Big Cartel vs Shift4shop: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Big Cartel and Shift4shop both offer unique advantages, but they cater to different types of users and business needs.

Big Cartel (Overall Grade: 5.8/10)

is tailored for artists and small-scale sellers who prioritize simplicity and affordability. It provides an easy-to-use platform with essential ecommerce features, making it ideal for independent creators and small businesses. However, its limited scalability and fewer advanced features may not suit larger businesses or those looking to expand significantly. When comparing Big Cartel vs Shift4shop, Big Cartel stands out for its user-friendly interface and straightforward setup process.
Shift4shop (Overall Grade: 6.4/10)

offers a more comprehensive suite of ecommerce tools, making it suitable for a wider range of business models, including dropshipping and print-on-demand. It excels in providing advanced product management, integrated payment processing, and extensive customization options. While it has a steeper learning curve and some customer service challenges, Shift4shop is a robust choice for businesses looking for a scalable and feature-rich ecommerce solution. In the Big Cartel vs Shift4shop comparison, Shift4shop is the better option for those needing more advanced ecommerce functionalities and flexibility.

	Overall grade: 5.8	Overall grade: 6.4
Design functionalities & templates	6.9	7.5
Ease of use	8.0	7.0
Ecommerce	6.2	7.6
Website Editors	6.8	7.2
Product testing options	5.9	5.0
Price	7.8	6.7
Hosting quality	5.0	7.8
Website speed optimization	5.0	6.3
Plugins and integrations	5.8	7.3
Marketing features	6.2	8.0
Customer support	5.4	7.9
Security	7.3	8.9
AI capabilities	0.0	0
User Management	1.3	7.9

Best for ecommerce

6.2

7.6

Verdict

: Big Cartel is ideal for artists and small businesses seeking simplicity and affordability, while Shift4shop offers a more comprehensive suite of ecommerce features suitable for a wider range of business models.

Big Cartel

: Designed with artists and makers in mind, Big Cartel offers a straightforward setup process and essential ecommerce features. It’s perfect for small businesses and independent creators due to its simplicity and affordability. However, its limited scalability might be a drawback for those looking to expand significantly. Best For Ecommerce score: 6.2.
Shift4shop

: Provides a more comprehensive suite of ecommerce features, making it suitable for a wider range of business models, including dropshipping and print-on-demand. It offers advanced product management tools and integrated payment processing, but it has been noted for limited customization options and potential customer service challenges. Best For Ecommerce score: 7.6.

Best for informational & business websites

7.2

Verdict

: Both Big Cartel and Shift4shop score equally at 7.2 for informational and business websites, but they cater to different user needs. Big Cartel is ideal for artists and small-scale sellers, while Shift4shop offers more advanced features and customization options.

Big Cartel

: Big Cartel is designed with simplicity in mind, making it particularly accessible for artists and small-scale sellers. Its user-friendly interface allows for easy customization of themes and setup of different pages without needing advanced technical skills. However, its simplicity also introduces limitations, particularly for larger businesses or those requiring advanced eCommerce functionalities.
Shift4shop

: Shift4shop provides a comprehensive website builder with a focus on e-commerce, enabling the creation of various types of websites with an array of templates and customization options. It integrates advanced features for product management, payment processing, and SEO optimization, alongside marketing tools for social media and email campaigns. This makes it a robust choice for businesses looking to expand their online presence.

Detailed comparison

6.9

7.5

🏆

Winner: Shift4shop.

If you’re looking for a platform with a broader range of templates and more advanced customization options, Shift4shop is the better choice.

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. With over 15 different styles to choose from, Big Cartel’s templates allow for easy customization to fit any brand’s aesthetic, making it simple for anyone to start an online store quickly.

Big Cartel Themes

Shift4shop provides a selection of over 100 free eCommerce templates, catering to a wide array of design preferences and brand identities. These templates are professionally designed with an emphasis on optimizing sales, employing the latest in technology and design trends. This variety ensures that businesses can find a design that closely aligns with their brand and aesthetic requirements.

Shift4shop Themes

Get a head start on website creation with AI

Create a custom website tailored to your business needs 10X faster with 10Web AI Website Builder!

Generate Your Website

No credit card required

8.0

7.0

🏆 Winner: Big Cartel

. Scoring an 8.0, Big Cartel is designed with simplicity in mind, making it particularly accessible for artists and small-scale sellers who may not have extensive technical skills. Shift4shop, with a score of 7.0, offers a comprehensive platform but with a steeper learning curve, especially for beginners. If ease of use is a priority, Big Cartel is the clear winner in this category.

