Five Great Open Source Shopping Cart Systems for eCommerce

If you're building an online commerce Web site, then a high-quality and secure shopping cart system is a must. With so many open source packages to choose from, it's hard to know where to start. Here are a few options to get you started.

OpenCart - This PHP-based shopping cart system is perfect for people who want to build an online business from the ground up. It features unlimited categories and products, and supports multiple currencies and languages. There are more than 20 payment options and 8 shipping methods to choose from, and OpenCart also has a handful of helpful extras like image resizing and backup tools.

TomatoCart - Here's an Ajax-based app loaded with nice touches like an open source Web analytics program (Piwik) and a complete content management system. TomatoCart analyzes products, categories, reviews, etc. and generates keyword-rich URLs for better search engine optimization, and churns out meta-tags for products and categories automatically.

Magento - This shopping cart software is popular with big name brands like Lenovo, Vizio, and 3M, and has been downloaded over one million times. It's available in both Community (free) and Enterprise (paid) editions, but both are open source. Magento is one of the most full-featured packages on the market and includes site management tools, report generators, and mobile commerce options.

Zen Cart - If you're looking for shopping cart software with plenty of customer-oriented features, then have a look at Zen Cart. It comes will tools to create newsletters, discount coupons, gift certificates, and other customer management goodies. It can handle unlimited extra pages, multiple sales, customers, and discounts, and features a complete XHTML template system. Zen Cart's was created with the end-user in mind and "can be installed and set-up by anyone with the most basic web site building and computer skills."

AgoraCart - Use this app as a shopping cart or a complete storefront. There are plenty of templates to choose from that will have your business online quickly, or you can integrate your own Web design. It features inventory and merchandising management tools, as well as order processing, shipping, and customization options that help personalize the store exactly to your liking.

Of course, these are the only open source shopping cart systems available, there are dozens more to choose from. What's your favorite? Let me know in the comments.

Flickr image courtesy of shlomif2.