Big Cartel vs Subbly
This comparison boils down to two very different e-commerce goals: static products versus recurring subscriptions. Big Cartel focuses on simplicity and zero transaction fees for independent artists and makers. Subbly is built specifically for managing complex recurring revenue models and subscriber journeys. They simply serve different niches.
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.
Built for subscription power, backed by great support.
We analyzed Subbly's unique position as a dedicated subscription platform, noting its deep feature set designed specifically for recurring revenue models and migration needs. While pricing lacks public transparency and the site builder is somewhat basic, its high-tier tools and exceptional, video-backed customer service stand out. Overall, this is a highly functional tool ideal for specific subscription-box needs.
Pros
- Built specifically for subscription box management, not as an add-on.
- Exceptional, knowledgeable, and responsive customer service that provides demonstration videos.
- Powerful marketing and incentive tools (trials, funnels, automations, coupon controls).
- Offers sophisticated, proprietary features like Predictive Churn AI in top-tier plans.
Cons
- Specific plan pricing is not publicly listed, lacking financial transparency.
- The integrated site builder is rigid compared to other drag-and-drop website tools.
- Customer support is inconsistent or unavailable during weekend hours.
- Advanced features (like Stripe integration and branding removal) are reserved for premium tiers.
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.
AboutSubbly
Subbly provides a focused pathway for moving your operations. While the specific function is not detailed, it clearly serves businesses seeking operational change. We know that many clients have Switched from their previous platforms to use this solution. It is built for companies needing an efficient way to transfer their services or data.
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Core Business Model
Big Cartel handles single sales; Subbly masters recurring revenue subscriptions.
Big Cartel is built for independent creators selling unique, one-off products like art or jewelry. The platform prioritizes simplicity for these fixed product sales. Subbly is designed specifically for complex recurring billing and managing the subscriber journey. It centralizes all necessary billing and plan data. The primary distinction is the type of transaction: Big Cartel is e-commerce, Subbly is subscription commerce. Big Cartel simply cannot handle robust recurring billing logic. If your income depends on monthly recurring payments, Subbly is the only business model fit.
Scaling and Limits
Subbly offers unlimited capacity; Big Cartel is strictly capped at 500 products.
Big Cartel imposes a hard maximum limit of 500 product listings, even on its top Diamond plan. This is fine for small artists but restricts rapid growth. Subbly supports unlimited products and unlimited subscribers, making it suitable for high-volume operations. It’s explicitly scalable. If your shop will likely exceed 500 unique items, choose Subbly immediately for long-term growth. Big Cartel works best until you hit that 500-product ceiling. This product limit is the biggest feature constraint for Big Cartel users looking to scale their inventory quickly.
Transaction Costs
Big Cartel guarantees 0% commission; Subbly relies entirely on third-party payment gateways.
Big Cartel is proud of its 0% commission policy on all sales, ensuring you keep more revenue after subscription fees. You only pay the monthly rate. Subbly integrates with major gateways like Stripe, Braintree, and PayPal, which handle transaction fees separately. Subbly itself doesn't mention taking a commission. For clear, predictable commission-free selling, Big Cartel provides immediate financial value to low-volume creators. The transparency of Big Cartel's cost model is a major benefit for budgeting purposes.
Customer Support
Subbly provides 24/7 support; Big Cartel support is human but often reported as agonizingly slow.
Subbly provides accessible 24/7 chat and email support, including specialized help during data migration transitions. This speed is critical. Big Cartel uses 'real human beings' for support, but reviews often cite long wait times, sometimes hours for a simple reply. Only Diamond plan users get prioritized service. If support response time is a dealbreaker, Subbly is the safer choice due to 24/7 availability. Big Cartel's lack of reliable, quick support is a recurring customer pain point. Subscription businesses often need quick help with billing issues, making Subbly’s 24/7 approach more robust.
Ease of Setup
Big Cartel is faster for basic sales; Subbly needs slightly more setup for recurring payments.
Big Cartel is extremely simple, offering a four-step quick setup process designed for non-coders and beginners. Templates make design fast. Subbly is noted as 'user-friendly' with clear onboarding guides, but it manages complex elements like funnels and billing rules. For a pure beginner launching a basic store, Big Cartel offers the quickest path to market. You can sell static products almost instantly. Subbly's setup time investment pays off by handling the high complexity of long-term subscriber relationships.
