Choosing a platform and architecture
Hosted platforms such as Shopify move fast and reduce operations work. Open-source options like WooCommerce and Magento allow deeper control with more maintenance. Headless setups using a commerce API and a custom front end suit brands with unusual experiences, though they raise cost and complexity. The right choice depends on catalog size, B2B pricing needs, team skills and integration load.
We compare options using your actual requirements: customer groups, tax rules, multi-currency, subscription models, marketplace listings and fulfilment flows. Platform fees, transaction fees and extension costs are included so the comparison reflects the real running cost. Hosting and developer skills affect the decision as much as features. A platform your team cannot hire for, or cannot afford to operate during peak season, will cost more than its license suggests, and we make that visible in the comparison before you sign anything.