Big Cartel vs BigCommerce
Detailed side-by-side comparison
Big Cartel
FreeBig Cartel is a streamlined ecommerce platform built specifically for artists, makers, and creators who want to sell their work online without technical complexity. It offers customizable themes, essential store management features, and a free tier to help independent creators get started quickly with zero transaction fees.
Visit Big CartelBigCommerce
From $29/moBigCommerce is an enterprise-grade open SaaS ecommerce platform designed for businesses seeking scalability and advanced features. It provides powerful tools like multi-storefront capabilities, headless commerce, B2B functionality, and robust SEO features to support growing and established businesses.
Visit BigCommerceFeature Comparison
| Feature | Big Cartel | BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience & Complexity | Designed for small creators and artists with minimal technical skills; extremely simple interface with limited but focused features | Built for growing businesses and enterprises; more complex platform with steep learning curve but extensive capabilities |
| Product Catalog Size | Supports up to 500 products depending on plan tier, suitable for boutique inventories | Unlimited products on all plans, designed to handle large-scale catalogs for enterprise operations |
| Transaction Fees | No transaction fees on any plan, maximizing profit margins for small sellers | No transaction fees on any plan, beneficial for high-volume merchants |
| Advanced Commerce Features | Basic ecommerce functionality focused on simplicity; lacks advanced features like multi-storefront, B2B tools, or headless commerce | Comprehensive enterprise features including multi-storefront management, headless commerce architecture, dedicated B2B capabilities, and advanced customization |
| Marketing & Integrations | Limited third-party integrations and no built-in email marketing; focuses on core selling functionality with basic payment processor connections | Extensive app marketplace and integrations; robust built-in SEO tools and marketing capabilities for comprehensive growth strategies |
| Scalability | Best for maintaining a small to medium creative business; not designed for significant scaling or enterprise growth | Highly scalable platform that grows with your business from startup to enterprise level with no platform migration needed |
Pricing Comparison
Big Cartel offers exceptional value for independent creators with a free plan and very affordable paid tiers starting at $0/month, while BigCommerce starts at $29/month reflecting its enterprise-focused feature set. Big Cartel is budget-friendly for small operations, whereas BigCommerce provides better ROI for businesses with higher sales volumes that need advanced functionality.
Verdict
Choose Big Cartel if...
Choose Big Cartel if you're an independent artist, maker, or small creator looking for an affordable, simple platform to sell a curated selection of products without technical hassle or if you're just starting out and want to test the waters with a free plan.
Choose BigCommerce if...
Choose BigCommerce if you're running a growing business or enterprise that needs advanced features like multi-storefront capabilities, B2B functionality, headless commerce, extensive integrations, and powerful SEO tools with room to scale significantly over time.
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Pros & Cons
Big Cartel
Pros
- + Extremely user-friendly with minimal learning curve
- + Affordable pricing tailored for independent artists and small creators
- + No transaction fees on any plan
- + Clean, artist-focused design aesthetic
Cons
- - Limited advanced ecommerce features compared to larger platforms
- - No built-in email marketing tools
- - Fewer app integrations and third-party extensions
BigCommerce
Pros
- + No transaction fees
- + Great for SEO
- + Scalable
Cons
- - Steep learning curve
- - Fewer themes than Shopify