OpenCart vs Spreadshop
A side-by-side look at OpenCart and Spreadshop. On our scoring, Spreadshop comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | OpenCartOpen-source | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 3.8/5 | 3.8/5 |
| User rating | 3.7 | 3.9 |
| Reviews | 640 | 580 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Pricing model | free core + hosting & extensions | free shop, commission-based earnings |
| Transaction fees | 0% (processor fees apply) | Built into base price (you set margin) |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Self-hosted | Fully hosted + embeddable |
| Free trial | Free core | Free to use |
| Staff accounts | Unlimited (role-based) | Single account |
| Product limit | Unlimited | Catalog-based |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | Many via extensions | Spreadshirt-managed |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | Theme marketplace | Shop customization |
| App marketplace | 13,000+ extensions | Embeds & integrations |
| Multi-currency | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-language | Yes | Yes |
| POS included | No | No |
| Abandoned cart recovery | No | No |
| Built-in blog | No | No |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | No | No |
| API access | Yes | No |
| Mobile app | No | No |
| Support channels | Community forum, paid commercial support | Email & phone support |
| Actions | Read review | Read review |
Why 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 reviewWhy pick Spreadshop?
Spreadshop hands creators a fully free, ready-made merch shop where Spreadshirt handles printing, payments, and support end to end. The hands-off model is its strength and its ceiling, since you control little beyond designs and margin.
Best for: Creators who want a hands-off free merch shop
Read the full Spreadshop review