Choosing the right ecommerce platform is one of the first decisions you'll make when you learn how to set up a Shopify store or any other online shop. Every ecommerce business has different priorities, whether it's keeping costs manageable, creating an attractive storefront, or accessing features that support long-term growth. Some platforms focus on making online selling simple, while others provide greater flexibility for managing products, marketing campaigns, and customer experiences. This is where the Big Cartel vs Shopify comparison becomes relevant. Both platforms help merchants sell products online, but they differ in pricing, customization options, SEO capabilities, and store management features.
In this guide, we'll break down the key differences between Big Cartel vs Shopify, including their features, pricing, design flexibility, payment options, and overall advantages. By exploring what each platform offers, you'll be able to identify which solution best matches your business needs and plans.
What Is Big Cartel?
Big Cartel is an ecommerce platform developed primarily for independent creators, artists, musicians, and small businesses. It provides a straightforward way to build an online shop and sell products directly to customers. Unlike platforms designed around large product catalogs and complex operations, Big Cartel emphasizes simplicity. Merchants can select a store template, add products, customize their storefront, and begin accepting orders without extensive technical knowledge.
Key Features of Big Cartel
- Simple store builder with customizable templates.
- Free, limited-feature plan for new sellers.
- Product and inventory management tools.
- Support for online payments and promotional discounts.
- Shipping labels and order tracking.
- Integrations for print-on-demand and other selling activities.
- Mobile app for managing store operations.
What Is Shopify?
Shopify is a comprehensive ecommerce platform that enables businesses to create, customize, and manage online stores. It provides tools for product management, payments, order fulfillment, marketing, and selling across multiple channels. Shopify supports businesses ranging from first-time sellers to established brands managing substantial inventories and multiple markets. Its app store is a big part of that flexibility, with must have apps for Shopify stores covering everything from reviews and upsells to email and customer support.
Key Features of Shopify
- Unlimited product listings on its main online store plans.
- Free and premium storefront themes.
- Built-in checkout and payment capabilities.
- Inventory management and order tracking.
- SEO settings, blogging, and marketing tools.
- Customer segmentation and reporting.
- Multichannel selling capabilities.
- A large ecosystem of third-party applications.
Big Cartel vs Shopify: Quick Comparison
Before exploring the individual features, here's a side-by-side overview of the two platforms.
| Features | Big Cartel | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited for | Artists, creators, small sellers | Startups, growing brands, established businesses |
| Free plan | Yes, limited Gold plan | No permanent free online-store plan |
| Paid plan starting price | $15/month | $39/month, or $29/month annually |
| Ease of use | Very straightforward | Beginner-friendly with more settings |
| Product listings | Plan-dependent | Unlimited on main plans |
| Store templates | Smaller selection | Extensive theme marketplace |
| Customization | Basic to moderate | Extensive |
| SEO capabilities | Essential SEO features | More extensive SEO and content tools |
| Payment options | Supported payment integrations | Shopify Payments and supported third-party providers |
| Abandoned cart recovery | Diamond plan | Available on main online-store plans |
| Analytics | Core sales reporting | Detailed reporting and analytics |
| Scalability | Best for simpler operations | Supports complex and expanding operations |
Big Cartel vs Shopify Pricing: Which Is More Affordable?
Subscription pricing is one of the most important considerations when evaluating ecommerce platforms. However, the cheapest monthly plan isn't always the cheapest solution over the long term. Merchants also need to account for payment processing, apps (including Shopify discount apps, themes, and operational costs.
Big Cartel Pricing Plans
| Plan | Monthly price | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Free | Testing a small store with limited features |
| Platinum | $15 | Creators who need more selling tools |
| Diamond | $30 | Sellers needing features such as abandoned cart recovery and advanced promotions |
Shopify Pricing Plans
| Plan | Monthly billing | Effective monthly price with annual billing |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39 | $29 |
| Grow | $105 | $79 |
| Advanced | $399 | $299 |
| Plus | Starts at $2,300 | Contract-dependent |
Big Cartel vs Shopify: Pros and Cons
Understanding each platform's strengths and limitations makes it easier to narrow down your choice.
