ButterCMS vs OpenCart

ButterCMS is a headless content management system that offers a seamless way to manage content, while OpenCart is an open-source e-commerce platform for building online stores. ButterCMS focuses on content creation and delivery, while OpenCart is tailored for e-commerce functionalities.

General information

ButterCMS
OpenCart
Introduction :
ButterCMS is a headless content management system that was launched in 2014. It offers a user-friendly interface and robust API for developers to easily integrate content into their websites and applications. ButterCMS is not open source but is popular for its simplicity and flexibility, making it a preferred choice for businesses looking to streamline their content management processes.
Introduction :
OpenCart is an open-source e-commerce platform that was launched in 2005. It is popular for its user-friendly interface, extensive customization options, and active community support. OpenCart is widely used by small to medium-sized businesses looking to set up online stores quickly and efficiently. With a range of themes and extensions available, users can easily tailor their online stores to suit their specific needs and preferences.
Advantages :
  • Easy to use and navigate interface
  • Seamless integration with existing websites
  • Robust API for customization and flexibility
  • Fast content delivery with CDN
  • Scalable for growing businesses
Advantages :
  • Easy to use and customize for beginners
  • Wide range of extensions and themes available
  • Strong SEO capabilities for online visibility
  • Multi-store functionality for managing multiple stores
  • Active community for support and updates
Disadvantages :
  • Limited customization options
  • Steeper learning curve compared to some platforms
  • Higher cost for advanced features
  • Limited third-party integrations
  • Not as widely supported as other platforms
Disadvantages :
  • Limited built-in features
  • Requires technical knowledge for customization
  • Not as user-friendly as other platforms
  • Limited support options
  • Less extensive app marketplace
Website users : Thousands of websites
ButterCMS is used by a significant number of websites, making it a popular choice among content management systems.
Website users : Hundreds of thousands
OpenCart is used by hundreds of thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for e-commerce businesses of all sizes.
๐ŸŸข Difficulty : Easy.
ButterCMS offers a user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation, making it easy for users to get started without needing advanced technical skills.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
OpenCart has a moderate learning curve, requiring some technical knowledge to set up and customize the platform effectively.
Year launched : 2014
ButterCMS was launched in 2014, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to more established CMS platforms.
Year launched : 2005
OpenCart was launched in 2005, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for online businesses.
Official website : https://buttercms.com/
Official website : https://www.opencart.com/


Commercial details

ButterCMS
OpenCart
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
ButterCMS is not fully open source, but offers some level of customization and flexibility for developers to work with.
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
OpenCart is fully open source, written in PHP. Users have full access to the code for customization and development.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
ButterCMS offers a free option with limited features, making it a good choice for those on a budget or looking to test the platform.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
OpenCart offers a free, self-hosted option with basic features. Additional functionalities may require paid extensions or themes.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
ButterCMS offers a paid option for users looking for additional features and support beyond the free plan.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
OpenCart offers a paid option for users looking for additional features, support, and customization options beyond the free version.


Platform details

ButterCMS
OpenCart
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
ButterCMS offers various pricing plans, but it is unclear if there is a fully hosted option available directly from ButterCMS.
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
OpenCart offers a hosted option through various third-party vendors, allowing users to easily set up and manage their online store without the need for self-hosting.
โšช Self host : Unknown.
ButterCMS does not offer a self-hosting option, but there may be third-party vendors available for hosting services.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
OpenCart offers a self-host option, allowing users to choose their own hosting provider for more control over their online store.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS supports headless features via its API, allowing for decoupled front-end development while still utilizing its content management capabilities.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
OpenCart does not natively support headless architecture but can be integrated with headless features through plugins and APIs.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS does not natively support static content generation but can be achieved perhaps via a popular plugin.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
OpenCart does not natively support static content generation but can be achieved perhaps via a popular plugin.


Key features

ButterCMS
OpenCart
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS is a good platform for managing content with its easy-to-use plugin integration, but it may require additional setup compared to native solutions.
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
OpenCart offers content management capabilities through plugins, but it is not its primary focus compared to platforms like WordPress or Shopify.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS is primarily a headless CMS with a focus on content delivery. Blogging functionality can be enhanced through plugins.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
OpenCart does not natively support blogging but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins for blogging functionality.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
ButterCMS is not specifically designed for e-commerce functionality, lacking native features for online stores. It may require third-party plugins for such capabilities.
๐ŸŸก E-commerce : Supported via plugin.
OpenCart offers good e-commerce capabilities, but may require additional plugins for advanced features compared to some other platforms.
๐Ÿ”ด Community forum : Not supported.
ButterCMS does not have native support for community/forum features. It may require integration with third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
OpenCart does not have native community/forum features but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Supports content subscriptions/paywalls through third-party plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for monetizing content.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions available in the OpenCart marketplace.


Other features

ButterCMS
OpenCart
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced with third-party plugins/extensions for multi-site functionality.
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
OpenCart does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions for multi-site functionality.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced with third-party plugins for multi-language functionality.
๐ŸŸข Multi-language : Support natively.
OpenCart supports multi-language natively, allowing users to easily create and manage multiple language versions of their online store.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS does not support XML sitemaps natively but can be implemented using popular third-party plugins or extensions.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
OpenCart does not natively support XML sitemaps but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.


When choosing between ButterCMS and OpenCart, consider your primary focus - content management or e-commerce. ButterCMS is ideal for content-heavy websites, while OpenCart is better suited for online stores. Make the right choice based on your specific needs and goals.