BigCommerce vs PrestaShop: Which E-Commerce Tool Is Better in 2026?

BigCommerce

From $29

PrestaShop

From $0

Quick verdict

Overall pick: Tie

Choose BigCommerce if you want a managed SaaS platform with a flat monthly fee and are targeting high-volume or B2B/multi-store operations. Choose PrestaShop if you prefer open-source software with no starting cost, complete data ownership, and are based in Europe or need self-hosted multi-lingual stores. Both offer the same core features, so the decision hinges on budget model and hosting control.

PrestaShop's entry plan ($0) is 100% cheaper than BigCommerce's ($29).
PrestaShop has a free plan; BigCommerce does not.
They cover the same 8 of 8 core features we track, so price and UX decide.

Try BigCommerce →Try PrestaShop →

Cost calculator

Team size: 5 users

Tool	Monthly	Yearly
BigCommerce · flat	$29.00	$348
PrestaShop · flat	$0.00	$0

Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.

Which one should you choose?

If you need…	Pick	Why
Budget-conscious startup	PrestaShop	PrestaShop offers a free plan and starts at $0, while BigCommerce starts at $29 per month with no free plan.
High-volume merchant needing predictable costs	BigCommerce	BigCommerce uses flat pricing starting at $29/month, which can be more predictable than self-hosting and managing an open-source platform.
European merchant requiring data ownership	PrestaShop	PrestaShop is open-source and self-hosted, giving complete data ownership, and is designed for European merchants.
B2B or multi-store brand	BigCommerce	BigCommerce is explicitly positioned for B2B and multi-store brands, with a flat-fee SaaS model.
Self-hosted multi-lingual store	PrestaShop	PrestaShop is built for self-hosted multi-lingual stores, offering full control over hosting and languages.

Feature comparison: BigCommerce vs PrestaShop

Feature	BigCommerce	PrestaShop
Free plan	❌	✅
Starting price	$29 /mo	$0 /mo
Multi-channel inventory management	✅	✅
Abandoned cart recovery	✅	✅
Point of Sale (POS) hardware & integration	✅	✅
0% native transaction fees	✅	✅
Custom domain with free SSL	✅	✅
Multi-currency international checkout	✅	✅
Rich third-party app marketplace	✅	✅
REST & GraphQL developer APIs	✅	✅

Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.

Pros and cons

BigCommerce

Flat pricing starting at $29/month with no native transaction fees
All core features included: inventory management, abandoned cart, POS, multi-currency, app store, and API
Designed for high-volume merchants and B2B/multi-store brands

No free plan available
Starting cost of $29/month may be a barrier for very small businesses

Try BigCommerce →

PrestaShop

Free plan available with no starting cost
Open-source platform offering complete data ownership
Tailored for European merchants and self-hosted multi-lingual stores

Requires self-hosting and technical management, which may add hidden costs
No flat monthly fee means costs can vary based on hosting and maintenance

Try PrestaShop →

COMMUNITY POLL

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At a glance

BigCommerce

Enterprise open-SaaS e-commerce platform with zero native transaction fees.

Founded 2009 · From $29 · 8/8 tracked features

Best for: high-volume merchants, B2B & multi-store brands

See BigCommerce alternatives →

PrestaShop

Open-source European e-commerce platform offering complete data ownership.

Founded 2007 · From $0 · 8/8 tracked features

Best for: European merchants, self-hosted multi-lingual stores

See PrestaShop alternatives →

FAQ

Is BigCommerce cheaper than PrestaShop?

No, PrestaShop has a free plan and starts at $0, while BigCommerce starts at $29 per month with no free plan.

Do both platforms offer the same features?

Yes, both BigCommerce and PrestaShop include inventory management, abandoned cart recovery, POS support, zero native transaction fees, custom domain with SSL, multi-currency, app store, and API.

Which platform is better for European merchants?

PrestaShop is explicitly positioned for European merchants and offers open-source data ownership, making it a natural fit.

Can I self-host BigCommerce?

No, BigCommerce is a SaaS platform with flat pricing, while PrestaShop is open-source and can be self-hosted.

Which platform is better for high-volume merchants?

BigCommerce is designed for high-volume merchants and B2B/multi-store brands, with a flat fee that includes all core features.

Related comparisons

Data last reviewed: pending verification. All E-Commerce tools →