Big Cartel vs OpenCart
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 products online without technical complexity. It offers a simple, user-friendly interface with customizable themes and supports up to 500 products, making it ideal for independent creators and small creative businesses.
Visit Big CartelOpenCart
FreeOpenCart is a free, open-source ecommerce platform that provides businesses with a fully customizable online store solution backed by an extensive marketplace of over 13,000 themes and extensions. It's designed for small to medium-sized businesses that want complete control over their store's functionality and are willing to invest time or technical resources into setup and customization.
Visit OpenCartFeature Comparison
| Feature | Big Cartel | OpenCart |
|---|---|---|
| Setup and Technical Requirements | Extremely user-friendly with hosted solution requiring no technical knowledge; ready to launch in minutes with minimal configuration | Requires self-hosting, technical knowledge for installation, configuration, and ongoing maintenance; steeper learning curve for non-technical users |
| Product Management | Supports up to 500 products depending on plan, with straightforward inventory management suitable for small catalogs | Supports unlimited products, categories, and manufacturers with robust multi-store management from a single admin interface |
| Customization and Extensions | Limited customization options focused on artist-friendly themes; fewer third-party integrations and extensions available | Highly customizable with access to 13,000+ themes and extensions; extensive marketplace offers solutions for nearly any functionality need |
| Payment Processing | Integrates with PayPal and Stripe with no transaction fees on any plan; simple payment setup | Supports multiple payment gateways with no platform transaction fees; requires manual integration and configuration of payment providers |
| International Sales Support | Basic international selling capabilities with limited multi-currency and language options | Built-in multi-currency and multi-language support designed for global ecommerce operations |
| Cost Structure | Free plan available with paid plans offering more products; no transaction fees and predictable monthly costs with hosting included | Free core software with no monthly fees, but costs accumulate through hosting, premium themes, paid extensions, and potential developer fees |
Pricing Comparison
Both platforms start at $0/mo, but their cost models differ significantly. Big Cartel offers predictable monthly pricing with hosting included and no hidden costs, while OpenCart's free software can become expensive when factoring in hosting, premium extensions, themes, and potential developer costs for customization.
Verdict
Choose Big Cartel if...
Choose Big Cartel if you're an artist, maker, or small creator who wants a simple, hosted solution that requires no technical knowledge and you're selling fewer than 500 products. It's perfect for those who value ease of use and want to start selling quickly without worrying about technical maintenance.
Choose OpenCart if...
Choose OpenCart if you're a small to medium-sized business with technical resources or budget for developers, need unlimited products and advanced multi-store capabilities, and want complete control over customization. It's ideal for businesses with specific functionality requirements willing to invest time in setup and ongoing management.
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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
OpenCart
Pros
- + Completely free and open-source with no monthly fees
- + Large community support and extensive documentation
- + Highly customizable with thousands of free and paid extensions
- + No transaction fees on sales
Cons
- - Requires technical knowledge for setup and customization
- - Many essential features require paid extensions
- - Can become costly when purchasing premium themes and modules