Bigcommerce

What is BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a cloud-based ecommerce platform designed to help merchants build, run, and scale online stores. It provides hosted infrastructure, a catalog and product management system, checkout and payments integrations, storefront themes, and an extensive API layer for custom experiences. BigCommerce targets a broad range of users from small businesses launching an online store to large enterprises and B2B organizations requiring advanced features and integrations.

BigCommerce separates the commerce engine from the presentation layer, enabling both monolithic storefronts and headless or hybrid approaches. That flexibility means teams can use the platform’s built-in storefront tools or replace the front end with a custom framework while retaining BigCommerce’s catalog, cart, and order management services. The platform includes tools for SEO, analytics, and marketplace integrations so merchants can sell across web, marketplaces, social channels, and physical locations.

Designed for scale, BigCommerce emphasizes performance, extensibility, and compliance. It offers enterprise-grade security controls, PCI-compliant payments integrations, and a partner ecosystem that includes agencies, headless vendors, and technology partners. Many merchants choose BigCommerce when they need a hosted solution that still allows deep customization via APIs and server-side integrations.

BigCommerce features

What does BigCommerce do?

BigCommerce provides a full suite of ecommerce capabilities to manage product catalogs, storefronts, checkout, orders, and integrations:

• Catalog and product management for complex inventories, SKUs, and variants with bulk import/export tools.
• Payment gateway integrations and checkout customization to support multiple payment providers and tax/fulfillment rules.
• Native B2B capabilities (pricing lists, customer groups, quote workflows) to support wholesale and account-based selling.
• Headless commerce support via APIs and webhooks so developers can connect custom front ends, PWA frameworks, or third-party CMSs.
• Built-in SEO tools, analytics, and reporting to measure conversion, traffic sources, and revenue performance.

Beyond core commerce functions, BigCommerce includes features for multi-channel selling (marketplaces and social commerce), shipping and tax connectors, discounting and promotions engines, and an app marketplace for third-party enhancements. The platform also supports storefront customization through theme tooling and visual page builders for non-technical editors.

BigCommerce’s B2B features are packaged to address quoting, customer-specific pricing, purchase order workflows, and buyer portals. Those features reduce the need for separate systems or heavy customization for companies selling to other businesses. For enterprise customers, BigCommerce offers dedicated services such as launch assistance, ongoing success services, and custom integrations.

BigCommerce pricing

BigCommerce offers these pricing plans:

• Standard: $39/month (monthly billing) — core ecommerce features, basic integrations, and support for startups and small businesses.
• Plus: $105/month (monthly billing) — incremental B2B and conversion features such as abandoned cart saver, customer segmentation, and increased API limits.
• Pro: $399/month (monthly billing) — enhanced performance and conversion tools, priority support, and expanded feature sets for fast-growing stores.
• Enterprise: Custom pricing — fully managed enterprise offerings, advanced security and compliance, and service-level agreements for high-volume merchants.

Monthly prices above reflect commonly published public tiers; BigCommerce also offers annual billing and custom enterprise contracts. Annual billing typically reduces the effective monthly cost versus month-to-month plans (savings vary by promotion and commitment length). For merchants who prefer self-hosted or open-source stacks, BigCommerce provides hybrid and headless options rather than a traditional license model.

Check BigCommerce pricing for the latest rates, promotional discounts, and enterprise options. Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

How much is BigCommerce per month

BigCommerce starts at $39/month for the Standard plan on month-to-month billing. That plan includes basic storefront features, product management, core checkout, and standard analytics. Growth-oriented stores typically adopt the Plus or Pro plans, which start at $105/month and $399/month respectively for monthly billing, depending on feature needs and annual revenue thresholds.

How much is BigCommerce per year

BigCommerce costs approximately $468/year for the Standard plan based on $39/month monthly pricing; actual annual pricing may be lower when billed annually or during promotions. Higher tiers scale accordingly: Plus is roughly $1,260/year at $105/month, and Pro is roughly $4,788/year at $399/month on a monthly-billed basis. Enterprise pricing is custom and typically contracted annually with negotiated terms and support levels.

