If you're torn between Ecwid vs Big Cartel, you're likely looking for a solution that is cost-effective yet still provides the tools to increase your sales. Each platform offers unique advantages tailored to the needs of small businesses, but choosing the right one can be daunting.
To help you decide, we've broken down all the details of Ecwid vs Big Cartel in terms of the following aspects:
- Pricing;
- Ease of use;
- Templates & customization;
- eCommerce features;
- Apps & integration;
- Security & performance;
- Customer support.
Additionally, we will also share insights on potential future growth for each platform. Continue reading for more details!
Ecwid vs Big Cartel: An Overview
Before diving into the specifics, let’s start with a broad overview of both Ecwid vs Big Cartel. This section will provide you with a foundational understanding of what each service offers, setting the stage for a deeper comparison.
What is Ecwid?
Launched in 2009, Ecwid started as an eCommerce widget that lets you add a store to your existing website, social media profile, or online marketplace. In 2021, Ecwid joined forces with Lightspeed, a well-established provider of cloud-based commerce solutions, primarily known for its comprehensive POS and eCommerce systems that serve businesses worldwide. After the acquisition, Ecwid has transformed into a robust, all-in-one solution.
According to Storeleads, Ecwid is currently hosting over 200,000 live stores. Though its growth has seen a slight dip recently, a 15% rise year-over-year shows that Ecwid is still expanding and adapting in the eCommerce space. The majority of users are from the United States, followed by most countries in Europe, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.
Ecwid pros | Ecwid cons |
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What is Big Cartel?
Big Cartel is designed for artists, creatives, and small businesses, offering a straightforward eCommerce platform to sell your work online. It emphasizes simplicity, with no listing fees, hidden charges, or unnecessary data-sharing practices.
As of early 2025, Big Cartel is home to nearly 200,00 live stores, with most users based in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The number of stores has seen a modest increase, growing by 0.2% from the previous quarter and 2% from the year before in 2024. This number indicates that while it's a niche player, Big Cartel continues to be a reliable choice for artists looking to make their mark online.
Big Cartel pros | Big Cartel cons |
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Ecwid vs Big Cartel: Which platform suits you better?
Between Ecwid vs Big Cartel, the best platform for you depends on what type of business you’re running and where you see it going. Let’s break down which businesses might benefit most from each platform:
Ecwid is great for:
- Small to medium businesses that plan to scale up and reach a wider market, especially on an international scale.
- Businesses that sell both online and offline or across various online platforms.
- Entrepreneurs who have some technical skills or are willing to delve into more complex eCommerce functionalities.
Meanwhile, Big Cartel is the top choice for:
- Artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs who want to sell their art, crafts, or unique products directly to consumers without needing extensive eCommerce functionalities.
- Startups that prioritize ease of use and effectiveness, with a focus on a smaller product range.
- Those who sell at events like art fairs, exhibitions, or pop-ups need a simple and effective online presence.
This is a merchant review for Big Cartel on Trustpilot:
I'm a photographer who was looking for an online store to sell my prints. I looked at a few options such as Squarespace and Shopify, but Big Cartel suited me best.
At this point, you should have a solid grasp of the core differences and purposes of Ecwid vs Big Cartel. We will continue our comparison with a detailed analysis of each aspect. In this way, you can determine which platform aligns best with your business objectives and operational needs.
Pricing
The Verdict
When comparing the cost structures of Ecwid vs Big Cartel, Big Cartel is more affordable, particularly for those with smaller product lines. Still, you should be aware of its limitations in product listings when scaling up your business.
Ecwid pricing
Rating: 4.5/5
To start with, Ecwid offers you these pricing plans:
- Free Plan: $0/month (limited to 10 products, basic features).
- Venture Plan: $25/month (up to 100 products).
- Business Plan: $45/month (up to 2,500 products).
- Unlimited Plan: $105/month (unlimited products).
Beyond the monthly fees, there are additional costs that can impact your total expenditure:
- Apps and integrations: From $5 to $50 per month, depending on the app.
- Custom themes: While basic themes are free, premium themes or custom design services can cost from $50 to several hundred dollars.
- Transaction fees: Ecwid does not charge transaction fees, but payment processors will have their own fees, usually around 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
Considering all the mentioned costs, operating an eCommerce site on Ecwid can cost around $2,000 annually if you opt for the most expensive plan and necessary enhancements. This estimation helps businesses budget not just for the platform fee but also for any additional tools they might need.
