CS-cart vs X-cart vs 3DCart vs Digishop

I have been researching shopping carts for a few weeks now, and was first attracted to cs-cart by the positive reviews I found. Also I see that CS-cart has a good community of users and developers here, many who came from the X-cart camp. I am torn between cs-cart, X-cart, 3Dcart and DigiShop/Corecommerce. I am setting up a toy store. We had a toy store on custom agoracart 8 years ago so I still have all of the graphics, logos, etc. I am looking for decent funtionality with easy user interface, gift wrapping option, dropship capability, inventory tracking. integration with UPS, Fedex and US Post Office. Ability to print packing lists, invoices and labels would be nice or else I will have to buy additional software like Stone Edge or Mail Order Manager. Here is what I see on each cart:



3DCART

  • Excellent easy to understand user interface. Low startup costs but it adds up paying $65.99/month,

    Works with StoneEdge. See chart of compatible carts here

    [url]http://stoneedge.com/cartmatrix.asp[/url]

    Limited bandwidth. SEO is decent. Here is a link where 3DCart is rated “Level 2” for SEO. [url]http://www.seoshoppingcarts.com/shopping-cart-reviews/comparison-chart.htm[/url]. (Note that Xcart is rated a Type 1 shopping cart for SEO. Type 1 being the best.

    I have read alot of reviews that their customer service is horrible. But others said they were great. They are also based in Florida in my home city. Not sure if this is an advantage.

    According to their website, their cart has everything I want as mentioned above.

    Very limited bandwidth. (3GB or 5GB, after that you have to pay more.)



    CS-CART -

    Lots of features for a great price. All of the usual add-ons are included. Does not work with StoneEdge as of yet. I have sent their customer support a couple emails and their response has been within 24 hours and very detailed. I hope they are the same after purchase. I am hoping that their SEO is similar to Xcart which is rated “Type 1” since the code is probably similar. The samples of existing sites using cs-cart worldwide are just outstanding. I am worried a little that I can get support to put together the design I need without spending alot of money. That is, it’s an unknown. Are there a good number of designers and web developers in this community that will work on doing minor modifications to the cart and will help with web design without breaking the bank?



    DIGISHOP/CORECOMMERCE by SumEffectSoftware
  • According to their website, DigiShop Pro and their hosted version, CoreCommerce has all the features I am looking for. But their templates are extremely limited. I found almost nothing about forums or a community of developers for this DigiShop. So I am worried that I would not be able to get anything done. Monthly hosting for CoreCommerce is expensive.



    X-CART

    I also looked at X-cart. I see it as very similar to CS-cart. A couple of big advantages that X-cart has is that it already works with StoneEdge and it it rated a “Type-1” for SEO. Downside is that you have to pay for the extra add-ons. Many of you here at the forum have expressed that you believe CS-cart is pulling away from Xcart especially with the new 2.0 version.



    [url]http://stoneedge.com/cartmatrix.asp[/url]



    [url]http://www.seoshoppingcarts.com/shopping-cart-reviews/comparison-chart.htm[/url]



    I may indeed end up going with CS-cart due to the exceptional value. I am just worried if it is too risky, not being a developer myself , and with their offices being in Russia, you really can’t speak with them. The support is via email even though they are very responsive. I can play with HTML, Dreamweaver and Photoshop but that’s it. The CS-cart community and partners will play a big role in my decision.



    Many of you have worked with CS-cart, X-Cart and perhaps 3Dcart. Your comments and advice are appreciated. Also I am looking to work with a good hosting company, web developers and designers from the community or am I better off to work directly with CS-cart? Contact me if you are interested.



    Thanks.

Here is my take on CS-CART vs. other carts…



CS-CART is the BEST


[QUOTE]Are there a good number of designers and web developers in this community that will work on doing minor modifications to the cart and will help with web design without breaking the bank?[/QUOTE]



There is more help on this forum than on any other shopping cart forum you will find.


[QUOTE]with their offices being in Russia, you really can’t speak with them. The support is via email even though they are very responsive.[/QUOTE]



This is one of the reasons I have enjoyed my experience with CS-CART, yes they are in Russia, but they always respond and their response is above and beyond what you will find in support for any other shopping cart.



No shopping cart is the end all-beat all because we all have partcular priorities and needs when looking for a shopping cart. The main idea is to find one that provides most of your most needed functionality and the freedom to add or do other things you would like.



Hope this helps.

I wouldn’t put too much faith in that SEO rating system, the explanation was a complete joke. SEO is important but cart functionality is a much higher priority. SEO doesn’t happen automatically and requires more effort many want to believe or pay for. Alot of tools out their like IBP that will tell you exactly what’s wrong with your page and how to fix it assuming you feel the need.



Personally I don’t really like hosted offerings like 3Dcart but you have to build a prototype just to see if they will work. Digishop was one I haven’t looked at but I like alot of their features (ebay integration, css control, payment gateways) in the admin section but after a little more research I read [url]http://www.hotscripts.com/listing/digishop-php-shopping-cart-software/[/url] and agreed that no available documentation so I feel like the review was probably accurate.



