| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Licence and cost | Free, open source (GPL v3) — OpenCart on GitHub |
| Latest release | 4.1.0.4, released 11 Aug 2026 (Purpletree) |
| Long-running stable line | 3.0.x, last updated to 3.0.5.0 at the end of 2025 (Antropy, Apr 2026) |
| Built-in B2B pieces | Customer groups, group pricing, customer approval, minimum quantity, multi-store |
| Platform fee / commission | None; payment gateways charge their own fees |
| Runs on | Standard PHP + MySQL / MariaDB hosting |
What OpenCart is
OpenCart is a free, open-source eCommerce platform written in PHP. You install it on your own hosting, so the store, the code and the customer data belong to you. There is no monthly subscription to the platform itself and no cut of your sales.
Why it fits textile wholesale
Customer groups do dealer pricing out of the box
Create groups like Dealer, Retailer and Walk-in, and give each product a different price per group. A logged-in dealer sees the dealer rate; everyone else sees retail or "login for price". Customer approval means new sign-ups wait until you check their GST number and shop details.
Minimum quantity is already there
Every product has a minimum order quantity field. With small extensions we add quantity steps, set-wise selling and per-metre pricing, the rules textile buyers already follow offline.
One admin, several stores
Multi-store lets you run a wholesale store and a retail store, or separate brands, from one admin panel with one stock count.
You control the code
Because the code is yours, features specific to your business (bulk order sheet, catalogue-wise listing, transport selection, Tally export) can be built into the store instead of rented as monthly apps.
Where OpenCart needs care
- Setup needs a developer. It is not a drag-and-drop builder. Theme, extensions and B2B rules need someone who knows the code.
- You own the upkeep. Hosting, backups, security patches and speed are your responsibility, or your developer's.
- Version choice matters. The 3.0.x line has the largest extension library and a long track record; 4.1 is the current line with a more modern codebase. We pick per project based on the extensions it needs.
- Extensions vary in quality. Thousands exist; choose ones that are maintained and tested on your version.
OpenCart vs hosted platforms, in one line each
| Platform | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| OpenCart | B2B rules, dealer pricing, full control, no platform fee | Needs a developer and maintenance |
| Shopify | Quick B2C launch, no server work | Monthly plan plus paid apps for B2B features |
| WooCommerce | Stores built around a WordPress site | Plugin load can slow large catalogues |
A full comparison is coming in our OpenCart vs Shopify vs WooCommerce post.
What a BizTorq OpenCart textile store includes
Our OpenCart development covers setup, a textile-ready theme, catalogue structure and SEO basics. OpenCart B2B adds buyer approval, customer-group pricing, MOQ and bulk ordering. Customization covers set-wise selling, per-metre pricing and custom modules, and maintenance (from ₹4,000 a month) covers backups, patches and monitoring.
Live examples: wholesalecatalogz.com, mdilipkumar.com and aarveecreation.com, all on OpenCart. See which features matter most in Wholesale Textile Website Features.
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenCart really free?
The software is free and open source. You pay for hosting, a domain, any paid extensions or theme, and development work. There is no monthly platform fee and no commission on orders.
Which OpenCart version should a new textile store use?
It depends on the extensions you need. The 3.0.x line has the widest extension support; 4.1 is the newer line. We confirm every required extension works on the chosen version before building.
Can OpenCart show different prices to dealers and retailers?
Yes. Customer groups let each product carry a separate price per group, and customer approval keeps dealer rates hidden until you approve the buyer.
Is OpenCart secure?
It is secure when kept updated, hosted properly and maintained: patches applied, admin folder protected, backups taken and only trusted extensions installed.
Can I move my existing store to OpenCart?
Yes. Products, categories and customers can be migrated, and old URLs redirected so you keep your Google rankings.
Want an OpenCart store built for textile?
See a wholesale buyer's view in the demo, then tell us your catalogue size for a fixed quote.
Sources: OpenCart on GitHub · Purpletree — OpenCart 4.1.0.4 · Antropy — Why we still recommend OpenCart 3 in 2026