Big Cartel vs Etsy: A Definitive Comparison [December 2024]
![Big Cartel vs Etsy: A Definitive Comparison [December 2024]](https://wp.sellfy.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/BigCartel-vs-etsy.png)
Table of Contents
If you’ve been exploring platforms to sell your creations online, you’ve probably come across Big Cartel and Etsy.
While yes, both platforms are popular options for independent creators, each one offers different features that work better for different types of sellers. I tested each platform while trying to set up my store and sell products and I realized that both options have some key differences.
For example, Big Cartel is very simple to use and navigate, which makes it ideal for small business owners or creators who want to create a store in just a few steps. However, Big Cartel lacks advanced features, such as built-in eCommerce tools and advanced customization options, which are essential for scaling and growing a business.
On the other hand, Etsy is a marketplace, which makes it more suitable for people who want to tap into a large, existing customer base. However, neither of them is a good choice for creators who want to have full control over their branding or need features like subscription models or selling directly on social media.
That’s why I decided to bring Sellfy into the mix; I think it brings something extra to the table. Sellfy combines the best of both worlds, as it is a customizable, all-in-one eCommerce solution. Sellfy supports both digital products and physical items and comes with a whole lot of built-in marketing tools, which means it’s perfect for creators who want full control over their brand and sales.
In this article, I compare Big Cartel vs Etsy vs Sellfy in four key areas:
- Creating an online store
- Marketing and eCommerce tools
- Customization and design
- Transaction fees and pricing
I’ll also touch on ease of use, customer support, and other features in the comparison table below to give you a comprehensive overview of each platform.
Sellfy | Shopify | Big Cartel |
 |  |  |
Price | ||
🏆 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏆 |
Creating an online store | ||
🏆 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Marketing features | ||
🏆 | ⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Customization and design | ||
🏆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Ease of use | ||
🏆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏆 |
Customer support | ||
🏆 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Best for | ||
Creators and entrepreneurs looking for an all-in-one solution with advanced marketing and customization tools. | Artisans, crafters, and vintage sellers who want to tap into Etsy's massive built-in audience. | |
What is Big Cartel?
“Simple setup, seamless selling—no fees, no fuss, just pure creativity” 🎨💸
Launched in 2005, Big Cartel is an eCommerce platform that allows independent artists and small businesses to sell their products online. Today, it is used by over 1 million users, making it one of the most popular platforms for artists, makers, and boutique brands.
Big Cartel offers a wide range of features that help users set up their online stores quickly. The platform has an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface and allows users to create their own product listings, manage inventory and prices as well as customize their storefront to a certain degree.
Users can sell both physical and digital products on Big Cartel, but selling digital products requires an integration for seamless delivery. The platform also provides real-time order tracking and integrates with payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe for seamless payment processing. Big Cartel offers a free plan, but it has limited built-in features.
The quick setup, and simple, user-friendly experience make this platform ideal for small business owners, independent artists, and creators just starting out. However, Big Cartel’s limited scalability and reliance on third-party integrations for more advanced features may not be suitable for larger companies or people who are looking for more advanced marketing and customization tools.
What is Etsy?
“Sell handmade, vintage, and unique creations worldwide!” ✨🌍
Established in 2005, Etsy is a global marketplace that enables creators to sell handmade, vintage, and craft supply products. It has become one of the most popular eCommerce platforms worldwide, with 90 million active buyers and over 7 million active sellers.
Etsy offers customizable storefronts, various tools for listing and managing products as well as built-in payment processing through Etsy Payments. The platform also provides sellers with integrated marketing options, such as advertising and social media sharing tools, to help them reach a broader audience. What’s more, Etsy has a built-in audience that’s already actively browsing for unique, creative products, helping sellers get more traffic.
The easy-to-use experience makes Etsy great for independent creators and small businesses that want to reach a wide customer base without extensive marketing or web development. Nevertheless, Etsy’s marketplace setup may not be the best fit for businesses that want to have full control over their branding or need deeper customization and advanced eCommerce tools.
What is Sellfy?
“One platform, endless sales—Sellfy!” 💸📲
Sellfy is the ultimate platform for creators who want to sell their work online effortlessly. Launched in 2011, it’s become a go-to platform for thousands of creators and small businesses from around the world. Sellfy makes it possible for creators to sell their digital, physical, subscription, and print-on-demand products from a beautiful online store.
What I love about Sellfy is how simple it is to use. You can customize your storefront to match your brand, process payments seamlessly, and even manage your products—all in one place. It’s perfect for selling things like eBooks, art prints, courses, or custom merch. And the built-in marketing tools? Total game-changer.
