Why We Still Recommend OpenCart 3 in 2026

Posted by Joe Beahan on April 21, 2026

Last year, we reviewed the two most recent major versions of the OpenCart platform: OpenCart 3 and OpenCart 4.

At the time, we recommended OpenCart 3 as the preferred choice for launching an online store. OpenCart 4 was still relatively new, with ongoing development, frequent bug fixes, and a more limited selection of third-party extensions.

By comparison, OpenCart 3 offered a proven and dependable codebase, the largest extension ecosystem of any OpenCart version, and continued support through active security and compatibility updates.

Now, in 2026, our recommendation remains the same: OpenCart 3 continues to be the strongest and most reliable version of the platform. It still benefits from the widest range of available extensions, the broadest support from developers, and ongoing maintenance updates. While OpenCart 4 has not seen a new release since before our previous article, OpenCart 3 was updated to version 3.0.5.0 at the end of 2025, with continued development focused on stability and long-term reliability.

We are continuing to monitor the OpenCart ecosystem closely. As more issues are resolved and the OpenCart 4 platform matures, we will keep reassessing its readiness for use in live eCommerce environments.

In the meantime, OpenCart 3 remains the go-to solution for businesses looking to begin selling online, upgrade an existing website, or rebuild their eCommerce presence to drive more sales. It offers a stable, cost-effective, and highly dependable platform designed to support long-term growth and profitability.

Ready to future-proof your online store? Get in touch with us today to build a new website or upgrade your current store using the true latest and greatest version of OpenCart: the trusted and time-tested OpenCart 3.