Big Cartel vs Squarespace Ecommerce
Detailed side-by-side comparison
Big Cartel
FreeBig Cartel is a straightforward ecommerce platform built specifically for artists, makers, and creators who want to sell their work online without technical complexity. It offers customizable themes, supports up to 500 products, and charges no transaction fees, making it ideal for independent creators and small businesses.
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Squarespace Ecommerce
From $23/moSquarespace Ecommerce provides visually stunning, professionally-designed templates perfect for creatives who prioritize aesthetics. It's an all-in-one platform with drag-and-drop functionality that combines website building with ecommerce capabilities, though it's better suited for low to medium volume sellers.
Visit Squarespace EcommerceFeature Comparison
| Feature | Big Cartel | Squarespace Ecommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Customization | Offers customizable themes with a clean, artist-focused aesthetic and mobile-responsive designs, though with fewer template options overall | Features award-winning, stunning design templates with extensive drag-and-drop customization options for highly polished, professional-looking stores |
| Product Management | Supports inventory management for up to 500 items with real-time order tracking, suitable for small to medium catalogs | Includes comprehensive inventory management tools with no specified product limits, plus gift card functionality |
| Payment Processing | Integrates with major payment processors including PayPal and Stripe with zero transaction fees on all plans | Offers limited payment gateway options compared to competitors, which may restrict flexibility for some sellers |
| Marketing and Extensions | Has minimal built-in marketing tools with no native email marketing and fewer third-party app integrations available | Provides an all-in-one solution with integrated marketing features, though specific extension options are more limited than dedicated ecommerce platforms |
| Tax and Financial Tools | Provides basic ecommerce functionality but lacks advanced financial management features | Includes built-in tax calculation tools and gift card support for more comprehensive financial management |
| Ease of Use | Extremely user-friendly with a minimal learning curve, perfect for beginners with no technical experience | Easy to set up with intuitive drag-and-drop interface, balancing sophistication with accessibility |
Pricing Comparison
Big Cartel offers unbeatable entry value with a free plan and no transaction fees, making it extremely cost-effective for beginning creators. Squarespace Ecommerce starts at $23/month but provides more comprehensive all-in-one features that may justify the higher cost for those prioritizing design and integrated tools.
Verdict
Choose Big Cartel if...
Choose Big Cartel if you're an independent artist or maker just starting out, operating on a tight budget, and need a simple platform to sell up to 500 products without transaction fees eating into your profits.
Choose Squarespace Ecommerce if...
Choose Squarespace Ecommerce if you prioritize having a visually stunning, professionally-designed online presence and want an all-in-one solution with integrated marketing and financial tools, and you're willing to pay more for premium aesthetics and features.
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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 Ecommerce
Pros
- + Stunning design
- + Easy to set up
- + All-in-one
Cons
- - Limited payment gateways
- - Not for high volume