Sellfy helps you grow your business without the need for fancy tech skills or coding. From email marketing campaigns and discount codes to upselling features and analytics, you can easily connect with your audience, increase sales, and track your success, all from one intuitive platform.
If you’re a digital artist, a fitness coach, or someone just starting their own brand, Sellfy is a fantastic choice to get your store up and running quickly. It takes the stress out of selling online so you can focus on what you do best—creating.
Big Cartel vs Etsy vs Sellfy: Creating an online store
Sellfy and Big Cartel offer more flexibility and customization for your store, with Sellfy including built-in marketing tools, while Etsy provides access to a large marketplace but also has more competition and hidden fees.
| | | |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Big Cartel and Sellfy are all-in-one eCommerce platforms, while Etsy is a creative marketplace
Big Cartel and Sellfy are both super easy-to-use platforms that let you create your own online store and offer a lot of customization options.
Big Cartel is perfect for creators with a smaller product range and looking for a simple setup. It was designed for independent sellers or small business owners who need something straightforward to start selling.
Sellfy, on the other hand, offers a wider range of tools for both physical and digital products and has built-in marketing features to help grow your business. It includes email campaigns, discount codes, and affiliate marketing programs to help you promote and grow your business without having to add third-party apps or extra setups.
Etsy, though, works a bit differently; it’s a marketplace where you can list and sell your products. The advantage? You get access to their huge audience of buyers actively looking for unique, one-of-a-kind products.
Etsy supports both physical and digital products, while Big Cartel needs an app for digital; Sellfy offers more product variety
Etsy allows sellers to offer both physical and digital items from the get-go, making it super flexible. The platform makes it easy to list your items without any extra hassle—no apps, no integrations, just upload and sell. Big Cartel, on the other hand, is a great option for creators with a smaller catalog of physical goods. However, if you want to sell digital products, you’ll need to integrate a third-party app, such as Pulley, which adds a few extra steps (and maybe a little frustration) to the process.
Sellfy is a versatile, all-in-one platform that lets you sell physical products, digital downloads, subscriptions, and print-on-demand items—all without the need for third-party apps like Big Cartel. It was originally built for digital products, making it especially well-suited for creators. Sellfy lets you easily set up a fully customizable store, giving you full control over branding and customer experience, all in one simple platform. This flexibility makes it an excellent option for creators who want to sell a variety of products without the added complexity.
Big Cartel and Etsy target the same audience, but only Etsy brings in an established marketplace crowd
The great thing is that Big Cartel and Etsy both support independent creators, hobbyists, and small business owners who are looking to sell their unique products. So, if you’re a maker or a creative, you’ll feel right at home on whichever platform you choose. However, Etsy has one big advantage here—it has an existing audience of millions actively shopping for one-of-a-kind, handmade, or vintage goods. That means you don’t have to worry about driving traffic to your store, as Etsy brings the buyers to you. Brilliant, right? Well, not so fast.
While Etsy’s marketplace crowd may be a huge advantage, you’re also competing directly with other sellers in the same space. Plus, Etsy charges a fee for every sale you make and limits how much you can customize your store.
On the flip side, Big Cartel gives you more freedom to build and brand your store, but you’ll need to do all the heavy lifting to attract your audience.
Although Sellfy doesn’t have a built-in audience, it provides more robust marketing tools than Big Cartel to help you promote your products. With features like email campaigns, affiliate programs, and discount options, Sellfy makes it easier to grow your audience and drive sales. Unlike Etsy, you don’t have to share the spotlight, and unlike Big Cartel, you don’t need to integrate third-party apps to promote your products.
While Etsy and Big Cartel keep their branding in the spotlight, Sellfy lets you create a fully white-labeled online store.
When you set up a store on Etsy or Big Cartel, their branding comes with it. On Etsy, your store sits within their marketplace, which means your brand often competes for attention with Etsy’s well-known logo and design elements. Big Cartel, offers more independence, however, it still includes their branding on free accounts unless you upgrade.
Want a pro tip? You can remove Big Cartel’s branding with a little bit of coding magic, but it’s a workaround at best.
Sellfy, on the other hand, takes a different approach. With its Business and Premium plans, you can set up a completely white-labeled store where your brand takes center stage. Additionally, you can connect a custom domain to your store to further enhance the white-label experience and make your website feel even more like your own branded space. This combination of customization and control helps reinforce your brand identity and can improve customer loyalty.
