⏳ Do you want to skip the read and get right to my winner? 3dcart by Shift4Shop is the Winner within this 3dcart vs BigCommerce eCommerce comparison platform test.
Introduction to our 3dcart vs BigCommerce Comparison:
3dcart vs BigCommerce – these are two big names in eCommerce.
The online marketplace has grown exponentially over the past year. As a result, developers are in a mad rush to offer users better, more eCommerce-savvy building platforms.
In this review, we pit BigCommerce vs 3dcart as the site builder of choice for many eCommerce companies. Let's take a deeper look into what both platforms offer, how much they charge, and how effective (and efficient) they are for the end-user.
Quick Comparison Table For 3dcart or BigCommerce
| Criteria | 🥇 3dcart by Shift4Shop (My Top Pick!) | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | User-friendly but might have a slightly steeper learning curve for beginners. | Easy to use with a more intuitive interface, better for those new to eCommerce. |
| Key Features & Flexibility | Good range of features including inventory management, product options, and shipping integrations. | Offers a wide array of features including product options, marketing tools, and multi-channel selling. |
| SEO & Marketing | Strong SEO tools and supports various marketing channels. | Advanced SEO features and built-in marketing tools for email campaigns, coupons, and more. |
| E-commerce | Robust eCommerce features, including real-time shipping rates and integration with various payment gateways. | Highly scalable eCommerce features, suitable for high-volume stores, and supports various payment gateways. |
| Customer Support and Resources | 24/7 customer support through phone, chat, and email. Also offers a knowledge base. | 24/7 customer support via chat and email. Extensive resources including guides and community forums. |
| Pricing | Plans start from $19/month. | Plans start from $29.95/month. |
| My View | 3dcart is a solid option for small to mid-sized online stores with a good set of features and tools. | BigCommerce is more suitable for businesses that expect rapid growth or already have high volumes of sales. |
| Try for Free | Try for Free | Try for Free |
Overview: Why consider 3dcart or BigCommerce as your site-building platform?
But first, look at these platforms in a nutshell:
3dcart:
Since its acquisition by payment tech company Shift4 Payments, it has changed its name to Shift4 Shop. However, for this comparison, we’ll stick to the old name for now. 3dcart is one of the oldest eCommerce-specific platforms online, having started in 1997. Its user footprint is somewhat modest at 17,500 online stores worldwide.
BigCommerce:
On the other hand, Texas-based BigCommerce has been around since 2009. It presently boasts a user footprint made up of 96,748 websites and online stores.
Ease of Use:
3dcart:
3dcart offers a streamlined-looking UI, and everything is in its proper place. However, as you’re working, the typography starts glitching (hence inconsistent font types and sizes), and image quality gets wonky. Throw in the lack of an UNDO button, and you may feel that you’re getting screwed as you can’t revert even the smallest mistakes.
BigCommerce:
We have issues with the learning curve for BigCommerce. While it touts itself as an easy to use site builder, it takes a while before you can actually navigate confidently through its UI. However, once you get yourself in the swing of the workflow, it’s easy enough to use, and you can get your site up and running.
Winner – BigCommerce! within our ‘Ease of Use' 3dcart vs BigCommerce comparison. 3dcart looks easy to use, but we don’t like the inconsistencies in terms of typography and graphic quality.
Features and Flexibility:
Out-of-the-box:
3dcart:
Not bad at all: even with its free subscription package, 3dcart pulls out all the stops when it comes to features and functionality. The feature-rich platform offers an extensive array of tools ranging from its basic site builder to a full roster of third-party apps designed in partnership with the platform to enhance the user experience.
BigCommerce:
It goes without saying that BigCommerce comes out swinging in the 3dcart vs BigCommerce debate. The platform comes with a drag-and-drop UI, an extensive range of eCommerce tools, including solutions for online marketing and international transactions.
BigCommerce vs 3dcart Themes and Templates:
3dcart:
Free users will find themselves spoilt for choice. There are over five dozen free templates that they can use once they sign up for 3dcart. As one upgrades to a paid subscription, premium templates are made available to enhance their online stores.
BigCommerce:
The platform currently offers its users twelve free thematic templates and 150 premium [paid] templates, with paid templates priced between $150 to $300. It may cost you a pretty penny, but given how each template has at least three design/colour variants, it’s something to consider if you want to give your page a dynamic look.
3dcart vs BigCommerce Customisation Tools:
3dcart:
Right off the bat, 3dcart brings out a well-considered suite for customization, including an option in the editing bar that allows you to tweak the HTML/CSS of your site to create a unique look. This extends to customizing product pages' functionality to enable customers to get a better look at each item, improving chances for browsing to turn into a sale.
BigCommerce:
The BigCommerce UI is already pre-loaded with customization tools for your website/store and your product lineup. Interestingly, if none of these work for you, numerous easy-to-understand online tutorials will help you transform your online store both on the front and back ends.
