Bar Codes Talk vs Big Cartel
Bar Codes Talk and Big Cartel serve very different needs. One is a barcode reseller, the other is an online store builder. They don't directly compete, but we'll break down where each shines.
Best for: Small business owners needing UPC/EAN barcodes, Amazon FBA sellers starting out
Best for: Independent artists and makers, Hobbyists selling crafts online
Pros
Cons
Simple Selling for Creative Beginners
Big Cartel excels as a straightforward, commission-free platform tailored specifically for independent artists needing an easy start. We find the generous free plan perfect for testing the waters, but limitations in advanced features and reported issues with support response times make scaling challenging. Overall, this is an excellent, affordable choice for hobbyists or new sellers who prioritize simplicity over complex functionality.
Pros
- Permanently free Gold plan is available for starters ($0).
- No sales commission taken (0% transaction fees).
- Simple, intuitive, and easy to set up for non-coders.
- Designed specifically for independent artists and makers.
Cons
- Platform functionality is limited, especially for scaling (max 500 products).
- Customer support response times can be painfully slow, sometimes taking hours.
- Users report recent platform instability and bugs.
- Paid plans are considered high value for the basic feature set provided.
AboutBar Codes Talk
AboutBig Cartel
Big Cartel is an easy-to-use platform designed to help creatives turn their passion into profit. It’s where do-it-yourselfers go to become professionals.
This solution serves independent artists, bands, and makers of all types. Its diverse audience includes painters, jewelry makers, designers, printmakers, and photographers.
The goal is simple: give you the tools you need to sell your stuff and grow your shop. You’ll keep more of what you earn with straightforward pricing and no hidden fees.
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Core Purpose
This is the biggest difference. Bar Codes Talk sells product codes. Big Cartel hosts your online store.
Bar Codes Talk's entire service is selling UPC, EAN, and SCC barcodes. You buy them for $5+ and download the graphics. It's a utility for getting products listed. Big Cartel provides a complete website to showcase and sell your creations. It includes templates, product pages, and payment processing. It's a platform for running a business. The key trade-off is specialization vs. a full solution. Bar Codes Talk solves one specific problem. Big Cartel handles the broader online retail workflow. You'd use Bar Codes Talk to get a barcode for your new handmade soap. You'd use Big Cartel to build the website where you sell that soap.
Pricing & Fees
One is a one-time cost. The other is a recurring subscription. Your budget model will decide the winner.
Bar Codes Talk charges a single fee per barcode, starting at $5. You own it forever with no renewals. This is ideal for one-off needs. Big Cartel has free and paid tiers. The Gold plan is $0. Paid plans are $15 or $30 monthly. You pay to access more products and features. Bar Codes Talk is cheaper for a single purchase. Big Cartel's free plan is cheaper for a basic store. Big Cartel's fees add up over time, while Bar Codes Talk is a sunk cost. A reseller buying 10 barcodes pays once. A store owner on the Diamond plan pays $30 forever.
Ease of Use
Both are designed to be simple for beginners. Neither requires technical skills.
Bar Codes Talk is a quick e-commerce transaction. You select barcodes, pay, and download files instantly. The whole process takes minutes. Big Cartel guides you through a 4-step store setup. You pick a template, add products, and enter shipping details. It's designed for non-coders. Both eliminate complexity. Bar Codes Talk removes GS1 bureaucracy. Big Cartel removes website building headaches. The deciding factor is your goal. If you just need a barcode file, Bar Codes Talk is faster. If you need a whole shop, Big Cartel is the complete tool.
Feature Set & Scalability
Big Cartel offers more features for running a business. Bar Codes Talk is limited to its core product.
Bar Codes Talk's features are barcode-focused: instant download, graphics package, Amazon guarantee. It doesn't manage inventory or sales. Big Cartel includes a store, product management, payments, discounts, and analytics. Scaling means upgrading to higher product limits and features. Bar Codes Talk scales by buying more codes. Big Cartel scales by upgrading plans for more products and tools like abandoned cart recovery. For a growing product line, Big Cartel provides the operational tools. Bar Codes Talk just provides the codes for that line.
Customer Support
Both rely on human support, but response times vary. One prioritizes speed, the other has tiered access.
Bar Codes Talk highlights responsive, helpful support for purchase issues. Reviews note quick resolution but some variability. Big Cartel promises support from real humans. However, response times can be slow. Only Diamond plan users get prioritized support. Neither has a published SLA. Bar Codes Talk's support is centered on its simple product. Big Cartel's support covers a more complex platform. If you have a complex store issue, Big Cartel's team has more to handle. If your barcode download fails, Bar Codes Talk's team has one clear task.
Payment & Checkout
One enables sales. The other processes them. They handle different ends of the transaction.
Bar Codes Talk processes your payment to buy barcodes. It accepts standard payment methods for checkout. Its role ends after delivery. Big Cartel processes payments from your customers. It accepts cards, PayPal, Venmo, and more. It handles the checkout on your behalf. The trade-off is simplicity vs. control. Bar Codes Talk has a straightforward checkout for you. Big Cartel provides a checkout for your shoppers. You use Bar Codes Talk's checkout to acquire a tool. You use Big Cartel's checkout to run your business.
Design & Customization
Big Cartel focuses on storefront design. Bar Codes Talk provides barcode graphics.
