Growing an ecommerce business from small to midmarket to enterprise is exciting, but it also comes with new challenges. Operating an enterprise ecommerce business can put new strain on your existing technology.
To run an enterprise—and continue to see growth—you need the right technology for the job. That includes an ecommerce platform that can handle your number of products and transactions with flawless performance, even during high-traffic times. You need it to expand to serve new geographies and channels where customers are waiting to discover your products. You need it to integrate with the solutions your large or small business requires to fuel growth.
If you’re currently on BigCommerce or considering it for your enterprise business, here’s a little more information about the platform and the best BigCommerce alternatives to consider.
Four reasons to look for a BigCommerce alternative
Chances are you’re here with one of two goals in mind.
-
You’re considering BigCommerce for your online store from among the many ecommerce platforms on the market, and you’re doing your due diligence in considering all the options. There are, after all, a lot of platforms to consider: WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, WooCommerce, and Volusion, plus the 10 mentioned in this article.
-
You’re already on BigCommerce and want out—or at least want to see what else is out there that can solve your existing pain points with BigCommerce.
Here are four reasons to look for a BigCommerce alternative.
BigCommerce doesn’t integrate with the solutions you need
While it would be nice if the platform and its key features could stand completely alone, most ecommerce brands—especially those operating at an enterprise level—are going to use some third-party integrations. These tools specialize in different functions. For example, there may be tools for marketing, store design, or product sourcing and fulfillment.
While the BigCommerce ecosystem has around 1,000 apps and technology solutions available, this is relatively small compared to the number available with other enterprise ecommerce platform providers. For example, Shopify features eight times that number. If the solution you need for your business doesn’t integrate with BigCommerce, you may be looking to move on.
BigCommerce is hard to use
The BigCommerce back end does have a learning curve. Some businesses may choose to move to another platform that has greater ease of use, especially if you have a lot of users who need to be trained. After all, time is money, and the longer it takes new users to get up to speed on the technology, the less time they have to spend on revenue-generating work.
You’ve outgrown BigCommerce
Some businesses might find that BigCommerce can’t keep pace with their growth. If, for example, the next phase of your expansion is developing a strong DTC presence, you might find you’re better supported by a platform that can help you hone your brand and offer built-in options known for a high conversion rate. Or if you want to strengthen your international presence, you might feel constrained by the lack of multi-language capabilities.
You’re having trouble selling offline and online
If your store is primarily offline and planning to move online, or if you are online now but expanding to a greater brick-and-mortar presence, you may need to upgrade to a BigCommerce alternative with better multilocation inventory management and a native BOPIS feature.
Ten best alternatives to BigCommerce
-
Shopify
-
Adobe Commerce
-
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
-
SAP Commerce Cloud
-
Oracle Commerce
-
VTEX
-
Elastic Path
-
commercetools
-
Shopware
-
OpenCart
If you’re considering BigCommerce for your enterprise ecommerce platform, here are a few BigCommerce alternatives to consider.
1. Shopify
Shopify is a SaaS platform that powers more than three million ecommerce sites around the world and has the largest market share of ecommerce websites.
The ease of use and flexibility that have made Shopify nearly synonymous with ecommerce also extend into its enterprise-level plans, Shopify and Commerce Components, which has a greater array of features, including a built-in wholesale channel and automation tools. Shopify customers include Good American, Brooklinen, and Allbirds.
“Shopify really changed the way we work,” said Bernardo Bachino, digital marketing manager at Slinger. “We’re able to do the basic things fast and know they will work, so we can focus on more complex things like developing new products and launching into new markets.”
Key features:
-
Artificial intelligence tools like Shopify Sidekick and Magic.
-
Over 70 responsive, customizable themes with an intuitive code editor.
-
Shop Pay, which has proven to speed up checkout by 60% and increase conversions by 18%.
-
Shopify Fulfillment Network to outsource logistics and order fulfillment.
-
Integrations with ERPs and CRMs like Netsuite, Microsoft, and Quickbooks.
-
App Store home to over 8,000 third-party apps—from marketing and conversion to shipping.
