BigCommerce vs Shopify: Thailand Market Comparison Guide

BigCommerce vs Shopify: Platform Overview

Before digging into pricing, features, and support, it helps to understand what sets these two platforms apart at the core. This Bigcommerce vs Shopify comparison starts with a quick look at how each platform is built and who it’s really built for.

Shopify: Global eCommerce Leader

Shopify’s not just another eCommerce name. It runs over 8 million stores globally, pulling in merchants from tiny startups to household brands. The ‘out-of-the-box’ store builder is built for speed. You set up, pick from 200+ themes, and go live. The secret sauce? An ecosystem with 8,000+ apps and partners, all tuned to keep merchants one step ahead. No wonder brands like Lull, Crossrope, and Grace & Lace sing its praises after moving from other platforms.

But it’s not all rainbows. Shopify runs on a proprietary system. Every shortcut and new integration can mean an extra charge. Some users call the setup ‘gated’. You pay more if you want to step outside their curated tools. Even so, Shopify Checkout can process up to 40,000 checkouts per minute and Shop Pay converts 1.72x better than a typical checkout according to TechCrunch. That one-click speed is hard for shoppers to ignore.

Still, Shopify Plus stays top dog for conversion, innovation speed, and that one-click checkout that shoppers love.

BigCommerce: Flexibility and Scalability

BigCommerce might not shout as loud, but it’s built a loyal crowd by handing merchants more freedom. No extra platform fees for using external payment processors. APIs that play nice with ERPs, POS, and CRMs. This means less ‘nickel and diming’ as you scale up, and more breathing room to shape the store your way.

You want to integrate a unique shipping tool or run wild with custom code? BigCommerce doesn’t get in your way. Many businesses that outgrow Shopify’s app-heavy approach switch here for the open, best-in-class architecture. It’s no accident brands like Tradelink and Tool Saver put their trust in BigCommerce when speed, connectivity, and cost-effectiveness matter most.

See more: Top 10 BigCommerce Agencies in Thailand

BigCommerce vs Shopify: Detailed Comparison

Now that the basics are out of the way, let’s break down where things really differ. This is where the Bigcommerce vs Shopify matchup gets more interesting: pricing models, flexibility, and how each one stacks up when it comes to real business needs.

Pricing and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand how these platforms handle costs beyond the sticker price. Total cost of ownership (TCO) doesn’t just include monthly fees—it also covers payment processing charges, add-ons, and integrations that can add up fast. Let’s break down the numbers with a closer look at how Shopify vs BigCommerce structure their pricing

Shopify Pricing Structure

Shopify’s plans start low, but the extras add up fast. Basic runs $24/month, and top-tier Plus sits at $2,400/month. Apps? Many are must-haves but come with their own monthly fees. Transaction fees range from 2% to 0.2%, but you’ll need to use Shopify Payments to avoid these charges. Once you factor in paid themes, third-party apps, and fees, that ‘budget’ plan can look a little different.

BigCommerce Pricing Structure

BigCommerce pricing starts at $29/month. No extra platform transaction fees, just standard gateway charges from Stripe, PayPal, and friends. That’s big if you run high-volume, low-margin sales. The real draw is what’s included: product filtering, customer groups, multi-store support, and B2B features come built-in. Less reliance on apps means a clearer picture of your real costs. It’s the kind of math that makes accountants smile, especially as you grow.

Features and Customization

Both BigCommerce vs Shopify offer robust features that cater to different business needs, but they take distinct approaches to delivering that power. Shopify leans on simplicity and user-friendly tools, while BigCommerce packs in more advanced capabilities right out of the box. Let’s dig into what makes each platform tick and how they support your eCommerce goals.

Shopify Features

Shopify’s superpower is simplicity. You get a drag-and-drop builder, built-in POS, and an army of third-party apps for every need. Shop Pay, Shopify Audiences, and Shopify Magic (an AI suite credited with driving a projected 27% jump in platform revenue this year) make checkout and marketing easy, even for teams without a tech whiz. The catch? Heavier reliance on apps can slow your site and drive up costs.

BigCommerce Features

BigCommerce keeps more power under the hood from the start. Bulk editing for large product catalogs, product filtering, native B2B tools, and advanced discounting don’t require extra apps. There’s more flexibility for developers too. 

Want to build headless or integrate with an ERP? Go ahead. Some see the interface as less ‘pretty’ than Shopify, but what you lose in polish, you gain in control. A Nielsen study also found 73% of shoppers would switch brands for better sustainability. And BigCommerce’s native carbon-neutral shipping integrations help merchants tap that demand.

Localization for the Thai Market

As eCommerce continues to grow in Thailand, tailoring your online experience to local preferences becomes critical. Both BigCommerce vs Shopify recognize the importance of localization, but their approaches vary in how seamlessly they support Thai shoppers and businesses. Let’s break down how each platform meets these needs.

Shopify Localization

Thailand’s online shoppers want to see Baht, local addresses, and language support. Shopify covers multi-currency and multi-language with apps, and the admin panel supports selling in over 150 languages. But, true native support needs third-party apps for deep localization. This works for most, but sometimes causes a hiccup for complex regional setups.

