Are you looking to kick-start or upgrade your online store and searching for the best open-source eCommerce platforms?
Today, you’ll find the perfect eCommerce platform that aligns with your business goals and gives you the freedom to tweak and tailor it to your heart’s content.
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all solutions and hefty price tags.
Open source is all about flexibility, community-driven innovation, and, best of all, it often comes without a cost.
These platforms are designed to empower your journey.
From user-friendly interfaces to powerful features that can handle any sales volume, we’ve rounded up the best open-source solutions to revolutionize your online business.
Trust me, by the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with all the information you need to make an informed decision to bring your eCommerce dreams to life.
This post covers:
- The Best Open-Source eCommerce Platforms
- What Is The Best Open-Source eCommerce Platform
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Best Open-Source eCommerce Platforms
Choosing the right open-source eCommerce platform is not just about having an online store; it’s about finding a platform that grows and adapts with you.
You need a space that reflects your brand and is a powerhouse of functionality, helping you connect with customers and drive sales.
A must-have feature list?
Well, think user-friendly design, robust security, scalability to handle your growing customer base, seamless integration with other tools, and a supportive community always there to lend a hand.
Find yours and watch your online store flourish.
1. WooCommerce
Let me share some insights if you’re wondering why WooCommerce is often hailed as the go-to open-source eCommerce platform for purchasing and integrating with WordPress!
First, if you’re already a fan of WordPress, WooCommerce will feel like meeting an old friend. It seamlessly integrates with your WordPress site, making it easy to turn your blog or website into a fully functioning online store.
But here’s the real kicker – the customization.
With WooCommerce, your creative freedom knows no bounds. You can choose from countless WooCommerce themes to match your brand’s personality. And with free WooCommerce plugins galore, there’s a solution for every feature you can dream of – from payment gateways to shipping methods, and the list goes on.
And don’t worry about growing too big too fast – WooCommerce scales effortlessly.
Also, WooCommerce adapts to any industry and niche, whether you’re selling handmade crafts or a vast range of products.
Plus, the community support is phenomenal. Any question you have, someone’s been there, done that, and is ready to help.
If you’re already using WordPress, choosing WooCommerce makes PERFECT sense for your purchasing needs.
Note: You might also need the best WooCommerce hosting provider.
Key Features of WooCommerce:
- With access to a wide range of themes and plugins, WooCommerce offers extensive customization options. Users can tailor the look and feel of their store to match their brand identity.
- It provides a flexible system for managing products, including physical, digital, or even affiliate products.
- WooCommerce supports many payment gateways, including popular ones like PayPal, Stripe, and credit card payments. The more options your customers have, the better.
- Being a part of WordPress, WooCommerce benefits from the platform’s strong SEO capabilities. It helps stores rank higher in search engine results and attract more organic traffic.
- WooCommerce has built-in analytics and reporting tools that provide insights into sales, customer statistics, and other important metrics.
Best for:
WooCommerce is for entrepreneurs and businesses already using WordPress, looking to integrate an online store with their existing website seamlessly. It’s a perfect match for those seeking a customizable, user-friendly platform that can grow with their business.
Pricing: WooCommerce is free and open-source.
2. Adobe Commerce
Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) is a powerful and highly flexible eCommerce CMS designed for those serious about purchasing and scaling their online business.
If you’re focused on growth and scalability, Adobe Commerce is a solution you should consider. However, it also offers everything necessary for small startups aiming to make a mark.
Its robust feature set allows you to manage product catalogs efficiently, create captivating shopping experiences, and handle complex pricing models – all in one place.
Moreover, Adobe Commerce seamlessly integrates with many third-party tools and systems, making your operations smoother. (Looking for a predefined Adobe Commerce theme to speed things up?)
Additionally, Adobe Commerce’s security features are top-notch, ensuring your store and customer data are well-protected.
Features include quick checkout, mobile-centric designs, integrated B2B functionality, headless commerce options, and powerful tools like page builder, live search, and PWA Studio for an enhanced user experience.
Adobe Commerce empowers your creativity and supports your journey every step of the way in the purchasing process.
Key Features of Adobe Commerce:
- Seamless integration across various shopping channels for customers to shop anytime, anywhere, and on any device.
