10 Best Shopify Plus Alternatives for Enterprise Ecommerce

Surya SK
December 20, 2021

Shopify Plus has become a go-to option for dealing with enterprise eCommerce. It's one of the most famous enterprise eCommerce platforms in the market. 

As more people have started using Shopify Plus, this popularity has also exposed the shortcomings and disadvantages of Shopify Plus. For example, Shopify Plus lacks some of the required functionalities that other alternative platforms possess. This is one of the reasons why Shopify Plus alternatives are increasingly popular in the domain of enterprise eCommerce. 

Table of Contents

1. Growmax Commerce Cloud
2. Magento Commerce

3. Bigcommerce

4. Salesforce Commerce Cloud

5. SAP Commerce Cloud

6. OroCommerce

7. B2B Wave

8. Tradegecko

9. Optimizely Cloud

10. Sana Commerce

What is an enterprise eCommerce platform?

eCommerce is the domain of digital retail, with small merchants selling their respective products. However, when big-time brands seek to establish their eCommerce presence, they need more firepower to keep their website on servers to tackle high traffic levels and require other functionalities. Some of the essential marketing features are headless Commerce,  B2B Commerce, Multiple storefronts, Enterprise Marketplace, Customer relationship management (CRM) software, etc. 

This is where you need an enterprise eCommerce to step in and handle all of the big-time features and advancements to support an established brand’s presence in eCommerce. It ranges up from entry-level eCommerce options following the needs of more extensive operations.

Mandatory Features needed in an enterprise eCommerce platform

As an enterprise eCommerce business on the lookout for the best Shopify plus alternatives, you must have an idea about the features that an enterprise eCommerce platform must have in general.

1. Multiple Storefront

A multiple storefronts provide the ability to run your B2B or B2C commerce from a single platform. Having multiple storefronts helps you standardize operations. streamline communications and deliver consistent customer service, all from a single administrative panel. So, make sure the enterprise eCommerce platform that you select has this feature.

2. Customization

Your business is unique to you, and you want to translate that to your customers. Every individual has a different pattern of work style, which is why customization & personalization is needed when designing the website. When choosing your eCommerce platform, make sure you can easily make amendments that work for your specific business model and customers. The eCommerce platform should be able to provide you with some handy features like headless commerce and let you build your own frontend & PWA mobile app for your customers with complete control.

3. Space for growth

As a business owner, you need to anticipate growth. So think about the different types of technology you'll be working with to grow and develop. Then, make sure that the eCommerce platform that you work with can facilitate those technologies. 

What does Shopify Plus do?

Shopify Plus is used by multiple users & brands for a reason. It gives big-time businesses a more affordable and user-friendly platform In addition, most features are effectively universal, which provides merchants with a comfortable spot while using Shopify Plus. Shopify Plus's unique advantage is that its high popularity has drawn many technology partners, who trust and build their entire business model around Shopify Plus. 

Why do you need a Shopify Plus alternative?

Shopify Plus can still be costly. Small businesses can take a hit with Shopify Plus. At the same time, the licensing fee is under $300/month. The basic starting plan is a striking $2000 on Shopify Plus. When the add-on services like transaction costs bulk up, the actual price tends to be way higher, and when your business grows up to a point where it is no longer an entry-level eCommerce solution and can't manage the increase in license fee, that would be well above 500%. This makes Shopify Plus a not so economical option for SMEs. This creates a need for Shopify Plus alternatives.

Shopify Plus also lacks personalization features and built-in tools to help you with your business. Third-party applications do not come free of cost, and SEO is also locked down for the most.

10 Best Shopify Plus Alternatives to check out in 2021

The market offers quite a lot of Shopify Plus alternatives. However, after some research, we’ve nitpicked the top 10 Shopify Plus competitors of 2021. Dive in:

1. Growmax Commerce Cloud

Growmax is the right platform built for B2B companies with great features. In fact, Growmax as a platform provides both B2B and B2B2C functionalities with headless commerce from the business plan. It has inbuilt Quote Management, Order Management, Customer-specific Pricing Management, Product Management, and customer support system, etc. This makes it a perfect Shopify Plus alternative. 


