Big Cartel vs FastSpring
Detailed side-by-side comparison
Big Cartel
FreeBig Cartel is a straightforward ecommerce platform built specifically for artists, makers, and independent creators who want to sell their creative products online. It focuses on simplicity and aesthetic design with customizable themes, supporting up to 500 products without charging transaction fees.
Visit Big CartelFastSpring
FreeFastSpring is a comprehensive merchant of record and ecommerce platform designed for software and SaaS companies selling digital products globally. It handles the complex backend of international sales including tax compliance, subscription billing, and payment processing across 200+ countries.
Visit FastSpringFeature Comparison
| Feature | Big Cartel | FastSpring |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Designed for artists, makers, and creators selling physical creative products | Built for software and SaaS companies selling digital products and subscriptions |
| Tax Compliance | Basic tax calculation; store owners are responsible for their own tax compliance | Acts as merchant of record handling all VAT, sales tax, and GST compliance automatically across global markets |
| Payment Processing | Integrates with PayPal and Stripe; no transaction fees charged by Big Cartel | Built-in global payment processing with 20+ payment methods at 5.9% + $0.95 per transaction |
| Subscription Management | No native subscription or recurring billing features | Full subscription and recurring billing management with automated renewals and dunning |
| Global Selling | Basic international selling capability with custom domain support | Comprehensive global commerce with multi-currency support, automatic localization, and payment methods for 200+ countries |
| Store Customization | Highly customizable store themes with artist-focused design options and mobile-responsive storefronts | Customizable checkout experiences and embedded stores, but with less design flexibility for complex customization needs |
Pricing Comparison
Both platforms offer free entry points, but their cost structures differ significantly: Big Cartel charges no transaction fees and has affordable monthly plans ideal for small creators, while FastSpring charges higher transaction fees (5.9% + $0.95) but includes merchant of record services that eliminate tax compliance costs and complexity. The value proposition depends entirely on whether you prioritize low transaction costs or comprehensive global tax handling.
Verdict
Choose Big Cartel if...
Choose Big Cartel if you're an independent artist, maker, or small creator selling physical products with straightforward needs, want an affordable platform with zero transaction fees, and prefer handling your own tax compliance.
Choose FastSpring if...
Choose FastSpring if you're a software or SaaS company selling digital products globally, need automated tax compliance across multiple countries, require sophisticated subscription billing, or want to eliminate the burden of being your own merchant of record despite higher transaction fees.
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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
FastSpring
Pros
- + Eliminates tax compliance burden by acting as merchant of record
- + Quick integration with minimal technical setup required
- + Comprehensive analytics and reporting dashboard
- + Handles VAT, sales tax, and GST calculations automatically across global markets
Cons
- - Higher transaction fees compared to basic payment processors (5.9% + $0.95 per transaction)
- - Less control over checkout experience compared to building your own
- - Limited customization options for complex business models