Big Cartel vs Meta Shops
A side-by-side look at Big Cartel and Meta Shops. On our scoring, Big Cartel comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 3.8/5 | 3.6/5 |
| User rating | 3.9 | 3.7 |
| Reviews | 690 | 2,050 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Pricing model | free up to 5 products + paid tiers | free to set up + selling fees |
| Transaction fees | 0% (processing applies) | 5% per shipment (or $0.40 for orders ≤ $8) |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Fully hosted (SaaS) | Social commerce |
| Free trial | Free plan available | Free to set up |
| Staff accounts | Single account | Business Manager roles |
| Product limit | 5 / 50 / 500 by plan | Catalog-based |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | Stripe, PayPal | Meta Checkout / partner platforms |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | No | No |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | Customizable themes | Limited storefront styling |
| App marketplace | Limited integrations | Commerce platform integrations |
| Multi-currency | No | Yes |
| Multi-language | No | Yes |
| POS included | No | No |
| Abandoned cart recovery | No | No |
| Built-in blog | No | No |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | No | No |
| API access | No | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Support channels | Email & help center | Help center, limited support |
| 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 Meta Shops?
Meta Shops lets brands turn an existing Facebook and Instagram following into a tappable storefront with minimal setup. It works best as a sales channel alongside a real store, and checkout features vary a lot by region.
Best for: Brands with an active Facebook or Instagram audience
Read the full Meta Shops review