BigCommerce or Reckon? How to Pick the Right Fit for Your Team
Stop researching and start deciding. Our feature-by-feature comparison of BigCommerce and Reckon gives mid-market Australian businesses the clarity they need - in minutes, not hours.
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature analysis for BigCommerce and Reckon.
Store customisation
BigCommerce
Headless commerce support with a robust API allows developers to build custom storefronts using any frontend framework
Reckon
Reckon manages invoices, contacts, payments, payroll and 4 more object types
BigCommerce highlights store customisation as a core strength. Reckon offers the capability but does not position it as a primary differentiator.
Product management
BigCommerce
Built-in B2B features including customer-specific pricing, quote management, and purchase orders suit wholesale and trade businesses
Reckon
Payroll module includes award interpretation and superannuation management at a lower price point than standalone payroll platforms
Both platforms are strong here. BigCommerce emphasises this as a core strength, and Reckon also invests heavily in product management. Review each platform's approach to see which aligns with your team's workflow.
Payment processing
BigCommerce
No transaction fees on any plan regardless of payment gateway, which sets it apart from Shopify and saves margin on every sale
Reckon
Reckon provides payment processing functionality, popular with Trades & Construction businesses
BigCommerce highlights payment processing as a core strength. Reckon offers the capability but does not position it as a primary differentiator.
Shipping and fulfilment
BigCommerce
BigCommerce provides shipping and fulfilment functionality, popular with Retail & E-commerce businesses
Reckon
Reckon provides shipping and fulfilment functionality, popular with Trades & Construction businesses
Both BigCommerce and Reckon address shipping and fulfilment. The right choice depends on whether you prioritise depth of functionality or breadth of your overall platform.
SEO and marketing tools
BigCommerce
Limitation: Marketing and SEO tools are functional but less polished than Shopify, and some features require third-party apps to match
Reckon
Limitation: The cloud platform (Reckon One) has a smaller third-party integration ecosystem than Xero, limiting connectivity with modern SaaS tools
If seo and marketing tools is a daily-use area for your team, the onboarding curve and keyboard ergonomics matter more than feature counts - trial both with a real operator, not an evaluator.
Mobile commerce
BigCommerce
Headless commerce support with a robust API allows developers to build custom storefronts using any frontend framework
Reckon
Limitation: Mobile app functionality is limited compared to competitors, making on-the-go invoicing and expense management less convenient
BigCommerce highlights mobile commerce as a core strength. Reckon offers the capability but does not position it as a primary differentiator.
Invoicing
BigCommerce
BigCommerce provides invoicing functionality, popular with Retail & E-commerce businesses
Reckon
Reckon One modular pricing lets businesses pay only for features they use - invoicing, payroll, and projects are separate add-ons
Reckon highlights invoicing as a core strength. BigCommerce offers the capability but does not position it as a primary differentiator.
Expense tracking
BigCommerce
BigCommerce provides expense tracking functionality, popular with Retail & E-commerce businesses
Reckon
Limitation: Mobile app functionality is limited compared to competitors, making on-the-go invoicing and expense management less convenient
expense tracking support varies across BigCommerce and Reckon's plan tiers. Check whether the capabilities you need are on the plan you can actually afford.
Bank reconciliation
BigCommerce
BigCommerce provides bank reconciliation functionality, popular with Retail & E-commerce businesses
Reckon
Reckon provides bank reconciliation functionality, popular with Trades & Construction businesses
If bank reconciliation is a daily-use area for your team, the onboarding curve and keyboard ergonomics matter more than feature counts - trial both with a real operator, not an evaluator.
Payroll
BigCommerce
BigCommerce provides payroll functionality, popular with Retail & E-commerce businesses
Reckon
Reckon One modular pricing lets businesses pay only for features they use - invoicing, payroll, and projects are separate add-ons
Reckon highlights payroll as a core strength. BigCommerce offers the capability but does not position it as a primary differentiator.
