Choosing the right ecommerce platform can make or break your online store. WooCommerce and BigCommerce are two of the most popular options in 2026, but they take fundamentally different approaches. WooCommerce is a self-hosted WordPress plugin that gives you total control, while BigCommerce is a fully hosted SaaS platform that handles infrastructure for you. This guide breaks down exactly how they compare across pricing, features, scalability, and more so you can make the right call for your business.
WooCommerce vs BigCommerce: Quick Overview
Before we dig into the details, here is a high-level snapshot of what each platform offers and where they differ most.
| Feature | WooCommerce | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Self-hosted (WordPress plugin) | Hosted SaaS platform |
| Starting Price | Free plugin + hosting ($3-30/mo) | $39/mo (Standard plan) |
| Transaction Fees | None (payment gateway fees only) | None on any plan |
| Customization | Unlimited (open source) | Limited by platform |
| Hosting | You manage (or managed WP hosting) | Included |
| Built-in Features | Basic (extend via plugins) | Extensive out of the box |
| SEO Capabilities | Excellent (with plugins like RankMath) | Good (built-in) |
| Multi-channel Selling | Via plugins | Built-in (Amazon, eBay, social) |
| Best For | Developers, custom stores, content-heavy sites | Growing businesses wanting simplicity |
Pricing Breakdown: True Cost Comparison in 2026
Price is often the first thing store owners look at, but comparing WooCommerce and BigCommerce on price alone is misleading. WooCommerce is free to download, but you need hosting, a domain, an SSL certificate, and likely several paid plugins. BigCommerce bundles everything into a monthly subscription but caps your annual revenue on each plan.
BigCommerce Pricing Plans (2026)
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Revenue Limit | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $39/mo | $50K/year | Unlimited products, multi-channel, no transaction fees |
| Plus | $105/mo | $180K/year | Customer groups, abandoned cart saver, stored credit cards |
| Pro | $399/mo | $400K/year | Google customer reviews, custom SSL, advanced filtering |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Unlimited | Dedicated account manager, priority support, custom integrations |
WooCommerce True Cost Estimate
| Component | Budget Setup | Professional Setup | Enterprise Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting | $3-10/mo (shared) | $25-50/mo (managed WP) | $100-500/mo (dedicated/cloud) |
| Domain | $10-15/year | $10-15/year | $10-15/year |
| SSL Certificate | Free (Let’s Encrypt) | Free (included) | $50-200/year (EV SSL) |
| Theme | Free | $50-80 (one-time) | $200-5000 (custom) |
| Essential Plugins | $0-100/year | $200-500/year | $500-2000/year |
| Payment Gateway | 2.9% + $0.30/txn | 2.9% + $0.30/txn | Negotiated rates |
| Total Year 1 | $50-250 | $450-900 | $2,000-10,000+ |
The key takeaway: WooCommerce can be significantly cheaper for small stores, but costs scale with your needs. BigCommerce offers more predictable pricing with fewer surprise expenses, but forces you to upgrade plans as your revenue grows.
Hosting and Infrastructure
This is the most fundamental difference between the two platforms. BigCommerce handles all server infrastructure, security patches, uptime monitoring, and performance optimization. You never touch a server. WooCommerce requires you to choose and manage your own hosting, which means more responsibility but also more control.
WooCommerce Hosting Options
- Shared hosting (Bluehost, SiteGround): $3-10/mo. Fine for stores with under 1,000 products and moderate traffic.
- Managed WordPress hosting (Cloudways, Kinsta, WP Engine): $25-100/mo. Better performance, automatic backups, staging environments.
- Cloud/VPS (AWS, DigitalOcean, Linode): $20-500/mo. Maximum control and scalability for high-traffic stores.
- Dedicated servers: $100-1000+/mo. For enterprise-level stores processing thousands of orders daily.
BigCommerce Hosting
- Hosting is included in every plan with no additional cost.
- Built on Google Cloud Platform with a CDN for fast global delivery.
- Handles traffic spikes automatically without manual intervention.
- 99.99% uptime SLA on Pro and Enterprise plans.
- PCI DSS Level 1 compliance included.
“For store owners who do not want to think about servers, caching, or security patches, BigCommerce removes that burden entirely. But if performance tuning and server-level optimization matter to your business, WooCommerce with managed hosting gives you capabilities BigCommerce cannot match.”
WooSell Services team assessment
Customization and Flexibility
WooCommerce wins this category by a wide margin. As an open-source WordPress plugin, you have access to the entire codebase. You can modify checkout flows, create custom product types, build unique integrations, and design any storefront layout imaginable. There are over 60,000 WordPress plugins and thousands of WooCommerce-specific extensions to extend functionality.
