OpenCart vs Strapi

OpenCart is an open-source e-commerce platform, while Strapi is a headless CMS that allows for flexible content management. OpenCart focuses on online store functionality, while Strapi offers more customization options for content delivery.

General information

OpenCart
Strapi
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.
Introduction :
Strapi is a headless CMS that was launched in 2015 and has gained popularity for its open-source nature and flexibility. It allows users to create, manage, and distribute content across multiple platforms seamlessly. Strapi's user-friendly interface, customizable API, and extensive documentation make it a preferred choice for developers and content creators looking for a modern and efficient CMS solution.
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
Advantages :
  • Highly customizable and flexible for developers
  • Easy to use and manage content
  • Offers a wide range of plugins and extensions
  • Strong community support and documentation
  • Scalable for small to large projects
Disadvantages :
  • Limited built-in features
  • Requires technical knowledge for customization
  • Not as user-friendly as other platforms
  • Limited support options
  • Less extensive app marketplace
Disadvantages :
  • Limited community support
  • Steeper learning curve compared to some platforms
  • Less flexibility in terms of customization
  • Limited number of available plugins and extensions
  • Higher cost for enterprise-level features
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.
Website users : 0.1% of websites
Strapi is a relatively niche platform, with a small but dedicated user base compared to more widely used CMSs.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
OpenCart has a moderate learning curve, requiring some technical knowledge to set up and customize the platform effectively.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Strapi requires some technical knowledge but provides comprehensive documentation and community support for assistance.
Year launched : 2005
OpenCart was launched in 2005, making it one of the earlier e-commerce platforms available for online businesses.
Year launched : 2013
Strapi was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems.
Official website : https://www.opencart.com/
Official website : https://strapi.io/


Commercial details

OpenCart
Strapi
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
OpenCart is fully open source, written in PHP. Users have full access to the code for customization and development.
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
Strapi is fully open source and written in JavaScript. The entire platform is available for modification and customization by the community.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
OpenCart offers a free, self-hosted option with basic features. Additional functionalities may require paid extensions or themes.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
Strapi offers a free self-hosted option with no limitations on features, making it a cost-effective choice for users on a budget.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
OpenCart offers a paid option for users looking for additional features, support, and customization options beyond the free version.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Strapi offers a paid Enterprise Edition for organizations requiring advanced features, support, and customization options beyond the free Community Edition.


Platform details

OpenCart
Strapi
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 Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options may be available through third-party vendors, but direct hosting by Strapi is unclear.
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 Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Strapi, giving users more control over their hosting environment and data security.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
OpenCart does not natively support headless architecture but can be integrated with headless features through plugins and APIs.
๐ŸŸข Headless CMS : Support natively.
Strapi is a headless CMS by design, offering robust API capabilities for decoupled front-end development and seamless content delivery.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
OpenCart does not natively support static content generation but can be achieved perhaps via a popular plugin.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Strapi does not natively support static content generation but can be achieved perhaps via a popular plugin.


Key features

OpenCart
Strapi
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.
๐ŸŸข Content management : Support natively.
Strapi is a native platform for managing content, offering robust features and customization options without the need for additional plugins.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
OpenCart does not natively support blogging but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins for blogging functionality.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Strapi can be used for blogging with the help of third-party plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for bloggers.
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 E-commerce : Not supported.
Strapi is not specifically designed for e-commerce functionality, but it can be adapted for this purpose with custom development or integrations.
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 Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Strapi can be used for a community/forum with the help of third-party plugins/extensions for enhanced functionality.
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.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions in the Strapi ecosystem.


Other features

OpenCart
Strapi
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-site : Supported via plugin.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved through the use of the Strapi Multisite plugin, offering flexibility and customization for managing multiple sites.
๐ŸŸข Multi-language : Support natively.
OpenCart supports multi-language natively, allowing users to easily create and manage multiple language versions of their online store.
๐ŸŸข Multi-language : Support natively.
Strapi supports multi-language natively, allowing users to easily create and manage content in multiple languages without the need for additional plugins.
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.
๐Ÿ”ด XML Sitemaps : Not supported.
Strapi does not support XML sitemaps natively or through a popular 3rd party plugin/extension, limiting SEO optimization capabilities.


When choosing between OpenCart and Strapi, consider your specific needs - if you require a robust e-commerce solution, OpenCart may be the better choice. However, if you prioritize content flexibility and customization, Strapi could be the ideal platform for your project.