Big Cartel vs Shopify: Which Platform is Best for Your Online Store?

When it comes to launching an online store, two popular platforms are available to compare: Big Cartel vs Shopify. The decision largely depends on your business goals. Are you just listing a few products, or are you building a brand for long-term growth?

In this article, we’ll dive into a real-world comparison of Big Cartel vs Shopify, breaking down their features, pricing, and ease of use.

Let’s find out which platform is best for your business.

What is Big Cartel?

Big Cartel is an ecommerce platform designed primarily for independent artists, makers, and small businesses. It allows users to set up an online store with a simple interface, enabling them to sell products directly to customers.

The platform offers various pricing plans, including a free option for small-scale stores, making it accessible for creators and entrepreneurs who need a straightforward solution without complex features.

What is Shopify?

Shopify is an ecommerce platform that allows businesses to create, manage, and grow online stores. It provides tools for selling products, managing inventory, processing payments, and marketing, making it easy for businesses of all sizes to run an online store.

Big Cartel and Shopify are both excellent choices for creating an online store, but which one fits your business best? Let’s explore a Big Cartel vs. Shopify comparison to find out which platform offers the features that meet your needs.

Big Cartel vs Shopify: Key Differences

Here’s a features comparison table between Big Cartel vs. Shopify in a format that you can easily copy into Microsoft Word:

Feature	Big Cartel	Shopify
Ease of Use	Simple, beginner-friendly interface	User-friendly, but more complex than Big Cartel
Free Plan	Yes (for up to 5 products)	No (offers 14-day free trial)
Pricing	Starts at $9.99/month	Starts at $39/month
Product Limit	5 products (free plan), up to 500 (paid)	Unlimited products on all plans
Themes	Limited themes	A large variety of free and paid themes
Customizability	Limited customization options	Highly customizable with apps and code editing
Mobile-Friendly	Yes	Yes
Payment Gateways	Limited options (PayPal, Stripe)	Wide range of gateways available
SEO Features	Basic SEO tools	Advanced SEO features with apps and tools.
Support	Email support, limited resources	24/7 support (live chat, email, phone)
App Marketplace	None	An extensive app marketplace for additional features
Analytics	Basic analytics	Advanced reporting and analytics tools
Inventory Management	Basic inventory management	Advanced inventory management and tracking
Scalability	Limited scalability	Built for scalability, suitable for businesses of all sizes
Marketing Tools	Basic email marketing and discount codes	Advanced tools for email marketing, discounts, and more

Shopify vs Big Cartel Pricing Plans

Both Big Cartel and Shopify provide various plans tailored to meet the needs of different users and business requirements.

Big Cartel Pricing Plans

• Gold: $0
• Platinum: $15/month
• Diamond: $50/month

Shopify Pricing Plans

• Basic: $39/month
• Shopify: $105/month 
• Advanced: $399/month 
• Plus: Custom pricing for enterprise

Shopify vs Big Cartel: Pros & Cons

Pros

• Scalable, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes, particularly those focused on growth.
• Offers advanced ecommerce tools like gift cards, shipping rate options, and inventory management.
• Highly customizable with a wide range of themes, apps, and third-party integrations.
• Provides 24/7 customer support through live chat, email, and phone.
• Supports over 100 payment gateways, making it ideal for global sales.
  

Cons

• Pricing starts at $39/month, which may be a bit steep for smaller businesses.
• Transaction fees apply unless Shopify Payments is used.
• The advanced features may be overwhelming for beginners, presenting a slight learning curve.

Pros

• Offers a free plan for up to 5 products.
• Simple and quick setup process.
• Ideal for small businesses, artists, and creators.
• No transaction fees on sales.
• Affordable paid plans to suit different needs.

Cons

• Limited product listings on lower-tier plans.
• Fewer customization options compared to Shopify.
• Basic analytics and reporting tools available.
• Support is limited to email only.

Which is Better for You: Big Cartel or Shopify?

Choosing between Big Cartel vs Shopify depends on the scale and complexity of your business:

Choose Big Cartel if you’re a small-scale business, artist, or hobbyist in need of a simple, easy-to-use platform. With its free plan for up to 5 products and affordable paid plans, it’s a great choice if you’re just starting out and don’t require extensive features. Big Cartel is perfect for creators who want a straightforward, cost-effective way to sell a limited number of products online.

Choose Shopify if you’re looking for a powerful e-commerce solution to scale your business. Shopify offers full customization, advanced tools like inventory management, gift cards, and detailed reporting. It’s ideal for businesses that need flexibility, plan to expand internationally, and are ready to invest in a platform with extensive app integrations and scalability.

Conclusion: Which Platform is the Best Fit for Your Business?

Both Big Cartel and Shopify offer unique advantages, but the best choice depends on your business’s needs. If you’re just starting out and need a simple, cost-effective platform, Big Cartel’s free plan might be sufficient. 

However, for businesses that plan to grow and need more advanced features, Shopify’s pricing is a worthwhile investment.

Still unsure? Check out other platform comparisons like:

• Wix vs Shopify
• WooCommerce vs Shopify
• Shopify vs Shopify Plus
• Ecwid vs Shopify
• Shopify vs Squarespace
• Bigcommerce vs Shopify
• Shopify vs Weebly

Still unsure? Check out our guide to the top ecommerce platforms, where we compare Big Cartel, Shopify, and other leading website builders to help you find the best fit for your business.

FAQs 

1. Is Big Cartel free?
Yes, Big Cartel offers a free plan for up to 5 products.

2. Does Shopify charge transaction fees?
Shopify charges transaction fees unless you use Shopify Payments.

3. Can I scale my store with Big Cartel?
Big Cartel is best for small businesses, but it has limitations for scaling compared to Shopify.

4. Does Shopify offer a free trial?
Yes, Shopify offers a 14-day free trial.

3. Can I customize my store on Big Cartel?
Big Cartel offers limited customization options compared to Shopify, but it allows basic changes.