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E-Commerce · head to head

Big Cartel vs CJ Dropshipping

Big Cartel logo

Big Cartel

E-Commerce

Straightforward pricing, no surprises

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
CJ Dropshipping logo

CJ Dropshipping

E-Commerce

Sourcing and order fulfillment platform for dropshipping and e-commerce sellers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Big Cartel custom domain support is not included on the free Gold plan; it is listed as a Platinum-tier feature; CJ Dropshipping shipping times can still be lengthy for products sourced from suppliers without CJ warehouse stock in the destination region.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Big Cartel and CJ Dropshipping actually diverge.

Attributes where Big Cartel and CJ Dropshipping differ
AttributeBig CartelCJ Dropshipping
PlatformsWebweb, api
FoundedUnknown2014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (E-Commerce).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Big Cartel

Nothing recorded that CJ Dropshipping does not also cover.

Only in CJ Dropshipping

  • Product Sourcing
  • Store Integration
  • Order Fulfillment
  • Global Warehousing
  • Custom Packaging & Branding
  • Shipment Tracking
  • Chrome Extension

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Big Cartel

  • E-commerce store creationnot CJ Dropshipping
  • Physical and digital product salesnot CJ Dropshipping

CJ Dropshipping

  • Finding and importing trending products without holding inventorynot Big Cartel
  • Fulfilling dropshipping orders placed on Shopify or WooCommerce storesnot Big Cartel
  • Sourcing custom-branded or private-label products for a storenot Big Cartel
  • Storing bulk inventory in overseas warehouses to reduce shipping timesnot Big Cartel
  • Print-on-demand product creation and fulfillmentnot Big Cartel

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Big Cartel

  • Custom domain support is not included on the free Gold plan; it is listed as a Platinum-tier feature
  • Abandoned cart recovery, product drop scheduling and Zapier integration are restricted to the top Diamond tier at $30/month
  • Platinum's paid billing starts automatically after a 7-day free trial rather than requiring an active opt-in to convert

CJ Dropshipping

  • Shipping times can still be lengthy for products sourced from suppliers without CJ warehouse stock in the destination region.
  • Quality control depends on individual third-party factories and suppliers, which varies across product categories.
  • Platform navigation and account verification steps have been reported as confusing or slow by some sellers.
  • Pricing and fees for sourcing agents and custom services are not transparently listed and often require direct negotiation.

Pricing, plan by plan

Big Cartel

Free
  • GoldFree
    • Free tier with limited features
  • Platinum$15/month
    • Custom domains
    • Physical and digital product sales
    • Shipping label printing
  • Diamond$30/month
    • All Platinum features plus abandoned cart recovery
    • Product drop scheduling
    • Password-protected products

CJ Dropshipping

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the CJ Dropshipping review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Big Cartel if

  • You want to start without paying.
Big Cartel review

Choose CJ Dropshipping if

  • You need product sourcing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api.
  • You also want store integration.
CJ Dropshipping review

Questions people ask

Is Big Cartel or CJ Dropshipping better?
Neither clearly leads. Big Cartel starts at Free and CJ Dropshipping at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Big Cartel or CJ Dropshipping?
Big Cartel starts at Free and CJ Dropshipping at Free.
Does Big Cartel or CJ Dropshipping run on more platforms?
Big Cartel runs on Web. CJ Dropshipping runs on web, api.
Can I use Big Cartel for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Big Cartel best used for?
Big Cartel is most often used for e-commerce store creation, physical and digital product sales. Of those, e-commerce store creation and physical and digital product sales are not what CJ Dropshipping is typically brought in for.
What can Big Cartel do that CJ Dropshipping cannot?
CJ Dropshipping covers Product Sourcing, Store Integration, Order Fulfillment, Global Warehousing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Big Cartel: How much does Big Cartel cost?

Big Cartel offers a free Gold plan with limited features. Paid plans start at $15 per month for Platinum and $30 per month for Diamond. Both paid plans include a 7-day free trial and have no commitment.

Source
CJ Dropshipping: Is CJ Dropshipping free to use?

Yes, creating an account and using core sourcing and listing features on CJ Dropshipping is free, with no mandatory monthly subscription; costs instead come from product prices, shipping, and per-service fees, as reported by third-party reviews.

Source
Big Cartel: What features does the Diamond plan add?

The Diamond plan at $30 per month adds abandoned cart recovery, product drop scheduling, password-protected products, Zapier integration with 7,000+ apps, and priority human support compared to Platinum.

Source
CJ Dropshipping: How does CJ Dropshipping make money if it's free to join?

CJ Dropshipping earns primarily through commissions and service fees on sourcing, warehousing, order fulfillment, shipping, and print-on-demand, rather than a flat subscription, as reported by third-party reviews.

Source
Big Cartel: Can I cancel Big Cartel anytime?

Yes, Big Cartel explicitly offers no commitment and allows cancellation anytime on paid tiers.

Source
CJ Dropshipping: What fees does CJ Dropshipping charge for fulfillment?

CJ charges weight- and location-based inbound/outbound handling fees, per-SKU inspection fees, labeling fees, and storage fees after a free period (30-90 days), on top of shipping costs that vary by route and speed.

Source
CJ Dropshipping: Does CJ Dropshipping have paid membership tiers?

In addition to its free tier, CJ Dropshipping offers optional paid membership tiers reported around $15.99-$59.99/month that add extra sourcing requests, VIP product access, and priority support, per third-party reviews.

Source
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