How much is BigCommerce in general

BigCommerce pricing ranges from roughly $39/month to enterprise-level custom contracts. Small merchants can begin on lower-cost plans and upgrade as sales volume and requirements increase. Mid-market and enterprise merchants commonly invest at the Pro or Enterprise level to gain advanced B2B features, higher API limits, and dedicated support. The platform supports both monthly and annual billing; yearly commitments often include discounts versus month-to-month billing.

Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

What is BigCommerce used for

BigCommerce is used to build and operate online stores that require reliable hosting, integrated commerce functions, and extensibility. Retail and wholesale brands use it to manage product catalogs, accept payments, run promotions, and track orders across multiple channels. Agencies and developers use BigCommerce when clients need a platform that supports custom front-end experiences or headless deployments.

Typical use cases include:

• Direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands launching branded storefronts with custom UX and conversion optimization.
• B2B sellers that need customer-specific pricing, purchase orders, and quote-to-order workflows.
• Omnichannel sellers that want built-in connectors to marketplaces, social commerce, and POS systems.
• Merchants migrating from legacy platforms who need a hosted, scalable environment with professional services available.

BigCommerce is also chosen for projects where time-to-market and operational security matter: the hosted platform removes the burden of hosting maintenance and patching, while APIs let engineering teams build unique storefronts or integrate back-office systems like ERP, OMS, and CRM.

Pros and cons of BigCommerce

Pros:

• Robust, extensible commerce engine with built-in B2B functionality that reduces custom development for common wholesale scenarios.
• Strong API and headless support allowing custom front-ends, PWAs, and integrations with external CMS or frontend frameworks.
• Multi-channel selling and marketplace integrations out of the box, plus a broad payments partner network for global checkout options.
• Hosted, PCI-compliant environment reduces operations overhead and provides enterprise-grade security features.

Cons:

• Costs scale with revenue and feature needs; larger merchants or those requiring custom enterprise services can face significant annual contracts.
• Customization beyond the provided APIs and themes still requires development resources, and third-party apps can add recurring costs.
• Merchants with highly specialized back-office needs may still require middleware or custom integrations to connect ERP/OMS systems.

Decision factors:

• Choose BigCommerce if you need a hosted platform with strong APIs and out-of-the-box B2B features.
• Consider competing platforms if you prefer an open-source self-hosted approach or if you have an existing ecosystem tightly coupled to another commerce provider.

BigCommerce free trial

BigCommerce traditionally offers trial periods that let merchants test the platform's dashboard, storefront themes, and basic integrations before committing. Trials are useful for evaluating the admin experience, theme customization, product import/export workflows, and initial checkout configurations.

During a trial you can:

• Create product catalogs, upload images, and configure tax/shipping rules.
• Apply themes and experiment with storefront layouts and page builders.
• Connect payment gateways in sandbox/test modes and run test transactions.

Trials do not replace a full launch plan; merchants should validate performance, third-party integrations, and production payment provider configurations before going live. Check BigCommerce’s trial options and terms for current availability and trial length.

Is BigCommerce free

No, BigCommerce is not a permanently free product. It offers paid plans that scale from entry-level to enterprise and may include a short trial for evaluation. There is no lasting free tier that supports a production store without ongoing subscription fees — merchants should plan for monthly or annual costs and any associated app or integration fees.

For merchants evaluating cost, compare feature sets across Standard, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise tiers and estimate third-party app costs and payment processing fees. Visit their official pricing page for the latest plan definitions and promotions.

BigCommerce API

BigCommerce provides a comprehensive API surface for building custom integrations and headless storefronts. The platform offers RESTful APIs and GraphQL endpoints for interacting with catalogs, customers, orders, shipping, and store settings. Webhooks are available to subscribe to events such as order creation, status changes, and customer actions so external systems can react in real time.

API capabilities enable:

• Custom storefronts using React, Vue, or other frameworks with BigCommerce as the commerce backend.
• Integration with ERP, CRM, and OMS systems for unified back-office workflows.
• Automation of product syncs, inventory updates, and multi-location fulfillment through scheduled jobs or webhook-driven processes.

