BigCommerce is a powerful eCommerce platform, but it’s not the perfect fit for everyone. Many store owners, startups, bloggers, and brands look for BigCommerce alternatives due to pricing, complexity, customization limits, or specific business needs. If you’re one of them, you’re in the right place.
In this in-depth guide by Blogging Ladder, we’ll explore the best BigCommerce alternatives in 2026, compare their features, pricing, pros and cons, and help you choose the right eCommerce platform for your online business.
Why Look for BigCommerce Alternatives?
BigCommerce is known for scalability and built-in features, but users often search for alternatives because:
- Pricing increases as sales grow
- Limited design flexibility without developers
- Complex backend for beginners
- Transaction and feature limitations
- Better options available for creators or small businesses
Choosing the right platform depends on your budget, technical skills, and business goals.
What to Look for in a BigCommerce Alternative
Before switching platforms, consider these factors:
- Ease of use
- Pricing and scalability
- Design and customization
- Payment gateway support
- SEO and marketing tools
- Integrations and apps
- Support and community
Now, let’s explore the top BigCommerce alternatives.
1. Shopify – Best Overall BigCommerce Alternative
Shopify is the most popular BigCommerce alternative and a top choice for beginners and growing brands.
Why Shopify Is a Great Alternative
- Extremely easy to use
- Large app marketplace
- Hundreds of themes
- Powerful checkout system
- Great for dropshipping and DTC brands
Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- Fast store setup
- Excellent integrations
- Strong SEO capabilities
Cons
- Transaction fees without Shopify Payments
- Monthly cost increases with apps
Best for: Beginners, small businesses, dropshipping, and scaling brands.
2. WooCommerce – Best Free & Open-Source Alternative
WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin and one of the strongest BigCommerce alternatives for flexibility.
Why WooCommerce Stands Out
- 100% customizable
- No platform fees
- Massive plugin ecosystem
- Full control over your store
Pros
- Free core plugin
- Unlimited customization
- Excellent SEO with WordPress
- Ownership of data
Cons
- Requires hosting
- Needs technical setup
- Maintenance responsibility
Best for: Bloggers, developers, content-driven stores, and SEO-focused businesses.
3. Magento (Adobe Commerce) – Best for Large Enterprises
Magento is a powerful enterprise-level eCommerce solution.
Why Choose Magento
- Advanced customization
- Handles massive catalogs
- Multi-store and multi-language support
- Enterprise-grade scalability
Pros
- Extremely powerful
- Fully customizable
- Strong B2B features
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires developers
- Not beginner-friendly
Best for: Large enterprises and complex eCommerce operations.
4. Wix eCommerce – Best for Small Businesses
Wix offers a simple drag-and-drop eCommerce solution.
Why Wix Is a Good BigCommerce Alternative
- Easy visual editor
- Affordable pricing
- All-in-one website builder
Pros
- Beginner-friendly
- No technical skills required
- Good design flexibility
Cons
- Limited scalability
- Fewer advanced eCommerce features
Best for: Small businesses, creatives, and local stores.
5. Squarespace Commerce – Best for Design-Focused Brands
Squarespace is known for stunning templates and simplicity.
Why Squarespace Works
- Beautiful design templates
- Simple product management
- Built-in marketing tools
Pros
- Excellent design quality
- Easy setup
- All-in-one solution
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations
- Not ideal for large stores
Best for: Designers, photographers, and lifestyle brands.
6. OpenCart – Lightweight & Cost-Effective Alternative
OpenCart is an open-source eCommerce platform with a simple structure.
Key Benefits
- Free to use
- Lightweight
- Large extension marketplace
Pros
- No licensing cost
- Easy to manage
- Good for small catalogs
Cons
- Limited advanced features
- Smaller community than WooCommerce
Best for: Small online stores with technical support.
7. PrestaShop – Strong Open-Source Option
PrestaShop offers a balance between usability and flexibility.
Why Consider PrestaShop
- Open-source platform
- Strong European market presence
- Flexible customization
Pros
- Free core software
- Multi-language support
- SEO-friendly
Cons
- Paid modules add cost
- Technical learning curve
Best for: Medium-sized businesses and international sellers.
