Shopify vs Big Cartel (2024 Comparison)
Shopify offers a comprehensive e-commerce platform with extensive features and integrations. Its robust payment processing and advanced inventory management make it a top choice for businesses looking to scale.
- Extensive app ecosystem.
- Robust payment processing.
- Advanced inventory management.
- Higher cost for advanced features.
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$5 per month
Big Cartel provides an affordable and intuitive platform for small businesses and artists. Its customizable themes and simple interface make it easy to create a unique online store.
- Affordable for small businesses.
- Simple and intuitive interface.
- Customizable themes available.
- Limited advanced features.
- Fewer integrations available.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$12 per monthWhat is Shopify?
Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that empowers businesses to create and manage their online stores with ease. It offers a wide range of customizable templates, seamless payment processing, and robust inventory management tools. Shopify's user-friendly interface and extensive app ecosystem make it an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes, from startups to established enterprises. With Shopify, you can effortlessly set up your online store, track sales, and engage with customers, all while enjoying the flexibility to scale your business as it grows.
What is Big Cartel?
Big Cartel is a website builder designed specifically for artists and small businesses looking to sell their products online. It offers a simple and intuitive platform that allows users to create a personalized online store without the need for extensive technical knowledge. Big Cartel provides essential features such as customizable themes, inventory tracking, and order management, making it a great choice for creative entrepreneurs. With Big Cartel, you can showcase your unique products and connect with your audience, all while maintaining control over your brand's identity.
Pros and Cons of Shopify vs Big Cartel
Pros & Cons of Shopify
- Shopify's app ecosystem is vast, offering a wide range of third-party apps and integrations that enhance your store's functionality. This allows you to customize your store to meet your specific needs and streamline operations.
- Shopify provides seamless payment processing, supporting various payment gateways and ensuring secure transactions. This makes it easy for businesses to manage payments and offer a smooth checkout experience for customers.
- Shopify offers advanced inventory management tools that help businesses keep track of their products and stock levels. Its comprehensive features make it easy to manage large inventories and ensure efficient operations.
- Shopify's advanced features come at a higher cost, which may be a consideration for small businesses with limited budgets. However, the investment can be worthwhile for businesses looking to scale and grow.
- Shopify's extensive features and customization options can be overwhelming for beginners. It may take some time to fully understand and utilize all the available tools, but the platform offers comprehensive support resources to help users get started.
Pros & Cons of Big Cartel
- Big Cartel offers budget-friendly pricing plans, making it an ideal choice for small businesses and artists with limited resources. Its affordability allows users to create an online store without breaking the bank.
- Big Cartel's platform is designed to be simple and easy to use, allowing users to set up and manage their online stores with minimal effort. Its intuitive interface makes it accessible to users with little technical knowledge.
- Big Cartel offers a selection of customizable themes that allow users to create a unique and personalized online store. While the options may be more limited compared to other platforms, they provide enough flexibility for creative entrepreneurs.
- Big Cartel's platform is more basic, lacking some of the advanced features and functionalities offered by other e-commerce platforms. This may be a limitation for businesses looking for more robust tools and capabilities.
- Big Cartel offers fewer integrations compared to other platforms, which may limit users' ability to connect with third-party apps and services. This could be a consideration for businesses looking to enhance their store's functionality.
Shopify vs Big Cartel: At A Glance
Value to Price
Shopify offers excellent value for its price, providing a wide range of features and tools that cater to businesses of all sizes. Its extensive app ecosystem and customizable templates make it a versatile choice. Big Cartel, on the other hand, is more budget-friendly, making it ideal for small businesses and artists with limited resources. If you're looking for a cost-effective solution with essential features, Big Cartel is a great option.
Ease of Use
Shopify is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to set up and manage their online stores. Its intuitive design and comprehensive support resources make it accessible to beginners. Big Cartel also offers a simple and straightforward platform, but it may require a bit more effort to customize. If you prioritize ease of use, Shopify is the better choice.
Functionality
Shopify excels in functionality, offering a wide range of features such as advanced inventory management, seamless payment processing, and powerful marketing tools. Big Cartel provides essential features for small businesses, but it lacks some of the advanced functionalities that Shopify offers. If you need a platform with robust functionality, Shopify is the way to go.
Scalability
Shopify is highly scalable, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes. Its flexible plans and extensive app ecosystem allow businesses to grow and expand their online presence. Big Cartel is more limited in terms of scalability, making it better suited for small businesses and artists. If you plan to scale your business, Shopify is the better option.
Integrations
Shopify offers a vast array of integrations, allowing users to connect with various third-party apps and services. This makes it easy to enhance your store's functionality and streamline operations. Big Cartel also offers integrations, but its selection is more limited. If you need a platform with extensive integration options, Shopify is the superior choice.
Customer Support
Shopify provides excellent customer support, with 24/7 assistance available through various channels. Its comprehensive support resources make it easy for users to find solutions to their issues. Big Cartel offers support as well, but it may not be as extensive as Shopify's. If you value strong customer support, Shopify is the better choice.
Security
Shopify prioritizes security, offering robust measures to protect user data and transactions. Its secure platform ensures peace of mind for both businesses and customers. Big Cartel also provides security features, but Shopify's offerings are more comprehensive. If security is a top priority, Shopify is the safer choice.
