SAP Commerce Cloud is one of the established platforms in the enterprise ecommerce space. Businesses benefit from its deep integration with existing SAP systems and its extensive feature set. However, depending on your strategic direction and future goals, it can be worthwhile to explore alternative platform approaches.
As technology evolves and new markets emerge, flexibility and adaptability are becoming increasingly crucial. When selecting or relaunching your ecommerce solution, it’s important to carefully evaluate which platform best supports your long-term vision.
This article serves as your guide. It highlights what defines SAP Commerce Cloud, what to look for in alternative solutions, and which key criteria should influence your decision.
Important note: The features, pricing, and performance details presented in the following comparison are based on publicly available information from the respective providers (as of September 2025) and are intended solely for informational purposes.
All details are subject to change by the providers at any time. No guarantee is given for the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Unless otherwise stated, all prices are net, apply to the European market, and refer to monthly billing.
All trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are used for comparison purposes only. Shopware is not affiliated with any of the brands listed. The order of providers does not represent a ranking.
SAP Commerce Cloud at a glance
SAP Commerce Cloud offers a wide range of features for both B2C and B2B business models and integrates seamlessly with other SAP solutions such as SAP ERP and SAP Customer Experience.¹
The platform demonstrates its strengths particularly in international commerce scenarios. It provides businesses with tools to centrally manage multiple markets, languages, and currencies. For organizations operating in highly regulated industries or requiring very specific business processes, SAP Commerce Cloud delivers suitable capabilities tailored to those needs.²
Another key strength lies in its broad ecosystem. A wide array of extensions, services, and partnerships makes it easier to connect existing systems and expand into new markets.³ Thanks to its close integration with SAP’s technology infrastructure, SAP Commerce Cloud is particularly well suited for companies that have already made significant investments in SAP solutions and wish to strategically build upon that foundation.
What a strong SAP Commerce Cloud alternative should deliver
An alternative to SAP Commerce Cloud should cover the essential capabilities required in modern ecommerce. The key priorities are adaptability and seamless integration.
Hosting
Strong alternatives support multiple deployment models such as public cloud, private cloud, or on-premises environments. The choice of hosting depends on internal requirements regarding data protection, availability, and cost control.
API integrations
Comprehensive documentation and broad API availability make it easier to connect external systems such as ERP, CRM, PIM, or payment services.
Scalability
Technical resources should scale flexibly to handle traffic spikes or increasing order volumes. Scalability applies both to server capacity and application architecture.
Support for multiple business models
Leading platforms provide features that enable B2C, B2B, or hybrid commerce models. This includes customer group management, individual pricing rules, and separate storefronts.
Extensibility
When growth is the goal, new features should be added without altering the platform’s core. Extensions may be implemented through modules, plugins, or external integrations.
Data protection and compliance
Compliance with data privacy regulations such as the GDPR should be ensured. This includes consent management, secure data storage, and data portability mechanisms.
In short – what to look for
Support for various hosting options
Availability of open and well-documented APIs
Scalable expansion capabilities to match business growth
Features that support multiple business models (B2B, B2C, D2C)
Flexible customization of frontend and backend without system-level changes
Mechanisms to ensure compliance with data protection regulations
Transparent and predictable cost structure
Access to professional support and active developer communities
Integration with common third-party systems and modular extensibility
Flexible roles and permissions management
8 SAP Commerce Cloud alternatives at a glance
1) Shopware
Origin and concept: Shopware is a Germany-based open-source ecommerce platform known for its flexibility and scalability.
Technology: Built on a modular architecture, Shopware allows deep customization across numerous areas. With its API-first approach, the platform is highly scalable and easily integrates with other systems. Shopware offers both self-hosted and cloud deployment options.
Target audience: Shopware is designed for large and internationally operating businesses. The platform supports multiple languages, currencies, and country-specific tax configurations, making it ideal for global commerce strategies.
Strengths
Flexibility: High adaptability through open-source architecture, API-first design, and headless capabilities.
Scalability: Suitable for businesses of all sizes with growing operational demands.
Community support: Backed by an active developer community and extensive documentation.
Plans & pricing (as of September 2025)
Shopware offers several plans tailored to different business needs:
Community Edition: Free open-source version with core functionalities
Rise: Starting at €600 per month
Evolve: Starting at €2,400 per month
Beyond: Starting at €6,500 per month
In addition to monthly fees, further costs may apply, for example:
Hosting: Applicable for the self-hosted version (server and infrastructure costs).
Extensions: Costs for plugins and themes from the Shopware Store.
