7 BigCommerce Alternatives for CBD Brands

CBD brands face unique challenges when selecting an ecommerce platform: complex product catalogs with multiple potencies and formulations, high-risk payment processing requirements, and subscription models that drive recurring revenue. While BigCommerce offers solid CBD support with its 9+ payment processors and zero transaction fees, many brands outgrow its 600-variant limit or need native subscription capabilities without costly third-party apps. Whether you're launching a new CBD store or migrating from an existing platform, these seven alternatives offer compelling features for high-risk ecommerce. For brands prioritizing flexibility and long-term scalability, an API-first platform can eliminate the need to re-platform as your business grows.

Key Takeaways

• Transaction fees significantly impact CBD margins: BigCommerce and Swell both offer 0% transaction fees on external payment gateways, while Shopify charges 0.5-2%—costing CBD brands $2,500-$10,000 annually on $500K in sales
• Product variant limits affect catalog flexibility: Swell provides unlimited variants for complex CBD formulations, compared to BigCommerce's 600-variant cap and Shopify's 100-variant limit with only 3 options per product
• Native subscription engines eliminate app dependency costs: Platforms with built-in subscription billing save CBD brands $50-200/month in third-party app fees required by BigCommerce and Shopify
• Payment gateway diversity is critical for high-risk merchants: BigCommerce supports 9+ CBD-friendly processors, while self-hosted solutions like WooCommerce have limited CBD-friendly payment gateway options compared to other platforms
• Headless architecture enables custom compliance workflows: API-first platforms allow CBD brands to build age verification, Certificate of Analysis displays, and state-specific shipping rules without plugin dependencies

1. Swell — API-First Architecture with Unlimited Product Flexibility

Swell stands as the optimal choice for CBD brands seeking long-term scalability without re-platforming. The platform's API-first, headless architecture provides unmatched flexibility for building custom compliance workflows while its native subscription engine eliminates costly app dependencies.

Key Features:

• Unlimited product options, variants, and custom attributes for complex CBD formulations
• Built-in subscription billing with flexible intervals, dunning management, and customer self-service
• 0% transaction fees on all external payment gateways
• Multi-gateway encrypted card vault preventing platform lock-in
• Support for 230 currencies, 170 languages for international expansion
• Full API access enabling custom age verification and COA display systems

Pricing Structure:

• Starter: $29/month (up to $50K annual sales)
• Basic: $79/month (up to $250K annual sales)
• Standard: $299/month (up to $1M annual sales)
• Unlimited: $2,250/month (up to $5M annual sales)

Swell's greatest strength for CBD brands lies in its native subscription engine. While BigCommerce requires third-party apps costing $50-200/month for subscription commerce, Swell includes automatic payment retry, card expiration notifications, and prorated invoicing at no additional cost. The platform also delivers 50-70% faster loads compared to traditional platforms through its headless architecture.

For CBD brands with complex catalogs spanning multiple potencies, sizes, and delivery methods, Swell's unlimited variants eliminate the workarounds required on platforms with arbitrary caps. The unified payment abstraction layer supports integration with any CBD-friendly processor while the encrypted card vault ensures stored payment methods work across all gateways—critical flexibility for high-risk merchants who may need to switch processors.

Best For: Subscription-first CBD brands, companies with complex product catalogs, and businesses planning for long-term growth without re-platforming.

2. Shopify — Largest Ecosystem with Proven Scalability

Shopify maintains its position as a leading ecommerce platform, offering the fastest path to launch for CBD brands willing to work within its constraints.

Key Features:

• 8,000+ apps in the marketplace for extended functionality
• Proven reliability serving millions of active stores
• Fast implementation timeline of 1-2 weeks
• Intuitive interface suitable for non-technical users
• Extensive third-party support and agency ecosystem

Pricing Structure:

• Basic: $19/month
• Grow: $49/month
• Advanced: $299/month
• Plus: $2,300/month for enterprise features

The platform's primary constraint for CBD brands centers on its 100-variant limit with only 3 options per product. CBD catalogs featuring multiple potencies, sizes, flavors, and formulations often exceed this cap, requiring workarounds or duplicate products. Additionally, Shopify Payments cannot process CBD transactions, forcing brands to use third-party gateways while still paying 0.5-2% platform transaction fees.

Subscription commerce requires apps like ReCharge, adding $30-300/month to operational costs. Some CBD merchants also report concerns about account stability, making platform diversification a consideration for risk-conscious brands.

Best For: CBD brands prioritizing speed to market, those with simple product catalogs, and businesses comfortable with app-based functionality expansion.

3. WooCommerce — Self-Hosted Flexibility with Full Control

WooCommerce offers complete platform ownership through its open-source WordPress plugin, providing maximum customization for technically capable CBD brands.

