5 Best Free Open-Source Ecommerce Platforms (2025)

If you want a shed in your backyard, you can buy a prebuilt shed, hire a contractor, or build it yourself using purchased plans.

Using an open-source ecommerce platform is similar. It provides the plans (source code) needed to develop an ecommerce website while allowing extensive customization for your business needs. However, like building your own shed, working with open-source software requires special skills and time.

If you have the technical knowledge—or plan to hire a web developer—an open-source ecommerce platform lets you create a user-friendly, scalable online store exactly as you envision it. But don’t expect results overnight. For entrepreneurs seeking a quick setup, ease, and reliable support, Shopify’s drag-and-drop website builder with prebuilt templates may be a better choice.

What is open-source ecommerce?

Open-source ecommerce refers to any ecommerce software that provides users full access to its original source code, allowing you to modify and customize the ecommerce platform to meet your needs. It gives you control over your online store’s design and functionality. Open-source software is typically (but not always) free to download and use.

How does open-source ecommerce work?

The first step to using an open-source ecommerce solution is downloading the source code. Most open-source platform providers offer direct download links on their websites, although some may require you to sign up for a free membership before downloading. Many platforms are available on an online open-source software library, like SourceForge.

Using the code to set up an online store is where it gets more complicated. While some platforms offer basic storefront setups for non-technical users, taking full advantage of an open-source solution requires web development expertise. Many small businesses hire professional web developers for help.

Most open-source ecommerce platforms offer apps and extensions that provide additional functionality and customization options. You might add an inventory management application to your site. Users can purchase these through the company’s app marketplace, a multi-vendor marketplace, or a third-party developer. Many open-source ecommerce platforms also provide APIs to integrate third-party apps or extend ecommerce functionality.

Because open-source software is designed for customization, a skilled web developer can tailor the platform to meet your needs. However, coding and ongoing technical maintenance can take valuable time away from other business priorities, like building customer connections and scaling operations.

Risk of open-source ecommerce

• Technical maintenance burden
• Security vulnerabilities
• Hidden costs
• Limited support options

Open-source ecommerce is a path some merchants opt for—open-source platforms like WooCommerce and Ecwid alone account for 21.7% of the US ecommerce market share. However, SaaS ecommerce platforms are decidedly more popular, with Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix collectively commanding 67.2% of the market.

While open-source platforms offer customization and flexibility, they also carry a few challenges and risks that SaaS solutions help avoid:

Technical maintenance burden

One of the perks of a SaaS tool is a steady stream of product updates and new features—for instance, Shopify regularly releases Editions, collating everything new across the platform every six months.

open-source platforms, on the other hand, come with ongoing responsibilities that can catch entrepreneurs off guard. You’ll be responsible for all software updates, bug fixes, and technical troubleshooting, which requires continuous attention and specialized expertise. If you want shoppable TikTok integration on your homepage and there’s no available plug-in, you can’t just request it from a product team—you’ll need to build it yourself or hire someone who can.

To manage this challenge, budget for regular developer hours each month rather than scrambling when issues arise. Creating a maintenance calendar that schedules routine updates during slower business periods can also prevent technical problems from derailing your busy seasons.

Security vulnerabilities

Open-source ecommerce software can expose merchants to security vulnerabilities if not properly managed. Because source code is publicly accessible, hackers and bad actors can scrutinize it for weaknesses and exploit any known flaws. Users are responsible for applying their own security patches, and cybercriminals often target unpatched sites as soon as a vulnerability is disclosed. In its 2025 Open Source Security Risk Analysis, cybersecurity company Black Duck found 86% of risk-assessed code bases contained vulnerable open-source code and 81% contained high- or critical-risk vulnerabilities.

Prioritize security by keeping your open-source platform updated and promptly applying all available patches. Also, implement protective measures like strong admin passwords, application firewalls, and continuous monitoring to catch vulnerabilities and harden your ecommerce store against attacks.

Hidden costs

Though free to download, open-source platforms often have hidden costs, leading to a higher total cost of ownership (TCO) than SaaS alternatives. For instance, Shopify has a 36% better TCO than WooCommerce, a popular open-source ecommerce platform.

