Before we get into the scenario of how much does OpenCart cost? It is important to understand the various ways you can use OpenCart.
OpenCart is an OpenSource Platform and you can choose to use OpenCart in two different ways.
The most common is the use of a self-hosting platform where you can install OpenCart and launch your website while the other is to use a managed hosting known as OpenCart Cloud.
Both are equally good for your business but the only difference is by using OpenCart Cloud you get a managed service.
But if you are using a self-hosted platform you need to manage everything on your own.
So how much does OpenCart cost?
OpenCart is an OpenSource Platform which means it is free to use. But this does not mean OpenCart is completely free to use and in fact, there is definitely a cost.
So how you calculate the cost again is a different factor which we will see below.
But what you should know is that the cost of launching a website on OpenCart depends firmly on the features and functionality you want.
However, the good part is that even after including all the basic features of your website the pricing would still be way less than other e-commerce platforms.
Moreover, the cost of launching a store also depends on the type of hosting and the plan you choose to launch your online store with OpenCart.
For example, if you choose OpenCart Cloud, the cost factor would be on a subscription basis for every module you have installed on your store.
But this is completely different when it is compared to a self-hosting OpenCart platform for modules installed on your website.
Therefore based on the number of modules you have chosen OpenCart Cloud could be more costly than a self-hosted OpenCart platform.
Understanding OpenCart Self-Hosting and OpenCart Cloud Hosting
The main difference between OpenCart self-hosting and OpenCart cloud hosting is the way you host your website. With self-hosting, you are responsible for purchasing and managing a web server to host your website. This means you need to have the technical expertise to install and configure the software or hire a developer to do that for you. Your developer must ensure that your website is up to date with security patches and bug fixes.
However, with OpenCart cloud hosting, your website is hosted on a network of servers managed by OpenCart, a third-party service provider. This means you don’t need to worry about the technical aspects of hosting your website, as the provider will take care of the hosting part. Therefore, cloud hosting happens to be more expensive than self-hosting.
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between OpenCart self-hosting and OpenCart cloud hosting:
| Feature | OpenCart Self-hosting | OpenCart Cloud Hosting |
| Software license | Free | Paid |
| Hosting | You need to purchase a hosting plan from a third-party provider. The cost of hosting will vary depending on the provider and the features you need. | The hosting is included in the price. |
| Maintenance and updates | You are responsible for maintaining and updating your software. This includes tasks such as installing security patches and fixing bugs. | OpenCart Cloud takes care of all maintenance and updates for you. |
| Scalability | You can scale your store by upgrading your web server. However, this can be a complex and time-consuming process. | The provider automatically scales your store as your traffic grows. |
| Support | You can get support from the OpenCart community or from a third-party vendor. | The provider provides 24/7 support. |
So how to calculate the cost of OpenCart?
Pricing and features in OpenCart can change over time, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest information from the official OpenCart website.
But in order to calculate the cost of implementing an OpenCart store you first need to consider your hosting plan.
As discussed above there are 2 types of hosting to choose from i.e. self-hosted versus the OpenCart cloud.
The main difference between the two platforms is the cost of hosting.
OpenCart Cloud is more expensive than self-hosting, but it also takes care of all maintenance and updates for you.
However, it can be a valuable time-saver for your business if you are not comfortable with managing your own servers.
Features & Functionality that Adds OpenCart Cost To Self Hosting
- Themes: A Good theme for OpenCart costs between $50 to $200
- Design & Layout: The cost of hiring professional designers to create custom graphics, and layouts starts from $150
- Domain Name: A .com domain costs around $15 to $20
- Web Hosting: Good web hosting such as A2 hosting for OpenCart starts from $7. Look for more details at https://www.a2hosting.com/opencart-hosting/
- Modules: The cost of implementing modules with additional features for your site starts from $20 and can go as high as $500 depending on the type of module you choose.
- Customization: Customization refers to the costs for developers who will code the website for custom requirements. However, most of the custom features and functionality are readily available on the marketplace in the form of modules. The cost of a module may start from $20 and go up to $200 or more.
- On-Demand Features: OpenCart partners can also provide customization on demand and the cost may vary depending on the complexity of the customization.
- E-commerce Features: Additional costs would be for adding shopping carts, payment gateways, and SSL certificates for secure transactions.
- SEO Setup: One-time costs for setting up SEO best practices during development could start from $150.
- Maintenance: There are also ongoing costs for updating content, adding new features, and regular site maintenance. This cost may vary from one service provided to another which is often known as annual maintenance cost and may start from $300.
- Additional Services: Other costs may include CDN services, email accounts, or advanced analytics.
Features & Functionality that Adds Cost To OpenCart Cloud
- Themes: OpenCart Cloud may provide some free themes to choose from in the Marketplace but if you want to get a good theme the cost of the theme would be extra.
- Modules: Modules are features and functionality that add value to the OpenCart store and upgrade it to a different level. For Example SMS Module, Import Export Module, PDF, etc.
- Customization: Customization can be anything from theme to web page design, features, or additional functionality. These customizations are often fulfilled via readily available addons and extensions. But if for any reason you need them to customize it incurs good costs.
