15 Open Source Shop Systems Compared – Find the Right E-Commerce Solution for Your Business

If you want to build a successful e-commerce business in order to sell your goods online, you will inevitably be confronted with the huge selection of shop systems. Shop software to rent, to buy or open source? How much capital do I have available? Can my store grow together with me? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the individual web stores?

The decision for “the right” shop system isn't easy. In e-commerce, open source shop systems are gaining ground more and more. That is why, with this article, we want to give you an overview of the most common open source shop systems. The advantages of open source applications lie in the fact that they offer high flexibility at comparatively low effort. With intensive familiarization as well as good technical understanding or the help of a programmer, you have a great deal of creative freedom and maximum functionality here.

The base shop systems are free of charge and can be extended through adjustments to the respective requirements. Another advantage is the large community of excellent developers who are constantly developing and improving open source systems.

Which open source shop systems are recommended?

There is no single perfect open source shop system. Each system meets different needs. Based on our experience, we can recommend the following systems:

• Shopware (by German developers, easy to customize, a large number of extensions / add-ons available)
• OXID (likewise from Germany, the free standard version already contains many functions)
• WooCommerce (child's play to operate, many free extensions/plugins and themes available)

We have listed a complete list of all recommended shop systems in this article.

What does “open source” mean?

Open source means something like “open source code” and refers to software whose source code is public. This source code can be viewed, used and modified by third parties. The source code is not only free of charge, it can also be freely used and modified for the development of new functionalities and modules.

With an open source store you therefore obtain individually customizable code for your own web store.

Open source shop systems – who can do what?

E-commerce, that is electronic commerce, has for years recorded high growth with sometimes double-digit growth rates annually. Since online trade is booming – it is no wonder that shop systems are springing up like mushrooms.

So that you keep an overview and find the shop system that is perfect for you, you can benefit from our experience with these 15 open source shop systems.

Magento

Magento is, alongside Shopware, probably the best-known shop system. It exists in two versions: the free Community version and the paid Enterprise Edition. At their core, both versions are the same, apart from a few out-of-the-box functions, but there are also differences.

Extensions: Numerous extensions exist for both versions. With the help of extensions, the online store can be extended with numerous functions. For the Enterprise Edition you receive exclusively certified and tested extensions, while those of the community can also contain bugs. In principle, you should inform yourself well before installing community extensions and read reviews from other users in order to minimize the potential for failure.

Warranty/guarantee: If revenue losses or damages arise from the failure of, or errors in, the software, Magento is only liable in the Enterprise Edition. Using the Community version happens at your own risk.

Support: Users of the Community version can, in case of questions or problems, call upon the help of the Magento community or the agency they have hired. Users of the Enterprise Edition receive direct support from Magento itself.

The usability of Magento increases with newer versions. Many things such as customer data, product information or transaction data can be maintained yourself without problems after sometimes very tedious familiarization. For more complex adjustments and customizations, however, most operators fall back on a programmer, since the system is sometimes impenetrable and overwhelms many users – this often causes the total costs to skyrocket.

Pro:

• Large community
• Numerous extensions available
• Easily integrable

Con:

• Programming skills required
• Extensions sometimes paid

Shopware

Shopware comes from North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany and is currently available in four versions: the free Community Edition, the Professional as well as the Professional Plus version and the Enterprise Edition for very large projects. The interface in the backend has good usability – the system is simple and intuitive. In doing so, there is by no means any need to do without technical gimmicks and sophisticated functions: With the help of numerous extensions and responsive templates, your own online store can be customized without any problems. For the Community Edition, both free and paid extensions and templates are available – depending on your own taste and requirements, small to medium-sized stores can be realized here on a small budget. However, there are also premium plugins that – depending on the version – are only compatible with the paid Shopware editions.

Another big plus of Shopware is the huge, lively exchange; problem solutions and information about new developments are now no longer a problem.

Since version 5.2, Shopware is also free to run as a multi-store. This means several sub-stores can be operated simultaneously. Sub-stores are suitable

• When separate online stores are needed for different product families.
• When the store is to be operated in different languages or currencies.
• When the store is to be set up differently for a specific target audience.

A sub-store can have its own domain and its own layout, and the product data can also be maintained separately.

In the official Shopware demo store, interested users can look at the frontend. A free backend can also be requested here.

