Cosmic JS vs OpenCart

When comparing Cosmic JS and OpenCart, it’s important to consider the differences in their core functionalities. Cosmic JS is a headless CMS that offers flexibility and scalability for content management, while OpenCart is an open-source e-commerce platform focused on online store creation and management.

General information

Cosmic JS
OpenCart
Introduction :
Cosmic JS is a headless CMS that was launched in 2014. It is not open source but offers a flexible and scalable solution for developers and content creators. With its user-friendly interface, real-time collaboration features, and robust API capabilities, Cosmic JS has gained popularity among businesses and developers looking to build dynamic and customizable websites and applications.
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 :
  • Headless architecture for flexible content delivery
  • Scalable and reliable cloud infrastructure
  • Customizable content models and APIs
  • Real-time content collaboration and updates
  • Extensive developer tools and integrations
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 theme options
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Higher pricing plans
  • Limited third-party integrations
  • Less community support and documentation
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
Cosmic JS is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice among developers and content creators.
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.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Cosmic JS requires some familiarity with web development concepts, but their documentation and support resources can help navigate the learning curve.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
OpenCart has a moderate learning curve, requiring some technical knowledge to set up and customize the platform effectively.
Year launched : 2017
Launched in 2017, Cosmic JS is a newer platform compared to others, offering modern content management solutions for developers and businesses.
Year launched : 2005
OpenCart was launched in 2005, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for online businesses.
Official website : https://cosmicjs.com/
Official website : https://www.opencart.com/


Commercial details

Cosmic JS
OpenCart
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Cosmic JS is partially open source, offering a limited version of the platform's code for customization and integration with other systems.
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.
Free option available with limited features. Hosted option with ability to upgrade for more advanced features and functionality.
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.
Paid plans offer more storage, bandwidth, and advanced features, making it a worthwhile investment for businesses needing scalability and customization.
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

Cosmic JS
OpenCart
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Cosmic JS offers a hosted option for users, providing a convenient and hassle-free solution for managing content online.
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.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Cosmic JS through various third-party vendors, offering flexibility and control over hosting environment.
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.
๐ŸŸข Headless CMS : Support natively.
Cosmic JS is a headless CMS by design, offering robust API support for seamless integration with any frontend technology.
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.
Static content generation is possible through popular plugins, offering flexibility for users who require this feature in their Cosmic JS projects.
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

Cosmic JS
OpenCart
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Cosmic JS offers robust content management capabilities through plugins, making it a good choice for managing content alongside other features.
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.
Cosmic JS offers blogging capabilities through third-party plugins, making it a suitable platform for bloggers seeking additional features and customization options.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
OpenCart does not natively support blogging but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins for blogging functionality.
โšช E-commerce : Unknown.
Cosmic JS does not have native e-commerce capabilities, but it may be possible to integrate with third-party plugins for e-commerce functionality.
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.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Cosmic JS does not natively offer community/forum features but can be enhanced with third-party plugins 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.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be implemented through third-party plugins/extensions, offering flexibility but may require additional setup and maintenance.
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

Cosmic JS
OpenCart
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Support for multi-site is available via a popular 3rd party plugin/extension, offering enhanced functionality for managing multiple sites within Cosmic JS.
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.
Multi-language support can be achieved through third-party plugins or extensions, enhancing Cosmic JS's capabilities in this area.
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.
Support for XML sitemaps can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions on Cosmic JS, providing flexibility and customization options.
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.


Ultimately, the choice between Cosmic JS and OpenCart depends on the specific needs of your project. If you require a versatile content management system with the ability to integrate with various technologies, Cosmic JS may be the better option. On the other hand, if your primary focus is on setting up and running an online store, OpenCart provides a robust e-commerce solution. Consider your requirements carefully to make the right decision.