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 hundreds 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 – November 2025
As November 2025 unfolds, e-commerce merchants are deep into preparations for the peak holiday shopping season. This period underscores the critical importance of a robust and scalable online store. Whether you're leveraging the streamlined management of a hosted solution like Shift4Shop or the extensive customization of an open-source platform such as X-Cart, ensuring your infrastructure can handle increased traffic is paramount. Focus on optimizing site speed, verifying inventory accuracy, and streamlining checkout processes. Many businesses overlook the stability of their payment gateways during high-volume periods; confirm your providers are ready for the surge.
Beyond technical readiness, consider your customer support strategy. Rapid response times and efficient resolution of queries can significantly impact customer satisfaction and repeat business during the holidays. For those who have recently undergone a platform migration, a thorough post-migration audit of performance, SEO redirects, and data integrity is essential to prevent any disruptions. Investing in these areas now will not only maximize sales but also build long-term customer loyalty, setting the stage for continued growth into the new year. A well-prepared store guarantees a smoother, more profitable holiday season.
For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.
