Ecwid vs BigCommerce: A Detailed Comparison in 2024

Choosing the right eCommerce platform can be a game-changer for your online business. Today, we’re diving deep into two popular platforms: Ecwid and BigCommerce. Both platforms offer unique features and benefits, but understanding their differences is crucial to making an informed decision. Let’s explore what each has to offer in this article.

Ecwid vs BigCommerce: At A Glance

When looking at Ecwid and BigCommerce, it’s evident that both platforms bring unique strengths for businesses venturing into the online market. 

Ecwid is an ecommerce plug-in with a detailed objective of helping small, medium, and large businesses sell their products “everywhere.”

On the other hand, BigCommerce stands out as an ecommerce solution for building professional websites and providing scalability to boost sales and improve customer experience. 

The Goods & The Bads: Ecwid and BigCommerce

Before diving into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand the overarching benefits and potential drawbacks associated with each platform.

Ecwid

Pros 

• Integrating with existing websites and social media.
• A drag-and-drop editor for easy with code-free customization.
• Robust security for a safe shopping experience.
• Centralized omnichannel management.

Cons

• Limited standalone capability.

BigCommerce

Pros

• Extensive customization.
• Easily integrating with various CMS, payment gateways, and marketplaces.
• Flexible design options.

Cons

• Migration complexity.

BigCommerce vs Ecwid: A Detailed Comparison

When choosing between BigCommerce and Ecwid, I’ve spent considerable time exploring both platforms to determine which might best meet the needs of various businesses. 

Pricing 

When navigating the ecommerce platforms, pricing plays a pivotal role in choosing the right fit for your business. 

BigCommerce

BigCommerce offers a structured pricing model that caters to a range of business sizes:

• Standard Plan: $39 per month, an entry-level option for new and small businesses.
• Plus Plan: $105 per month, designed for growing businesses seeking additional features.
• Pro Plan: $399 per month, suitable for larger businesses with higher volume sales.
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing tailored to large or complex businesses’ unique needs.

An attractive feature is the 25% discount for annual payments on the Standard, Plus, and Pro plans, along with a 15-day free trial.

Ecwid 

Ecwid appeals especially to startups and small businesses with its inclusive pricing model from the free plan to an unlimited plan at $99 per month. Ecwid’s free entry point and affordable scaling options make it an appealing choice for businesses mindful of budget constraints.

The Verdict

My recommendation leans towards BigCommerce for businesses ready to fully embrace eCommerce. Its robust features, scalability, and comprehensive support system make it the ideal platform for businesses with a clear vision for growth and the budget to invest in a solid foundation.

Design & Customization 

I always emphasize design and customization when evaluating eCommerce platforms, understanding how crucial they are for an online store’s success and brand identity.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce offers 12 free and 175 paid themes, providing a broad spectrum of design choices. The free themes offer basic yet diverse color options, making them a cost-effective start for new or budget-conscious businesses.

For those with technical skills, BigCommerce encourages deep customization. Users can edit CSS or HTML directly, allowing for precise control over the site’s appearance.

The Store Design tool from BigCommerce is a standout feature. It provides an interactive menu for easy customization of various site elements, like background colors and logo positioning, making sophisticated design adjustments accessible even to those without coding knowledge.

Ecwid 

Meanwhile, Ecid only has one basic theme when you start. It’s best for who want to add a shop to their blog or existing website without making everything from scratch. Users can easily shoot for the theme or browse the paid themes in the App Market. 

The Verdict

After exploring both options, I find BigCommerce the superior choice for creating a unique online store. It offers extensive customization options, akin to receiving a palette of colors and a blank canvas, particularly appealing to those willing to delve into how websites work.

Ease of Use

Diving into the ease of use for BigCommerce and Ecwid, I wanted to share my findings to help you figure out which might be the best fit for your online store. 

BigCommerce

Starting with BigCommerce, it quickly becomes clear that their dashboard is user-friendly, although it requires a bit of time to get used to. However, due to the abundance of advanced features, navigating the platform can initially be challenging, especially with the occasional use of technical jargon that might confuse those less familiar with tech.

A notable drawback of BigCommerce is its mobile app. While it offers basic functionalities like sales notifications and order status updates, it cannot update products or manage various sales channels on the move. This limitation is particularly disappointing for those who prioritize managing their store remotely.

Ecwid 

Now, Ecwid was a different story in terms of ease of use. Their dashboard is also simple and intuitive, making it easy to get your store up and running quickly. 