Developer resources include API documentation, SDKs, example apps, and partner programs for technical support. Check BigCommerce’s developer site and API documentation for rate limits, authentication methods, and example workflows: their developer documentation provides technical references and guides.

10 BigCommerce alternatives

Paid alternatives to BigCommerce

• Shopify — A hosted ecommerce platform with a large app marketplace, simple onboarding, and extensive merchant tools for small to medium businesses; also supports Shopify Plus for enterprise needs.
• Magento (Adobe Commerce) — A feature-rich platform with deep customization and on-premises or cloud-hosted options; suited to merchants who want full control over code and architecture.
• Salesforce Commerce Cloud — Enterprise-grade commerce with strong personalization, merchandising, and cloud-native infrastructure for large retailers and brands.
• Wix eCommerce — An all-in-one site builder and ecommerce solution geared toward small businesses and creators with a visual editor and template library.
• Squarespace Commerce — Design-focused ecommerce for small brands and creative sellers who need polished templates and straightforward site management.
• WooCommerce — A WordPress-based ecommerce plugin (paid extensions available) that is flexible for stores already using WordPress and willing to manage hosting.
• Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) — Hosted ecommerce with a wide range of built-in features and a lower-cost entry point for small to mid-market merchants.

Open source alternatives to BigCommerce

• Magento Open Source — Community edition of Magento that provides a highly customizable platform for merchants who can manage hosting and development.
• WooCommerce — Free core plugin for WordPress that allows deep customization with themes and extensions; hosting and some extensions require additional cost.
• Spree Commerce — Modular open-source commerce framework built with Ruby on Rails, suitable for developers who want a flexible, code-first approach.
• Saleor — Modern GraphQL-first open-source commerce platform designed for headless and API-driven storefronts; built with Python and Django.
• Reaction Commerce — Real-time, API-first open-source commerce platform aimed at headless use cases and custom storefronts.

Frequently asked questions about BigCommerce

What is BigCommerce used for?

BigCommerce is used for building and operating online stores. Merchants use it to manage products, shopping carts, payments, orders, and multi-channel sales. It supports both B2C and B2B selling scenarios and can be deployed as a monolithic storefront or as a headless commerce backend.

How much does BigCommerce cost per month?

BigCommerce starts at $39/month for the Standard plan on a month-to-month basis. Higher tiers such as Plus and Pro start at approximately $105/month and $399/month respectively; Enterprise pricing is custom. For current rates and promotions, check their BigCommerce pricing.

How much does BigCommerce cost per year?

BigCommerce costs roughly $468/year for the Standard plan at $39/month billed monthly; annual contracts may reduce the effective cost. Mid-tier and Pro subscriptions scale up accordingly, and Enterprise customers typically negotiate annual contracts with custom terms. Visit their official pricing page for up-to-date pricing.

Is there a free version of BigCommerce?

No, BigCommerce does not offer a permanent free tier. The platform typically provides short trial periods for evaluation, but production use requires a paid plan. Merchants should evaluate trial access and plan features before committing to an annual contract.

Does BigCommerce support B2B features?

Yes, BigCommerce includes native B2B functionality. It supports customer groups and pricing, bulk ordering, quote workflows, and buyer portals that address common wholesale and account-based selling requirements. These features are available across certain plans and via enterprise services.

Can BigCommerce be used in a headless architecture?

Yes, BigCommerce supports headless commerce. The platform exposes REST and GraphQL APIs that let developers use BigCommerce as the commerce backend while delivering a custom front end via frameworks like React or Vue. Webhooks and SDKs facilitate integrations with external CMS and frontend tooling.

How secure is BigCommerce?

BigCommerce provides enterprise-grade security and PCI compliance. The hosted platform manages infrastructure security, applies regular patches, and integrates with leading payment providers to reduce PCI scope. For detailed security controls and certifications, review BigCommerce’s security and compliance resources.

Does BigCommerce integrate with payment providers?

Yes, BigCommerce supports 130+ payment providers and gateway integrations. Merchants can choose from major processors, local payment methods, and alternative payment options to match customer preferences and regional availability. Payment setup can be configured in the store control panel or via third-party apps.

