The ERP system (Enterprise Resource Planning) serves as inventory management and control unit that decides in the background how efficiently your logistics run, how your data flows, and whether your company is ready for the demands of artificial intelligence.
How do I choose the best ERP software for ecommerce?
When choosing the right ERP system, it’s important that the software can handle your current order volume and grow with your business. Since the ERP is the single source of truth for your inventory, customers, and finances, you should use the following criteria as a decision aid:
Depth of integration and real-time: Relevant if over-selling should be prevented and inventory changes (e.g., a POS sale) must be reflected immediately in the shop system and on all marketplaces.
Multichannel synchronization: Important if you sell via your online store as well as platforms like Amazon, eBay, Otto, or Zalando and want to centralize order processing.
Logistics automation (pick & pack): Useful when shipping volume increases and you want to minimize error rates through barcode-supported processes, mobile app solutions, and automated label printing.
AI-readiness and data structure: Future-proof if you want to deploy AI agents for automated demand forecasting, cashflow analyses, or customer support and need a cleanly structured data foundation for this.
Financial accounting and regulatory compliance: Important for collaboration with your finance team and for meeting country-specific tax laws, digital reporting obligations, and electronic invoicing requirements across different markets.
Scalability during peak loads: Relevant if your business experiences seasonal peaks (e.g., Black Friday) and the system must remain stable and performant even at extremely high transaction rates.
Returns management: Helpful if you have a high proportion of returns and want to handle them via automated processes and customer portals.
Hosting and data protection (compliance): Important for companies with high GDPR and cybersecurity requirements (e.g., NIS2 directive) and that prefer server locations within the EU.
API-first and extensibility: If you run a bespoke system landscape and want the ERP to integrate seamlessly with third-party systems such as PIM, CRM, or specific logistics providers.
This article was created by Shopware and represents an editorial market overview. The selection of vendors does not claim to be exhaustive. Information on features, prices, and services is based on publicly available information from the respective vendors (as of January 2026). Changes may occur at any time. No guarantee is given for the accuracy or completeness of the information. All mentioned brands are the property of their respective rights holders.
6 popular ERP software solutions for your ecommerce
1) Pickware
Pickware is an ERP solution developed in Germany for the needs of online and omnichannel merchants. The system is characterized by the automation of warehouse and shipping processes and is often used by companies that want a very tight integration between online shop, inventory management, and physical warehouse.
Inventory management: Synchronization of stock levels, product data, and prices in real time across various shop systems (e.g., Shopware, Shopify) and channels.
Digital Warehouse Management (WMS): Warehouse management via app and barcode scanner to optimize pick-and-pack processes and minimize shipping errors.
Omnichannel approach (POS): POS system for brick-and-mortar retail that directly accesses the central inventory and records sales across channels immediately.
Shipping and returns workflow: Automated creation of shipping labels and invoices directly within the logistics process as well as digital capture and handling of returns.
Purchasing and demand planning: Supplier management functions and automated reorder suggestions based on historical sales data and defined minimum stock levels.
DATEV export and GoBD: Integrated accounting interfaces for exporting booking data and complying with legal standards in the DACH region.
AI features: Analysis of sales patterns for more accurate forecasting and prevention of overstock.
Prices for Pickware (as of January 2026, vendor website):
The monthly fees are modular: Pickware ERP Starter from €99 per month, the Pickware Warehouse Management System module from €199 per month, and the Pickware POS system from €149 per month.
2) Xentral
Xentral is a cloud-based ERP solution originally developed in Germany, designed to bundle all core processes of a trading company – from procurement to sales to logistics and finance – into one platform.
Control unit: Aggregation of all sales data from online shops (such as Shopware) and over 1,600 possible interfaces to marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or Otto.
Workflows (Xentral Flows): No-code automation for repetitive tasks in order processing, payment reconciliation, or dunning.
Warehouse and shipping logistics: Support for complex logistics models including multi-warehouse management, batch and serial number tracking, and connectivity to all common carriers.
Integrated CRM and project management: Functions for customer management and internal project control directly within the ERP interface.
AI assistance systems: Use of AI bots to support customer service and automated data extraction from incoming invoices and documents.
Compliance and security: GDPR-compliant cloud operation with certified interfaces to DATEV and support for e-invoicing requirements.
Scalable licensing model: Pricing based on annual order volume with unlimited users within the selected packages.
Prices for Xentral (as of January 2026, vendor website): Plans start at around €99 per month for the Launch package (limited order volume). Larger packages Starter, Business and Pro range between €349 and €849 per month.
3) PlentyOne
PlentyOne (formerly plentymarkets) is a cloud-based ecommerce all-in-one solution that unites inventory management, PIM (product information management), and comprehensive multichannel control in one system.
Extensive marketplace network: Integration to over 150 marketplaces and price comparison portals worldwide with channel-specific data mapping.
Order Management System (OMS): Centralized processing of orders from all channels including automated payment assignment and status synchronization.
Integrated PIM system: Central maintenance of product data, attributes, and media assets for optimized distribution across platforms.
Automation via Flow Studio: No-code editor for creating automation logic for processes such as invoicing, shipping, or notifications.
Agentic AI integration: Use of autonomous AI agents for first-level support and AI-driven analysis of returns patterns.
SaaS infrastructure: Cloud operation focused on peak performance during high transaction volumes (e.g., Black Friday) and TÜV-certified security.
Prices for PlentyOne (as of January 2026, vendor website):
PlentyOne scales prices by packages with increasing functionality. The Lite edition starts at €59 per month, Lite+ at €99 per month, Expand at €149 per month, and Scale at €229 per month. Larger enterprise packages (Ultimate) are individually quoted.
