Softwr

E-Commerce · head to head

OpenCart vs Volusion

OpenCart logo

OpenCart

E-Commerce

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Volusion logo

Volusion

E-Commerce

Ecommerce platform for growing online businesses

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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.; Volusion pricing details not shown on main website
  • They diverge on capability: OpenCart covers MIT licensed source, Volusion covers Website builder.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenCart and Volusion actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenCart and Volusion differ
AttributeOpenCartVolusion
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Founded20091999

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 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

Only in Volusion

  • Website builder
  • Product catalog
  • Shopping cart
  • Payment processing
  • Inventory tracking
  • Order management
  • Email marketing
  • SEO tools

What people use each for

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

OpenCart

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

Volusion

  • Small to medium business e-commerce storefrontsnot OpenCart
  • Inventory and product managementnot OpenCart
  • Omnichannel selling across platformsnot OpenCart
  • Email marketing and customer engagementnot OpenCart

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Volusion

  • Pricing details not shown on main website
  • Requires migration effort for existing stores

Pricing, plan by plan

OpenCart

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

Volusion

Free
  • Free TrialFree
    • Store builder
    • Product management
    • Basic analytics
  • Professional$35/month
    • All free features
    • Advanced tools
    • Email marketing

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenCart if

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

Choose Volusion if

  • You need website builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want product catalog.
Volusion review

Questions people ask

Is OpenCart or Volusion better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenCart starts at Free and Volusion at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenCart or Volusion?
OpenCart starts at Free and Volusion at Free.
Does OpenCart or Volusion run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use OpenCart for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is OpenCart best used for?
OpenCart is most often used for a merchant with volume high enough that a percentage transaction fee costs more than a developer, an agency building client stores where the client must own the code and the data outright, a store with unusual catalogue or pricing logic that a hosted platform will not permit, selling in a market where the local payment gateway is not supported by the mainstream saas platforms. Of those, a merchant with volume high enough that a percentage transaction fee costs more than a developer and an agency building client stores where the client must own the code and the data outright are not what Volusion is typically brought in for.
What can OpenCart do that Volusion cannot?
OpenCart covers MIT licensed source, Self-hosted PHP and MySQL, No transaction fees, Multi-store. Volusion covers Website builder, Product catalog, Shopping cart, Payment processing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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.

Volusion: What payment methods does Volusion accept?

Volusion supports multiple payment options including Stripe, PayPal, Venmo, and Amazon Pay through integrations with certified technology partners.

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.

Volusion: Is there a contract requirement to use Volusion?

No contract is needed. Volusion offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, and you can cancel anytime.

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.

Volusion: What support is available to Volusion users?

Volusion provides free 24/7 customer support. Users also have access to a help center and can connect with SEO specialists, web designers, and marketing professionals through Marketing 360.

Source
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.

Volusion: What features are included with a Volusion store?

Core features include inventory management, unlimited product options, responsive themes, site builder, SEO management, newsletters, CRM system, and payment processing capabilities.

Source
Volusion: Can I integrate third-party applications with my Volusion store?

Yes, Volusion offers "dozens of powerful apps and integrations created by our certified technology partners" to add advanced functionality to your site.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on OpenCart

More on Volusion

Keep looking

Other head to heads