BigCommerce vs FastSpring

Detailed side-by-side comparison

BigCommerce

From $29/mo

BigCommerce is an open SaaS e-commerce platform designed for enterprise-level businesses seeking scalable growth. It offers advanced features like multi-storefront capabilities, headless commerce, and B2B functionality with strong SEO tools and no transaction fees.

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FastSpring

Free

FastSpring is a full-service merchant of record and e-commerce platform specifically built for software and SaaS companies selling digital products globally. It handles the entire backend complexity including payment processing, tax compliance, subscription management, and localization across 200+ countries.

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Feature Comparison

Feature	BigCommerce	FastSpring
Payment Processing	Integrates with multiple payment gateways with no transaction fees from BigCommerce itself	Built-in global payment processing with 20+ payment methods and multi-currency support, but charges 5.9% + $0.95 per transaction
Tax Compliance	Merchants responsible for their own tax calculations and compliance across jurisdictions	Acts as merchant of record, automatically handling VAT, sales tax, and GST calculations and compliance across all global markets
Subscription Management	Supports recurring billing through apps and integrations	Native subscription and recurring billing management built specifically for SaaS business models
Customization	Extensive customization options with headless commerce capabilities and API access for complex implementations	Limited customization with pre-built checkout experiences and embedded stores, less suitable for complex business models
Target Market	Designed for enterprise retailers selling physical or digital products with multi-storefront needs and B2B capabilities	Specifically built for software and SaaS companies selling digital products with global compliance needs
Setup Complexity	Steep learning curve requiring more technical expertise and time to fully configure	Quick integration with minimal technical setup, designed for rapid deployment

Pricing Comparison

BigCommerce starts at $29/month with no transaction fees, making it cost-effective for high-volume sellers, while FastSpring has no monthly fee but charges 5.9% + $0.95 per transaction. FastSpring's pricing includes merchant of record services and full compliance handling, which can justify the higher per-transaction cost for businesses selling globally.

Verdict

Choose BigCommerce if...

Choose BigCommerce if you need a highly customizable, scalable e-commerce platform for physical or digital products with multi-storefront capabilities, and you have the resources to manage your own tax compliance and prefer to avoid per-transaction fees on high-volume sales.

Choose FastSpring if...

Choose FastSpring if you're a software or SaaS company selling digital products globally and want to eliminate the complexity of tax compliance, payment processing, and subscription management with a merchant of record that handles all regulatory requirements across 200+ countries.

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Ecommerce

Pros & Cons

BigCommerce

Pros

+ No transaction fees
+ Great for SEO
+ Scalable

Cons

- Steep learning curve
- Fewer themes than Shopify

FastSpring

Pros

+ Eliminates tax compliance burden by acting as merchant of record
+ Quick integration with minimal technical setup required
+ Comprehensive analytics and reporting dashboard
+ Handles VAT, sales tax, and GST calculations automatically across global markets

Cons

- Higher transaction fees compared to basic payment processors (5.9% + $0.95 per transaction)
- Less control over checkout experience compared to building your own
- Limited customization options for complex business models