Compare e-commerce platforms.

From SaaS to composable commerce. We compare Shopify, Commercetools and BigCommerce based on practical experience – for B2B, B2C and everything in between.

Comparison Table

Shopify

Founded: 2006
B2B: Native (Plus)
API-first: Partial
MACH: No
Price: €29–€2,300+/mo

Commercetools

Founded: 2006
B2B: Excellent
API-first: Yes
MACH: Yes
Price: €5k–€50k+/mo

BigCommerce

Founded: 2009
B2B: Native (B2B Ed.)
API-first: Yes
MACH: Yes
Price: €29–€254/mo + Enterprise

Brief Summaries

Shopify

The world's largest SaaS e-commerce platform. Evolving from entry-level to serious enterprise solution. The OpenAI partnership for agentic commerce is game-changing. Shopify Plus offers native B2B features. Ideal for those who want to go live quickly.

Commercetools

The king of composable commerce and co-founder of the MACH Alliance. Fully API-first, unlimited flexibility, but long implementation time (12-18 months). For enterprise organizations with own tech teams and complex requirements.

BigCommerce

The "open SaaS" position: combination of SaaS convenience with API openness. Strong B2B Edition for wholesale and manufacturing. MACH Alliance member. Sweet spot for Dutch mid-market that wants more than Shopify but less complex than Commercetools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between SaaS and composable commerce?
SaaS e-commerce (like Shopify) is an all-in-one solution you can start with immediately. The vendor manages hosting, updates and scaling. Composable commerce (like Commercetools) is API-first: you build your own stack by combining best-of-breed tools. SaaS is faster to launch and cheaper to maintain; composable offers maximum flexibility but requires more technical expertise.
Which e-commerce platform fits me?
The choice depends on your complexity and tech capacity. Shopify is ideal for fast implementation and standard e-commerce – live within 4-6 months. Commercetools fits complex, multi-brand environments with own tech teams – plan 12-18 months. BigCommerce sits in between with strong B2B features and more API openness than Shopify, but less complex than Commercetools.
Can I combine B2B and B2C on one platform?
Yes, all three platforms support this. Shopify Plus offers native B2B with company accounts and custom pricing. BigCommerce B2B Edition is specifically built for hybrid scenarios. Commercetools is architecturally the strongest for complex multi-channel scenarios with separate storefronts. The question is: are your B2B requirements standard (Shopify/BigCommerce) or very custom (Commercetools)?

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