- The platform supports B2C and B2B sales models, making it versatile for any business transactions and customer interactions.
- With a vast extensions and third-party integrations marketplace, you get plenty of customization options to tailor the platform to specific business needs.
- Personalized shopping experiences through tailored promotions, customer segmentation, and personalized content.
- Designed for high performance and scalability to handle large volumes of products and traffic.
Best for:
Adobe Commerce is best suited for medium- to large-scale businesses and enterprises seeking a highly scalable and customizable eCommerce solution. Its robust features and flexibility make it ideal for those requiring advanced B2B and B2C functionalities.
Pricing: Adobe Commerce offers tailor-made pricing options through two core plans, Adobe Commerce Pro and Managed Services.
3. Drupal
Drupal Commerce is renowned for its “full-featured eCommerce” capabilities. As a robust WooCommerce alternative, it offers a solid foundation with Commerce Core, allowing you to implement unique configurations and custom code.
This flexibility means you can start small and scale up as your business grows, without feeling constrained.
Drupal’s strength lies in its ability to integrate content, products, languages, currencies, and order management into a unified platform, making it ideal for creating a global and versatile online presence.
Additionally, Drupal leverages powerful CMS capabilities to create rich product display pages, enabling you to craft engaging product pages that do more than just list items—they tell a story.
Searching and browsing products is streamlined with integration to the Search API, providing keyword search, category browsing, and detailed filtering options.
The automation capabilities of Drupal are also noteworthy. It can connect with your applications, middleware, or ERPs, utilizing Drupal’s event system for advanced automation in the purchasing process.
Key Features of Drupal:
- Media library, layout builder, and content management tools for visually appealing and informative product pages. (Consider using these amazing Drupal eCommerce templates.)
- Drupal provides a foundational framework that can be extensively customized and built upon, creating unique online stores tailored to specific business needs and customer experiences.
- Supports multi-site, multi-language, and multi-currency capabilities, making it ideal for businesses aiming to expand internationally.
- Enables effective marketing through custom fields, layouts, and design patterns, including the creation of custom promotions and coupons for upselling and cross-selling.
Best for:
Drupal is particularly well-suited for those requiring complex, content-rich eCommerce sites with multilingual, multi-currency support, and advanced search and merchandising features.
Pricing: Drupal is free and open-source.
4. Joomla
Joomla offers access to thousands of extensions and high-quality templates (many of which are free!), allowing you to start selling online as quickly as possible. With Joomla, you can create custom layouts, use language overrides, and tweak CSS to make your store uniquely yours.
For those new to eCommerce, Joomla’s extensive documentation and supportive community forums make learning and troubleshooting straightforward.
When it comes to SEO, Joomla has you covered with built-in tools for metadata, keywords, and search-engine-friendly URLs to enhance your site’s visibility in search results.
Additionally, Joomla is highly scalable, making it suitable for both small startups and growing businesses, ensuring your eCommerce platform evolves with your needs.
Ready to start your digital adventure with Joomla?
Key Features of Joomla:
- Access to a repository of thousands of verified 3rd-party extensions, offering a wide range of functionalities for eCommerce needs.
- Robust layout and override systems, with built-in extendable functions allowing for custom layouts, language overrides, template overrides, and custom CSS.
- Extensive support for multilingual content management and language associations, with over 70 translation packs available.
- Stable core and extensibility, scaling from small projects to large enterprises as your business grows.
Best for: Joomla is ideal for businesses seeking a customizable and scalable online store, particularly those needing extensive third-party integrations and multilingual support. It caters well to users of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced developers.
Pricing: Joomla is free and open-source.
5. PrestaShop
PrestaShop is renowned for its user-friendliness, making it a game-changer for those setting up an online store. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, PrestaShop’s intuitive interface ensures managing products, orders, and customers is smooth and efficient.
With thousands of templates and modules available, PrestaShop is highly customizable, allowing you to tailor every aspect of your store to fit your unique style.
PrestaShop also excels in global eCommerce, offering full multilingual and multi-currency support to cater to customers worldwide, from Paris to Tokyo and New York.
