An open-source eCommerce platform enables you to set up an online store very quickly as it comes with all necessary tools and features without the need of third party software. However, even though the process of setting up an eCommerce store is not very complicated, the fact that there are multiple open-source platforms makes it difficult to choose the right one.

In this article, we have listed some of the most popular open-source eCommerce platforms that you can use to create an online store for your business.

What are Open-Source eCommerce Platforms? 

Open Source Ecommerce platforms are a type of software or application that is available to the public, and it is meant to be modified and changed by its users. This means you can download it for free and modify it according to your needs. There are many popular open source ecommerce platforms out there such as Magento, Shopify, Prestashop, WooCommerce among others.

Most Popular Open-Source eCommerce Platforms that really works

1) WordPress with WooCommerce

WordPress is one of the most popular open-source software. WordPress with WooCommerce is a powerful combination for creating an ecommerce website. Themes and plugins are available for adding features like easy checkout, blogging, product reviews, and more. It's also one of the easiest platforms to install.

2) PrestaShop

Prestashop is another open source E-commerce platform that can be utilized in a better way. It offers a wide range of functionalities that includes easy to use, customisation, and much more. Prestashop is written in PHP programming language, and support for  the MySQL database management system

Moreover, The PrestaShop open-source platform is one of the most popular options for a developer looking for an open source platform. A lot of people use PrestaShop because it's easy to use and affordable.

 It can be customized to the user's preference, including customization in code and design. There are many modules available that extend the functionality and add features, such as a blog or social media integration.

3) Magento

Magento is the popular open source E-commerce platform that stays ahead in the competitive online platforms. It is owned by Abode and users have access to a diverse range of features. 

Moreover, One of the most popular open-source ecommerce platforms is Magento. Not only does it offer a fully customizable layout, but you can also integrate everything from SEO to mobile devices and social media marketing. 

With the help of its admin panel, this platform allows you to manage your orders, catalog, shipments, payments and customers with ease. It also has a wide range of extensions available which means users have access to thousands of features and options within minutes.

4) WooCommerce

E-commerce business owners can leverage the benefits of WooCommerce also. By opting the individual platform only. With over 2,800 extensions available on the WooCommerce Marketplace, it's easy to find the functionality you need for your online store. 

The number of extensions is expected to grow as development continues and more people start using WooCommerce. It also integrates with a wide range of third-party services like MailChimp, Google Analytics and Mandrill.

5) nopCommerce

The nopCommerce platform is an open-source, free and easy to use content management system. It uses a drag-and-drop layout manager to make it easier for the user. This platform is designed with small and medium-sized businesses in mind. It offers a wide range of features and offers a lot of flexibility in terms of customization as well.

Features that nopCommerce offers- 

• Online checkout 
• Marketing 
• Payment system 
• Product engineering 
• Shipping 
• Security and Compliance 
• Multi vendor  and store 

6) X-Cart

X-Cart is one of the most popular open-source platforms for online stores because it's cost-effective, powerful, and easy to use. With this, developers have created over 35000 online stores that are rapidly growing in popularity. 

Features that we can’t avoid with X-Cart 

• Comprehensive payment processing from over 250 payment gateways
• Multiple languages support 
• Full integration with major CRM systems
•  Shopping carts
• Integration of accounting software 
• Easy installation and setup. 

7) Medusa

A hosted, open source solution for online stores. You can use an existing template or create a new one. This is a self-hosted solution and you will need to provide your own server. Medusa has a free plan which allows you to test and see if it works for you. Users can opt for the premium plans that offer unlimited stores and unlimited products with no transaction fees, SSL security certificate included, unlimited bandwidth, and email support included in the price.

8) Shopware

The Shopware platform is a free, open-source and self-hosted eCommerce website builder. This platform features the ability to create your own products and manage product portfolios, inventory and prices with ease.

The site also integrates with social media for marketing purposes. Plus, open source development services can add storefronts for different currencies to match your customer base.

9) CubeCart

CubeCart is the other most trending open source e-commerce platform that is fully customisable and offers technical support. It is a powerful free ecommerce solution enabling thousands of merchants globally to sell digital or physical products online.

Features of CubeCart

• CRM integration to manage customer relationships
• Shipping integration with USPS, UPS, and FedEx
• Support for both physical and digital products 
• Integrates with Google Checkout or PayPal
• Quickly generate custom reports and charts in Excel format
• Generate invoices for vendors by uploading CSV files

Conclusion 

Choosing an open source solution for your eCommerce site is a great way to save money and time. There are many free and paid solutions available, so finding the right one can be a daunting task, at this phase you can partner with an open source development company.  The best part about these platforms is that they can be customized to suit any business needs.

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