Final verdict
Appy Pie emerges as the more versatile and feature-rich platform compared to Big Cartel, making it suitable for a broader range of users.
-
Big Cartel (Overall Grade: 5.8/10)
is tailored for artists and small-scale sellers, offering a simple and straightforward platform that excels in design functionalities tailored to creative endeavors. It’s best suited for those who prioritize ease of use and have basic ecommerce needs. However, it falls short in areas like advanced ecommerce features, customer support, and AI capabilities, which are becoming increasingly important in the competitive online space. -
Appy Pie (Overall Grade: 7.2/10)
stands out for its ease of use, comprehensive ecommerce features, superior customer support, and innovative AI capabilities. It offers a broader range of functionalities, including a variety of plugins and integrations, marketing tools, and security features, making it a more adaptable platform for businesses of all sizes. Appy Pie’s focus on no-code development and its ability to cater to both app and website creation make it a compelling choice for users looking to efficiently establish and grow their online presence.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
6.9 |
6.8 |
|
Ease of use |
8.0 |
8.3 |
|
Ecommerce |
6.2 |
7.2 |
|
Website Editors |
6.8 |
7.7 |
|
Product testing options |
5.9 |
8.9 |
|
Price |
7.8 |
7.4 |
|
Hosting quality |
5.0 |
6.9 |
|
Website speed optimization |
5.0 |
5.0 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
5.8 |
6.4 |
|
Marketing features |
6.2 |
7.5 |
|
Customer support |
5.4 |
8.2 |
|
Security |
7.3 |
7.5 |
|
AI capabilities |
0.0 |
7.2 |
|
User Management |
1.3 |
7.3 |
| Overall |
5.8 |
7.2 |
Best for ecommerce
6.2
7.2
Verdict
: While both platforms cater to users with minimal technical skills, Appy Pie edges out with a higher score and a broader range of ecommerce features, making it better suited for businesses looking to expand their online presence.
-
Big Cartel
: Tailored for artists and small-scale creators, Big Cartel offers a simple, user-friendly platform with essential ecommerce features. It’s best for those with a limited number of products and who prioritize ease of use over advanced functionalities. -
Appy Pie
: With a focus on no-code development, Appy Pie provides a more versatile ecommerce solution. It supports a wider array of payment gateways and advanced features like promotions, order management, and tax calculation, appealing to a broader range of businesses.
Best for informational & business websites
7.2
7.4
Verdict
: Appy Pie edges out slightly over Big Cartel for informational business websites, thanks to its slightly higher score and broader template selection.
-
Big Cartel
: Tailored for artists and small-scale sellers, Big Cartel offers a simple and effective platform for creating informational websites. Its focus on creative industries makes it a great choice for those looking to showcase portfolios or small business services. -
Appy Pie
: With a slightly higher score and a focus on ease of use, Appy Pie is ideal for businesses and individuals looking for a quick way to establish an online presence. Its wide range of templates and no-code platform makes it accessible for users of all skill levels.
Detailed comparison
Design functionalities & templates
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
6.9
6.8
🏆
Winner: Big Cartel.
While both platforms offer a variety of templates and design functionalities, Big Cartel’s focus on artists and small-scale sellers gives it an edge in terms of customization flexibility and creative design possibilities.
Big Cartel provides a variety of free, customizable templates designed to ensure that online stores look appealing on all devices. These templates are geared towards artists, creators, and small business owners, offering features like high-quality product displays and adjustable product grids without the need for coding knowledge.
On the other hand, Appy Pie offers a wide array of website templates with over 10,000 options, catering to various needs and budgets. However, its customization flexibility is more limited compared to Big Cartel, and it doesn’t support entirely different mobile layouts.
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Ease of use
Ease of useReflects the platform’s overall user-friendliness.Score
Components:
- Learning curve (40%): Quickness and ease of getting started.
- Interface design (30%): Simplicity and intuitiveness of layout.
- User guidance (20%): Quality of tutorials and support.
- Flexibility (10%): Adaptability to various user skills.
8.0
8.3
🏆 Winner: Appy Pie
. Scoring a slightly higher 8.3, Appy Pie is acclaimed for its simplicity and intuitive design, making it highly accessible for users without coding skills. Big Cartel, with a score of 8.0, offers a straightforward and user-friendly experience but lacks some of the advanced features found in more complex platforms. If ease of use is a priority, Appy Pie is the clear winner in this category.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Big Cartel
. While both platforms offer solid learning resources, Big Cartel provides a user-friendly platform tailored for artists and small businesses, focusing on simplicity and ease of use without requiring coding skills for basic functionalities. It offers various support and learning resources, including articles and guides on setting up and customizing stores.
