Top 10 PHP ECommerce Platforms With CMS In 2024

This article investigates PHP e-commerce platforms with CMS, showcasing the top 10 options in 2024.

10 Best PHP ECommerce Platforms With CMS | 2024 Update

Prestashop

Since 2007, Prestashop has established itself as a leading PHP e-commerce CMS. Its robust framework and user-centric design make it a preferred choice for online retailers.

Main features

• Full Customization: PrestaShop’s open-source nature means users can tweak every aspect of their themes. From layout to user experience, each element is customizable. 

This platform offers more than 3,000 templates, each modifiable to fit specific business needs, ensuring no two stores look alike.

• Hosting Flexibility: You have the liberty to choose your hosting. PrestaShop allows for both cloud hosting and self-hosting. For those looking to get started without cost, there’s an option to sign up for a free store. Alternatively, more control-oriented users can download the full PHP code.
• Built-in Marketing Tools: This platform comes equipped with a suite of marketing tools. Users can leverage discounts, coupon codes, email campaigns, limited-time offers, and even free shipping. Such tools are crucial in building a store’s reputation and attracting customers.
• Diverse Payment Gateways and Security: PrestaShop supports mainstream gateways like PayPal and Amazon Pay. Beyond these, over 200 payment providers are accessible via add-ons. 

PrestaShop Checkout, an integrated payment solution, enhances customer trust by eliminating redirections during transactions. Security is fortified with a complimentary SSL certificate, aligning with PCI compliance standards.

• User-Friendly Store Development: The dashboard’s intuitive design, similar to WordPress, simplifies store management. It offers a comprehensive interface for product listings, navigation, and overall store operations, making it accessible even for beginners.

Pros

• Intuitive, user-centric UI
• High customization potential
• Variety in hosting options
• Wide range of payment solutions
• Built-in marketing and promotional tools
• Accessible store management

Cons

• Limited customer support
• Potential scalability issues in future growth

ZeusCart

ZeusCart, a notable PHP-based e-commerce platform, has been a reliable solution for online store development Known for its stability and comprehensive feature set, it caters well to both small-scale and expanding e-commerce ventures.

Main features

• Ease of Use and Customization: It is an open-source platform under the GPL license, offering complete control over HTML and CSS. This level of accessibility allows for profound customization. 

The platform’s straightforward nature makes it a favorite among beginners and seasoned professionals alike.

• Physical and Digital Product Support: Distinguishing itself in the market, ZeusCart adeptly manages both physical goods and digital downloads. Once a customer purchases a digital product, they gain access to a centralized Download Center. 

This feature streamlines the process of acquiring digital goods, enhancing the customer experience.

• Marketing Tools Integration: ZeusCart incorporates a variety of promotional tools like bundle pricing, discounts, and volume discounts. Additionally, it supports gift card and coupon systems. 

These features collectively assist in creating compelling marketing campaigns and promotional offers.

• Superior Presentation Features: Presentation is key in e-commerce, and ZeusCart excels with its Homepage Slideshow feature, based on jQuery. This feature allows for dynamic display customization from the admin section. 

It also highlights ‘Featured Products’ and ‘New Arrivals’ on the homepage and category pages, thereby increasing visibility and sales potential.

• SEO Optimization: With a focus on enhancing online visibility, ZeusCart includes built-in SEO tools. These tools aid in keyword optimization and effective meta-tag creation, essential for search engine rankings. 

The platform’s design is Google-friendly, ensuring easy indexing and better positioning in search results.

• Comprehensive Payment Gateway Support: The platform supports a wide range of payment gateways, including PayPal, Authorize.net, 2checkout, Worldpay, Paymate, and Moneybookers. 

This extensive support facilitates global transactions. The integration of these payment gateways makes the platform versatile and convenient for users worldwide.

Pros

• Fast store performance
• User-friendly for beginners
• Efficient customer support
• Completely free, including extensions
• Supports unlimited products effectively
• Secure with multiple SSL certificate compatibilities

Cons

• Outdated UI
• Reliance on community for support

Codeigniter

Codeigniter, a robust PHP e-commerce CMS, has been streamlining online store development since 2006. Known for its easy-to-navigate admin panel, it simplifies the complexities of running an online store.

Main features

• Inbuilt Security: Codeigniter’s security tools allow customization of security levels. It offers protection against common threats like SQL injections, XSS attacks, and more. 