-
Shopify Flow to automate tasks across stores and apps for either process or workflows.
-
Features to sell wholesale and B2B from a single ecommerce platform.
Pros:
-
Shopify merchants spend up to 80% less on their online stores than with other platforms.
-
Easy to set up and user-friendly website builder means there’s an average launch time of 90 days.
-
Highly cost-effective compared to other enterprise offerings.
-
Customizable checkout and access to API resources (REST and GraphQL), apps, and add-ons to adapt the product to fit your brand.
-
Run your B2B and DTC business from one place with the power and simplicity of an all-in-one platform.
G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: Shopify Plus plans start at $2,300 per month, but you can also opt for cheaper Shopify plans that start at $29 per month. It takes just 3–4 months to replatform with Shopify, unlike the 12–18 month average for other software vendors.
2. Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento)
Adobe Commerce (formerly known as Magneto) is an open-source ecommerce platform written in PHP. Magento was founded in 2008 and was purchased by Adobe in 2018. Adobe Commerce is built on Magento and integrated into the Adobe Experience Manager.
Because of its higher price and capacity for advanced customization options, Adobe Commerce is primarily used by bigger brands. Its customers include T-Mobile, Coca-Cola, and Krispy Kreme.
Key features:
-
AI-generated product recommendations by Adobe Sensei.
-
Headless capabilities to separate the front end of your online store from the back end.
-
B2B commerce tools to create wholesale price lists and online portals for B2B buyers.
-
Free Amazon sales channel to list your products on the world’s largest marketplace.
-
Quick guest checkout to increase conversions.
Pros:
-
As an open-source platform, it’s extremely customizable.
-
It has a ton of complex ecommerce features, especially helpful for handling multiple stores, languages, and currencies.
-
Very scalable and can handle thousands of products and transactions.
Cons:
-
Expensive both to have and to maintain.
-
Complex architecture makes it slow to launch and make updates.
-
Need Adobe-focused developers, which can be hard to find.
G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: Not publicly available. You’ll need to contact the Adobe Commerce sales team for a custom quote.
3. Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Salesforce Commerce Cloud (previously known as Demandware until acquired by Salesforce in 2016) is a SaaS ecommerce solution. Salesforce has separate products aimed at B2C and B2B ecommerce merchants, each with unique features. It powers big brands including Sonos, L’Oreal, and Fisher & Paykel.
Key features:
-
Digital storefront to sell to customers through a DTC website.
-
Advanced reporting using AI insights.
-
Sleek order management interface to manage logistics and shipping.
-
Connects with the Salesforce CRM to track B2B leads and wholesale customers.
-
Sell via marketplaces, social media, and search ads.
Pros:
-
Advantages of SaaS including web hosting, security, and updates included.
-
Can support stores across multiple channels, languages, and currencies.
-
Separate B2B and B2C products offer specialized ecommerce features.
Cons:
-
Customization and third-party apps are limited.
-
Total cost of ownership can be high and unpredictable.
G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: Salesforce doesn’t have set monthly subscription prices. Instead, it bills merchants a percentage of their gross merchandise value. For its B2B Commerce, B2B Commerce, and D2C Commerce plans, this starts at 1% GMV.
4. SAP Commerce Cloud
SAP Commerce Cloud is a cloud-native omnichannel commerce solution targeted at B2C, B2B, and hybrid businesses. The platform and suite of tools offers order management and aims to provide a better customer experience from search to sales. SAP Commerce Cloud powers over 2,500 stores including Flexi, Carhartt, and HOFMANNs.
Key features:
-
AI and machine learning capabilities to personalize website content.
-
A/B testing and real-time algorithms to optimize your online store for conversions.
-
Integrations with cart, checkout, payment, and tax apps.
-
JavaScript storefront that’s completely customizable.
-
Workflows for order sourcing, management, fulfillment, and returns.
Pros:
-
If omnichannel is a foundational part of your strategy, SAP does this well and can adapt to provide a frictionless customer journey across touchpoints.
-
It’s adaptable to different types of businesses.
-
Uses customer data to deliver personalized experiences.