Learning Resources

🏆 Winner: Shift4shop

. While both platforms offer solid learning resources, Shift4shop provides a more extensive range of articles, videos, and 24/7 customer support, making it easier for users to learn and adapt.

Learn more about Big Cartel’s resources

Learn more about Shift4shop’s resources

6.2

7.6

Big Cartel is designed with artists and makers in mind, offering a straightforward setup process and essential ecommerce features. It’s ideal for small businesses and independent creators due to its simplicity and affordability. However, its limited scalability might be a drawback for those looking to expand significantly. Shift4shop, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive suite of ecommerce features, making it suitable for a wider range of business models, including dropshipping and print-on-demand. It offers advanced product management tools and integrated payment processing, but it has been noted for limited customization options and potential customer service challenges.


Ecommerce themes and templates	5.5	6.5
Product page customization	6.8	7.8
Payment processing and commissions	7.0	8.4
POS capabilities	6.5	7.0
Payment gateways	6.0	9.0
Product numbers	4.5	7.5
Additional ecommerce features	5.7	7.2

Big Cartel ecommerce features:

Inventory tracking
Sales analytics
Social Media integrations
Marketing tools

Big Cartel Add a product

Shift4shop ecommerce features:

Payment Gateway integrations
Inventory management
Abandoned cart recovery
Order 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. Shift4shop, however, ensures that all its templates are designed for online stores, offering a more extensive selection tailored for ecommerce.

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. Additionally, the Advanced Product Options offer a structured way to present multiple variations through up to three option groups per product. Shift4shop offers advanced product options with inventory tracking, customizable product layouts, and the ability to showcase products through images, zoom, and video. The Product Designer app further enhances customization for personalized products.

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. Shift4shop supports over 200 payment gateways, including major providers such as PayPal, Visa, and Stripe, without charging additional transaction fees from the platform itself. However, merchants may incur standard fees from their chosen payment providers, typically ranging from 2-3% per sale.

Considering the features, availability, cost, and flexibility, Shift4shop appears to be a more robust and flexible ecommerce solution compared to Big Cartel. However, for small businesses and independent creators focused on simplicity and affordability, Big Cartel remains a strong contender.

6.8

7.2

🏆

Winner: Shift4shop

. Shift4shop, with a score of 7.2, offers a comprehensive website builder with a focus on e-commerce, enabling the creation of various types of websites with an array of templates and customization options including a drag-and-drop editor. It integrates advanced features for product management, payment processing, and SEO optimization, alongside marketing tools for social media and email campaigns. Security measures and customer support options are in place, although reviews on support quality vary.

Big Cartel’s 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. However, its simplicity also introduces limitations, particularly for larger businesses or those requiring advanced eCommerce functionalities.

Mobile editor/app

7.5

🏆

Winner: Big Cartel

. Big Cartel offers a mobile app that 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. This 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 be applied only on the desktop version.

Shift4shop, on the other hand, does not have a dedicated mobile editor app, which limits its usability for users who need to manage their online store while away from their computer. This lack of a mobile editor app is a significant drawback for Shift4shop, especially for users who prioritize mobile accessibility and convenience.

In summary, Big Cartel stands out for its mobile app capabilities, making it a more versatile option for managing an online store on-the-go.

5.9

5.0

Overall Result

:

Big Cartel wins

. Big Cartel scores 5.9, slightly higher than Shift4shop’s 5.0, due to its straightforward approach to testing features. Big Cartel offers a free plan that allows users to test some of the website builder’s features, making it accessible for small businesses and independent creators. Shift4shop also provides a free plan, but it is limited to US customers and includes all features within this plan.


Free Plan	Yes	Yes, only for US customers
Trial Duration	No	No
Testing Premium Features	Some features with free plan	All features within free plan

7.8

6.7

Big Cartel offers a free plan and affordable paid plans, while Shift4shop provides a free plan with conditions and a standard paid plan.

	Offerings	Offerings
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.	Free Plan ($0/month): Requires minimum $500/month processed payments with their Shift4shop payment with 2.90% + 30 Cents transaction fees. Unlimited Products, SEO & Marketing Tools, Unlimited Staff Users, Integrated Blog, Unlimited Bandwidth, 24/7 Customer Support, No Revenue Caps, API Access, Secure Online Payments. This plan allows to manage only 1 website and there is no limitation of number of pages offered.
$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+	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	Paid Plan ($29/month): All features of the free plan with support for other payment processors such as PayPal. This plan allows to manage only 1 website and there is no limitation of number of pages offered. Value for Price: 8.5

In some cases companies have different prices based on various components like a
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.