Big Cartel pricing
Rating: 4.6/5
Big Cartel’s pricing structure is notably more straightforward and budget-friendly, especially suitable for artists and small-scale sellers. However, it's important to note that all Big Cartel plans include product listing limits, which distinguishes them from Ecwid’s Unlimited Plan.
- Gold Plan: $0/month (5 products).
- Platinum Plan: $15/month (50 products).
- Diamond Plan: $30/month (500 products).
In addition to the monthly plan costs, Big Cartel shops may encounter other expenses that contribute to the total cost of ownership.
- Apps and integrations: From $0 to $30 per month.
- Themes: Custom themes or slight modifications might be required, costing anywhere from $20 to $200, depending on complexity.
- Transaction fees: Like Ecwid, Big Cartel does not charge its own transaction fees, but you'll incur fees from payment processors.
For a business using the Diamond Plan with necessary customizations and apps, the total cost of ownership for Big Cartel can be about $1,000 annually. This range is definitely more cost-effective than running an online store on Ecwid. Yet, the availability of eCommerce features on Big Cartel will be much limited compared to Ecwid’s.
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Ease of Use
The Verdict
It's a tie. Both Ecwid vs Big Cartel make it really easy for merchants to get started and manage their stores. No matter which platform you go for, you can quickly set up your store in a few steps.
Ecwid ease of use
Rating: 4.6/5
Starting with Ecwid is straightforward: simply provide an email address and a password, and you're ready to explore their free plan. If you need more features, upgrading is a breeze via the “My Profile” section in your dashboard.
Once registered, Ecwid's admin dashboard offers a clear setup guide. It walks you through the steps to launch your store, including:
- Set up your website and storefront;
- Add your products or services;
- Review regional settings;
- Choose how to deliver your goods;
- Set up payment options.
The dashboard is intuitively designed with well-labeled sections for Store Management, Sales Channels, and Configuration. This setup ensures easy store management, even for those new to eCommerce.
You might notice the Lightspeed logo on the Ecwid dashboard. This logo represents Ecwid's acquisition by Lightspeed, signifying that Ecwid is now part of a larger suite of business tools and benefits from enhanced capabilities and support.
Here’s a thought of an Ecwid merchant about the platform on Trustpilot:
The setup process was incredibly straightforward, even for a non-technical team. Ecwid's intuitive interface makes it easy to manage products, track orders, and engage with customers. We especially love how responsive and mobile-friendly our store is—our customers frequently compliment how easy it is to shop on our site!
Big Cartel ease of use
Rating: 4.6/5
Big Cartel keeps the initial setup as simple as Ecwid, with a small difference: you need to select a plan right from the start. After choosing your plan, the signup process asks for your email, password, store name, and URL. If opting for a paid plan, you'll also enter your billing information.
Big Cartel then guides you to its dashboard, where a setup guide awaits. You must complete all the steps in this guide to access the Big Cartel dashboard:
- Verify your location or currency;
- Add a product;
- Explore shipping profiles;
- Connect a payment processor;
- Design your shop;
- Launch your shop.
With only five main sections, Big Cartel’s dashboard is perfect for those who prefer simplicity and want to focus more on their craft than on managing a complex website.
Templates & Customization
The Verdict
We can confidently say that Ecwid leads the pack in this category between Ecwid and Big Cartel. Ecwid offers a broader array of over 40 templates compared to Big Cartel's roughly 15 templates.
Ecwid templates & customization
Rating: 4.5/5
Ecwid provides a versatile selection of over 40 free templates, categorized to suit various industries such as Apparel & Footwear, Home & Garden, and Sport & Outdoor. These templates are not only polished and professional but also visually appealing.
Once you've selected a template, Ecwid's website builder comes into play, offering a powerful suite of tools to fine-tune your site according to your needs. Here are some of the standout features you can use to customize your online store:
- Use the drag-and-drop feature to position elements anywhere on your page easily;
- Customize the block style, composition, text, change its color or font;
- Add a carousel with your best deals and offers;
- Make it easy to find your store with contact details and address on the map.
For most online stores, especially small to medium-sized businesses, Ecwid's customization options are more than enough. They blend easy-to-use design features with effective eCommerce tools to help your business grow. This approach keeps things simple, avoiding any unnecessary complexity.
If you need more specific customizations, Ecwid also allows for coding. This option is great if you're ready to tackle a bit more of a challenge to get exactly what you want from your store.
Big Cartel templates & customization
Rating: 4/5
Switching to Big Cartel, you'll find a more curated selection of themes—just over 15 in total. However, like Ecwid's templates, all of Big Cartel's themes are free, which is a significant advantage over many other eCommerce platforms.