Big Cartel Pros
- Free entry-level option and affordable paid plans
- Straightforward setup
- Suitable for artists and small creative businesses
- No additional Big Cartel platform transaction fees
Big Cartel Cons
- Smaller template and integration ecosystem
- Less flexibility for advanced ecommerce workflows
- Limited capabilities compared with comprehensive ecommerce platforms
Shopify Pros
- Broad selection of themes and applications
- Unlimited product listings on main plans
- Extensive SEO, sales, and marketing capabilities
- Multichannel and international selling tools
- Suitable for expanding businesses
Shopify Cons
- Higher entry-level subscription cost
- Paid apps and themes can increase expenses
- Advanced configuration may require additional learning
- Third-party transaction fees can apply
When Should You Choose Big Cartel?
Big Cartel is a practical choice for beginners, independent artists, and small businesses looking for a simple and affordable way to sell online. It works particularly well for sellers offering handmade products, artwork, or limited merchandise collections without requiring advanced marketing tools or extensive customization. With its straightforward setup and easy store management, Big Cartel allows creators to focus on selling their products while keeping costs and technical requirements minimal.
When Should You Choose Shopify?
Shopify is a suitable choice for growing businesses that need advanced ecommerce features, greater design flexibility, and efficient store management. It supports expanding product catalogs, SEO and content marketing (including connecting Google Search Console for Shopify to track search performance), inventory management, and integrations for subscriptions, loyalty programs, and product recommendations. With the freedom to customize Shopify theme layouts and multichannel selling capabilities, Shopify helps businesses reach international customers and create a consistent shopping experience.
For merchants looking to create a professional and visually appealing storefront, our Solutions offer premium Shopify themes designed for different ecommerce industries. These themes provide customizable layouts, product-focused sections, and flexible design options to help businesses showcase their products and establish a distinctive online presence. Whether launching a new store or switching from Big Cartel, exploring Shopify themes Solutions can help merchants find a design that aligns with their brand and business goals.
Fresco Solutions offers Shopify themes for different industries and product categories, including:
-
Zeal Supplement Shopify Theme
- Evolve Sportswear Shopify Theme
-
Petzen Pet Shopify Theme
-
Pulse Food Shopify Theme
-
Noble Beauty Shopify Theme
-
Gemstone Jewelry Shopify Theme
-
Fold Luxury Fashion Shopify Theme
-
Glide Sports Shopify Theme
-
Automobile Shopify Theme
Final Words
There is no universal winner because the platforms are designed around different priorities. Big Cartel is attractive for independent creators who want an affordable, uncomplicated way to begin selling. It focuses on the essential activities involved in maintaining a small online business. Shopify provides greater flexibility for businesses with more demanding ecommerce needs. Its extensive theme selection, integrated selling tools, and app ecosystem make it easier to introduce advanced features without changing platforms.
If you are selling a limited number of products and don't expect complicated operations, Big Cartel may be all you need. If your goal is to build a recognizable ecommerce brand with room for larger catalogs, content marketing, Shopify marketing automation, and new sales channels, Shopify is generally the more suitable long-term choice. The important thing is to select a platform based on your actual requirements, not simply the number of features advertised.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Big Cartel better than Shopify?
Big Cartel can be better for artists, hobbyists, and small businesses seeking a simpler and more affordable selling platform. Shopify is usually more appropriate for businesses needing extensive customization, integrations, and growth-oriented ecommerce functionality.
2. Is Big Cartel free to use?
Yes. Big Cartel offers a limited-feature Gold plan at no subscription cost. Its paid Platinum and Diamond plans provide additional selling capabilities.
3. Is Shopify more expensive than Big Cartel?
Shopify's entry-level full online-store subscription is generally more expensive than Big Cartel's paid plans. However, the actual cost depends on subscription billing, apps, payment processing, and other services.
4. Does Big Cartel charge transaction fees?
Big Cartel does not impose an additional platform transaction fee on sales. However, payment providers charge their own processing fees.
5. Can I move my Big Cartel store to Shopify?
Yes. Products and other supported store data can be migrated using appropriate import methods or third-party tools. Store owners should carefully plan URL redirects, transfer domain to Shopify if needed, and verify the transferred data. If you prefer to rebuild your catalog manually, it also helps to know how to add products to Shopify one by one.
6. Which Platform Offers Better Value?
Big Cartel offers better value for artists, independent creators, and small businesses looking for an affordable, easy-to-manage online store. Shopify is a better investment for growing businesses that need advanced features, customization, and marketing tools. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your budget, business size, and long-term goals.