Cons:
-
Very expensive.
-
Implementation and management will require specialists.
-
For stores with a large product inventory, it can be slow.
G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: SAP Commerce Cloud has two tiers, but it doesn’t show its prices publicly. Contact its sales team for a custom quote.
5. Oracle Commerce
Oracle Commerce is a SaaS ecommerce solution designed for both B2B and B2C sellers all in one platform. Oracle acquired the core ecommerce engine behind Commerce Cloud in 2010 when it bought ecommerce tool ATG.
Like most of the SaaS platforms on this list, it has an array of strong shopping cart features as well as merchandising, A/B testing, and automatic updates. Oracle customers include Bruno Fritsch, Banco Nacional, and Delly’s.
Key features:
-
Connects with the Oracle CRM for lead monitoring.
-
Personalized product recommendations with advanced user tracking.
-
Extensive search features to show relevant products to those interested in buying.
-
Microsites to localize your ecommerce storefront when selling cross-border.
-
Oracle Marketing tools to manage omnichannel marketing campaigns.
Pros:
-
Strong ecommerce management features, especially for multistore management.
-
Integrates with other Oracle products for advertising and customer experience.
Cons:
-
It’s unclear how much Oracle is investing in continuing to maintain its commerce offering.
-
Documentation could be better.
-
Rated below average for omnichannel ecommerce platforms.
G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: Oracle doesn’t share the price for its Commerce Cloud publicly. You’ll need to contact its sales team for a custom quote.
6. VTEX
VTEX is a multitenant SaaS ecommerce platform and marketplace solution that includes B2B and B2C features in one product. In addition to shopping cart functionality and order management, VTEX also includes the power to build marketplaces.
VTEX supports over 3,400 customers in 38 countries around the world. Huge brands including Walmart, Nestle, and Vans power their online shops with VTEX.
Key features:
-
Headless storefront with React-based components.
-
Progressive roll-out and roll-back to manage changes to website infrastructure.
-
Native order management system to oversee orders from every sales channel.
-
One-click checkout with built-in payment gateway.
-
Live commerce functionality to sell via live streams.
Pros:
-
Very user friendly interface.
-
Besides commerce functionality, VTEX includes a suite of products to run an efficient omnichannel operation.
-
Because it’s cloud-based and modular, launching and making updates can be fairly quick.
Cons:
-
The ability to personalize the storefront is somewhat limited.
-
Depending on your business, the B2C features are stronger than B2B.
G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: VTEX doesn’t share its pricing plans publicly. Contact its sales team for a personalized quote based on how many sales your ecommerce website makes.
7. Elastic Path
Elastic Path is a headless-first ecommerce solution targeted to enterprise brands, particularly those who need multiple stores across different geographies, currencies, and languages.
As a microservices offering, Elastic Path is great for brands that want to customize. Elastic Path powers the online stores of more than 250 brands including reMarkable, Tesla, and Pella.
Key features:
-
CX Studio to easily customize your site’s front end.
-
Built-in product information management (PIM) tool to keep data consistent.
-
Online payment processing powered by Stripe.
-
Flexible API to scale as your ecommerce business grows.
-
Create promotions, bundles, and free gifts from the ecommerce platform.
Pros:
-
Seamlessly integrates with front-end technologies, but also includes front-end technology so you don’t have to start from scratch.
-
Possible to cloud host or host on premise.
Cons:
-
Strong learning curve, and the documentation to help could be better.
-
Depending on the level of customization, it can be time consuming.
-
Rated below average for multichannel fulfillment.
G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: Elastic Path’s Composable Commerce bundle, which includes all features and capabilities other than payments, is based on a percentage of GMV.
8. commercetools
Like Elastic Path in the previous section, commercetools is an option if your enterprise is looking for a headless-first approach. It’s an API-driven SaaS platform that takes a microservices approach. This means that commercetools provides the back-end shopping cart functionality and integrates with various front-end applications to provide the customer-facing experience. Customers of commercetools include Sephora, Audi, and Ulta Beauty.
Key features:
-
Composable architecture to customize as you see fit.