Tax reporting and BAS
BigCommerce
BigCommerce includes tax reporting and bas capabilities. Feature depth varies by plan tier
Reckon
Reckon includes tax reporting and bas capabilities. Feature depth varies by plan tier
Edge cases in tax reporting and bas (bulk edits, exports, undo, permissions) are where BigCommerce and Reckon diverge; map your five toughest scenarios and reproduce them in each trial.
Multi-currency support
BigCommerce
Headless commerce support with a robust API allows developers to build custom storefronts using any frontend framework
Reckon
Reckon offers multi-currency support capabilities. Support depth and SLA commitments vary by plan
BigCommerce highlights multi-currency support as a core strength. Reckon offers the capability but does not position it as a primary differentiator.
Pricing Comparison
General pricing information for each platform.
BigCommerce
Standard from approximately $45/month, Plus from approximately $130/month, Pro from approximately $450/month, Enterprise custom pricing (AUD). No transaction fees on any plan. Annual revenue caps apply per tier.
Prices shown are approximate and may differ based on your plan, team size, and billing cycle. Verify directly with the vendor for current AUD rates.
Reckon
Reckon One from approximately $12/month (book-keeping only). Invoicing add-on from approximately $5/month, Payroll from approximately $10/month, Projects from approximately $5/month (AUD). Reckon Accounts desktop pricing varies. Per-employee payroll fees apply.
Pricing is indicative only and subject to change. We recommend contacting the vendor for a tailored quote based on your Australian business needs.
Pros & Cons
An honest look at the strengths and limitations of each platform.
BigCommerce
Pros
- No transaction fees on any plan regardless of payment gateway, which sets it apart from Shopify and saves margin on every sale
- Built-in B2B features including customer-specific pricing, quote management, and purchase orders suit wholesale and trade businesses
- Headless commerce support with a robust API allows developers to build custom storefronts using any frontend framework
- Multi-storefront capability lets businesses run multiple branded stores from a single BigCommerce backend and inventory pool
- Native multi-currency and multi-language support without requiring paid apps, making international selling more accessible
Cons
- Annual revenue thresholds on each plan force upgrades as you grow, which can feel punitive for high-revenue, low-margin businesses
- App ecosystem is smaller than Shopify with approximately 1,000 apps versus 8,000+, so niche functionality may require custom development
- Theme customisation uses Stencil framework which has a steeper learning curve than Shopify Liquid for frontend developers
- Marketing and SEO tools are functional but less polished than Shopify, and some features require third-party apps to match
Reckon
Pros
- One of the most affordable Australian accounting platforms, with pricing significantly below Xero and MYOB for basic bookkeeping needs
- Reckon One modular pricing lets businesses pay only for features they use - invoicing, payroll, and projects are separate add-ons
- Desktop version (Reckon Accounts) suits businesses that prefer on-premise accounting with local data storage
- BAS and STP compliance is built in for the Australian market, with ATO direct lodgement capability
- Payroll module includes award interpretation and superannuation management at a lower price point than standalone payroll platforms
Cons
- The cloud platform (Reckon One) has a smaller third-party integration ecosystem than Xero, limiting connectivity with modern SaaS tools
- User interface feels dated compared to Xero and even MYOB, which can affect staff adoption and efficiency
- Market share in Australia has declined, meaning fewer accountants and bookkeepers are familiar with the platform
- Mobile app functionality is limited compared to competitors, making on-the-go invoicing and expense management less convenient
Best For
Which tool suits which use case.
Choose BigCommerce if you need
- ✓ Teams needing extensive third-party integrations
- ✓ Complex data models (orders, products, customers and more)
- ✓ Real-time data sync across platforms
- ✓ Multichannel selling
- ✓ Online store management
Choose Reckon if you need
- ✓ Tax compliance
- ✓ Trades & Construction businesses
- ✓ Complex data models (invoices, contacts, payments and more)
- ✓ Retail & E-commerce organisations
- ✓ Invoicing and payments
Expert Verdict
Our Harvard-educated consultants' take on this comparison.
