Introduction
Still stuck between Shopify vs Big Cartel? Discover the hidden differences that could shape your store’s success & move forward accordingly.
“94% of first impressions of your online store are design-related — but the wrong platform choice can cost you more than just aesthetics.”
You’ve got the product. The vision. The hustle.
But here’s the million-dollar question: Which among the Big Cartel vs Shopify to choose from? Should you set up shop with Shopify or carve your niche with Big Cartel?
In a world where digital storefronts are as competitive as high-street retail, your eCommerce platform isn’t just a tool — it’s the backbone of your brand experience. One gives you scalability and an ecosystem. The other offers simplicity and affordability. Both are loved. Both are powerful. But only one might be right for you.
Let’s break it down, is Big Cartel or shopify better for your store, because it deserves more than a “just okay” foundation. Let’s dive in.
What is Shopify?
Shopify is one of the world’s most powerful and user-friendly eCommerce platforms, powering over 5.6 million websites globally.
It is designed to help entrepreneurs, SMEs, and large-scale businesses build and manage online stores effortlessly.
It’s cloud-based, mobile-optimized, and packed with Shopify features like drag-and-drop design flexibility, built-in marketing tools, multichannel selling (including Facebook, Instagram, Amazon), robust analytics, abandoned cart recovery, powerful SEO tools, and access to thousands of apps.
Leading companies using Shopify: Heinz, Kylie Cosmetics, Allbirds, Gymshark, Red Bull, Nestlé, Sephora, PepsiCo, Tesla (merch store), etc.
🔹Pros of Shopify
- Scalable for all business sizes – Suitable for startups, growing brands, and enterprises (via Shopify Plus).
- Easy to use – User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality, even for non-tech users.
- Huge app ecosystem – Access to over 8,000 Shopify plugins or apps to enhance functionality (marketing, SEO, shipping, etc.).
- Beautiful and responsive themes – 100+ professional,mobile-optimized themes (free and paid).
- Powerful SEO and marketing tools – Built-in tools for email campaigns, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery.
- Multichannel selling support – Seamlessly sell on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, TikTok, and even offline (POS).
- Fast & secure checkout – Shop Pay offers lightning-fast checkout and increased conversions.
- 24/7 customer support – Get help via live chat, email, or phone whenever you need it.
- No server or security concerns – Hosting, SSL, and security updates are all handled for you.
Global reach – Support for multiple currencies, international shipping, and translations.
🔹Cons of Shopify
- Monthly costs can add up – Base plans start at $39/month, and additional apps or themes may increase expenses.
- Transaction fees apply if not using Shopify Payments – Up to 2% extra per sale if using third-party gateways.
- App dependency – Some essential features are only accessible through paid apps.
Learning curve for advanced customization – More complex features may require time (or a developer).
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What is Bigcartel?
Big Cartel is a cloud-based eCommerce platform tailored for independent artists, makers, and small brands who want a simple and affordable way to sell online. It’s best known for its minimal interface, ease of use, and a pricing model that’s budget-friendly, even offering a free plan for up to 5 products.
Unlike more feature-heavy platforms like Shopify, Big Cartel focuses on simplicity over scalability. It doesn’t require any coding knowledge, making it ideal for creatives who want to launch an online store without diving deep into tech or marketing complexities.
Leading artists & businesses using Bigcartel: Lane Walkup, Color Code Printing, Endle Home Goods, Daft Packs, BYH New York, JVP Melbourne, Well Fed New York, etc.
🔹Pros of Big Cartel
- Free forever plan – Lets you sell up to 5 products without paying a dime — great for side hustles and testing the waters.
- Very easy to use – Simple, minimalist dashboard that’s perfect for beginners and non-technical users.
- No transaction fees – Big Cartel doesn’t charge transaction fees, so you only pay Stripe or PayPal processing fees.
- Affordable pricing – Paid plans start at just $9.99/month, making it budget-friendly for artists and small sellers.
- Custom domain support – You can connect your own domain on all paid plans.
- Mobile app available – Manage your store, inventory, and orders on the go.