Pro:

• Good usability
• Easy to adapt to German law
• German community
• Numerous extensions

Con:

• Important functions sometimes only available as premium plugins
• Extensions partly paid

OXID eShop

With OXID eShop, this is likewise a German platform. In addition to the open source Community version, there is the Professional Edition and the Enterprise Edition for small to medium-sized companies, as well as an Enterprise B2B Edition for the B2B sector. The free Community version comes with almost the same functions as the Professional Edition. Some functions, such as multi-client capability or rights management, are not available in the free Community version. Manufacturer support is also only available with the paid versions. Via their own marketplace OXID eXchange, numerous extensions and plugins can be obtained, some of them free of charge. OXID is very flexible, well scalable and customizable. Many interfaces make an implementation into the most common ERP, CMS, PIM, CRM as well as POS systems possible.

There are a few points deducted for the backend: At first glance it seems not very intuitive and somewhat confusing. To be able to maintain the store independently later, good familiarization is necessary. For somewhat more experienced users, however, this shouldn't pose a problem.

Pro:

• Free version very comprehensive
• Easy to adapt to German law
• German community
• Own marketplace for extensions

Con:

• Backend confusing
• Extensions partly not usable with the Community Edition

WooCommerce

WooCommerce can be integrated into existing WordPress websites and is one of the best-known open source shop systems. There is only a free version; a multi-channel strategy, as most other providers pursue, does not exist here. However, you should first compare your requirements with WooCommerce's features, because many plugins and functions are paid.

Depending on the chosen WordPress template, WooCommerce is easily integrable, visually appealing and responsive. For small online stores or the sale of downloads (for example e-books), WooCommerce represents an absolutely inexpensive and user-friendly alternative. Recommended is the plugin “WooCommerce German Market”, which enables legal compliance in Germany and Austria. The large, partly German-speaking community is very active and in any case a good point of contact.

However, WooCommerce is not multi-store capable and has not-so-good usability with more complex processes.

The difference between multi-store and multi-client capability, by the way, lies in the fact that, for example, with multi-client capability the multi-stores can be separated from one another in the backend by default.

Anyone unsure whether WooCommerce is the right solution can click through the frontend in the free demo store.

Pro:

• Can be easily integrated into WordPress pages
• Very user-friendly
• Plugin for adaptation to German law available
• Almost all important plugins available free of charge.

Con:

• Limited range of functions
• Not multi-store capable

xt:Commerce

xt:Commerce has, since version 4, no longer been an open source shop system, but older versions are nevertheless still in circulation. This is a further development of osCommerce; however, xt:Commerce offers far more options for the layout. Due to its high prevalence, numerous service providers in the German-speaking region have specialized in the support of xt:Commerce – so anyone looking for a programmer or agency shouldn't have any problems. An online store based on xt:Commerce has numerous advantages: The layout can be completely customized, numerous interfaces to shopping portals and various payment modules are available, and your own online store is well scalable.

Since the new versions appear only encrypted or partly encrypted, the community has also moved away. Anyone who values good support should therefore rather reconsider purchasing a paid version, or have an expert at their side.

The current (paid) version of xt:Commerce can be tested in a demo store.

Pro:

• Wide prevalence and specialized agencies across the board
• Layout completely customizable
• Good scalability

Con:

• Community activity of the open source version is steadily declining
• New versions no longer open source

Gambio

Gambio emerged from the third version of xt:Commerce and is now being continued in Bremen as an independent open source project. Although Gambio is under a GPL/GNU license, the free download is nevertheless only available via third-party providers. From the manufacturer itself you receive a paid package that contains, among other things, a manual and one year of manufacturer support.

Gambio GX3 has numerous functions and design options. Another plus is that there are no paid plugins and features – with Gambio everything is included. Even without programming skills, the responsive standard template can be customized and adapted to your needs. Further advantages are numerous interfaces to important price comparison portals, payment providers and inventory management systems as well as an integrated warehouse management.

Anyone unsure whether Gambio is suitable for their needs can get a good impression, including backend access, in the Gambio demo store.