🏆 | Winner: | ||
Unlike Etsy, which keeps your store tied to its marketplace branding, Big Cartel and Sellfy allow you to create a sleek, distraction-free store that’s all about your brand. However, Sellfy is still the obvious winner here thanks to its unmatched flexibility and fully customizable, white-label storefronts. | |||
| | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ||
Big Cartel vs Etsy vs Sellfy: Marketing and eCommerce tools
Sellfy offers an all-in-one marketing and eCommerce solution with built-in tools like email marketing, cart abandonment recovery, and affiliate programs, while Big Cartel relies on external apps and Etsy sticks to basic, marketplace-focused features.
| |  | |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Sellfy offers a full package, while Big Cartel relies on external tools; Etsy sticks to simple yet effective
When it comes to marketing and eCommerce tools, Sellfy takes the lead with its all-in-one package designed to help you easily grow your business. Sellfy offers built-in marketing features such as discount codes to engage customers, email marketing for product updates and newsletter collection, as well as upselling tools to increase your average order value.
Sellfy even includes cart abandonment emails for recovering lost sales and an affiliate marketing tool to help you grow by offering commissions to affiliates. You can also add tracking pixels for Facebook and Twitter ads. Keep in mind, however, that some of these advanced features are available only on Sellfy’s Business and Premium plans.
Big Cartel, on the other hand, requires third-party apps for many features that Sellfy includes as part of its platform. While Big Cartel does offer marketing tools like Mailchimp, Pinterest Tag, and several integrations for live chat and pop-ups, it relies heavily on external services like Chatway, Fera, and Powr.io to fill in the gaps. This, unfortunately, means more setup and management for you—and more time and money spent on keeping everything running smoothly.
Etsy keeps things simple with a set of tools designed specifically for marketplace sales, which means it’s a great choice for people who want to sell within its established ecosystem. You get basic tools for marketing, but nothing too advanced or customizable. Although it’s perfect for reaching Etsy’s established audience, it doesn’t offer the same level of flexibility and marketing power as Sellfy.
Etsy has a larger, centralized customer base; Big Cartel and Sellfy rely on sellers’ independent marketing efforts
Etsy definitely has the upper hand when it comes to built-in traffic. It has millions of active users browsing for unique and handmade items, which means sellers have instant access to a massive, centralized customer network. This is a huge perk for sellers who don’t yet have a following or the marketing know-how to drive traffic to their store. Etsy’s marketplace does half the work for you as it puts your products in front of an audience that’s already eager to buy.
Big Cartel and Sellfy, on the other hand, require you to roll up your sleeves and drive your own traffic. Although this gives you full control over your store’s branding and customer relationships, it also means you’ll need to invest time and resources into marketing like SEO, social media, and advertising. Features like email marketing, discount codes, and social media integrations make it easier to get your products in front of the right people without relying on third-party apps or external traffic.
Don’t count on Big Cartel or Etsy when it comes to email marketing, but Sellfy’s got your back
When it comes to email marketing, Sellfy is the clear winner. Unlike Big Cartel and Etsy, which rely on third-party integrations, Sellfy offers a built-in email marketing feature that makes running campaigns a breeze. You can easily create and send personalized emails to your customers, regarding product launches, special deals, or simple “thank you” notes. What’s more, Sellfy helps you target specific product buyers or send emails to all your customers and subscribers.
Big Cartel, on the other hand, integrates with Mailchimp, but requires a paid plan, adding extra steps to your setup. Big Cartel also offers an abandoned cart feature, however, it also needs third-party apps to activate. Etsy’s email marketing relies on external tools like Craftkit, which offers automated campaigns but doesn’t come with the ease or control that Sellfy’s built-in solution provides.
All in all, Sellfy’s email marketing feature gives store owners more flexibility and power to grow their customer base and revenue, all in one platform.
🏆 | Winner: | ||
Sellfy wins this category thanks to its comprehensive, built-in marketing tools, including email campaigns, discount codes, and cart abandonment recovery. In contrast, Big Cartel and Etsy require third-party integrations, which makes Sellfy the more seamless and flexible choice for sellers. | |||
| | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ||
Big Cartel vs Etsy vs Sellfy: Customization and design
Sellfy and Big Cartel offer more customization options than Etsy, with drag-and-drop tools and brand-focused designs, while Etsy’s simple layout highlights handmade and vintage items.
| | | |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Big Cartel and Sellfy offer more design flexibility than Etsy
Big Cartel and Sellfy offer much more flexibility in design and customization compared to Etsy, allowing store owners to create unique and personalized storefronts. Etsy, on the other hand, has basic customization options like shop icons and banners, but these are limited to predefined sizes and layouts. Etsy Plus, a paid subscription, provides a few additional features such as custom shop URLs and extra banners, but it still doesn’t match the level of customization that Big Cartel and Sellfy offer.