5.0

7.8

🏆

Winner: Shift4shop

Shift4shop outperforms Big Cartel with its managed cloud hosting, unlimited bandwidth and storage, and a 99.9% uptime guarantee. Big Cartel, while user-friendly and affordable, lacks transparency in hosting details and does not provide uptime statistics or guarantees, making Shift4shop the more reliable choice for hosting quality.


Do they offer hosting?	Yes, included in all plans	Yes, included in all plans
Data Centers:	Not disclosed	Not disclosed
Type of hosting:	Not disclosed	Managed Cloud Hosting
Uptime:	Not disclosed	99.9%
Uptime Guarantee:	No	Yes, 99.9%

5.0

6.3

🏆 Winner: Shift4shop

Both Big Cartel and Shift4shop aim to provide efficient website performance, but Shift4shop has a more comprehensive approach to speed optimization.


Focus	Not specified	CDN, Code Minification, Image optimization, Caching
Performance Tools	Not specified	Not specified
Key Strategies	Not specified	CDN, Code Minification, Image optimization, Caching
Load Times	Varies depending on optimization and website complexity	Varies depending on optimization
Page Speed Scores Range	Varies depending on optimization and website complexity	Varies depending on optimization
Core Web Vitals Improvement	Not disclosed	Not disclosed

Shift4shop adopts a more structured approach to website speed optimization compared to Big Cartel. Shift4shop employs several strategies such as using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to ensure faster content delivery, code minification to reduce the size of the website’s code, image optimization to decrease load times, and caching to store frequently accessed data for quicker retrieval. These strategies collectively contribute to better website performance and faster load times.

On the other hand, Big Cartel does not provide specific information on their speed optimization strategies or Core Web Vitals improvements. The load times and PageSpeed scores for Big Cartel can vary significantly depending on the level of optimization and the complexity of the website. This lack of detailed information makes it challenging to assess their performance accurately.

In conclusion, while both platforms aim to provide a good user experience, Shift4shop’s detailed and structured approach to speed optimization gives it an edge over Big Cartel.

Get a head start on website creation with AI

Create a custom website tailored to your business needs 10X faster with 10Web AI Website Builder!

Generate Your Website

No credit card required

5.8

7.3

🏆 Winner: Shift4shop.

Shift4shop scores 7.3, offering a diverse range of plugins and extensions that cater to various ecommerce needs, from advanced analytics to specialized marketing tools. Big Cartel, with a score of 5.8, provides essential integrations but falls short in comparison to the extensive options available on Shift4shop.

Shift4shop’s comprehensive app store and flexible pricing options make it a more robust choice for businesses looking to expand their online store functionalities.

Shift4shop Applications

Shift4shop integrations

6.2

8.0

🏆

Overall Winner: Shift4shop

. Shift4shop excels with its comprehensive marketing tools, including built-in blogging and advanced analytics. Big Cartel, while user-friendly and affordable, lacks some advanced features but is ideal for small businesses and independent creators.


SEO Tools	Basic SEO features	Comprehensive SEO features
Email Marketing	Through third-party integrations like Mailchimp	Built-in Newsletter Module
Blogging	No	Yes
Social Media Integration	Yes	Yes
Analytics and Reporting	Basic analytics and Google Analytics integration	Robust analytics and CRM functionalities
Ads and Promotions	Essential tools for small businesses	Advanced tools including discounts, coupons, and loyalty programs

5.4

7.9

🏆 Winner: Shift4shop

. In the Big Cartel vs Shift4shop comparison, Shift4shop takes the lead with its round-the-clock customer support. Shift4shop offers 24/7/365 support through various channels, including US chat support, US phone support, and European support, ensuring that users can get assistance at any time. This comprehensive support system is particularly beneficial for businesses that operate outside of standard business hours or have urgent issues that need immediate attention.

Big Cartel, on the other hand, provides customer support from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm EST. While their support team is dedicated and helpful, the limited hours may not be sufficient for users who need assistance outside of these times. Big Cartel’s support is primarily available via email, and they recommend that account holders log in for faster assistance. Although Big Cartel’s support is adequate for small businesses and independent creators, it falls short compared to the extensive support offered by Shift4shop.

7.3

8.9

🏆

Winner: Shift4shop

. Shift4shop excels in security with a comprehensive suite of features including PCI compliance, free SSL certificates, DDoS protection, and advanced fraud protection. These measures ensure that online transactions are secure and that the platform is well-protected against cyber threats. Shift4shop’s commitment to security is reflected in its high security score of 8.9.

