BigCommerce vs soona
BigCommerce and soona aren't direct competitors—they solve different problems. BigCommerce is your store platform. soona is your content studio. Here's how to decide which one you actually need.
Best for: Growing brands needing a scalable ecommerce platform, B2B and wholesale businesses
Best for: Ecommerce brands needing a constant stream of photos and videos., Teams frustrated with slow, expensive agency turnaround times.
Robust tools meet customer service disconnect.
We observe BigCommerce heavily emphasizing high-level enterprise tools, like guaranteed 0% transaction fees and robust infrastructure for scalability. However, user reviews detail severe service issues, including unexpected server outages and deeply unresponsive customer support, even for priority users. Overall, BigCommerce provides impressive technical capability that is unfortunately undermined by inconsistent stability and poor customer experience.
Pros
- Guaranteed 0% transaction fees on the Enterprise plan.
- High reliability with 99.99% reported uptime.
- Industry-leading optimized one-page checkout available.
- Customizable, non-cookie cutter themes compared to competitors.
Cons
- Customer service is frequently reported as unhelpful, non-existent, or indifferent.
- Specific users mention significant, unexpected server downtime (e.g., 25-hour outages).
- Platform infrastructure (CMS, blog system) reportedly struggles with SEO and formatting.
- Essential features like product filters are locked behind high-tier plans.
Fast, ecommerce-focused content creation.
We found soona delivers on its promise of speed and simplicity for ecommerce brands needing reliable photo and video assets. The live collaboration and channel-specific optimization are standout features. Overall, it's a strong choice for teams prioritizing a streamlined, fast-to-market content workflow.
Pros
- Dramatically faster content turnaround, often in 24 hours.
- Live virtual shoots for real-time feedback and collaboration.
- Content optimized for specific channels like Amazon and Shopify.
- Generally more affordable than traditional agencies.
Cons
- Pricing can be confusing, with per-asset costs adding up.
- Requires a Studio Pass for one-time bookings, adding to cost.
- Ideal for frequent users; may not suit very low-volume needs.
- Focus is on standard ecommerce content, not complex cinematic work.
AboutBigCommerce
BigCommerce Essentials is a top-rated ecommerce platform designed specifically for fast-growing businesses, including high-volume operations and B2B SMBs. It operates as a high-performance platform that truly scales with you. Built-in flexibility means you have the freedom to customize your store and save money at the same time. You get robust features that ensure efficient operation, allowing you to focus on expanding your brand and attracting more shoppers. ✅
Aboutsoona
✨ soona is a creative platform designed specifically for ecommerce brands. It connects you to a network of expert photographers and models to produce professional photo and video content.
Think of it as your on-demand content studio. You can plan a shoot, attend virtually, and get finalized assets optimized for all your sales channels.
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Core Purpose
This is the biggest difference. BigCommerce is where you sell. soona is what you sell with.
BigCommerce is a full ecommerce platform. It lets you build a store, process payments, and manage orders. You can sell B2B and wholesale, and manage multiple storefronts from one backend. soona is a creative platform. It connects you with photographers and models to create product photos and videos. The content is optimized for channels like Amazon, Shopify, and social ads. The key difference: You can't sell on soona, and you can't create professional content on BigCommerce. They solve completely different problems in the ecommerce journey.
Ecommerce Features
BigCommerce is built to run your online store. soona has zero ecommerce features.
BigCommerce offers a full suite of store management tools. You get checkout, inventory, customer groups, and multi-currency support. It has a 99.99% uptime guarantee and B2B features. soona doesn't sell anything. It's purely for creating the visual assets you need for your store. It has integrations to pull products from Shopify and Amazon, but no store functionality. If you need to sell products, BigCommerce is the only option here. soona is a supplement, not a replacement.
Content Creation
soona is built for this. BigCommerce offers basic tools but nothing professional.
soona provides professional photographers and models on demand. You can join shoots live for real-time feedback. They promise 24-hour turnaround for finished assets. BigCommerce lets you upload photos you already have. You can use a drag-and-drop builder and customizable themes. But you're creating your own content. soona's speed and quality are unmatched here. BigCommerce gives you the platform to display content, but not create it.
Pricing Model
BigCommerce uses traditional SaaS pricing. soona uses a unique per-asset model.
BigCommerce has custom Enterprise pricing. You request a quote. The Essentials plans have free trials but no listed prices. There's a $0 transaction fee on Enterprise. soona charges $13-$49/month for memberships. You also pay per photo ($39) and per video ($93). There's a $149 Studio Pass for non-members. It's usage-based. The big difference: BigCommerce is a predictable monthly cost. soona costs more the more content you create.
Speed to Market
soona is faster for getting content. BigCommerce is faster for getting a store live.
soona promises 24-hour content delivery. You can plan a shoot and get finished assets in a day. This is 5X faster than traditional agencies. BigCommerce has ready-made templates and a drag-and-drop builder. You can launch a basic store in days. But complex stores take weeks or months. It depends on your goal. Need product photos fast? soona wins. Need a store built fast? BigCommerce wins.
Customer Support
Both have support, but user experiences differ widely.
