ShopClass

ShopClass is open-source classifieds software that you install on your own hosting. It suits operators building a listings site with category-specific forms and control over their data. It is a strong fit for flexible, self-managed directories, but less suitable when events or rentals need online booking.

Overview

One installation can serve classifieds, job boards, property or car listings, business directories, services, events, rentals, or product catalogues. That breadth makes ShopClass useful when a project may span several listing categories; reusable custom fields let administrators tailor forms to each category without code.

ShopClass keeps listings, users, and photos in the operator’s own database and storage, and the maker says they can be moved or exported without fees. That control comes with responsibility: the operator supplies hosting and manages deployment. The software requires PHP 8.0 or later, supports shared or cPanel hosting, and also offers a Docker image and command-line interface.

Key features

Search and moderation

Visitors can filter by region, city, price, keyword, and photos, and each search has an RSS feed. The moderation queue, visitor reporting, login throttling, keyword blocklist, and Turnstile or reCAPTCHA support give operators several ways to manage abuse and listing quality.

Payments and integrations

Paid listings and credits are optional, and a free Stripe plugin supports card payments through Stripe Checkout. Plugins cover Cloudflare, nginx caching, Google Analytics 4, and Stripe. Operators can import listings through a keyed REST API or scheduled JSON, CSV, and RSS feeds, making ShopClass a more practical choice for sites that need to bring in existing catalogues.

Storage and security

Photos can stay on the operator’s server or use S3-compatible storage behind a CDN. The 6.4.0 release adds two-step administrator sign-in with authenticator and backup codes, along with an option for automatic security updates. Those options provide useful control over storage and account security, while leaving infrastructure decisions with the site owner.

Events and rentals have a clear limitation: visitors contact the listing owner rather than booking through the software. ShopClass can host those categories, but it is not the right fit when a site depends on integrated reservations.

Pricing

ShopClass: free, billed Free under the GPLv3. The plan is self-hosted, requires PHP 8.0 or later, and has no per-listing fees. It includes custom domains, listing approval, seller messaging, featured listings, payment collection, web access, and API access. There are no paid tiers to weigh against a free allowance, but hosting and operating the site remain the operator’s responsibility.

Platforms

ShopClass is self-hosted web software. It can run on shared or cPanel hosting with PHP 8.0 or later, or be deployed using its Docker image and command-line interface. It is not a mobile app; visitors use the web experience.

Who it's for

ShopClass is best for people who can manage hosting and want a no-cost, open-source foundation for a classifieds site, directory, or product catalogue. Its flexible forms, feeds, API imports, and data ownership are especially useful to operators with varied listing categories or existing data to bring in. Choose another approach if you need the software itself to handle event or rental bookings.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Reusable custom fields support category-specific forms without code, so one installation can serve varied listing types.
• Pro: Search filters, RSS feeds, imports, and an API give operators practical ways to expose and manage listings.
• Pro: Optional paid listings, credits, and Stripe Checkout support monetization without a per-listing software fee.
• Pro: Operators retain control of listings, users, and photos, which can be moved or exported without fees.
• Con: Self-hosting means the operator must provide and manage the hosting environment.
• Con: Events and rentals do not support booking; visitors must contact owners.
• Con: Abuse controls and moderation tools help operators manage a site, but require them to make moderation decisions.

Alternatives

Browse the Classifieds Software category to compare more options.

• Osclass is another free, self-hosted web option; its core plan is free, with paid one-time bundles also offered.
• OpenClassify is worth considering if you want a free open-source option that also lists API as a platform.
• UltimateWB Classifieds suits buyers looking for a paid service with a free trial; its Cloud Starter plan is $25 a month.
• Adwos CMS offers a paid route with an iOS and Android app plan at 54,990 RUB, paid once.
• PassUp Classified Script is another paid, self-hosted option; its Professional plan includes a single-domain/server license and 30-day free support period.
• Tamaranga is a paid alternative with a free trial and a Standard service renewal plan at $2,600, paid once, billed per half-year.
• TradeMart is a paid hosted alternative; its Professional plan is $179 a month and includes hosting, support, and maintenance.
• WPAdverts is a freemium alternative with a free plan and trial; its Start-Up yearly plan is $59 a year for up to three websites.

Verdict

Choose ShopClass if you want a free, open-source listings platform that you can host yourself, shape around multiple categories, and keep under your data control. Its main appeal is flexibility without per-listing fees; look elsewhere if you want managed hosting or built-in booking for events and rentals.