BigCommerce vs Square Online
A side-by-side look at BigCommerce and Square Online. On our scoring, BigCommerce comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 4.4/5 | 4.1/5 |
| User rating | 4.3 | 4 |
| Reviews | 1,675 | 1,320 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $39/mo | Free |
| Pricing model | per month, billed annually | free plan + processing fees |
| Transaction fees | 0% on all plans | 2.9% + 30¢ online |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Fully hosted (SaaS) | Fully hosted (SaaS) |
| Free trial | 15 days | Free plan available |
| Staff accounts | Unlimited | Role-based |
| Product limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | 65+ gateways, no added fees | Square (primary) |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | 12 free, 200+ paid | Template-based |
| App marketplace | 850+ apps | Square App Marketplace |
| Multi-currency | Yes | No |
| Multi-language | Yes | No |
| POS included | No | Yes |
| Abandoned cart recovery | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in blog | Yes | No |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | Yes | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Support channels | 24/7 phone, live chat, email | Phone & chat (business hours), email |
| Actions | Read review | Read review |
Why pick BigCommerce?
BigCommerce packs an unusually generous native feature set and charges no transaction fees, making it a strong pick for mid-market stores. Just watch the annual sales thresholds that quietly push you onto pricier plans.
Best for: Mid-market stores with complex catalogs
Read the full BigCommerce reviewWhy pick Square Online?
Square Online is the obvious add-on for businesses already running Square POS in the real world. The free plan is genuinely usable, though serious online-first brands will outgrow its lighter feature set.
Best for: Retail & restaurants already using Square
Read the full Square Online review