Compare Sharetribe vs. CS-Cart Multi-Vendor
Which marketplace builder is better, Sharetribe or CS-Cart? The answer depends on your requirements, technical skills, budget, and goals. This article helps you find the best approach for you.
CS-Cart Multi-Vendor isn’t hosted marketplace software like Sharetribe. It’s a multi-vendor shopping cart script that you can download for a one-off fee and install on your own server.
The benefit of marketplace scripts like CS-Cart is that they can be extended through custom development. While the fee structure is more expensive up front, in the long run, scripts might be more affordable alternatives to subscription-based solutions.
The biggest downside is that if you don’t have advanced technical skills, you probably need to hire a developer to set up and maintain your marketplace. This can increase the upfront costs and delay your launch. Most scripts also tend to pose challenges when it comes to building entirely new features, powering multiple marketplace transaction flows, or building third-party integrations. Maintenance and hosting will also require considerable investment at scale. If this sounds like something you’re not willing to negotiate, a hosted no-code solution like Sharetribe, which you can later customize with code might be better suited for your needs.
Are you already running a marketplace on CS-Cart Multi-Vendor but considering changing your tech? Learn more here about switching your marketplace to Sharetribe.
The table below helps you compare CS-Cart with Sharetribe.
CS-Cart Multi-Vendor | Sharetribe | |
|---|---|---|
Dedicated marketplace solution | ||
How to get started | • Create an account for CS- • Cart Multi-Vendor • Buy a domain • Register a hosting service • Upload and install the Multi-• Vendor installation package • Start setting up your marketplace through code OR: • Buy CS-Cart’s hosting service which includes installation (starting at $69 /mo) • Hire a developer to set up your marketplace features and UX | • Sign up to Sharetribe • Set up your marketplace • Buy a custom domain • Launch your marketplace |
Built-in marketplace features | (depending on the plan you choose) | |
Pricing | • Software fee $1,450–$7,500 • (Hosting service starts at $69/mo) | • Build plan $39/month • Live plans start at $99/month |
Free trial | 15 days | 14 days for Build plan |
Technical skills needed | Medium • Depending on the level of customization you need • The skills required to host your platform and maintain high performance and security increase as you scale your marketplace | Low to medium • No coding skills needed • Easy to customize and set up in Console • Hosting, performance, maintenance, backups, and updates included at any scale • Customization possible with code and self-hosting |
Hosting | Can be purchased separately | Self-hosting your frontend is possible |
Maintenance | ||
Performance monitoring | Can be purchased separately | |
Backups | ||
Custom development | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Main programming language | PHP | • React, Redux, CSS • For self-hosted, use the tech stack of your choice |
Supports building a mobile app | ||
Updates | Included for 1 year in Multi-Vendor and Multi-Vendor Plus (annual upgrade subscriptions after that) Lifetime in Multi-Vendor Ultimate | |
Support | • Free technical support for 45 days to 1 year depending on the plan level. • $169–$300 /mo after that | • Sharetribe support • Developer support |
Key benefits | + One-off fee can be more affordable in the long term (if you don’t count in the costs of development, hosting, and maintenance) + Advanced features for online malls like Amazon + Themes and theme editors allow for some customization without coding | + Very fast to launch, completely no-code + Very easy to use + Seamless user experience that keeps improving + Effortless to maintain + Advanced features for rental marketplaces like Airbnb, service marketplaces like Fiverr, and product marketplaces like Etsy + Dedicated support for both non-technical founders and developers + Fully customizable with code + Unlimited scalability + Enjoyable developer experience + Easy to build a mobile app |
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