Clever Ops Recommendation
BigCommerce and Reckon solve different problems: BigCommerce handles e-commerce, while Reckon covers accounting & finance. Most mid-market Australian businesses benefit from running both with a proper integration layer. BigCommerce is the right pick when growing e-commerce businesses that need B2B features, multi-storefront capability, and want to avoid transaction fees, particularly those considering headless commerce architecture. Reckon fits when cost-conscious Australian small businesses that need basic accounting with local compliance and payroll at a lower price point than Xero or MYOB. Clever Ops can design the integration architecture and implement both, typically within 4-8 weeks.
Migration Notes
What to know about switching between BigCommerce and Reckon.
Migrating Between BigCommerce and Reckon
Migrating between BigCommerce and Reckon involves transferring inventory and mapping custom fields. Clever Ops follows a structured migration process: discovery, data mapping, test migration, verification, and cutover. We typically complete migrations within 4-8 weeks. Historical data is preserved, and we run parallel systems during the transition to minimise risk. Post-migration, we provide 3 months of support to ensure everything runs smoothly.
BigCommerce vs Reckon FAQ
Since BigCommerce (e-commerce) and Reckon (accounting & finance) serve different functions, many businesses run both. The key is connecting them so data flows automatically. Clever Ops builds these integrations, keeping inventory in sync across both platforms.
Switching costs include data migration, team retraining, workflow rebuilding, and potential downtime. BigCommerce pricing: Standard from approximately $45/month, Plus from approximately $130/month, Pro from approximately $450/month, Enterprise custom pricing (AUD). Reckon pricing: Reckon One from approximately $12/month (book-keeping only). Beyond licensing costs, budget for implementation (Clever Ops typically completes migrations in 4-8 weeks) and training. We run parallel systems during transitions and provide 3 months of post-migration support to minimise disruption.
For Retail & E-commerce, the answer depends on your operational model. BigCommerce is best for growing e-commerce businesses that need B2B features, multi-storefront capability, and want to avoid transaction fees, particularly those considering headless commerce architecture. Reckon is best for cost-conscious Australian small businesses that need basic accounting with local compliance and payroll at a lower price point than Xero or MYOB. Clever Ops has helped businesses across Retail & E-commerce choose the right stack. Book a free assessment for advice specific to your situation.
Reckon is generally simpler to set up. BigCommerce typically requires more configuration and may benefit from expert implementation support. Clever Ops provides implementation services for both platforms, typically completing setup within 2 weeks.
BigCommerce handles e-commerce (orders, products, customers), while Reckon covers accounting & finance (invoices, contacts, payments). The key is connecting them so data flows automatically between both systems. Clever Ops builds these integrations, eliminating manual data entry and reducing errors across your operations.
BigCommerce may hit limits when small businesses just starting out who need a large app ecosystem for plug-and-play functionality, or non-technical teams who want the simplest possible theme customisation. Reckon may hit limits when businesses that need extensive third-party app integrations, a modern user interface, or teams whose accountants recommend Xero or MYOB for seamless collaboration. Both platforms are designed to grow with your business, but scaling experience varies. BigCommerce connects with 62+ tools, and Reckon with 40+, so integration flexibility at scale is comparable. Clever Ops helps mid-market Australian businesses plan their tech stack for growth, not just for today.
BigCommerce is more commonly used in Manufacturing. Reckon is stronger in Trades & Construction and Retail & E-commerce. That said, popularity alone should not drive your decision. The right tool depends on your specific processes and integration needs. Clever Ops can advise based on what we have seen work for similar businesses.
Both BigCommerce and Reckon provide standard security measures including encryption, access controls, and compliance certifications. BigCommerce uses a REST + Webhook API and Reckon uses REST, both supporting secure data transfer. For Australian businesses handling sensitive data under the Privacy Act, data residency and local support are worth verifying with each vendor. Clever Ops, based in Gippsland, Victoria, can review each platform's security posture against your compliance requirements during a free assessment.
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