Big Cartel vs Lavu: Which Is Better in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of Big Cartel and Lavu, two e-commerce tools — what each does, who it's best for, and how to choose between them.
Big Cartel
A simple, affordable online store builder made for artists, makers and independent creators.
- Category
- E-commerce
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Best for
- online-store, artists, makers
Lavu
An iPad point-of-sale system built for restaurants, bars and hospitality businesses.
- Category
- E-commerce
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Best for
- pos, restaurant, hospitality
| At a glance | Big Cartel | Lavu |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A simple, affordable online store builder made for artists, makers and independent creators. | An iPad point-of-sale system built for restaurants, bars and hospitality businesses. |
| Category | E-commerce | E-commerce |
| Type | Software | Software |
| Best for | online-store, artists, makers, handmade | pos, restaurant, hospitality, payments |
What is Big Cartel?
What is Lavu?
Big Cartel vs Lavu: which should you choose?
Big Cartel and Lavu both serve the e-commerce space, so the best choice depends on your priorities. Choose Big Cartel if you want A simple, affordable online store builder made for artists, makers and independent creators. Choose Lavu if you want An iPad point-of-sale system built for restaurants, bars and hospitality businesses.The smartest move is to try each one's free tier or trial on a real task — that's the fastest way to feel the difference and pick the tool you'll actually stick with.
Frequently asked questions
Is Big Cartel better than Lavu?
It depends on what you need. Big Cartel is A simple, affordable online store builder made for artists, makers and independent creators. Lavu is An iPad point-of-sale system built for restaurants, bars and hospitality businesses. Both are e-commerce tools, so the right pick comes down to your specific priorities, budget and workflow.
What's the main difference between Big Cartel and Lavu?
Big Cartel focuses on A simple, affordable online store builder made for artists, makers and independent creators. while Lavu focuses on An iPad point-of-sale system built for restaurants, bars and hospitality businesses. Read the full breakdown above and check each tool's site for current features and pricing.
Can I use both Big Cartel and Lavu?
In many cases, yes — teams often use complementary tools together. Whether it makes sense depends on overlap in functionality and your budget. Try the free tier or trial of each to see how they fit your stack before committing.
Which is cheaper, Big Cartel or Lavu?
Pricing changes often, so check each tool's pricing page for the latest. Many tools offer a free tier or trial, which is the best way to evaluate value for your specific usage before you pay.