Migrations
Subbly offers free, guided migration; Big Cartel offers basic product import functionality.
Subbly provides a free migration service and guided support to move large subscriber lists from older systems. This minimizes high risk and downtime. Big Cartel supports self-service product imports from existing shops like Etsy, Squarespace, and Shopify listings. This helps creators consolidate. Subbly's migration focus is on data integrity and subscriber purity across complex billing systems. Moving recurring customers is always harder. If you are leaving another subscription platform, Subbly’s specialized migration support is a huge advantage.
Management Tools
Big Cartel tracks inventory; Subbly focuses entirely on centralized subscriber metrics.
Big Cartel features inventory tracking, shipment tracking, and bulk editing capabilities for physical merchandise. This keeps product fulfillment organized. Subbly’s strength is centralized subscriber management, ensuring clear billing, plan information, and renewal data is unified. Big Cartel’s tools maximize efficiency for sellers dealing with physical stock levels. Subbly’s tools are geared toward monitoring customer relationships and billing cycles. Choose Big Cartel if stock control is key; choose Subbly if subscriber retention is paramount.
Pricing Transparency
Big Cartel is highly transparent and fixed; Subbly's cost structure is less detailed in public data.
Big Cartel offers three simple, fixed tiers ($0, $15, $30 per month) based purely on inventory limits. The costs are extremely clear. Subbly provides a price range ($7–$24) but lacks explicit tier details, making budgeting for features or scale harder. Big Cartel ensures sellers know exactly what they will pay monthly regardless of sales volume. This clear model reduces financial surprises for owners. Subbly's opaque structure might signal higher costs or usage-based pricing on later, unlisted tiers.
Our Verdict
The decision between Big Cartel and Subbly hinges completely on your business model. Are you selling unique art, or are you running a recurring subscription box? Big Cartel is specifically tailored for simple, static product sales; Subbly handles complex recurrence. They are not direct substitutes. Big Cartel’s superpower is its commitment to the independent artist and small creator. The permanent free plan and guaranteed 0% commission are huge wins for profitability. It lets you launch a beautiful shop quickly without needing any coding expertise. Use Big Cartel if your inventory holds fewer than 500 unique items. Subbly’s superpower is mastering the volatile world of subscriptions and complex billing. It centralizes all subscriber data and offers powerful migration support for existing businesses. If you must manage monthly renewals, funnels, trials, and churn, Subbly provides essential tools. The deciding factor is growth capacity and complexity. Big Cartel is limited to 500 products maximum, while Subbly offers unlimited scalability for subscribers and products. If you plan to rapidly expand your product line past 500 items, you must choose Subbly. Final verdict: Pick Big Cartel for low-volume, commission-free selling of physical goods. Immediately opt for Subbly if you require any form of reliable, scalable subscription management system. Subbly is built for recurring success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for minimizing costs and maximizing profit margins?
Big Cartel is better for low-volume profitability due to its 0% commission guarantee on sales. You only pay the flat monthly rate. Subbly will require separate transaction fees from gateways like Stripe or PayPal.
Can Big Cartel be used to manage a subscription box business?
No. Big Cartel lacks the core functionality for recurring billing, centralized subscriber management, and complex funnels. Subbly is purpose-built for those exact requirements.
Which platform is better for large or rapidly scaling product inventory?
Subbly is superior for scaling, offering unlimited products and subscribers. Big Cartel hits a hard cap at 500 product listings, limiting inventory growth significantly.
Does Subbly offer a permanent free plan like Big Cartel?
No. Subbly only offers a 7-day free trial to test the paid features. Big Cartel provides a permanent Gold plan which is completely free for basic usage.
Is data migration easier with Big Cartel or Subbly?
Subbly offers a smoother process with free migration services and guided support during the transition. Big Cartel only supports basic product import from platforms like Etsy and Shopify.
Which tool offers stronger technical customer support?
Subbly wins here, offering 24/7 support via chat and email. Big Cartel's support is notoriously slow, and prioritized help is locked behind its highest-tier Diamond plan.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.