BigCommerce offers customization through its Stencil theme framework and a growing app marketplace, but you are working within the boundaries of a hosted platform. You cannot modify core platform behavior, and some advanced customizations require the Enterprise plan or custom API development.
Customization Comparison
| Aspect | WooCommerce | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Source Code Access | Full access (open source) | Theme files only |
| Custom Product Types | Unlimited via code | Limited to built-in types |
| Checkout Customization | Fully customizable | Limited (Enterprise: Checkout SDK) |
| API Access | REST API + hooks/filters | REST API (robust) |
| Theme Options | Thousands (free and premium) | ~200 (free and paid) |
| Custom Fields | ACF, Meta Box, Pods | Built-in (limited) |
| Multi-language | WPML, Polylang, TranslatePress | Limited (Enterprise only) |
Ease of Use: Beginners vs Developers
BigCommerce is easier for beginners. The setup wizard walks you through store creation in under 30 minutes. Product listing, shipping configuration, tax rules, and payment processing are all managed from a single dashboard without installing any additional software.
WooCommerce has a steeper learning curve. You need to install WordPress first, then add WooCommerce, configure hosting, install an SSL certificate, and piece together the plugins you need. For someone who has never used WordPress, this can take several hours to a full day. However, for WordPress users and developers, WooCommerce feels natural because it lives inside a familiar ecosystem.
Setup Time Comparison
- BigCommerce: 15-30 minutes for a basic store. Select a plan, choose a theme, add products, configure payments.
- WooCommerce: 1-4 hours for a basic store. Install WordPress, install WooCommerce, configure hosting, choose theme, add plugins, configure payments and shipping.
- WooCommerce with managed hosting: 30-60 minutes. Providers like Cloudways and SiteGround offer one-click WooCommerce installation that eliminates most of the manual setup.
For ongoing management, BigCommerce handles updates and security automatically. With WooCommerce, you are responsible for updating WordPress core, plugins, and themes. A managed hosting provider reduces this burden significantly but adds to monthly costs.
SEO and Content Marketing
WooCommerce has a clear advantage for SEO and content marketing. Because it runs on WordPress, you get access to the most powerful content management system on the web. Blog integration is seamless, and SEO plugins like RankMath or Yoast provide granular control over meta titles, descriptions, schema markup, XML sitemaps, breadcrumbs, and canonical URLs.
BigCommerce has solid built-in SEO features including customizable URLs, automatic sitemaps, 301 redirects, and microdata support. However, its blogging capabilities are basic compared to WordPress. Many BigCommerce store owners end up running a separate WordPress installation for content marketing, which creates additional complexity.
SEO Feature Comparison
| SEO Feature | WooCommerce | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Custom URLs | Full control | Customizable (some prefix limitations) |
| Meta Titles/Descriptions | Via RankMath/Yoast | Built-in |
| Schema Markup | Extensive (via plugins) | Built-in (product, breadcrumb) |
| Blog/Content Marketing | WordPress (best in class) | Basic built-in blog |
| Page Speed Control | Full (caching, CDN, optimization) | Platform-managed |
| XML Sitemaps | Auto-generated (plugin) | Auto-generated |
| Canonical URLs | Automatic + manual override | Automatic |
| Structured Data | Full control via plugins | Limited built-in types |
Payment Gateway Options
Both platforms support a wide range of payment gateways, but the specifics differ.
WooCommerce supports over 100 payment gateways through plugins. Stripe, PayPal, Square, Authorize.net, Braintree, Razorpay, Mollie, and dozens of regional providers are available. WooCommerce does not charge any transaction fees on top of what your payment gateway charges. You keep more of each sale.
BigCommerce also charges zero transaction fees on all plans, which is a significant advantage over Shopify (which charges 0.5-2% unless you use Shopify Payments). BigCommerce supports 65+ payment gateways including PayPal powered by Braintree (with preferred rates on Plus plans and above), Stripe, Square, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Payment Processing Rates
- WooCommerce + Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (US). Rates vary by country.
- WooCommerce + PayPal: 2.99% + $0.49 per transaction (updated 2024 rates).
- BigCommerce + PayPal by Braintree: 2.59% + $0.49 (Standard), 2.35% + $0.49 (Plus/Pro).
- BigCommerce + Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
BigCommerce offers slightly better PayPal rates on higher plans, which can translate to meaningful savings for stores processing high volumes.
Scalability: Growing Your Store
Both platforms can handle large-scale stores, but the path to scalability looks very different.