BigCommerce vs 3dcart 3rd Party Integrations:
3dcart:
3dcart actively collaborates with over 350 third-party developers to create integrated functions and widgets to improve site performance, visibility, and conversion rates. Some interesting integrations include a fraud detector,
BigCommerce:
The platform offers a surprisingly extensive range of third-party apps that include solutions for enhanced productivity, inventory management, online marketing, accounting, shipping and delivery management, and even international taxation.
3dcart vs BigCommerce Hosting:
3dcart:
Since its acquisition by Shift4, 3dcart offers reliable and scalable hosting with 99.99% uptime via a content delivery network (CDN) with multiple data centres throughout the United States.
BigCommerce:
BigCommerce uses the Google Cloud Platform infrastructure to host its sites, which ensures 99.99% uptime and fast loading time and optimal security. It also boasts of being one of the few hosting services in the industry compliant with the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 online service quality standard. Also, users are given unlimited bandwidth and file storage.
3dcart vs BigCommerce Backups:
3dcart:
We’re a bit askance of how a manual backup process is still what 3dcart recommends to users. While the instructions are easy enough, having to back everything in your store up to different *.csv files can be challenging, time-consuming, and exhausting.
BigCommerce:
Unfortunately, BigCommerce doesn’t have an automatic backup function built into its UI. Instead, it recommends third-party app Rewind to enable users to back their data up. Other options are available via its app market.
BigCommerce vs 3dcart Migration:
3dcart:
Surprisingly, 3dcart offers a free migration process that easily allows users to shift their sites from a different platform. All they need to do is fill out the form, discuss their needs with an assigned tech support specialist, and they’re well on their way to doing business via a new hub on 3dcart.
BigCommerce:
Migration is a cinch for BigCommerce. The platform offers several native migration apps that enable users to move their product catalogues and price lists from several competitor platforms.
Winner – BigCommerce! within our ‘Features and Flexibility' 3dcart vs BigCommerce comparison.
SEO and Mobility:
3dcart vs BigCommerce SEO:
3dcart:
The platform offers several SEO options to help rank your site. Among them include custom meta tags, autogenerated sitemap, 301 page redirects, enabling AMP for product pages, and a “product page rich snippets” section.
BigCommerce:
BigCommerce enables users to take advantage of the most recent SEO best practices, enabling them to make individual pages on their sites search-engine friendly by using an SEO box in the back end for additional metadata. Titles and URLs are automatically optimised, and having site-wide SSL certification definitely helps sites become more search engine-worthy.
Mobile:
3dcart:
3dcart is actually strong where mobile commerce is concerned. It optimises code for faster loading speeds on handheld devices, Google AMP for accelerating product pages, and AJAX implementation. It also enables users to manage their stores whilst on the go.
BigCommerce:
BigCommerce scores hugely on the mobile front, as sites are automatically optimised for mobile screens. For mobile users, the BigCommerce Mobile App for Android and iOS enables store owners to access all their stores with a single log-in, monitor store performance, and manage their catalogues, orders, and customer database whilst on the go. It should be noted, though, that some app features such as creating draft orders are currently available only for Android.
3dcart vs BigCommerce Pagespeed:
3dcart:
We can’t help but feel a little disappointed: it took four seconds for the 3dcart page we were testing to load – and that’s .8 seconds slower than the 3.2-second global average.
BigCommerce:
BigCommerce has a respectable loading time of 2.4 seconds, well within the acceptable range.
Winner – Draw! within our ‘Ease of Use' BigCommerce vs 3dcart comparison.
3dcart vs BigCommerce eCommerce Tools:
3dcart:
The 3dcart interface enables users to create a shopping cart experience that customers will appreciate and encourage them to return frequently. Speedy checkouts, flexible payment processing, taxation facilities, and online security are the hallmarks that help 3dcart stand out in an increasingly competitive industry.
BigCommerce:
BigCommerce offers numerous eCommerce solutions, including creating product rules, selling digital products like tickets and film downloads, and easy to use order process management system, a facility for creating bestsellers’ lists, and a reward system for frequent customers.
Winner – Draw! within our ‘Support and Resources' 3dcart vs BigCommerce comparison.
Support and Resources:
3dcart:
3dcart shines in this category with a wealth of resources for educating novice online entrepreneurs and enabling old hands to improve their existing knowledge and skills through various courses, tutorials, and even consultations with its roster of experts. Tech support-wise, you would do well to visit their extensive support page to file a ticket or use the built-in support chat widget built into the UI to ask for help.
BigCommerce:
BigCommerce’s online knowledge base is well researched and frequently updated by experts. Likewise, it offers 24/7 customer service through phone (and freephone options are available in several countries), email, live chat, and a dedicated community forum.