The platform’s security features, including cookie encryption and CSRF guard, ensure a secure environment for both developers and users.

• Email Sending Class: This feature supports a range of functionalities including attachments, HTML/Text emails, and compatibility with multiple protocols like SMTP and Mail. 

It streamlines communication, making it an essential tool for e-commerce platforms.

• Image Manipulation Library: Codeigniter includes a powerful image manipulation library, supporting operations like cropping, resizing, and rotating. 

Compatible with GD, ImageMagick, and NetPBM, it enables sophisticated image handling, which is crucial for product presentation in e-commerce.

• MVC-Based System: The MVC architecture enhances the reliability of Codeigniter. It supports Test-Driven Development, allowing for precise module development and testing. 

The MVC framework also facilitates the integration of JavaScript frameworks and improves design in Codeigniter applications.

• Integration and Customization: The framework allows seamless integration with existing scripts and supports extensive customization. This feature is particularly beneficial for creating and managing large-scale applications.

Pros

• Fast and high-performing stores
• Beginner and advanced coder friendly
• Highly customizable
• Strong security features
• Modern separation concept
• Web page and database caching
• Excellent documentation

Cons

• Requires professional maintenance
• Limited library options

WooCommerce

WooCommerce, launched as a PHP e-commerce CMS, is a leading free e-commerce platform. It powers over 30% of all online stores globally.

Main features

• Extensive Integration Options: WooCommerce offers more than 6,000 integrations. These cater to various business needs, ranging from payment gateways to marketing tools. Such a wide array enhances store customization and functionality.

• Flexibility in Selling: This platform supports sales of physical goods, digital products, services, and bookings. It also handles recurring payments, deposits, and pre-orders, making it adaptable to different business models.
• Multiple Payment Gateway Support: WooCommerce supports numerous payment gateways. This includes PayPal, Stripe, and credit card payments. Such variety ensures flexibility and convenience for customers.
• Rich Extension Library: The platform’s extensive library of extensions adds advanced features to stores. These include SEO tools, analytics, and enhanced security options.
• Customizable Product Pages: WooCommerce allows the creation of detailed, customized product pages. Users can add multiple images, product variations, and custom attributes to enrich the shopping experience.
• Integrated Blogging Platform: As a WordPress plugin, it offers integrated blogging. This is crucial for content marketing and SEO, driving organic traffic to the store.

• Analytics and Reporting: The platform includes analytics and reporting tools. These provide insights into sales, customer behavior, and inventory levels, aiding strategic business decisions.

Pros

• Highly scalable
• User-friendly store builder
• Wide range of themes and plugins
• CMS and e-commerce combination
• Modular, flexible system
• Adapts to shopping trends and technologies
• Diverse theme options for unique design
• Supports various optimizations

Cons

• Technical assistance needed for scaling
• No native hosting services

Magento

Magento, a PHP e-commerce CMS, is a key player in the e-commerce market. Launched to provide a scalable solution, Magento stores typically grow three times faster than their counterparts.

Main features

• Advanced Customization: Magento stands out for its exceptional customization capabilities. Users can tailor every aspect of their online store, from user interface design to functional workflows. 

This flexibility is vital for creating unique brand experiences and caters to specific business models.

• Robust SEO Optimization: The platform excels in SEO, offering advanced tools to enhance online visibility. These tools help in optimizing product pages, meta tags, and URLs, crucial for driving organic traffic. 

Improved search engine rankings directly translate to increased customer reach and higher sales potential.

• Comprehensive Community Support: As an open-source platform, Magento’s strength lies in its vast community. 

This community, consisting of developers and users, continuously contributes to the platform’s development, offering support, sharing best practices, and creating a rich repository of extensions and themes.

• Scalable Architecture for Diverse Businesses: Magento’s architecture is designed to support businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. 

It effectively manages large product catalogs and high traffic volumes, ensuring smooth performance even during peak shopping seasons. This scalability is essential for businesses aiming for growth and expansion.

• Secure and Diverse Payment Gateways: Magento’s support for a wide range of secure payment gateways provides flexibility in transactions. It ensures a safe shopping experience for customers, supporting popular gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and local payment methods. 

This inclusivity in payment options is crucial for catering to a global customer base.

