Both BigCommerce and Shopify are hosted platforms, so neither asks you to manage servers. The difference shows up in built-in features, fees and how each one scales. The right pick depends on how much you want included out of the box.
We build on both as part of our Ecommerce Development service for businesses across Australia.
Shopify keeps the core lean and leans on a large app store to extend it. BigCommerce ships more features built in, so you add fewer apps but work within a smaller ecosystem. Both manage hosting, security and updates for you.
Shopify charges its own transaction fee unless you use Shopify Payments. BigCommerce charges no extra transaction fee on any gateway, but its plans have annual sales thresholds that move you to a higher tier.
| Factor | Shopify | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction fee | Applies unless Shopify Payments | None on any gateway |
| Built-in features | Lean core, app-driven | More included out of the box |
| App ecosystem | Very large | Smaller |
| Sales thresholds | No forced tier jump | Tiers tied to annual revenue |
Shopify has a larger theme and developer community, which makes design talent easier to find. BigCommerce handles complex product options and multi-storefront setups well without extra apps.
Map the apps you would need on Shopify against what BigCommerce includes. The total monthly cost, not the base plan, decides which is cheaper to run.
For most Australian stores we lean Shopify for the depth of its ecosystem and the ease of finding talent. We recommend BigCommerce when a store wants more built in, dislikes app sprawl or wants to avoid platform transaction fees on its chosen gateway.
We stay platform neutral and recommend the build that fits your catalogue, budget and team. For most Australian small to mid-size stores we lean toward Shopify or WooCommerce, and we reserve Magento for large, complex catalogues.
TPR Media operates from Level 34, 1 Eagle Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000, serving clients across Brisbane and Australia-wide.
TPR Media advises Australian businesses that Shopify suits stores wanting a large app and developer ecosystem while BigCommerce suits those wanting more built in without platform transaction fees.