Big Cartel Reviews

Read unbiased Big Cartel reviews from 43 verified users to learn if this is the best choice for you. Big Cartel is currently ranked #5 in the ecommerce industry with an average star rating of 2.7 and a sentiment score of 32%. Keep reading to learn more.

Big Cartel logo
Big Cartel
Big Cartel provides an easy-to-use e-commerce solution for creative entrepreneurs, allowing them to build online stores quickly and affordably. It is particularly suited for artists and small business owners who need a lightweight, no-frills platform to sell their products online.
Founded
2005
Location
Salt Lake City, United States
Industries
Ecommerce Software, Shopping Cart, Payment Processing,
Social Links
TrustScore
56
Good TrustScore (out of 0 to 100)
Industry Rank
#5
Out of 14 tracked companies
Industry Standing
71.4%
Solid performance among 14 companies
Sentiment Score
32%
Customer overall sentiment score
Average Rating
2.7
Star rating out of 5
Total Reviews
43
Last updated: 2025-01-30 07:52:34
Industry Comparison - Ecommerce
CompanyRank
TrustScore
RatingSentimentReviews
Market Share
Square#1824.361%458
21.0%
Magento#2733.656%22
12.7%
Ecwid#3723.556%37
12.7%
OpenCart#4663.635%41
10.7%
Big Cartel#5562.732%43
8.1%
PrestaShop#6512.520%33
6.2%
3dcart#7462.117%39
5.1%
Stripe#8392.1-7%517
9.3%
WooCommerce#9372.3-21%38
1.7%
Volusion#10311.2-2%38
0.7%

In the Ecommerce industry, Square leads with the highest trust score of 82%, performing 78.0% above average, while Shopify E-Commerce has the lowest trust score of 17%, 63.1% below the industry average. Square has the highest sentiment score of 61%, and PayPal has the most customer feedback with 1,001 reviews.

Industry Average Rating
2.3
Industry Average Sentiment
9%
Industry Total Reviews
2,891

Big Cartel Trust Score

0
out of 100
Rating Score (40% weighted)2.7 / 5
Sentiment Score (60% weighted)32%

TrustScore is a combination of 1 to 5 star rating (40% weighted) and -1 to 1 sentiment score (60% weighted) to provide an accurate and comprehensive measure of customer satisfaction. Learn more.

Big Cartel Sentiment Overview

Total Reviews
43
Positive
63%
27 reviews
Neutral
0%
0 reviews
Negative
37%
16 reviews
Big Cartel Customer Reviews

Big Cartel customers are most satisfied with Support (88%), while being most critical of Support (45%).

Reviews by Category

Positive Feedback

Support

Borderline scammers, don t support first time i bought from big cartel not a problem.

Support

The only issue i had was pointing a domain to the store, but big cartel s support was very good at sorting that out.

Negative Feedback

Support

No customer support don t buy from boarder line scammers.

Most Recent Big Cartel Reviews

Positive Reviews

Don't believe all of the negative reviews. I believe a lot of the negative reviews here are with the businesses using the Big Cartel platorm,...

David C

Great, easy and affordable option for Artists. I opened my shop on Big Carel in the Fall of 2021 and everything has worked smoothly since....

Bobby A

An amazing website builder! . I am using Big Cartel to make my small business, it is a great site especially if your new. All...

Alleyah Smith

Negative Reviews

Any company that hides their address…. Any company that hides their address and phone can't have good customer service. I'm sorry. Filed under not trustworthy....

Kitty Kat

It works well for starters as it can…. It works well for starters as it can help you build a simple platform however you have...

gladys jarrett

This ecommerce platform is good for…. This ecommerce platform is good for small businesses. If you're just starting out then I would recommend, very straight...

松鴉

The sentiment analysis above has highlighted customer feedback at scale. The Big Cartel review below provides an expert take at the features that matter most to help you decide if this company is the right choice for you.