Sellfy, on the other hand, offers complete control over your store’s design with a user-friendly drag-and-drop builder, allowing you to easily customize your layout. You can add your logo, adjust colors, rearrange elements, and even connect a custom domain for a more professional look. Sellfy also lets you choose from pre-designed themes or create custom pages, giving you flexibility in how you present your store.
You can adjust the number of products per page and organize your store with custom categories to better suit your needs. Additionally, Sellfy’s mobile-friendly design ensures a smooth shopping experience on any device, and its multilingual interface automatically translates your store, making it accessible to international customers.
Big Cartel provides similar customization options, allowing you to choose the themes to match your brand. You can adjust colors, fonts, and layouts, and even adjust the code for more advanced tweaks. Like Sellfy, it offers a drag-and-drop feature to rearrange elements, which makes the platform rather easy to use while still giving you plenty of design freedom.
Overall, if design flexibility is important to you, both Big Cartel and Sellfy offer a more personalized and professional storefront experience compared to Etsy.
Etsy inherently nails the aesthetic appeal of handmade and vintage products
Etsy really nails the aesthetic when it comes to displaying handmade, vintage, and unique products. Its layout appeals to shoppers who are looking for creativity and authenticity, as it offers a curated, cozy experience that highlights craftsmanship.
Etsy is the go-to destination for those who appreciate items with a story behind them. Although the platform doesn’t allow sellers to go overboard with customization, that’s actually a good thing as the simple, minimalist design keeps the focus on the products themselves.
On the other hand, Sellfy and Big Cartel are more flexible if you’re looking to add your personal touch. Thanks to Sellfy’s drag-and-drop builder, you can customize the layout and design elements to match your brand. Big Cartel allows you to tweak themes, adjust colors, and even adjust the code for more control.
However, if you’re looking to evoke that handmade, nostalgic vibe, Etsy’s layout does it effortlessly.
🏆 | Winner: | ||
Sellfy and Big Cartel steal the show when it comes to design flexibility. Thanks to their drag-and-drop store builders, color changes, and layout modification, they both give sellers all the tools they need to create a professional, custom storefront. | |||
| | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ||
Big Cartel vs Etsy vs Sellfy: Transaction fees and pricing
Sellfy stands out with clear pricing, no transaction fees, and advanced tools for growth. Big Cartel suits small sellers with a free plan, while Etsy offers a large audience but adds listing and transaction fees.
| |  |  |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
Big Cartel offers a free plan, Etsy is (kind of) free to use, but Sellfy charges a monthly subscription fee
When choosing a platform to sell your products, it’s essential to understand exactly what you’re signing up for.
Etsy may seem like an easy choice since it’s free to set up a shop, which makes it popular with small sellers. However, you should be aware of additional costs. Etsy charges listing and transaction fees for every sale, which can add up quickly, especially for high-volume sellers.
On the other hand, Sellfy and Big Cartel work a bit differently—they charge a monthly subscription fee. While it might seem like an upfront cost, this setup is actually more predictable and makes it easier to budget for your business. Plus, if you’re selling a lot of products each month, it could mean better profit margins in the long run.
Unlike Etsy, which takes a cut from each sale, these platforms don’t charge you per sale, so you get to keep more of what you earn. It’s a steady expense, without any surprise fees popping up, giving you more control over your business.
Etsy charges a listing fee and a 6.5% transaction fee for each item sold
Etsy’s pricing is straightforward but can add up. For every item you list, there’s a $0.20 fee, which is charged whether the item sells or not. Once you make a sale, Etsy takes a 6.5% transaction fee based on the item’s price, plus shipping and gift wrap if offered. Although it’s free to join Etsy, these costs can stack up, especially for high-volume sellers. It’s the price of tapping into Etsy’s large audience, so plan your budget wisely!
Sellfy really packs a punch for the price
Etsy offers a free plan for new sellers, but they charge listing and transaction fees, which can add up quickly, especially if you’re making a lot of sales. They also have a paid Etsy Plus plan for $10/month, which gives you access to extras like custom web addresses and promotional credits. Etsy can be a great option if you want to tap into a big marketplace, but the fees might not be ideal for high-volume sellers.