Pro:

• All plugins and features included
• German operators
• Standard template customizable without programming skills

Con:

• Cumbersome download via third-party providers
• Not multi-store capable

PrestaShop

PrestaShop is aimed above all at beginners who are looking for an inexpensive e-commerce solution. The platform developed in France states that Presta is used by more than 270,000 merchants in almost 200 countries. Small to medium-sized stores should be well served by the range of functions – with large, complex stores, however, the system is quickly overwhelmed. Newcomers with store experience should be able to operate the back office quite well, since it is built in a very clear way. If you are willing to familiarize yourself thoroughly and possess a good technical understanding, your own online store can be realized without the help of developers or agencies. Otherwise, you are better served with the help of professionals.

Around 300 extensions and plugins included by default make it possible to adapt your own online store to your own requirements. The layout is fully responsive, there are numerous interfaces to payment providers and also a function for selling digital products. Further features are the multi-store capability, an integrated inventory management system with warehouse management and a well-thought-out returns system. Via the “PrestaShop Addons Marketplace”, around 3,000 further extensions as well as stylish templates can also be obtained – however, these involve additional costs. With PrestaShop, too, it therefore makes sense to compare your own demands with the offering in advance and to weigh the total costs against those of other providers.

In the PrestaShop demo store, the frontend, backend and even the view on the various devices can be tested.

Pro:

• Many plugins and features included
• Multi-store capable
• Clear backend

Con:

• Templates and extensions sometimes cost-intensive
• Not recommended for large and complex online stores

OroCommerce

OroCommerce, the open source project of the Magento founders, is aimed specifically at the B2B sector. The company originally comes from the USA, but has an office in Berlin that engages with German law and strives for corresponding adjustments and solutions. OroCommerce sees itself as a complete solution for medium-sized to large companies. It is available both as a free Community Edition and as an Enterprise Edition.

Among other things, OroCommerce can be used to manage various company accounts, adapt product catalogs and generate customer-specific price lists. In addition, it has an optimized buyer-seller interaction. As is so often the case, a few compromises have to be made here too with the free version.

The OroCommerce demo store gives a good insight into the frontend of a sample store.

Pro:

• Developed specifically for B2B
• German office

Con:

• Not necessarily usable for B2C

Commerce:Seo V3

Commerce:Seo was likewise developed on the basis of xt:Commerce. Since the software was developed in Germany, the developers strive for legal compliance in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

For small online stores or startups, however, the free version is absolutely sufficient. It is, admittedly, a little slimmed down compared to the paid versions, but in its basic scope it is usable without restrictions. Responsive templates are just as much part of the range of functions as modules for connecting to marketplaces like eBay and Amazon. Blog add-ons, PDF delivery notes and invoices as well as manufacturer support, however, you only receive with the paid versions.

In the demo store of the current paid version, you gain a good overview of the range of functions.

Pro:

• Easy to adapt to German law
• Sufficient range of functions in the basic version

Con:

• No longer an open source project
• Many functions only available in the paid version

osCommerce

osCommerce has been on the market for around 16 years and is thus a true e-commerce veteran. osCommerce is under the GNU (General Public License) and is thus a pure open source project. To make adjustments independently, PHP and MySQL knowledge is absolutely required.

Despite quite extensive individual customization, in order to ensure legal compliance in Germany, quite a bit of work has to be put into the system – this may involve high costs under certain circumstances. Users with very good programming skills who can do everything themselves, however, will find one here.

Pro:

• Cost-effective
• Pure open source project

Con:

• Programming skills absolutely required
• Partly no longer up to date
• No legal compliance in Germany

smartstore

smartstore from Dortmund has, since its founding in 1999, been one of the pioneers in the field of e-commerce software alongside Intershop and Hybris.

The shop system Smartstore.NET is offered in different editions. As a free Community Edition, as well as a paid Professional, Premium and Enterprise Edition.
Technically, Smartstore.NET proves to be a very modern and mature shop system. For all editions there are numerous plugins, with which there is by no means any need to do without functions demanded by the market.

From version 3.2, a CMS page builder for designing shopping worlds without HTML or CSS knowledge is possible. Smartstore provides two different demo online stores: Here both backend and frontend can be tested extensively.

Pro:

• Trusted Shops certified (German manufacturer)
• Active community
• All important functions available in the Community Edition
• Own marketplace for extensions (plugins)
• Localization; 15 languages (frontend/backend) free of charge

Con:

• Depending on requirements, high costs possible
• Without programming skills, an agency or a freelancer is required for the setup

OpenCart

OpenCart is an open source shop system that can either be run free of charge or, optionally, supplemented by various paid support solutions. Both the functions and the design of the store can be freely shaped – technical understanding assumed, of course.

