If you’re thinking about launching a new online store or migrating from another platform, there’s a good chance BigCommerce is on your shortlist — and for good reason. It’s a powerful platform with a lot of built-in functionality.
But let me be straight with you: BigCommerce isn’t perfect. No platform is.
I’ve worked with hundreds of merchants over the years, and I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the “wait, why is this happening?” moments. So in this post, I want to break down the real-world pros and cons of BigCommerce — not just the marketing spin.
And if you’re still weighing your options, I offer a free platform evaluation to help you figure out what’s best for your business.
What BigCommerce Does Well (The Pros)
1. Fewer Apps, More Built-In Features
BigCommerce includes a ton of functionality out of the box — things that would require multiple apps on other platforms. I’m talking about:
- Real-time shipping quotes
- Product filtering (faceted search)
- Customer groups and custom pricing
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Google Shopping feed
- Multi-storefront support
This matters because every third-party app is another point of failure, another subscription cost, and another thing to manage. BigCommerce keeps more under one roof.
2. Open and Flexible Platform
Unlike some platforms that strongly push their own apps and tools (Shopify, I’m looking at you), BigCommerce is app-agnostic. You can use whatever gateway, CRM, ERP, or marketing tools work best for you.
I often compare it to Android or Windows — more open, more flexible, more customizable.
3. Scalable and API-Friendly
BigCommerce is built for growth. Whether you’re doing 10 orders a week or 10,000 a day, the infrastructure holds up. And if you need custom workflows or want to go headless, the APIs are rock-solid.
You can build big things on this platform — and that’s not true of every “DIY” e-commerce tool out there.
4. Strong B2B and Multi-Channel Support
If you’re selling wholesale, offering tiered pricing, or managing multiple storefronts (like retail and B2B), BigCommerce has real solutions for that. It’s not something you have to bolt on later — it’s built into the platform.
5. No Transaction Fees
BigCommerce lets you choose the payment gateway that works best for your business. No penalties. No extra charges for using PayPal, Stripe, or Authorize.net. That’s a big deal, especially if you’re running on tight margins.
What You Should Watch Out For (The Cons)
1. Revenue-Based Pricing Tiers
BigCommerce automatically bumps you up to a higher plan once you cross certain revenue thresholds ($50k/year, $180k/year, etc.). It’s not outrageous, and it means your store is growing — but it can be an unpleasant surprise if you didn’t see it coming. I break that down in more detail in this post about BigCommerce pricing.
2. Theme Limitations
The themes are solid, responsive, and modern — but they’re not as flexible out of the box as Shopify’s. If you want heavy design customization, you may need to bring in a developer or learn the Page Builder system.
That said, many merchants find one of the premium themes is more than enough with a few tweaks.
3. Slight Learning Curve
BigCommerce gives you a lot of control — but that also means there’s a little more to learn. It’s not as beginner-friendly as some plug-and-play platforms, but it’s far from intimidating. Most of my clients pick it up quickly.
4. Smaller App Ecosystem
Compared to Shopify, BigCommerce has a smaller third-party app library. You’ll find everything you need, but maybe not every niche tool or “fun” add-on. Still, most key features are either built-in or available via integration.
If you’re a smaller business wondering if BigCommerce is too much, this post breaks that down.
So, Is BigCommerce Right for You?
Here’s what I tell my clients:
Every platform has trade-offs. BigCommerce just happens to offer a lot of the important stuff upfront — which is great if you want to spend less time managing plugins and more time growing your store.
It’s not always the flashiest or the simplest, but it’s solid, scalable, and smart for stores that are serious about doing e-commerce well.
If you’re still unsure whether BigCommerce is right for your store, I can help. I offer a free platform evaluation where we talk through your products, goals, and what kind of platform makes the most sense. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just clarity.