BigCommerce vs Magento: Which is Better for Philippine Businesses?

Overview of BigCommerce vs Magento

BigCommerce Overview

BigCommerce is a SaaS platform designed for fast-growing businesses. Traditionally catering to SMBs with less than $50 million in gross revenue, it holds a 0.4% market share with 49,907 active eCommerce websites globally. Built on a PHP-based platform with a MySQL database and various plugins, BigCommerce operates on a subscription model, with monthly fees starting at $29.95.

Magento Overview

Recognized as a leader in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Commerce, Magento (now Adobe Commerce) is an open-source eCommerce platform tailored for midsize and enterprise-level B2C and B2B companies generating over $50 billion in gross revenue.

The vendor offers a free version (Magento Open Source) and a paid option (Adobe Commerce). Known for its extensive customization, Magento’s acquisition by Adobe in 2018 enhanced the platform’s integration capabilities. When comparing BigCommerce vs Magento, Magento stands out for its flexibility and scalability, making it a strong choice for businesses needing deep customization and complex integrations.

Watch more: BigCommerce vs Magento: Features Comparison for Singapore Online Stores

Key Comparison:  BigCommerce vs Magento

Price

Value for money is crucial when selecting the best eCommerce solution in the Philippines.

BigCommerce offers four pricing tiers starting from $29.95/month. The tricky part is that your plan is assigned based on your annual revenue. As your business scales and hits specific annual sales thresholds (including tax), you’re automatically upgraded to a more advanced pricing plan.

You can still take advantage of a 15-day trial period. However, be aware of additional costs while building a BigCommerce store in the Philippines, such as domain and SSL certificates, paid themes and add-ons, and partner support fees.

Magento has a different pricing structure. While Magento Open Source is free (you can download the core code from the Magento Open Source GitHub repository), the advanced editions come with license fees. Adobe Commerce starts at $22,000+/year, while Adobe Commerce Cloud costs $40,000+/year. Keep in mind that these editions unlock more features, potentially reducing your overall spending on extensions and modules compared to BigCommerce.

In comparing BigCommerce vs Magento, it’s essential to evaluate your business needs, budget, and growth potential in the Philippine market.

Ease of Use

When comparing the basic versions in the BigCommerce vs Magento debate, BigCommerce takes the lead. It’s built for non-technical users, featuring an intuitive interface and a drag-and-drop page builder. Additionally, BigCommerce handles hosting and maintenance, so you don’t have to worry about updates or patches.

Magento, on the other hand, is less user-friendly. As an open-source platform, it requires significant technical expertise to set up and manage the store independently—although hiring a developer is an option.

This ease of use is a major advantage for those without a technical background or the time to learn a complex platform. Most first-time entrepreneurs launching an online store prefer a quick and straightforward setup, making BigCommerce the better choice.

When evaluating the full Adobe Commerce platform, including the managed services option, the comparison becomes more nuanced. However, due to the comprehensive features offered even at its lowest pricing tiers, BigCommerce remains the more accessible and practical solution in most cases.

Marketing

One of the key differentiators in the BigCommerce vs Magento comparison is BigCommerce’s built-in marketing tools. It offers everything needed to run a successful online store, including email marketing, abandoned cart recovery, and more. BigCommerce also emphasizes social media, SEO, and other marketing initiatives, making it easier to reach customers across multiple channels more effectively.

While Magento also provides a robust suite of marketing tools, they are mostly available as add-ons that need to be purchased separately. This approach offers flexibility, allowing you to customize your setup according to specific needs.

However, if you’re seeking an out-of-the-box solution with comprehensive marketing features included, BigCommerce is the better option.

Watch more: BigCommerce vs Magento: Key Differences for Australian eCommerce

Security

Data security is a crucial consideration in the BigCommerce vs Magento debate, especially for businesses in the Philippines. Magento has faced challenges in the past, notably a large-scale, targeted attack in 2020 that compromised many online stores. Since then, Adobe has heavily invested in improving the platform’s security.

However, a major challenge for store owners lies in managing technical resources. With Magento’s open-source nature, you’re responsible for security updates and patches. In contrast, BigCommerce handles these tasks with automatic updates and maintenance, easing the burden on business owners.

Both platforms are PCI compliant, ensuring they meet the necessary standards for protecting customer data. However, maintaining that compliance can be difficult when store owners are responsible for managing their security updates.

Although Adobe Commerce has made significant strides in improving security, BigCommerce remains the more secure option, thanks to its automatic maintenance and update services, which are particularly beneficial for businesses in the Philippines.

Customization

This is where the BigCommerce vs Magento comparison starts to lean in favor of Magento. Due to its open-source nature, Magento provides full access to its code, allowing you to customize nearly every aspect of your store.

BigCommerce, while offering some custom coding options through HTML and CSS, has more limited flexibility. Although you can hire a developer to extend functionality, customization is still constrained by the platform’s template language.

For stores that require highly specialized features beyond what BigCommerce’s standard package offers or that need complex integrations, Magento is the better choice. Its extensive customization capabilities make it ideal for businesses in the Philippines with unique requirements.

