Zen Cart VS. OS Commerce?

I have implented a basic site with each cart and am also exploring storefront (fee based solution) mainly because of its backend integration with quickbooks, great plaines, etc.

Just curious mainly about flexibility, plugins, (front page, ease of design and implentation with Zen?

Someone give me a great sales pitch please...:wacko:

P.S. A couple links to free templates would be helpful aswell...

Check the downloads section for template designs you can download and add to your site.

I tried both Osc and ZC a few years ago when I was looking for a solution for an html site I had been maintaining for someone's online store. I found ZC to be much easier to work with, modify and update. I haven't looked back, so I have no idea what Osc is up to these days. I do remember some of the other carts I looked at charging for mods that were already build into ZC.

The site that resulted from my research into cart software is in my sig, if you want to take a look. I recently upgraded it from 1.2.7 to 1.3.7.

HTH!

osCommerce has hardly moved for the past 2-3 years. But I'm not going to bash them here.

Instead I recommend taking a look at this site where you can see what can be done with Zen Cart and a bit of imagination, and this site where you can see all the free templates demo'd (look for the template box on the right of the site to move between them and the download symbol top right to jump to where you can download the ones not included by default). And don't forget the official showcase to which there's a link at the top of this page.

Awesome sites, kuroi! :cool:

Just for clarity ... only one of those sites is by me. The rest represent the creative output of a range of Zen Cart designers and developers, and if you know of any more sites worthy of inclusion, please let me know.

for me (a novice) I spent about a month on os commerce and still hated the way it looked
got my zencart looking great within a day

and the other main thing - no one responds to your questions in the forums for OS commerce... it is like a ghost town over there

You guys are awesome... Obviously Zen wins this topic.

At this link http://(sorry, site offline)/hoff.php there is a site called Mitea. I really like that template. Is this a template anyone is familiar with? It has the basic color scheme and layout I could use for a Site I am working on.

Thanks again

that is a user that created their site and as far as I know has not released a template for it,

the examples inthe hall of fame just show what can be done with zc

And I have to say, that is the most fantastic set of examples of Zen creativity.

I can't say Wow strongly enough, they humble my attempts at zen modification.

Pat

This isn't even close, Zen Cart by far.

I've used them both to put it plain, and simple zen-cart seems to be less of a hassle.

short Pros/cons for me:

zen-cart:
pros:
comes stocked with many features.
Most zen-cart addons are much easier to install.
Updated often.

cons:
The admin system needs re-done.

Oscommerce:
pros:
Admin system is a bit easier to use.
May come with a bigger addon selection.

cons:
To get the zen-cart features you will have to install alot of addons.
Most addons are a big hassle to install.
rarely updated.

Shackle, I was flipping through the forums and found this:

v1.6 Series - Admin Rewrite
For the Admin back-end, a focus on:

• easier initial configuration,
• simpler data-entry,
• easier order-management,
• improved reporting capabilities
• conversion from nested tables to cleaner templates

The thread is called "Roadmap for Developement".

Yup seen that a few months ago can't wait :-)

good to bring that up.

zen-cart for the win.

arcanesanctuary:

Shackle, I was flipping through the forums and found this:

v1.6 Series - Admin Rewrite
For the Admin back-end, a focus on:

• easier initial configuration,
• simpler data-entry,
• easier order-management,
• improved reporting capabilities
• conversion from nested tables to cleaner templates

The thread is called "Roadmap for Developement".