Nowadays market offers a wide range of shopping carts. Which one to choose? Everyone will agree that the platform has to be easy in usage, reasonably priced, have user-friendly interface and eye-catching design. However, there are differences in opinions, which kind hosted or open source eCommerce solution to choose. Every coin has two sides as well as each of them has pros and cons. Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) and X-Cart are prominent representatives of each of the group. Therefore, their comparison will help you to understand the difference between two classes in general.
What is Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart)?
Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) is a hosted shopping cart which powers tens of thousands of online stores all over the world. It offers a range of features, which make it one of the leaders between eCommerce solutions. Best of them include :
- Ability to choose one of numerous templates or alter HTML and CSS files to create a unique design. Furthermore, there is a wide range of paid and free themes. With the help of an exclusive Quick Edit Bar, it is possible to change a design in any time and make the process of editing categories or products faster. Create image galleries with 3dZoom, which contains auto-zoom and enlargement options.
- Talking about marketing features, Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) provides a comprehensive suite of SEO tools, possibility to sell from Facebook, in-built blogging capabilities and many other. Moreover, you will be able to attract customers with discount coupon codes, wish lists, gift certificates, etc. With a help of the Newsletter manager e-mails to your customers will be send absolutely free.
- mCommerce provides an ability for your customers to buy products from iPhone and Android mobile devices, without additional payments for you. It gives a great opportunity to be above your competitors and increase market presence.
- Security is represented by robust security features, ensuring your store is scanned for vulnerabilities. Additionally, Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) is PCI compliant, so customers don’t have to worry about their data safety. With Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart), you will be provided with 24/7 free technical support.
Nothing is perfect, and Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) isn’t an exception.
- While Shift4Shop offers robust POS integration options, some users might find that a fully built-in, proprietary POS system tailored to specific retail needs isn't a native, out-of-the-box feature within all its plans, potentially requiring third-party solutions or deeper integration.
- Some plans or specific advanced features on Shift4Shop may involve associated setup or transaction fees, which can vary depending on the chosen service tier and payment processing arrangements.
What is X-Cart?
X-Cart is an online platform which has everything you need to launch an online business. Main features include a possibility to sell different kinds of products, highly customizable design, popular payment gateways. Let's take a deeper insight in order to help you compare it with Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart).
- Available for different store sizes with unlimited quantity of products and categories. Multiple languages, currencies and shipping options give you a possibility to sell all over the world.
- Multi-vendor opportunities. There are only a few shopping carts, which maintain these option and X-Cart is one of them. You will be able to sell from separate admin zones but from one admin panel. Each seller has his area protected by password.
- Well integrated marketing tools that include discount coupon codes, gift certificates, customizable banner ads, special offers.
- Available for everyone payment solutions involving multi-currency payments, wide range of supported payment providers (PayPal, Google Checkout, etc.)
As well as Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart), X-Cart has disadvantages. Firstly, X-Cart is rather a complicated solution that requires both technical skills and high learning curve. Secondly, you can get a technical support, but you have to remember that it is paid.
Differences Between Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) and X-Cart
Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) is a hosted platform, so users don’t have an access to source code. This fact decreases the amount of customization options but simplifies store management process. With X-Cart, everything is vice versa. Customization options are unlimited, but you are expected to have technical skills in order to use cart functionality to the fullest.
As a bottom line, Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) and X-Cart have positive and negative aspects. Both carts give nice opportunities for successful online business. To ensure a smooth transition, consider our pre-migration tips. Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) will definitely suit you in two cases: if you are a newcomer in eCommerce or your shop is small or medium sized. This is explained by Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) highly intuitive interface. Whereas X-Cart is useful for more experienced e-merchants with huge stores who need to sell large quantity of products.
Monthly Update – September 2025
As the e-commerce landscape continues its dynamic evolution in September 2025, one of the most compelling trends for merchants is the increasing adoption of AI-powered personalization. Advanced algorithms are now enabling stores to offer highly tailored shopping experiences, from dynamic product recommendations to personalized marketing campaigns and adaptive user interfaces. This shift moves beyond basic segmentation, utilizing machine learning to understand individual customer behaviors, preferences, and even emotional cues in real-time. For platforms like Shift4Shop or X-Cart, integrating AI solutions can significantly boost conversion rates and customer loyalty by creating a truly unique journey for each visitor.
Whether you operate on a hosted solution or an open-source platform, leveraging AI for personalization is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity for staying competitive. It allows businesses to automate and optimize interactions at scale, ensuring customers feel understood and valued. When considering a platform migration or an upgrade, evaluate how well your chosen solution supports or can integrate with modern AI tools to enhance customer experience. Prioritizing these capabilities can unlock significant growth potential, making your online store smarter, more efficient, and deeply connected with its audience.
For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.
