You may be selling products, but you must be buying them too. So, as a buyer, which website would you purchase from, one with haphazardly listed products or another that’s well-designed, engaging, and neatly organized? Well, the answer seems obvious!
If you’ll pick a well-designed eCommerce website as a buyer, why not do the same as a seller? You can leverage an open source eCommerce solution that gives you the freedom to customize with the help of a developer. In this article, we’ve listed four top-rated open source eCommerce solutions, in alphabetical order, based on verified software reviews. Read more.
The listed products have different focus areas, but they all offer common open source eCommerce platform features, including product management, inventory management, and categorization to simplify your eCommerce operations.
What is open source software?
Open source software (OSS) is software with a publicly distributed source code, released under a specific license, often free of charge. IT application/software programmers use the source code to create a particular software solution, modify it, or enhance its functionality.
1. Akeneo Product Cloud
Akeneo Product Cloud is a product information management (PIM) solution with a centralized repository wherein you can store and manage all the product information. While Akeneo Product Cloud is not completely open source, its Akeneo Community Edition is an open source version that offers 100+ connectors and extension options. You can leverage this functionality to connect the eCommerce platform with content management systems (CMSs), advertising apps, developer tools, and other eCommerce solutions.
Product features of interestProduct catalog management: Create, organize, and manage product catalogs within the platform. You can create product categories, collections, or hierarchies for easy access and better catalog management.
Product information: Enrich your product data with product attributes, specifications, descriptions, images, and other relevant information to create a comprehensive and accurate representation of the products.
Data export: Extract and export product data and related information from the Akeneo platform in various formats and structures, including CSV and Excel. This allows you to share the data with suppliers or partners and import it to other systems.
Open source license: Open Software License Version 3.0
Open source technical support options (Free): Community
Who should consider Akeneo Product Cloud?
Large eCommerce store owners can consider the eCommerce platform to manage lengthy and complex product catalogs on their online store. With this tool, users can create their own connectors and extensions to enable easy integration with multiple eCommerce platforms, marketplaces, and content management systems, facilitating efficient product data exchange and synchronization.
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Cost to upgrade
Device compatibility
2. Odoo
Odoo is a comprehensive suite of business applications and provides various integrated modules to support multiple business processes, including eCommerce. You can use the tool to build your website, create product catalogs, and manage orders. The tool can help you convert website visitors into customers with engagement options such as live chat to answer queries, contact forms to capture leads, a review box to showcase comments from existing customers, and coupons to encourage potential customers to purchase.
Product features of interestDrag-and-drop editor: Create your eCommerce website's layout, content, and design elements by simply dragging and dropping various design components onto a page. These can include text, images, videos, buttons, product lists, headers, footers, and rows.
Product variants: Create and manage product variants within a single product listing by adding size, color, or other configurable options on the online store. This allows customers to select their preferred options when making a purchase.
Customer portal: Provide a self-service platform where customers can log in, view their purchase history, track orders, update personal information, and perform various actions related to their interactions with your business.
Open source license: GNU Lesser General Public License
Open source technical support options (Free): Knowledge base and discussion forum.
Who should consider Odoo?
Small business owners or eCommerce startups can benefit from Odoo as it provides multiple tools to convert website visitors into customers. Chatbox, contact forms, and other features will help you capture lead data, which can be used to plan targeted marketing campaigns and grow the customer base.
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Cost to upgrade
Device compatibility
/ Pro tip
Check the number of products an eCommerce platform supports and ensure it matches your inventory level. Higher-priced plans often support more products which can be suitable if you have an extensive product catalog.
3. PrestaShop
PrestaShop is an eCommerce platform that allows businesses to create and manage their online stores. It has a comprehensive set of tools to handle various aspects of online selling, including product management, inventory management, and order processing. It has a specialized service called PrestaShop Experts that connects businesses with certified professionals who have expertise in building, customizing, and optimizing PrestaShop-based online stores. These experts are experienced developers, designers, and consultants who can help you leverage the tool to its full potential.
Product features of interestPay later: Allow customers to choose pay later options such as buy now, pay later, installment payments, or invoicing for their transactions. It provides them the flexibility to choose a convenient payment option and helps you potentially increase sales.
Automation: Automate various tasks and processes within an online store to reduce manual work and improve efficiency. These tasks include order confirmation emails, invoice generation, stock level updates, and inventory synchronization.
Social promotion: Promote the online store and its products on social media, including Facebook and Instagram. Connect social media accounts with the eCommerce platform to sync product information and allow customers to place orders from social media platforms.