For ecommerce
EcommerceMeasures the platform’s effectiveness in supporting online business activities.Score Components:
- Ecommerce themes and templates (20%): Variety and design of templates.
- Product management (25%): Ease of managing and organizing products.
- Payment options (25%): Variety and convenience of payment methods.
- Ecommerce features (20%): Features for managing an ecommerce store.
- Integration (10%): Compatibility with external e-commerce tools and services.
6.2
7.2
Big Cartel, with a score of 6.2, is an ecommerce platform tailored for artists and makers, offering features that support small businesses in setting up an online store. Its ecommerce capabilities include easy product listing, customizable themes, inventory tracking, and sales analytics. It allows for integration with social media and other marketing tools. However, it’s designed for smaller stores, offering fewer product listings and less advanced ecommerce features compared to other platforms.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
5.5 |
6.0 |
|
Product page customization |
6.8 |
7.0 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
7.0 |
6.5 |
|
POS capabilities |
6.5 |
6.0 |
|
Payment gateways |
6.0 |
7.5 |
|
Product numbers |
4.5 |
6.5 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
5.7 |
7.0 |
Big Cartel ecommerce features:
- Inventory tracking
- Sales analytics
- Social Media integrations
- Marketing tools
Appy Pie ecommerce features:
- Product and Inventory Management
- Shopping Cart
- Multiple Currencies
- Promotions and Discounts
- Order Management
- Shipping Options
- Analytics
- Tax management
Ecommerce themes & templates
Big Cartel offers around 20 templates, each specifically designed to cater to the needs of ecommerce stores, providing a variety of options for creating an online store. In contrast, Appy Pie offers a small selection of ecommerce website templates. These templates are designed to help users create online stores quickly and efficiently, without the need for coding skills. Appy Pie’s ecommerce templates feature mobile-first designs, customizable product galleries, and various other features aimed at enhancing the online shopping experience for both the store owner and their customers.
Product page customization
Big Cartel enables merchants to customize their product offerings with the Product Variants feature, supporting up to 150 variants per item, such as sizes, colors, and more, allowing for specific pricing and quantities for each variant. Additionally, for products with complex attributes, the Advanced Product Options offer a structured way to present multiple variations through up to three option groups per product, simplifying the shopping experience.
On the other hand, Appy Pie’s Website Builder provides users with extensive customization options for product pages, enabling the creation of unique online stores or product showcases without requiring advanced coding skills. Users can personalize product details like descriptions, images, and pricing, ensuring they can offer comprehensive information to assist customers in making informed purchasing choices.
Payment processing
When it comes to payment processing, Big Cartel supports payment processing through PayPal and Stripe, allowing a variety of payment methods including credit/debit cards and mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. The platform itself does not charge additional transaction fees, but standard processing fees from PayPal and Stripe apply. Big Cartel also offers POS capabilities, primarily through Stripe terminal for Android and iOS for in-person sales, enhancing flexibility for both online and offline business operations.
Appy Pie offers a user-friendly platform for integrating payment processing and POS capabilities into mobile apps and online stores, supporting multiple payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Square for secure and versatile customer transactions. While it facilitates easy payment integrations, commission management may require third-party solutions or custom setups. This makes Appy Pie an effective tool for businesses looking to provide a comprehensive shopping experience with a focus on mobility and flexibility.
Website Editors
Website EditorsEvaluates the platforms’ website building and editing capabilities.Score Components:
- Customization tools (40%): Range and power of editing features.
- Editor usability (30%): User experience within the editor.
- Design flexibility (20%): Freedom in layout and design changes.
- Update and maintenance ease (10%): Simplicity of updating and maintaining the site.
6.8
7.7
🏆
Winner: Appy Pie
. With a score of 7.7, Appy Pie’s Website Builder is a user-friendly, cloud-based platform that allows individuals, professionals, and small businesses to create mobile-friendly websites without needing to code. It offers a drag-and-drop interface, customizable templates, and various features like social media integration, ecommerce capabilities, and SEO tools. This makes it an ideal solution for quickly creating a wide range of websites, from landing pages to online stores, tailored to users’ specific needs and brand identities.