The quality of these themes is quite impressive. Each one is fully responsive on all screen sizes (mobile phone, tablet, desktop computer, etc.). Additionally, the themes are particularly well-suited for creative projects, featuring designs that highlight artistic products beautifully.
When it comes to customization, there are no drag-and-drop tools available, which means you won't have the same level of ease in reconfiguring layouts. Instead, you'll work within the limits of pre-designed themes and make basic adjustments through the platform's dashboard:
- Change colors for buttons and text to match your brand's palette;
- Switch fonts to reflect your store’s style and tone;
- Adjust layout options for elements like the header and sidebar to organize your content better;
- Modify product display options to enhance how your items are presented.
Although Big Cartel’s customization tools are more limited than Ecwid’s, they provide just enough options to create a clean and attractive store. This setup is perfect if you prefer things straightforward and don't need too many customization tools.
eCommerce Features
The Verdict
For merchants looking to maximize their online potential, Ecwid presents a more advantageous platform than Big Cartel. They tried their best to bring out the most robust eCommerce features to help you thrive.
Since you are running an online store, eCommerce features really matter. To help you pick the winner between Ecwid vs Big Cartel, we have compared all the features in the table below:
Features | Ecwid | Big Cartel |
Product type supported | Supports physical, digital, services, and subscriptions. | Primarily supports physical; limited digital support. |
Product limitation | Unlimited product on the highest plan. | 500 products with 150 product variants maximum on the highest plan. |
Product display | Unlimited images, videos, and 3D images. | Maximum of 5 images per product on the highest plan. |
Inventory management | Offers bulk product editing, stock level tracking, and automated back-in-stock alerts. | Manual stock updates, simple product variants, and lacks automated inventory alerts. |
Payment gateways | Over 70 payment methods. | Fewer options; primarily uses PayPal and Stripe. |
POS integration | Lightspeed POS, Square, Clover, etc. | Only integrates with Stripe. |
Shipping methods | Extensive options including real-time rates, local delivery, order pickup. | Basic options like free shipping, flat rate, in-store pickup. |
Checkout process | Customizable fields for uploads, information, and instructions. | Basic checkout tools (payment integration, customer info fields, order confirmation) |
Tax calculation | Automated tax calculations in 15+ countries. | Automated tax calculations only for the US. |
Multichannel selling | Directly sell products on Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and eBay. | Only supports selling on Facebook. For other channels, you have to rely on third-party apps. |
SEO & marketing | Advanced SEO tools, social media integration, email marketing, and Google Analytics. | Basic SEO support, limited social media integration, and minimal marketing tools. |
Apps & Integration
The Verdict
Comparing this aspect between Ecwid vs Big Cartel, Ecwid clearly surpasses Big Cartel. Ecwid offers an extensive marketplace with around 300 high-quality apps, while Big Cartel provides a more limited selection of about 30 apps.
Ecwid apps & integration
Rating: 4.5/5
Ecwid offers a robust marketplace with around 300 apps, catering to various essential functions such as marketing, shipping, and analytics. The paid options typically range from $20 to $50 per month, depending on each app's features.
For newcomers, Ecwid simplifies your choices with a “Featured” collection. This section spotlights top apps that can significantly boost your operations. For instance, Printful facilitates seamless dropshipping, Zapier automates workflows across various apps, and Mailchimp enhances your email marketing efforts.
Overall, these integrations are numerous and seamlessly integrated. Thanks to them, Ecwid has become a highly adaptable platform that can grow with your business needs.
Big Cartel apps & integration
Rating: 4/5
The number of Big Cartel apps available is significantly smaller than Ecwid’s, totaling around 30. Despite this, these apps still cover key functionalities, including Mailchimp (email marketing), Instagram (social selling), Google for analytics, and Shipstation (shipping), etc.
You can use Zapier with Big Cartel if you need more advanced features. This lets you link up with over 1,000 other apps, including powerful accounting tools like Xero and QuickBooks.
One downside with Big Cartel is how they list their apps. They're on a help page rather than a dedicated store, which can be tricky to navigate, especially if you're unsure what you need.
Security & Performance
The Verdict
Ecwid's comprehensive security measures and performance optimizations clearly outmatch Big Cartel's more limited disclosures. This has made Ecwid the stronger option for businesses that prioritize security and site performance.
Ecwid security & performance
Rating: 4.4/5
Ecwid provides transparent and comprehensive details about its security and performance capabilities. More specifically:
- Hosted on Amazon Web Services;
- PCI Level 1 PCI DSS compliance;
- Cloudfront CDN;
- Secure checkout;
- Unlimited bandwidth.