BigCommerce offers 24/7 US-based support. Enterprise gets priority phone and chat. Some users report slow or unhelpful responses. soona provides support during onboarding. Enterprise gets a dedicated account manager. Users praise the responsive, helpful support team. soona's support gets better reviews. BigCommerce's support is available but inconsistent.
Ease of Use
Both are praised for simplicity, but in different areas.
soona's entire process is streamlined: plan, shoot, get content. Users call it 'slick' and 'super easy.' The live collaboration adds clarity. BigCommerce has a learning curve for new users. The backend can be complex. Once set up, it's powerful but not always intuitive. soona wins for overall ease of its specific process. BigCommerce is more powerful but harder to master.
Integrations
soona integrates with stores. BigCommerce is the store.
soona connects directly to Shopify and Amazon. It pulls product data and pushes content back. There's also a Canva integration. BigCommerce integrates with 55+ payment providers. It connects to ERPs, shipping tools, and marketing apps. It's headless-ready with unlimited API calls. BigCommerce has far more integrations overall. soona's are focused and useful for its purpose.
Since pricing for the most scalable options is custom, the UI requests a quote. The detailed information below relates specifically to the features included in the Enterprise service level. If you are looking for small business solutions, BigCommerce points you toward their Essentials plans.
Enterprise
Price: Request a quote Websites Supported: Multiple (via Multi-Storefront feature) Best For: Ecommerce success for mid-market and enterprise brands Other Features:
- No additional transaction fees (0%)
- Unlimited staff accounts and API calls
- 24/7 priority support (phone, chat, and ticket)
- Multi-currency support and Price lists
- Migration assistance
The Enterprise plan is tailored for large-scale operations that require maximum performance and flexibility. You benefit from highly specific features like comprehensive migration assistance and fully customizable checkout options. This plan ensures your operations run smoothly, offering robust security standards and dedicated customer success management.
- 0% additional transaction fees
- Unlimited staff accounts
- 24/7 priority support
- Multi-Storefront access
- Unlimited API calls
- Start free trial available
- Ecommerce for Growing Brands
soona pricing: soona offers flexible creative memberships starting at $13/month annually, plus a one-time Studio Pass option for $149 per booking. Content is purchased individually starting at $39 per photo or $93 per video clip after your shoot is complete. \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\ Plans range: $1–$500/month Billing options: Free plan, Monthly subscription, Yearly subscription, Usage-based pricing
Pricing Notes
- BigCommerce Enterprise pricing is custom; you must request a quote.
- soona's per-asset costs add up: $39/photo, $93/video clip.
- soona's Studio Pass ($149) is required for non-members.
- BigCommerce offers a free trial for Essentials plans.
- soona's Standard membership ($49/month) includes free edits.
Pricing Head-to-Head
User Reviews
User reviews for BigCommerce show a sharp division in experience, reflected by the low Trustpilot score (1.4). While some users find the platform intuitive and highly customizable compared to standard competitors, the dominant sentiment focuses on major technical and support failures.
Recurring complaints highlight unexpected and significant unreliability issues, with multiple reports of severe, multi-hour server outages. Furthermore, customer service is frequently described as the "worst," often failing to solve problems or responding with indifference, even for Enterprise customers.
I am on the enterprise plan and the support is completely non-existent. This platform has simply been an absolute disaster, wasting both time and money for our business. I would strongly advise others to stay away from it.
Based on Trustpilot reviews, users frequently praise soona for its speed, quality, and ease of use. The platform is often called a "game-changer" for its fast turnaround and the professional look of the final assets.
🎯 Many appreciate the live shoot collaboration, which gives them control and direct input. However, a recurring theme is confusion over pricing, particularly the per-asset costs, which some feel are not transparent upfront.
The turnaround time is incredible. We got stunning, on-brand photos in 24 hours, which was a total game-changer for our launch.
Our Verdict
Here's the bottom line: BigCommerce and soona aren't competitors—they're partners. You might need one, the other, or both. BigCommerce is your online store. It gives you checkout, inventory, and a place to sell. It scales from small shops to enterprise with 99.99% uptime. soona is your content studio. It creates professional photos and videos in 24 hours. It's perfect for Amazon, Shopify, and social media ads. The deciding factor is your problem. Need to sell products online? Choose BigCommerce. Need better product content fast? Choose soona. Most growing brands need both. Use BigCommerce to run your store. Use soona to create the content that makes it sell. They solve different parts of the same puzzle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell products on soona?
No, soona doesn't sell products. It creates product photos and videos for you to use on your store. You still need a platform like BigCommerce to sell.
Do I need BigCommerce if I use soona?
Yes, if you want to sell online. soona creates the content, but BigCommerce provides the store, checkout, and payment processing to actually sell products.
Is soona cheaper than hiring a photographer?
Often yes. soona says it's 34% cheaper than traditional agencies. You pay per asset ($39/photo), which can be more affordable than a full photoshoot.
Does BigCommerce create product photos?
No, BigCommerce is a platform to display photos, not create them. You need to create or source your own content. soona specializes in this.
Which is better for Amazon sellers?
You likely need both. Use BigCommerce if you want your own storefront. Use soona to create Amazon-optimized product photos and videos that follow their guidelines.
Can I connect soona to my BigCommerce store?
soona integrates directly with Shopify and Amazon. Integration with BigCommerce isn't currently listed, so you'd need to upload assets manually.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.