In this article we will go into more detail the differences between the two systems: what functions they have, how they differ from each other and what kind of projects should use nopCommerce or Drupal Commerce respectively.
Firstly, both platforms are open source and free with many features and can be customised as per the business requirement. Secondly, it should be clarified how different the Drupal and nopCommerce platforms are. Drupal is intended to be a Content Management System (CMS), while nopCommerce is an online store engine designed to perform eCommerce activities.
Technology
Drupal Commerce is built with PHP, which is a very popular server-side programming language. Drupal 8 supports PHP 7.1 or higher version though Drupal 7 can work on PHP. The most used database for Drupal is MySQL. It possesses advanced and effective functionalities like polls management, graphics etc., assisting the developers to design advanced websites effectively. With Drupal, you can also have the advantage of using forums, photos, event calendars and videos in your website.
nopCommerce is free open-source software based on the Microsoft ASP.NET Core framework and the MS SQL Server 2012 (or higher) Database backend. It offers a catalog frontend and a back control tool, which allows for the creation of a shopping cart. nopCommerce has an excellent modular architecture, which makes it very easy to customize for different kinds of needs. It has various out-of-the box features
- Multi-store
- Multi-vendor dropshipping
- ACL (access control list)
- Responsive web design
- Multilingual RTL support
- SEO
- Content Management
- Rental, Recurring & Downloadable products
- Reward points program
- Discounts, coupons, and gift cards support
The Fundamental Differences: Content vs eCommerce
Drupal
Drupal was designed primarily for content publishing and management: blogs and information pages can be built on it. If you want to offer different types of content on a website e.g., news, e-books, forums, social media — Drupal offers great opportunities for that. In order to provide it with eCommerce functionality, you must use Drupal Commerce. However, the focus will be mainly on the sale of non-traditional products.
This means that if you want to offer for example subscription type content, or perhaps build a system where users can access different pieces of content depending on different subscription levels or packages, Drupal will fully satisfy your needs.
At the same time, Drupal Commerce is less suitable for selling more traditional types of products because there is a good chance that you will need a more complex category system and several product groups to which lots of different attributes can be associated.
nopCommerce
On the other hand, the nopCommerce engine was specifically developed for online marketing of more traditional types of products: as a result, you will find an online store that has access to both marketing and sales purposes that support, if necessary, digital marketing products too.
nopCommerce can handle several thousands of products without problems. You can assign loads of different (even completely unique) attributes to these, which are also easily searchable. So, if you are ambitious, wanting to sell the complete product range of a large company, or you are building such an online store where you sell many products by default, the balance tips in favor of nopCommerce.
Conclusion
If you want to build a website where you promote low value products especially with content marketing tools, working for Drupal as a content management system can be the best solution. However, if the content is secondary, then for example you want to blog only on the site, and currently offer an important product list and need the most sophisticated functionality of an eCommerce store, nopCommerce is the best choice.
This post is written by TMotions, a nopCommerce solution partner. They create enhanced customized experience for their clients by delivering secure, scalable and unique B2B and B2C solutions.
Commentaires
One of my previous company picked Drupal due to the fact they want less customization along with a lot of small tiny plugins that is available to eliminate too much customization.
That doesn't Nopcommerce can't do what drupal (like APIs, yes Drupal has) do or nopcommerce cannot what drupal do. But the main thing is to KNOW your business (purpose and resources) and KNOW your solutions (strength and its fitness with your business). I now work with a company mix all together with another Wordpress, React and Nopcommerce. They all have their best on their plates and lots of reason behind each decision.
Requesting you provide similar comparison with wordpress too.