Business owners will need to budget for web hosting, development, customization, and ongoing maintenance—all of which add up over time. Hidden costs (from cloud infrastructure, security, and paid add-ons) can make open-source more expensive in the long run, straining your resources as a business.

Budget realistically for both initial build and long-term upkeep and maintenance if you plan on choosing an open-source platform. Schedule regular cost audits and bring automation into your operations to help with tasks like security monitoring.

Limited support options

In a 2024 survey conducted by software company Perforce, 44.29% of respondents cited a lack of professional support and maintenance as a barrier to open-source adoption. Open-source software often lacks a dedicated help desk or 24/7 support line. Instead, you’ll need to rely on community forums, documentation, or contractors when something goes wrong.

This can leave you in the lurch during a crisis, since resolving issues might take longer without guaranteed support. In practice, this means being on your own during a Black Friday or Cyber Monday emergency, facing downtime or technical issues that hurt your business until you can find (or pay for) a solution.

To mitigate a crisis, plan ahead by identifying trusted consultants or agencies that specialize in your ecommerce platform for urgent response. Investing in training for your staff can also reduce reliance on emergency support during technical failures.

5 best open-source ecommerce platforms

1. WooCommerce
2. OpenCart
3. NopCommerce
4. Magento Open Source
5. Zen Cart

There are many popular open-source ecommerce platform options, from shopping cart plug-ins to fully integrated front-end and back-end systems. Here are five choices popular with online business owners for their ease of use and powerful functionalities.

1. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is an ecommerce plug-in originally designed for WordPress websites. Out of the box, WooCommerce provides core ecommerce functions, with additional functionality usually requiring extensions—many of which involve an annual subscription. WordPress users who prefer fewer extensions may consider WordCommerce alternatives such as Shopify’s built-in features or the Buy Button integration.

Integrating WooCommerce with the WordPress content management system requires no web development expertise, but customizations require skill with the PHP programming language.

Who it’s for

WooCommerce is built for WordPress users who want to add basic ecommerce functionality to their sites and don’t mind paying extra for features (such as shipment tracking) that come standard with many other ecommerce platforms.

Plans and pricing

WooCommerce is free to download and use, but many essential ecommerce website features cost extra. For example, subscription functionality is $279 per year, product bundling is $79 per year, and appointment booking is $249 per year. Adding FedEx, USPS, and UPS shipping to your checkout will cost $109 per year per carrier.

Features

• Five free themes (and thousands of paid themes)

• Product sorting

• Tax calculation via extensions

• Payment processing via extensions

• Inventory management via extensions

• Marketing tools via extensions

• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.4

2. OpenCart

OpenCart is a Hong Kong–based open-source ecommerce platform built with the PHP programming language. The platform follows a “core plus extensions” model, meaning essential features often require additional downloads. OpenCart offers a large library of more than 13,000 extensions contributed by its active developer community, though reliability and compatibility with the latest software version vary

Most ecommerce store owners will need to download several extensions, some of which require paid subscriptions, to meet their needs. Because most OpenCart extensions are community-developed, not all are promptly updated when a new software version is released. As a result, updating OpenCart could potentially lead to compatibility issues or loss of key functionality.

Who it’s for

OpenCart suits users who already have a website host and want to add basic ecommerce features. The platform’s documentation lacks a search feature, and its customer support hours are limited (Monday through Friday, Hong Kong business hours), making it best for users comfortable with independent troubleshooting.

Plans and pricing

OpenCart’s self-hosted software is free to download and use, but hosting and extensions will cost you extra.

Features

• Thousands of themes, including many free-to-use themes

• Payment gateways via extensions

• Multi-storefront management

• User roles

• Unlimited products and product categories

• Product filters and sorting

• Multi-currency support via extensions

• Integrated shipping via extensions

• Recurring orders

• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.3

3. NopCommerce

NopCommerce is a free open-source ecommerce platform based in Armenia that serves small and medium-sized businesses and enterprise customers. Built on Microsoft’s ASP.NET framework using the C# programming language, nopCommerce appeals to businesses using Microsoft technologies.

