By the Dropship Stair team. Last reviewed: November 2026.
Key takeaways
- Shopify vs BigCommerce for dropshipping is a choice between the largest dropshipping app ecosystem and the platform with more features built in from the start.
- Shopify is the easier pick for most new dropshippers because supplier apps, themes, and support are built around the dropshipping workflow.
- BigCommerce suits stores with large catalogs and higher sales volume, but its sales caps can force a plan upgrade as revenue grows.
- Monthly plan prices match closely at the entry level, so the real cost difference comes from apps, transaction fees, and the plan you grow into.
Shopify vs BigCommerce for dropshipping comes down to apps, supplier tools, and how each platform charges as you grow. Shopify wins on dropshipping apps and ease of use, while BigCommerce wins on built-in features and sales caps that suit larger catalogs.
How do Shopify and BigCommerce compare on price?
Entry level pricing is nearly identical. Shopify Basic costs $39 a month on monthly billing or $29 a month billed yearly, and BigCommerce Core costs the same $39 a month or $29 a month billed yearly. The mid tiers match too: Shopify Grow is $105 a month or $79 a month billed yearly, and BigCommerce Growth is $105 a month or $79 a month billed yearly. At the top end, Shopify Advanced is $399 a month or $299 a month billed yearly, and BigCommerce Scale is $399 a month or $299 a month billed yearly.
The price gap appears in how each platform charges beyond the subscription. Shopify charges no extra transaction fee when you use Shopify Payments, but adds a fee when you use an outside payment gateway. BigCommerce changed its rules in June 2026: it renamed its plans from Standard, Plus, and Pro to Core, Growth, and Scale, and it now charges a fee of 2 percent on Core, 1 percent on Growth, and 0.6 percent on Scale when you use a payment gateway outside its approved list. That fee is new, and it matters for dropshippers who prefer a specific gateway.
BigCommerce also ties each plan to a sales cap based on trailing 12-month sales. As of the June 2026 change, Core covers up to $30,000 in sales, Growth covers up to $100,000, and Scale covers up to $400,000 before an overage rate applies. Cross the cap and the platform moves you to the next plan automatically. Shopify has no sales cap on its standard plans, so a fast growing store does not get pushed into a higher tier by revenue alone. Check both pricing pages before you commit, because plan names and caps changed in 2026 and can change again. Our guide to how much a Shopify store costs breaks down the full monthly cost of running Shopify.
Which platform has better dropshipping apps and supplier tools?
Shopify has the clear advantage here. Its app store holds the largest collection of dropshipping tools, including supplier connectors, product importers, automated order syncing, and print on demand apps, and most suppliers build for Shopify first. A new dropshipper can connect a supplier, import products, and sync orders in an afternoon, and the apps are reviewed by thousands of sellers, so the good ones are easy to spot.
BigCommerce has fewer dropshipping apps, and some popular supplier tools either arrive later on BigCommerce or never arrive at all. It does offer more features built into the core platform, such as product filtering, customer groups, and multi storefront support on higher plans, so a store may need fewer paid apps for features Shopify sellers buy separately. That trade off helps a store with a large catalog and complex pricing, but it does not close the gap on supplier integrations.
Think about where your products come from before you choose. If your supplier has a one click Shopify app and only a manual CSV import for BigCommerce, Shopify saves hours every week. If you source from several suppliers and need strong built-in catalog tools, BigCommerce deserves a closer look. Our guide to the best Shopify apps for dropshipping shows which tools most new stores actually use.
Which platform is easier to set up and run?
Shopify is easier for a first store. The admin is simple, the theme editor works without code, and the setup flow walks a new seller through products, payments, and shipping in order. Most dropshippers can launch a working store in a day or two, and the help center and community cover almost every common problem. That ease is the main reason Shopify holds the largest share of new dropshipping stores.
BigCommerce is not hard to use, but it asks more of the seller up front. Its admin has more settings and options, which gives experienced sellers more control, but a beginner can feel lost among them. The theme editor is capable and the platform is fast, yet simple tasks such as changing a checkout detail or adding a custom field can take more clicks and more reading. For a solo seller who wants to launch fast and learn as they go, Shopify is the simpler path.
Both platforms handle the basics well: secure checkout, mobile responsive themes, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery on most plans. The difference is how much you need to learn before the store earns its first order. If you plan to hire a designer or developer, either platform works, and the choice matters less than the team building the store. Our Shopify store launch checklist covers every step of a clean launch.
How do the two platforms handle scaling and selling in more places?
Shopify scales through its app ecosystem and its Plus plan for high volume sellers. A store can add multi currency selling, international domains, and advanced automation as it grows, and the app market covers almost any new need. The cost grows with the apps, so a large store can end up paying for many subscriptions, and that is the most common complaint from established Shopify sellers.