Pros

• Highly customizable and scalable
• Advanced SEO capabilities
• Large developer community
• Flexible, open architecture
• Enhances business productivity
• Personalized shopping experiences
• Enterprise-grade scalability
• Secure payment options
• Feature-rich platform

Cons

• Complexity in coding and architecture
• Requires experienced Magento developers for maintenance and development

Opencart

Another prominent PHP open-source e-commerce CMS, Opencart, offers a comprehensive platform for online store management. It simplifies product management, order processing, and customer shopping experiences.

Main features

• Ease of Development: Opencart’s core is based on PHP and MySQL, making it accessible for those with knowledge in these areas. This ease of development allows for straightforward customization and extension development, catering to specific store needs.
• Optimal for Cash on Delivery Stores: Opencart is well-suited for businesses focusing on Cash on Delivery (CoD) models. Its features support CoD transactions efficiently, making it a preferred choice for regions where this payment method is popular.

• Versatile Inventory Management: The platform provides various inventory management options. These tools are user-friendly, making it easy to handle stock levels, product variations, and more. This versatility is particularly beneficial for stores with diverse product ranges.
• Affordable for Startups and SMBs: The platform is cost-effective and ideal for startups and small to medium-sized businesses. It provides a low-risk gateway into the world of e-commerce without significant investment. Therefore, it is an attractive option for emerging businesses.
• Multiple Store Management: Opencart supports the management of multiple stores from a single admin interface. This feature simplifies operations for business owners managing several e-commerce sites, offering centralized control over catalogs, orders, and products.
• Built-in SEO and Social Media Support: The platform comes with in-built SEO capabilities and social media integration. These features aid in improving online visibility and engaging with a broader audience through social networks.
• Extensive Customization with Extensions and Themes: Opencart boasts a wide array of extensions and themes. These allow for extensive customization. The feature enables store owners to tailor their sites to specific design preferences and functional requirements.

• Reliable Support and Community: The platform has a robust support system and an active community. This community assists, shares insights, and contributes to the platform’s continuous improvement.

Pros

• User-friendly for beginners
• Versatile inventory management
• Ideal for Cash on Delivery models
• Cost-effective for startups and SMBs
• Supports multiple store management
• In-built SEO and social media tools
• Wide range of customizations
• Strong support community

Cons

• Limited payment gateway options
• SEO optimization challenges

Zencart

Zencart, a PHP/MySQL-based e-commerce CMS, offers a comprehensive solution for transforming websites into online stores. This fully customizable software is available free of charge.

Main features

• User-Friendly Design and Setup: Zencart is designed with a focus on simplicity. Its interface and setup process are intuitive, making it accessible even for users with minimal technical expertise. 

This ease of use is a key advantage for small business owners and entrepreneurs stepping into the online marketplace.

• Efficient Product Management: The platform excels in product management. Users can easily add, modify, and manage products in their store. This includes handling various product attributes, categories, and pricing, and streamlining the day-to-day operations of an online store.

• Variety of Templates: Zencart offers a wide selection of both free and paid templates. These templates enable users to customize the look and feel of their online stores. While the aesthetic might be basic compared to other platforms, the variety allows for a degree of personalization.
• Comprehensive Feature Set: The software comes packed with a range of features essential for e-commerce. These include support for multiple languages and currencies, various shipping and payment options, and marketing tools. 

This comprehensive feature set ensures that store owners have all the necessary tools at their disposal.

• Community-Driven Support: Zencart has a strong community support system. Users benefit from the extensive knowledge base and active forums. This community-driven approach provides valuable resources for troubleshooting and optimizing the platform.

Pros

• Beginner-friendly interface
• Simple store setup
• Easy product management
• Variety of templates
• Comprehensive features

Cons

• Basic store aesthetics
• Limited scalability
• Restricted customization options for advanced users

Craft Commerce

Craft Commerce is a PHP-based e-commerce CMS that offers a versatile solution for online store creation. Launched in 2015, it’s a newer player in the e-commerce platform market.

Main features

• Comprehensive Store Management: Craft Commerce provides an all-encompassing store management system. This system allows users to manage products, orders, and customers effectively. It streamlines the process of running an online store, making it efficient and user-friendly.
• Customizable Storefronts: The platform stands out for its customizable storefronts. Users can tailor their online store’s appearance and functionality to match their brand and customer needs. This level of customization is crucial for creating unique online shopping experiences.
• SEO Tool Compatibility: The platform supports various SEO tools. These tools help improve the online visibility of the store, driving more traffic and potentially increasing sales. Effective SEO practices are vital for the success of any online business.

