Store systems: 13 providers in comparison

The requirements for a store system depend on the specific needs of the business model. One of the most important criteria of a store system is, of course, the range of functions: What are the front-end and back-end features? What options do I have for product display? Is there an intelligent search, which SEO functions can I use, which plugins can I install? In our store system comparison, we have compared a total of 13 providers in 153 criteria distributed over 13 categories. The market overview is available for download.

The store system as the central engine of the online shop

Online retail has further established itself as an additional supply branch in the Corona pandemic. The growth of 16.8% in the 2nd quarter (source: bevh) shows this impressively. People in Germany spent over 20 billion euros online during this period. Of course, the established online retailers and large platforms are the main beneficiaries of this growth. But the pandemic and the accompanying extensive lockdown are acting as a digitization accelerator. More and more retailers who were previously „only“ offline are deciding to either finally tackle the e-commerce project or significantly expand their existing efforts.

Those who want a piece of the pie should also have the appropriate basic equipment. For online retailers, this means a professional store system. But which is the right one, the right store software? Given the abundance of e-commerce solutions, the choice is certainly not easy. And there is no one-size-fits-all solution anyway. Our comparison shows: Each solution has its own features, applications, different interfaces, APIs and services. So anyone who wants to set up an online store or expand or optimize the one they already have should first define their personal requirements. For example:

• How high is the budget? Read here how to calculate the costs of an online store.

• Which model should be used to create the store? In a simple „Software as a Service (SaaS)“ modular system? Or should it possibly be an „on-premise“ e-commerce complete solution?

• Is an enterprise resource planning system available? Is this compatible with the store system of choice?

• Do I already have programming and IT skills, or do I also need professional support?

Every company and every store operator must define their personal preferences and requirements for themselves (by the way, you can read a few helpful tips for more power for your e-commerce here). The list can be continued and extended here at will. The important thing is to determine decisive criteria in advance. What do I want? What do I need? Our store system comparison uses 153 criteria to show you what the solutions can do.

Comparison of store systems: 13 providers tested

In our store system comparison, we put 13 solutions through their paces, i.e., in terms of functionality, costs, and deployment methods, and compared them in an editorial comparison. This comparison includes rental shop systems (SaaS solutions), purchasing systems (on-premise solutions) and dual-license models. We have not determined a „test winner“. Rather, we want to help you gain an overview and make a preliminary selection for your individual task. We have included the following store solutions in our market overview:

• commercetools platform
• CosmoShop
• Episerver Commerce Cloud
• IONOS MyWebsite Shop
• Jimdo online shop
• JTLShop
• novomind iSHOP
• OXID eShop
• Magento 2
• plentymarkets
• Shopify
• Shopware
• xt:Commerce store software

What did we ask? 153 criteria in 13 categories

Our studies, comparisons and market overviews are basically structured in a similar way and follow a common thread. For this purpose, we have designed a catalog of questions that, in our view, presents the most important functions and information of all store systems for interested parties, decision-makers and users. The analysis is based on 153 criteria, which we have divided into 13 different categories. The different categories present the various store systems in detail, examine the various functions, existing services and show legally relevant criteria and price models. The bulk of all information here is based on self-reporting by the store system providers.

• General information (company headquarters, website, number of employees and customers, target group, USP, how long has the product been available?)

• Basic features of the store systems (e.g. user/authorization systems, can be installed on own server, SaaS/ASP, open source solution, plug-in capability, responsive design, preview function, multichannel capability, virtual goods, etc.)

• Connection to marketplaces (to which marketplaces are there interfaces, e.g. Amazon, eBay, Otto.de, Rakuten, Alibaba etc.)

• Apps and plugins (social media apps, automation, PIM, event calendar, own community solution, display ad module, form builder, number of plugins in the store, number of free plugins, landing page builder)

• Cross-border commerce capabilities (Which countries inside/outside the EU can merchants sell to via the solution?)

• Integrations of newsletter tools (Which newsletter tools can be integrated? E.g. Cleverreach, Elaine, Episerver, Evalnache, LianaMailer, Mailchimp, Mailjet, Newsletter2Go etc.)

• Connections to ERP systems (which ERP systems can be connected, e.g. Afterbuy, JTL, Cateno, pixi, plentymarkets, SAP, etc.)

• Integration of logistics service providers (e.g. DHL, DPD, Hermes, Parcel.One, Shipcloud, etc.)

• Payment methods (Which payment solutions are integrated? Which payment service providers?

• Legal criteria (Is the server located in Germany? Is personal data anonymized? Does the provider offer a standard contract for commissioned data processing? Is the company certified [QMS, DIN]? Is effective protection against cyber attacks ensured?)

• Additional services offered by the provider (Is there implentation support? Is there face-to-face or online training? Is there a manual? Is there a commuity support? And much more)

• Price approach of the solutions (Price system, is there a free starter version? What are the setup costs? What are the time requirements? What is the minimum contract period? What is the cost of the software/implementation for beginners/experienced merchants/enterprise merchants?)

The store software solutions in comparison

commercetools platform

The store software has been published by commercetools GmbH in Munich since 2013. The company is based in Munich and employs 220 people.