WooCommerce scalability depends entirely on your hosting infrastructure. On shared hosting, WooCommerce may struggle with 10,000+ products or high concurrent traffic. On a properly configured cloud setup (AWS, Google Cloud, or a premium managed host), WooCommerce can power stores with millions of products and handle thousands of concurrent users. Companies like Weber, Airstream, and All Blacks use WooCommerce at scale.
BigCommerce scalability is handled by the platform. There are no product limits on any plan, and the infrastructure scales automatically. However, the revenue caps on Standard ($50K), Plus ($180K), and Pro ($400K) plans mean you will be forced to upgrade as your business grows. Enterprise pricing is negotiated and can become expensive for very large operations.
Performance Benchmarks
| Metric | WooCommerce (Managed Hosting) | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Average Page Load | 1.5-3s (depends on optimization) | 2-3s (platform average) |
| Max Products | Unlimited (host-dependent) | Unlimited (all plans) |
| Concurrent Users | Depends on hosting tier | Platform-managed |
| CDN | Optional (Cloudflare, etc.) | Included (Akamai) |
| Uptime SLA | Host-dependent (99.9% typical) | 99.99% (Pro/Enterprise) |
App and Extension Ecosystem
WooCommerce has a massive ecosystem. The official WooCommerce marketplace has over 900 extensions, and the broader WordPress plugin repository adds tens of thousands more. You can find plugins for subscriptions, memberships, bookings, auction systems, multi-vendor marketplaces, product bundles, dynamic pricing, and virtually any other ecommerce function.
BigCommerce’s app marketplace has around 1,200 apps as of 2026, covering essential categories like marketing, shipping, accounting, and analytics. While smaller than WooCommerce’s ecosystem, BigCommerce apps tend to be more curated and often include deeper platform integrations. Notable built-in features that WooCommerce requires plugins for include multi-channel selling (Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Instagram), abandoned cart recovery strategies (Plus plan and above), and customer group pricing.
Key Extension Categories
| Category | WooCommerce | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions | WooCommerce loyalty and referral plugins + Subscriptions ($239/yr) | Built-in (limited) or apps |
| Memberships | WooCommerce Memberships ($199/yr) | Third-party apps |
| Multi-vendor | Dokan, WCFM, WC Vendors | Limited options |
| Bookings | WooCommerce Bookings ($249/yr) | Third-party apps |
| Abandoned Cart | Free and paid plugins | Built-in (Plus+) |
| B2B / Wholesale | B2B plugins available | Built-in customer groups |
| Multi-channel | Via plugins | Built-in (Amazon, eBay, social) |
Migration: Switching Between Platforms
Moving between WooCommerce and BigCommerce is possible but requires planning. Here is what each migration path looks like.
BigCommerce to WooCommerce
- Export your data: BigCommerce allows CSV exports of products, customers, and orders.
- Set up WordPress + WooCommerce: Install on your chosen hosting provider.
- Import products: Use the WooCommerce CSV importer or a migration plugin like Cart2Cart or LitExtension.
- Recreate design: Choose a WooCommerce theme and rebuild your storefront layout.
- Set up payments and shipping: Configure your preferred gateway and shipping rules.
- Redirect URLs: Set up 301 redirects from old BigCommerce URLs to new WooCommerce URLs to preserve SEO.
- Test thoroughly: Run test orders, verify checkout, and confirm all products display correctly.
WooCommerce to BigCommerce
- Export WooCommerce data: Use WooCommerce’s built-in export or WP All Export for comprehensive data extraction.
- Sign up for BigCommerce: Choose the appropriate plan based on your revenue.
- Import products: Use BigCommerce’s CSV importer or a migration tool.
- Configure settings: Set up tax rules, shipping zones, and payment gateways.
- Customize theme: Select and customize a BigCommerce theme using Stencil.
- Handle URL redirects: BigCommerce supports 301 redirects to maintain search rankings.
- Migrate blog content: If you have a WordPress blog, consider keeping WordPress for content and using BigCommerce for the store, or migrate blog posts manually.
Migration typically takes 1-4 weeks depending on store size, complexity, and the number of customizations. Budget $500-5,000+ for professional migration services if you prefer expert handling.
Who Should Choose WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is the right choice if you fall into one or more of these categories:
- You want full ownership and control over your store’s code, data, and hosting.
- You already use WordPress and want a seamless ecommerce integration.
- You need heavy customization including custom product types, unique checkout flows, or complex integrations.
- Content marketing is a priority and you need a world-class blogging platform alongside your store.