Key Features:

• Free core plugin with unlimited product variants
• 60,000+ plugins for extensive customization
• Full ownership of platform and data
• WordPress SEO advantages through Yoast/RankMath integration
• Zero platform transaction fees

Cost Structure:

• Core plugin: Free
• Hosting: $50-200/month for cannabis-optimized managed hosting
• Essential plugins: $600-1,200 annually for subscriptions, security, and performance
• Total cost: $150-400/month including hosting, plugins, and maintenance

The platform's self-hosted nature provides maximum control but introduces significant maintenance overhead. CBD brands must manage updates, security patches, and plugin compatibility independently. Velobici, a cycling apparel brand, migrated away from WooCommerce citing poor UI, difficult stock management, and plugin complexity.

Payment processing presents a notable challenge for CBD merchants on WooCommerce, with limited CBD-friendly payment gateway options compared to other platforms. Performance also depends heavily on hosting quality, requiring ongoing optimization as traffic grows.

Best For: Content-driven CBD brands leveraging WordPress SEO, technically proficient teams, and businesses prioritizing complete platform ownership over managed convenience.

4. Shift4Shop — Budget-Friendly Entry with Built-In Features

Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) provides a cost-effective entry point for CBD brands with its free tier option and comprehensive built-in features.

Key Features:

• Free tier available for qualifying merchants
• 100+ payment gateways supported
• Built-in age verification capabilities
• SEO tools included without additional apps
• No transaction fees on any plan

Pricing Structure:

• Free tier: $0/month (transaction limits apply)
• End-to-End: $229/month (premium features)

The platform's free tier comes with conditions—merchants must use Shift4's payment processing to qualify. For CBD brands, this may present challenges depending on Shift4's current high-risk processing policies. The End-to-End plan at $229/month removes this requirement but positions the platform in a similar price range to more feature-rich alternatives.

Shift4Shop includes built-in features that competitors charge extra for, including SEO tools and age verification. However, the platform's smaller ecosystem and market presence mean fewer third-party integrations and community resources compared to Shopify or BigCommerce.

Best For: Budget-conscious CBD startups, brands comfortable with Shift4's payment processing, and merchants prioritizing built-in features over ecosystem size.

5. Square Online — Unified POS and Ecommerce for Omnichannel CBD

Square Online delivers seamless integration between physical retail and online sales, making it ideal for CBD brands with brick-and-mortar locations.

Key Features:

• Unified inventory management across POS and online
• Free basic plan available
• Built-in payment processing
• Instagram and Facebook selling integration
• Automatic tax calculation

Pricing Structure:

• Free: $0/month (Square branding, basic features)
• Plus: $49/month
• Premium: $149/month

Square participates in CBD payment programs, providing a more straightforward path to payment processing than many alternatives. However, the platform locks merchants to Square's processing rates, which can exceed standard gateway fees. For CBD brands processing significant volume, these higher rates accumulate quickly.

The platform's strength lies in omnichannel unification rather than pure ecommerce capabilities. Inventory synchronization between physical stores and online channels eliminates overselling and simplifies operations for multi-location CBD retailers. However, customization options and advanced features trail behind dedicated ecommerce platforms.

Best For: CBD retailers with physical storefronts, brands prioritizing omnichannel inventory management, and businesses comfortable with Square's processing rates.

6. Wix — Design-First Simplicity for CBD Startups

Wix provides an accessible entry point for CBD brands prioritizing visual design and ease of use over advanced ecommerce functionality.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop website builder with beautiful templates
• No coding required for basic setup
• Built-in email marketing tools
• 0% transaction fees on external gateways
• Affordable pricing structure

Pricing Structure:

• Light: $17/month
• Core: $29/month
• Business: $39/month
• Business Elite: $159/month

The platform excels at enabling non-technical founders to create visually appealing CBD storefronts quickly. Template quality and design flexibility make Wix attractive for brand-focused CBD companies prioritizing aesthetics. However, the platform's ecommerce capabilities remain basic compared to dedicated solutions.

Scalability presents a significant limitation—brands that outgrow Wix's feature set face complex migrations to more robust platforms. Advanced functionality like subscription commerce, complex shipping rules, and sophisticated inventory management require workarounds or may not be possible.

Best For: CBD startups prioritizing design and speed to market, non-technical founders, and brands with simple product catalogs and basic ecommerce needs.

7. Magento (Adobe Commerce) — Enterprise Power for Large-Scale CBD Operations

Magento offers enterprise-grade capabilities for CBD brands with significant resources and complex operational requirements.

Key Features:

• Unlimited customization potential
• B2B and B2C functionality in single platform
• Advanced inventory and warehouse management
• Sophisticated pricing and customer group features
• Extensive API capabilities

Pricing Structure:

• Open Source: Free (hosting, development required)
• Adobe Commerce: Custom enterprise pricing (typically $22,000-$125,000/year)
• Implementation: $50,000-$500,000+

The platform's power comes with proportional complexity and cost. Successful Magento implementations require dedicated development resources and ongoing maintenance investment. For CBD brands processing millions in annual revenue with complex B2B and B2C requirements, Magento's capabilities justify the investment.

Smaller CBD brands typically find Magento's resource requirements prohibitive. The Total Cost of Ownership, including development, hosting, and maintenance, exceeds managed alternatives significantly. However, for enterprise CBD operations requiring maximum customization and control, Magento remains a viable option.

