BigCommerce vs Saleor: Head-to-Head Comparison

Quick Verdict

BigCommerce is the better pick for mid-market brands needing built-in features. Saleor is the better pick for headless commerce with a GraphQL API.

---

At a Glance

Feature	BigCommerce	Saleor
Best For	Mid-market brands needing built-in features	Headless commerce with a GraphQL API
Pricing	Paid plans; free trial available	Free open source; paid managed cloud
Free to Start	No	Yes
License	Proprietary	Open source
Deployment	Managed cloud	Self-hosted or managed cloud
Link	Visit BigCommerce	Visit Saleor

---

Detailed Breakdown

BigCommerce

SaaS commerce platform for growing brands

Pros:

• No extra transaction fees
• Many built-in features
• Headless commerce support

Cons:

• Plan upgrades tied to revenue
• Smaller app store

---

Saleor

Open-source GraphQL-first commerce platform

Pros:

• GraphQL API
• Python and Django backend
• Multi-channel support

Cons:

• Smaller community
• Requires development resources

---

Key Differences

• Positioning: BigCommerce — SaaS commerce platform for growing brands. Saleor — open-source GraphQL-first commerce platform.
• Licensing differs: BigCommerce is proprietary while Saleor is open source.
• Deployment: BigCommerce — managed cloud. Saleor — self-hosted or managed cloud.
• Saleor can be started for free, while BigCommerce requires a paid plan. BigCommerce pricing: paid plans; free trial available.
• Signature strength: BigCommerce — no extra transaction fees. Saleor — GraphQL API.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BigCommerce better than Saleor?

It depends on your requirements. BigCommerce is a strong fit for mid-market brands needing built-in features, while Saleor suits headless commerce with a GraphQL API.

Is BigCommerce free to use?

BigCommerce does not have a permanent free plan. Pricing model: Paid plans; free trial available.

Is Saleor free to use?

Yes, you can start with Saleor for free. Pricing model: Free open source; paid managed cloud.

Can I self-host BigCommerce or Saleor?

BigCommerce is offered as a managed service: managed cloud. Saleor can be self-hosted. Deployment options: self-hosted or managed cloud.

What are the main drawbacks of BigCommerce and Saleor?

BigCommerce: plan upgrades tied to revenue; smaller app store. Saleor: smaller community; requires development resources.