PrestaShop vs Big Cartel

PrestaShop is a versatile, open-source e-commerce platform that empowers businesses of any size — from startup merchants to large-scale operations — to design and manage online stores with no licensing fees.

It provides an extensive built-in feature set for product catalog management, order processing, customization, and scalability, supported by a thriving community and third-party module ecosystem.

PrestaShop is respected for its ability to adapt to evolving business requirements and deliver tailored, enterprise-quality storefront experiences.

Big Cartel is a lightweight e-commerce platform designed especially for artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs who want to sell their work online without unnecessary complexity. It offers easy store setup, free themes, and HTML/CSS customization so you can build a shop that reflects your aesthetic.

The platform supports selling both online and in person, accepts multiple payment methods (cards, PayPal, wallets, etc.), enables inventory tracking and shipping options, and offers promotional tools like discount codes.

Big Cartel has a free plan (limited products, basic features) and tiered premium plans that increase number of listed products, image uploads, domain control, and access to features like app integrations, real-time stats, and deeper customization.