- No need for apps or plugins – Most basic features are built-in, keeping things simple and distraction-free.
- Quick setup – You can get your store live in minutes — no code, no confusion.
🔹Cons of Big Cartel
- Limited product capacity – Even on the highest plan, you can only list up to 500 products.
- Few integrations – Minimal third-party apps or integrations available compared to platforms like Shopify.
- Very basic features – Lacks advanced tools for SEO, analytics, upselling, automation, or email marketing.
- Limited design flexibility – Fewer themes, minimal customization options unless you know some HTML/CSS.
- No built-in blogging or content tools – Not suitable for content marketing or long-form engagement.
- No 24/7 support – Email-only support during business hours (Monday–Friday), which can be limiting.
- Not ideal for scaling – If your business grows, you may quickly outgrow Big Cartel’s capabilities.
- Basic checkout experience – No advanced checkout tools like Shop Pay or upsell triggers.
- No multi-channel selling – Limited selling options outside your website (no native Amazon, Facebook, or POS support).
- No abandoned cart recovery – Misses key eCommerce features for boosting conversions and retargeting.
What's Better, Big Cartel or Shopify?
| Feature | Shopify | Big Cartel | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Target Audience | Designed for everyone, from solo entrepreneurs to large enterprises. Scales with your growth. | Built specifically for independent artists, creatives, and hobby sellers with smaller catalogs. | Depends on the Use Case |
| 2. Ease of Use | Drag-and-drop builder with more advanced tools; slight learning curve but very user-friendly overall. | Very intuitive and minimalist dashboard, ideal for beginners with no tech experience. | Big Cartel |
| 3. Pricing & Plans | Starts at $39/month, with advanced plans up to $399/month for Shopify Plus. No free plan, but robust features at every tier | Free plan available (up to 5 products). Paid plans start at $9.99/month. Perfect for tight budgets. | Big Cartel |
| 4. Product Management | Unlimited products on all plans. Advanced inventory control, product variations, and bundling features. | The free plan supports 5 products, the highest plan supports 500. Basic inventory tracking and no advanced variants. | Shopify |
| 5. Design Flexibility & Themes | Over 100 professional themes (free & paid). Full HTML/CSS access. Great for branding and customization. | 18 themes with limited customizability. Basic layout controls, less visual variety. | Shopify |
| 6. Payment Gateway Options | Supports 100+ gateways, including Shopify Payments, Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc. | Limited to Stripe and PayPal only. | Shopify |
| 7. App & Plugin Ecosystem | Massive App Store with 8,000+ apps or plugins for marketing, dropshipping, CRM, reporting, etc. | Very limited integrations, mostly basic plugins or third-party tools. | Shopify |
| 8. SEO & Marketing Tools | Built-in SEO tools, blogging, discount codes, email marketing, abandoned cart recovery, social selling & automation. | Offers basic SEO fields and discount codes. No blogging, limited promotional capabilities. | Shopify |
| 9. Support & Community | 24/7 live chat, email, phone support, and a large community forum. Extensive documentation and expert support are available. | Email-only support, Monday to Friday. Basic help articles, no live support. | Shopify |
| 10. Transaction Fees | No transaction fees if using Shopify Payments; otherwise, 0.5% to 2% depending on plan. | Zero transaction fees on all plans — you only pay payment processor fees (Stripe/PayPal). | Big Cartel |
When to Opt for Shopify?
You should choose Shopify if you’re serious about scaling your online business and want an eCommerce solution that grows with you. Here’s when Shopify is the perfect fit:
You Plan to Sell More Than a Handful of Products
Shopify supports unlimited products and advanced inventory management, perfect for medium to large product catalogs.
You Need Room to Grow
Whether you’re starting small or already pulling in thousands of orders, Shopify scales with your success — from Shopify Basic to Shopify Plus for enterprise needs.
You Want a Polished, Professional Online Store
With 100+ customizable themes, advanced branding tools, and full code access, Shopify lets you build a store that feels premium and on-brand.