BigCommerce scales through built-in features. Higher plans include more storefronts, customer segmentation, and B2B pricing tools without extra apps, which can make the total cost lower for a complex store. The catch is the sales cap: a store that grows fast can be pushed into the next plan before it is ready, and the new payment gateway fee adds cost on top. A store doing $35,000 a year in sales sits on BigCommerce Core in the old rules, but under the June 2026 caps it needs Growth, which costs $105 a month instead of $39.
Both platforms support selling on marketplaces and social channels, and both offer multi channel tools. Shopify has deeper integrations with the social platforms where dropshippers advertise, while BigCommerce has strong built-in support for selling across several storefronts from one admin. Pick based on where your growth will come from: more ad channels and apps point to Shopify, more storefronts and catalog depth point to BigCommerce.
Which platform should a new dropshipper choose?
Most new dropshippers should choose Shopify. The dropshipping apps are better, the supplier integrations arrive first, the setup is faster, and the community is larger, so help is easy to find. The plan price matches BigCommerce at the entry level, and there is no sales cap forcing an upgrade as revenue grows. For a first store, those advantages matter more than the extra built-in features BigCommerce offers.
BigCommerce is the better pick in a narrower case: a seller with a large catalog, complex product options, or B2B customers who values built-in features over apps, and who can live with sales caps and the new gateway fee. An experienced seller moving an existing catalog to a new platform may also prefer BigCommerce, especially if they want several storefronts under one admin.
Either platform can run a profitable dropshipping store. The platform is not the business: the product, the price, and the traffic matter more. Choose the one you will actually use every day, because a store you enjoy running gets the attention that turns visitors into buyers. If you already sell on Shopify and want to compare another option, our guide to Shopify vs WooCommerce for dropshipping covers the open source alternative, and our how to migrate to Shopify guide covers moving a store without losing sales.
| Factor | Shopify | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | Basic $39/mo, $29/mo billed yearly | Core $39/mo, $29/mo billed yearly |
| Mid plan | Grow $105/mo, $79/mo billed yearly | Growth $105/mo, $79/mo billed yearly |
| Top plan | Advanced $399/mo, $299/mo billed yearly | Scale $399/mo, $299/mo billed yearly |
| Sales cap | No cap on standard plans | Core up to $30,000, Growth up to $100,000, Scale up to $400,000 |
| Outside gateway fee | Fee applies when not using Shopify Payments | 2% Core, 1% Growth, 0.6% Scale since June 2026 |
| Dropshipping apps | Largest selection, suppliers build here first | Smaller selection, some tools missing |
| Built-in features | Core features plus apps | More built in, such as filtering and customer groups |
| Ease of use | Simplest setup for beginners | More settings, better for experienced sellers |
| Enterprise | Plus from $2,300/mo | Performance from $1,499/mo |
Shopify wins for most new dropshippers on apps and ease of use. BigCommerce wins for large catalogs and sellers who want more features built in. Check both pricing pages before you decide, because the June 2026 changes show how fast the details move.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify or BigCommerce better for dropshipping beginners?
Shopify is better for most dropshipping beginners because it has the largest set of supplier apps, the simplest setup, and the biggest community. BigCommerce works well too, but its admin has more settings and its dropshipping app choice is smaller, so a first store takes longer to launch.
Do Shopify and BigCommerce cost the same for dropshipping?
Plan prices match closely: entry plans are $39 a month on both, mid plans are $105 a month on both, and top plans are $399 a month on both. The real difference comes from apps, payment gateway fees, and BigCommerce sales caps that can push you to a higher plan.
Can I dropship on BigCommerce without Shopify apps?
Yes, you can dropship on BigCommerce, but the supplier app choice is smaller than on Shopify. Some suppliers offer direct BigCommerce integrations, while others need manual imports or third party connectors. Check that your supplier supports BigCommerce before you commit to the platform.
What are BigCommerce sales caps and why do they matter?
BigCommerce ties each plan to a sales cap based on trailing 12-month sales, and crossing it moves you to the next plan automatically. Since June 2026, Core covers up to $30,000 in sales and Growth covers up to $100,000. A fast growing store can face an unexpected plan upgrade.
Can I switch from BigCommerce to Shopify later?
Yes, you can switch from BigCommerce to Shopify later by exporting products, customers, and orders, then importing them into Shopify and redirecting old URLs. The move takes planning, so test the import on a small batch first and keep the old store live until the new one is ready.
Shopify vs BigCommerce for dropshipping is not a close call for most new sellers: Shopify wins on apps, supplier tools, and ease of use. BigCommerce earns its place for large catalogs and sellers who want built-in features and can live with sales caps. Pick the platform that fits your catalog and your habits, then focus on the product and the traffic. Dropship Stair designs Shopify stores built for dropshipping from day one. See the design work in our portfolio or reach the team through contact us to talk through what your store needs next.
Sources: Shopify pricing page and BigCommerce pricing update, checked November 2026; the Dropship Stair guides linked in this article.