Best For: Large-scale CBD operations with dedicated technical teams, brands with complex B2B requirements, and enterprises requiring maximum customization capabilities.

Why CBD Brands Seek BigCommerce Alternatives

Analysis of platform migration patterns reveals consistent factors driving CBD brands to evaluate alternatives despite BigCommerce's solid CBD support.

Product Catalog Constraints: BigCommerce's 600-variant limit restricts CBD brands offering multiple potencies, sizes, flavors, and delivery methods. Brands often resort to creating duplicate products or complex workarounds, complicating inventory management and customer experience.

Subscription Commerce Costs: CBD brands relying on recurring revenue through subscription models face $50-200/month app fees on BigCommerce. These costs compound with platform fees, payment processing, and other operational expenses.

Architecture Limitations: Traditional SaaS architecture constrains CBD brands needing custom compliance workflows. API-first platforms like Swell enable building age verification systems, Certificate of Analysis displays, and state-specific shipping rules without plugin dependencies or platform limitations.

Revenue-Based Plan Upgrades: BigCommerce's pricing structure triggers automatic tier increases as sales grow, potentially surprising brands with unexpected cost increases during growth phases.

Choosing Your BigCommerce Alternative

Selection criteria should align with your CBD brand's specific operational requirements and growth trajectory:

Choose Swell when you need:

• Unlimited product variants for complex CBD formulations
• Native subscription commerce without app dependencies
• API-first architecture for custom compliance workflows
• Long-term scalability without re-platforming concerns

Choose Shopify when you need:

• Fastest possible time to market
• Extensive app ecosystem for feature expansion
• Simplicity over deep customization

Choose WooCommerce when you need:

• Complete platform ownership and control
• WordPress SEO integration for content marketing
• Technical resources to manage self-hosted infrastructure

Choose Square Online when you need:

• Unified POS and ecommerce for physical retail
• Simplified payment processing setup
• Omnichannel inventory management

For CBD brands evaluating their platform options, Swell's combination of unlimited variants, native subscriptions, and zero transaction fees on external gateways provides the strongest foundation for sustainable growth. Explore Swell's features to see how an API-first approach addresses the unique challenges of CBD ecommerce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are many general ecommerce platforms challenging for CBD products?

CBD operates in a high-risk merchant category, creating payment processing complications on mainstream platforms. Shopify Payments, for example, cannot process CBD transactions, forcing brands to use third-party gateways while still paying platform transaction fees. Additionally, product complexity—multiple potencies, sizes, and formulations—often exceeds variant limits on platforms like Shopify (100 variants) and BigCommerce (600 variants). Brands also require custom compliance features including age verification and Certificate of Analysis displays that traditional platforms handle through plugins rather than native functionality.

What specific features should CBD brands prioritize in a BigCommerce alternative?

Priority features include unlimited product variants to model complex CBD catalogs without workarounds, native subscription capabilities for recurring revenue models, and zero transaction fees on external payment gateways to protect margins. API access for building custom compliance workflows addresses CBD-specific requirements like state shipping restrictions and age gates. Payment gateway flexibility ensures brands can work with high-risk processors without platform lock-in.

How do headless commerce platforms benefit CBD businesses?

Headless architecture separates frontend presentation from backend commerce logic, enabling CBD brands to build custom storefronts using any framework—React, Vue, Next.js—while maintaining a unified backend. This approach allows implementing custom age verification systems, dynamic COA displays, and state-specific shipping rules without plugin limitations. Headless platforms also deliver performance advantages, with Swell reporting 50-70% faster page loads compared to traditional monolithic platforms. For brands planning mobile apps or IoT integrations, API-first architecture provides flexibility traditional platforms cannot match.

Can I migrate my existing BigCommerce product data to a new platform?

Most modern platforms offer migration tools and support for transferring product catalogs, customer databases, and order history. Migration complexity depends on custom data and integrations—standard product and customer data typically transfers via CSV export/import or API connections. Subscription data requires careful handling to maintain billing continuity. Plan for 1-4 months depending on catalog complexity, and consider running parallel systems briefly to ensure continuity during transition.

What are typical costs for operating a CBD ecommerce store on an alternative platform?

Annual costs vary significantly by platform and scale. For a CBD brand processing $500K annually, Swell costs approximately $3,588-$8,588/year with native subscriptions included. BigCommerce ranges from $4,188-$12,188 including subscription apps. Shopify can reach $7,648-$18,388 when accounting for transaction fees and subscription apps. Self-hosted WooCommerce appears cost-effective at $2,600-$12,000 but often requires significant developer investment.

How can I ensure my CBD online store remains compliant with evolving regulations?

Platform flexibility determines compliance adaptability. API-first platforms like Swell enable building custom compliance workflows that can evolve with regulations—age verification, COA management, and state-specific shipping restrictions can be modified without platform constraints. Tax integrations with Avalara and TaxJar automate region-specific tax compliance. For international expansion, platforms supporting explicit pricing rules per currency and automatic exchange rate conversions simplify multi-market compliance. Regular consultation with CBD-specific legal counsel remains essential regardless of platform selection.