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Software · head to head

3dcart vs OpenCart

3dcart logo

3dcart

Software

All-in-one ecommerce platform for online retailers

From
$19/month
Rated
-
OpenCart logo

OpenCart

Software

Open-source ecommerce platform for business

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only OpenCart has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 3dcart limited scalability compared to enterprise e-commerce platforms; OpenCart openCart is GPLv3 licensed and free to self-host, but there is no official vendor-hosted SaaS; most payment gateway and shipping integrations beyond the basics require paid extensions from OpenCart's own third-party marketplace.
  • They diverge on capability: 3dcart covers Store builder, OpenCart covers Product management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 3dcart and OpenCart actually diverge.

Attributes where 3dcart and OpenCart differ
Attribute3dcartOpenCart
Starting price$19/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
Free tierNoYes
Founded19972009

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 3dcart

  • Store builder
  • Unlimited products
  • Shopping cart
  • Payment processing
  • Inventory management
  • Email marketing
  • Mobile responsive

Only in OpenCart

  • Product management
  • Multi-store support
  • Payment gateways
  • Shipping integration
  • Customer management
  • Coupon system
  • Reporting tools

Both cover

  • SEO optimization

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

3dcart

  • Limited scalability compared to enterprise e-commerce platforms
  • Payment processing tied to Shift4 Payments after acquisition
  • Fewer advanced marketing and analytics features than competitors

OpenCart

  • OpenCart is GPLv3 licensed and free to self-host, but there is no official vendor-hosted SaaS; most payment gateway and shipping integrations beyond the basics require paid extensions from OpenCart's own third-party marketplace.

Pricing, plan by plan

3dcart

$19/month
  • Starter$19/month
    • Unlimited products
    • Basic templates
    • Email support

OpenCart

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Core ecommerce features
    • Free support
    • Extensions available

Which should you pick?

Choose 3dcart if

  • You need store builder.
  • You also want unlimited products.

Choose OpenCart if

  • You need product management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want multi-store support.

Questions people ask

Is 3dcart or OpenCart better?
Neither clearly leads. 3dcart starts at $19/month and OpenCart at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 3dcart or OpenCart?
OpenCart has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $19/month for 3dcart and Free for OpenCart.
Does 3dcart or OpenCart run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use OpenCart for free?
Yes. OpenCart has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. 3dcart starts at $19/month.
What can 3dcart do that OpenCart cannot?
3dcart covers Store builder, Unlimited products, Shopping cart, Payment processing. OpenCart covers Product management, Multi-store support, Payment gateways, Shipping integration. Both handle SEO optimization.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

3dcart: What is the starting price for 3dcart?

3dcart (now Shift4Shop) starts at $19/month with no setup fees, transaction fees, or hidden fees.

Source
3dcart: Does 3dcart include hosting?

Yes. 3dcart includes web hosting, domain support, and built-in website building tools with no separate hosting costs.

Source
3dcart: What happened to 3dcart?

Shift4 Payments acquired 3dcart in November 2020. The platform is now operated under the name Shift4Shop but maintains the same core functionality and pricing.

Source
3dcart: Does 3dcart offer free templates?

Yes. 3dcart provides dozens of professionally designed, industry-specific templates that are mobile-friendly, SEO optimized, and highly customizable.

Source
3dcart: What payment methods does 3dcart support?

3dcart integrates with multiple payment gateways including Shift4 Payments, Stripe, PayPal, and other major payment processors.

Source

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