But where Ecwid really shines is its mobile apps for iOS and Android. They’re packed with features that let you do everything from your phone. You can follow your store settings, update products, handle orders, manage discounts, and even watch multiple selling channels. If something changes in one place, Ecwid automatically updates it everywhere.

The Verdict

While both platforms offer user-friendly dashboards that help get your store online quickly, Ecwid takes the lead for me, especially when it comes to managing my store on the move. 

For those who prioritize flexibility and want a more straightforward experience, especially away from the desktop, Ecwid is the clear winner. It’s perfect for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an easy-to-use platform without skimping on mobile management capabilities. 

Selling Channels

Exploring the world of online sales means ensuring your products can reach as many customers as possible, wherever they are. This is where the selling channels feature of eCommerce platforms comes into play.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce lets you “sell anywhere” by integrating with several key social media platforms and marketplaces. You can connect your store with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Amazon, eBay, and Google Shopping, which opens up a vast potential audience for your products. However, BigCommerce focuses on utilizing “Buy Buttons” for integration, which works well but may limit the seamlessness of integration compared to a native experience.

Additionally, BigCommerce stands out with its data reporting tools. This feature is a big plus for me, as it allows you to dive deep into customer trends, track store performance, conversion rates, and more, helping you make informed decisions to boost your sales.

Ecwid 

Ecwid impresses with its ability to integrate “completely” into virtually any existing website or platform, including WooCommerce, Wix, and more. This makes it an incredibly flexible option if you’re looking to add eCommerce functionality to your existing site without starting from scratch. Like BigCommerce, Ecwid supports selling on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, eBay, and Google Shopping.

The Verdict

Deciding between Ecwid and BigCommerce comes down to what you value more in your selling channels. If seamless integration across various platforms and websites is your priority, Ecwid is the clear winner. Its ability to embed your store anywhere without hassle is a significant advantage, especially for those with an established web presence they want to expand upon.

Features and Functionality

Starting an eCommerce business feels a bit like setting off on a big adventure. You’ve got your idea, your products, and dreams of success. The platform you choose as your online store’s home base can make all the difference. 

BigCommerce

BigCommerce feels like a superhero toolset for online selling. It’s got everything you might need:

• Design Flexibility: Dressing up your store is fun with BigCommerce. With loads of templates and themes, it’s like playing dress-up but for your business, ensuring your store looks just as you envision.
• Simplified Payments and Shipping: This is like having a personal assistant who handles the tricky stuff, from taking payments to sorting out shipping.
• Marketing and SEO: With tools to boost your store’s visibility, BigCommerce is like a megaphone for your business, helping you get noticed and drive more sales.
• Inventory Management: Keeping track of stock is super intelligent and automated. It’s like having a robot that knows exactly what you have and what you need.
• Mobile Optimization: Since everyone’s on their phones, having a store that looks great on any device is crucial. BigCommerce has got you covered.
• Abandoned Cart Recovery: It nudges customers who’ve left items in their carts to complete their purchases, potentially boosting your sales.

Ecwid 

Meanwhile, Ecwid is all about making things easy and letting you sell anywhere:

• Super Easy Setup: Setting up with Ecwid is a breeze, even if you’re new to selling online.
• Sell on Multiple Channels: It’s like having pop-up shops all over the internet, from your website to Facebook and beyond.
• Mobile-Friendly: Like BigCommerce, Ecwid ensures your store looks awesome on any device.

• Global Reach: With support for over 50 languages and various currencies, your store can welcome customers worldwide.
• Security and Payment Options: Offering a secure shopping cart and lots of payment methods means everyone shops safely.
• Accessible Support: Ecwid has extensive tutorials and a support team that is always ready to help
• Social Media Integration: Connecting your store to social media with Ecwid is like inviting your friends to check out what you’re selling.

The Verdict 

If your adventure in ecommerce requires a robust set of tools for customization, extensive integrations, and deep analytics, BigCommerce is your hero. It’s designed for those looking to scale up their operations and dive deep into the ecommerce game.

Payment Options 

The range of payment options you offer can significantly impact your sales. Customers look for convenience, security, and flexibility at checkout. 

BigCommerce

BigCommerce partnered with PayPal, powered by Braintree, as its default payment gateway. This partnership offers a trusted name right out of the gate, but it comes with its set of fees for credit card processing. Here are the rates you’d be looking at in the US:

• BigCommerce Standard: 2.59% + $0.49 per transaction
• BigCommerce Plus: 2.35% + $0.49 per transaction
• BigCommerce Pro: 2.05% + $0.49 per transaction
• BigCommerce Enterprise: 2.05% + $0.49 per transaction

Beyond PayPal, BigCommerce impressively supports 49 third-party payment processors, including Stripe and Square, giving you various options to cater to your customer’s preferences. The platform also allows for manual payment methods, ensuring you can tailor the checkout experience to your business needs.

