BigCommerce vs Magento: Features Comparison for Singapore Online Stores

A Quick Look at BigCommerce vs Magento

Magento is a robust, open-source eCommerce platform built using PHP. Known for its extensive range of features and a large library of extensions, Magento allows for significant customization to fit the specific needs of a business. This platform is ideal for handling complex online stores and is utilized by major brands like Samsung, Nike, and Coca-Cola.

BigCommerce, launched in 2009, serves small to large enterprises with its cloud-based eCommerce solutions. This platform supports over 60,000 merchants in more than 150 countries. Designed for businesses seeking rapid expansion, BigCommerce offers a comprehensive suite of features, including adaptable pricing plans that suit a variety of store sizes and operational needs.

BigCommerce vs Magento: A Head-to-head comparison

Ease of Use

Setting up a Magento store can be quite challenging. The process involves installing Magento, setting up FTP, and more. Customizing and integrating extensions also typically requires help from certified developers or Magento development agencies. While this complexity isn’t daunting for developers, it can be tough for beginners.

BigCommerce is much more user-friendly, especially for beginners. It offers a clear dashboard with step-by-step instructions, enabling store owners to manage their stores without needing technical skills. The platform also includes built-in features like marketing tools and payment gateways and offers over 100 various add-ons that are simple to use.

Read more: Top 10 BigCommerce Agencies in Australia

Themes and Templates

Magento allows extensive customization, enabling you to create a store design exactly as imagined. 

Designing a theme from scratch in Magento website requires in-depth coding knowledge, but you can choose premium themes from ThemeForest or TemplateMonster to enhance your store’s aesthetics and functionality.

BigCommerce, on the other hand, offers free themes and many paid options that require less customization and are easy to design.

Extensions and Apps

Magento Partners come with various built-in features like integrated checkout, payment, shipping, and catalog management. It also supports over 5000+ third-party extensions, enhancing functionalities such as sales boosting and customer experience improvement.

BigCommerce also offers a wide range of built-in features that help store owners improve performance and reduce abandoned carts. It supports more than 600 apps with unique functionalities, including the popular MailChimp app for automatic product recommendations.

Support

Magento open-source users can seek help from experienced users or certified developers on Magento forums. Live chat and email support are also available for Magento Commerce and Magento Cloud Edition users.

BigCommerce provides 24/7 support through live chat, phone, email, and a help center. Users can also schedule a 10-minute call to discuss business strategies with experts.

Payment Methods

Magento supports PayPal and Braintree by default, with additional payment gateways available through Magento Connect. Adding payment gateways may incur extra charges.

BigCommerce Partners offer around 65 payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square, without transaction fees. Users only need to pay credit card rates, which decrease with higher-tier plans. Adding payment gateways is easy and can be done directly from the dashboard.

SEO Features

In terms of SEO capabilities, Magento offers numerous built-in functionalities and settings to optimize search engine visibility. It includes options for managing promotions, communication, and content.

As for BigCommerce, it has advanced SEO features like Microdata for improved search engine appearance and tools like SocialShop for posting promotions on social media platforms.

Read more: Top 10 Magento Agencies in Australia 2024

Security

Magento offers powerful security features, including regular updates with security patches to fix vulnerabilities. It supports advanced technologies like Zend Framework, Composer, and SSL Certificates.

BigCommerce is PCI Level 1 and ISO certified, ensuring encrypted financial transactions. It offers both paid and free SSL certificates and prevents unauthorized access.

Scalability

Magento is self-hosted, allowing users to make necessary changes for improved performance. It offers incredible scalability, making it easy to handle a high volume of sales.

BigCommerce provides unlimited storage and bandwidth. Scaling up with the  platform involves switching to higher pricing plans.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing between BigCommerce vs Magento depends on your specific needs and expertise. BigCommerce is ideal for beginners and those seeking ease of use, while Magento is better suited for those requiring extensive customization and scalability.

And you know what? SmartOSC is a trusted partner of both. So reach out to us today, and we’ll provide innovative solutions and expert guidance for your eCommerce success. We can even help with Magento to BigCommerce migration for better functionality, scalability, or user-friendliness.