BigCommerce vs OpenCart
A side-by-side look at BigCommerce and OpenCart. On our scoring, BigCommerce comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | OpenCartOpen-source | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 4.4/5 | 3.8/5 |
| User rating | 4.3 | 3.7 |
| Reviews | 1,675 | 640 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $39/mo | Free |
| Pricing model | per month, billed annually | free core + hosting & extensions |
| Transaction fees | 0% on all plans | 0% (processor fees apply) |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Fully hosted (SaaS) | Self-hosted |
| Free trial | 15 days | Free core |
| Staff accounts | Unlimited | Unlimited (role-based) |
| Product limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | 65+ gateways, no added fees | Many via extensions |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | 12 free, 200+ paid | Theme marketplace |
| App marketplace | 850+ apps | 13,000+ extensions |
| Multi-currency | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-language | Yes | Yes |
| POS included | No | No |
| Abandoned cart recovery | Yes | No |
| Built-in blog | Yes | No |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | Yes | No |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | No |
| Support channels | 24/7 phone, live chat, email | Community forum, paid commercial support |
| Actions | Read review | Read review |
Why pick BigCommerce?
BigCommerce packs an unusually generous native feature set and charges no transaction fees, making it a strong pick for mid-market stores. Just watch the annual sales thresholds that quietly push you onto pricier plans.
Best for: Mid-market stores with complex catalogs
Read the full BigCommerce reviewWhy pick OpenCart?
OpenCart is a lean, genuinely free cart that is easy to spin up and supports multiple stores from one admin. Its core stays minimal, so you will lean on the paid extension marketplace and your own hosting know-how.
Best for: Developers wanting a simple, free self-hosted cart
Read the full OpenCart review