• Responsive Design Capabilities: Craft Commerce excels in responsive design. It ensures that online stores are optimized for various devices, including smartphones and tablets. This responsiveness is key to providing a seamless shopping experience in today’s mobile-first world.
• Advanced Package Options: While the solo version is free, Craft Commerce offers advanced packages for more complex needs. These packages include additional features and capabilities, catering to growing and larger-scale online stores.

Pros

• Free solo version available
• Customizable, responsive design
• Compatible with several SEO tools
• Effective store management
• Advanced package offerings

Cons

• Smaller community support
• Limited theme options
• Advanced features require payment

Drupal

Drupal is a renowned enterprise CMS, favored by universities and government organizations globally. Launched with a focus on large-scale web portals, Drupal also caters to e-commerce needs with a dedicated module.

Main features

• Advanced API Support: Drupal’s built-in web services enable it to function as a Headless CMS. It supports various web protocols like REST, JSON: API, and GraphQL. This facilitates the creation of dynamic content and integration with other systems, such as CRM or document management.

• Layout Flexibility: With Drupal, creating responsive and unique layouts is straightforward. The Layout Builder module offers a drag-and-drop interface for custom layouts. Olivero, the default front-end theme, ensures a modern and responsive design across devices.
• Easy Content Creation: Drupal’s user-friendly interface and WYSIWYG editor simplify content creation and management. This feature is especially beneficial for e-commerce platforms where frequent content updates are necessary.

• Multi-language Support: The platform supports over 100 languages, offering translations for user interfaces and content forms. This multilingual capability is essential for global e-commerce operations, catering to a diverse customer base.
• Automation Tools: Drupal utilizes Composer and Drush tools for automation. For instance, it can automatically notify customers about product availability changes. This automation enhances the customer experience and streamlines store operations.

Pros

• Large active community
• Extensive third-party integrations
• Access to marketing and SEO tools
• High-performance with built-in caching
• Robust security system
• Supportive developer community

Cons

• Not beginner-friendly
• Requires managed hosting for optimal management
• Needs high-power hosting, costly for SMBs

Joomla

Joomla, a robust PHP-based e-commerce CMS, is ideal for creating dynamic online stores. Launched to handle everything from SEO to inventory management, it supports comprehensive store growth.

Main features

• Flexibility and Free Access: Known for its flexibility, Joomla can be used for various website types. It’s free under the GPL license, making it accessible to a wide range of users. With over 8,000 extensions, the platform’s functionality can be significantly expanded.
• Advanced User and Menu Management: The platform includes sophisticated user management with ACL (Access Control List) and comprehensive menu management capabilities. These features allow for customized user experiences and navigation structures.
• Multilingual and SEO Optimization: Joomla supports over 70 languages, enhancing its global reach. It comes with built-in SEO and SEF (Search Engine Friendly) tools, crucial for improving online visibility and ranking.

• Efficient Cache Management: Joomla’s cache management system speeds up website performance, enhancing the user experience. Faster loading times are essential for keeping customers engaged and reducing bounce rates.
• Innovative Design Features: The platform offers superior custom design capabilities with template overrides, Jlayouts, and responsive design using Bootstrap. Users can create or use external template frameworks for unique and attractive storefronts.
• Content Editing and Publishing Tools: Joomla simplifies content management with a WYSIWYG editor, content versioning, and frontend editing. These tools make content creation and management user-friendly, even for those without coding knowledge.
• Core Functionalities for E-commerce: Features like URL redirection, banner management, contact forms, tagging, and RSS feed creation add depth to the e-commerce experience. Custom fields and an efficient search function further enhance the platform’s capabilities.
• User-Friendly CMS Management: Keeping Joomla updated is straightforward with easy core and extension updates. The platform also supports user registration, allowing for the creation of a more engaged customer base.
• Global and Professional Support: Joomla’s extensive documentation, integrated help system, and active forum provide substantial support. Professional service providers are also available for more specialized assistance.

Pros

• Supportive developer community
• Highly customizable
• Suitable for digital product sales
• User-friendly editing
• Multilingual and SEO-friendly

Cons

• Complexity with some plugins
• Reliance on paid plugins
• Requires specialized Joomla hosting

Bottom line

Each of the 10 PHP eCommerce CMS platforms above offers distinct advantages, from advanced security features and SEO optimization to user-friendly interfaces and extensive customization options. Choose wisely and use those platforms to develop your online business.