BigCommerce Localization

BigCommerce stands out for brands running many storefronts for different markets. You can manage unique domains, currencies, and content. All from a single dashboard. This is a huge win for businesses selling in Thai and English, or juggling several local sub-brands. Want automatic translations and flexible local payment setups? BigCommerce doesn’t just say ‘maybe’. It makes it part of the core product.

Payment Gateways and Transaction Fees

Payment options are a critical factor when choosing your eCommerce platform. BigCommerce vs Shopify both offer flexibility and support for local and global payment providers, but they handle transaction fees and third-party integrations differently. Let’s see how these differences might impact your bottom line.

Shopify Payment Options

Shopify Payments is the default, but you can use over 100 providers. Don’t want to use Shopify Payments? Get ready for extra fees per transaction. Some sellers grumble about this, especially those in high-risk categories or non-supported regions. Still, Shop Pay’s lightning-fast checkout is hard to beat, and it helps conversion rates soar.

BigCommerce Payment Options

BigCommerce takes a ‘hands-off’ approach. You choose Stripe, PayPal, Mollie, or dozens of others. No penalty for going outside the default. This flexibility is a lifesaver for brands with specific payment needs or those shut out by stricter platforms. Merchants selling tactical gear or in industries Shopify avoids appreciate BigCommerce’s open-door policy.

SEO and Marketing Tools

Visibility in search engines and social channels is key to winning in today’s competitive eCommerce world. Both Shopify vs BigCommerce offer solid SEO and marketing tools, but their approaches vary in terms of flexibility and depth. Let’s take a closer look at what sets them apart.

Shopify SEO Capabilities

Shopify makes SEO simple for beginners. Edit title tags, meta descriptions, and URLs. Built-in blogs drive organic traffic. But you’ll notice those pesky URL prefixes (‘/products/’ or ‘/collections/’) that you can’t always change. For some, that’s a small price for easy ranking, but SEO purists might raise an eyebrow.

BigCommerce SEO Capabilities

BigCommerce puts more SEO controls in the hands of merchants. Customizable URLs without forced prefixes. Native Open Graph controls for better social sharing. Advanced product categorization means you can target more keywords, right from the dashboard. If technical SEO gives you a headache, BigCommerce makes it feel less ‘painful.’

Scalability and Performance

When your business grows, your eCommerce platform needs to keep up. BigCommerce vs Shopify both excel in scalability and performance, but each offers unique strengths for handling high-traffic events and complex operations. Let’s break down how they compare.

Shopify Scalability

Shopify wins big with stability and speed. Its global cloud infrastructure can process 40,000 checkouts a minute. No need to stress over traffic spikes like Black Friday or flash sales, the system just works. Millions of merchants have scaled without blinking. But, some find the platform rigid as business needs grow complex.

BigCommerce Scalability

BigCommerce leans into scalability for growing brands, especially those juggling many storefronts or advanced integrations. Built-in support for large catalogs and real-time inventory tracking means less patchwork as you expand. BigCommerce also offers headless architecture (Catalyst) for brands that want total control over their front-end. Tradelink, a major Australian retailer, found the “quickest path to value” with BigCommerce’s scalable approach.

Watch more: Top 10 Shopify Agencies in Thailand

Customer Support and Community

Great customer support can make or break your experience with an eCommerce platform. Shopify vs BigCommerce both offer extensive resources and hands-on support, but each approaches it a little differently. Let’s see how they stack up.

Shopify Support

Shopify’s customer support is legendary for its 24/7 availability via live chat, email, or phone. The Shopify Academy is packed with learning resources, and the global merchant community is always active. New users find help fast, and there’s always a guide, forum, or course for just about any question.

BigCommerce Support

BigCommerce’s support team gets high marks for merchant focus. The BigCommerce Partner network is known as the most ‘hands-on’ in the industry. Some say the app ecosystem is smaller and there’s a learning curve with the editor, but once you’re up to speed, the support feels more like a partner than a help desk.

BigCommerce vs Shopify: Comparison Table

SmartOSC – Your Trusted Partner for eCommerce in Thailand

Choosing between BigCommerce vs Shopify is not about picking a ‘winner’. It’s about finding what fits your business DNA. This is where SmartOSC comes in. As a leading eCommerce partner with deep roots in Thailand and across Asia, we specialize in building and scaling stores on both BigCommerce and Shopify Plus.

From retail to B2B, from local startups to regional giants, our team knows the ins and outs of each platform. We’ve delivered complex integrations, built mobile-first shopping experiences, and provided hands-on support for brands looking to move fast without losing sleep over tech headaches.

For brands eyeing cross-border expansion or fine-tuned localization in Thailand, our expertise bridges the gap between platform power and real-world success. Explore our digital commerce and cloud services to see how we help you scale with confidence.

Conclusion

So, which is better in the Bigcommerce vs Shopify debate? The answer is never black and white. Shopify stands out for fast setup, a vast app network, and conversion power. BigCommerce gives you more freedom, fewer hidden costs, and flexibility as you scale. Thailand’s market rewards local understanding, payment flexibility, and the ability to shift gears fast. Brands doing well here tend to pick platforms that don’t limit them when they want to grow. Ready to see which platform fits your goals? Reach out to SmartOSC’s eCommerce experts for a no-nonsense, local-first approach to building your online store. Your journey to frictionless selling in Thailand starts with a single step just contact us.