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If you’ve got something to sell, building an online store is the gateway to reaching customers far beyond your local zip code. But before the sales start rolling in, there’s one big question: Which eCommerce platform should you choose?
That is where WooCommerce and BigCommerce come in. WooCommerce offers endless customization and flexibility for the DIY enthusiast, while BigCommerce serves as a sleek, out-of-the-box solution that’s ready to launch at full speed.
But which one is the right fit for your business? Let’s dive into the ultimate comparison and showdown of WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce.
Table of Contents
WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce: Overview
Before we break down the details and help you find the best eCommerce platform for you, let’s set the table by understanding what WooCommerce and BigCommerce are all about.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a plugin for WordPress that turns your website into a full-fledged eCommerce store. It’s an open-source platform, allowing you the freedom to customize just about anything, as long as you don’t mind getting your hands dirty with code. With over two million live websites, WooCommerce is the go-to choice for users who love the flexibility of WordPress and want total control over their store.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce, on the other hand, is a fully hosted eCommerce solution. Think of it like walking into a store that’s already set up for you, ready to sell your products. BigCommerce takes care of the heavy lifting — like hosting, security, and site speed — so you can focus on growing your business. It’s known for scalability, making it a favorite among rapidly growing businesses.
Both WooCommerce and BigCommerce are versatile platforms capable of supporting various types of eCommerce, whether you’re running a B2C store selling directly to consumers or a B2B business focused on wholesale orders.
WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce: Comparison
Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s get into it. Both BigCommerce and WooCommerce have their unique strengths, but each caters to different kinds of business needs.
So, let’s break it down and see how the two titans compare across the areas that matter most — think ease of use, cost, features, and everything in between.
- Ease of use
- Cost
- Features and add-ons
- Payment methods
- Design and themes
- Marketing and SEO
- Customer Support
- Security
Ease of Use
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, ease of use plays a major role in any eCommerce development journey.
WooComerce gives you the keys to the kingdom, but with that power comes responsibility. Since it’s a WordPress plugin, it’s ideal for users who are already comfortable with WordPress. You’ll have to handle web hosting, setup, and maintenance, which can be a bit of a learning curve for beginners.
However, WooCommerce shines in customizability. If you’re looking to scale your business and willing to do a bit of work, WooCommerce grows with you, thanks to the vast number of extensions and plugins available.
BigCommerce, meanwhile, is as user-friendly as it gets. From day one, you’re provided with all the tools you need in a clean, intuitive dashboard. No coding skills required! BigCommerce is fully hosted, meaning you don’t have to worry about managing servers or dealing with backend tech issues.
It also offers out-of-the-box scalability, perfect for businesses that anticipate high growth but don’t want the technical hassle.
Cost
Cost can make or break your business dreams, so let’s talk about the pricing of an eCommerce website.
WooCommerce is technically free to download, but that’s just the start. You’ll need to purchase hosting, a domain name, and possibly premium plugins and themes. On the bright side, you pay only for what you need, which can be great for small businesses operating on a budget. However, the costs can add up as you scale.
BigCommerce offers several pricing tiers, starting at $39 per month for the Standard plan and going up to $399 for the Pro plan. The platform does offer a 15-day free trial, giving you time to test the waters before making any financial commitment. Everything, from hosting to security features, is included in the pricing, making it an all-in-one solution.
Features and Add-Ons
When comparing features, it’s clear that both WooCommerce and BigCommerce come stacked. But which one comes out on top?
WooCommerce is all about the plugins — there’s a plugin for just about everything, from subscription management to complex tax calculations. Want to sell custom products or integrate with your CRM? There’s a plugin for that too. However, not all plugins are free and managing them can quickly get overwhelming.
BigCommerce comes preloaded with advanced features like abandoned cart recovery, multi-currency support, and robust analytics. While it doesn’t have the same breadth of plugins as WooCommerce, most of the essential eCommerce tools are built-in, reducing the need for third-party apps.