Big Cartel’s website builder editor, scoring 6.8, is designed with simplicity in mind, catering primarily to artists and small-scale sellers. Users can easily customize their online store’s look and feel without needing advanced technical skills, thanks to its user-friendly interface. The editor allows for the customization of themes, addition of products, and setup of different pages like home, about, and contact pages. Additionally, it offers basic SEO settings and integration options with social media and other tools, making it a straightforward solution for those looking to sell their work online with minimal fuss.
Mobile editor/app
7.5
5.5
🏆
Winner: Big Cartel
. Both Big Cartel and Appy Pie offer mobile editing capabilities, but they cater to different needs and skill levels. Big Cartel’s mobile app allows users to manage their online store directly from their mobile device. Key features include the ability to add and edit products, process orders, check inventory, and view store statistics. It provides a convenient way for store owners to keep their business running smoothly on-the-go, without the need for a computer. The interface is user-friendly, ensuring that even those with minimal technical skills can easily navigate and make use of its functionalities. However, website design changes can only be made on the desktop version.
On the other hand, Appy Pie does not have a dedicated mobile app, but it allows users to edit their website using a mobile browser. This can be a convenient feature for users who prefer to make quick edits on their mobile device, but it may not provide the same level of functionality and ease of use as a dedicated mobile app.
In summary, Big Cartel receives a higher rating due to its dedicated mobile app and the comprehensive features it offers for managing an online store, while Appy Pie’s mobile editing capabilities are limited to browser-based editing.
Product testing options
Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:
- Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
- Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
- Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
- Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
5.9
8.9
Overall Result
:
Appy Pie Wins
. Appy Pie scores 8.9 in product testing options, significantly higher than Big Cartel’s 5.9. Appy Pie offers a 30-day free trial with access to all premium features, providing a comprehensive testing experience. Big Cartel, on the other hand, offers a free version with limited features and does not provide a trial version or a money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
Yes | No |
|
Trial Duration |
No |
30 days |
|
Testing Premium Features |
Limited with free plan |
All features during free trial |
|
Money Back Guarantee |
No | No |
Price
PriceLooks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
7.8
7.4
Big Cartel and Appy Pie have similar price scores, but Big Cartel offers a free plan while Appy Pie provides a discount for annual subscriptions.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free |
Gold ($0/month): The Gold plan is free and allows up to 5 product listings with one image per product. It includes features such as free customizable templates, the ability to sell online and in person, multiple payment options, real-time stats, product variant groups, and sales tax autopilot. |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$0-$10 |
Platinum ($9.99/month): The Platinum plan increases the product listing limit to 50 and allows up to five images per product. It adds features like the use of a custom domain, template code editing, Google Analytics, ads support, inventory tracking, the ability to offer discounts and run promos, bulk editing, and shipment tracking. Value for price: 7.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$10-$20 |
Diamond ($19.99/month): The Diamond plan further extends the product limit to 500 with the same benefits as the Platinum plan, including advanced Google Analytics reporting, ads with audience targeting, and priority customer support. Value for price: 8.5 |
Start ($18/month): Suitable for personal projects, offering 50 GB storage and access to professional theme templates, domain connection, no Appy Pie ads, CSS & Java customization, etc. Value for price: 6.5 |
|
$30+ |
No offering at this amount. |
Grow ($36/month): Aimed at small businesses, providing unlimited storage, advanced marketing and monetizing tools, multiple payment gateways, etc. Value for price: 8.5 |
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.
Hosting quality
Hosting
qualityExamines the reliability and performance of the hosting solutions.Score Components:
- Uptime (40%): Consistency and reliability of website availability.
- Speed (30%): Loading times and performance.
- Bandwidth and storage (20%): Sufficiency of resources provided.
- Data centers (10%): Quality and distribution of hosting infrastructure.
5.0
6.9
🏆
Winner: Appy Pie
Appy Pie offers a proprietary hosting service with a 99% uptime guarantee and relies on Amazon Web Services (AWS) for its data centers. It also provides storage options ranging from 50GB to unlimited and includes unlimited bandwidth for all plans. On the other hand, Big Cartel does not provide specific information about its hosting type, uptime, or data centers, which makes it difficult to assess the quality of its hosting services.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, included in all plans |
Yes, included in all plans |
|
Data Centers: |
Not disclosed |
Amazon Web Services (AWS) |
|
Type of hosting: |
Not disclosed |
Proprietary hosting service |
|
Uptime: |
Not disclosed |
99% |
|
Uptime Guarantee: |
No |
Yes, 99% |
Website Speed Optimization
Website Speed OptimizationEvaluates optimization of website loading timesScore Components:
- PageSpeed Score (30%): Google’s score indicating performance optimization.