Big Cartel, while providing essential security features such as SSL encryption and strict data protection protocols, falls short in comparison due to its lack of PCI compliance. It relies on third-party gateways like PayPal and Stripe for secure payment processing. Despite these limitations, Big Cartel maintains a focus on data confidentiality and integrity, earning a security score of 7.3.

0.0


AI Builder	None	None
AI Ecommerce Features	None	None
AI Content Generation	None	None
Additional AI Features	None	None

🏆 Winner: None

. Both Big Cartel and Shift4shop do not offer any AI capabilities. This includes the absence of AI builders, AI-driven ecommerce features, AI content generation, and any additional AI functionalities. As a result, neither platform stands out in this category.

1.3

7.9

🏆 Winner: Shift4shop

. When it comes to managing users, Shift4shop offers a more robust and flexible system compared to Big Cartel.

Big Cartel allows only one user to build and edit a website, which can be limiting for growing businesses or teams.
Shift4shop allows for multiple users to manage and edit a website, with the number of staff user slots varying by plan. Additional users can be added as needed through the purchase of extra Staff User seats at $10 per user per month. This system is designed to accommodate business growth by enabling the distribution of website management tasks among staff members with customizable roles and permissions.

Shift4shop User Roles and Access Levels:

Role	Description	Access Highlights
Admin	Full control over the platform, responsible for setting up and managing all aspects of the online store.	Complete access to all areas including configuration, order management, product listings, user management, and analytics.
Manager	Oversees day-to-day operations, including order processing, inventory management, and customer service.	Access to order management, inventory, reports, and limited settings for day-to-day operations. Does not have access to high-level configurations.
Sales Rep	Focuses on customer interaction, order entry, and sales tracking.	Access to customer information, order creation, and sales reporting tools. Cannot alter product listings or configurations.
Content Creator	Generates product descriptions, blog posts, and marketing material.	Access to content management systems, blog, and marketing tools. No access to order management or configurations.
Customer Service Rep	Handles customer inquiries, returns, and complaints.	Access to customer information, order status, and communication tools. Limited access to order modifications.

Additional Features


SSL Certificate	✓	✓
Custom Domain	✓	✓
Free Custom Domain Included	✓	X
International Domains	✓	✓
Mobile Responsive	✓	✓
Page Speed	✓	✓
Website Builder Mobile App	✓	X
Convert a Website To An App	X	X
Website Analytics	✓	✓
Multilingual Sites	✓	✓
Multiple Users	X	✓

User Feedback

Big Cartel

26 reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars

Shift4shop

34 reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars

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.

Shift4Shop reviews present a mixed but generally positive perspective from users. They appreciate the platform’s feature-rich storefront capabilities, ease of use, and versatility in integrating various services, which facilitates online sales and efficient eCommerce management. However, critiques focus on the less intuitive user experience, occasional technical issues such as slow site loading, and the perceived degradation of customer service quality since the Shift4Shop takeover. Additionally, some users find the setup process and system architecture to be overly complex and dated. Despite these criticisms, Shift4Shop is recognized for its cost-effectiveness, support for different customer types, and the ability to solve a variety of eCommerce-related problems, benefiting users by enhancing their online sales capabilities and operational efficiency.

The making of this blog

We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.

Our Ranking Criteria

FAQ

Which platform is better for small businesses, Big Cartel or Shift4shop?

Big Cartel is specifically designed for small businesses, particularly artists and makers, offering simplicity and essential ecommerce features. It’s ideal for those who need an easy setup and straightforward selling tools. Shift4shop, while also capable of supporting small businesses, offers more robust features suitable for a variety of business models, including larger operations.

Can I use both Big Cartel and Shift4shop for selling products internationally?

Yes, both platforms support international sales. Big Cartel offers basic international domain capabilities, making it suitable for small-scale international selling. Shift4shop provides more comprehensive tools for international ecommerce, including support for multiple payment gateways and advanced shipping options.

How do Big Cartel and Shift4shop differ in terms of customization and design flexibility?

Big Cartel offers a range of customizable templates designed for artists and small businesses, ensuring that stores look appealing without needing coding knowledge. Shift4shop provides over 100 free ecommerce templates with more advanced customization options, catering to a wider array of design preferences and business needs.

What are the major differences in pricing and value between Big Cartel and Shift4shop?

Big Cartel offers a free plan and affordable paid plans, making it a cost-effective option for small businesses and independent creators. Shift4shop also offers a free plan but with conditions, and its paid plans provide more extensive ecommerce features and support, making it a better value for businesses looking to scale and diversify.