Big Cartel vs Squarespace Commerce

Detailed side-by-side comparison

Big Cartel

Free

Big 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 a straightforward approach to online selling with no transaction fees and a free plan option, making it ideal for independent creators just starting out.

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Squarespace Commerce

From $16/mo

Squarespace Commerce is an all-in-one ecommerce solution that combines stunning design templates with comprehensive business tools for creating professional online stores. It integrates seamlessly with Squarespace's website builder, offering built-in marketing, SEO, and analytics tools for businesses that want a polished, complete online presence.

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Feature Comparison

Feature	Big Cartel	Squarespace Commerce
Store Design & Customization	Offers customizable themes with a clean, artist-focused aesthetic and mobile-responsive design, though with fewer template options overall	Provides professionally-designed templates with a drag-and-drop builder, offering more sophisticated design options and seamless website integration
Payment Processing	Integrates with PayPal and Stripe with no transaction fees on any plan, keeping costs predictable for sellers	Features integrated payment processing with built-in checkout, but charges transaction fees on lower-tier plans in addition to payment processor fees
Marketing Tools	Lacks built-in email marketing and has minimal marketing features, requiring third-party tools for customer outreach	Includes built-in SEO tools, abandoned cart recovery, and integrated marketing features with 24/7 customer support
Inventory Management	Supports up to 500 products with real-time order tracking, sufficient for small to medium-sized creative catalogs	Offers comprehensive inventory and order management with strong analytics and reporting tools for tracking business performance
Third-Party Integrations	Has fewer app integrations and third-party extensions, limiting advanced functionality options	Also has a limited third-party app ecosystem compared to larger platforms, though offers more built-in features to compensate
Pricing Structure	Starts with a completely free plan and maintains no transaction fees on any tier, making it extremely affordable for beginners	Starts at $16/month with transaction fees on lower plans, representing a higher upfront investment but with more comprehensive features included

Pricing Comparison

Big Cartel wins on affordability with a free plan option and zero transaction fees across all tiers, making it ideal for artists with tight budgets. Squarespace Commerce requires a higher monthly investment starting at $16/month plus transaction fees on lower plans, but delivers more comprehensive built-in features and professional design capabilities that may justify the cost.

Verdict

Choose Big Cartel if...

Choose Big Cartel if you're an independent artist, maker, or creator on a budget who needs a simple, straightforward platform to sell up to 500 products without transaction fees. It's perfect for those who prioritize ease of use and low costs over advanced marketing features.

Choose Squarespace Commerce if...

Choose Squarespace Commerce if you want a professionally-designed storefront with comprehensive built-in marketing, SEO, and analytics tools, and you're willing to invest more upfront. It's ideal for businesses that need an integrated website and store with strong visual appeal and don't mind the higher costs for a complete solution.

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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

Squarespace Commerce

Pros

+ Beautiful, professionally-designed templates that require no coding
+ Seamless integration between website and ecommerce functionality
+ Excellent customer support with 24/7 availability
+ Strong built-in analytics and reporting tools

Cons

- Higher transaction fees on lower-tier plans compared to competitors
- Limited third-party integrations and app ecosystem
- Less flexible for complex ecommerce needs or large catalogs