Big Cartel vs ThriveCart
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 physical products online. It emphasizes simplicity and ease of use with beautiful, customizable themes and no transaction fees, making it accessible for independent creators with limited technical expertise.
Visit Big CartelThriveCart
From $495/moThriveCart is a conversion-focused shopping cart and sales funnel platform designed for digital product sellers, course creators, and online entrepreneurs. It stands out with its one-time payment pricing model and includes advanced features like upsells, downsells, affiliate management, and split testing to maximize revenue per customer.
Visit ThriveCartFeature Comparison
| Feature | Big Cartel | ThriveCart |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Primarily artists, makers, and creators selling physical products through simple online stores | Digital entrepreneurs, course creators, coaches, and affiliate marketers focused on high-converting sales funnels |
| Checkout & Sales Optimization | Basic checkout process with clean, mobile-responsive design focused on showcasing products | Advanced conversion-optimized checkout pages with bump offers, one-click upsells, downsells, and A/B split testing |
| Affiliate Management | No built-in affiliate management system | Comprehensive affiliate center with automated commission tracking, affiliate dashboard, and promotional tools |
| Payment Processing | Integrates with PayPal and Stripe with no transaction fees charged by Big Cartel | Supports 30+ payment gateways including PayPal, Stripe, and others with subscription billing capabilities |
| Product Management | Handles up to 500 physical products with inventory tracking and basic organization | Optimized for digital products and services with subscription management, but can handle physical products |
| Marketing Tools | No built-in email marketing; requires third-party integrations with limited options available | Advanced analytics, conversion tracking, and integrations with 30+ marketing tools, though no native email marketing |
Pricing Comparison
Big Cartel offers a free plan and low monthly subscriptions making it extremely affordable for beginners, while ThriveCart requires a significant $495 one-time payment. However, ThriveCart's lifetime access eliminates recurring fees, potentially offering better long-term value for established businesses with higher sales volumes.
Verdict
Choose Big Cartel if...
Choose Big Cartel if you're an independent artist or maker selling physical creative products, want an extremely simple setup with minimal cost, and prefer a clean storefront without needing advanced marketing features or sales funnels.
Choose ThriveCart if...
Choose ThriveCart if you're selling digital products or courses, need advanced conversion optimization tools like upsells and affiliate management, and can afford the upfront investment for a lifetime platform that will pay for itself through increased sales.
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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
ThriveCart
Pros
- + One-time payment model eliminates recurring monthly fees
- + High-converting checkout templates proven to increase sales
- + Comprehensive affiliate management system built-in
- + Excellent customer support and active user community
Cons
- - Higher upfront cost compared to monthly subscription alternatives
- - Learning curve for beginners unfamiliar with funnel building
- - Limited customization options compared to open-source solutions