Its powerful analytics and reporting tools provide valuable insights into customer behavior and sales strategies, helping you optimize your store’s performance.
If you’re looking for a user-friendly, customizable, and globally-oriented eCommerce solution, PrestaShop is a great choice.
Key Features of PrestaShop:
- User-friendly interface for easy setup and management of an online store, accessible to both beginners and experienced users.
- Built-in SEO tools to enhance visibility and drive more organic traffic to your website.
- Flexible product management system for handling a wide range of products, including various types and complex inventories.
- Customizable shipping configurations to set specific shipping rules, carrier options, and costs.
Best for: PrestaShop is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a user-friendly, customizable, and cost-effective eCommerce solution. Its extensive features and flexibility are perfect for entrepreneurs and merchants aiming to establish or expand their online presence, both locally and internationally.
Pricing: PrestaShop is free and open-source. (A hosted version is also available for approximately $26/month.)
6. OpenCart
OpenCart is a straightforward, effective, and incredibly user-friendly eCommerce platform designed for seamless purchasing and store management.
What sets OpenCart apart is its simplicity. Setting up your online store is easy, even if you’re not a tech wizard. Choose an OpenCart theme to simplify your setup further.
Enjoy a hassle-free experience, from installation to adding products and processing orders. Despite its simplicity, OpenCart is packed with essential features.
With a range of payment and shipping options, you can tailor your store to meet your customers’ needs effectively.
Additionally, OpenCart’s lightweight design ensures faster loading times, contributing to an enhanced user experience and higher customer satisfaction.
OpenCart is dedicated to making eCommerce efficient and enjoyable for both you and your customers.
Key Features of OpenCart:
- Comprehensive admin dashboard providing a complete overview of your eCommerce business with quick access to key stats and details.
- Supports unlimited categories and products, allowing for extensive product listings.
- Manage multiple stores from a single interface, ideal for businesses expanding or diversifying their online presence.
- Built-in email subscription feature to help grow your email list and support effective email marketing campaigns.
Best for: OpenCart is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a user-friendly and versatile eCommerce solution. Its simplicity and range of features are ideal for entrepreneurs aiming to manage and expand their online stores efficiently.
Pricing: OpenCart is free and open-source.
7. Square
Square stands out as an ideal eCommerce solution with its ability to seamlessly integrate online and in-store sales, making purchasing and sales management effortless.
Manage everything from one place with Square, which offers a personalized shopping experience. Customers can create accounts, track orders, and save payment information, while personalized recommendations enhance their shopping journey.
Square excels in mobile eCommerce, providing a smooth app-like experience where customers can browse, shop, and pay with ease.
Take advantage of sales events with automated launches, banners, and pop-ups. Improve shipping with discounted rates, easy label printing, and accurate calculators right from your dashboard.
Additionally, Square offers free in-store pickup and local delivery options, ensuring convenience for both you and your local customers.
Integrate with social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Google Product Listings to expand your reach and manage orders effortlessly.
Key Features of Square:
- Seamless integration between the online platform and Square POS for efficient management of both online and in-store sales.
- Customer accounts with order tracking and personalized product recommendations.
- Special components for showcasing new products, top sellers, sale items, or related products.
- Scheduling capabilities for product launches, discounts, and flash sales.
- Integration with platforms like Instagram, Facebook Shops, and Google Product Listings for expanded reach.
Best for: Square is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a seamless blend of online and in-store sales management. It is particularly useful for those looking to expand their physical and digital retail presence.
Pricing: Square is free and open-source, with additional paid plans starting at $29/month.
8. Ecwid
With Ecwid, you can easily start shaping your dream store and manage everything effortlessly, whether from your desk or on the move. Ecwid simplifies purchasing and store management.
Ecwid excels in helping you sell everywhere. You can launch a new online store or integrate with an existing website with ease. Showcase your products on major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and reach big marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
Ecwid offers a range of marketing tools, including automated Google and Facebook ads, social media integrations, and practical SEO tools. You can also utilize automated abandoned cart emails, discount coupons, and more.
With over a hundred integrations for payment and shipping, plus features to automate shipping and tax calculations, Ecwid is designed to make eCommerce smooth and efficient. The mobile app enhances your ability to manage orders and products on the go.