-
Integrations with over 280 independent software vendors.
-
Advanced PIM with no installation or integration required.
-
Omnichannel commerce functionality.
Pros:
-
APIs cover the full range of ecommerce functionality for the platform and can easily be extended.
-
Modular, microservices approach can be cost-effective for some enterprises.
-
Free trial available.
Cons:
-
B2B and B2C are split into two different products.
-
Complex architecture does require a level of digital maturity.
-
There’s no storefront. In addition to managing the commerce platform, you also have to figure out the front end.
G2 rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: commercetools doesn’t share pricing data publicly, but you can try it out using a free 60-day trial and get a personalized quote from its sales team.
9. Shopware
Shopware is an open-source ecommerce platform that rivals BigCommerce. Designed to help brands reach both DTC and B2B customers online, agility and performance are two huge selling points. You can completely customize both the front- and back-end of your site—even if you’re not proficient in code. Shopware is used by brands like Staples, Philips, and Stabilo.
Key features:
-
No-code options to customize your store without relying on developers.
-
Rich merchandising features to engage shoppers through video.
-
Over 3,000 extensions to add extra functionality to your store.
-
Split inventory into different product catalogs—like one for DTC, another for B2B.
-
AI Copilot to help with everything from exporting data to creating content.
Pros:
-
User friendly interface.
-
Drag-and-drop visual editor to make design changes on the fly.
-
Great customer service and product documentation.
Cons:
-
It can get expensive when you add important features to the basic plan.
-
No native analytics or reporting features.
-
Rated below average for shopping cart abandonment and returns management.
G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: Shopware starts at $600 per month. Bear in mind that this doesn’t include all advanced features you’ll need to run an enterprise ecommerce business. You may need to get a custom quote if this plan is lacking important features.
10. OpenCart
OpenCart is another open-source ecommerce platform to consider. But unlike other BigCommerce alternatives on this list, it’s free to use. You just pay for the advanced features you need, when you need them. The software is used by over 470,000 brands including Hobbii, CX Racing, and Good Smile Connect.
Key features:
-
Unlimited products and categories.
-
Process payments via Klarna, Amazon Payments, PayPal, and WorldPay.
-
Manage multiple online storefronts from the same ecommerce platform.
-
Built-in affiliate system and rewards programs to incentivize referrals.
-
Native customer reviews and ratings for each product.
Pros:
-
It’s free.
-
Extensive community and technical support.
-
Highly customizable.
Cons:
-
Interface looks a little outdated.
-
B2B and wholesale order management features are limited.
-
Models, which make the platform more customizable, come at an additional cost.
G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: OpenCart is free to download and use, but some premium features come at an extra cost.
Features to look for in BigCommerce alternatives
Your online business is growing, and you’re edging from midmarket to enterprise. Maybe you’re already there. Obviously, all businesses have different needs and specifications. A B2B seller of car and van parts will likely have quite a few differences from an international brand selling fragrances in stores around the world and online directly to consumers.
That said, there are a few likely must-haves for anyone comparing top BigCommerce alternatives when selling high-volume at an enterprise level.
Secure data and payments
This one is non-negotiable. Your platform must be able to offer top-of-the-line security. Your business must use a secure hosting environment. Opting for cloud storage and hosting avoids a single access point.
Scalability to meet high traffic demands
Your ecommerce platform needs to support your needs now and for your future growth. It should supply high performance at peak times, such as the Cyber 5 or during flash sales.
Integrations with key business-critical systems
Your platform needs to integrate with your CRM, ERP, payment gateways, ecommerce shipping solutions, and more. Plan for what your business uses now and for tools you might need in the future. By preparing now and looking for places to plug in your needed technology, you can save yourself costly development work later if an existing integration already exists.
Flexibility
In ecommerce, change is the name of the game. What customers want today is not necessarily what they will want tomorrow.
As a retailer, you need your ecommerce platform to have highly customizable and intuitive templates to make it easy to change things up to meet rapidly evolving customer demands. The platform itself should be easy to extend and customize, so you won’t find yourself needing to replatform again before too long.
