OpenCart vs Shopify
Compare OpenCart and Shopify on features, pricing, and buyer fit using the same researched criteria.
OpenCart
Best for
- • SMB merchants wanting a free PHP open-source cart
- • Teams comfortable self-hosting and buying extensions
- • Catalogs that do not need Magento/Adobe programme depth
Starting from $0.00/user/mo
Free plan available
VS
Our verdict
There is no universal winner between OpenCart and Shopify. Choose OpenCart when SMB merchants wanting a free PHP open-source cart. Choose Shopify when Merchants wanting a hosted store without managing infrastructure. Criterion scores come from approved SoftwareGlimpse editorial assessments and first-party research — not hands-on lab testing.
Choose OpenCart if: SMB merchants wanting a free PHP open-source cart
Choose Shopify if: Merchants wanting a hosted store without managing infrastructure
Shopify
Hosted SaaS ecommerce platform with themes, checkout, channels, and POS — Basic from $39/mo ($29 annual), Grow $105 ($79 annual), Advanced $399 ($299 annual), Plus from $2,300/mo.
Best for
- • Merchants wanting a hosted store without managing infrastructure
- • Brands scaling across online + retail channels
- • Teams that value app ecosystem over building custom stacks
Starting from $39.00/user/mo
No free plan
Which should you choose?
Choose OpenCart if
- SMB merchants wanting a free PHP open-source cart
- Teams comfortable self-hosting and buying extensions
- Catalogs that do not need Magento/Adobe programme depth
Choose Shopify if
- Merchants wanting a hosted store without managing infrastructure
- Brands scaling across online + retail channels
- Teams that value app ecosystem over building custom stacks
Related comparisons
Alternatives to consider
WooCommerce
Open-source WordPress commerce plugin — free core; paid extensions, hosting, and WooPayments processing are separate TCO lines.
PrestaShop
Magento
Open-source Magento core (free) plus Adobe Commerce enterprise licenses (GMV quote) — deep catalog/B2B with high hosting and agency TCO.
BigCommerce
Open-SaaS ecommerce platform — Core $39/mo ($29 annual), Growth $105 ($79), Scale $399 ($299); GMV thresholds and open payment provider fees apply on 2026 plans.
How we compare
A short look at the comparison process. Full methodology
1
Collect
Collect official product information, pricing, and product evidence.
2
Normalize
Map evidence to the same category evaluation criteria for both products.
3
Compare
Evaluate both products against identical criteria — ties and depends are allowed.
4
Explain
Show why each product wins, loses, or ties, with evidence behind the outcome.
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- Independent criterion outcomes
- No invented scores or prices
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