You Want Built-in Marketing & SEO Power
From abandoned cart recovery to powerful SEO tools, Shopify helps bring in traffic and convert it.
You’re Selling on Multiple Channels
Shopify lets you sell across Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, TikTok, and more — all from one dashboard.
You Need Advanced Apps & Features
With over 8,000 apps in its marketplace, Shopify supports everything from subscription billing and dropshipping to AI product recommendations and customer support tools.
You Want Secure & Fast Checkout
Shop Pay — Shopify’s native checkout — is one of the fastest and most trusted in the industry, improving conversion rates significantly.
You Want 24/7 Support & Peace of Mind
Round-the-clock live support, fraud protection, and PCI compliance help you focus on selling, not troubleshooting.
In a nutshell: Choose Shopify if you’re building a brand, not just a store.
When to Opt for Big Cartel?
Big Cartel is an ideal choice for independent creators, artists, and small business owners who want a simple, low-maintenance way to sell online without the cost or complexity of larger platforms. Here’s when Big Cartel makes perfect sense:
You Sell a Small Number of Products
If you’re offering 5 to 500 items — like art prints, handmade goods, merch, or custom jewelry — Big Cartel keeps things simple and manageable.
You’re Just Starting Out (or Testing the Waters)
Big Cartel’s free plan lets you list up to 5 products at no cost — ideal for side hustlers or those experimenting with e-commerce.
You Prioritize Simplicity Over Features
The dashboard is clean and beginner-friendly. No coding, no overwhelming options — just quick setup and selling.
You Don’t Need Complex Tools or Integrations
If you’re not looking for heavy marketing automation, AI, or complex shipping workflows, Big Cartel gives you just what you need — and nothing you don’t.
You Want No Transaction Fees
Unlike many platforms, Big Cartel never charges transaction fees — you only pay what Stripe or PayPal charge for processing.
You Prefer Affordability Over Scalability
With plans starting at $9.99/month, Big Cartel is easy on your wallet — a great choice for indie makers and small-scale sellers.
In a nutshell: Choose Big Cartel if you’re a creative entrepreneur who values ease, simplicity, and budget-friendliness over advanced features or scalability.
Shopify Vs Big Cartel: Who Wins?
While Big Cartel holds its ground as a simple and artist-friendly platform, Shopify undeniably takes the lead when it comes to e-commerce. With its ability to scale, deep integrations, professional-grade design tools, and robust marketing features, Shopify isn’t just a store builder — it’s a complete commerce engine.
To Wrap it Up!
At the end of the day, it’s not just about choosing between Big Cartel or Shopify — it’s about choosing what aligns with your vision, volume, and vibe.
If you’re just starting out, working with a small product line, or want to keep things minimal and artistic, Big Cartel is a great no-pressure playground.
But if you’re aiming bigger, think brand growth, automation, international selling, and long-term scalability, then Shopify is the one for you.
Still feeling caught in the middle about what’s better, a big cartel or Shopify? Don’t worry, you’re not supposed to figure it all out alone.
At Enstacked, we have a team of eCommerce development experts who understand your business needs and offer you end-to-end assistance in choosing between Shopify vs Big Cartel, as well as help with implementation.
Book a free consultation call today and let’s stack the right solution for your business, together.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Do people still use Big Cartel?
Yes, thousands of independent artists and small businesses still use Big Cartel for simple, budget-friendly online stores.
Is Shopify more expensive than Big Cartel?
Yes, it is. When comparing Big Cartel vs Shopify, Shopify offers more advanced features and scalability, but it also comes with higher monthly pricing.
Does Big Cartel support payment gateways like Shopify?
Not quite. If you’re weighing Big Cartel vs Shopify for payment flexibility, Shopify takes the lead with over 100 supported gateways. Big Cartel keeps it simple with PayPal and Stripe as its primary options.
Can I customize my store more on Shopify or Big Cartel?
Among Shopify vs Bigcartel, Shopify offers far more flexibility with 100+ themes, full code access, and endless design tweaks, while Big Cartel focuses on simplicity with limited design options.