In this post, I’ll tell you about SureCart, an interesting alternative to WooCommerce that offers greater simplicity for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and individuals seeking an e-commerce solution without the need to configure countless plugins.
I’ll cover what SureCart is, its main features, and why it may be a better choice than WooCommerce for certain projects.
Prefer to watch the talk? Check it out in this video (Spanish)
The idea with SureCart is to offer a comprehensive and lightweight solution, eliminating the need for multiple additional plugins, as is the case with WooCommerce.
It’s particularly useful for:
those starting with eCommerce
those needing to manage simple sales, such as online courses or digital products, without getting bogged down by complex tools.
Personally, I started using SureCart to set up my online academy, where I wanted a seamless integration with LearnDash to handle course payments.
What convinced me about SureCart was:
how easy it was to set up.
the variety of built-in features.
the minimal load it added to my WordPress site.
Comparison between SureCart and WooCommerce
Several features make SureCart a compelling alternative to WooCommerce. Here’s a breakdown of some aspects and how they compare to WooCommerce:
Ease of Use: This is one of SureCart’s highlights over WooCommerce.
In WooCommerce, numerous additional plugins must be installed and managed.
SureCartnatively integrates various features, making it a very attractive option for those who don’t want a complicated setup.
Ease of Configuration:
WooCommerce, while powerful, requires configuring additional plugins depending on specific needs. For example, enabling subscriptions requires specific plugins.
With SureCart, this is standard. You can create subscriptions and payment plans right away without needing extra extensions.
Lightweight:
WooCommerce has a heavier load on site performance due to its processes and the number of plugins required to extend its functionality.
SureCart is designed to be lightweight. With fewer plugins and by running some processes on its servers, your site’s overall performance is improved. This is ideal if you’re working with limited resources or want to ensure your site runs smoothly. Learn more about performance in this article: How to Optimize for a Fast WordPress Site
Pricing Model:
WooCommerce is free, but many essential features require paid plugins, which can add unexpected costs as you grow.
SureCart also has a free plan with a 1.9% sales commission (this rate does not apply to paid plans), which can be ideal for new users. SureCart’s paid plans eliminate commissions and add more advanced features, offering a clear and transparent option from the start.
Community:
WooCommerce, being older and more popular, has a huge community and countless plugins available.
SureCart, although growing, has a smaller community.
Support:
WooCommerce offers slower support.
SureCart provides faster and more efficient support than WooCommerce, which is a major advantage for those who value quick and effective service.
Comparison table of SureCart and WooCommerce key functions
Main Features that make SureCart an alternative to WooCommerce
SureCart includes various features that make it a complete option right from the start:
Subscriptions and Payment Plans: You can create subscriptions and payment plans without additional plugins. This is ideal for those offering online courses, recurring services, or digital products with exclusive access.
Digital Product Licensing: SureCart allows you to generate licenses for digital products, like plugins or software. This function is built-in, making it easy to securely sell software or licensed products.
LMS Integration: SureCart integrates directly with LMS platforms (Learning Management System) such as LearnDash, TutorLMS, LifterLMS, MasterStudy LMS, Academy LMS, or Masteriyo. If, like me, you’re creating online courses, this integration is particularly useful for automatically assigning courses once payment is completed.
Payment Gateways: SureCart works with Stripe and PayPal, two of the most common payment gateways in Spain. It also supports Google Pay and Apple Pay, and recently added Mercado Pago, a popular payment platform in Latin America.
Automated Billing: Another advantage is that SureCart enables automatic generation of invoices and receipts, with customizable content via HTML, greatly simplifying accounting management, especially for small businesses.
Customizable Payment Forms: SureCart’s payment forms are customizable without extra plugins. You can decide which fields to include, such as phone numbers or other necessary data to create a user account, and arrange the payment process easily and intuitively.
Comparison table of native services between SureCart and WooCommerce
SureCart Limitations
While SureCart has many advantages, it may not be perfect for every case. Some of its limitations include:
Complex Tax Management: Currently, SureCart does not allow precise tax configuration for different regions within a country, such as the Canary Islands, Ceuta, or Melilla. This could be an issue if you have a significant customer base in those areas, as it would require additional billing adjustments.
Not the Best Option for Large Stores: SureCart is ideal for small businesses or startups, but for larger stores with advanced customization needs, WooCommerce remains the preferred option. This is due to WooCommerce’s well-developed ecosystem, with a vast number of plugins and tools that SureCart cannot yet match.
Want to try out SureCart? Staging environments are the solution!
Use Cases for SureCart
The main use cases for SureCart are:
Selling Courses and Services: Thanks to LMS integration and the ability to manage subscriptions, SureCart is an excellent choice for those selling online courses or exclusive content.
Digital Products with Licenses: If you sell digital products like software, SureCart makes it easy to manage licenses and secure file downloads.
Donations: SureCart enables quick donation form setup, including recurring donations.
Sites with Simple E-Commerce Needs: If you need a simple store with few products or are selling to a niche where simplicity is key, SureCart is perfect for its minimalist approach.
Conclusion: Is SureCart the Best Alternative for WooCoommer?
Ultimately, the choice between SureCart and WooCommerce depends on your specific needs.
SureCart excels in simplicity, with native integration of key features, and is lightweight.
If you’re just starting out, want to avoid paying extra for specific features, and prefer something simple, it’s a great choice.
On the other hand, if you need a store with very specific functionalities, WooCommerce is probably still the best solution.
Personally, I found SureCart a very useful alternative for my online academy project, as it saves me time and simplifies payment and subscription management. In the end, it’s about assessing what’s best for your business and how much you value simplicity and integration compared to the customization and growth potential WooCommerce offers.
I hope this post has helped you learn more about SureCart and its advantages over WooCommerce. If you’re looking for a lightweight all-in-one solution for your online store, give it a look; it might be just what you need.
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Jordi Mila
Sysadmin and WordPress Enthusiast
I’m a systems administrator with a passion for technology. I started my career as a systems operator at a banking institution and, over time, have explored independent application development, along with roles as a middleware technician and systems administrator. For the past few years, I’ve discovered WordPress and its versatility, making it my go-to tool for various web projects.
