Attack of the Killer TomatoCart!

Tomatoes from the movie invaded a town and did a lot of mess. So did TomatoCart. The platform entered eCommerce industry as an independent branch of osCommerce and once made people talk about and, what is even more important, use it. How did people at Wuxi Elootec Technology got such a prominent result?It’s simple, they created a truly professional solution with killer set of features and virtually unlimited customization options.

Basic Info

What was TomatoCart? It was a free open source PHP/MySQL based shopping cart. The platform forked from osCommerce as a separate solution that used Rich Internet Applications (RIAs), web 2.0 and Ajax technology. As a result, users got intuitive and desktop-like (similar to standard Windows and Mac interface) admin panel that was very easy to use. TomatoCart was undemanding and lightweight. As a result it could be installed on most servers and was a very fast solution. Built-in basic content management system helped users to publish articles, add FAQs and enable image slides, etc.

Pros

TomatoCart offered a wide range of eCommerce features that could help users build a competitive online store. Here were some key aspects:

• Store Management. TomatoCart had all the main functions that you would need to run your store. It supported any quantity and types of products. Order and customer management systems allowed users to run their shop effectively. To improve clients’ shopping experience multiple checkout options were available (one-page, standard, guest, etc.).
• Payment. TomatoCart shop supported all the major payment processors like PayPal, Authorize.Net, eWay, Western Union, and many other popular payment gateways. Credit cards and cash on delivery options were also available.
• Localization, Promotion and Statistics. Multiple languages, currencies and tax rates helped users adapt the platform to their specific needs. Various marketing functions like newsletter, coupon codes, discounts, cross-sells, wish lists, SEO friendly URLs, etc., could become a powerful tool to attract customers. And finally, the integration with open source web analytics program Matomo provided users with all the necessary business reports to lead their store in the right direction.

Cons

However, TomatoCart was not a perfect solution and it had some points to think about before establishing an online store:

• Lack of Extensions. TomatoCart shopping cart offered a great default set of features but in some cases it was not enough. So, users might need a module or a plugin which would add this specific function. Unfortunately, they would not be able to find a lot of them. Of course, users might develop something they needed on their own or hire someone to do it for them, but it would require some extra efforts or budget.
• Only Few Shipping Options. TomatoCart in its out-of-the-box edition didn’t support many shipping gateways, only USPS.

Bonus tips

At the end of this TomatoCart review we want to offer you some additional advice:

• If one had considered TomatoCart to start an online business then they would have needed to play around with the platform before starting a shop. What might have been intuitive and simple for someone might have been the opposite for them. And since the platform was totally free it wouldn’t have cost anything.
• If one had an online store built with another shopping cart but decided to move to TomatoCart, they could have made the process simple and fast with Cart2Cart. An online automated service would have helped them to get all the benefits of TomatoCart in less then a few hours without any programming skills necessary.

Monthly Update – December 2025

As 2025 draws to a close, December is an opportune time for e-commerce businesses to reflect on the year's performance and strategize for the coming one. Post-migration, a critical focus should be on thorough SEO auditing. Verify all 301 redirects are functioning correctly to preserve search rankings, and ensure meta titles, descriptions, and H1 tags are optimized across your new platform. Implementing a robust content strategy for Q1 2026, including evergreen articles and trend-focused blog posts, can also significantly boost organic visibility. This period is also ideal for reviewing site speed, mobile responsiveness, and overall user experience, as these factors significantly impact conversion rates and SEO. Consider implementing advanced analytics to gain deeper insights into customer behavior, allowing for more targeted marketing campaigns in 2026. Evaluate your inventory management and supply chain for efficiency improvements, leveraging insights from the holiday season. Proactive preparation for upcoming sales events and seasonal trends will give you a competitive edge. Don't forget to back up your data regularly and conduct comprehensive security checks to safeguard your store against evolving threats. A successful year-end review and strategic planning for the future will set a strong foundation for sustained growth and a prosperous new year.

For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.