Payment Methods
What’s an online store without payment options? Both platforms offer a variety of gateways, but let’s see who offers more flexibility.
WooCommerce integrates with 78 payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, Square, and more. Plus, you can add additional gateways through plugins if your preferred one isn’t included by default.
BigCommerce offers over 65 payment gateways out of the box, including popular options like PayPal, Stripe, and Apple Pay. And here’s the kicker — there are no transaction fees on BigCommerce, regardless of which gateway you use.
Design and Themes
When it comes to design, first impressions matter. Let’s see how each platform handles your site’s look and feel.
WooCommerce works with any WordPress theme, and you can find hundreds of free and premium themes tailored to eCommerce. The flexibility here is vast, though you may need to tweak code or install plugins to get everything working exactly the way you want and to get that custom design you are looking for.
BigCommerce offers 12 free themes and over 100 premium ones. While the selection isn’t as broad as WooCommerce, all themes are optimized for eCommerce and responsive across devices. Plus, you won’t need any coding experience to customize them.
Marketing and SEO
To succeed online, your store needs to be seen. Let’s check out the marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) tools of each platform.
WooCommerce benefits from the powerful SEO features of WordPress. You can optimize every page and product listing, install SEO plugins like Yoast, and manage your own SEO strategy.
BigCommerce has strong built-in SEO features, including customizable URLs, meta tags, and accelerated mobile pages (AMP). It also integrates with Google Shopping and Facebook for easy product promotion, making it a solid option for businesses looking to ramp up marketing quickly.
Customer Support
When things go wrong, you need reliable customer support.
WooCommerce offers extensive documentation and forums, but direct support can be limited. You’ll likely have to rely on third-party providers for assistance with hosting or plugin issues.
BigCommerce provides 24/7 live chat, phone support, and an extensive knowledge base. Their support is renowned for being fast and helpful, which is crucial for businesses that don’t want downtime.
Security
Your customers’ trust is priceless, and nothing says trust like solid security.
WooCommerce leaves security in your hands. While it offers various security plugins, you’ll need to manage SSL certificates and ensure compliance with industry standards.
BigCommerce takes care of all the heavy lifting with built-in SSL, PCI compliance, and advanced fraud protection. Security updates are handled automatically, making it a more secure option for businesses that don’t want to worry about backend issues.
If you want to broaden your options and steer your choice on a totally different side, check out our Shopify vs. BigCommerce showdown.
WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce: Which One To Choose?
By now, we’ve seen how WooCommerce and BigCommerce stack up against each other as some of the leading eCommerce software solutions. But the ultimate decision comes down to one key question: which one is right for you?
The answer depends on your specific business needs, goals, and level of technical expertise.
Choose WooCommerce if you want full control over your online store’s customization, love the flexibility of WordPress, and don’t mind managing hosting, plugins, and updates yourself. It’s a great choice for smaller businesses or those with a tech-savvy team ready to build and scale a truly unique store.
Choose BigCommerce if you want a hassle-free, all-in-one eCommerce solution with built-in tools to handle everything from payments to security. It's ideal for businesses looking to scale quickly, without getting bogged down in the technical aspects of running an online store.
At the end of the day, both platforms can help you create a thriving eCommerce business — it’s just about finding the one that fits your style, budget, and ambitions. If you’re still not sure about it, you can always consult an eCommerce development agency to help you make a choice and launch your dream eCommerce store.
WooCommerce vs. BigCommerce FAQs
1. Which platform is cheaper?
WooCommerce can be cheaper upfront since it's free to download, but costs can pile up with hosting, plugins, and themes. BigCommerce is more predictable, offering all-inclusive plans with a free trial option.
2. Can I switch platforms later?
Yes, but it can be complicated. Migrating from WooCommerce to BigCommerce (or vice versa) will likely require the help of a developer.
3. Which is better for small businesses?
If you're just starting and are comfortable with WordPress, WooCommerce may offer more flexibility. BigCommerce is great for small businesses that want ease of use and scalability without technical headaches.