I think cs-cart has a great mix of features, some really unique methods to manage the internals which I like. If it fits yours needs out the box then it’s a great choice but if you need other custom features added/changed or major css customization it’s not that easy imo.

[QUOTE]There is more help on this forum than on any other shopping cart forum you will find. [/QUOTE]



I tend to agree with this somewhat. Theres definatly a more community sense here than in the xcart forum however the 3rd party mods seem to be a little thinner on the ground.



For me Cs-Cart still feels a little underground but thats also a good thing as it’s not being lambasted by people trying to sell updates and mods all the time.



Am I right in thinking that both the carts use the same engine pretty much under the hood just that CS-Cart has the edge over it’s competition. Id be interested to see if there is a skinning guide for for the new version as Im just contemplating the same thing. What store to move to.

Don’t get caught in 3dcart. It will be fine for awhile. Then you will start noticing the bandwidth raise more and more until they suck you in a higher monthly fee. Not to mention the slowdowns as time goes on.

Great programming, but terrible hosting.

Why are you looking at an archaic order manager built on MS Access Forms?

You can get the majority of drop-ship functionality (email) for most drop-shippers and you can get most of the label generation from shippingkits.com for less than you will pay for 1 year of maintenance from Stone Age or MOM (note both of these are extremely old products and have not had any facelifts in a long, long time).

Don’t compare with rubbish shopping cart scripts. CS-CART is a world champion. No doubt.

[quote name='catrightsell' timestamp='1309315002' post='115918']

I'm not having a positive experience with customer support for CS Cart… I can't find the page where the sneaky footer copyright is… I sent a message asking if it was in my purchase agreement to move it… I got a reply asking me to clarify whether I wanted to remove it from the demo or from my own site. And several sentences about paying for more than one license (which had nothing to do with my question since I am only using it for one cart/one domain). I replied that it was just for the one, please tell me where the file lies… I used Firefox, Firebug, I can see the code and the name of the page it resides on but have searched everywhere for where that page is. I got no reply in 24 hours… I ask again, nothing,… this is very frustrating and bad. I had previously asked them about a glitch on the setup… the text didn't fall where it was supposed to on when installed like the demo - I never got a response… I figured out an alternative that works, but expected at least a follow through… the template is good. However, I am frustrated with the poor communication. OH, and the price: $179 is a chunk of change for a template - at least in my experience… it's a good enough design, I like it and feel the design is worth the price, but the lack of communication is making me think this is will my last decision to use CS-Cart for future clients' websites.

[/quote]



1 simple search on google, or in the knowledge base: CS-Cart Documentation — CS-Cart 4.15.x documentation



About not getting a response: that's odd, I usually get an answer within 24 hrs. Maybe check your spambox?

I used X for years and was very active in their community (forum member in the 300s). prior to CS they were the only game in town for me.



But like you said, they started charging for every addon and support points were charged even for bugs.



The software is unorganized and now its outdated compared to CS and its ajax functionality.



I tried CS while I was still using X and I signed up for the forums with the same user name. A few weeks later I noticed I was banned from X forums and all X updates on all my licenses. When I asked why they said it was because I was using CS-Cart (former X employees own CS). What a joke.



Haven't looked back since.



I cannot speak for 3D cart as I have never used it.



My .02

[quote name='TonyK' timestamp='1311635389' post='118238']

I tried CS while I was still using X and I signed up for the forums with the same user name. A few weeks later I noticed I was banned from X forums and all X updates on all my licenses. When I asked why they said it was because I was using CS-Cart (former X employees own CS). What a joke.



My .02

[/quote]





Great, I am probably headed down the same path then, especially since my last couple of replies to them were telling them how the cow ate the cabbage. For cyring out loud I was looking at buying a FOURTH license and I am a contributing member of their forum, yet they wouldn't help me fix the bugs before I bought the 4th license, which led me here. It doesn't surprise me though.



And here is something funny… This is way out of character for me but I made a statement that QT was a bunch a a-holes (but spelled it out). THAT posted, but later I said something about csCart and thier dirty word filter converted it to stars, lol.

Yup,



I was a very good X customer, purchasing 4-6 license's and using custom Dev! I spent thousands of dollars with them and when you questioned them or said there is a bug. X wasnt the problem, you are!



Soon as I moved to CS and they saw I did, they banned me from forums and all their files, so I could no longer apply patches to customer stores. Good way to get me to move stores/customers faster. RETARDS.



Been with CS ever since and don't regret it one second. XCart hasnt changed in 5+ yrs while the rest of the market has.



ADIOS X-Crap!


[quote name='PrintedPerfection' timestamp='1313298659' post='119484']

Great, I am probably headed down the same path then, especially since my last couple of replies to them were telling them how the cow ate the cabbage. For cyring out loud I was looking at buying a FOURTH license and I am a contributing member of their forum, yet they wouldn't help me fix the bugs before I bought the 4th license, which led me here. It doesn't surprise me though.