What developer resources does BigCommerce provide?

BigCommerce provides API documentation, SDKs, and developer guides. The developer portal includes references for REST and GraphQL APIs, sample projects for headless storefronts, and deployment guidance. There is also a partner ecosystem of agencies and technology providers to assist with custom builds.

Where can I find BigCommerce performance and ROI data?

BigCommerce publishes resources and case studies illustrating ROI and performance outcomes. The company and independent analysts publish reports and customer success stories that document conversion improvements and developer efficiency gains; consult their resources and third-party analyst reports for validated statistics, such as ROI analyses and developer time savings. For specific studies, see BigCommerce’s resources and analyst reports on their site.

BigCommerce careers

BigCommerce maintains a public careers page with job listings across engineering, product, sales, marketing, and services. Larger ecommerce platforms typically hire for roles in developer relations, platform engineering, and customer success to support merchant onboarding and technical integrations. For current openings and hiring practices, check BigCommerce’s careers portal and LinkedIn listings.

BigCommerce affiliate

BigCommerce runs partner and affiliate programs for agencies, developers, and referral partners. These programs typically include revenue sharing, referral commissions, and technical support for partners who implement or recommend BigCommerce to merchants. Consult their partner program pages for enrollment details and benefits.

Where to find BigCommerce reviews

To evaluate BigCommerce from third-party perspectives, consult review sites and analyst reports such as TrustRadius, G2, and IDC. These sources aggregate customer ratings, feature comparisons, and testimonial case studies that highlight common strengths and weaknesses. BigCommerce also publishes customer success stories and references on its own site; compare both vendor and independent reviews to form a balanced view.

BigCommerce careers

BigCommerce advertises openings across product, engineering, sales, customer success, and professional services. Career pages list roles, required qualifications, remote/hybrid options, and benefits packages. Companies in this space typically provide learning and development support for technical staff, and candidates often need experience with cloud services, APIs, ecommerce platforms, or enterprise SaaS sales.

For people interested in technical roles, look for positions that mention API development, headless integration experience, or familiarity with commerce standards. Product and success roles often require prior experience running merchant programs or managing enterprise onboarding. Check BigCommerce’s corporate careers page for exact listings and hiring regions.

BigCommerce affiliate

BigCommerce’s affiliate and partner programs are structured to reward agencies, solution partners, and referral affiliates who drive merchant signups or implement the platform for clients. Partner tiers usually include technical enablement, marketing resources, and revenue-sharing models. Agencies often join the partner network to access training, priority support, and co-marketing opportunities.

If you are an agency or freelancer, evaluate partner requirements such as minimum referral volume, certification exams, and co-selling commitments. Partner programs provide a pathway to monetize implementations and to receive technical assistance for complex client projects.

Where to find BigCommerce reviews

Independent reviews are available on major software review platforms and analyst publications. Look for:

• TrustRadius and G2 for user-submitted ratings and feature-level feedback.
• IDC and other analyst reports for market positioning and performance benchmarks.
• Case studies on BigCommerce’s site that include ROI estimates and business outcomes.

When reading reviews, compare sample sizes, industry verticals, and scale of organizations to ensure the feedback is relevant to your business size and complexity. Cross-reference vendor claims with independent reviews and third-party performance reports.

Research Notes:

• Source material was the provided marketing copy and common public knowledge of BigCommerce product tiers and developer offerings.
• Pricing figures used reflect commonly published public tiers (Standard $39/mo, Plus $105/mo, Pro $399/mo); verify on the official pricing page for promotions or annual discounts.
• Feature descriptions and B2B capabilities are based on BigCommerce product documentation and public resources; link to developer docs and pricing for technical and commercial details.
• Suggested external links: BigCommerce pricing (https://www.bigcommerce.com/pricing/), developer documentation (https://developer.bigcommerce.com/), and security/compliance pages (https://www.bigcommerce.com/security/) for verification and deeper reading.
• Alternatives list compiled from typical competitor landscape for hosted and open-source ecommerce platforms.
• FAQs created to match common merchant search intent around usage, pricing, integrations, headless support, and security.