Big Cartel vs Braintree

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Our analysts compared Big Cartel vs Braintree based on data from our 400+ point analysis of eCommerce Platforms, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Big Cartel Software Tool
Braintree Software Tool

Product Basics

Big Cartel is an eCommerce website builder that helps artists quickly design and launch an online storefront. They can set up professional websites on a custom domain for free, and move onto paid plans during scaling for features like inventory management, theme code editing, Google Analytics and more. The free plan supports five products and paid plans can support up to 500 products.
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Braintree by PayPal is a web payment system that helps ecommerce businesses integrate and accept payments through credit and debit cards, Venmo (in the US), PayPal, Google Pay and other digital wallets. It allows users to track transactions, access real-time information, and manage in-store payments in multiple countries. Users can leverage other attributes including fraud protection, dispute management, payout management, reporting, level 1 PCI compliance and data encryption.
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$12 Monthly, Freemium
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$0.49/Transaction, 2.59% Flat Rate
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Chromebook
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Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

we're gathering data
Documentation
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Videos
Webinars
Email
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FAQ
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Design Unique Storefronts: Create branded storefronts with automated tax calculators, site searching, shipment connections and real-time statistics using templates and coding. 
  • Improve Engagement: Track KPIs, cart recovery, engagement rates and bounce rates to identify weaknesses and drill down on opportunities. Attract customers and boost engagement through unique promos and discounts. 
  • Work From Anywhere: Stay on top of every business process with real-time updates and notifications on the mobile app for Android and iOS. 
  • Add Custom Features: Leverage partnership with Zapier to facilitate connections with over 1,000 third-party solutions like Google Analytics, Facebook Store, Instagram, Pulley, MailChimp and more. 
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  • Offer Customers Peace of Mind: Boost conversions and brand goodwill by creating a secure payment environment and enabling customers to pay via their preferred mode. 
  • Expand Audience: Accept multiple currencies and allow customers from remote locations to shop from the online store. 
  • Save Time: Efficiently perform time-consuming administrative tasks like invoice generation, data storage and visualization through automation. 
  • Mitigate Risks: Detect and eliminate fraudulent transactions, create a secure repository of transactional data and leverage unique data visualizations to minimize risks and drill down on opportunities. 
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  • Professional Website: Build and design a niche standalone website to create product USPs. Personalize web pages and add business branding through design templates or editing source code with the HTML and CSS editor. Websites are compatible with both mobile and PC. Host sites on the vendor’s domain or use a custom domain, available with paid plans. 
  • Inventory Management: Keep track of sold units, add new products, supply products with descriptions and photos, and receive notifications when a product is about to go out of stock. Available with paid plans. 
  • Order Management: Send confirmation emails after purchases. Arrange shipping, print shipping labels, track orders and bulk export order history to a CSV file from a unified dashboard. 
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Provide targeted product descriptions, collect inbound links and receive expert advice on optimizing search engine results. 
  • Discounts: Provide discounts on the checkout page to boost customer retention and improve loyalty. 
  • Analytics: Track monthly sales, visitor statistics, conversion rates and more from the analytics dashboard. Leverage integrations with third-party applications for in-depth analysis, available with paid plans.  
  • Mobile App: Access free mobile apps to streamline workflows and increase efficiency. Available apps assist in custom printing, social media marketing, site analytics, customer support, shipping management and more.  
  • Payment Processing: Choose between PayPal and Stripe to provide customers with a one-touch checkout and payment point on the website. Additionally, utilize the mobile application and a card swiper to accept in-person payments, without incurring additional processing fees. 
  • Integrations: Leverage partnership with Zapier to facilitate connections with over 1,000 third-party solutions like Google Analytics, Facebook Store, Instagram, Pulley, Mailchimp and more, available at a cost. 
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  • Fraud Prevention Tools: Minimize fraudulent activities by making transactions SCA compliant and leveraging 3D Secure 2, an authentication verification service. Keep a check on chargebacks and reduce false positives with machine learning and customizable filters. 
  • Payment Methods: Accept payments through PayPal, Venmo, credit and debit cards, ACH transfers and many other popular digital wallets, including GPay, SamsungPay, ApplePay and more. Offer buyers a smooth checkout experience and consolidate operational flows for all payment types. 
  • In-Store Payments: Enable customers to purchase in-store with payment methods saved to an online profile and vice versa with the integrated POS system. Accept MasterCard, magstripe cards, chip cards and contactless cards, along with all major digital wallets. 
  • Payouts: Global merchants can send mass payments to recipients in more than 200 countries and regions. Allow recipients to choose how they receive payments, automate payouts with API calls or batch-file uploads and create disbursements in real time. 
  • Reporting: Track and store all transactional data. Filter by card type, date of creation, settlement date and payment mode to view specific information. Receive real-time updates of events occurring at the payment gateway. Generate custom reports for even more specific needs through the open API. 
  • Data Security: Securely store customer data with multiple encryption keys, split knowledge and dual control in the Level 1 PCI DSS compliant solution. Password, raw magnetic stripe, CVV or pin-block data is never stored. Requires authentication for every control panel login. 
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Product Ranking