Ecwid opens doors to endless possibilities, making eCommerce management easy, efficient, and enjoyable.
Key Features of Ecwid:
- Simplicity in setting up an online store without needing coding or design skills. Boost your setup with an Ecwid eCommerce theme!
- Capability to sell across various channels, including social media platforms (FB, IG) and marketplaces (Amazon, eBay).
- Mobile app support for iOS and Android, providing convenient management of your online store on the go.
- Numerous payment and shipping options, along with features to automate shipping and tax calculations.
Best for: Ecwid is ideal for small businesses and entrepreneurs seeking an easy-to-use, versatile eCommerce solution for quickly launching and managing online stores across multiple platforms. Its simplicity and integration capabilities are perfect for those with minimal technical expertise.
Pricing: Ecwid is free and open-source. However, you can opt for a pro plan starting at approximately $15.4/month.
9. Spree
Spree delivers a fantastic shopping experience right at your fingertips, focusing on enhancing user purchasing journeys.
Spree shines with its native mobile apps, designed to provide a top-notch mobile-first experience for both iOS and Android users. The Storefront REST API V2 ensures seamless integration, making shopping effortless on any device.
Personalize the shopping journey with Spree’s features, including product recommendations and wishlists. The platform supports a variety of payment options, including credit cards, country-specific methods, and installment payments.
Spree also offers advanced search capabilities with Elasticsearch, enabling quick and smart product searches. Its omnichannel features allow you to sell online, in retail, through mobile apps, and call centers, making global expansion easier.
Key Features of Spree:
- Personalized shopping experiences with product recommendations, wishlists, and targeted promotional offers.
- Built-in support for subscriptions, offering various pricing plans, trial periods, and membership-based advantages.
- Robust marketing features, including promotions, store credits, gift cards, and upselling tools.
- Efficient management of orders and inventory, with features for processing payments, managing shipments, and tracking orders.
Best for: Spree is suitable for businesses of all sizes seeking a scalable, customizable eCommerce solution with strong mobile-first, omnichannel, and global selling capabilities.
Pricing: Spree is free and open-source.
10. Shopware
Shopware stands out as the ultimate open-source eCommerce platform for both B2C and B2B needs, offering a comprehensive solution for purchasing and managing online stores.
What makes Shopware exceptional? It seamlessly integrates content with commerce to create a remarkable customer journey, turning every visit into a memorable experience.
Shopware excels in performance, agility, and top-notch security, making it suitable for businesses ranging from global giants to emerging stars. It provides full control with no lock-ins, offering flexibility and scalability to fit your specific requirements.
With Shopware, you can effortlessly scale and transform your business while delivering unparalleled brand experiences that turn casual buyers into loyal advocates.
Key Features of Shopware:
- Comprehensive eCommerce solutions tailored for B2C and B2B models, addressing a wide range of purchasing needs.
- Performance and agility designed to ensure fast, reliable, and scalable online store operations.
- Easy customization and automation of business processes, enhancing the overall purchasing experience.
- Combines content management with eCommerce functionality to create powerful brand experiences.
Best for: Shopware is ideal for businesses seeking a flexible and scalable eCommerce solution suitable for B2C and B2B markets. It is perfect for those who integrate rich content with commerce to enhance customer engagement.
Pricing: Shopware is free and open-source. For advanced features, consider the entry-level Rise plan at $600/month.
11. nopCommerce
nopCommerce is a powerful, free, and open-source eCommerce platform packed with features to enhance your online store’s purchasing and management capabilities.
What sets nopCommerce apart? Its comprehensive functionality supports B2C, B2B, B2B2C, and D2C sales both locally and globally, covering all your business needs with ease.
nopCommerce is not only suitable for small and medium-sized businesses but also includes enterprise-grade features like multi-store and multi-vendor support. Its SEO and marketing tools, along with affiliate and customer loyalty programs, are designed to optimize purchasing and sales processes.
The platform simplifies online store creation with out-of-the-box features such as multi-currency support and international payment system integration, ensuring GDPR compliance and scalability.
Key Features of nopCommerce:
- Supports diverse business models, including local and global sales, enhancing purchasing flexibility.
