Certainly, the prosperity of your business depends on a set of tools that you will choose. Undoubtedly, Zen Cart and osCommerce have already took their specific place in eCommerce. But which one is better?
What is Zen Cart?
Zen Cart is an open source e-Commerce application written in PHP and using MySQL database. This shopping cart has been developed from osCommerce and was separated as an independent project in 2003. Zen Cart has a wide set of features. The system allows its users to change configurations within the intuitive admin interface easily. The in-built system of sub-pages management helps to add information about your products with no problems. It provides a variety of features which include product attributes managers, template system, html editor for regular web page contents, built-in coupon code system, ability to select what credit cards you accept, and more.
What is osCommerce?
osCommerce is an e-Commerce solution that offers a range of out-of-box features that allow webstores to be setup fairly quickly and with no efforts. Moreover, it is available for free as an open source solution released under GNU General Public License. This platform remains to be one of the most popular e-Commerce engines for online business start. The success of osCommerce is secured by a great and active community where members help each other and participate in the development of extensions.
Zen Cart Vs. osCommerce – Which is Better?
Both OsCommerce and Zen Cart are e-Commerce store management solutions. They are PHP based and use MySQL database as well as both are available for free under GNU. If you don’t have experience in the development of online shops on the basis of open source platforms, osCommerce is a good choice to start with as it is easy and convenient to use. You don't have to woory about the installation process as it appears to be really simple. Furthermore, this platform has all needed features to build successful online store. osCommerce software is the most user-friendly among all other platforms available so that the most popular for those merchants who want to start their online business. However, considerable disadvantage appears to be in lack of updates as osCommerce has historically had infrequent major updates.
Zen Cart’s code is very similar to osCommerce, but with added template system and some new functions. These are the main advantages over osCommerce - template system provides a capability for a site owner to select any suitable templete out of provided ones. Also, Zen Cart is more advanced than osCommerce. Configurations can be changed easily within the admin interface and product information can be easily added with in-built engine of sub-pages. This software allows including the mode of payment in your eCommerce website.
If you decided to move your store from Zen Cart to osCommerce or vice versa, from osCommerce to Zen Cart, Cart2Cart can help you. The migration process will be smooth and quick. Within several hours, all your products, customers and orders will be transferred to your brand new store.
Monthly Update – September 2025
In September 2025, the eCommerce landscape continues to rapidly evolve, pushing merchants beyond the foundational capabilities offered by older platforms like Zen Cart and osCommerce. While these platforms historically provided a solid base, the demand for advanced features such as AI-driven personalization, headless commerce architectures, and seamless integration with third-party marketing and ERP systems is now critical for competitive advantage. Businesses are increasingly re-evaluating their infrastructure to support omnichannel strategies, enhance mobile shopping experiences, and leverage sophisticated analytics for growth. Migrating to a modern, scalable platform is often a strategic imperative rather than just a technical upgrade. This move allows businesses to tap into cloud-native benefits, robust security, and a vibrant ecosystem of apps and services. A successful re-platforming project requires careful planning, data integrity considerations, and a focus on minimizing downtime. Embracing new technologies can significantly improve operational efficiency and customer engagement, preparing your store for future market shifts. For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.
