TL;DR
Shopify for ease of use and quick launch. WooCommerce for WordPress flexibility. BigCommerce for scaling without transaction fees.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Shopify | WooCommerce | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $29+/mo | Free + hosting | $29+/mo |
| Ease of use | Excellent | Moderate | Good |
| Transaction fees | 2.9% (0% with Shopify Payments) | Payment processor only | 0% |
| Customization | Themes + apps | Unlimited | Themes + API |
| Best for | Quick launch | WordPress users | Scaling stores |
1. Shopify
The easiest path to a professional online store. Themes, apps, payment processing, and inventory management out of the box. Launch in a day. Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments.
2. WooCommerce
Free WordPress plugin with unlimited customization. Requires separate hosting and more technical setup. Best if you're already on WordPress or need deep customization.
3. BigCommerce
No transaction fees on any plan. Built-in features that Shopify charges extra for (reviews, wishlists). Better API for headless commerce. Less app ecosystem than Shopify.
How We Chose These Tools
We built test stores on each platform, comparing ease of setup, total cost of ownership, customization, and scalability.
Key Takeaways
- First online store: Shopify.
- WordPress site already: WooCommerce.
- High volume, avoid transaction fees: BigCommerce.