- On-Demand: Customization on demand may not be available in a platform such as OpenCart Cloud. But your request could be taken and OpenCart cloud may bring the release and updates in the future if your request is globally demanding.
As per the official OpenCart cloud, there are three types of pricing structure
- Bronze costs $99 per month, and it is suitable for small businesses
- Silver costs $149 per month, best for small and medium-sized organizations
- Gold costs $229 per month, which is ideal for large enterprises
Ultimately, the best platform for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you are a small business with a low volume of traffic, self-hosting may be a good option for you.
However, if you are a large business or have a high volume of traffic, OpenCart Cloud may be a better choice.
Pros & Cons of OpenCart Hosting Options
Here is a summary of the pros and cons of each platform:
OpenCart Self-hosting Platform
- Pros:
- Free software license
- More control over your hosting environment
- More flexibility to scale your store
- Can be cheaper in the long run if you have a low volume of traffic
- Cons:
- You need to purchase a hosting plan
- You are responsible for maintenance and updates
- Can be more complex to set up and manage
OpenCart Cloud Hosting
- Pros:
- All-inclusive pricing
- No need to worry about maintenance or updates
- Automatic scaling
- 24/7 support
- Cons:
- More expensive than self-hosting
- Less flexibility to customize your hosting environment
OpenCart Cost &Pricing, Alternatives & More 2023
OpenCart is a good option for small and medium businesses. However, there are also alternate options that are as good as OpenCart.
Some of the best OpenCart alternatives in 2023 include:
- Shopify: Shopify is a hosted eCommerce platform that is easy to set up and use. It offers a wide range of features and integrations, and it is scalable to meet the needs of growing businesses.
- WooCommerce: WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that allows you to create an online store. It is highly customizable and offers a wide range of features.
- Magento: Magento is a powerful eCommerce platform that is suitable for large businesses. It offers a wide range of features and customization options.
- BigCommerce: BigCommerce is a hosted eCommerce platform that is easy to use and scalable. It offers a wide range of features and integrations.
- Wix: Wix is a website builder that also offers an eCommerce platform. It is easy to use and offers a drag-and-drop editor.
When choosing an OpenCart alternative, you should consider your budget, the features you need, and the level of support you require.
Here are some of the factors to consider when choosing an OpenCart alternative:
- Pricing: The cost of the platform, including any hosting or transaction fees.
- Features: The features that are important to you, such as the ability to sell multiple products, accept payments, and manage inventory.
- Support: The level of support that is offered, such as documentation, tutorials, and customer support.
- Scalability: The ability to grow your store as your business grows.
- Ease of use: How easy is it to use the platform?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenCart Free or Paid?
OpenCart is free to use. It is an open source platform which means the core software is free, and anyone can download and use it for free. However, there are some additional features and services that are not free, such as Payment gateways, Shipping modules, and themes and extensions. But while some themes and extensions are free, others charge a fee.
Does OpenCart Cloud offer a free plan?
Yes, OpenCart Cloud offers a free plan. The free plan includes 10 products, 100 customers, 100 orders, 5GB of storage, 10GB of bandwidth, a Free SSL certificate, Free themes and extensions, and Free community support. However, the free plan has many limitations therefore you need to upgrade to a paid plan for getting dedicated support and unlimited product options.
How do I get started with OpenCart Cloud?
To get started with OpenCart Cloud, visit the official website OpenCart go to the OpenCart Cloud option, and create an account. Once you have created an account, you can choose a pricing plan and start building your online store.
What’s the average cost of using OpenCart Cloud Vs. OpenCart Self-Hosting Platform?
The yearly cost of using OpenCart Cloud versus OpenCart self-hosted will depend on your specific needs and requirements. However, here is a general overview of the costs involved. The silver plan could be your best plan which costs $149 per month or $1,798 per year. This plan provides unlimited products, customers, and orders, and 100GB of storage and bandwidth.
On the other hand, the cost of hosting an OpenCart self-hosted store will vary depending on the hosting provider you choose. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $100 per month for hosting, plus the cost of any additional features or services you need, such as a domain name, SSL certificate, and payment gateway.
What is the average cost of building an OpenCart website?
The average cost of building a custom website on OpenCart may depend on a number of factors, including the size and complexity of the website, the number of features and add-ons you need, and the cost of the developer. If you are building a simple website with a few products, you can expect to pay around $500. If you need a more complex website with a lot of features, you can expect to pay around $5,000.
What are the benefits of using OpenCart Cloud?
The benefits include fully managed hosting, security, and maintenance. It is hosted on the most secure on reliable AWS server. Get a free SSL certificate, free themes, and extensions to customize the look and functionality of your store. it also includes free community support.
Conclusion:
There is a big difference between the hosting plans and how they work.
So when it comes to OpenCart cost choosing the right option for OpenCart hosting is very important for your business.
If you consider a low upfront cost and low monthly price you can choose self-hosting in comparison to OpenCart Cloud.
But the best option for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
If you are looking for a low-cost option with complete control, then self-hosting OpenCart is a good choice.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a more hands-off approach with less technical expertise required, then the cloud-based version is a better option.
