6 Best Free Open-Source Ecommerce Platforms (2024)

In case you need a shed in your backyard, you’ll be able to either buy a prebuilt shed, hire a contractor, or purchase plans and materials and construct it yourself.

On the subject of ecommerce, using an open source ecommerce platform is a bit like constructing your individual shed. The platform, just like the plans and materials for the shed, provides every thing it’s essential develop an ecommerce website while affording the liberty to customize it in line with your corporation needs. The downside is that working with open source software requires special skills and time.

If you’ve got the technical knowledge—or when you hire an online developer—an open source ecommerce platform can will let you construct a user-friendly, scalable online store exactly as you envision it.

What’s open source ecommerce?

Open source ecommerce refers to any ecommerce software that gives users full access to its original source code, allowing them to change and customize the ecommerce platform to fulfill your needs, and offers them control over your online store’s design and functionality. open source software is usually free to download and use.

How does open source ecommerce work?

Step one to using an open source ecommerce solution is downloading the source code. Most open source platform providers offer direct download links on their web sites, although some may require you to enroll in a free membership before downloading. Many platforms can be found on a web based open source software library, like SourceForge.

Using the code to establish a web based store is where it gets more complicated. Although some providers allow retailers with limited technical knowledge to establish a storefront, taking full advantage of an open source solution requires web development expertise. Many small businesses hire web developers for help.

Most open source ecommerce platforms offer apps and extensions that provide additional functionality and customization options. You would possibly add a list management application to your site. Users should buy these through the corporate’s app marketplace, a multi-vendor marketplace, or a third-party developer. Many open source ecommerce platforms also provide APIs to integrate third-party apps or extend ecommerce functionality.

Because open source software is made to change, a talented web developer can customize the platform to fulfill your needs.

6 best open source ecommerce platforms

1. WooCommerce
2. OpenCart
3. NopCommerce
4. Magento
5. Ecwid
6. Zen Cart

There are numerous popular open source ecommerce platform options, from shopping cart plug-ins to completely integrated front-end and back-end systems. The next six selections are popular with online business owners for his or her ease of use and powerful functionalities.

1. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free, open source ecommerce platform designed to work with WordPress web sites. The software is a well-liked alternative with ecommerce businesses. It powers 29% of online stores worldwide.

Integrating WooCommerce with the WordPress content management system requires no web development expertise, but customizations require facility with the PHP programming language.

WooCommerce’s features include:

• Over 1,200 themes
• Product sorting
• Tax calculation
• Built-in payment processing
• Multiple checkout options
• Inventory management
• Over 800 extensions
• Marketing tools via plugins
• Customer support for WooCommerce products

2. OpenCart

OpenCart is a small, Hong Kong–based open source ecommerce platform built with the PHP programming language. Like WooCommerce, OpenCart allows users with no technical knowledge to establish a basic storefront using one in every of the corporate’s themes.

OpenCart operates on a “core plus extensions’”model, offering fewer built-in features than most competitors. It allows users so as to add modules to enhance functionality, equivalent to multi-store management.

Nonetheless, most ecommerce store owners still have to download several extensions to fulfill their needs. The corporate’s lively developer community contributes to a library of over 13,000 extensions.

OpenCart’s built-in features include:

• Over 2,700 themes
• Over 20 integrated payment gateways
• Multi-storefront management
• User roles
• Unlimited products and product categories
• Product filters and sorting
• Multi-currency support
• Integrated shipping
• Recurring orders

3. NopCommerce

NopCommerce is a free open source ecommerce platform based in Russia that serves small and medium-sized businesses and enterprise customers. NopCommerce is predicated on ASP.Net, a server-side scripting language created by Microsoft that runs on the C# programming language, making it popular with businesses that use other Microsoft technologies.

NopCommerce offers two download versions: a source code version for web developers and a one-click install version for users with limited technical knowledge.

NopCommerce’s features include:

• Content management system
• Over 1,500 integrations
• Mobile-responsive interface
• Multi-storefront management
• Omnichannel selling
• Headless functionality
• Website positioning-friendly design
• Over 150 developer, hosting, and technology partners

4. Magento

Magento is Adobe Commerce’s popular open source ecommerce platform that gives an in depth list of built-in features. The Magento Marketplace offers over 3,000 free and paid extensions for businesses that require more specific functionality.

Magento has a steeper learning curve than hottest open source platforms. Users with limited technical knowledge might want to hire an online developer to take full advantage of the platform. Magento uses the PHP programming language.

Adobe Commerce’s platform, Magento Open Source, includes:

• Content management system
• Analytics and reporting
• Catalog management
• SEO tools
• Inventory management system
• Multi-tier pricing
• Mobile-optimized storefront
• International currencies accepted
• Centralized admin for operations management 

5. Ecwid

Ecwid is a free open source shopping cart integration designed so as to add to a pre-existing website. Ecwid is written in PHP, and a few technical knowledge is required to integrate Ecwid with an existing site.

Ecwid works with over 50 payment providers and multiple POS systems. The free version allows two product categories, as much as 10 items, and a one-page ecommerce site. Larger stores require one in every of three paid plans, which start at $15 per thirty days.

Ecwid’s built-in features include:

• Tax management
• Subscription management
• Language detection

6. Zen Cart

Zen Cart is a free PHP-based shopping cart integration. Like Ecwid, Zen Cart requires technical knowledge so as to add to an existing site. Its built-in storefront can be less user-friendly than lots of its competitors, making Zen Cart a greater option for business owners who plan to make use of an online developer for personalization than for those searching for an easier solution.

Zen Cart operates on a core-plus-extensions model and offers over 2,000 free and paid add-ons. Built-in features include:

• Supports multiple languages
• Accepts multiple currencies
• Website positioning tools
• Reporting and analytics
• Customer group pricing

Open source ecommerce vs. SaaS ecommerce

There are two most important kinds of ecommerce platforms: open source and software as a service (SaaS). SaaS is a cloud-based software delivery method that permits you to access subscription-licensed software online. Shopify, for instance, is a SaaS ecommerce platform.

Each these ecommerce solutions will be used to create secure, user-friendly online stores, but differ in fee structure, customization options, and the degree of technical knowledge required for site set-up and maintenance.

Cost

• How they’re similar. While open source software is usually free to download and use, establishing and running a web based store using an open source or a SaaS platform will cost money.
• How they’re different. SaaS platforms charge a subscription fee to make use of their software, which regularly includes apps, extensions, and hosting costs. open source software is freed from charge, but apps and extensions, hosting, and web development often cost money.

Customization

• How they’re similar. SaaS and open source platforms allow for personalization, apps, and extensions.
• How they’re different. In theory, open source platforms are infinitely customizable—providing you (or a developer) have the technical knowledge required. SaaS platforms include customization parameters, but options are sometimes more limited.

Display

• How they’re similar. Each SaaS and open source platforms give users multiple display options to find out the feel and appear of the user interface. Many also include multiple prebuilt themes, essentially front-end website templates.
• How they’re different. Web developers can manipulate source code to change any element of an open source platform’s display. In contrast, SaaS platforms allow users with limited technical knowledge to customize displays inside set parameters.

Security

• How they’re similar. Each platforms are designed to permit ecommerce businesses to guard customer data and supply a secure shopping experience.
• How they’re different. SaaS platforms provide built-in security safeguards and often monitor and improve the software to maintain up with the newest technologies. Many also offer PCI compliance, confirming an internet site securely handles bank card data. open source platforms require users to use updates, maintain PCI compliance, and monitor site security.