2) Commercetools
Origin and concept: Commercetools is a Germany-based company offering a cloud-native commerce platform.
Technology: As a cloud-based solution, Commercetools is provided as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). It does not offer self-hosting or the ability to choose a hosting provider. The platform follows a microservices, API-first, and headless architecture, allowing flexible development and integration scenarios.
Target audience: According to the company, Commercetools is designed for businesses seeking scalable and highly customizable commerce solutions.
Strengths
Real-time control: Enables API-based scenarios for personalization and product recommendations.
API performance: The API is described as fast and stable.⁴
Adaptability: Commercetools is highly customizable and can be configured to meet specific requirements.
Plans & pricing (as of September 2025, source: commercetools.com)
Commercetools does not publicly list pricing or predefined plans on its website. Pricing is provided individually upon request.
3) Spryker
Origin and concept: Spryker is a Germany-based commerce solution designed to meet complex business requirements.
Technology: The platform is built on a modular, headless, and API-first architecture. It offers flexible hosting options, including both on-premises and cloud deployments.
Target audience: According to the company, Spryker is used by businesses with extensive customization needs – particularly in the B2B sector.
Strengths
Modular architecture: Enables tailored configurations and individual adaptations.
Industry-specific packages: Dedicated solutions for various use cases, such as B2B and B2C.
Headless and API-first design: Allows a clear separation between backend and frontend layers.
Plans & pricing (as of September 2025, source: spryker.com)
Spryker does not publish list prices on its website. Pricing is provided individually upon request.
4) Adobe Commerce
Origin and concept: Adobe Commerce originated from Magento and is now part of the Adobe ecosystem.
Technology: According to the provider, the platform includes extensive B2C and B2B capabilities. It offers both on-premises and cloud hosting options, giving businesses flexibility in managing data and infrastructure. The platform features a modular architecture, a comprehensive API, and a large marketplace for extensions.
Target audience: Adobe Commerce is used by medium-sized and large enterprises across various industries.
Strengths
Adobe ecosystem: Access to a wide range of Adobe tools and integrations.
Scalability: Suitable for businesses of all sizes with evolving requirements.
Omnichannel capability: Enables integration across multiple sales channels.
Plans & pricing (as of September 2025, source: adobe.com)
Adobe Commerce does not publish list prices on its website. Pricing is provided individually upon request.
In addition to licensing costs, further expenses may apply, such as:
Extensions: Fees for additional modules and plugins.
Support and maintenance: Ongoing costs for updates and technical support.
5) Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Origin and concept: Salesforce Commerce Cloud, originally known as Demandware, was acquired by Salesforce in 2016 and integrated into the broader Salesforce product family.
Technology: The cloud-based platform is built on a multi-layered architecture that includes database, web, and application servers as well as load balancers.
Target audience: Salesforce Commerce Cloud is aimed at businesses seeking a scalable ecommerce system.
Strengths
Omnichannel capability: Supports unified shopping experiences across web, mobile, social media, and brick-and-mortar stores.
AI-driven personalization: Embedded AI features enable personalized product recommendations and search results.
Scalability: Cloud-based infrastructure allows flexible scaling according to business demand.
Plans & pricing (as of September 2025, source: salesforce.com)
Salesforce Commerce Cloud offers several editions:
Commerce Cloud Growth: 1% of GMV, includes up to 6 storefronts.
Commerce Cloud Advanced: 2% of GMV, includes up to 10 storefronts.
Commerce Cloud B2C Premium: Price upon request, includes unlimited storefronts.
6) WooCommerce
Origin and concept: WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that extends websites with full ecommerce functionality.
Technology: It is a self-hosted solution that can be enhanced through a wide range of themes and plugins
Target audience: WooCommerce is primarily used by businesses that already operate on WordPress or want to combine content and commerce within a single platform.
Strengths
Flexibility: Highly customizable through a large selection of themes and plugins.
Cost efficiency: The core version is free to use.
Community support: Backed by a large developer community and extensive documentation.
Plans & pricing (as of September 2025, source: woocommerce.com)
Although WooCommerce itself is a free plugin, additional costs may apply, such as:
Premium themes: WooCommerce estimates costs of up to $100 USD per year.⁵
Plugins and extensions: Additional fees may apply depending on the selected features.
7) BigCommerce
Origin and concept: BigCommerce is a US-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that includes hosting provided by the vendor.
Technology: As a SaaS platform, BigCommerce manages all hosting and infrastructure. Custom hosting options are not available. SEO and marketing features are preconfigured and vary by plan. The platform offers an open API and numerous integrations. Customizations are possible, though limited to the platform’s built-in capabilities.
