OpenCart vs Shopware
Compare OpenCart and Shopware 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 Shopware. Choose OpenCart when SMB merchants wanting a free PHP open-source cart. Choose Shopware when Mid-market EU/global merchants wanting modern open-source commerce. 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 Shopware if: Mid-market EU/global merchants wanting modern open-source commerce

Shopware
Symfony open-source commerce — Community Edition free (Fair Usage ~€1M GMV); Rise from ~$660/mo; Evolve from €2400/mo; Beyond quote.
Best for
- • Mid-market EU/global merchants wanting modern open-source commerce
- • Teams with Symfony/PHP capacity or a Shopware partner
- • Catalogs that outgrew Woo simplicity but do not want Magento TCO
Starting from $0.00/user/mo
Free plan available
Evidence & transparency
Sources and research process behind this comparison.
Sources
4
Criteria
0
Screenshots
6
Sources consulted
| Title | Product | Type |
|---|---|---|
| OpenCart — Official Site | OpenCart | official-product-page |
| OpenCart Pricing | OpenCart | official-pricing-page |
| Shopware — Official Site | Shopware | official-product-page |
| Shopware Pricing | Shopware | official-pricing-page |
Methodology steps
- 1Collect first-party product and pricing evidence
- 2Map both products to the same category criteria
- 3Record criterion outcomes with confidence and sources
- 4Publish only when editorial gates allow indexing
Methodology version 1.0.0.
Affiliate relationships never change comparison outcomes. We evaluate both products on the same criteria and allow ties when evidence does not support a universal winner.
Read full methodology →Some visit links may be affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Comparison outcomes are never based on commission.