FluentCart vs. BigCommerce

Own eCommerce Store Without Platform Lock-In

FeatureFluentcart
FluentCart
BigCommerce-logomark-whitebg
BigCommerce
Platform Type
TickWordPress Plugin (Self-Hosted)
CrossSaaS (with WordPress Integration)
Hosting
TickSelf-Hosted
CrossCloud Hosted by BigCommerce
License Management
TickBuilt-In
TickNot Supported Natively
Subscription
TickBuilt-In
CrossExternal Premium Tools
Hybrid Products
TickBuilt-In
TickBuilt-In
Email Marketing 🔶 FluentCRM 🔶 External APIs and Tools
Developer Friendly
TickFull PHP, Hooks, REST API
🔶 API Only, No Core Access
Open Source
Tick100% Open Source
TickSaaS Platform
Admin Experience
TickSingle Dashboard
🔶 Switching Between Platforms
Recurring Payments
TickBuilt-In
🔶 Via API & Gateways
Reporting & Insights
TickAdvanced Reports, LTV, Heatmaps, Refunds
🔶 Basic Reports, Advanced via Apps
Community Support
TickGlobal WordPress Ecosystem & Experts
🔶 Platform-Specific Community
Payment Gateways
TickStripe, PayPal, Manual, & More
TickStripe, PayPal, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay
Custom Checkout Logic
TickRole-based, product-level, Native rules
TickLimited- API for Development

FluentCart is a fully self-hosted, WordPress-native eCommerce solution—no SaaS platform, no API lock-ins, and no monthly fees. You get full control over your data, performance, and customization, all within the WordPress ecosystem.

Customizable to the Core, Without the Complexity

Total Freedom for Developers

No restrictions. No platform rules. Just your code, your store, your way.

Customize everything, not just templates

FluentCart puts you in full control—with unrestricted access to PHP, hooks, filters, and templates. Real customization means real access, and FluentCart gives you the freedom to build exactly what you envision, without waiting for approval or workaround solutions.

BigCommerce confines you to its proprietary templating engine and APIs. Much of the core functionality is locked behind the closed doors of a SaaS platform, limiting how far you can truly customize your store.

Cross-level freedom

From checkout flows to license management, FluentCart empowers real developer workflows. Whether you need custom billing rules or complex product logic, you’re in complete control of the stack—no constraints, no compromises.

BigCommerce, on the other hand, offers customization that’s mostly skin-deep—unless you’re prepared to wrestle with APIs and navigate around platform limitations.

Powered by the WordPress ecosystem

FluentCart runs natively in WordPress, working seamlessly with your themes, plugins, and dev tools. It’s familiar, extensible, and ready for headless, REST API, or Gutenberg development.

With BigCommerce, integration feels separate—not native—often making you work around the platform rather than with it.

FluentCart Logo

Who Should Get FluentCart

BigCommerce-logomark-whitebg

Who Should Get BigCommerce