BigCommerce vs STORES: Which E-commerce Platform Is Better in 2026?
Compare pricing, features, integrations, verified reviews, AI capabilities, security, and customer satisfaction, side by side, with no marketing spin.
The Short Answer
BigCommerce vs STORES, in 15 seconds
Choose BigCommerce if…
- You want the lower entry price
- You depend on a broad integration ecosystem
- You have strict security & compliance needs
- You need the broader feature set
Choose STORES if…
- You prefer STORES's approach and ecosystem
Head-to-Head Scorecard
How BigCommerce and STORES score
BigCommerce leads on 4 of 9 measured dimensions.
- Even
Customer Rating
Average score from verified user reviews
BigCommerceNo reviewsSTORESNo reviews - Even
Review Volume
Number of verified reviews, a proxy for adoption
BigCommerce0STORES0 - BigCommerce
Entry Pricing
Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)
BigCommerce$29/moSTORESCustom - Even
Free Access
Availability of a free plan and/or free trial
BigCommerceFree trialSTORESFree trial - BigCommerce
Integrations
Number of listed third-party integrations
BigCommerce10STORES6 - BigCommerce
Features
Number of listed product capabilities
BigCommerce12STORES0 - Even
AI Features
Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML
BigCommerce,STORES, - BigCommerce
Security & Compliance
Number of listed compliance certifications
BigCommerce4STORES2 - STORES
Platforms & Deployment
Supported platforms and deployment options
BigCommerce3STORES4
Feature Comparison
BigCommerce vs STORES feature breakdown
Search or filter the full feature matrix, core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.
BigCommerce
STORESPricing Comparison
BigCommerce vs STORES pricing
Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.
BigCommerce
$29/mo to start- Full online store
- No transaction fees
- Multi-channel selling
- Unlimited products
- Everything in Core
- Abandoned cart saver
- Customer segmentation
- Stored credit cards
- Everything in Growth
- Google customer reviews
- Custom SSL
- Advanced product filtering
- Advanced B2B
- Multi-storefront
- Price lists and quotes
- Dedicated support
STORES
Custom to start- POS and payments
- Integrations
- Analytics and reporting
- Standard support
- Dedicated support and onboarding
- membership
- Everything in Professional
- Advanced security and controls
Total cost of ownership factors
Beyond list price, factor in implementation, training, add-ons and per-seat scaling when estimating total cost of ownership.
Pros & Cons
BigCommerce vs STORES: strengths and trade-offs
BigCommerce
Pros
- Free trial offered
- Broad integration ecosystem (10)
- Compliance: SOC 2, PCI DSS Level 1, GDPR
- Public API available
Cons
- No free plan
STORES
Pros
- Free trial offered
- Compliance: SOC 2, GDPR
- Public API available
Cons
- No free plan
- Pricing is quote-based (less transparent)
- Fewer native integrations than the alternative
Buyer Fit
Who should use BigCommerce vs STORES?
Startups
BigCommerce
BigCommerce keeps early-stage costs lowest with its entry tier.
Small businesses
BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers the most accessible pricing for lean teams.
Agencies
BigCommerce
BigCommerce connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.
Enterprises
BigCommerce
BigCommerce leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.
Ecommerce
BigCommerce
BigCommerce integrates with more of the commerce stack.
SaaS companies
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.
Integration overlap
Only in BigCommerce (10)
Only in STORES (6)
Keep Exploring
Other alternatives worth considering
Similar e-commerce platform products buyers compare alongside BigCommerce and STORES.
Ask SIA which solution fits your business
SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs BigCommerce and STORES against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs, then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.
Get a personalised recommendationBigCommerce vs STORES, Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BigCommerce and STORES?
BigCommerce and STORES are both E-commerce Platform solutions. BigCommerce is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while STORES is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.
Which is better, BigCommerce or STORES?
Based on user ratings, BigCommerce scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.
Which is cheaper, BigCommerce or STORES?
Both products have custom pricing. We recommend contacting both vendors for a quote tailored to your team size.
Does BigCommerce or STORES have a free plan?
Neither BigCommerce nor STORES currently offers a free plan, but BigCommerce provides a free trial.
Can I switch from BigCommerce to STORES?
Switching between BigCommerce and STORES is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.
Who should use BigCommerce vs STORES?
BigCommerce is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. STORES works well for teams needing advanced capabilities.
Our Verdict
The bottom line on BigCommerce vs STORES
Best Overall
Either
It's a tie balances user satisfaction and proven adoption.
Best for Startups
BigCommerce
BigCommerce has the friendliest entry point for new teams.
Best for Enterprise
BigCommerce
BigCommerce leads on compliance and feature breadth.
Best Value
BigCommerce
BigCommerce delivers the lowest cost to get started.
Best AI Features
Either
Comparable AI capabilities on both sides.
Highest Rated
Either
Both earn equal user ratings.