Pros
  • Built-in PWA Mobile app
  • 99% availability & hosted on AWS cloud
  • Provides complete quotation and order management
  • In-built support & field service
  • Provides product catalog and filter management
  • Customer-specific pricing options
  • Zero transaction fees 
Cons
  • You may have to expect constant updates as Growmax, being a young platform, is trying to add more functionalities as per customer preferences.
Price

The basic plan starts at $59, while the highest ideal (accelerate) is cited at $1099, and for enterprise businesses, it is quoted at $1999. Growmax has a custom plan upon request too. A free version is also available. 

2. Magento Commerce (Adobe Commerce) 

Magento is an open-source eCommerce content management solution initially developed by Varien Inc and presently supported by Adobe. The Magento Open Source version is for merchants comfortable with technology; Magento is available as a free download. It is supported with free upgrades from the Magento Community. As it is an open-source version, users will enjoy the ability to customize the code. This version still presents a competent eCommerce presence with multiple, mobile-accessible sites, SEO optimization, targeted promotions, the ability to alter themes and change the layout, taxes and shipping management, and more, making it a great alternative to Shopify Plus. 

Pros
  • As it is open-source, users have access to customize the backend. 
  • You have access to third-party apps and add-ons.    
Cons
  • While Magento provides patches and upgrades, it doesn't auto-update, and you will have to do it manually. 
  • You'll need a developer and an agency to manage the build and maintenance no matter the version of Magento you choose to work with. 
  • Magento has an extremely extensive setup, which demands high expenses to complete the builds. 
Price

Pricing based on annual Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and Average Order Value (AOV)

3. Bigcommerce

Bigcommerce is definitely one of the most popular Shopify Plus alternatives. As a flexible open SaaS platform, BigCommerce gives merchants the ability to build, innovate, customize and develop their businesses online with simplicity and ease of use. Many of its features match up to Shopify Plus or even excel, making it a great alternative. 

Pros 
  • Faster loading time of the site on all platforms and devices
  • Easy management of inventory
  • New Variations tools are much faster for loading data
  • Fully accessible metadata for categories, inventory, pages, and posts for optimization
  • A convenient built-in blog for adding content. 
Cons
  • Need to be able to add tracking information to customer order
Price 

The Bigcommerce Essentials at $29.95, while the Enterprise edition starts at $1500 plus transactional costs.

4. Salesforce Commerce Cloud 

Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a cloud-based eCommerce platform that is acclaimed for its flexibility and scalability. It features merchandising tools such as sorting, filtering, image zooming, and more, allowing customers to browse through products with control. Commerce Cloud also provides inventory management controls within the platform. Its flexibility is structured to accommodate a wide range of business models. It also helps collect visitor/shopper data to customize the shopping experience of individuals or groups. 

Pros
  • It easily allows access to client records.
  • It integrates with other salesforce software.
  • Enhanced scalability
Cons
  • Requires a longer implementation time 
  • Inconsistencies in the user interface
  • Limited third-party integrations
  • It may not be the right choice for small businesses
  • Pricing is comparatively steep
Pricing

Users will have to contact Salesforce Commerce to get a pricing plan.

5. SAP Commerce Cloud

SAP Company helps businesses worldwide sell more goods, services, and digital content through every medium, channel, and device through their multi-channel eCommerce solution. This Shopify plus alternative is available on-premise. You have the provision to develop and personalize it locally and then deploy it to SAP cloud infrastructure.

Pros
  • Larger partner ecosystem to work with 
  • Keeps track of past and present invoices and integrates well with SAP ERP
  • Clear, intuitive, and itemized design makes it easy to facilitate back-to-back sales receipts
Cons
  • Longer implementation effort 
  • Limited third-party integrations
  • Could do a better job of training design
  • On the expensive side
Pricing

Users will have to contact SAP to get a price plan.

6. OroCommerce

This is an open-source B2B eCommerce software for middle and large-sized companies, with built-in CRM and third-party integrations. With out-of-the-box features, the platform can be personalized to fit any format like B2B, B2B2B, B2B2C, etc. OroCommerce provides corporate account management, access controls, permissions, content management, and more to power all businesses with their eCommerce management.