- Loading Time (30%): The average time until a website is fully interactive.
- Mobile Optimization (15%): Optimization effectiveness for mobile devices.
- Resource Optimization (15%): Optimizing images, scripts, and other heavy resources.
- CDN Usage (10%): Use of CDN to enhance speed across geolocations.
5.0
5.0
🏆 Winner: Tie
Both Big Cartel and Appy Pie have the same score for website speed optimization. However, their approaches to this aspect are different.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Not specified |
User-driven optimization |
|
Performance Tools |
Not specified |
Various tools and features |
|
Key Strategies |
Not specified |
No specific strategies, user-driven |
|
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization |
Varies depending on optimization |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
Varies depending on optimization |
Varies depending on optimization |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not specified |
Not specified |
Big Cartel does not provide any specific information about their speed optimization strategies or Core Web Vitals improvements. The load times and PageSpeed scores vary depending on optimization and website complexity.
On the other hand, Appy Pie, although not implementing specific speed optimization strategies, offers tools and features that can help users optimize their website’s speed. The load times and PageSpeed scores for Appy Pie also vary widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location. However, they do not disclose any information on their Core Web Vitals improvements.
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Plugins and integrations
Plugins and integrationsMeasures the range and effectiveness of additional plugins and integrations.Score Components:
- Variety of options (40%): Range of available add-ons.
- Integration smoothness (30%): Ease of integrating plugins into the site.
- Quality of plugins (20%): Functionality and reliability of the options.
- Custom integration capabilities (10%): Support for custom or third-party integrations.
5.8
6.4
🏆 Winner: Appy Pie.
With a score of 6.4, Appy Pie offers a wider range of plugins and extensions compared to Big Cartel, which scores 5.8. Appy Pie’s marketplace includes over 100 plugins across various categories, providing a broader functionality range without needing coding skills. On the other hand, Big Cartel offers around 27 direct apps and integrations, focusing on enhancing ecommerce store functionality. While both platforms offer valuable integrations, Appy Pie’s larger selection and versatility give it the edge in this category.
Marketing Features
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
6.2
7.5
🏆
Overall Winner: Appy Pie
. Appy Pie stands out for its comprehensive marketing tools, especially in email marketing, blogging, and analytics. Big Cartel, while offering basic marketing tools, lacks in blogging features.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
|
|
|
Email Marketing |
|
|
|
Blogging |
|
|
|
Social Media Integration |
|
|
|
Analytics and Reporting |
|
|
|
Ads and Promotions |
|
|
Customer Support
Customer supportEvaluates the quality and availability of support options.Score Components:
- Response time (40%): Speed of support responses.
- Support quality (30%): Effectiveness and helpfulness of the support.
- Availability (20%): Range of support channels (phone, chat, email).
- Resource richness (10%): Quality of self-help and educational materials.
5.4
8.2
🏆 Winner: Appy Pie
. With a customer support score of 8.2, Appy Pie outperforms Big Cartel, which has a score of 5.4. Appy Pie offers 24/7 customer support through various channels including live chat, email, and phone. They also provide extensive documentation and tutorials on their website to help users troubleshoot common problems on their own.
On the other hand, Big Cartel’s customer support team is available Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm EST. They have twelve members on their support team to assist with various inquiries. However, it’s important to note that Big Cartel does not fulfill orders or control refunds directly, but they do offer resources for these concerns.
When it comes to enterprise-level support, Appy Pie offers enhanced support options for enterprise-level customers, including priority email and chat support, and the benefit of a dedicated account manager. Big Cartel, however, does not offer support for enterprises.
Security
SecurityLooks at the platforms’ security measures and data protection.Score Components:
- Data protection (40%): Safeguards for user and customer data.
- SSL and encryption (30%): Implementation of secure connections.
- Compliance (20%): Adherence to industry security standards.
- Regular updates (10%): Frequency of security updates and patches.
7.3
7.5
🏆
Winner: Appy Pie
. Appy Pie edges out Big Cartel with a slightly higher security score. Appy Pie ensures website security through SSL encryption, regular security audits, secure hosting, two-factor authentication, and password protection for user accounts. They also have a dedicated team that monitors and responds to any security threats or breaches.