Overall Rating
Shopify consistently receives high ratings for its comprehensive features, ease of use, and scalability. It is a top choice for businesses looking to establish a strong online presence. Big Cartel is also well-regarded, particularly among small businesses and artists, but it may not offer the same level of functionality as Shopify. If you're looking for a well-rounded platform, Shopify is the better option.
Shopify vs Big Cartel: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Customizable Templates
Shopify offers a wide range of customizable templates that allow you to create a unique and professional-looking online store. Its templates are highly flexible, enabling you to tailor your store's design to match your brand's identity. Big Cartel also provides customizable themes, but its selection is more limited compared to Shopify. If you want a platform with extensive design options, Shopify is the better choice.
Payment Processing
Shopify excels in payment processing, offering seamless integration with various payment gateways. Its secure and efficient payment system ensures smooth transactions for both businesses and customers. Big Cartel also supports payment processing, but its options are more limited. If you need a platform with robust payment processing capabilities, Shopify is the superior choice.
Inventory Management
Shopify provides advanced inventory management tools that help businesses keep track of their products and stock levels. Its comprehensive features make it easy to manage large inventories. Big Cartel offers basic inventory management, which may be sufficient for small businesses but lacks the advanced capabilities of Shopify. If you require robust inventory management, Shopify is the better option.
Marketing Tools
Shopify offers a wide range of marketing tools that help businesses promote their products and reach a larger audience. Its features include email marketing, social media integration, and more. Big Cartel provides basic marketing tools, but they may not be as comprehensive as Shopify's offerings. If you need a platform with powerful marketing capabilities, Shopify is the way to go.
SEO Optimization
Shopify is known for its strong SEO optimization features, helping businesses improve their search engine rankings and drive more traffic to their online stores. Big Cartel also offers SEO tools, but they may not be as advanced as Shopify's. If you prioritize SEO optimization, Shopify is the better choice.
Mobile Responsiveness
Shopify ensures that your online store is mobile-responsive, providing a seamless shopping experience for customers on all devices. Its templates are designed to adapt to different screen sizes, ensuring a consistent look and feel. Big Cartel also offers mobile-responsive themes, but Shopify's offerings are more extensive. If you want a platform with excellent mobile responsiveness, Shopify is the superior choice.
Pricing Comparison of Shopify and Big Cartel
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Shopify and Big Cartel. This comparison will highlight the best option for creating your online store.
Shopify Pricing Plans
- Create a simple online store with ease.
- Access to basic ecommerce features and tools.
- No setup fees or hidden charges.
- Ideal for testing ecommerce waters.
- 10 inventory locations for better stock management.
- 24/7 chat support for continuous assistance.
- Localized global selling across 3 markets.
- POS Lite for in-person sales.
- 5 additional staff accounts for team collaboration.
- Localized global selling across 3 markets.
- Advanced reporting and analytics tools.
- POS Lite for seamless in-person sales.
- Custom reports and analytics for data-driven decisions.
- 15 additional staff accounts for larger teams.
- 10x checkout capacity for high traffic handling.
- Enhanced 24/7 chat support for priority assistance.
- 200 inventory locations for extensive stock management.
- Priority 24/7 phone support for immediate help.
- Localized global selling across 50 markets.
- Customizable checkout with 40x capacity.
Big Cartel Pricing Plans
- Manage your business and sell online with card and PayPal acceptance.
- Mobile apps available for iOS and Android for easy management.
- Import products from Etsy, Squarespace, and Shopify seamlessly.
- Customize your store with free, SEO-optimized templates.
- Offer discounts and run promotions to boost sales.
- Unlimited label printing with up to 90% off shipping.
- Advanced template customization for a unique store look.
- Track performance with Google Analytics integration.
- Prioritized support and abandoned cart recovery for better service.
- Ads with audience targeting for Google, Facebook, and more.
- Advanced Google Analytics reporting for detailed insights.
- Manage inventory with bulk editing and tracking features.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each e-commerce platform, focusing on key factors such as value to price, ease of use, and functionality. By analyzing user reviews and conducting in-depth testing, we ensure our recommendations align with your needs. Each factor is weighted by importance to deliver a reliable final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
Shopify or Big Cartel: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Shopify If You Need ...
- Advanced e-commerce features
If you are a business looking for a platform with advanced e-commerce features, Shopify is the ideal choice. Its robust functionality, extensive app ecosystem, and seamless payment processing make it a top choice for businesses looking to scale and grow.
- Comprehensive support resources
If you value comprehensive support resources, Shopify is the better option. Its 24/7 customer support and extensive documentation make it easy for users to find solutions to their issues and get the most out of the platform.
Choose Big Cartel If You Need ...
- Affordable for small businesses
If you are a small business or artist with a limited budget, Big Cartel is a great choice. Its affordable pricing plans and simple interface make it easy to create an online store without breaking the bank.
- Simple and intuitive platform
If you prefer a simple and intuitive platform, Big Cartel is the way to go. Its straightforward design and easy-to-use interface make it accessible to users with little technical knowledge, allowing you to set up and manage your store with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is better for small businesses, Shopify or Big Cartel?
Does Shopify offer more integrations than Big Cartel?
Is Shopify easier to use than Big Cartel?
Which platform offers better customer support, Shopify or Big Cartel?
Can I scale my business with Big Cartel?
Which platform offers better SEO optimization, Shopify or Big Cartel?
Martin Lunendonk
Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.