Scalability

BigCommerce can be an effective solution for larger enterprises. It is used by several multinational operations, including General Electric, Ted Baker, Gillette, and many others. With strong security measures and a focus on scalability, BigCommerce is well-suited for large businesses. It also integrates seamlessly with third-party applications such as POS systems, marketing automation tools, analytics platforms, and more.

However, in the BigCommerce vs Magento comparison, Magento remains the more popular choice among larger companies. Magento offers a broader range of features, including advanced B2B capabilities and the ability to manage multiple stores from a single admin panel. It is particularly advantageous for businesses that require extensive customizations or integration with existing systems—areas where BigCommerce may fall short.

BigCommerce vs Magento: Which is Better for Philippine Businesses?

When deciding between BigCommerce vs Magento for Philippine businesses, consider the following factors across six key categories:

• Price: BigCommerce is more cost-effective, with a subscription model starting at $29.95/month. Magento offers a free version but charges for advanced editions, which can be quite expensive.
• Ease of Use: BigCommerce excels in ease of use, featuring an intuitive interface and drag-and-drop page builder. It also handles hosting and maintenance, making it ideal for those who prefer a straightforward setup.
• Marketing: BigCommerce leads with its built-in marketing tools, including email marketing and abandoned cart recovery. Its focus on social media and SEO integration enhances its marketing capabilities.
• Security: BigCommerce offers automatic updates and maintenance, providing a more secure solution with less manual oversight. Magento requires store owners to manage their security updates, though Adobe Commerce has made significant improvements in this area.
• Customization: Magento stands out for its extensive customization options. With full access to its code, you can tailor your store to fit specific needs and complex integrations, making it suitable for businesses requiring high levels of customization.
• Scalability: Magento is better suited for businesses looking to scale quickly. Its robust platform supports complex requirements and large-scale operations, offering greater scalability compared to BigCommerce.

For Philippine businesses just starting with eCommerce or those seeking ease of use and comprehensive built-in features, BigCommerce is likely the better fit. It offers a user-friendly experience, strong marketing tools, and automated security updates.

On the other hand, if you’re an established enterprise needing extensive customization and scalability, Magento would be the preferred choice. Although it requires more technical expertise and investment, it provides the flexibility and growth potential needed for larger operations.

What can SmartOSC do for you?

When choosing between BigCommerce vs Magento for your eCommerce needs, SmartOSC stands out with its extensive experience and expertise. Choose SmartOSC to leverage our global experience, innovative approach, and dedicated support for your eCommerce success.

• Extensive Experience and Expertise: With over 600 successful projects and 17 years as a Magento and BigCommerce, SmartOSC has a deep understanding of eCommerce platforms. Our extensive experience ensures that we can navigate complex eCommerce challenges and deliver effective solutions tailored to your business needs.
• Certified Professionals: Our team includes over 400 Magento 2 certified developers and experts in Adobe solutions. This certification guarantees that you receive high-quality, reliable service from professionals who are well-versed in the latest eCommerce technologies and best practices.
• Comprehensive eCommerce Solutions: We offer end-to-end services for both BigCommerce vs Magento (Adobe Commerce). Whether you need setup, optimization, integration, or marketing, our comprehensive solutions ensure that your store performs at its best and meets your specific business requirements.
• Custom Development: SmartOSC provides tailored solutions to meet your unique needs. From bespoke features to complex integrations, we customize our services to fit your exact requirements, ensuring that your eCommerce platform supports your business goals effectively.
• Global Experience: Leveraging our international experience, we address diverse market needs and challenges. Our global perspective helps us deliver solutions that drive success across various regions, making us a valuable partner for businesses with global aspirations.
• Focus on Innovation and Growth: We prioritize staying ahead with the latest eCommerce and digital transformation technologies. By focusing on innovation and continuous improvement, we ensure that your business remains competitive and effectively adapts to the evolving digital landscape.
• Comprehensive Digital Transformation: SmartOSC excels in transforming your digital presence with Adobe Commerce Cloud, Adobe Marketing Cloud, and Adobe Experience Manager (AEM). We enhance customer journeys, streamline marketing campaigns, and simplify content management, providing a complete digital transformation experience.
• Dedicated Support and Guidance: Our client-centric approach means we work closely with you to understand your business goals. We provide personalized support and expert guidance to navigate the complexities of eCommerce platforms and ensure that your business succeeds.
• Results-Driven Performance: Our portfolio of successful projects highlights our ability to deliver high-quality results and achieve client objectives. We focus on creating positive experiences and measurable outcomes, ensuring that your eCommerce business thrives under our guidance.

Choose SmartOSC for your eCommerce business to benefit from our expertise, comprehensive solutions, and dedication to your success. Contact us today to explore how we can help you achieve your business goals and drive growth.

Conclusion

The choice between BigCommerce vs Magento depends on your specific business needs and how well the platform’s features align with your goals, as well as the expertise of your development team. If you’re still unsure which platform is right for you and need expert guidance and customized eCommerce solutions, our experienced team at SmartOSC can help. We specialize in tailoring solutions to fit your unique business requirements and ensure your success in the eCommerce landscape. Contact us today to get expert advice and discover how we can help you choose and implement the best eCommerce platform for your business in the Philippines.