Target audience: BigCommerce provides interfaces to connect ERP and CRM tools, making it suitable for businesses that rely on integrated operations.
Strengths
Multichannel commerce: Native support for multiple sales channels.
Advanced marketing features: Includes tools for cart abandonment recovery and targeted campaigns.
International reach: Strong support for global operations, including currencies, shipping, and payment options.
Plans & pricing (as of September 2025, source: bigcommerce.com)
BigCommerce offers several pricing plans (based on monthly billing):
Standard: $39 USD per month; designed for small businesses with basic needs. Up to $50,000 USD in annual online sales.
Plus: $105 USD per month; includes advanced marketing tools and customer segmentation. Up to $180,000 USD in annual online sales.
Pro: $399 USD per month; for growing businesses with higher sales volumes and extended capabilities. Up to $400,000 USD in annual online sales.
Enterprise: Custom pricing; tailored solutions for large-scale businesses with specific requirements.
8) Shopify
Origin and concept: Shopify is a Canada-based cloud service offered as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).
Technology: Shopify includes hosting as part of the service, and additional functionality can be added through its dedicated App Store. The platform does not support self-hosting or provide full data control.
Target audience: According to the company, Shopify is used worldwide by businesses of all sizes – from small startups to larger online stores.
Strengths
Ease of use: Widely regarded as user-friendly and accessible without technical expertise.
Multichannel sales: Integration with social media platforms and online marketplaces.
Extensive App Store: A wide range of extensions and plugins available.
Plans & pricing (as of September 2025, source: shopify.com)
Shopify offers three pricing plans:
Basic: €36 per month; suitable for new ecommerce businesses with basic requirements.
Shopify: €105 per month; includes lower card fees and additional staff accounts.
Advanced Shopify: €384 per month; adds features such as POS selling and reduced transaction fees.
In addition to monthly fees, further costs may apply, such as:
Transaction fees: According to Shopify, fees apply when using external payment providers – 2% (Basic), 1% (Shopify), or 0.6% (Advanced) per transaction.⁶
Apps and themes: Extensions and design templates may incur additional charges.
Shopify also offers a 25% discount on annual subscriptions for the Basic, Shopify, and Advanced plans.⁶
Shopify bietet einen Rabatt von 25 % auf jährliche Abonnements für die Pläne Basic, Shopify und Advanced an.6
How to find your SAP Commerce Cloud alternative
Choosing an ecommerce platform isn’t just about technical features or cost structures. Long-term considerations play a crucial role in finding a solution that will grow with you for years to come.
Is Shopware the right alternative for you?
If Shopware sounds like the right fit for your business, you can explore it in a personalized demo. See how the system is structured and discover the features that will best support your ecommerce strategy.
SAP Commerce Cloud alternative – frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to SAP Commerce Cloud?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer – the best option depends on your business model, integration needs, and budget. It’s worth comparing platforms with flexible architectures, strong scalability, and transparent cost structures.
How do I find the right SAP Commerce Cloud alternative?
Start with a clear analysis that includes not only technical criteria but also factors like cost planning, extensibility, and compliance. Testing different platforms or consulting experienced ecommerce agencies can help you make an informed decision.
Which features should an SAP Commerce Cloud alternative include?
Key capabilities include omnichannel support, an API-first architecture, flexible extension options, multishop management, and robust security and data protection features. Tools for customizing the customer journey are also essential.
How does an open-source alternative differ from a commercial solution?
Open-source platforms typically provide more control and flexibility but require greater in-house technical expertise. Commercial solutions, on the other hand, are often faster to deploy but may involve higher license or service costs.
Is headless commerce important when considering an SAP Commerce Cloud alternative?
Headless architectures can be a major advantage for businesses focused on creating unique customer experiences, enabling rapid frontend development, or integrating new sales channels. They allow backend and frontend systems to evolve independently.
All trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are used for comparison purposes only. Shopware is not affiliated with any of the brands listed.
Sources:
1 https://www.sap.com/products/crm/commerce-cloud.html
2 https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_COMMERCE_CLOUD_PUBLIC_CLOUD/20125f0eca6340dba918bda360e3cdfa/3ef3aad9b7e745dcaab97157d8da1de3.html?locale=en-US
3 https://api.sap.com/package/SAPCommerceCloudIntegrationwithERP/overview
4 https://www.g2.com/products/commercetools/reviews
5 https://woocommerce.com/de/posts/woocommerce-pricing/#section-3
6 https://www.shopify.com/de/preise, 05.09.2025
