What is the difference?
Both APIs serve different purposes. WooCommerce’s Store API is designed for block-based native storefronts, offering a streamlined experience for default themes and Gutenberg blocks. However, it lacks some flexibility developers need for decoupled or fully headless implementations.
CoCart is purpose-built for headless WooCommerce. It provides full control over the cart, extensive data filtering, advanced session access, and plug-and-play support for modern authentication methods—all with minimal setup. Especially in JavaScript-based frontends, CoCart offers a smoother, more powerful developer experience.
The Store API uses cookie/nonce authentication suited to traditional WordPress environments. While JWT authentication can be used. CoCart JWT authentication is superior supporting a much wider range of token-based methods. Basic Authuentication is also better suited to SPAs and mobile apps.
CoCart also helps by providing more data (both in the cart and products API) that can be filtered to only what you need before it is returned, making the responses faster.
See the comparison below for a full list of powerful features that make it possible for any business to build a complete custom storefront how they want.
An excellent plugin, which makes building a headless WooCommerce experience a breeze. Easy to use, nearly zero setup time.
Harald Schneider
Comparison
| Feature | Store API | CoCart |
|---|---|---|
| Cart API¹ | Yes | Yes (cart fees supported) |
| Products API | Yes | Yes |
| Checkout API | Yes | No (not yet) |
| Name Your Price | No | Yes (built in) |
| Basic Auth² | Yes | Yes |
| JWT Auth | Yes | Yes (with add-on) |
| Load Cart Native | No | Yes |
| CORS Supported | No | Yes |
| Rate Limiting¹ | Yes | Yes |
| Batch Requests³ | Yes | Yes |
| Restrict Route Access | No | Yes |
| Sessions Access API⁵ | No | Yes |
| Action Hooks and Filters | Some | Lost count (100+) |
| Cache Control Supported | No | Yes⁴ |
| WP-CLI | No | Yes (coming soon) |
| OpenAPI Spec | No | Yes (coming soon) |
¹ This feature or other API’s are provided with CoCart Plus.
² The Store API uses cookie/nonce authentication suited to traditional WordPress environments. CoCart adds support for basic user authentication.
³ Batch request is supported in both using WordPress batch standard. However, we have made it better for the cart with CoCart Plus.
⁴ CoCart is pre-configured with most popular cache plugins to prevent conflicts for a smooth experience.
⁵ CoCart allows you to view the cart sessions via the API. Essentially the cart API but in read-only for administrators only.
The Store API’s Checkout implementation lacks a comprehensive guide for supporting a wide range of payment gateways. While functional, it may require additional customization and research to support all scenarios. CoCart is actively working on a more intuitive and unified Checkout API tailored for headless developers.
Does it support guest customers?
Yes, CoCart supports guest customers by providing them with a unique cart key either generated after the first item is added to the cart or by manually providing one yourself.