the platform selection.
Global. Strong in every English-speaking market, EU and growing in APAC.
Strong in North America, UK, AU. Slightly less aggressive global footprint than Shopify but well-established in the same major markets.
The integration agency's view
We ship Patchworks integrations on Shopify and BigCommerce with equal frequency. The integration shape into the back-office stack is comparable on either platform; the differences are at the storefront and API edge rather than at the integration target. BigCommerce engagements that come into our practice often include multi-storefront or strong B2B behaviours; Shopify engagements often include Markets and apps-driven complexity. Pick the storefront that fits the operation; we deliver the integration.
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