As an online retailer, there are many options available to you today to open and operate your own online store. Two of the most popular e-commerce platforms are Shopify and Commercetools. Both systems offer different features for your business to create, manage and scale a store.
While both platforms provide similar core functionality, there are some key differences that make a Commercetools migration to Shopify a viable option. Often, merchants using Commercetools face technical challenges and high maintenance costs. Switching to Shopify can offer advantages here, as the hosted platform minimizes technical complexity and maintenance costs.
Not sure whether Shopify or Commercetools is the better choice for your needs? In this article, we'll show you which Commercetools alternatives are available and why a store migration is worthwhile.
Table of contents
Do you need support with the migration? As Shopify Plus experts, we will be happy to assist you and help you with the Commercetools migration. Get in touch with us.
What is Commercetools?
Commercetools is a software company that enables online retailers to develop and manage an e-commerce platform. The cloud-based software follows the API-first principle, offering great flexibility. Commercetools has a range of functions, such as product data management, customer service, order management and much more. It is based on a microservices architecture through which loosely coupled, independently deployable components are connected with interfaces and assembled into a complex application. This approach allows individual components to be developed or replaced separately, making the system flexibly adaptable.
In addition to this headless solution, Commercetools now also offers a front-end solution. In this way, online stores and apps can be easily created from ready-made components. However, this also brings with it a number of challenges, in particular the complexity and the need for developers to implement it. In addition to this headless solution, Commercetools now also offers a frontend solution. This allows online shops and apps to be easily created from prefabricated components. However, this also brings some challenges, including complexity and the need for developers to implement it.
MACH Alliance
Commercetools is part of the MACH Alliance, which advocates for a modular, API-centric, cloud-based, and headless architecture in e-commerce. This architecture, known as MACH (Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, Headless), enables companies to develop flexible and scalable e-commerce solutions that can quickly adapt to changing requirements.
While Shopify is not an official part of this alliance, all of the mentioned components can be easily replicated with Shopify.
Reading tip: We have summarized how to align the MACH Alliance and Shopify in this post.
Commercetools Disadvantages
We have already mentioned that using Commercetools can be quite complex. Difficulties in integrating third-party software or unsatisfactory support are also reasons why users consider migrating from Commercetools to other e-commerce platforms. Other reasons include limited B2B features or the limited ability for individual customizations.
Another factor is the costs associated with using Commercetools. While prices are only available upon request, experience reports suggest that Commercetools is more suitable for medium to large enterprises due to its costs. Therefore, smaller companies may find alternative platforms with a wide range of pricing models, such as Shopify, more suitable.
Reading tip: On-premise vs. cloud: which is better for your online store?
What alternatives are there to Commercetools?
There are various Commercetools alternatives available to you for running an online store. In this section, we would like to introduce you to four of them that you should consider when thinking about a Commercetools migration.
Shopify
Shopify is a popular Commercetools alternative that enables businesses of all sizes to sell products and services online. With its user-friendly platform, Shopify offers the ideal basis for creating and managing an online store quickly and easily. Even without extensive technical knowledge, you can create and design a store in Shopify. The e-commerce platform offers a range of customizable templates and a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy for you to create a store. With its numerous interfaces and apps, the cloud-based store system provides all the important functions for online retailers to operate a scalable online store today and in the future.
Spryker
Spryker is also a cloud-based, headless platform for digital commerce. The tool supports various business models, but is primarily specialized in B2B and marketplaces. With the Commercetools alternative, you can build a new e-commerce platform or further develop an existing one. Spryker offers you the option of adapting the tool to your needs with the help of modules and APIs.
Reading tip: You can find a detailed comparison between Spryker vs. Shopify in this article.
Shopware
As an open commerce platform, Shopware offers the opportunity to build an online store using its modular system. The platform is suitable for any business model and provides continuous support in the form of onboarding and individual advice.
Reading tip: In this article, you can find out why our customer Parsa Beauty turned its back on Shopware and migrated to Shopify.
WooCommerce
Another well-known Commercetools alternative is WooCommerce. This tool is based on Wordpress, which is why it is often the most obvious solution for merchants with a Wordpress website. You can also use WooCommerce free of charge, although there are additional costs for hosting, support, plugins and themes. Smaller retailers and companies in particular use this alternative.
What are the advantages of switching to Shopify?
If you are thinking about a Commercetools migration to Shopify, the question arises as to what advantages Shopify offers for your online store. We have summarized the most important advantages for you in this section.
Scalability and performance
As a fully hosted platform, Shopify takes care of hosting, security and performance optimization. This allows your online store to scale without you having to worry about the technical aspects. Shopify also offers higher security standards and automatic updates, ensuring that your store always meets all requirements.