Through 13,000 (partly paid) modules, the software can be adapted and extended at will – this makes it possible, for example, to integrate payment methods such as PayPal into the transaction process. More modern payment methods such as Amazon Payments are also supported. Out of the box, OpenCart comes in English, but there are around 30 further language packs available that can be installed easily – the complete system (license, installation and, among other things, backend) has meanwhile been translated into German.

For questions or problems, you can turn to the German community.

Pro:

• Many design options
• Numerous extensions
• Active community

Con:

• Programming skills required
• Many plugins paid

Zen Cart

Zen Cart was likewise originally developed for the US market and is based on osCommerce V3. There is, however, a version that has been adapted specifically to the needs of German online store operators. This “translation” includes not only a German language pack, but was also adapted to the legal conditions and already contains the most common extensions. This version, including additional modules, is free of charge and is financed through donations. The active community continually develops the system further and is also happy to help with questions or problems.

Zen Cart shines above all with a high level of integration: Whether Lexware or TriData – the list of ERP interfaces is impressive. The number of items listed in the store is unlimited, the system brings good performance with it – ideal prerequisites for a scalable online store!

To make adjustments to the layout or the configuration, however, programming skills are required. If these are not available, a service provider or an agency has to be called upon. The themes are modern, the prices for plugins and extensions move within a moderate range – with a capable programmer you can definitely realize a good and scalable online store here.

In the Zen Cart demo store, the frontend, the backend as well as various layouts and themes can be tested.

Pro:

• Version adaptable to German law available
• High level of integration
• Active community

Con:

• Programming skills required

Sylius

Sylius, the Symfony-based e-commerce framework originating from Poland, has in recent years increasingly come into the focus of store operators and programmers. The still fairly fresh system continues to work on building a German community, but is growing rapidly: Over 400 contributors and more than 1,200 forks on GitHub ensure plenty of movement in the system. Meanwhile, German language packs are also available – nevertheless, store operators should pay special attention to legal compliance and, if necessary, make corresponding adjustments here.

At first glance, Sylius seems refreshing and clear, the frontend is modern and responsive, the backend clear and tidy. Sylius is internationally positioned and is also aiming for such a development. Since the project is still very young and there are correspondingly few tutorials and solutions, we can for now only recommend Sylius to store operators with good programming skills – the foundation for a very good development has, however, already been laid.

Sylius, too, comes with an extensive demo store: The frontend and the backend can be tested.

Pro:

• Fresh design
• Tidy backend
• Growing community

Con:

• So far little info and few tutorials in the German-speaking region

NopCommerce

NopCommerce appeals to both smaller and large companies and is available exclusively in a free version. The e-commerce platform is easily scalable and extensible and is characterized by functions such as multi-store capability, multilingual environments and the integration of numerous payment services. Particularly noteworthy are the warehousing functions, which you otherwise only find in inventory management systems. In their own community forums you find help and valuable tips – mainly in English, however. Manufacturer support you only receive with paid support packages; the prices for this, however, are comparatively moderate.

Anyone who knows their way around or has a capable agency/a good programmer on hand gets a good, expandable store for little money with NopCommerce.

NopCommerce provides two different demo store variants: the frontend and the backend.

Pro:

• Free of charge
• Scalable and extensible
• Numerous features included

Con:

• Community mainly English-speaking
• Programming skills required

Conclusion: The best shop system for your store

The ultimate best solution does not exist. Depending on your own knowledge, your budget and the requirements for your store, there is, however, surely the individually best solution for you.

When choosing the shop system, you should make sure that it meets your requirements today, but also those in one or two years, and can grow accordingly along with you. The next point is your budget. Think carefully about which functions you need and compare them with what the systems offer. If you choose a free system but afterwards have to invest several thousand euros in templates and extensions, you have gained nothing in the end either. Conversely, it may of course be that you can do without an expensive system, since there is also a free e-commerce solution that meets your demands.

In the final point you have to be honest with yourself: How much know-how do you possess? What can you implement yourself? Because if you have to hire an agency for every little adjustment in the system, you quickly arrive at the price that you would also have to pay for solutions with easier implementability – or even above it.

It is best to make yourself a checklist with the functions you need today and those that you might need in a few months or years. You match that against the functions and features of the stores and thus obtain the solution that is perfect for you.