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E-Commerce · head to head

Checkout.com vs OpenCart

Checkout.com logo

Checkout.com

E-Commerce

Your business deserves tailored pricing based on your needs

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenCart logo

OpenCart

E-Commerce

Self-hosted open source shopping cart written in PHP, released under the MIT licence

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OpenCart has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Checkout.com no rate is published: the pricing page states fees are set per business profile and risk category, so no figure can be compared before contacting sales; OpenCart extensions modify core behaviour through an XML patching system, so two modules that patch the same file conflict in ways that surface as broken checkout rather than as an installation error, and resolving that requires a developer reading both patches.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Checkout.com and OpenCart actually diverge.

Attributes where Checkout.com and OpenCart differ
AttributeCheckout.comOpenCart
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteopen-source
Free tierNoYes
FoundedUnknown2009

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

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 Checkout.com

Nothing recorded that OpenCart does not also cover.

Only in OpenCart

  • MIT licensed source
  • Self-hosted PHP and MySQL
  • No transaction fees
  • Multi-store
  • Extension marketplace
  • Multi-currency and multi-language
  • OCMod modification system
  • Full data access

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Checkout.com

  • Processing card payments across 150+ currenciesnot OpenCart
  • Taking domestic payments in 45+ countriesnot OpenCart
  • Interchange plus plus processing for a business that wants itemised card association and processor costsnot OpenCart

OpenCart

  • A merchant with volume high enough that a percentage transaction fee costs more than a developernot Checkout.com
  • An agency building client stores where the client must own the code and the data outrightnot Checkout.com
  • A store with unusual catalogue or pricing logic that a hosted platform will not permitnot Checkout.com
  • Selling in a market where the local payment gateway is not supported by the mainstream SaaS platformsnot Checkout.com

Where each one falls short

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

Checkout.com

  • No rate is published: the pricing page states fees are set per business profile and risk category, so no figure can be compared before contacting sales
  • Both a flat rate and interchange plus plus are offered without either being quoted, so a buyer cannot tell which model they will be given
  • Every route to a number runs through the sales team

OpenCart

  • Extensions modify core behaviour through an XML patching system, so two modules that patch the same file conflict in ways that surface as broken checkout rather than as an installation error, and resolving that requires a developer reading both patches.
  • Major version upgrades have broken third party extension compatibility, so moving between them means re-purchasing or re-commissioning modules and effectively rebuilding parts of the store rather than clicking update.
  • Hosting, patching, backups and PCI scope are all your responsibility, so a security update you postpone is a breach you own, and there is no vendor obligation to notify or protect you.
  • Extension quality on the marketplace is uneven and modules are sold as one-off purchases with no guaranteed maintenance, so a module central to your store can simply stop being updated and leave you holding the code.
  • The core project is maintained by a very small team relative to the platforms it competes with, so security fixes, compatibility with new PHP versions and feature work all arrive at a pace you cannot influence or pay to accelerate.

Pricing, plan by plan

Checkout.com

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Checkout.com review.

OpenCart

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Checkout.com if

Nothing in the data separates Checkout.com from OpenCart on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Checkout.com review

Choose OpenCart if

  • You need mit licensed source.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want self-hosted php and mysql.
OpenCart review

Questions people ask

Is Checkout.com or OpenCart better?
Neither clearly leads. Checkout.com starts at On request and OpenCart at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Checkout.com or OpenCart?
OpenCart has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Checkout.com and Free for OpenCart.
Does Checkout.com 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. Checkout.com starts at On request.
What is Checkout.com best used for?
Checkout.com is most often used for processing card payments across 150+ currencies, taking domestic payments in 45+ countries, interchange plus plus processing for a business that wants itemised card association and processor costs. Of those, processing card payments across 150+ currencies and taking domestic payments in 45+ countries are not what OpenCart is typically brought in for.
What can Checkout.com do that OpenCart cannot?
OpenCart covers MIT licensed source, Self-hosted PHP and MySQL, No transaction fees, Multi-store.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Checkout.com: How is Checkout.com pricing structured?

Checkout.com offers flat-rate pricing based on your business profile and risk category. They also provide interchange++ pricing model showing transparent card association and processor fees. No setup fees, account maintenance fees, or surprise charges are applied.

Source
OpenCart: Is OpenCart really free?

The software is MIT licensed with no paid edition. The costs are hosting, extensions, and a developer, and for a low volume store those can exceed a SaaS subscription.

Checkout.com: Does Checkout.com offer pricing for nonprofits?

Yes, Checkout.com provides free payment processing for registered charities in countries where they operate. Contact their sales team to verify eligibility and activate the charity program.

Source
OpenCart: Does it charge transaction fees?

No. There is no platform cut and no surcharge for using your own payment gateway, which is the main financial argument for self-hosting at volume.

Checkout.com: What support is included in Checkout.com pricing?

All plans include dedicated account management, risk and fraud management tools, and integration support at no additional cost.

Source
OpenCart: How hard is customisation?

Theme changes are ordinary PHP templates and are approachable. Changing behaviour means the OCMod patching system, which conflicts between extensions and needs a developer.

OpenCart: What is the biggest hidden cost?

Upgrades. Version transitions have broken extension compatibility before, so budget for a partial rebuild rather than assuming updates are routine maintenance.

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