Big Cartel vs TikTok Shop
A side-by-side look at Big Cartel and TikTok Shop. 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 | 3.8 |
| Reviews | 690 | 2,680 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Pricing model | free up to 5 products + paid tiers | free to set up + commission per sale |
| Transaction fees | 0% (processing applies) | ~6–8% commission per order |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Fully hosted (SaaS) | Social commerce |
| Free trial | Free plan available | Free to set up |
| Staff accounts | Single account | Seller Center roles |
| Product limit | 5 / 50 / 500 by plan | Catalog-based |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | Stripe, PayPal | TikTok-managed checkout |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | No | No |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | Customizable themes | In-app storefront |
| App marketplace | Limited integrations | Platform integrations |
| Multi-currency | No | No |
| Multi-language | No | No |
| 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 | Seller Center support, help center |
| 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 TikTok Shop?
TikTok Shop turns viral content into instant in-app purchases and has driven explosive growth for the right products. It rewards a constant content engine and creator partnerships, and policies are still evolving quickly.
Best for: Brands chasing impulse-driven viral sales
Read the full TikTok Shop review