BigCommerce is the better fit for international selling when you want the tools built in, need headless customization, or sell B2B across markets; Shopify Managed Markets is the better fit when you are already on Shopify and want centralized market management with automatic currency conversion. BigCommerce's international tools are typically on Plus plans and above, with no stated market limits. Shopify Markets is included on every plan: 3 markets on most plans, 3 included and up to 50 on Advanced, and 50 on Shopify Plus.
Expanding your ecommerce business internationally presents both enormous opportunities and real challenges. Success requires balancing a broad vision with attention to local market details: currency, language, tax compliance, shipping, and SEO all need to work seamlessly together. This comparison examines how BigCommerce and Shopify approach international selling so you can decide which platform fits your global growth strategy.
BigCommerce International Features: Robust and Native
BigCommerce provides comprehensive built-in international tools, typically available on Plus plans and above. If your brand needs deep customization or a headless architecture for global storefronts, BigCommerce offers a strong foundation without heavy app dependencies.
Key Features
- Multi-Currency and Language Support: Customers shop in their local currencies with multiple language options configured natively.
- Global CDN and Performance: A dedicated Content Delivery Network ensures fast loading speeds worldwide, which directly impacts conversion rates.
- International SEO Tools: Built-in hreflang tags, localized URLs, and customizable metadata per region help you rank in local search results.
- Advanced Shipping and Tax Management: Integration with global carriers and tax providers simplifies cross-border logistics.
- Headless Commerce & API: Robust API capabilities for building fully custom international experiences on any front end.
- Native B2B International Capabilities: Customer segmentation, custom pricing, and bulk purchasing tools work across markets.
Shopify Managed Markets: Streamlined Global Expansion
Shopify Markets features are included across all plans, with advanced options available through the Shopify Managed Markets upgrade. Markets can combine single or multiple countries with shared settings, making it easy to group regions with similar requirements.
Market Limits by Plan
- Advanced Shopify: 3 included, up to 50 maximum
- Shopify Plus: 50 markets
- Other plans: 3 markets
Key Features
- Centralized Market Management: A single dashboard for managing multiple markets, currencies, and localized settings.
- Localized Shopping Experiences: Customized catalogs, pricing strategies, and content per market.
- Currency Conversion & Local Payment Methods: Automatic price conversion and support for local payment options like iDEAL, Bancontact, and more.
- Duties & Import Taxes: Enhanced transparency for international customers with calculated duties at checkout.
- Simplified International Shipping: Global carrier integration with automated rate calculations.
Key Differences: Direct Comparison
BigCommerce leads on built-in tooling, headless flexibility and B2B depth with no market cap; Shopify Managed Markets leads on centralized management and out-of-the-box simplicity, with market counts limited by plan.
| Feature | BigCommerce | Shopify Managed Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Native Features | Extensive built-in tools | Mixed native/app features |
| Multi-Currency | Native support | Automatic conversion |
| Global CDN | Dedicated global CDN | Shopify infrastructure |
| SEO Tools | Built-in hreflang, localized URLs | Enhanced in Managed Markets |
| Shipping/Tax | Multiple carrier/provider integration | Supports international shipping |
| Customization | Headless commerce available | Streamlined out-of-box |
| B2B Capabilities | Strong native tools | Expanding, some app-dependent |
| Ease of Use | Granular control available | Centralized dashboard |
| Pricing | Tier-based | Basic included, Managed Markets fee |
| Market Limits | No specific limits | Varies by plan (3–50) |
Which Platform Is Right for You?
Pick BigCommerce for native international and B2B depth or a headless build. Pick Shopify Managed Markets if you are already on Shopify and want simpler, centralized management with automatic currency conversion.
Choose BigCommerce if:
- You need robust built-in international features without app dependencies
- Your business requires deep customization using headless commerce
- You operate in B2B and need strong international tools
- You prioritize native SEO optimization for global search
Choose Shopify Managed Markets if:
- You want simplified, centralized international management
- You already use Shopify and want to expand within the ecosystem
- You need localized experiences with automatic currency conversion
- You’re willing to pay for advanced duties, taxes, and internationalization features
Ultimately, success depends on evaluating your growth goals, customization requirements, and budget constraints. Both platforms offer viable paths to international selling. The right choice depends on where your business is headed and how much flexibility you need along the way.