We often see headlines like “Big Cartel vs. Etsy” or people asking “Should I use Big Cartel or Etsy?” It’s a good question.

Etsy’s a bustling marketplace. Great if you want built-in traffic—but it also means fees, limits on customization, and drowning in competition. Plus, when you win, it's Etsy that gets the credit. Big Cartel? We’re the chill corner where over a million creators carve out their own space. You get full control, keep your branding and profits, and always get real answers from real people.

We’re fans of Etsy as well. They’ve done a lot for the handmade world and provide a great tool to help you make money following your passions. Many sellers use and enjoy both services, and like Big Cartel, Etsy was created in support of artists. But we've heard from others who have stepped away from Etsy, and because your needs may change over time, we thought we'd make a few key differences clear.

Your brand, your rules

Big Cartel gives you total control over your online presence. You get a store that’s all you—tweak themes, colors, fonts, layouts—so it grows with your brand’s vibe. Handcrafted jewelry? Original artwork? Custom prints? We make them shine. It's like opening your own boutique—set up in minutes, zero hassle.

Etsy? That’s more like renting a shelf in a crowded marketplace. Sure, you tap into a built-in audience, but you’re competing with a million other makers. You can pretty it up a bit—but you’re still boxed into Etsy’s layout. And when someone buys from you there, what do they say? “I got it on Etsy.” Ouch.

For creators who crave independence, Big Cartel is the no‑fluff platform that puts you center stage. Yes, it might take a little hustle to build your crowd—but we know you’ve got the guts and the grind to make it happen

No math degree required

Let’s talk money—because we know every dollar counts when you’re building your dream. With Big Cartel, pricing is simple and drama-free. Start for $0. Need more features? Plans are just $15 or $30/month. That’s it. No listing fees. No transaction fees. No hidden surprises.

Payment processing? That’s between you and Stripe or PayPal. They handle the heavy lifting to keep things safe and secure—standard stuff. Your customers buy directly from you, and their info stays private. Always. And your product listings? They don’t vanish after a month. They’re yours to update, delete, or keep up forever. Control stays in your hands.

It’s a whole different budget story with Etsy. You’ll pay $0.20 to list an item, plus a 6.5% transaction fee, plus 3% + $0.25 for payment processing. If you’re roped into their offsite ads program, wave goodbye to up to 15% more. It adds up fast—and eats into the profits you worked so hard to earn.

Talk to your customers directly

At Big Cartel, shoppers can slide into your DMs right from your store’s contact form—no separate inbox, no forwarded threads. Questions, feedback, or “you rock” messages go straight to you. And yes, you can reply on any device. Boom—communication made easy.

Once someone makes a purchase, you can give them the option to join your mailing list—and if they say yes, their email lands in your hands. You earned their attention, so we’re not putting up paywalls around their info. (Just one thing: play by the FTC’s rules. Use that email responsibly and keep your customers’ trust intact.)

Do-it-yourselfers unite

We’ve got a thriving crew—over a million artists and hustlers call Big Cartel home. If your goal is to build a one-of-a-kind brand and get paid doing what you love, you’re in the right place. We’ve set the stage, now it’s your time to shine. 

Behind the scenes, the Big Cartel fam is made up of creative folks just like you. And because we're a tight-knit, privately owned team, our decisions are about what’s best for you—so rest easy.

All the tools, none of the overwhelm

Big Cartel packs everything you need to build a killer shop and grow it on your own terms. Manage products, run promos, boost SEO, customize your vibe—it's all baked in.

Want to level up even more? We play nice with a bunch of third-party apps that make life easier:

Zapier: Automate what you wish—email campaigns, social posts, you name it.

PirateShip: Ship like a pro with USPS discounts straight from the high seas.

Printful & Art of Where: Sell your designs without touching a box—manufacturing and shipping? Handled.

Elfsight: Add reviews, popups, carousels, and cool widgets without knowing a lick of code.

Need help? Our support team is real, friendly humans (not bots), and our help docs are stacked with easy answers. We’ve got your back every step of the way—so you can get out there and own it.

Ready to make the leap?

If you’re dreaming bigger than a spot in someone else’s store, it’s time to carve out your own space and show the world what you got. Already selling on Etsy, Shopify, or Squarespace? Bring your products with you—our import tool makes it painless. Click, click, click, go! 

Start with our free Gold plan and take your time kicking the tires. No pressure, no trial clock ticking down. And if you’re into it? Upgrading is a breeze.

So go ahead—start your store today and build something that’s 100% yours.