Big Cartel security & performance
Rating: 4/5
Big Cartel is less forthcoming with information about its security and hosting setup. The primary detail provided is that all plans include a free SSL certificate, which is crucial for secure transactions.
However, the visibility of the SSL padlock logo can be compromised if unsecured HTTP links are used for code or image additions on the site. This lack of detailed information and potential security risks due to user modifications slightly undermines the confidence in its security measures compared to Ecwid.
Customer Support
The Verdict
Considering the level of support offered, Ecwid comes out on top in this customer support comparison between Ecwid vs Big Cartel. Unlike Big Cartel, Ecwid provides phone support, which is a crucial feature for many businesses needing immediate and direct assistance.
Ecwid customer support
Rating: 4.3/5
If you're just starting out with Ecwid and choose their free plan, you won't get direct help from a support team. Instead, you can look up answers yourself in their knowledge base or ask other users in forums. This is a good way to learn on your own and see how others solve similar problems.
When you're ready to pay, starting at $21 a month, Ecwid steps up its game. You get to chat live or send emails whenever you run into trouble, which is pretty handy. If you go for one of the pricier plans, you can even talk to the customer support team on the phone 24/7.
Big Cartel customer support
Rating: 4/5
Big Cartel keeps it friendly and personal. They have a small team—just 10 people—who are ready to help you any time during the week and on Saturday and Sunday mornings until early evening. If you send them an email, they're quick to respond, usually within a couple of hours.
They also have a resource center of helpful videos and articles. These are great for beginners and cover everything from setting up your store to handling orders and shipping stuff out.
How Are Ecwid vs Big Cartel Evolving for eCommerce in 2025 and Beyond?
In 2025, Ecwid and Big Cartel are smartly upgrading their platforms to keep up with the fast-paced changes in eCommerce. Let’s break down how each is preparing for the future, keeping things simple and actionable.
Ecwid is getting pretty smart by bringing in some basic AI, or artificial intelligence. This is great news for small and medium businesses because it makes things like marketing, helping customers, and managing the store a lot easier. We think Ecwid will keep adding more AI features, which might soon help businesses predict trends and make shopping feel more personal for customers.
On the other hand, Big Cartel is making sure the basics are getting better, especially for artists and folks who run their own small shops. They’re working on making it easier to handle payments and send out products, which are really important for keeping customers happy. These updates help shop owners save time on the nitty-gritty stuff so they can focus more on their craft.
In our eyes, Ecwid is using AI to help you work smarter, while Big Cartel is focusing on making everyday tasks easier. Both are clearly putting in the effort to help you succeed in a busy online market.
Ecwid vs Big Cartel: FAQs
What is better than Big Cartel?
Platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce might be better options than Big Cartel if you need more extensive features. These platforms offer a larger app marketplace, enhanced customization options, and scalability, providing robust eCommerce tools and integrations for growing businesses.
What is better than Ecwid?
Shopify or BigCommerce are better options than Ecwid. These platforms provide more comprehensive native functionality and extensive customization capabilities, with pricing structures that might better suit larger businesses or those with specific needs.
How much does Ecwid charge per sale?
Ecwid does not charge any transaction fees on the sales you make, regardless of your plan. This means you keep all your earnings except for any credit card or payment gateway fees that your payment processor might charge.
Do people make money on Ecwid?
Yes, many people make money on Ecwid. It provides a platform to build an online store easily, supporting various business sizes and types.
What are the downsides of Big Cartel?
While Big Cartel is a great choice for artists and small businesses, it does have some downsides:
- Not ideal for larger or expanding businesses;
- Limited product options and customization capabilities;
- Restricted support options.
Is Big Cartel better for artists or general eCommerce?
Big Cartel is better suited for artists. It offers tools and features that cater specifically to the needs of independent creators and small shop owners, making it less ideal for general eCommerce.
Is Ecwid better for small businesses or large businesses?
Ecwid is optimal for small businesses. It provides easy-to-use features and scalability that help small operations grow smoothly. Ecwid's flexibility also supports transitioning into larger businesses if needed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hopefully, this article has helped clarify the features and benefits of Ecwid and Big Cartel, guiding you toward the right decision for your business.
After thoroughly reviewing and comparing Ecwid vs Big Cartel on all aspects, here are our final ratings for each platform.
- Ecwid (4.5/5): Ideal for growing businesses, packed with extensive eCommerce features and excellent support.
- Big Cartel (4/5): Best for artists and beginners, offering simplicity with essential features for easy selling.
For more insights, be sure to explore our collection of blog posts dedicated to eCommerce solutions and join our community group now!