- Manages multiple stores and supports multi-vendor functionality, allowing various sellers within a single marketplace.
- Extensive options for product attributes, enabling detailed and customized product listings.
- Comprehensive Android and iOS mobile eCommerce app for improved mobile shopping experiences.
Best for: nopCommerce is ideal for businesses of any size looking for a robust, scalable open-source eCommerce platform. Its wide range of features accommodates both local and global online retail needs effortlessly.
Pricing: nopCommerce is free and open-source.
12. Solidus
Solidus is a versatile and robust open-source eCommerce platform designed to elevate your online store’s purchasing capabilities.
With Solidus, you can extend your product catalog with custom data and implement unique logic throughout the shopping experience—from discovery to post-purchase. Features like dynamic variants, segmented pricing, and product bundles are readily available to enhance your purchasing processes.
Solidus offers an advanced stock management system capable of handling international fulfillment, split shipments, and complex returns and exchanges, ensuring smooth purchasing operations.
Managing taxes is simplified with Solidus’s built-in taxation system, which supports VAT, GST, and US sales taxes, making tax management effortless.
When it comes to promotions, Solidus features a highly customizable promotions engine. Create unique, customer-specific promotions that enhance the purchasing experience and keep your customers engaged.
The checkout experience is fully customizable, allowing you to design it to fit your brand perfectly. This includes options for one-click flows, custom data collection, and support for upsells, cross-sells, and store credits.
Additionally, Solidus offers a native subscription engine with a smooth checkout flow and various payment methods, putting your revenue on autopilot.
Key Features of Solidus:
- Extensive customization of the product catalog with custom data, including dynamic variants, segmented pricing, product drops, bundles, and rich taxonomies.
- Sophisticated stock management capabilities for international fulfillment, split shipments, and complex returns and exchanges.
- Unique promotional setups with custom rules, time-based offers, gift-with-purchase deals, and subscription-based promotions.
Best for: Solidus is ideal for businesses requiring a highly customizable and scalable eCommerce platform, suitable for complex product management and unique purchasing experiences. It caters to both small enterprises and large companies.
Pricing: Solidus is free and open-source. For more advanced features, custom pricing may apply.
What Is The Best Open-Source eCommerce Platform
If you are in a hurry, here are our favorite eCommerce platform solutions catering to various purchasing and business needs.
- WooCommerce integrates seamlessly with WordPress, making it a great choice for those already using WordPress or familiar with it for their website needs. Its user-friendly nature and extensive customization options through plugins and themes make it ideal for businesses of all sizes seeking flexibility and ease of use.
- Adobe Commerce excels in scalability and powerful customization capabilities. It is a top choice for large-scale businesses and enterprises with complex eCommerce needs, offering extensive features and integrations for diverse requirements.
- Drupal stands out for its robust content management capabilities combined with eCommerce functionality, making it ideal for businesses requiring a powerful platform for content-rich, interactive online stores.
However, if you’re looking for something more specific, you’ll likely find it in any other alternative on this list.
| Platform | Starting Price | Free Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce | Free | Yes | VISIT |
| Adobe Commerce | Custom $ | No | VISIT |
| Drupal | Free | Yes | VISIT |
| Joomla | Free | Yes | VISIT |
| PrestaShop | $26/month | Yes | VISIT |
| OpenCart | Free | Yes | VISIT |
| Square | $29/month | Yes | VISIT |
| Ecwid | $15.4/month | Yes | VISIT |
| Spree | Free | Yes | VISIT |
| Shopware | $600/month | Yes | VISIT |
| nopCommerce | Free | Yes | VISIT |
| Solidus | Free/Custom $ | Yes | VISIT |
How To Get Started With WooCommerce
Getting started with WooCommerce is quick and easy, providing you with a flexible platform to manage your online store’s purchasing processes effectively.
WooCommerce is highly customizable, so you can explore and add more features as your store grows to enhance the purchasing experience for your customers.
- Install WordPress: Since WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin, start by setting up a WordPress site. Choose a reliable hosting provider, install WordPress, and set up your domain.