4) weclapp
weclapp is a modular cloud software designed to support small and medium-sized businesses through an intuitive UI and by mapping the entire business cycle.
Integrated business logic: Linking CRM, inventory management, and accounting in one interface to avoid data silos.
Ecommerce center: Interface for synchronizing products, stocks, and invoices with shop systems like Shopware.
Logistics and dropshipping: Support for managing multiple warehouses and native functions for direct supplier fulfillment (drop shipping).
Finance and accounting: Integrated dunning, DATEV export, and support for international tax rates as well as e-invoices.
AI copilot: LLM-based assistant functions for automated document creation and sales statistics analysis.
Deployment options: Available as public-cloud solution or as “weclappOn” (self-hosting via Docker) for companies with special data sovereignty requirements.
Prices for weclapp (as of January 2026, vendor website):
The ERP Commerce package costs €163 per user per month with annual billing. Smaller teams can start with ERP Starter from €39 per user per month; the mid-tier ERP Services package costs €86 per user per month.
5) JTL-Wawi
JTL-Wawi is an ERP software with a strong focus on warehouse management and multichannel ecommerce integration, particularly popular among merchants in the German-speaking market.
Warehouse management (JTL-WMS): Software-supported logistics with barcode support, route optimization and management of best-before dates (MHD) as well as batches.
Multichannel control: Integration to marketplaces like Amazon and eBay via the JTL-eazyAuction tool and connectors to various shop systems.
Automation (JTL-Workflows): Event-driven automation of processes, e.g., automatic email sending or status changes when certain conditions are met.
Shipping interface (JTL-Shipping): Direct connection to multiple national and selected international parcel carriers for automated label printing.
AI-supported content creation: Integration of language models for automated generation of product descriptions and metadata.
Hybrid architecture: Operation either locally on your own servers or in a certified cloud environment.
Prices for JTL-Wawi (as of January 2026, vendor website):
The basic version JTL Start is free and initially limited to 500 articles in the shop. Advanced versions like JTL Advanced start at around €99 per month, the JTL Pro package at €229 per month. Increasing packages offer extended support levels. Enterprise packages are available on request.
6) Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is an ERP solution for medium and large companies that have requirements beyond ecommerce – such as finance, production, and global supply chains.
Enterprise management: Mapping of all business areas including finance, sales, service, project management and inventory in one software.
Microsoft 365 integration: Collaboration with tools like Outlook, Excel and Teams and connection to the Power Platform for custom app development.
PIM and data management: Management of complex product data and international price lists that can be synchronized via connectors (for example with Shopware).
Scalability: Support for multi-currency, multiple languages and country-specific tax rules for international trade.
Microsoft Copilot & Agentic AI: Integrated AI assistants for automated forecast analyses, AI-supported text generation and intelligent document processing.
Azure cloud infrastructure: Operation in secure data centers with regional data residency options (e.g., EU or US regions) and compliance with international security certifications such as ISO 27001.
Prices for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (as of January 2026, vendor website):
Licensing is user-based. The Essentials version is €74.90 per user per month, the Premium version €103 per user per month. Additional users cost €7.50 per month with annual billing.
ERP software for your ecommerce in Shopware
Connecting an ERP system to Shopware can be implemented in two technological ways: by using native extensions or by connecting via the Shopware API. Through this connection, stock levels, prices, and order data are automatically exchanged between the online store and the ERP system.
Many modern ERP systems used across Europe and international markets offer connectors or middleware solutions for integration with Shopware. The type and depth of integration vary depending on the system and the individual setup. Pickware is the fully native ERP software for Shopware. Both use the same database and can be operated from a single admin interface.
You have questions?
Discuss your ERP requirements in a personal consultation.
ERP software for ecommerce – frequently asked questions and answers
Do you necessarily need an ERP system to run an online shop?
Not necessarily; with low order volumes and simple processes inventory and shipping can often be managed directly via the shop system. However, once multiple sales channels (multichannel) are served or manual order processing becomes too time-consuming, connecting an ERP system for automation and synchronization is recommended.
What role does the GDPR play in the choice of an ERP system?
Since customer and payment data are processed in the ERP system, the software must offer functions for GDPR-compliant storage, data access and deletion. For companies in the DACH market, it is also advantageous if the vendor uses server locations within the EU and provides appropriate data processing agreements (AVV).
Can I connect my existing ERP system to Shopware 6?
Yes, Shopware 6 is built on an API-first principle which facilitates connecting external systems. Most established ERP vendors provide ready-made connectors or plugins. For specific requirements or proprietary systems, the connection can be realized via Shopware’s REST API.
How complex is switching to a new ERP system?
The effort depends on the complexity of the existing data (products, customers, history) and the number of third-party systems to be integrated. Switching typically requires careful planning of data migration, process adjustments in logistics and training for employees.
Do ERP systems support mandatory e-invoicing requirements?
Many modern ERP solutions are designed to support electronic invoicing requirements across different markets. In the European Union, this may include formats such as ZUGFeRD or XRechnung in Germany, FatturaPA in Italy, or PEPPOL-based standards.
In the United States, while there is currently no nationwide B2B e-invoicing mandate, ERP systems often support structured invoice formats and integrations that comply with federal or state-level requirements, as well as procurement standards for government contracts.
If you operate internationally, it is important to ensure that your ERP system can handle country-specific tax rules, invoice formats, and digital reporting obligations.
