# OpenCart Hosting UK Source: https://dijituldns.co.uk/opencart-hosting/ Updated: 2026-10-08 > dijitul hosts OpenCart shops in the UK on managed Plesk hosting for £1 a day + VAT. We move your store, run OpenCart 3 or 4 on a PHP 8 version it supports, keep older OpenCart 1.5 and 2 shops trading where it is safe, and handle backups, SSL and server security for you. ## Key facts - OpenCart 4.x needs PHP 8.0 or newer, with the curl, gd, zip, mysqli, openssl and zlib extensions - OpenCart 4.1.0.4 and 3.0.5.1 added PHP 8.5 compatibility - OpenCart 1.5 and 2.x were written for PHP 5 and break on PHP 7.2 and later without patches - Extensions are installed through OCMOD and, on older versions, vQmod, which both need writable cache folders - OpenCart 4 has a built-in cron task screen that works best triggered by a real server cron - Managed OpenCart hosting from dijitul is £1 a day + VAT ## OpenCart versions and the PHP they need OpenCart has three branches still in use in the UK, and each wants different things from the server: - **OpenCart 4.x**: PHP 8.0 or newer. The 4.1.0.4 release added PHP 8.5 compatibility. - **OpenCart 3.0.x**: the long-lived branch most shops still run. 3.0.4 and later work on PHP 8, and 3.0.5.1 added PHP 8.5 fixes. Older 3.0.2 and 3.0.3 builds want PHP 7.x. - **OpenCart 1.5 and 2.x**: written for PHP 5 and early PHP 7. They use the removed mcrypt extension and old mysql calls in places. All versions need MySQL or MariaDB and the curl, gd, zip, mysqli, openssl and zlib extensions. On dijitul hosting PHP is chosen per site, so your shop runs on the version that suits it. ## Extensions, OCMOD and vQmod headaches Most OpenCart problems after a move come from extensions, not core. OpenCart 2 and 3 modify core files on the fly using OCMOD, and many older shops also run vQmod. Both write generated files into a cache folder. - After moving, refresh the modification cache in Extensions, then Modifications, or the shop may run old code - vQmod needs its cache and logs folders writable, and its paths updated if the server path changes - Extensions bought from the marketplace years ago may be ionCube-encoded and need a matching Loader We check all of this as part of migrating your shop, so you are not left with a half-working checkout. ## Security for OpenCart stores OpenCart is a regular target for automated attacks because so many old installs are left unpatched. Simple steps help a lot: - Move the storage folder outside the public web root, as OpenCart 3 and 4 suggest on the dashboard - Rename the admin folder and protect it with a strong password and two-factor login - Delete the install folder after setup - Keep extensions updated, especially payment ones Our servers add a web application firewall and malware scanning. See website security for what we monitor. ## Payments and performance For PCI, pick payment extensions that use the provider's hosted payment page or secure embedded fields, such as the official Stripe or PayPal Commerce extensions. That keeps card data off your server and supports 3D Secure 2 for UK cards. For speed, run the newest PHP your OpenCart version supports, turn on OPcache, keep product images a sensible size and turn off the product count in categories on large catalogues, which adds a database query to every page. ## How dijitul looks after your OpenCart shop We copy files and database, update config.php and admin/config.php with the new paths, refresh modifications and test the checkout on a temporary address before switching DNS. You then get managed hosting with daily backups, free SSL and UK phone support as part of Complete Hosting, £1 a day + VAT. ## FAQs ### What PHP version does OpenCart need? OpenCart 4.x needs PHP 8.0 or newer and the latest 4.1.0.4 release works on PHP 8.5. OpenCart 3.0.4 and later run on PHP 8. OpenCart 1.5 and 2.x were built for PHP 5 and early PHP 7 and usually need an older PHP version or patching to run. ### Who can host an old OpenCart 1.5 or 2 shop in the UK? dijitul, a UK hosting company trading since 2006, hosts older OpenCart shops on managed Plesk hosting for £1 a day + VAT. Where it can be done safely we run them on the PHP version they need, keep the server patched around them and help plan an upgrade to OpenCart 3 or 4. ### Should I upgrade OpenCart 3 to OpenCart 4? Only when your theme and extensions have OpenCart 4 versions. OpenCart 3.0.x is still maintained and runs on PHP 8, so many shops stay on it. OpenCart 4 changed the extension system, so moving means replacing most extensions. Test the upgrade on a copy first. ### Why is my OpenCart shop showing a blank page after moving host? The usual causes are a different PHP version, wrong paths in config.php, an unrefreshed OCMOD modification cache, or vQmod cache folders that are not writable. Turning on error display briefly, or checking the PHP error log in Plesk, normally shows which one it is. ### How much is OpenCart hosting with dijitul? OpenCart hosting is part of dijitul Complete Hosting, £1 a day + VAT. It includes managed hosting, your own Plesk login, Cloudflare DNS, daily backups, free SSL, one domain registration or renewal each year and moving your store from your current host. ### Does OpenCart need a cron job? OpenCart 4 has a cron task screen for jobs like currency updates and subscription renewals. It runs most reliably when a real server cron calls it on a schedule, which can be set up in Plesk. Older versions only need cron if an extension asks for it. ## Pricing and ordering dijitul Complete Hosting is £1 a day + VAT (£365 a year + VAT). Order at https://clients.dijitul.uk/order?product=complete-hosting&ref=dijituldns&src=opencart-hosting or call 01623 650333.