Ecwid 

Focusing on simplicity and accessibility, Ecwid ensures its merchants accept credit card payments effortlessly. Ecwid supports integration with leading payment processors, ensuring businesses can easily offer a broad range of payment options such as cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.  

The Verdict 

When it comes down to choosing between BigCommerce and Ecwid based on payment options, it’s a tie. 

If you’re leaning towards BigCommerce, you’ll benefit from its wide range of third-party payment processors and the detailed fee structure that allows for budgeting and financial planning.

On the other hand, Ecwid, with its emphasis on mobile payments and global reach, is ideal for businesses that prioritize ease of use and flexibility and cater to a mobile-savvy customer base.

Integrations & Plugins

Both BigCommerce and Ecwid offer a suite of integrations and plugins designed to extend the functionality of your store, but they do so in slightly different ways.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce stands out with its extensive range of integrations and add-ons, designed to cover nearly every aspect of running an online business. Whether you’re looking to connect with:

• Payment gateways for easier transactions
• Shipping providers to streamline your logistics
• Marketing and SEO tools to boost your online visibility
• Inventory and order management systems to keep track of your products
• CRM and email marketing software for better customer relationship management
• Social media and advertising platforms to engage with your audience

BigCommerce has thought of everything. The platform aims to be a one-stop-shop, providing a robust set of tools that cater to businesses looking to scale and optimize their operations comprehensively.

Ecwid 

On the flip side, Ecwid offers a more curated selection of integrations and add-ons, focusing on providing a simple and affordable solution for businesses just stepping into the eCommerce world. Ecwid covers the essentials, including:

• Payment gateways and Shipping providers to handle the basics of selling online
• Marketing and SEO tools to help you get started with promoting your store
• Inventory and order management systems to manage your products efficiently
• Email marketing and CRM software to build relationships with your customers
• Social media and advertising platforms to increase your store’s reach

While Ecwid might not boast the same volume of integrations as BigCommerce, it focuses on making eCommerce accessible, especially for small businesses or those new to selling online.

The Verdict 

If you’re looking for depth and breadth, aiming to fully optimize and automate as many aspects of your eCommerce operations as possible, BigCommerce is the clear winner. Its comprehensive range of integrations ensures that you have access to advanced tools and services to scale your business efficiently.

Customer Support 

When it comes to running an online store, having access to reliable and helpful customer support can make a world of difference. Both BigCommerce and Ecwid offer various support channels. 

BigCommerce

BigCommerce seems to take a very structured approach to support, with the level of help you receive tied closely to your chosen plan. During the 15-day free trial, you can access email support, which is standard for answering your initial questions.

As you move up the tiers, from the Standard Plan to the Enterprise level, the support becomes more hands-on with “live agents” ready to assist you. This means real people are there to help you solve problems, which can be incredibly reassuring. When you reach the Enterprise level, priority support kicks in, including API support, which is crucial for larger businesses with more complex needs.

Ecwid 

Ecwid takes a slightly different approach, ensuring that even those on the Free Plan have access to email support. As you upgrade to higher plans like the Venture and Business Plans, live chat becomes available, adding another layer of immediacy to the support you can receive. By the time you reach the Unlimited Plan, priority phone support is added to the mix, ensuring that you have a direct line to help when you need it most.

The Verdict 

To me, BigCommerce shines when offering “Live agents” from its earliest paid plan, ensuring you have real-time support as you start to grow your business.

So, Which eCommerce Platform is the Best For You?

Choosing between BigCommerce and Ecwid comes down to understanding your specific business needs, ambitions, and where you are in your eCommerce journey. If you’re a growing business looking for a platform that can scale with you, offering extensive customization, deep analytics, and a wide array of integrations, you should choose BigCommerce. 

On the other hand, if you’re just starting out or running a smaller business that prioritizes ease of use, affordability, and seamless integration into existing websites or platforms, Ecwid could be the way to go. Its straightforward setup, inclusive support across all plans, and the ability to sell on multiple channels without complicating the process make it ideal for newcomers to the eCommerce space or those seeking simplicity.

>> Learn more: Top 7 BigCommerce Alternatives You “Must” Try

Wrapping Up 

Whether you choose BigCommerce’s robust, scalable solution or Ecwid’s simplicity and ease of integration, the right platform is the one that aligns with your business goals, operational style, and customer needs.

Ecwid vs BigCommerce: FAQs