Art Storefronts vs Shopify vs Brakebee: Which is Best for Selling Art?

Artists often narrow their platform search to Art Storefronts and Shopify—but there's a third option that many don't consider: Brakebee Custom Sites. In this three-way comparison, we'll break down pricing, features, customization, and marketplace reach to help you choose the best platform for your art business.

Pricing Comparison

• Art Storefronts: $99+/month ($1,188+/year) + setup fees + transaction fees on lower plans
• Shopify: $29–299/month ($348–3,588/year) + app costs (often $50–100+/month)
• Brakebee Custom Sites: Free to start; Custom Sites as low as $42/month (annual plan)

Winner: Brakebee is free to start and offers Custom Sites at $42/month on an annual plan—far more transparent and affordable than Art Storefronts or Shopify.

Customization & Design

Art Storefronts: Template-based with customization options. You can adjust colors and layouts, but you're working within a template framework.

Shopify: Highly flexible with themes and apps. If you know code (or hire a developer), you can build almost anything. But DIY customization requires technical skills.

Brakebee Custom Sites: Fully custom design built from scratch. No templates—your site is designed specifically for your brand, typically completed in ~1 week.

Winner: Brakebee for true custom design without needing technical skills. Shopify is flexible but requires expertise or developer costs.

Marketplace & Discoverability

Art Storefronts: No marketplace. You get a standalone website, but you are 100% responsible for traffic.

Shopify: No marketplace. You are on your own for SEO, ads, and traffic generation.

Brakebee Custom Sites: Includes access to the Brakebee Marketplace—thousands of buyers actively browsing for art. You get a custom site plus built-in discoverability.

Winner: Brakebee is the only option with a built-in marketplace. Art Storefronts and Shopify both leave you on your own.

Print-on-Demand Integration

Art Storefronts: Third-party POD integrations available, but setup can be complex.

Shopify: POD available through apps like Printful or Printify. Requires app subscriptions and integration.

Brakebee: Print-on-demand built directly into the platform. No apps, no duct-taping—it just works.

Winner: Brakebee for seamless, built-in POD. Shopify and Art Storefronts require third-party tools.

The Verdict: Which Platform is Best?

• Choose Art Storefronts if: You want an art-specific template and don't mind ongoing subscription costs
• Choose Shopify if: You are tech-savvy, want maximum flexibility, and are comfortable managing apps
• Choose Brakebee Custom Sites if: You want a custom-designed website, transparent pricing, built-in POD, and marketplace discoverability

For most artists, Brakebee Custom Sites offers the best value: custom design, low ongoing costs, and built-in marketplace reach. Get started with Brakebee →

Read more: Art Storefronts vs Brakebee | Art Storefronts alternatives