Alternatives · Online Stores
ShopFactory alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded ShopFactory alternative is OpenCart (2.4 GPA). It's also the best free one.
ShopFactory compared with 5 alternatives: OpenCart, Zen Cart, X-Cart, CS-Cart and ShopSite.
ShopFactory is a paid product, starting at $249 one-time license. 2 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a ShopFactory sale?
At a glance
How each one differs from ShopFactory
OpenCart
Free open-source shopping cart you host yourself
- OpenCart is free.
- OpenCart has a free plan, which ShopFactory lacks.
- OpenCart also lists a web app.
- OpenCart lists no Windows app, which ShopFactory has.
- OpenCart is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
Suits: Merchants who already have web hosting and want no software fee
Zen Cart
Free open-source PHP shopping cart you host yourself
- Zen Cart is free.
- Zen Cart has a free plan, which ShopFactory lacks.
- Zen Cart also lists a web app.
- Zen Cart lists no Windows app, which ShopFactory has.
- Zen Cart is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
Suits: Store owners comfortable with PHP hosting who want a no-license-fee cart
X-Cart
Ecommerce platform now sold to auto parts and powersports sellers
- X-Cart starts at $499 per month and up, billed monthly.
- X-Cart also lists a web app.
- X-Cart lists no Windows app, which ShopFactory has.
- X-Cart also covers inventory and dropshipping.
- X-Cart does not cover templates and digital downloads, which ShopFactory does.
Suits: Auto parts retailers that need vehicle fitment search
CS-Cart
Self-hosted store and multi-vendor marketplace software
- CS-Cart starts at $725 per year (Multi-Vendor Standard); Store Builder from $1,490 one-time.
- CS-Cart also lists a web app.
- CS-Cart lists no Windows app, which ShopFactory has.
- CS-Cart is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- CS-Cart also covers inventory.
Suits: Founders launching a multi-vendor marketplace on their own server
ShopSite
Licensed shopping cart software sold through hosting partners
- ShopSite starts at $9 per month and up (monthly lease, Starter, bundled with hosting).
- ShopSite also lists a web app.
- ShopSite lists no Windows app, which ShopFactory has.
- ShopSite also covers marketing automation and inventory.
- ShopSite does not cover templates, which ShopFactory does.
Suits: Merchants who want to buy a store license once instead of paying a platform subscription
Limits worth knowing in ShopFactory
- The builder runs on Windows PCs only; the store files live on your own computer.
- Premium apps such as order management, loyalty and AI are free only for 12 months, then optional monthly fees.
- The license covers up to 10,000 products per store.
- The $249 price was read on the homepage from India and was not confirmed from the US.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to ShopFactory?
The alternatives to ShopFactory in this directory are OpenCart, Zen Cart, X-Cart, CS-Cart and ShopSite. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with ShopFactory.
Is there a free alternative to ShopFactory?
Yes. OpenCart and Zen Cart are free to use.
Is there an open-source alternative to ShopFactory?
OpenCart and Zen Cart are described as open source on their own sites.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Nov 12, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.