Overview

The downloadable stack combines a storefront, admin dashboard, vendor portal and API server, connecting product, customer, pricing, inventory, cart, checkout, order, payment and administration functions. This breadth gives builders one commerce foundation rather than a set of disconnected components, while still leaving deployment and implementation in their hands.

Litekart was founded in 2014; its maker is based in Rourkela, Odisha, India. The platform is available for web, Android, iOS, API and self-hosted deployments. Its API-first architecture uses documented APIs, events and webhooks, which makes it a fit for teams that expect to integrate other systems or build custom interfaces.

Key features

Marketplace operations

Vendor onboarding, catalogues, commissions and vendor orders sit alongside shared administration. Commission rules and automated payouts are also supported. These are useful building blocks for operating a multi-seller business, though the customer-facing marketplace still depends on the implementation the team creates.

B2B workflows

Litekart supports company accounts, buyer roles, tiered and account-specific prices, minimum order rules, approval workflows, credit limits and quote-to-order conversion. That range suits businesses with negotiated purchasing rules better than a basic storefront; teams can model substantial B2B processes without relying only on standard cart checkout.

Payments, integrations and data

Razorpay, Stripe and PayPal are included payment integrations, with an abstraction layer for adding gateways. Shipping and logistics providers, email and SMS notifications, Google Tag Manager, Meta Pixel and analytics are supported, while APIs and webhooks can connect ERP, CRM and OMS systems. The breadth is useful for integration-heavy operations, but customers remain responsible for configuring and maintaining their self-hosted deployment.

Integrated payment gateways are PCI-DSS compliant, and passwords use strong one-way hashing. Self-hosting lets the customer apply security and compliance policies end to end. Customers also own deployment data and can export products, customers and orders through APIs and CSV at any time. That control will appeal to organizations with specific governance needs, but it also makes security and infrastructure their responsibility.

SEO and mobile

Server-side rendering, automated sitemaps, structured data, clean URLs and marketing-tool integrations support search visibility and campaign measurement. Android and iOS apps can be built and branded as a paid service, then published from the customer's developer accounts. Mobile apps are therefore an option, not part of the free downloadable stack.

Pricing

The Download and Build plan costs 0.00 USD per free. It includes self-hosting on the customer's infrastructure, full source code, all features and community resources. It is the clearest fit for a capable team that can deploy and maintain the platform itself; the free price does not remove the operational work of running it.

White Label has custom pricing and includes complete white labeling, software updates and standard support. Engineering Support also has custom pricing, with architecture reviews, deployment assistance, priority support, custom modules and integrations. These options suit teams seeking help or a branded deployment, while the free plan gives up the included support and update terms described for those services.

Complete Platform Delivery has custom pricing and covers design and build, deployment and ongoing maintenance, with optional managed infrastructure. It is the service-oriented option for organizations that want Litekart's maker involved in implementation and operations. There is no free trial; the free Download and Build plan is the available no-cost way to start.

Platforms

Litekart supports web, Android, iOS, API and self-hosted use. The platform foundation is downloadable and self-hosted; branded mobile apps are a paid build service rather than a free, ready-made component.

Who it's for

Litekart is strongest for development teams and businesses building multi-vendor marketplaces or B2B commerce with custom pricing, approvals or account rules. Its source code, APIs and self-hosted data control are valuable when an organization needs to shape its own platform and policies. It is a weaker fit for buyers seeking a turnkey hosted storefront or a free service that also handles infrastructure and security operations.

Pros and cons

Pro: The free plan includes the full source code and all features, giving capable teams a broad commerce foundation without a software charge.
Pro: Vendor operations and detailed B2B purchasing rules support use cases beyond a single-store catalogue.
Pro: Self-hosting and API/CSV exports give customers control over deployment and commerce data.
Con: Customers run the infrastructure and set security and compliance policies, so the platform requires operational ownership.
Con: Branded Android and iOS apps are a separate paid service, not included in the free stack.
Con: White labeling, engineering help and complete delivery use custom pricing, so their cost depends on the service selected.

Alternatives

MarketplaceKit is worth considering for a self-hosted marketplace with a free Community Edition, or a Hobby plan at 15.00 USD per month; its free edition is a lighter version than hosted and has no customer support.

Websta is a better match for someone who needs an AI-built profile page rather than a commerce foundation, with a free plan and web, iOS and Android support.

Yo!Kart is an option for buyers preferring a paid marketplace product, with self-hosted GoQuick at 1999.00 USD per once and a lifetime license.

Digivance Marketplace Platform is another paid marketplace option, with a Starter plan at 2999.00 USD per month for up to 100 active vendors.

Sharetribe may suit teams that want a paid platform with a free trial; its Build plan is 39.00 USD per month and includes 1M usage credits/month, unlimited test users and listings, and test-mode API access.

Tamaranga is a paid alternative with a 2600.00 USD per once standard service renewal, billed per half-year.

Growcer is another paid alternative for web, iOS and Android.

IdyaFlow Marketplace Software is another paid alternative for web, iOS and Android.

For broader comparisons, browse Online Marketplace Software or Ecommerce platforms.

Verdict

Choose Litekart if your team wants a free, source-available foundation for a custom marketplace or B2B system and can own hosting, security and implementation. Its strongest case is the combination of marketplace tools, detailed B2B rules and self-hosted control. Look elsewhere if you need a turnkey managed service or expect mobile apps and implementation support to come with the free plan.

	Litekart	Zen Cart
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	Free	Free
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, api, iOS, self-hosted, Web	self-hosted
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Hosting model	—	self-hosted
App marketplace	—	Yes
Digital products	—	Yes

Litekart vs Zen Cart

Litekart

Zen Cart