The best alternatives to BigCommerce
BigCommerce’s revenue-based pricing pushes stores to higher tiers as sales grow, even when the extra features aren’t needed. Customizing themes or configuring tax and shipping rules often demands technical know-how, while core ecommerce tools like abandoned cart recovery sit behind premium plans. For EU-based teams, the lack of granular data residency controls can also be a dealbreaker.
European alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Why do merchants switch away from BigCommerce?
Merchants often leave because revenue-based pricing forces upgrades as sales grow, regardless of feature needs. Theme customization and tax/shipping setup can require technical skills, and core features like abandoned cart recovery are locked behind higher tiers. Some also seek better control over data residency and GDPR compliance.
Which European ecommerce platforms offer EU data hosting?
Shopware, PrestaShop, and commercetools all provide options to host data within the EU. Each platform has its own approach to GDPR compliance, data residency, and sub-processor management, with Shopware and PrestaShop offering self-hosted or EU-based cloud solutions.
How difficult is it to migrate from BigCommerce to a European alternative?
Migration complexity depends on the target platform. Shopware and PrestaShop offer migration tools and partner support to help transfer product data, orders, and customer records. The process typically involves exporting data from BigCommerce and importing it into the new system, with adjustments for theme and payment integrations.
Are European BigCommerce alternatives cheaper?
Pricing varies by platform, but many European alternatives offer more transparent or flexible models. Shopware and PrestaShop provide free or lower-cost entry tiers, while commercetools and Spryker focus on enterprise use cases with custom pricing. Unlike BigCommerce, these platforms often avoid revenue-based fees.
What is the best European alternative to BigCommerce for mid-market brands?
Shopware is a strong fit for mid-market brands seeking a balance of features, customization, and EU data residency. It offers a self-hosted option, a growing ecosystem of integrations, and a focus on flexibility for merchants scaling beyond basic ecommerce needs.