If you're stuck deciding between Shopify and BigCommerce, you're in good company. Both platforms promise a solid ecommerce experience. But if you're knee-deep in merchant operations such as handling payments, preventing chargebacks, managing marketplaces, and keeping your support team sane, then a basic feature comparison won't cut it.
What you need is a closer look at how each platform actually supports the way you do business. This breakdown gets into the real stuff that impacts your bottom line: how much you'll actually pay, what kind of protection you get, how flexible checkout is, and what happens when things go wrong.
Let's Talk Cost: Where Are the Sneaky Fees?
Shopify's pricing might seem simple at first glance. The Basic plan starts at $39 per month. But once you try using an external payment gateway like Stripe or PayPal, things change. Shopify tacks on up to 2% in additional transaction fees. That's on top of standard card processing rates. If you're a high-volume merchant, those small percentages start to sting.
BigCommerce skips the extra transaction fees entirely. You pay your credit card processo, and that's it. The platform itself doesn't charge extra just because you picked a different payment gateway. That's a relief. But there's a tradeoff. BigCommerce has sales-based pricing tiers. If your revenue grows, your monthly plan might automatically jump up to the next tier. And you don't get a say in it.
So which one's better? BigCommerce keeps pricing more predictable if you're processing steady volume. Shopify feels cheaper early on, but surprise costs can sneak up as your store grows.
Fraud Protection and Chargeback Support: What's Already Built In?
When it comes to fraud protection and chargeback support, here's where things get interesting. Shopify gives you built-in fraud analysis tools. Every order comes with risk signals based on machine learning, IP address checks, and AVS filters. You can see flagged activity before you fulfill the order. If you're a U.S. merchant using Shop Pay, Shopify Protect kicks in on certain transactions. That means automatic chargeback reimbursement if you ship the product and follow the rules. But it only covers physical goods, and only under specific conditions.
BigCommerce doesn't include fraud tools out of the box. You'll need to integrate a third-party solution like Chargeblast. It takes extra time and configuration, but it also means you can choose the provider that fits your needs best. When it comes to chargebacks, BigCommerce leans on your payment processor or fraud software to manage disputes.
In short? Shopify helps more up front, but only if you stay in their ecosystem. BigCommerce gives you control, but you'll need to build your own protection stack.
Customizing Checkout: How Much Freedom Do You Really Have?
Checkout is where conversions either happen or fall apart. If you're trying to optimize the experience, Shopify has a limitation. Unless you're on Shopify Plus, you can't make deep customizations to the checkout page. Want to tweak the layout, adjust field logic, or add upsell modules? That's locked behind a $2,000-plus monthly plan.
BigCommerce doesn't put that wall in your way. Even on standard plans, you can customize checkout flows using their Optimized One-Page Checkout, along with open APIs and server-side scripts. That gives you room to test and improve your conversion rates without jumping to an enterprise plan.
Bottom line? BigCommerce lets you experiment and adjust checkout flows sooner. Shopify keeps that flexibility behind a paywall.
Marketplace Connections and App Integrations
Shopify's app ecosystem is massive. Pretty much any tool you can think of already has an integration. Need loyalty programs, advanced analytics, B2B features, or shipping automation? Chances are, it's a one-click install. Marketplace connections with Amazon, eBay, and Walmart are also well supported.
BigCommerce doesn't have quite as many apps, but it focuses on native features. It includes built-in support for selling on Amazon, Walmart, and Meta without needing extra plugins. That reduces your tech stack complexity, which can be a huge plus when you're trying to keep things lean.
Who wins here? Shopify gives you options galore. BigCommerce gives you fewer moving parts.
Support and Day-to-Day Merchant Experience
When something breaks, or when you just need help fast, support quality matters. Shopify offers 24/7 support with solid response times. Live chat is usually quick, and their merchant forums are full of answers. Shopify Plus customers also get a more guided experience with dedicated support reps.
BigCommerce also runs 24/7 support, but it can feel slower during high-traffic times or outside regular business hours. Their documentation is detailed, and the support staff are knowledgeable, but you may wait longer depending on your plan or time zone.
So what's the takeaway? Shopify gets you answers faster. BigCommerce is still reliable, just not always as fast when the pressure's on.
Final Verdict: Choose Based on How You Actually Work
If you're just looking at feature checklists, these platforms might seem interchangeable. But the real differences show up when you start operating day to day.
- Shopify is great if you want everything in one place and don't mind playing by their rules. If you're using Shopify Payments and selling eligible items, their built-in fraud and chargeback features are a big help.
- BigCommerce is a better fit if you want to control more aspects of your store without jumping into high-tier plans. You'll need to build your own stack, but you'll have more flexibility with how things work and what you pay for.
Before you commit, think about what tools you need now and what problems might show up once your store starts growing. The best choice is the one that stays out of your way when you're busy selling.
FAQs: Shopify vs BigCommerce
Which is cheaper: Shopify or BigCommerce?
BigCommerce usually ends up being more cost-effective because it doesn't charge transaction fees. Shopify adds extra fees if you don't use their payment system, and deep customizations require an expensive plan. But BigCommerce may auto-upgrade your plan as your sales grow, so it's important to factor that in too.
Does Shopify offer better chargeback protection than BigCommerce?
If you're using Shopify Payments and selling physical products in the U.S., Shopify Protect offers automatic chargeback coverage for certain orders. BigCommerce doesn't have a built-in option like this, but you can pair it with fraud protection tools that offer similar services.
Can I customize checkout with Shopify and BigCommerce?
You can customize checkout on both, but Shopify limits full access unless you're on Shopify Plus. BigCommerce gives you more freedom to change checkout behavior on standard plans using APIs and built-in tools.
Which platform is better for multichannel selling?
Shopify has a more extensive app store and more plug-and-play integrations for marketplaces and social media. BigCommerce supports major channels too, but sometimes with more manual setup or configuration.
What happens if I exceed BigCommerce's sales threshold?
BigCommerce assigns plans based on your annual sales. If you pass the limit for your current plan, you'll be bumped to the next tier. This happens automatically, and your monthly cost increases whether you were ready for it or not.
Ready to Scale Without Surprise Chargebacks?
Whether you're building your store on Shopify or BigCommerce, protecting your revenue should never be an afterthought. Chargeblast helps merchants spot fraud patterns early, stay ahead of chargebacks, and respond to disputes with speed and clarity. It connects directly to your platform and gives you the tools to run a cleaner, safer store from day one.
Keep your growth on track and your revenue protected without losing time to preventable disputes.