Winner – Draw! within our ‘Support and Resources' 3dcart vs BigCommerce comparison.
BigCommerce vs 3dcart Pricing:
3dcart:
Enterprise-grade site-building tools for free? Sign us up! Shift4Shop free-to-use option called the End to End Commerce plan is unique. This enables users to create high-functioning online stores without having to pay a single cent. Unfortunately, this feature is only available for users in the United States.
And their paid packages aren’t too shabby, either: priced between $29 to 299 monthly, they offer an extensive range of tools and inclusions to make building an online store so much easier.
Shift4Shop legal page states that platform does not offer refunds or a money-back guarantee for those who are not satisfied with it or want to terminate their subscriptions.
BigCommerce:
The platform charges between $29.95 to 299.95 a month for subscriptions. However, you should watch out for the following:
- You only get up to a 10% discount if you pay for your plan annually;
- If you’re on the Pro subscription and making between $400,000 and $1 million a month in online sales, expect to be charged an additional $150 monthly per $200,000 in sales; and
- Sales thresholds are based on a 12-month rollover period.
As stated on their terms of service page, the BigCommerce page builder offers a 15-day free trial.
Winner – 3dcart! within our ‘Ease of Use' BigCommerce vs 3dcart comparison. It was close, but we’re giving this one to 3dcart – mainly because they don’t charge transaction fees.
Comparison Winner: Who wins the 3dcart vs BigCommerce battle?
While both platforms have parallel features, we are giving this one to 3dcart as the comparison winner. Its acquisition by Shift4 has given it so much more value. It enabled it to give its users more bang for their buck when creating high-performing online stores.
Conclusion and Recommendation to our BigCommerce vs 3dcart Comparison:
What is 3dcart best for?
3dcart – aka Shift4 Shop – is a great choice for both businesses that are just starting up and for those who are scaling up their operations.
What is BigCommerce best for?
BigCommerce remains the best platform for bigger online stores. Given that some inclusions and integrations come at a premium price, this may probably not be an option for businesses on a tight budget.
BigCommerce vs 3dcart Alternatives:
Here's a list of the best BigCommerce vs 3dcart alternatives to create a an eCommerce portal:
| Rank | Key Features | Price (Basic Paid Plan) | Transaction Fee | My View | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Shopify | Comprehensive e-commerce features, large app store, excellent SEO tools | $29/month Check Pricing | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction (for online credit card rates) | Ideal for most online stores due to its comprehensive features | Try For Free |
| 2. Squarespace | Beautiful templates, great for small to medium-sized stores, powerful marketing tools | $12/month Check Pricing | None (but payment processor fees apply) | Great for creatives and those who need a visually stunning online store | Try For Free |
| 3. Webflow | Deep customization options, good for web designers, CMS features | $12/month Check Pricing | 2% on customer's checkout total | Best for designers needing high degree of customization | Try For Free |
| 4. Square Online | Syncs with Square POS, good for small to medium-sized stores, unlimited products | Free to start, e-commerce from $12/month Check Pricing | Yes, 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction | Great for existing Square POS users | Try For Free |
| 5. WooCommerce | Open-source, highly customizable, requires WordPress | Free Check Hosting Pricing | Depends on payment gateway used | Best for WordPress users and those who want total control | Try For Free (with Nexcess Hosting) |
| 6. Wix | User-friendly, great for small stores, wide range of templates | $14/month Check Pricing | None (but payment processor fees apply) | Great for small businesses or beginners | Try For Free |
| 7. Big Cartel | Designed for creators and artists, easy to use, limited features | Free for up to 5 products, plans from $9.99/month Check Pricing | None (but payment processor fees apply) | Ideal for artists and creators with smaller product lines | Try For Free |
| 8. Ecwid | Can be integrated into any website, good for small to medium-sized stores | Free for up to 10 products, plans from $15/month Check Pricing | Depends on payment gateway used | Good for those who want to add a store to an existing site | Try For Free |
| 9. Volusion | Good inventory system, comprehensive e-commerce features | $29/month Check Pricing | None (but payment processor fees apply) | Good for medium-sized businesses | Try For Free |
| 10. Weebly | Easy to use, good for small stores, powered by Square | Free to start, paid plans from $6/month Check Pricing | 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction | Good for small businesses or beginners | Try For Free |
Final Word for our 3dcart vs BigCommerce comparison:
We have given you an unbiased look at two platforms for site-building. Yet while we have voted in favour of Shift4 Shop, we suggest that you shop around and see which platform offers the best possible deal and inclusions for your online business.
Try 3dCart Shift4Shop for Free
That’s all for now:
If you've read our 3dcart vs BigCommerce comparison up to here, we are grateful. Remember to always keep abreast of the latest developments on website builders, eCommerce, and other BigCommerce vs 3dcart alternative comparison articles, such as the ones below;
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