Pros
  • Ability to personalize as per your business needs
  • Detailed access to all your databases
  • Great User interface
  • Effortlessly handles sales and marketing for your e-commerce business            
Cons
  • Training time duration is relatively low.
  • The learning curve for the customization process of OroCommerce is less convenient.
Price 

You would have to contact ORO to get your customized price plan. 

7. B2B Wave

B2B Wave is a B2B eCommerce solution designed for wholesale distributors, manufacturers, and dropshipping suppliers. The cloud-based platform lets you accept orders and reorders, create an online product catalog, add multiple price lists, manage customers, and sync your accounting and inventory systems. You can also use Zapier to integrate with 2000+ tools and build personalized integrations using their full-fledged API making it a Shopify Plus alternative to consider.

Pros
  • Easy to implement
  • Cloud-based architecture
  • Best suited for small businesses   
Cons
  • B2B wave misses integrations with multiple warehouses. 
  • Doesn’t come with enterprise features like headless commerce, and is not API-driven. 
Price

The standard price starts at $29.95, while the highest plan is priced at $299.95. There's a custom plan available too. 

8. Quickbooks Commerce (Tradegecko) 

TradeGecko is an order and supply chain management platform with a broad suite of functionalities packaged together in a cloud-based interface.

Pros
  • Manage product bundles
  • Merchandise classification: variants and components
  • Manage multiple price-lists
  • Automate purchase ordering
  • Automate backorders
Cons
  • No built-in POS.
  • No headless options
Price 

The basic plan is priced at $39, while the business plan is priced at $599. 

9. Optimizely Cloud 

Optimizely Commerce Cloud (formerly Episerver Commerce Cloud) is an eCommerce solution that includes core digital commerce and content management features. Users can add advanced tools for personalization, email recommendations, and analytics.

Pros
  • Develop in reusable pieces, rather than developing every page individually
  • Data-driven and dynamic generation of content, rather than static
  • Integrating with other systems and channels is easy.     
Cons
  • Catalog audit history could be expanded.
Price

Users will have to contact Optimizely to get a price plan. 

10. Sana Commerce 

Sana Commerce Cloud is an ERP-integrated e-commerce platform that is designed to help organizations foster lasting relationships with their customers by integrating SAP and eCommerce as a singular entity. This integrated approach eliminates unnecessary complexities and compromises caused by e-commerce solutions. Sana commerce allows end-users to navigate conveniently and streamline web stores. 

Pros
  • Personalization for customer convenience
  • Reliability eliminates errors and delays
  • User-Friendly system to adapt to your business requirements
 Cons
  • Customizations may take some time to implement.
  • Well suited only when you have SAP or Microsoft Dynamics ERP as its dependencies are very high.
Pricing

Users would have to contact Sana to get a price plan.

How can Growmax commerce cloud change your enterprise E-commerce experience?

Growmax commerce cloud is an efficient enterprise eCommerce solution for you and your business modules. We provide a powerful yet easy-to-use portal for your customers to place their orders out of the box or via headless commerce options in weeks.

Growmax Marketplace Cloud is another offering for enterprises to run their B2B2C or B2B2B functionalities without any conflicts with their existing channel partners. Enterprises can make their channels to sell on their Direct To Consumer (DTC) platform to increase reach and sales within a few weeks. Partnering with a B2B solution like Growmax is a sure way to increase your B2B sales in the most optimum way possible.

That’s not all. Growmax provides customized pricing plans to customers based on their business needs, thus helping in maintaining an excellent cost-to-benefit ratio. It also facilitates collaboration internally with teams for a better customer experience. The platform provides leads, tasks, quotes, orders, support & top-tier analytics to take your business to the next level, thus extracting the best version of your business! Well, Growmax indeed has all that it takes to be a perfect Shopify Plus alternative. All you have to do is click on this link and begin the journey!

Conclusion

With so many Shopify plus alternatives available in the market, it is always advisable to do your research of the present-day options and compare different platforms to see what best suits your business needs and requirements. Be open to different enterprise eCommerce platforms as you may find better options that might potentially suit your business module and can even be way more economical for you. With that said, every business module is a kind of its own and you would have to see what fits the best for you and your business. Good luck!