Choosing a B2B platform: Shopify, PrestaShop or Shopware?

A business customer may need negotiated prices, several authorised buyers and an order that reaches the ERP without manual corrections. A B2B ecommerce platform should therefore be assessed against those workflows. Adding a customer login does not resolve them.

At sjmedia, we start with the orders your team handles manually today. Where are prices corrected, purchases approved or product codes reconciled? That work often reveals requirements more clearly than a feature checklist.

What should a B2B store support?

Not every wholesaler needs every B2B feature. A small manufacturer with regular customers may need only a few rules, while a business with multiple locations may require more differentiated permissions. Start with six areas:

• Company accounts: who can order for each company or location?
• Prices and catalogues: do you need group pricing, negotiated terms or quantity breaks?
• Orders and approval: do customers buy directly, request a quote or need internal approval?
• Payment and delivery: which payment terms, addresses and partial shipments are needed?
• ERP ownership: where are customer records, prices, stock and invoices maintained?
• Operations: who maintains rules, answers questions and tests changes before release?

Add a real order as a test case for each area. “We need custom pricing” is not specific enough. Establish whether prices apply to groups, companies, locations or individual product agreements, and identify the system that supplies them.

Why is PrestaShop a strong B2B choice for us?

PrestaShop is our preferred starting point for B2B stores with tailored workflows, provided dependable technical support is in place. Open software provides room to adapt the store to established business processes. We consider this particularly valuable when customer agreements and ERP workflows shape ordering. Its B2B mode adds business customer information. Customer groups can control group discounts and price display. Displaying prices excluding tax does not establish a tax exemption.

These foundations do not prove that a complete purchasing workflow is supported. ERP-driven price lists, approval steps or particular payment rules may require modules or development. Check the actual version and extension combination. As a PrestaShop agency, we assess the process first, then identify the components needed to deliver it.

Is Shopify suitable for B2B?

Shopify is a candidate for B2B. Its current documentation lists B2B features for Basic, Grow, Advanced and Plus. Basic, Grow and Advanced support up to three active B2B market catalogues in total and require the new Markets version. Direct catalogue assignment to specific companies or company locations requires Plus. This assessment is dated 15 October 2026.

Consequently, “Shopify B2B is only available with Plus” is unsuitable as a general selection rule today. Have your pricing and customer structure demonstrated on the proposed plan. Include additional apps or custom integrations and their recurring costs in the assessment.

What makes Shopware a B2B candidate?

Consider Shopware where its capabilities fit your organisation. Its own B2B Components are available from Evolve through the Commercial extension. This does not mean that every possible B2B store requires that plan. Assess the specific components needed and alternative implementations.

Ask suppliers to distinguish included functionality from additional implementation. “B2B-ready” says little about whether a buyer can access only their location or whether an order reaches the ERP only after approval.

How should you test a B2B platform?

Consider this hypothetical test: a buyer orders twenty units at a negotiated price. A second person must approve the order. Some stock is available immediately; the rest follows later. Both shipments must remain associated with the same order, while the ERP owns the invoice records.

Test the entire journey from the company account to the customer notification. Include an order amendment and a failed data transfer. Who notices the failure? Can the team correct it without creating a duplicate order? These exceptions determine whether integration saves work.

Our guide to ERP integration for online stores helps establish responsibilities between the store and ERP. Record the result as an acceptance criterion for delivery.

How do you compare B2B store costs?

Compare the same scope over the same period. Beyond implementation, include the plan or hosting, modules, integration maintenance, updates and internal support. An inexpensive foundation can become costly through custom rules. A higher subscription may make sense if it covers workflows you actually need.

Our store cost calculator provides an initial comparison of PrestaShop, Shopify and Shopware. Add B2B-specific costs explicitly; a general comparison cannot validate your pricing and approval requirements. Swiss merchants should use their actual contract currencies and local service costs.

Which B2B platform should you choose?

Choose a system that reliably handles essential order workflows with manageable customisation and that your team can operate. Shopify belongs on the shortlist where its plan and catalogue structure fit. PrestaShop is worth assessing for tailored requirements with organised technical support. Evaluate Shopware through the specific components your business needs.

For tailored B2B requirements, we recommend testing PrestaShop first with a realistic sample order, then putting a suitable alternative through the same workflow. Resolve the exceptions and cost their implementation before deciding. That turns a platform preference into a decision your team can justify.