Quick Comparison
| Feature | PrestaShop | OpenCart |
|---|---|---|
| Core Platform Cost | Free | Free |
| Technical Requirements | High - requires development knowledge | High - requires development knowledge |
| Customization Level | Very High | Very High |
| Community Support | Active community | Active community |
| Best For | Most Feature-Rich Free | Best for Developers |
| Hosting Required | Yes - you manage hosting | Yes - you manage hosting |
Detailed Comparison
PrestaShop
Most Feature-Rich FreePowerful open-source ecommerce engine with extensive features. Perfect for Australian businesses that want a free, feature-rich platform with customization options.
✓ Pros
- ✓ Free core platform
- ✓ Feature-rich out of the box
- ✓ Good module ecosystem
- ✓ Multi-store support
- ✓ Active community
- ✓ Regular updates
- ✓ No transaction fees
- ✓ Customizable
✗ Cons
- ✗ Requires technical setup
- ✗ You manage hosting and maintenance
- ✗ Less beginner-friendly
- ✗ Smaller community than major platforms
- ✗ Limited official support for free version
- ✗ Can be resource-intensive
Pricing
- Open Source: Contact for pricing - Free core platform, Unlimited products, Multi-store, Module marketplace
- PrestaShop Ready: Contact for pricing - Hosted solution, Technical support, Regular updates, Managed hosting
OpenCart
Best for DevelopersOpen-source ecommerce platform for technical setups. Ideal for Australian businesses with development resources that want a free, customizable solution.
✓ Pros
- ✓ Completely free core platform
- ✓ No licensing fees
- ✓ Good for multiple stores
- ✓ Extensive extension library
- ✓ Active community
- ✓ Regular updates
- ✓ Customizable
- ✓ No transaction fees
✗ Cons
- ✗ Requires technical knowledge
- ✗ You manage hosting and security
- ✗ Less user-friendly than hosted solutions
- ✗ Smaller community than WooCommerce
- ✗ Limited official support
- ✗ Requires development skills for customization
Pricing
- Open Source: Contact for pricing - Free core platform, Unlimited products, Multi-store support, Extension marketplace
- Hosting & Support: Contact for pricing - Managed hosting, Technical support, Regular updates, Security monitoring
Which One is Best For You?
Choose PrestaShop If:
- • Technical users
- • Businesses wanting free solution
- • Multi-store operations
- • Businesses with development resources
Choose OpenCart If:
- • Technical users and developers
- • Businesses wanting free open-source solution
- • Multiple store operations
- • Budget-conscious technical businesses
Conclusion
Both PrestaShop and OpenCart are powerful open-source ecommerce platforms, but they have different strengths:
PrestaShop is more feature-rich out of the box and has a larger module marketplace. It's better if you want more built-in functionality and don't mind a slightly steeper learning curve. Good for businesses that want a comprehensive solution without paying licensing fees.
OpenCart is simpler and more lightweight, making it easier to learn and customize. It's better if you want a cleaner codebase and prefer a more straightforward approach. Good for developers who want full control and a simpler starting point.
For Australian businesses: Both support Australian payment gateways and can be configured for GST compliance. You'll need to set up hosting and manage security yourself, which requires technical knowledge.
Important considerations: Both platforms are free, but you'll need to pay for hosting, security, maintenance, and potentially extensions. They're best suited for businesses with technical resources or access to developers.
If you're not technical, consider hosted solutions like Shopify or BigCommerce. If you want open-source but need more support, WooCommerce might be a better middle ground.
Ready to Get Started?
Both PrestaShop and OpenCart offer free trials. Sign up today and see which option works best for your Australian business.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Our recommendations are based on genuine research and testing to help you find the best solutions for your Australian business.