oscommerce, magento, prestashop, zencart: the latter, the better

 

 

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Want to know which one is a favorite Open Source e-commerce solution? Here are some first hand experience and feedbacks.
That’s true about Magento that it is pretty slow and needs to lessen its demand on resources though.  Prestashop just released v 1.1! Its in beta but has some much needed features added, but still lacks some much needed features/add-ons and doesn’t have a very big/active user community.

ZenCart vs PrestaShop is a difficult comparison. Not because they are similar, they are not, but because they both have different qualities.

I think Zen Cart is great but has its flaws and its Admin is difficult for users. ZenCart is mature. If you go on their forums you will find a rich mine of information. Modules are a plenty, skins too, and you’ll find no end of expertise to help you out.

PrestaShop on the other hand is the new kid on the block, but what an entrance. It’s switch, it’s cool, it’s got Ajax and DHTML big time…  Some might call that Web 2.0, they do. On the back end it is simpler, mostly because it has less options, but that can be a good thing. What it lacks is a good user base. The forums often don’t hold the answer, and modules are a bit thin on the ground. Especially when looking at payment systems.

PrestaShop's lovely client experience makes it more than makes up for other sins, since after all, beauty is king. In addition, I feel that this is a well cared for product, with a rapidly growing community. It won’t be long before its shortfalls against ZenCart dis-appear, and we are left with nothing but positives.

In addtion, affiliate programs are a must. Magento still doesn’t have a built-in means of offering an affiliate program. Some of the others at least provide plug-in capabilities for this.

In summary, Magento is a slow dog and Pretashop is way too new with not enough features, oscommerce is too old and to die, and zencart is an adult in the prime of life.

PS
I am very curious to see the new version of zen cart! people on demo said it is very promising and their experience gives a huge advantage against others i think!