Company Overview

Industries

Ecommerce Software
Shopping Cart
Payment Processing

Target Audience

Independent artists and designers
Small-scale entrepreneurs
Hobbyists and crafters looking to monetize their creations

Unique Selling Points

A streamlined and minimalistic interface designed for quick store setup.
Affordable pricing plans with no hidden fees, making it accessible for small businesses.
Focus on empowering independent creators with tools tailored to their unique needs.
Pricing Plans
Gold
$0/monthly
Renews at $0/monthly
No Trial
No refund policy as this is a free plan.

The Gold plan is a free option that allows users to test the platform with basic features and up to 5 products. It is an excellent choice for beginners or hobbyists who want to explore e-commerce with...

Best For:
This plan is ideal for hobbyists or beginners who want to experiment with selling online without committing to a paid plan. It is also suitable for testing the platform's basic features.

What's Included

  • Up to 5 products
  • Free customizable themes
  • Basic analytics
  • Mobile-friendly store
  • No listing fees
  • SSL security
  • Inventory tracking
  • Discount code creation

What's Not Included

  • Custom domain support
  • Advanced analytics
  • More than 5 products
  • Priority support

Hidden Costs

  • Transaction fees from payment processors
  • Limited customization options

Optional Add-ons

  • Custom domain integration

Payment & Billing

Payment Methods:
Credit cards
PayPal
Currencies:
USD
EUR
GBP
Billing Cycles:
Monthly

Free Extra Features

  • Free customizable themes
  • SSL security
Platinum
$9.99/monthly
Renews at $9.99/monthly
No Trial
No refund policy available for this plan.

The Platinum plan is designed for small businesses and creators needing more flexibility with up to 50 products. It includes additional features like custom domains and advanced analytics.

Best For:
This plan is perfect for small business owners or creators who need more flexibility and features, such as custom domain support and advanced analytics. It is also suitable for those with a growing inventory of up to 50 products.

What's Included

  • Up to 50 products
  • Custom domain support
  • Advanced analytics
  • Discount code creation
  • Mobile-friendly store
  • SSL security
  • Inventory tracking
  • Free customizable themes

What's Not Included

  • More than 50 products
  • Priority support
  • Premium themes
  • Third-party app integrations

Hidden Costs

  • Transaction fees from payment processors
  • Optional add-ons like premium themes

Optional Add-ons

  • Premium themes

Payment & Billing

Payment Methods:
Credit cards
PayPal
Currencies:
USD
EUR
GBP
Billing Cycles:
Monthly

Free Extra Features

  • Custom domain support
  • Advanced analytics
Diamond
$19.99/monthly
Renews at $19.99/monthly
No Trial
No refund policy available for this plan.

The Diamond plan is tailored for scaling businesses, offering support for up to 500 products and premium features like priority support and deeper customization options.

Best For:
This plan is ideal for growing businesses with larger inventories and the need for premium features like priority support. It is suitable for users who require up to 500 products and advanced customization options.

What's Included

  • Up to 500 products
  • Custom domain support
  • Advanced analytics
  • Priority support
  • Mobile-friendly store
  • SSL security
  • Inventory tracking
  • Free customizable themes

What's Not Included

  • More than 500 products
  • Third-party app integrations
  • Premium themes
  • Advanced marketing tools

Hidden Costs

  • Transaction fees from payment processors
  • Optional add-ons like premium themes

Optional Add-ons

  • Premium themes

Payment & Billing

Payment Methods:
Credit cards
PayPal
Currencies:
USD
EUR
GBP
Billing Cycles:
Monthly

Free Extra Features

  • Priority support
  • Advanced analytics

Big Cartel is a great choice for small-scale sellers and creative entrepreneurs who value simplicity and affordability. However, businesses seeking advanced features or scalability should consider other platforms.