Big Cartel’s tiered plans cater to businesses of different sizes. The Free plan is great for beginners, offering up to 5 product listings and basic sales tracking. As you grow, the Platinum plan ($15/month) expands to 50 products, advanced tools like inventory tracking, and mobile apps. The Diamond plan ($30/month) is designed for scaling businesses, offering up to 500 products, abandoned cart recovery, and prioritized support. All Big Cartel plans are straightforward with no hidden fees, making it an easy choice for small businesses.
 | ||
Business | Commerce Basic | Commerce Advanced |
$36/month Mobile optimized website + pre-designed templates + 3% transaction fee | $40/month Everything on Business + merchandising tools + 0% transaction fee | $72/month Everything on Commerce Basic + advanced shipping + advanced discounting + subscriptions |
Sellfy’s higher-tier plans, like Business and Premium, are designed to support growing businesses with more features. The Business plan ($79/month) lets you make up to $50k in sales annually, plus offers upselling, cart abandonment, and affiliate marketing tools to boost conversions. You can also remove Sellfy branding and customize your store 100%. For those looking to scale even more, the Premium plan ($159/month) increases your sales cap to $200k annually and adds advanced tools like product migration, priority support, and extra design options. These plans are ideal for businesses ready to grow quickly and want more control over their store’s look and features.
| | ||
Starter | Business | Premium |
$22/month Online store + Unlimited products + Discounts & Email Marketing + Connect your own domain | $59/month Everything in Starter + Upselling + Cart abandonment + Affiliate marketing + Remove "Sellfy branding + Store design migration | $119/month Everything in Business + Product migration + Priority support |
🏆 | Winner: | ||
Sellfy is perfect for creators who want an easy, all-in-one platform with no extra fees per sale. It supports digital, physical, and print-on-demand products, offering great flexibility. While Big Cartel is great for small shops and Etsy gives marketplace exposure, Sellfy stands out for its straightforward pricing and value for money. It’s a solid choice for creators looking to grow without worrying about surprise costs. | |||
| | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ||
Etsy vs Big Cartel vs Sellfy: Pros & Cons
| | |||
Pros | Cons | ||
No subscription fee | Transaction and listing fees | ||
Popular marketplace with an established audience | High competition | ||
Perfect for selling art, handmade, and vintage items | Mostly suitable for handmade/unique items | ||
Simple to set up | No shop customization | ||
A rich community of sellers and seller forums | |||
| | |||
Pros | Cons | ||
Simple, affordable pricing | Needs apo | ||
No transaction fees | Limited features compared to larger platformsLimited customization and design options | ||
Customizable storefront | Limited customization and design options | ||
Easy setup | Basic marketing tools | ||
Support for physical products | |||
Great for small businesses or artists | |||
| | |||
Pros | Cons | ||
All-in-one eCommerce platform | Monthly subscription fee | ||
Simple to set up, no learning curve | Need the Business plan to access cart abandonment, upselling, and white-label stores | ||
Built-in marketing tools on the Starter plan | |||
20GB size cap on digital products | |||
Built-in anti-piracy features | |||
Built-in print-on-demand | |||
100% customizable storefront | |||
No transaction or listing fees | |||
Strong customer support | |||
H2: Big Cartel vs Etsy vs Sellfy: Final verdict
| | | |
Best for: | Best for: | Best for: Artisans, crafters, and vintage sellers who want to have access to a large, built-in marketplace audience interested in handmade and unique products. |
Sellfy is ideal for creators and small businesses who want to sell both digital and physical products. It has powerful marketing tools and no transaction fees which makes it an efficient way to grow your business without additional costs. Big Cartel is perfect for independent artists who need a simple, cost-effective platform that enables them to customize their storefronts, making it a great choice for small-scale operations. Etsy, on the other hand, is best for artisans, crafters, and vintage sellers who want access to a large, built-in audience specifically looking for handmade and unique products.
Use Sellfy if:
- You’re a creator, entrepreneur, or small business looking to sell both digital and physical products
- You want built-in marketing tools to help grow your business
- You prefer a platform with no transaction fees and a simple setup
Use Big Cartel if:
- You’re an independent artist or small business who needs a low-cost, simple platform
- You want to customize your storefront without a steep learning curve
- You prefer a straightforward eCommerce solution with fewer complexities
Use Etsy if:
- You sell handmade, vintage, or unique items and want a built-in audience
- You’re looking for a community-driven marketplace
- You’re okay with transaction fees and handling competition in a crowded space
![Squarespace vs Etsy vs Sellfy: A Definitive Comparison [December 2024]](https://wp.sellfy.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Squarespace-vs-Etsy-2.png)
![Stan Store vs Gumroad: The Complete Comparison [December 2024]](https://wp.sellfy.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-26.png)