BigCommerce vs Alternatives: Quick Comparison
| Platform | Ease of Use | Customization | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Medium | Beginners & scaling |
| WooCommerce | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Low | Bloggers & SEO |
| Magento | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | High | Enterprises |
| Wix | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Low | Small businesses |
| Squarespace | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Medium | Design brands |
| OpenCart | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Low | Small stores |
| PrestaShop | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Medium | Global sellers |
Which BigCommerce Alternative Is Best for You?
Choose based on your needs:
- Beginner & fast setup: Shopify or Wix
- SEO & content marketing: WooCommerce
- Enterprise & B2B: Magento
- Design-first brands: Squarespace
- Budget-friendly & open-source: OpenCart or PrestaShop
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution—only the right platform for your business stage.
SEO Considerations When Switching from BigCommerce
Before migrating:
- Plan URL redirects carefully
- Preserve SEO metadata
- Optimize site speed
- Maintain product schema
- Test mobile usability
A proper migration ensures you don’t lose rankings or traffic.
Is BigCommerce Still Worth Using?
BigCommerce is still a strong platform, especially for fast-growing brands. However, if you want:
- More flexibility
- Lower long-term cost
- Easier customization
- Better creator tools
Then switching to a BigCommerce alternative may be the smarter move.
Final Verdict: Best BigCommerce Alternatives in 2026
BigCommerce is powerful—but not perfect. The good news? You have excellent alternatives.
⭐ Blogging Ladder Recommendation:
- Shopify for ease and growth
- WooCommerce for control and SEO
- Magento for enterprise power
Your platform should support your growth—not limit it.
FAQs BigCommerce Alternatives
The best alternative depends on your needs. Shopify is ideal for beginners and scaling brands, while WooCommerce is best for flexibility and SEO-driven stores.
For ease of use and app ecosystem, Shopify is often preferred. BigCommerce offers strong built-in features, but Shopify’s simplicity and integrations make it a popular alternative.
Yes. WooCommerce is open-source, highly customizable, and excellent for content-first businesses. It’s a strong choice if you want full control and lower long-term costs.
WooCommerce (with WordPress) is widely considered the best for SEO due to control over URLs, metadata, and content optimization.
Yes. WooCommerce, OpenCart, and PrestaShop offer free core software, though you’ll still pay for hosting, themes, or extensions.
Magento (Adobe Commerce) is best suited for enterprises needing advanced customization and scalability.
Squarespace is a good option for design-focused brands and small stores, but it’s less scalable than Shopify or WooCommerce.
🧭 Quick Decision Guide (User Intent)
- Fast setup & simplicity: Shopify
- SEO & content marketing: WooCommerce
- Enterprise & B2B: Magento
- Design-first stores: Squarespace
- Budget & open-source: OpenCart, PrestaShop
🚀 Switch from BigCommerce the Smart Way
If you want faster setup, better flexibility, or lower long-term costs, consider moving to a platform that fits your growth stage.
👉 Start with Shopify – Beginner-friendly, scalable, and packed with apps.
👉 Choose WooCommerce – Full control, best SEO, and no platform fees.
👉 Go with Magento – Enterprise-grade power for complex stores.
(Tip: Start a trial first, migrate carefully, and preserve SEO.)
🏆 Comparison Snapshot (At a Glance)
| Platform | Ease of Use | Customization | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $$ | Beginners & scaling |
| WooCommerce | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $ | SEO & control |
| Magento | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $$$ | Enterprise |
| Squarespace | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | $$ | Design brands |
| OpenCart | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $ | Small stores |
| PrestaShop | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $$ | Global sellers |
🧠 SEO Migration Tips (If Switching from BigCommerce)
- Map and redirect old URLs (301s)
- Preserve meta titles/descriptions
- Keep product schema intact
- Optimize site speed post-migration
- Re-submit sitemaps in Search Console
🏁 Final Recommendation (Blogging Ladder)
BigCommerce is powerful, but alternatives often win on simplicity, flexibility, or cost.
Our picks: Shopify (ease), WooCommerce (control & SEO), Magento (enterprise).
⭐ Blogging Ladder Rating (Alternatives Overall): 4.7 / 5
