While popular selling platforms like Shopify help business owners get up and running quickly, they can also come with limitations because of their proprietary nature. For those looking for more customization and control over their online store, open source ecommerce platforms are the way to go.
But it takes a lot of time to develop or migrate an online shop. So it’s important that you choose the right platform for your business. Here are five popular open-source ecommerce selections that are ideal for entrepreneurs and businesses looking for more freedom and flexibility.
5 Best Open Source Ecommerce Options for Entrepreneurs
As an ecommerce shop owner, I know the frustration of not being able to integrate my CRM or email marketing software into a proprietary platform. These restrictions, on top of often higher overall costs, make closed-source ecommerce less appealing.
When you embrace open-source ecommerce, you’ll have a lot more control over your store. And the ambitious can even build stand-out features that help differentiate your store from the competition.
These five options each offer a robust set of features, a large community of contributors, and extensive documentation that can help in setting up and customizing your store. And I’ve noted where a program stands out from the pack in case you need a specific feature for your business.
1. WooCommerce: User-Friendly Option for WordPress Users
Built as a plugin for WordPress, WooCommerce benefits from the same open-source principles that define WordPress itself. This means that users have complete access to the source code. The program has the second largest market share among ecommerce platforms, second to Shopify.
WooCommerce gives users control over:
- Product Management: Users can easily add, manage, and categorize products, including setting prices, descriptions, and images.
- Customizable Themes: WooCommerce supports various customizable themes, allowing for a tailored look and feel to match the brand’s aesthetics.
- Payment Gateways: The platform supports various payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and many others, facilitating smooth transactions.
- Extensions and Plugins: A wide range of extensions and plugins are available to enhance functionality. This includes cart abandonment tools, SEO optimization, and more.
- Analytics and Reporting: Built-in analytics tools provide insights into sales, customer behaviors, and product performance.
With a large community of developers, users can access support and resources for any issues or customization needs they may have. Woocommerce also offers a free resource library to help those new to open soure ecommerce get started.
If you’re considering this platform, check out our comprehensive Woocommerce review for more details.
Pricing: WooCommerce is a free plugin, but users may need to pay for additional extensions and themes. There are also costs associated with hosting and domain registration for your WordPress site.
2. Prestashop: Thousands of Customizable Modules
PrestaShop is a powerful open-source ecommerce platform used by over 290,000 websites. Its standout feature is its customizable modules, which are available in the PrestaShop marketplace for free or at a reasonable price. This helps newer open source shop users bootstrap their way to a well-developed online storefront.
Customizations not only include design and performance enhancements but also integrations with various third-party services.
A few helpful features include:
- Out-of-Stock Message Customization: Personalize notifications to keep customers informed.
- Multi-Currency and Multi-Language Support: Easily reach global markets.
- GDPR Compliance Tools: Simplify regulatory compliance.
- Discount Codes and Limited-Time Offers: Enhance promotions to drive sales.
- Facebook and Instagram Integrations: Increase visibility and engagement on social media.
PrestaShop is ideal for startups and small businesses needing a scalable, feature-rich ecommerce solution. Boutique apparel shops can customize their brand features, niche food retailers can use discount codes for seasonal sales, and accessory businesses benefit from multi-currency support. It’s a great catch-all program for a variety of small to medium businesses.
Pricing: While Prestashop and many of it’s modules are free, there are also several paid add-ons that range in price, alongside hosting costs.
3. Adobe Commerce (Formerly Magneto): Best for Large Inventories
Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento), part of the Adobe Creative Cloud, is a headless ecommerce platform powering over 250,000 large online stores, including HP. It manages big inventories and high traffic well, so if you have a lot of products in your catalog, it may be a good choice for your team.
With many plugin options, you can build landing pages, manage inventory, and grow your store. Adobe Commerce also offers:
- Scalability: Handles many products and transactions.
- 24/7 Support: Help is always available.
- Extensions: Over 400 plugins for ads, email marketing, CRM, SEO/SEM.
- Integrations: Connects with other systems and POS for in-store sales.
- SEO Tools: Improves search engine rankings for various ecommerce niches.
- Analytics Dashboard: Built-in tools for data insights.
- Customization: Drag-and-drop builder, nine free themes, personalization editor.
Adobe Commerce is great for big businesses wanting a flexible, developer-friendly platform that can handle large inventories and perform well. It’s also great for B2B companies offering specific features like the ability to manage company accounts, create special catalogs, and allow purchase orders and quotes.
Pricing: Adobe Commerce is free, with Adobe Commerce Pro and customized management available in personally quoted paid plans.
4. OpenCart: Great for Multi-Store Management
OpenCart is a popular open-source ecommerce platform for multi-store management, allowing you to control several stores from one interface. It combines the functionality of Adobe Commerce with the ease of use of WooCommerce, making it perfect for small and medium-sized direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands.
- Affiliate Marketing Module: Create custom programs without third-party add-ons.
- Rewards Program Tool: Boost customer loyalty and encourage repeat purchases.
- Templates and Extensions: Choose from over 1,000 templates and 13,000+ add-ons.
- Admin Dashboard: Quick overview of key features for seamless management.
