PrestaShop vs BigCommerce: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between PrestaShop and BigCommerce comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: BigCommerce wins this matchup. Wix eCommerce is our overall E-commerce Platforms pick. Wix eCommerce is our free E-commerce Platforms pick. Pick PrestaShop if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
PrestaShop
Open-source e-commerce platform
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (BigCommerce requires payment)
BigCommerce
Enterprise e-commerce platform
Best for you if:
- • You want no transaction fees
| At a Glance | PrestaShop | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | $39/mo Standard |
Category | E-commerce Platforms Website Builders | E-commerce Platforms SEO Tools |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.3 · SourceForge 4.7 361 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.2 · Capterra 4.4 922 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | App store add-ons for advanced features |
Choose PrestaShop or BigCommerce?
Choose PrestaShop if
- You want a fully free tool (BigCommerce requires payment)
- You want open source e-commerce
- You want free to start
- Budget matters (Free vs $39/mo)
Choose BigCommerce if
- You want no transaction fees
- You want built-in features
In-Depth Analysis
PrestaShop
Open-source e-commerce platform
PrestaShop's pricing is incredibly generous, offering a fully open-source and free 'Classic' tier.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source e-commerce
- Pro: Free to start
- Pro: Good module system
- Pro: European focus
- Pro: Customizable
Weaknesses
- Con: Modules can be expensive
- Con: Hosting not included
- Con: Support paid
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Less modern than Shopify
Key features
BigCommerce
Enterprise e-commerce platform
BigCommerce's pricing is fair for its feature set, especially the 'Standard' tier at $39/month which offers unlimited products.
Watch out
App store add-ons for advanced features
Strengths
- Pro: No transaction fees
- Pro: Built-in features
- Pro: B2B capabilities
Weaknesses
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Fewer themes
Key features
Pricing: PrestaShop vs BigCommerce
| Plan | PrestaShop | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Classic | $39 Standard |
| Tier 2 | $24 month Hosted | $105 Plus |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $399 Pro |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on PrestaShop pricing and BigCommerce pricing.
Key Takeaways
BigCommerce
- Larger review base (922 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
PrestaShop
- Completely free
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5
The Bottom Line
BigCommerce wins this matchup. Wix eCommerce is our overall E-commerce Platforms pick. Wix eCommerce is our free E-commerce Platforms pick. That said, PrestaShop is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PrestaShop or BigCommerce better in 2026?
BigCommerce wins this matchup. Wix eCommerce is our overall E-commerce Platforms pick. Wix eCommerce is our free E-commerce Platforms pick. Pick PrestaShop for e-commerce platforms workflows (main strength: open source e-commerce). Pick BigCommerce for e-commerce platforms workflows (main strength: no transaction fees).
What are PrestaShop and BigCommerce used for?
PrestaShop: Open-source e-commerce platform. BigCommerce: Enterprise e-commerce platform.
What does PrestaShop cost vs BigCommerce?
PrestaShop's paid plans start at Free (Hosted). BigCommerce's paid plans start at $39/mo (Standard).
What's the main difference between PrestaShop and BigCommerce?
PrestaShop's main strength: open source e-commerce. BigCommerce's main strength: no transaction fees.