- Install WooCommerce plugin: Log in to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to “Plugins,” click “Add New,” search for “WooCommerce,” and click “Install Now.” Once installed, activate the plugin to enable purchasing features.
- Run the setup wizard: After activation, WooCommerce will launch a setup wizard. Follow the steps to configure basic settings such as store location, currency, payment methods, and shipping options to streamline the purchasing process.
- Choose a theme: Select a WooCommerce-compatible theme under “Appearance” > “Themes” in your WordPress dashboard. You can choose a free theme or purchase a premium one to match your store’s branding and enhance the purchasing experience.
- Add products: Go to “Products” > “Add New” in your WordPress dashboard. Provide details for your products, including name, description, price, images, and other relevant information to showcase your offerings effectively.
- Configure payment and shipping: Set up your preferred payment gateways and shipping methods in WooCommerce settings. WooCommerce supports various options like PayPal, credit cards, and direct bank transfers, ensuring a smooth purchasing experience.
- Customize your store: Use WooCommerce settings and your theme’s customization options to tailor the look and feel of your store. Add widgets, customize the homepage, and adjust the layout to improve user experience and purchasing efficiency.
- Install additional plugins: Enhance your store’s functionality with additional plugins for SEO, security, marketing, and more, available under “Plugins” in your WordPress dashboard to support and optimize the purchasing process.
- Test your store: Before launching, thoroughly test your store. Check the purchase process, payment gateway, and shipping settings to ensure everything works smoothly and provides a seamless purchasing experience.
- Launch your store: Make your store live once everything is set and tested. Promote it through social media, SEO, and other marketing strategies to attract customers and boost purchasing activity.
Need inspiration? Check out the best eCommerce websites!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an open-source eCommerce platform?
An open-source eCommerce platform is software for creating online stores where the source code is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and enhance. This allows for high customization, community-driven development, and flexibility in building a wide range of eCommerce solutions, optimizing the purchasing process for various business needs.
Are Open-Source eCommerce Platforms Secure?
Yes, open-source eCommerce platforms can be secure when maintained properly. Regular updates and security checks are essential to ensure maximum protection for your purchasing processes and customer data.
Do I Need Coding Skills to Use Open-Source eCommerce Platforms?
Basic knowledge of coding can be helpful, but many open-source eCommerce platforms offer user-friendly interfaces and tools that do not require advanced coding skills. You can build and manage eCommerce projects without extensive coding experience.
Can I Integrate 3rd-Party Tools with Open-Source eCommerce Platforms?
Yes, most open-source eCommerce platforms support integration with a wide range of 3rd-party tools and services. This allows you to expand functionality and tailor your purchasing experience to meet specific business needs.
Are There Any Hidden Costs with Open-Source eCommerce Platforms?
While the open-source platforms themselves are free, there can be additional costs related to web hosting, themes, plugins, or customizations. Budgeting for these potential expenses is important for managing your eCommerce purchasing setup effectively.
How Customizable Are Open-Source eCommerce Platforms?
Open-source eCommerce platforms are highly customizable. You have the flexibility to modify almost every aspect of the platform to fit your specific business needs, including purchasing features and user interface elements.
Is It Easy to Migrate to an Open-Source eCommerce Platform from a Different One?
The ease of migration depends on the platforms involved. Some open-source eCommerce platforms offer tools and plugins to facilitate migration, but it can still be complex. Planning and preparation are key to a smooth transition of your purchasing data.
Can I Use Open-Source eCommerce Platforms for International Sales?
Yes, many open-source eCommerce platforms support multi-language and multi-currency features, making them suitable for international sales. This capability enhances the purchasing experience for a global customer base.
Is It Possible to Integrate a Blog Within Open-Source eCommerce Platforms?
Yes, open-source eCommerce platforms often include built-in blogging capabilities or allow integration with blogging platforms. For example, you can integrate a WordPress blog with a WooCommerce store to enhance content marketing and purchasing engagement.
How Do Open-Source Platforms Compare with Proprietary eCommerce Solutions?
Open-source platforms offer greater customization and control over your eCommerce setup but may require more technical expertise. Proprietary solutions are often more user-friendly and come with dedicated support, but they might have limitations in terms of customization and scalability for your purchasing needs.
