Shopify Plus is the stronger API choice for teams that value a growing GraphQL ecosystem, extensive checkout customization and the largest app marketplace, while BigCommerce Enterprise fits teams that prefer REST, need generous out-of-the-box rate limits, or want nearly every configuration accessible via API. Shopify's REST API allows 80 requests per app per store per minute and its GraphQL API budgets 1,000 points per second, with Plus merchants getting double the standard limits. BigCommerce allows up to 450 requests per minute for OAuth apps.
When selecting an enterprise ecommerce platform, API capabilities are a critical factor. The strength and flexibility of a platform’s API determines how well it integrates with ERPs, CRMs, marketing tools, and custom applications. This comparison examines the API offerings of Shopify Plus and BigCommerce Enterprise to help technical teams make an informed decision.
API Architecture Overview
Shopify Plus offers both a REST Admin API and a GraphQL Admin API. Shopify has been investing heavily in GraphQL as its primary API going forward, making it the recommended choice for new integrations. The GraphQL API allows developers to request exactly the data they need in a single call, reducing over-fetching and the number of requests required.
BigCommerce provides a REST-based API suite including the Catalog API, Orders API, Customers API, and more. BigCommerce also offers a GraphQL Storefront API for headless commerce implementations, though its admin-side APIs remain REST-focused.
Rate Limits and Throttling
Shopify's REST API allows 80 requests per app per store per minute, with GraphQL metered at 1,000 points per second, while BigCommerce allows 450 requests per minute, so BigCommerce is more generous out of the box.
Rate limits affect how aggressively you can sync data between your platform and external systems:
- Shopify Plus: REST API allows up to 80 requests per app per store per minute (using a leaky bucket algorithm). The GraphQL API uses a cost-based throttling system, giving you a budget of 1,000 points per second with a maximum bucket size of 2,000 points. Plus merchants get double the standard API limits.
- BigCommerce: Allows up to 450 requests per minute for OAuth-authenticated apps. Rate limits are applied per-app, per-store, and are generally more generous than Shopify’s REST limits out of the box.
Webhooks
Both platforms support webhooks for event-driven integrations, but there are differences in scope and reliability:
- Shopify offers mandatory webhooks (guaranteed delivery for critical events like orders and customer data), plus optional webhooks for a wide range of resource changes. Shopify also supports webhook subscriptions via GraphQL.
- BigCommerce provides webhooks across products, orders, customers, carts, and more. Configuration is done through the API, and events are delivered with retry logic on failure.
Customization and Extensibility
Shopify Plus extends through Shopify Functions, checkout extensibility and metafields; BigCommerce extends through Stencil theming, the Scripts API and product custom fields.
Shopify Plus provides several extensibility mechanisms beyond the core APIs:
- Shopify Functions: Server-side logic for discounts, payment customization, and delivery customization that runs within Shopify’s infrastructure.
- Checkout Extensibility: APIs and UI extensions to customize the checkout experience without Liquid templates.
- Metafields and Metaobjects: Flexible custom data storage that can be accessed via API and exposed to the storefront.
BigCommerce offers its own extensibility features:
- Stencil theming: A Handlebars-based frontend framework with built-in helpers for accessing store data.
- Scripts API: Inject JavaScript on storefronts without theme modifications.
- Custom fields: Product-level custom fields accessible through the Catalog API.
Developer Experience
Shopify has the larger developer ecosystem, with the Shopify CLI, Polaris and more third-party libraries, while BigCommerce is known for an API-first approach where most store configuration is reachable through the API.
From a developer experience standpoint, both platforms have invested in documentation, SDKs, and tooling:
- Shopify provides the Shopify CLI, Polaris design system, and a robust app development framework. The GraphQL explorer (GraphiQL) makes it easy to test queries. Shopify’s developer ecosystem is larger, with more third-party libraries and community resources.
- BigCommerce offers comprehensive API documentation, a developer portal, and SDKs for popular languages. The platform is often praised for its “API-first” philosophy, where most store configurations are accessible via API.
Which Platform Is Right for You?
Choose Shopify Plus if you value a growing GraphQL ecosystem, extensive checkout customization options, and the largest app marketplace. The platform is especially strong for brands that want to leverage headless commerce through Hydrogen and the Storefront API.
Choose BigCommerce if you need generous out-of-the-box API rate limits, prefer a REST-first approach, or want a platform where nearly every configuration is API-accessible. BigCommerce can be a good fit for teams with complex multi-storefront or B2B requirements that benefit from its native multi-store capabilities.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your technical team’s preferences, your integration requirements, and your long-term growth strategy.