And here is something funny… This is way out of character for me but I made a statement that QT was a bunch a a-holes (but spelled it out). THAT posted, but later I said something about csCart and thier dirty word filter converted it to stars, lol.

[/quote]

[quote name='TonyK' timestamp='1313331229' post='119492']

Yup,



I was a very good X customer, purchasing 4-6 license's and using custom Dev! I spent thousands of dollars with them and when you questioned them or said there is a bug. X wasnt the problem, you are!



Soon as I moved to CS and they saw I did, they banned me from forums and all their files, so I could no longer apply patches to customer stores. Good way to get me to move stores/customers faster. RETARDS.



Been with CS ever since and don't regret it one second. XCart hasnt changed in 5+ yrs while the rest of the market has.



ADIOS X-Crap!

[/quote]





My guess is they are just not used to operating business within the American market.

[quote name='TonyK' timestamp='1313331229' post='119492']

Yup,



I was a very good X customer, purchasing 4-6 license's and using custom Dev! I spent thousands of dollars with them and when you questioned them or said there is a bug. X wasnt the problem, you are!



Soon as I moved to CS and they saw I did, they banned me from forums and all their files, so I could no longer apply patches to customer stores. Good way to get me to move stores/customers faster. RETARDS.



Been with CS ever since and don't regret it one second. XCart hasnt changed in 5+ yrs while the rest of the market has.



ADIOS X-Crap!

[/quote]



You know, my other sites are still on X and like you, they're not all mine. Do you know how they found you using CS?

I used the same CS forums name as I did Xcart forums. They monitor these forums for sure.


[quote name='PrintedPerfection' timestamp='1313334226' post='119494']

You know, my other sites are still on X and like you, they're not all mine. Do you know how they found you using CS?

[/quote]

[quote name=‘TonyK’ timestamp=‘1313337874’ post=‘119496’]

I used the same CS forums name as I did Xcart forums. They monitor these forums for sure.

[/quote]



Guess that makes sense. :P

[quote name='Ray' timestamp='1313360825' post='119503']

Anyone out there who can offer input/experiences comparing these three carts:



X-cart

Pinnacle Cart

CS Cart



Thanks!

[/quote]



Yeah, CS-Cart is very good…

X-cart - did you read anything of the above? Don't even go there…



3Dcart - is nice. Hosted though, so a completely different product. You should first decide if you want to own your shop, or just lease it. They both have pro's and con's. But imagine 3dcart or any other hosted shop solution goes bankrupt…



I'd rather own my shop… if something happens to my ISP, I can move it in no time and I'm back online.

I have been comparing Magento, X-Cart, CS-Cart, and 3D Cart. For us, CS-Cart has the most features we wanted and was the best choice. I think every ecommerce business will have its own needs and requirements and while it is useful to ask for advice in forums like this one, you really have to get down and dirty and install trials to see for yourself.



The original poster's concern on CS-Cart is similar to mine. 1) Availability and cost of good CS-Cart programmers and 2) Compatibility to StoneEdge. For me, 2) is the most important. We sell on Amazon as well and need to use StoneEdge to manage multipe storefronts. StoneEdge also has the ability to print integrated shipping labels with packing slip (meaning we can batch print without using WorldShip). Every order is just one single piece of paper. It really speeds up workflow. This feature was the single biggest time saving for us and has pretty much make us rely heavily on StoneEdge. Right now, we can't switch to CS-Cart until StoneEdge supports it which is very frustrating.

[quote name='dccheng' timestamp='1315461563' post='121222']

I have been comparing Magento, X-Cart, CS-Cart, and 3D Cart. For us, CS-Cart has the most features we wanted and was the best choice. I think every ecommerce business will have its own needs and requirements and while it is useful to ask for advice in forums like this one, you really have to get down and dirty and install trials to see for yourself.



The original poster's concern on CS-Cart is similar to mine. 1) Availability and cost of good CS-Cart programmers and 2) Compatibility to StoneEdge. For me, 2) is the most important. We sell on Amazon as well and need to use StoneEdge to manage multipe storefronts. StoneEdge also has the ability to print integrated shipping labels with packing slip (meaning we can batch print without using WorldShip). Every order is just one single piece of paper. It really speeds up workflow. This feature was the single biggest time saving for us and has pretty much make us rely heavily on StoneEdge. Right now, we can't switch to CS-Cart until StoneEdge supports it which is very frustrating.

[/quote]



Hello, dccheng!



Thank you for sharing your opinion with us.



I would like to inform you that since recently we have used the UserVoice service to accept new feature requests and suggestions on improving CS-Cart:



http://cscart.uservoice.com



This service helps us to give an impartial estimation of the necessity to create a certain feature. Any CS-Cart user who is registered on CS-Cart Forums can vote for a feature and offer their own one. The most popular features have good chances to be developed and added to the nearest CS-Cart releases.



I have posted your suggestion about the integration with StoneEdge:



http://cscart.uservoice.com/forums/40782-professional/suggestions/2236122-integration-with-stoneedge



Feel free to vote for it.

Thanks, OrangeGirl. I voted and I hope others who sees this have the same interest. :rolleyes: