Is OpenCart ecommerce software?

Yes. OpenCart is evaluated as an open-source commerce platform (plugin/core + extensions).

Does OpenCart have a free plan or free trial?

Yes — a free plan is published. No free trial is documented on the pricing page. Confirm current terms with the vendor.

Did SoftwareGlimpse personally test OpenCart?

No. This review is based on first-party product and pricing research evidence, not hands-on product usage. Affiliate relationships never influence scores.

OpenCart Review

ECOMMERCE SOFTWARE

Choose OpenCart when you want a free PHP open-source cart and will own hosting and extensions — not when you need WordPress-native WooCommerce or hosted SaaS simplicity.

Last updated 2026-08-18Independent editorial review

Starting price
$0.00/user/month
Free plan
Yes
Free trial
No
Best for
SMB merchants wanting a free PHP open-source cart

Visit OpenCart

View pricing

SoftwareGlimpse review

6/10

Average

ease of use7
storefront commerce fit6
catalog orders depth7
checkout conversion6
integrations6
omnichannel pos2

How we score →

By Lee M.FounderReviewed 18 Aug 2026

Pricing

Verified 2026-08-18: OpenCart core is free open-source download (GPL) — high confidence. Optional managed cloud pricing (~$59–$99/mo) appears in secondary roundups only — medium confidence; confirm live on vendor/cloud partners; do not treat as first-party confirmed list tiles. Primary buyer path is free core + hosting/extension TCO. Affiliate economics excluded.Full pricing details →

OpenCart (open source)
Most popular
$0.00
Free plan
Free GPL download — you own hosting, security, extensions, and agency work.
Try OpenCart
Managed cloud (confirm live)
Custom
Contact sales
Secondary sources cite ~$59–$99/mo managed hosting — confirm live; not treated as first-party confirmed tiles.
Try OpenCart

Product screenshots

Verified captures from OpenCart's product interface.

Admin dashboard UI from the official OpenCart features page.

Official OpenCart marketing UI asset

https://www.opencart.com/index.php?route=cms/feature · Checked 2026-08-18

Our verdict

Choose OpenCart when you want a free PHP open-source cart and will own hosting and extensions — not when you need WordPress-native WooCommerce or hosted SaaS simplicity. Consider WooCommerce for WordPress-native open source; PrestaShop for EU commerce-first PHP; Magento for deeper B2B/enterprise; Shopify for hosted SaaS. Scores reflect first-party documentation as of 2026-08-17 — not hands-on product testing. Confirm current packaging, minimums and usage rates on the vendor site before purchase.

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

Not ideal for

WordPress-native content + store teams (see WooCommerce)
Founders wanting zero hosting ops (see Shopify)
Retailers whose center of gravity is POS hardware

Bottom line

Open-source core: free license + hosting/extension TCO. Optional managed cloud sometimes cited ~$59–$99/mo (confirm live — not first-party confirmed here). Confirm on opencart.com.