- You are budget-conscious and willing to invest time in setup and maintenance to save on monthly costs.
- You sell subscriptions, memberships, or bookings and need specialized WooCommerce extensions.
- You have developer resources (in-house or via an agency like WooSell Services) to build and maintain custom solutions.
Who Should Choose BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is the right choice if these describe your situation:
- You want zero server management and prefer a fully managed platform.
- You sell across multiple channels (Amazon, eBay, Instagram, Facebook) and want native integrations.
- You need enterprise-level features without the complexity of self-hosting.
- You are a B2B seller who needs built-in customer groups, quote management, and price lists.
- Your team lacks technical expertise and you need an easy-to-manage platform.
- Predictable pricing matters more than flexibility to your budgeting process.
- You are a fast-growing mid-market brand that needs reliable infrastructure without DevOps overhead.
Decision Matrix: Side-by-Side Verdict
| Criteria | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest Starting Cost | WooCommerce | Free plugin + cheap shared hosting beats $39/mo |
| Ease of Setup | BigCommerce | Guided wizard, no hosting decisions |
| Customization | WooCommerce | Open source, unlimited modifications |
| SEO | WooCommerce | WordPress + RankMath is unbeatable |
| Built-in Features | BigCommerce | Multi-channel, abandoned cart, B2B tools included |
| Scalability | Tie | Both scale well via different mechanisms |
| Security | BigCommerce | Platform-managed PCI compliance and updates |
| Content Marketing | WooCommerce | WordPress is the best CMS for blogging |
| Multi-channel | BigCommerce | Native integrations with Amazon, eBay, social |
| Payment Flexibility | Tie | Both offer zero transaction fees and 65+ gateways |
| Developer Ecosystem | WooCommerce | Massive plugin library, huge developer community |
| B2B Features | BigCommerce | Built-in customer groups and wholesale pricing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use BigCommerce with WordPress?
Yes. BigCommerce offers a WordPress plugin that lets you use WordPress as the front-end while BigCommerce handles the ecommerce backend. This gives you WordPress for content and design with BigCommerce for cart, checkout, and product management. It is a hybrid approach that works well for content-heavy stores that want BigCommerce’s infrastructure.
Does WooCommerce charge transaction fees?
No. WooCommerce does not charge any transaction fees. You only pay the fees charged by your payment gateway (for example, Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction). This is the same as BigCommerce, but different from Shopify which charges additional fees unless you use Shopify Payments.
Which platform is better for dropshipping?
WooCommerce edges ahead for dropshipping due to its larger plugin ecosystem. AliDropship, Spocket, DSers, and dozens of other dropshipping plugins integrate directly with WooCommerce. BigCommerce supports dropshipping through apps like Inventory Source and Modalyst, but has fewer options overall.
Can I switch from BigCommerce to WooCommerce later?
Yes. Migration tools like Cart2Cart and LitExtension can transfer products, customers, orders, and categories from BigCommerce to WooCommerce. The process typically takes 1-2 weeks. URL redirects are critical to preserve your SEO rankings during the switch.
Which is more secure?
BigCommerce handles security at the platform level, including PCI DSS Level 1 compliance, automatic patching, and DDoS protection. WooCommerce security depends on your hosting provider and your own maintenance practices. With managed WordPress hosting and security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri and WooCommerce anti-fraud plugins, WooCommerce can be equally secure, but it requires active management.
What about WooCommerce vs Shopify?
Shopify is another popular alternative. The key difference from BigCommerce is that Shopify charges transaction fees (0.5-2%) unless you use Shopify Payments. For a detailed comparison, see our WooCommerce vs Shopify guide.
The Bottom Line
There is no universally “better” platform. WooCommerce gives you maximum control, the best SEO capabilities, and lower costs for smaller stores, but demands more technical involvement. BigCommerce delivers a polished, fully managed experience with strong built-in features, but limits your customization options and enforces revenue-based plan tiers.
If you value ownership, flexibility, and deep WordPress integration, WooCommerce is the clear winner. If you want a hassle-free platform that scales without technical complexity, BigCommerce is a solid choice.
For most WordPress users and businesses that want maximum control over their ecommerce experience, we recommend WooCommerce. It offers unmatched flexibility, a massive ecosystem, and the ability to build exactly the store you envision.
Need Help Building Your WooCommerce Store?
At WooSell Services, we specialize in custom WooCommerce development, migration from other platforms, and ongoing store optimization. Whether you are starting fresh, migrating from BigCommerce or Shopify, or need to scale an existing WooCommerce store, our team can help you build a high-performing online store that grows with your business. Get in touch to discuss your project.
