If you’re serious about eCommerce performance, flexibility, and scalability, you’ve probably heard the buzz around headless commerce. Separating the frontend from the backend lets you build fast, highly customized storefronts that aren’t limited by traditional platform constraints.

Both Shopify and BigCommerce offer headless commerce capabilities—but they take very different approaches. Choosing the right one depends on your business needs, development resources, and long-term goals.

What is Headless Commerce?

Before diving into Shopify vs. BigCommerce, here’s a quick refresher.

Headless commerce means decoupling your website’s frontend (what customers see) from the backend (where you manage products, orders, and content). Instead of relying on a built-in theme system, you can build a custom frontend using modern frameworks like Next.js, React, Vue.js, or even a CMS like Contentful or ButterCMS.

Why Go Headless?

• Faster Page Speeds – Improves SEO and conversions.
• Unlimited Design Flexibility – No platform constraints on layout or UI.
• Seamless Omnichannel Experiences – Connect across apps, kiosks, and marketplaces.
• Stronger API Integrations – More control over how your store functions.

Now, let’s compare Shopify’s and BigCommerce’s headless solutions.

Shopify Headless: Hydrogen + Storefront API

Shopify’s headless commerce stack revolves around Shopify Hydrogen, their React-based frontend framework, and the Shopify Storefront API.

What Makes Shopify’s Headless Platform Unique?

• Hydrogen Framework – A React-based framework optimized for eCommerce, built by Shopify for high-performance storefronts.
• Storefront API – Full access to product, customer, and checkout data via GraphQL.
• Built-in Shopify Payments & Checkout – Keeps you in Shopify’s secure checkout flow.
• Oxygen Hosting (Optional) – Shopify’s hosting solution for Hydrogen storefronts.

Pros of Shopify Headless

• Developer-friendly with pre-built eCommerce components in Hydrogen.
• Seamless Shopify ecosystem integration with Payments, Checkout, and admin tools.
• Large third-party app marketplace for additional functionality.
• Enterprise scalability with Shopify Plus, offering advanced API rate limits.

Cons of Shopify Headless

• Limited checkout customization unless using Shopify Plus.
• Storefront API uses GraphQL, which requires additional development expertise.
• Higher development costs, as going headless requires React developers.

Best for:

• Brands already using Shopify that want a custom frontend.
• Businesses that rely on Shopify’s ecosystem for apps, payments, and fulfillment.
• Developers comfortable with React and GraphQL looking for a Shopify-native headless solution.

BigCommerce Headless: Catalyst + Open API Architecture

BigCommerce takes a more open-ended approach to headless commerce, allowing businesses to use their preferred frontend technology with a strong REST and GraphQL API system.

What Makes BigCommerce’s Headless Platform Unique?

• Supports Multiple Frontend Frameworks – Use Next.js, Vue.js, Nuxt, Gatsby, or any frontend of your choice.
• Full Checkout Customization – Modify checkout without enterprise restrictions.
• Multi-Storefront Capabilities – Manage multiple storefronts from a single backend.
• Flexible API Choices – Supports both REST and GraphQL APIs for better development flexibility.

Pros of BigCommerce Headless

• Greater frontend flexibility – No requirement to use a specific framework.
• Multi-storefront management – Sell in different regions or brands from one backend.
• More control over checkout experiences – Unlike Shopify, checkout is fully customizable.
• Lower platform fees – Shopify takes a percentage of sales unless you use Shopify Payments, whereas BigCommerce does not.

Cons of BigCommerce Headless

• Smaller app marketplace compared to Shopify.
• Requires more developer effort to set up compared to Shopify Hydrogen.
• May require additional third-party tools to match Shopify’s built-in features.

Best for:

• Brands needing multi-storefront functionality.
• Businesses that want total control over checkout and API integrations.
• Companies looking for cost-effective scalability without transaction fees.

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Shopify vs. BigCommerce Headless: Which One is Right for You?

Here’s a direct comparison.

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Final Verdict

Shopify Headless is ideal if you’re already deep in the Shopify ecosystem, want a guided headless experience with Hydrogen, and don’t mind using Shopify Checkout.

BigCommerce Headless (Catalyst) is the better choice if you need maximum flexibility, plan to sell across multiple brands or regions, and want full control over checkout and APIs.

Still unsure? That’s where we come in. At Electric Enjin, we don’t just build eCommerce sites—we craft high-performing, future-proof digital experiences. Whether you’re going headless for speed, customization, or multi-storefront management, we can help you make the right call without burning a hole in your budget.