The platform offers two download versions: a source code version for web developers and a one-click-install version for users without advanced technical knowledge. While nopCommerce offers a range of extensions, custom integrations for your ecommerce store often require developer support, even for simpler setups.

Who it’s for

NopCommerce is geared toward businesses that prefer the Microsoft tech stack or require advanced features like multi-store and B2B ecommerce capabilities. It’s often chosen by small- to mid-size businesses that have the technical resources to leverage its flexibility and are looking for a no-licence-fee alternative to enterprise platforms.

Plans and pricing

NopCommerce is free to download and use, but many extensions are paid.

Features

• Content management system

• More than 1,500 extensions

• Multi-storefront management

• Omnichannel selling

• Headless functionality

• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.4

4. Magento Open Source

Magento Open Source is a PHP-based open-source ecommerce solution originally developed by Magento and later acquired by Adobe in 2018. Adobe has since built its enterprise product, Adobe Commerce, on the same core codebase. The open-source version is available to developers via GitHub.

Magento Open Source has a steeper learning curve than most popular open-source platforms. Users with limited technical knowledge will need to hire a web developer to take full advantage of the platform.

Who it’s for

Magento Open Source is best suited for developers and brands that want full control over their ecommerce experience and are willing to invest in a dedicated technical team or agency to build and maintain a deeply customized online store.

Plans and pricing

Magento Open Source offers a free license for life with no ongoing platform fees. If you’re not a web developer, you’ll need to hire one to use Magento Open Source.

Features

• Content management system

• Analytics and reporting

• Catalog management

• Search engine optimization tools

• Centralized admin for operations management

• Multi-store management

• Two-factor authentication

• G2 ⭐️ rating: 4.0

5. Zen Cart

Zen Cart is a free PHP-based shopping cart integration that adds ecommerce functionality to existing websites. Zen Cart provides a built-in storefront and relies heavily on extensions for advanced features, with more than 2,000 free and paid add-ons available.

Because it requires technical knowledge to add to an existing site, Zen Cart is a better option for business owners who plan to use a web developer for customization than those looking for a simpler solution.

Who it’s for

Zen Cart requires programming knowledge for effective use and customization. It’s best suited for developers and merchants who have a technical team to manage their ecommerce store.

Plans and pricing

Zen Cart is free open-source shopping cart software with no restriction on products, sales volumes, or admin users. Certain add-ons will cost extra, and hosting is not included.

Features

• Enables wholesale and B2B pricing and accounts for trade customers

• Supports multiple languages

• Accepts multiple currencies

• SEO tools

• Reporting and analytics

• G2 ⭐️ rating: 3.9

Open-source ecommerce vs. SaaS ecommerce

	Open source	SaaS
Cost	Software is free but hosting, extensions, and development support cost extra.	Subscription model with predictable monthly costs that include hosting and a range of features.
Customization	Complete access to source code with unlimited customization, but requires technical know-how.	Customizable within platform limitations through no- or low-code interfaces.
Display	Full control over display elements through direct code access, with modifiable or custom themes.	Prebuilt themes with customization options that non-developers can adjust.
Security	Business owner is responsible for updates, PCI compliance, and security monitoring.	Built-in security features with regular updates and PCI compliance generally included.

There are two main types of ecommerce platforms: open source and software-as-a-service (SaaS) ecommerce. SaaS is a cloud-based software delivery method that allows you to access subscription-licensed software online. Shopify, for example, is a SaaS ecommerce platform.

Both these ecommerce solutions can be used to create secure, user-friendly online stores, but they differ in fee structure, customization options, and the degree of technical knowledge required for site set-up and maintenance.

Cost

• How they’re similar. While open-source software is often free to download and use, setting up and running an online store using an open-source or a SaaS platform will cost money (although many SaaS platforms, including Shopify, offer a free trial).

