Big Cartel review (2026): features, pros and cons, and what to check before you buy
Low-cost store builder aimed at artists and small makers, with a free tier and two paid plans.
Our take for buyers
Big Cartel is worth a look for artists and small makers who want a simple, low-cost store with a free tier. The plans are Gold (free, limited), Platinum at $15 per month and Diamond at $30 per month. G2 shows a 4.2 rating, but across only 27 reviews, which is too few to draw firm conclusions. Little else is published, so the evaluation has to be hands-on.
It is not the right shortlist entry for teams needing B2B or multichannel features. Information on security, admin controls and contract terms is very thin: no certifications, SSO or data residency details are published. That makes it suitable for individual sellers, and a poor candidate for any buyer with a formal vendor review. If you are in a regulated or multi-user setting, look at platforms with documented controls.
- Best for
- Artists and small makers who want a cheap flat-fee store.
- Starting price
- $15/month (Platinum)
- G2 rating
- 4.2 (27 reviews)
What is Big Cartel?
Low-cost store builder aimed at artists and small makers, with a free tier and two paid plans. Makers and artists selling a limited range can run a store on a flat fee, from a free Gold tier up to Diamond at $30 monthly. Teams needing B2B or multichannel selling will outgrow it. Diamond adds Zapier access to more than 7,000 apps.
Category: Ecommerce Platforms
Big Cartel key features
| Criterion | What we found |
|---|---|
| App and integration ecosystem | Zapier connections to 7,000+ apps on Diamond. |
| Pricing model and transparency | Flat monthly plans: free Gold, $15 Platinum, $30 Diamond. |
| Target company size | Small sellers and makers (inferred) |
Big Cartel plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Free | month | limited features |
| Platinum | $15 | month | 7-day free trial; custom domain, physical and digital products, shipping labels |
| Diamond | $30 | month | no commitment, cancel anytime; adds abandoned cart recovery, scheduled drops, password-protected products, Zapier, priority support |
Annual prices, product limits and transaction fees are not confirmed by the vendor.
Who should shortlist Big Cartel
A strong fit for
- Artists and small makers who want a cheap flat-fee store.
A weak fit for
- Teams needing B2B or multichannel features.
Big Cartel alternatives
ShopifySmall and mid-size brands that want a hosted store without managing servers.
Squarespace CommerceBrands and creators that prioritize templates and design.
Wix eCommerceSmall shops and service businesses that want site and store in one editor.
Ecwid by LightspeedSites that already exist and need a cart added.
Adobe Commerce (Magento)Large merchants with in-house or agency developers.
BigCommerceGrowing stores wanting B2B tools and open APIs on a hosted platform.
Contract and buying terms
- Contract
- Diamond: no commitment, cancel anytime.
- Support
- Priority support from humans on Diamond.
- Starting price
- $15/month (Platinum)
- Pricing model
- Flat.
- Free plan or trial
- Free plan, Free trial.
What to test in a Big Cartel demo or trial
Start on the free Gold plan or the 7-day Platinum trial and build a real store with your own products. Check whether Platinum covers your needs: custom domain, physical and digital products and shipping labels. Test the Diamond features only if you need them, namely abandoned cart recovery, scheduled drops, password-protected products and Zapier. Before committing, ask the vendor in writing for product limits, transaction fees and annual pricing, which the vendor does not publish. Contact support to see how responsive it is, since priority human support is a Diamond feature.
Questions to ask Big Cartel before you sign
These are the points Big Cartel's public pages leave open. Get the answers in writing before procurement signs off.
- Which plan includes SAML SSO, and what does it cost for our seat count?
- Is SCIM provisioning included, or a paid add-on?
- Which plan includes audit logs, and how long are they kept?
- Where is our data stored, and can we choose the region?
- Can we sign your standard DPA without changes?
- What will the price be at renewal, and is the increase capped?
Things to know before a demo
- Diamond is advertised as no commitment, cancel anytime.
- Zapier access to 7,000+ apps only on Diamond.
- Platinum starts with a 7-day trial.
Big Cartel FAQ
What is Big Cartel used for?
Makers and artists selling a limited range can run a store on a flat fee, from a free Gold tier up to Diamond at $30 monthly. Teams needing B2B or multichannel selling will outgrow it. Diamond adds Zapier access to more than 7,000 apps. It suits artists and small makers who want a cheap flat-fee store.
Who is Big Cartel best for?
Artists and small makers who want a cheap, flat-fee online store. It is not suited to teams that need B2B or multichannel selling features.
Does Big Cartel offer a free trial?
Platinum starts with a 7-day free trial, and the Gold plan is free with limited features. Diamond is advertised as no commitment, cancel anytime.
What support does Big Cartel offer?
Priority support from humans is included with the Diamond plan. Support levels on Gold and Platinum are not described.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Big Cartel's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.