Open source license: Open Software License 3.0
Open source technical support options (Free): Knowledge base, video tutorials, question, and answer forum, and paid support.
Who should consider PrestaShop?
If your business could benefit from additional technical resources or expertise in eCommerce development, PrestaShop Experts can provide the necessary guidance and support. These professionals have specialized knowledge of PrestaShop and can assist with online store setup, customization, and ongoing maintenance, helping you overcome technical barriers and achieve desired outcomes.
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Cost to upgrade
Device compatibility
4. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is an eCommerce plugin for WordPress, a content management system (CMS). It allows you to transform your WordPress websites into fully functional online stores. It is known for its no-code customization capability that allows you to customize and tailor online stores without extensive coding knowledge. You can leverage the pre-built themes and customize their layout, colors, fonts, and other visual elements to match your brand identity and desired aesthetics.
Product features of interestMarketing: Promote online store and products via Facebooks Ads, Google Listings, and third-party marketplaces. You can also offer coupons, rewards, and gifts to customers as promotional strategies to increase sales and engagement.
Multiple payment methods: Offer multiple payment methods to customers, such as credit and debit cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, cash on delivery, and check payments. This flexibility enables customers to choose their preferred payment option during checkout.
Checkout: Allow customers to proceed with the checkout process by filling out a form to provide billing and shipping information, selecting shipping methods and payment options, and reviewing their order details before purchasing.
Open source license: GNU General Public License Version 3
Open source technical support options (Free): Knowledge base and community forum.
Who should consider WooCommerce?
Since WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin, it is ideally suited for businesses and individuals who already have a WordPress website or are planning to build one. WordPress is a widely used CMS known for its flexibility, scalability, and extensive community support.
Trial/Free Version
- Free Trial
- Free Version
Cost to upgrade
Device compatibility
/ Pro tip
Select an eCommerce platform that captures customer data such as demographics, contact information, and browsing behavior, as this data can help you plan targeted marketing campaigns and provide personalized product recommendations. Also, ensure there are data security measures to secure your data from cyberattacks.
What is the cost to upgrade from free, open source eCommerce software to paid one?
If you wish to customize eCommerce platform, you can use the existing source code to customize the open source platform and add features specific to your eCommerce business needs. However, if you want to leverage the features offered by the vendor, you always have the option to switch to a paid version of the tool.
Most paid plans of eCommerce solutions range between $10 to $75 per month, depending on various factors—features, plugins, templates, and customization. An open source eCommerce platform may include the following subscription plans based on the features:
Free trial: No-cost trial plans, starting from 14 days, gives access to either all or limited features of the software. This is ideal for those who want to try the tool before investing in it.
Free version: Free software plans offer basic features and limited premium feature access, ideal for small business owners with a limited budget.
Entry-level: Starts at $10 per month and offers limited features; good option for eCommerce store owners who need basic features, such as website builder and sales reports.
Mid-tier: Mid-range pricing for eCommerce platform ranges from $15 to $26 per month and offers advanced features, such as coupons and traffic analytics. This plan can be suitable for those who have outgrown basic eCommerce needs and require only some advanced features.
High-end: Advanced plans offer training sessions, priority support, and advanced reporting. This is appropriate for established business owners.
Hidden costs associated with open source eCommerce software
Though there is no upfront cost for open source eCommerce platforms, you may have to incur costs associated with the tool's development and long-term maintenance. These include web hosting services, premium themes or templates, paid extensions or plugins for advanced features, dedicated support or maintenance services, and fees associated with payment gateways or third-party services. You’ll also need to hire a software developer to work on the code, which will increase the cost of adopting an open source solution.
Frequently asked questions when selecting open source eCommerce software
Does the software provide real-time inventory updates?
Real-time inventory updates are crucial in eCommerce platform as they provide accurate and up-to-date stock information, enable efficient order fulfillment, prevent overstocking or understocking, and facilitate timely reordering. You can avoid overselling, fulfill orders promptly, optimize inventory levels, and deliver a consistent shopping experience by maintaining real-time inventory data.
Does the software have a returns management option?
The returns management feature automates return requests, tracks return status, manages refunds or exchanges, and generates return labels, reducing manual efforts and enhancing efficiency. It also provides valuable insights into return reasons, product quality issues, and customer preferences, enabling you to identify patterns and make data-driven product improvements.
Does the software support multi-currency payments?
Multi-currency support expands your reach and allows you to cater to a global customer base. It allows you to display prices in different currencies, providing a localized shopping experience for customers worldwide. This feature helps you tap into international markets, attract a diverse range of customers, and capitalize on global opportunities, ultimately driving sales and growth.