- Mobile Management: Use the mobile app to manage your store on the go.
Used by over 400,000 website owners worldwide, including Red Cross UK, OpenCart offers powerful marketing tools and a user-friendly setup. OpenCart does lack low-stock alerts and specialized multi-source inventory support. Still, it’s an excellent option for DTC brands looking for a versatile and scalable ecommerce platform.
Pricing: OpenCart is free to use, not including hosting fees.
5. Shopware: Best for Advanced Automation Features
Shopware’s advanced automation features make for efficient workflows for ecommerce teams. This German open source ecommerce platform, founded in 2000, combines Symfony on the backend and Vue.js on the front end. It has a large developer community and 100,000+ customers worldwide, including brands like Aston Martin and M&Ms.
- Integrated CMS Capabilities: Similar to Drupal, it offers robust content management.
- Customization: Drag-and-drop interface makes store customization easy.
- SEO and Marketing Tools: Built-in tools to enhance search engine visibility and marketing efforts.
- Extensions: Access over 4,000 extensions for added functionality.
- Hosting Options: Choose between self-hosted or cloud-hosted variations.
While the free version of Shopware offers limited functionality, the platform includes extensive features suitable for both market and enterprise brands. Note that customer support requires an additional subscription.
Pricing: Shopware’s community edition is free to use, with enterprise plans at $600 a month, or dependent on custom pricing.
Understanding the Costs associated with Open Source
While open source ecommerce platforms like WooCommerce are free to download and use, there are still costs associated with building and maintaining an online store. These costs include web hosting, domain registration, payment gateway fees, and potentially hiring a developer for any customization needs.
Thankfully, these expenses are typically much lower than the monthly subscription fees of proprietary ecommerce solutions. Plus, open source platforms often have active support communities that can help onboard new users.
Benefits of Open Source Ecommerce Platforms
Here are a few reasons you may want to choose an open-source platform for your online shop:
Cost-Effective for Entrepreneurs on a Budget
While initial costs like web hosting, domain registration, and plugins may come into play, they’re often cheaper than the subscription fees of proprietary platforms. And if you put in the sweat equity and are comfortable with technology, you can set up shop without the expense of a developer.
More Customizable for Code-Savvy Business Owners
For those who have coding skills or can hire a development team, an open-source ecommerce platform can offer unparalleled levels of customization. You have control over:
- Design: Open-source platforms offer more flexibility in terms of design, allowing you to create a unique brand experience for your customers.
- Features and Functionality: Since the source code is available, developers can create custom features and functionalities to meet specific business needs.
- Integrations with Third-Party Tools: With open access to the platform’s code, it’s easier to integrate third-party tools like CRMs or email marketing software into your online store.
This can be an advantage over proprietary platforms that may not have open APIs or adequate integration options.
Community Support and Constant Development
Open source platforms thrive on their vibrant communities consisting of developers, designers, and users who continually contribute to their improvement. This collective effort ensures that these platforms are inherently more secure, regularly updated, and packed with the latest features.
When a Closed Source Option is Best
These open-source Shopify alternatives aren’t always the right choice for everyone. Here are a few instances where opting for a closed-source solution may be advantageous:
Ease of Use for Non-Technical Business Owners
Don’t know how to code or have the budget for a developer? A proprietary solution may be the best option, as it typically comes with user-friendly interfaces and templates that can be easily customized without coding knowledge.
Quick Launch Time
If you’re looking to get your online store up and running quickly, a closed-source platform may be the way to go. Since they come with pre-built templates and features, they require minimal setup time compared to open-source platforms, where customization can take longer.
Well-Rounded Security and Stability
While open-source platforms have a strong community and regular updates, if security is your top concern, a closed-source solution may be worth the investment. These platforms often have dedicated teams working on security and ensuring stability for their users.
Best Closed-Source Ecommerce Solutions
When considering a closed-source ecommerce solution, the following platforms are some of the best options available:
- Shopify: Known for its simplicity and robust feature set, Shopify is a preferred choice for many due to its ease of use, customization options, and extensive app store. It’s suitable for businesses of all sizes and offers a variety of plans to meet different needs. Check out these Shopify success stories to see how the platform may benefit you.
- Squarespace: Primarily famous for its stunning design templates and user-friendly interface, Squarespace is ideal for those who prioritize aesthetics and simplicity. It includes built-in ecommerce tools and integrations, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking to create a visually appealing online store quickly.
These are the two main players in the industry, with well-vetted reviews and longstanding consistency in the ecommerce market.
Final Thoughts: Open Source Ecommerce Platforms
Open-source ecommerce platforms are great options for lean-budgeted, tech-savvy entrepreneurs looking for full creative control. While you can expect to pay for hosting at a minimum and may need to hire a developer for advanced customization, the overall costs are still significantly lower than using a closed-source platform.
Ultimately, the best ecommerce platform for your business will depend on your specific needs and priorities. Consider your budget, technical capabilities, desired features, and long-term goals when deciding between open source.
And finally, make sure to do your research and choose a reputable platform with strong community support for the best possible experience. The 5 above options perform great, but there are always new contenders on the market.
