Big Cartel vs UENI.com
Big Cartel and UENI.com serve very different online store needs. Big Cartel is a simple DIY platform for creatives, while UENI.com is a done-for-you service for small businesses. This guide helps you pick the right fit.
Best for: Independent artists and makers selling physical products., Startups needing a free or low-cost platform to test the waters.
Best for: Small business owners who want a professional website without learning complex design tools., Service-based businesses like consultants, therapists, or tutors needing online bookings.
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.
Fast setup, but support is a gamble.
We find UENI.com delivers on its core promise of a quick, done-for-you website launch for small businesses. However, our assessment is tempered by significant user reports of poor customer support and billing disputes. Overall, it's a viable option for those prioritizing speed and simplicity over deep customization, but you should be cautious with the support experience.
Pros
- Fast, professional website launch (often within 7 days)
- All-in-one Business Hub for bookings, sales, and reviews
- Clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees
- Includes custom domain and professional email
Cons
- Customer support is frequently reported as unresponsive or unhelpful
- Users report difficulties with cancellation and billing processes
- Websites can feel generic and lack advanced customization
- Higher-tier plans may not offer sufficient value for the cost
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.
AboutUENI.com
UENI is a done-for-you website builder and business toolkit designed for small businesses and service providers. It's an alternative to both complex DIY builders and expensive agencies. The service creates your website, handles the setup, and gives you a central hub to manage bookings, sales, and your online presence. ✨
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Ease of Use & Setup
Big Cartel is a DIY platform you set up yourself. UENI.com builds your site for you.
Big Cartel offers a simple, four-step DIY setup process. You pick a template, add products, and configure shipping. It's designed for you to finish quickly. UENI.com handles the entire website build for you. You complete a business questionnaire after purchase. Their team delivers your site in about 7 days. The key difference is control vs. convenience. Big Cartel lets you own every step. UENI.com saves you weeks of work by doing it for you.
E-commerce & Product Management
Big Cartel is built for selling physical products. UENI.com also supports service bookings.
Big Cartel focuses on product listings. Plans support from 5 to 500 products. You get inventory tracking and bulk editing on paid plans. UENI.com's Ecommerce plan includes product subscriptions, advanced shipping, and loyalty programs. It also supports service bookings with calendar sync. Big Cartel offers a straightforward catalog for makers. UENI.com provides a more versatile platform for selling goods and booking services.
Pricing & Value
Big Cartel has a free tier. UENI.com's cheapest plan starts at $24.99/month.
Big Cartel's Gold plan is permanently free with 5 products. Paid plans are $15 and $30 per month. Annual billing saves you 20%. UENI.com's Website Launch plan is $24.99/month. Higher tiers go up to $124.99/month. They offer significant discounts for 1 or 2-year commitments. Big Cartel offers lower entry costs, especially with its free plan. UENI.com's value comes from the done-for-you service and included domain/email.
Customer Support
Both platforms have reported issues with support responsiveness.
Big Cartel promises support from 'real humans.' However, users report long wait times, sometimes hours. Diamond plan users get prioritized help. UENI.com offers VIP phone support on Plus and Growth plans. Reviews frequently mention unresponsive agents and difficulty resolving issues. Neither platform has a stellar support reputation based on reviews. Big Cartel's delays are frustrating; UENI.com's support seems inconsistent.
Design & Customization
Big Cartel uses customizable templates. UENI.com builds you a site with limited post-launch changes.
Big Cartel provides design templates you customize yourself. No coding is needed. Free plan access is limited to one template. UENI.com builds your initial site. After 30 days, unlimited edits are only on the Plus plan. The basic site can feel generic. Big Cartel offers more hands-on design freedom. UENI.com prioritizes a fast, professional launch over deep customization.
Scalability & Growth Tools
Big Cartel scales with product limits. UENI.com scales with marketing support.
Big Cartel scales by unlocking more product listings (up to 500). Its Growth tools include abandoned cart recovery on the top plan. UENI.com scales via service tiers. The Growth plan adds a dedicated marketing team and content creation. It's built for active business expansion. Big Cartel helps you list more items. UENI.com helps you attract more customers through professional marketing.
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
UENI.com costs between $10.80 and $124.99 per month with 4 plans: Website Launch at $24.99, Plus at $59.00, Ecommerce at $99.00, and Growth at $124.99.
Take a look at the specific plan features below to find your perfect fit.
Website Launch
Price: $24.99 per month Websites Supported: 1 Best For: Small businesses needing a professional online presence Refund Policy: 30-day money-back guarantee Other Features: Custom domain name, professional email, SSL certificate, 7-day turnaround, 1-to-1 launch call
- Built-for-you website
- Custom domain name
- Professional email
- Ready in 7 days
- Secure hosting & SSL
- 4 email addresses
- Advanced SEO
- Unlimited done-for-you edits
- VIP phone support
- 3rd party integrations
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Sell product subscriptions
- Advanced shipping options
- Loyalty program
- 0% Commission on sales
- Dedicated VIP Growth Team
- 1-on-1 monthly marketing sessions
- 2,000 words of fresh content
- Marketing plan for your business
Pricing Notes
- Big Cartel offers a permanently free Gold plan, making it risk-free to start.
- UENI.com provides a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans, acting as a trial period.
- Big Cartel's annual plans save you 20% versus monthly billing.
- UENI.com's biggest discounts require a 2-year commitment.
- Neither platform charges transaction fees on sales.
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.
On Trustpilot, UENI.com receives mixed reviews, with users frequently praising the speed and convenience of having a professional website built for them, often within a week. Many appreciate the clear, upfront pricing and the inclusion of features like a custom domain and professional email.
However, a common theme is poor customer support, with users reporting unresponsive agents, difficulty cancelling services, and issues with billing. Several reviews also mention that the final website can feel generic and lacks true customization.
My website was ready in less than a week. The team was professional and it was exactly what I needed to get my business online quickly. The price was clear with no surprises.
Our Verdict
This isn't a one-size-fits-all battle. The winner depends entirely on whether you want to build it yourself or have it built for you. Big Cartel's superpower is its simplicity and accessibility. You can start for free, pay zero commission, and manage everything yourself. It's perfect if you're an artist just getting started. UENI.com's superpower is saving you time. Their team builds your professional site in a week. You get bookings, reviews, and email included, all from one dashboard. The deciding factor is your time vs. your control. Choose Big Cartel if you enjoy the DIY process and have under 500 products. Choose UENI.com if you'd rather pay to skip the technical setup entirely. For most independent artists and makers, Big Cartel is the logical and affordable starting point. For local service businesses like therapists or consultants who need bookings, UENI.com is a faster, more complete solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Big Cartel completely free to use?
Yes, Big Cartel's Gold plan is permanently free. It lets you list up to 5 products with 1 image each. You can upgrade to paid plans for more products and features.
Does UENI.com offer a free trial?
No, UENI.com does not have a free trial. However, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans, so you can get a full refund if you're not satisfied.
Which platform is better for selling services and taking bookings?
UENI.com is better for services. It has a built-in appointment booking system with calendar sync. Big Cartel is designed for selling physical products.
Can I connect my own domain to Big Cartel?
Yes, you can connect a custom domain on Big Cartel's paid Platinum and Diamond plans. The free Gold plan does not support custom domains.
What happens to my site if I cancel my UENI.com subscription?
Your website will likely be taken offline after cancellation. You should contact UENI support for exact details on data and domain handling upon cancellation.
Does Big Cartel charge transaction fees on sales?
No, Big Cartel takes 0% commission. You only pay your monthly or annual subscription fee, keeping more of your revenue.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.