#11

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eCommerce Platforms

#13

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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 32 reviews
Good User Sentiment 130 reviews
84%
of users recommend this product

Big Cartel has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 84% when considering 32 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

76%
of users recommend this product

Braintree has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 76% when considering 130 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.5 (18)
4.2 (21)
3.6 (74)
4.18 (11)
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4.0 (22)
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3.6 (16)

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Simple Store Setup: Big Cartel is known for its straightforward and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to set up their online stores quickly, even with limited technical expertise.
Free Plan Availability: The platform offers a free plan that allows users to sell up to five products, making it an attractive option for individuals or small businesses starting with a limited budget or inventory.
Affordable Paid Plans: Big Cartel's paid plans are generally considered affordable compared to other eCommerce platforms, providing scalability for growing businesses without breaking the bank.
Focus on Artists and Makers: Big Cartel caters specifically to artists, crafters, and independent creators, offering features and tools tailored to their needs, such as customizable themes and the ability to sell digital products.
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Ease of Use: It’s an intuitive platform with a user-friendly interface, according to 83% of users discussing this aspect.
Payment Processing: 79% of users reviewing payment processing said that the platform streamlines digital transactions.
Data Security: It secures transactional data against malware with fraud detection tools, according to 72% of reviews discussing security.
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Limited Design Flexibility: The platform's design options can feel restrictive for users seeking extensive customization, especially when compared to other platforms that offer a wider range of themes and more advanced design tools.
Feature Limitations: Big Cartel may not be the best fit for businesses with complex needs, as it lacks certain features commonly found in other eCommerce platforms, such as abandoned cart recovery, detailed analytics, and extensive marketing tools.
Scalability Challenges: While suitable for smaller stores or those just starting out, Big Cartel may not be the best choice for rapidly growing businesses due to limitations in product variations, inventory management, and order processing capabilities.
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Glitches: It’s a resource-intensive platform prone to glitches, according to 71% of users mentioning software performance.
Cost: According to 85% of reviews on the pricing structure, the platform is more expensive than its competitors.
Accounting: The lack of accounting features is a drawback, according to 100% of reviews on bookkeeping.
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Big Cartel has been making waves in the eCommerce world, but like any platform, it has its fans and its critics. Users who dig Big Cartel often point to its user-friendliness and affordability as major pluses. It's a great starting point for small businesses and artists who want to get their online stores up and running without breaking the bank or getting bogged down in technical complexities. However, some users find Big Cartel's features a bit too basic, especially compared to more robust platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. If you're looking for advanced marketing tools, extensive customization options, or top-tier customer support, Big Cartel might leave you wanting more. Ultimately, Big Cartel is a solid choice for those who prioritize simplicity and affordability, but if you need a platform that can scale with your business, you might want to explore other options. "Big Cartel: the perfect platform for your big dreams." Whether you're an artist selling handmade crafts or a musician hawking merch, Big Cartel provides a straightforward way to turn your passion into profit. Just remember, as your business grows, you might need to upgrade to a platform with more bells and whistles.

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Braintree is a digital payment processor allowing online businesses to accept debit cards, credit cards, e-checks, Venmo, PayPal and other popular digital wallets. According to user reviews, the platform’s intuitive UI, quick payment processing and unique fraud detection tools are its main strengths. However, users have reported that the platform crashes frequently. It lacks accounting integrations, forcing users to record transactions and maintain ledgers manually. Additionally, the software charges a nominal fee for each transaction on top of a base monthly fee, which can become a costly affair for small businesses. In summary, Braintree is best for enterprises with large sales volume, powerful IT infrastructure and adequate technical expertise.

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