Commercetools offers a microservices architecture that makes it possible to decouple different parts of your e-commerce application so that you can scale individual components as required, although this also involves greater effort.
Customizability and flexibility
Shopify is a highly customizable and user-friendly platform that allows you to easily design and customize a store. With customizable themes and templates, you can build a scalable store without in-depth coding knowledge.
Reading tip: How headless commerce works with Shopify.
Architecture
With Shopify, the frontend and backend are seamlessly connected. This allows businesses to quickly and easily create customized e-commerce experiences without having to worry about complex interfaces. With Shopify, users can also benefit from Composable Commerce, which allows them to select and customize best-of-breed commerce solutions to meet their specific needs. By flexibly composing from a wide range of modules, businesses have the ability to precisely design both the front-end and back-end of their store.
Commercetools' API-first strategy, on the other hand, could mean additional complexity, as it provides for a decoupling of the frontend and backend. Composable commerce can also be used with Commercetools, but the implementation here is also significantly more complex and therefore requires a certain amount of technical knowledge.
In summary, it can be said that Shopify's architecture is more user-friendly and therefore easier to implement. A migration with Composable Commerce from Commercetools to Shopify can also be carried out without any problems.
Reading tip: With Commerce Components, Composable Commerce is also possible with Shopify. Find out more in this article.
Integrated functions and extensions
With Shopify, you benefit from a wide range of built-in features and extensions to get your store up and running quickly. The platform offers features for inventory management, order management, marketing tools and integrations with the most popular payment gateways and shipping providers.
Commercetools, on the other hand, offers fewer integrated functions. In most cases, third-party add-ons can be integrated, but this requires complex implementation.
Support
The Shopify community consists of users, developers and experts who provide you with a wide range of resources and instructions. The dedicated support team is also there to help you with your questions and problems around the clock.
The community and ecosystem around Commercetools is not as extensive compared to Shopify. The support around the tool is also often criticized by users.
Pricing
With Shopify, you can choose from a range of pricing plans aimed at companies of different sizes. The following plans are available:
Basic Shopify:
From 29 $ per month
All basic features, such as unlimited products, 24/7 support, marketing tools and more
Shopify:
From 79 $ per month
Additional features (e.g. gift cards and professional reports)
Advanced Shopify:
From $299 per month
Particularly interesting for larger companies
Additional features such as advanced reporting and improved automation
Shopify Plus:
Enterprise plan for large companies
Customized pricing
Highly customizable solution with additional features such as dedicated support and increased scalability
Commercetools, on the other hand, offers a pricing model that is based on the specific requirements of companies. Many customers report that the costs are comparatively high and therefore not affordable for smaller companies.
In conclusion, it can be said that Shopify offers a number of advantages. The system scores with its hosted platform, which ensures scalability, performance and security without you having to worry about technical aspects. You also benefit from an extensive support network and transparent pricing. Although Commercetools also provides flexible solutions, it often requires a higher level of technical expertise and a complex implementation of functions and extensions.
Erfolgreiche Commercetools Migration: Beispiel Coeur de Lion
Latori customer Coeur de Lion made the decision to migrate from Commercetools to Shopify Plus in 2020. We supported the Commercetools migration in close collaboration. The new store design was conceived by Coeur de Lion and implemented by our frontend team. At the same time, the Coeur de Lion backend team took care of the seamless integration and programming of necessary applications such as the Xentral ERP system.
Thanks to the migration from Commercetools to Shopify Plus, Coeur de Lion enjoyed a number of benefits. The intuitive and highly customizable platform enabled the company to create a new store experience that is perfectly tailored to the needs of its customers. The collaboration with Latori ensured a smooth implementation and integration of all necessary functions and applications.
Reading tip: If you would like to learn more about the use case of migrating from Commercetools to Shopify Plus, you can find more information in this article.
Conclusion
Migrating from Commercetools to Shopify offers online retailers numerous benefits that affect both the performance and usability of their online store. Even though Commercetools is a solid solution for e-commerce, companies often face technical challenges and high maintenance costs. Shopify significantly simplifies the operation of your online store by taking over hosting and performance optimization. The platform is an attractive alternative to Commercetools that helps companies strengthen their online presence and implement successful e-commerce strategies.
If you are considering a migration from Commercetools to Shopify, you should carefully consider the benefits and options and seek expert support to ensure a smooth transition. As a Shopify Plus agency, we are happy to assist you with your Commercetools migration.
With our expertise, we can help you get the most out of your e-commerce presence. Get in touch with us.