Strong inventory management
Many enterprise businesses will have a vast inventory of products. Your BigCommerce alternative needs to manage your inventory well on the back end and deliver it with fast page-load speeds on the front end.
Omnichannel
Omnichannel is providing a consistent customer experience across channels. Your ecommerce software should provide a smooth customer journey and brand experience for the customer who finds you on social media, visits your site organically after finding you through search engine optimization (SEO), sees your store on the street, through a mobile app or email marketing, or encounters you in an online marketplace.
Choosing Shopify as a BigCommerce alternative
We’re sure you’ve already noticed that you’re on the Shopify for enterprises blog right now. So while many of the above alternatives might work well for your enterprise business, we can’t help but remind you that for the vast majority of use cases, Shopify could be the right fit for you.
Shopify is a feature-rich platform that provides enterprise functionality without the high costs and complexity. Some of the most expensive enterprise options have features and customizations you may never use (but will certainly be paying for). If you’re not one of a handful of use cases, Shopify might be able to provide the faster time to market, efficiency, and innovation you’ve been looking for.
Shopify for enteprises may be right for your enterprise business if you want to:
-
Customize the storefront, checkout, and back end through flexible APIs without having to bring in a fleet of specialized developers
-
Launch your new store faster without compromising on innovation
-
Continue to grow and have your platform grow with you without significant tech debt
-
Sell in multiple languages and multiple currencies without a separate app or complex setup
-
Automate processes, create drag-and-drop workflows, and develop efficiency without losing touch with customers
-
Streamline content management through an advanced CMS and SEO tools
-
Run your B2B and DTC business from one place with the power and simplicity of an all-in-one platform
If any of these reasons speak to you, Shopify might be the BigCommerce alternative you’re looking for.
Businesses that migrated from BigCommerce to Shopify
Here are two very different businesses who moved from BigCommerce to Shopify. Both have since found greater success and the power to grow their businesses after migrating.
Rollie Nation
After starting off in pop-up markets a decade ago, this shoe seller is now an international brand, selling popular footwear in 11 countries.
Eight years after its founding, Rollie Nation was interested in growing but felt constrained by BigCommerce and unable to reach its customers directly. Rollie Nation was able to get its Shopify store up and running in a matter of weeks. It used a number of solutions that easily integrated with Shopify and made it easy to reach its customers where they were shopping.
Since migrating to Shopify, Rollie Nation has seen a 62% reduction in its average page load time, a 1.5% reduction in its bounce rate, and a 3.5% bump in conversion rate.
BPI Sports
BPI Sports is a Florida-based seller of nutrition and fitness supplements. The brand sells its products in stores around the country but also wanted to grow its online presence to sell directly to consumers. On BigCommerce, BPI wasn’t sure its website could handle the new direction.
By switching to Shopify, BPI Sports not only saved significantly in development costs but was able to forge a new DTC-friendly website. In a short time, BPI Sports saw tremendous growth in its DTC offerings, putting it on pace to triple its DTC sales over the previous year.
Ready to choose a BigCommerce alternative?
There are plenty of choices for enterprise ecommerce software on the market, which means you don’t have to stick with the one you’re currently on if you’re outgrown it. If BigCommerce isn’t meeting your needs anymore, find a platform that can take your business into the future.
BigCommerce FAQ
What is BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is an ecommerce platform that empowers businesses to create and manage online stores. With its interface, extensive features, and scalability, BigCommerce enables nearly 50,000 live websites to sell products and services online, customize their store, and drive growth in the competitive ecommerce landscape.
Who uses BigCommerce?
BigCommerce is used by all types of businesses that want to sell online. Stores currently operating on BigCommerce include Ted Baker, Ollie, Ben & Jerry’s, Harvey Nicohols, and Oral-B.
How much does BigCommerce cost?
BigCommerce serves businesses with Standard ($29/mo), Plus ($79/mo), and Pro ($299/mo) plans. BigCommerce Enterprise offers more advanced features and is aimed at upper midmarket and enterprise business owners. Its pricing is based on the revenue of the company.
