Gatsby vs OpenCart

Gatsby and OpenCart are both popular platforms for creating websites, but they serve different purposes. Gatsby is a static site generator that focuses on speed and performance, while OpenCart is an open-source e-commerce platform designed for online stores.

General information

Gatsby
OpenCart
Introduction :
Gatsby is a modern website framework that uses React to build blazing fast websites. Launched in 2015, it has gained popularity for its ability to create high-performance websites with a great user experience. Gatsby is open source and has a strong community of developers contributing to its growth. Its popularity stems from its speed, SEO benefits, and ease of use for developers looking to build static websites or dynamic web 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 :
  • Easy to use and navigate interface
  • Strong community support and resources
  • Fast loading times and performance
  • Customizable design and templates
  • Integrated SEO tools for better visibility
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 for beginners
  • Higher cost compared to some competitors
  • Limited built-in SEO features
  • Lack of built-in customer support options
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 : 30%
Gatsby is used by approximately 30% of websites compared to other platforms in the market.
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.
๐Ÿ”ด Difficulty : Hard.
Gatsby can be difficult to get started with due to its complex setup and configuration requirements, requiring a good understanding of React and GraphQL.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
OpenCart has a moderate learning curve, requiring some technical knowledge to set up and customize the platform effectively.
Year launched : 2015
Gatsby was launched in 2015, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management system market.
Year launched : 2005
OpenCart was launched in 2005, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for online businesses.
Official website : https://www.gatsbyjs.com/
Official website : https://www.opencart.com/


Commercial details

Gatsby
OpenCart
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Gatsby is partially open source, with the core framework and many plugins being open source, but some features may require a commercial license.
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.
Gatsby 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.
Gatsby offers a paid option for users looking for additional features and support, providing a comprehensive solution for those willing to invest.
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

Gatsby
OpenCart
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Gatsby offers a hosted option through third-party vendors, providing users with the convenience of managed hosting services for their websites.
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 Gatsby through various third-party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their 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.
โšช Headless CMS : Unknown.
Gatsby is primarily a static site generator, but it can be used as a headless CMS with the help of APIs and integrations.
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 in Gatsby through plugins like gatsby-plugin-react-helmet for SEO optimization and gatsby-plugin-offline for offline support.
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

Gatsby
OpenCart
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Gatsby is primarily a static site generator, so content management capabilities are achieved through plugins rather than native 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.
๐Ÿ”ด Blogging : Not supported.
Gatsby is not specifically designed for blogging, lacking native features for managing and publishing blog content compared to other platforms.
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.
Gatsby is not specifically designed for e-commerce but can be enhanced with plugins/extensions for limited functionality. Consider other platforms for robust e-commerce 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.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Gatsby can be used for a community/forum with the help of third-party plugins/extensions, offering flexibility and customization options.
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 supported through various third-party plugins/extensions on Gatsby, enhancing its functionality 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

Gatsby
OpenCart
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Multi-site functionality is not supported natively in Gatsby, but can be achieved through the use of third-party plugins/extensions.
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.
Gatsby does not support multi-language natively but can be enhanced by popular plugins like gatsby-plugin-i18n 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.
Support for XML sitemaps in Gatsby is typically achieved through 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 Gatsby and OpenCart, consider your website’s specific needs. If you prioritize speed and performance for a content-focused site, Gatsby may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you are looking to set up an online store with robust e-commerce features, OpenCart could be the more suitable option. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your project requirements and goals.