Big Cartel vs Easy Digital Downloads
A side-by-side look at Big Cartel and Easy Digital Downloads. On our scoring, Easy Digital Downloads comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 3.8/5 | 4.0/5 |
| User rating | 3.9 | 4.1 |
| Reviews | 690 | 670 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Pricing model | free up to 5 products + paid tiers | free core + annual pass for extensions |
| Transaction fees | 0% (processing applies) | 0% (processor fees apply) |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Fully hosted (SaaS) | Self-hosted (WordPress) |
| Free trial | Free plan available | Free core plugin |
| Staff accounts | Single account | WordPress roles |
| Product limit | 5 / 50 / 500 by plan | Unlimited |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | Stripe, PayPal | Stripe, PayPal + gateways |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | No | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | Customizable themes | WordPress theme ecosystem |
| App marketplace | Limited integrations | Official extensions library |
| Multi-currency | No | No |
| Multi-language | No | Yes |
| POS included | No | No |
| Abandoned cart recovery | No | Yes |
| Built-in blog | No | Yes |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | No | Yes |
| API access | No | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | No |
| Support channels | Email & help center | Ticket support (pass), documentation |
| Actions | Read review | Read review |
Why pick Big Cartel?
Big Cartel is purpose-built for artists who want a clean, no-fuss shop without commerce overwhelm, and the free plan is genuinely useful. Its hard product limits and minimal features mean growing brands will outgrow it.
Best for: Artists and makers with small product counts
Read the full Big Cartel reviewWhy pick Easy Digital Downloads?
Easy Digital Downloads is the specialist choice for selling digital goods on WordPress, with clean license and subscription handling that WooCommerce bolts on awkwardly. You will buy extension passes to unlock its full power.
Best for: WordPress users selling files and licenses
Read the full Easy Digital Downloads review