Big Cartel vs Shopify
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best E-Commerce Platforms for Small Business (2026). Last verified June 4, 2026.
The short answer
Shopify ranks higher on Top 11 (#1 vs #9) for Small business owners choosing an e-commerce platform (Shopify vs WooCommerce vs BigCommerce). The best all-around choice for ease of use, app selection, and support, making it ideal for most small businesses.
At a glance
| Big Cartel | Shopify | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #9 / The 11 Best E-Commerce Platforms for Small Business (2026) | #1 / The 11 Best E-Commerce Platforms for Small Business (2026) |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 76 | 93 |
| Best for | Best for artists & makers | Best all-in-one platform |
| Pricing | $ ($0 to $19.99/mo) | $$ ($29 to $299/mo) |
| HQ | Salt Lake City, USA | Ottawa, Canada |
| Founded | 2005 | 2006 |
Big Cartel
A simple, affordable, and stylish platform designed specifically for artists and creators with small inventories.
www.bigcartel.comSee full entry in The 11 Best E-Commerce Platforms for Small Business (2026)
Shopify
The best all-around choice for ease of use, app selection, and support, making it ideal for most small businesses.
www.shopify.comSee full entry in The 11 Best E-Commerce Platforms for Small Business (2026)
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.