Big Cartel also emphasizes the protection of private data and provides SSL encryption across its platform. However, it’s important to note that while Big Cartel facilitates secure payment processing via third-party PCI-compliant gateways like PayPal and Stripe, it does not achieve PCI compliance on its own.
AI Capabilities
AI capabilitiesMeasures the effectiveness of AI-driven features and tools.Score Components:
- Automation efficiency (40%): Impact of AI on streamlining processes.
- Personalization (30%): AI-driven customization for users or customers.
- AI-Assisted design (20%): Role of AI in website design and functionality.
- Data analysis (10%): Use of AI in interpreting user data and analytics.
0.0
7.2
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
AI Website Builder |
|
Appy Pie offers an AI website builder for easy and quick website creation |
|
AI Ecommerce Features |
|
Appy Pie provides AI ecommerce features for personalized shopping experiences and efficient customer service |
|
AI Content Generation |
|
Appy Pie’s AI content generation simplifies content creation for all skill levels |
|
Additional AI Features |
|
Appy Pie offers additional AI features such as chatbots, virtual assistants, and AI-powered analytics |
🏆 Winner: Appy Pie
. Appy Pie, with a score of 7.2, offers a range of AI capabilities including an AI website builder, AI ecommerce features, AI content generation, and additional AI features. These features make website creation quick and easy, enhance the shopping experience, simplify content creation, and improve business efficiency.
Big Cartel, with a score of 0.0, does not have any AI capabilities. It is a straightforward website builder that does not utilize AI for website creation, ecommerce, content generation, or any additional features.
User Management
User ManagementAssesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility.Score Components:
- Role Customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of Management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access Control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
1.3
7.3
🏆 Winner: Appy Pie
. The user management capabilities of Big Cartel and Appy Pie are quite different.
- Big Cartel allows only one user to build and edit a website.
- The Appy Pie website builder offers different user access levels based on the plan chosen. For the Free Plan, one user has full editing privileges. Paid plans include the Starter Plan (3 users), Hobby Plan (5 users), Professional Plan (10 users), and Enterprise Plan (unlimited users). Each plan designates an Admin with full access and additional Editors with varying editing rights. Additionally, paid plans allow for customization of roles, enabling tasks such as content editing or design adjustments.
Additional Features
|
|
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|
|---|---|---|
|
SSL Certificate |
|
|
|
Custom Domain |
|
|
|
Free Custom Domain Included |
|
|
|
International Domains |
|
|
|
Mobile Responsive |
|
|
|
Page Speed |
|
|
|
Website Builder Mobile App |
|
|
|
Convert a Website To An App |
|
|
|
Website Analytics |
|
|
|
Multilingual Sites |
|
|
|
Multiple Users |
|
|
User Feedback
User feedback on Big Cartel highlights its simplicity and affordability as key advantages, making it a popular choice for small businesses and startups looking to establish an online presence quickly. Users appreciate the ease of setting up and customizing their online stores, the flat monthly fees without per-item charges, and the platform’s intuitive design and mobile management capabilities. However, limitations in features compared to more comprehensive platforms, restricted customization options, and lack of advanced integrations or inventory management for specific items are noted drawbacks. Despite these concerns, Big Cartel is praised for its cost-effectiveness and user-friendly approach, particularly for those new to e-commerce or with smaller inventories.
Appy Pie garners positive feedback for its user-friendly interface and excellent customer support, offering low-code solutions for app and website building without requiring coding experience. Users appreciate its ease of use, extensive features, and ability to create apps and websites quickly. While some express a desire for more customization options and templates, overall, Appy Pie serves as a valuable tool for businesses and individuals seeking to create apps and websites efficiently, solving the problem of complex coding requirements and providing a platform for easy communication and engagement with users.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
FAQ
Which platform is better for artists and small-scale sellers, Big Cartel or Appy Pie?
Can I use Appy Pie for ecommerce purposes?
Which platform offers better customer support, Big Cartel or Appy Pie?
How do Big Cartel and Appy Pie compare in terms of AI capabilities?
Which platform is more user-friendly for beginners?
Are there any free plans available for Big Cartel and Appy Pie?
Which platform is better for creating a mobile-responsive website?
Can I manage multiple users with either Big Cartel or Appy Pie?
Which platform offers a wider range of templates and design functionalities?
How do the platforms compare in terms of pricing and value?
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