BigCommerce vs Square for Retail
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading e-commerce & retail solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose BigCommerce if you need Multi-channel selling and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose Square for Retail if you prioritize Contactless payments and want a free tier to start. Both are rated 4.0/5 by users.
BigCommerce vs Square for Retail: At a Glance
| Criteria | BigCommerce | Square for Retail |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Pricing | $29.95/month | Free |
| Pricing Model | subscription | transaction-based |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Category | E-commerce & Retail | E-commerce & Retail |
| Founded | 2009 | 2009 |
Feature Comparison: BigCommerce vs Square for Retail
| Feature | BigCommerce | Square for Retail |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-channel selling | ||
| Built-in SEO | ||
| Abandoned cart recovery | ||
| Customer segmentation | ||
| Marketing automation | ||
| B2B functionality | ||
| API access | ||
| Advanced security | ||
| Contactless payments | ||
| Inventory tracking | ||
| Employee management | ||
| Customer profiles | ||
| Sales analytics | ||
| Receipt printing | ||
| Integration with Square Online | ||
| Reporting tools |
BigCommerce vs Square for Retail: Pricing Breakdown
BigCommerce Pricing
Model: subscription
- Unlimited products
- 2 staff accounts
- Basic reports
- Email support
- All Standard features
- Up to 5 staff accounts
- Advanced reports
- Priority support
Square for Retail Pricing
Model: transaction-based
- Point of sale
- Payment processing
- Basic inventory
- 1 register
- All Basic features
- Unlimited registers
- Advanced inventory
- Priority support
Pros and Cons
BigCommerce
Pros
- Rich feature set with 8+ capabilities
- Strong Multi-channel selling functionality
- Strong Built-in SEO functionality
- Integrates with 5+ tools
Cons
- No free plan available
- Limited platform support (Web only)
- May require time to learn advanced features
Square for Retail
Pros
- Free plan available to get started
- Rich feature set with 8+ capabilities
- Strong Contactless payments functionality
- Strong Inventory tracking functionality
- Integrates with 5+ tools
Cons
- Limited platform support (Web only)
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use BigCommerce vs Square for Retail?
Choose BigCommerce if you:
- Need Multi-channel selling
- Have a budget of $29.95/month+
- Work primarily on Web
- Value Built-in SEO
Choose Square for Retail if you:
- Need Contactless payments
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web
- Value Inventory tracking
Frequently Asked Questions: BigCommerce vs Square for Retail
Is BigCommerce better than Square for Retail?
It depends on your needs. BigCommerce has a 4.0/5 user rating while Square for Retail has 4.0/5. BigCommerce excels in Multi-channel selling and Built-in SEO, while Square for Retail stands out with Contactless payments and Inventory tracking. Consider your budget ($29.95/month vs Free), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, BigCommerce or Square for Retail?
BigCommerce starts at $29.95/month. Square for Retail offers a free plan and starts at Free. Square for Retail has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use BigCommerce and Square for Retail together?
While both are e-commerce & retail tools, some teams use complementary software together. Both offer integrations with popular business tools that may enable some interoperability. However, most users find that one solution covers their core e-commerce & retail needs.
What are the main differences between BigCommerce and Square for Retail?
The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs transaction-based), platform support (Web vs Web), and feature focus. BigCommerce emphasizes Multi-channel selling, Built-in SEO, Abandoned cart recovery while Square for Retail focuses on Contactless payments, Inventory tracking, Employee management. User ratings differ slightly: 4.0 vs 4.0 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both BigCommerce and Square for Retail.