• How they’re different. While open-source ecommerce software is typically free to download, you’ll need to budget for things like hosting, development, and paid add-ons. These separate costs can add up over time. SaaS platforms, on the other hand, charge a predictable subscription fee that usually includes hosting, security, and ongoing updates.

Customization

• How they’re similar. SaaS and open-source platforms allow for customization, apps, and extensions.

• How they’re different. In theory, open-source platforms are infinitely customizable—providing you (or a developer) have the technical knowledge required. SaaS platforms include customization parameters, but options are more limited.

Display

• How they’re similar. Both SaaS and open-source platforms give users multiple display options to determine the look and feel of the user interface. Many also include multiple prebuilt themes, essentially front-end website templates.

• How they’re different. Web developers can manipulate source code to alter any element of an open-source platform’s display. In contrast, SaaS platforms allow users with limited technical knowledge to customize displays within set parameters.

Security

• How they’re similar. Both platforms are designed to allow ecommerce businesses to protect customer data and provide a secure shopping experience.

• How they’re different. SaaS platforms provide built-in security safeguards and regularly monitor and improve the software to keep up with the latest technologies. Many also offer PCI compliance, confirming a website securely handles credit card data. Open-source platforms require users to apply updates, maintain PCI compliance, and monitor site security.

How to choose ecommerce software that’s right for you

• Ease of use and technical skill
• Customization and flexibility
• Budget and total cost of ownership

Before diving into feature comparisons, honestly assess your team’s strengths: Are you visual creatives who need intuitive interfaces, or technical problem-solvers who thrive on back-end customization? The right ecommerce software aligns with both your brand goals but also your team’s natural working style and existing skill sets.

Here are some factors to consider:

Ease of use and technical skill

Consider your comfort with technology and how much time you (or your team) can devote to learning a new system. SaaS ecommerce platforms like Shopify are designed to be user friendly with drag-and-drop site builders that let you customize your product pages, checkout flows, menu bars, and marketing banners without learning how to code. Open-source platforms offer more control but come with a steeper learning curve.

If you’re a small business owner without a technical background or computer science degree, a hosted solution lets you get your store online quickly. But if you or someone on your team has web development experience and prefers to fine-tune each aspect of the store, an open-source solution could be manageable despite the extra complexity.

Customization and flexibility

Decide how much customization and control you really need versus how much technical upkeep you’re willing to take on. If you run a hobby store and have a developer on staff, open source may offer more long-term flexibility—you can build custom features, tweak the code, and craft the site to your vision as your business grows.

However, don’t underestimate closed-source platforms—they often pack powerful customization features that work well for both tech novices and seasoned pros. Sara Mote is the creative director at Mote, a design-driven software engineering studio that specializes in creating custom ecommerce experiences. Over her career, she has launched more than 300 online stores.

“I’ve seen so many success stories where someone starts with an existing theme and they get as far as they can out of the box,” she says. “And then you also have a sense of where you want to go beyond that with a custom build, where the opportunities are for further storytelling.”

Flexible SaaS platforms like Shopify allow businesses to start with pre-built templates and gradually evolve toward more custom solutions if their needs grow. “Sometimes we’ll be working on a project with a longer lead time,” Sara says. “We’ll help clients set up an existing Shopify theme while we’re doing the full creative brief, custom design, and custom build.”

Budget and total cost of ownership

SaaS solutions charge a predictable subscription fee that includes hosting, security, and updates. Often, you’re also paying for support—SaaS providers typically offer dedicated support teams (often 24/7 across phone, live chat, or email) to help you resolve any issues or answer questions.

Open-source software might seem “free,” but you’ll incur costs for hosting, development, and any maintenance and customization. Plus, you’ll be on your own; with an open-source solution, you rely on community forums and documentation for troubleshooting, which can be time-consuming.

If you’re launching an online shop on a shoestring budget with no IT staff, choosing a basic ecommerce SaaS plan can be more effective since it bundles services into one manageable monthly payment. If you have a tech-savvy team, you might opt for an open-source platform and invest time upfront in setup, with the potential to save on monthly fees in the long run.