USP (according to its own statement): „commercetools is a headless commerce platform designed for global and complex business needs. With commercetools you can create a commerce-enabled digital experience regardless of which channel or device your users choose. Our platform provides all the core commerce functionality needed for enterprise customers serving B2C, B2B and marketplaces.“

CosmoShop

CosmoShop GmbH is a Puchheim-based company that has been placing its software on the market since 1999. 30 employees continuously develop the software, which is used by over 2,700 customers. USP (according to own statement): „Prof. own development in different variants – for large B2C/B2B stores or as a cloud solution for smaller to medium-sized stores. The store software

is infinitely scalable. In addition to B2C online commerce, there are many B2B modules specifically tailored to the needs of industry and B2B commerce.“

Episerver Commerce Cloud

Episerver is a US company headquartered in Nashua (New Hampshire) with its German office in Berlin. Over 9,000 customers rely on the Episerver Commerce Cloud solution, which has been on the market since 2010. Episerver employs 700 people.

USP (according to its own statement): „With the Commerce Cloud, Episerver offers a complete e-commerce solution with the highest ROI in the industry (443% ROI in 3 years and amortized in 6 months). The store software is part of the Customer-Centric Digital Experience Platform, which creates a comprehensive digital experience through commerce, content management and marketing automation along with AI-based personalization.“

IONOS MyWebsite Shop

The store software IONOS MyWebsite Shop comes from 1&1 IONOS SE. The company’s headquarters in Montabaur employs 2,000 people. The software has been available since 2019 and is therefore still relatively fresh on the market.

USP (according to the company itself): „Easy to start: high-quality designs, mobile app | Increase sales: marketing, SEO and B2B functions | Increase reach: link with eBay and Amazon | Added free with all IONOS products: Domain, hosting, email marketing tool and email inboxes, personal consultant“

Jimdo Online Shop

Jimdo’s solution has been on the market since 2008. The company is based in Hamburg and employs 250 people.

USP (according to its own statement): „Our store construction kit is the ideal solution for self-employed people and small businesses. Even without experience, users can easily and quickly create an online store – in a modern design, mobile-optimized and without transaction fees.“

JTLShop

JTLShop is a product of the company JTL-Software. The company is headquartered in Hückelhoven and employs 180 people. The solution has been on the market since2007 and is used by 35,000 customers.

USP (according to the company itself): „JTL-Shop offers more than just a user-friendly online store system. The connection to the merchandise management system JTL-Wawi opens up a whole universe of seamlessly connectable software solutions for e-commerce to merchants. This allows them to offer their own products via numerous other platforms and sales channels.“

novomind iSHOP

Hamburg-based novomind AG is behind the novomind iShop software. 400 employees take care of the further development of the software, which has been on the market since 2009.

USP (according to the company): „novomind iSHOP is an innovative and modular real-time store system for growth-oriented B2C and B2B omnichannel commerce from the novomind

private cloud. With novomind iSHOP, professional, medium to very large online retailers improve the customer experience (CX) and thereby increase conversion rates and sales. novomind iSHOP – The fastest „all-in-one“ store in the market.“

OXID eShop

The software manufacturer OXID eSales AG is based in Freiburg, Germany. The OXID eShop software has been on the market since 2003 and is used by 2,000 customers. The company employs 80 people.

USP (according to the company): „The OXID eShop is one of the most used German store systems and impresses with the strongest multi-client concept on the market. Its scalability, modular structure and strict downward compatibility make long-term use attractive for SMEs and corporations (B2C and B2B), regardless of industry. In addition, there is the possible operation in the cloud, optional personalization and much more.“

Magento 2

Magento Inc. is headquartered in San Jose, California. The software is used by 250,000 customers and has been on the market since 2008. Magento employs 812 people.

USP (according to its own statement): „Magento is the leading e-commerce solution for online stores. Purchased by Adobe Inc. in 2018, long-term stability, support and growth are assured. A modern tech stack, improved performance and scalability, optimized customizations, upgrades and integrations are easy, supported by a huge community with over 3,000 plugins (1,000 free).“

plentymarkets

plentymarkets is the software from plentysystems AG. The Kassel-based company and its 200 employees are constantly developing the solution, which has been available since 2006. Around 5,000 companies use plentymarkets.

USP (according to the company itself): „plentymarkets is an e-commerce ERP system that combines merchandise management with a store system and omni-channel sales including a POS system. Thanks to extensive functions and interfaces, the entire online and offline trade can be fully automated with the online-based software. Connection to over 40 marketplaces and popular store systems, open, adaptable software.“

Shopify

Shopify is used as software by over 1 million customers. The 5,000 employees of the eponymous and publicly traded company ensure that there are constantly more. Shopify is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. The solution has been on the market since 2006.

USP (according to its own statement): „Cloud-based, highly scalable e-commerce platform that allows companies to quickly and easily run their digital business – online, but also at the POS and in marketplaces.“

Shopware

Shopware is the name of the software and Shopware AG is the company behind it. The software company from Schöppingen in Westphalia launched its software on the market back in 2003. The meanwhile 200 employees take care that the 100,000 customers of the company always have the best experience with the store system.

USP (according to its own statement): „Shopware is the perfect solution for the e-commerce of the future and offers users the opportunity to unleash their growth and focus on the perfect customer experience.“

xt:Commerce Shopware

The Austrian companyXT Commerce, based in Innsbruck, has had its solution on the market since 2002.

USP (according to their own statement): „One-stop solution, Flexible, International, Low cost.“

Further comparisons, studies and market overviews from contentmanager.de can be found here.