Total Cost Calculator
Pricing Plan
Cost Breakdown

Platinum Plan

Monthly Cost$10/month

Total Cost over 3 Years

Year 1$120
Year 2$120
Year 3$120
Total after Year 1
$120
Total after Year 2
$240
Total after Year 3
$360

Optional Add-ons

  • Premium themes

Extra Costs not Included

  • Transaction fees from payment processors
  • Optional add-ons like premium themes
Explore Features

Feature Preferences

Select your feature requirements. Must-have features are essential for your needs, while nice-to-have features are beneficial but not critical.

Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) to select multiple features

Monthly Budget Range

Select your preferred budget range. This helps us find plans that fit your financial requirements.

Recommended Plans

Select features to get plan recommendations
Big Cartel Competitor Comparison

Select the features that are important to you. This will help us match competitors based on your needs.

Adjust how much you want to consider price in the comparison.

Features OnlyBalancedPrice Focused

Competitor Rankings

Shopify
Best Match

Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform known for its scalability and extensive feature set. It caters to businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises.

Match Score: 0%
Shopify's basic plan starts at $29/month, significantly higher than Big Cartel's entry-level plans.
Key Differences: Shopify offers a broader range of features, including advanced marketing tools, abandoned cart recovery, and app integrations. However, it is more expensive than Big Cartel.
When to Choose: Choose Shopify if you need advanced features, scalability, and extensive app integrations.
When Not to Choose: Avoid Shopify if you are on a tight budget or only need basic e-commerce features.
Squarespace

Squarespace is a website builder with integrated e-commerce features, ideal for users who prioritize design and aesthetics.

Match Score: 0%
Squarespace's e-commerce plans start at $23/month, which is higher than Big Cartel's paid plans.
Key Differences: Squarespace offers more design flexibility and templates but lacks the simplicity and affordability of Big Cartel.
When to Choose: Choose Squarespace if you need a visually stunning website with integrated e-commerce capabilities.
When Not to Choose: Avoid Squarespace if you prioritize affordability and simplicity.
Etsy

Etsy is a marketplace platform focused on handmade and vintage items, providing sellers with a built-in audience.

Match Score: 0%
Etsy charges $0.20 per listing and takes a percentage of each sale, whereas Big Cartel has fixed monthly pricing.
Key Differences: Etsy is a marketplace, while Big Cartel is a standalone e-commerce platform. Etsy charges listing fees, while Big Cartel does not.
When to Choose: Choose Etsy if you want access to a large customer base without marketing your store independently.
When Not to Choose: Avoid Etsy if you want full control over branding and customization.
User Feedback

Common Praise

Big Cartel is praised for its simplicity and ease of use, making it accessible for non-technical users.
The platform's affordability and lack of listing fees are highly appreciated by small business owners.
Users love the minimalist design and themes that cater to creative entrepreneurs.

Common Complaints

Limited scalability as the platform supports a maximum of 500 products.
Lack of advanced marketing tools and third-party app integrations.
Customer support is limited compared to competitors, with no live chat or phone support.

Success Stories

An independent artist used Big Cartel to sell custom artwork and grew their business to generate consistent monthly sales.
A small fashion brand launched their online store on Big Cartel and expanded their reach to international customers.
A craft maker successfully transitioned from local markets to online sales using Big Cartel's simple setup process.

Potential Deal Breakers

The platform's lack of scalability for businesses with over 500 products.
Limited integration options with third-party apps and marketing tools.
Absence of advanced e-commerce features like abandoned cart recovery.
Final Verdict

Big Cartel Pros

  • Affordable pricing plans with no hidden fees.
  • User-friendly interface suitable for non-technical users.
  • Focus on independent creators and small businesses.
  • No listing fees, making it cost-effective for small sellers.

Big Cartel Cons

  • Limited scalability with a maximum of 500 products.
  • Lacks advanced marketing and e-commerce features.
  • Customer support options are limited.

Recommended For:

Not Recommended For:

Frequently Asked Questions