Bar Codes Talk delivers EPS and JPEG barcode files. These are standardized graphics for packaging and listings. Customization is limited to your design use. Big Cartel offers customizable store templates. The free plan gives one template. Paid plans unlock a full library. No coding is required. The difference is end product vs. business tool. Bar Codes Talk's design is for a label. Big Cartel's design is for a website. If you need a logo on a barcode, Bar Codes Talk helps. If you need a brand identity online, Big Cartel is the platform.
Integrations & Ecosystem
One provides universal files. The other connects to apps and services.
Bar Codes Talk integrates by giving you files that work anywhere. EPS and JPEG are standard formats you can use on any platform. Big Cartel integrates via apps. You can connect to Google Shopping, print-on-demand services, and review apps. It also imports from Etsy and Shopify. Bar Codes Talk is a standalone utility. Big Cartel is a hub in an e-commerce ecosystem. Your workflow determines the winner. If you just need a file, Bar Codes Talk suffices. If you need to connect tools, Big Cartel has the options.
Mobile Experience
Big Cartel has a dedicated app. Bar Codes Talk is a desktop purchase.
Bar Codes Talk has no mobile app. You buy and download barcodes on a website. This is a one-time, desktop-focused task. Big Cartel offers a mobile app for iOS and Android. You can manage your shop and make sales from your phone. This enables on-the-go business. The difference is utility vs. management. Bar Codes Talk doesn't need a mobile experience. Big Cartel's app adds significant flexibility. You can't run a store from Bar Codes Talk. You can run your Big Cartel shop from your pocket.
Big Cartel costs between $0 and $30 per month with 3 plans: Gold at $0, Platinum at $15/month ($144 annually), and Diamond at $30/month ($288 annually).
Let's explore the details of each plan to find the right fit for your creative business.
Gold
Price: $0/month (It's free) Best For: The basics to sell online Other Features:
- 5 product listings
- One image per product
- Access to 1 template
- Accept cards, PayPal, & more
- 5 product listings
- 1 image per product
- Access to 1 template
- Accept cards, PayPal, Afterpay, & more
- Big Cartel mobile app for iOS & Android
- 50 product listings
- 5 images per product
- Access to template library
- Offer discounts & run promos
- Shipment tracking
- 500 product listings
- 25 images per product
- Access to template library
- Prioritized tech support
- Abandoned cart recovery
Pricing Notes
- Bar Codes Talk is a pure one-time cost with no renewals.
- Big Cartel's Gold plan is permanently free but limited to 5 products.
- Big Cartel offers a 20% discount for annual billing on paid plans.
- Neither service charges transaction fees or sales commissions.
- Bar Codes Talk pricing is straightforward per barcode. Big Cartel's pricing tiers are based on features and product limits.
Pricing Head-to-Head
User Reviews
Big Cartel's external reviews are sharply divided, reflecting a highly polarized user base, resulting in a low Trustpilot rating (2.3). Many long-term users express deep frustration, citing recent unreliable platform development and high prices for what they consider limited functionality and a basic service (max 500 products).
Recurring negative themes include extremely slow customer support response times, with some users waiting hours for basic replies. Conversely, independent artists and new sellers highly praise the platform for its simplicity and ease of use.
I have used Big Cartel for years and it works perfectly for my artwork. I appreciate the 0% commission on sales, only paying the monthly fee. Their customer service has been quick and helpful whenever I needed it.
Our Verdict
This isn't a fair fight. Bar Codes Talk and Big Cartel serve completely different purposes. Bar Codes Talk's superpower is delivering permanent barcodes without annual fees. You buy once for $5 and own the code forever, with instant Amazon compatibility. Big Cartel's superpower is being the simplest possible online store. It lets artists and makers sell their work with a free plan and zero commission. The deciding factor is your immediate need. Do you need a scannable product code? Choose Bar Codes Talk. Do you need a website to sell products? Choose Big Cartel. For most entrepreneurs, the choice is clear. If you're selling physical products, you'll likely need both. Use Bar Codes Talk for your barcodes and Big Cartel to host your store. They solve different problems on the same path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Bar Codes Talk barcodes in my Big Cartel store?
Yes. Bar Codes Talk provides the barcode graphics and numbers. You would manually add that barcode information to your product listings within your Big Cartel shop. The two services work separately.
Which is cheaper to start: Bar Codes Talk or Big Cartel?
It depends on your need. Bar Codes Talk charges $5 per barcode, a one-time cost. Big Cartel has a free plan (Gold) but limits you to 5 products. For a single barcode, Bar Codes Talk is cheaper. For a basic store, Big Cartel is free.
Does Big Cartel sell barcodes like Bar Codes Talk?
No. Big Cartel is an e-commerce platform, not a barcode reseller. You are responsible for obtaining your own UPC or EAN barcodes to list products in a Big Cartel store. Bar Codes Talk is the specialized service for buying them.
Is Big Cartel worth it if I only have a few products?
Big Cartel's free Gold plan is excellent for very small shops with 5 or fewer products. If you have more than 5 items, you must upgrade to a paid plan ($15+/month). For just a few products, the free plan offers great value.
What happens if my needs grow beyond Bar Codes Talk or Big Cartel?
For Bar Codes Talk, growth just means buying more barcodes as needed. For Big Cartel, growth requires upgrading to a higher plan (Platinum or Diamond) to list more products and access advanced tools. If you outgrow Big Cartel, you may migrate to a platform like Shopify.
Do both services charge fees when I make a sale?
No. Neither service takes a cut of your sales. Bar Codes Talk doesn't process customer sales. Big Cartel explicitly charges 0% commission on all transactions. You only pay their subscription fee.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.