The verdict in three sentences
For an established Amsterdam brand selling 100 to 1,000 products, Shopify is the best default in 2026 because iDEAL, PostNL integrations and EU VAT handling come almost out of the box. WooCommerce wins when content, B2B price lists or full data ownership matter more than speed, and a custom headless build only pays off once online revenue clears roughly 2 million EUR a year. Judge every option on three year total cost and exit cost, not on the launch quote.
The 2026 ranking, criterion by criterion
We rank solution types and well known public software, never named agencies. Software fees are 2026 orders of magnitude, since public plans change often.
| Rank | Option | Launch budget | iDEAL and Dutch checkout | Exit cost | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shopify built by a specialist studio | 8,000 to 25,000 EUR | Native via Shopify Payments or local PSP | Medium, theme and apps stay behind | 100 to 1,000 SKUs, lean team |
| 2 | WooCommerce built by an agency | 10,000 to 30,000 EUR | Via Mollie or a similar plugin | Low, you own code and database | Content heavy brands, B2B price lists |
| 3 | Shopware or similar open source suite | 25,000 to 60,000 EUR | Native plugins | Low to medium | Multi country, complex catalogues |
| 4 | Custom headless build | 40,000 to 120,000 EUR | Direct PSP integration | Low if code ownership is in the contract | High volume, unusual workflows |
| 5 | Freelancer on a template | 3,000 to 8,000 EUR | Depends on plugin choice | High if access is not handed over | Pilot or single product line |
Shopify plans run from roughly 29 to 299 USD a month for standard tiers, plus apps, while Shopify Plus is quoted separately. In the Netherlands, iDEAL handles the majority of online payments, so any option that makes iDEAL a second class citizen loses conversions immediately.
Three year cost of ownership
| Item over 36 months | Shopify | WooCommerce | Custom headless |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build | 15,000 EUR | 18,000 EUR | 60,000 EUR |
| Platform subscription | about 3,000 EUR | 0 EUR | 0 EUR |
| Apps and plugins | 4,000 EUR | 1,500 EUR | Included |
| Hosting | Included | 2,500 EUR | 6,000 EUR |
| Maintenance retainer | 400 EUR x 36 = 14,400 EUR | 500 EUR x 36 = 18,000 EUR | 1,200 EUR x 36 = 43,200 EUR |
| Indicative total | 36,400 EUR | 40,000 EUR | 109,200 EUR |
The criteria that actually separate options
- Dutch consumer law: the 14 day withdrawal right, clear total pricing including BTW and a compliant returns flow must be built into checkout, not added later.
- Fulfilment: PostNL label generation, track and trace emails and parcel locker options should be live on day one.
- Language: Dutch first, English second, with separate URLs for SEO.
- Exit: ask in writing how products, customers and order history leave the platform, and at what cost.
Kolonell is one option for a custom build, quoted in FCFA with EUR equivalents: a simple web application starts at 1,500,000 FCFA (about 2,290 EUR) over 1 to 2 months, with maintenance from 38 to 115 EUR a month.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Sanne, ecommerce lead of a premium granola brand in Amsterdam, sells 120 SKUs through supermarkets and wants 1,500 direct orders a month at a 38 EUR average basket, or 57,000 EUR monthly revenue. At a 40 % gross margin, that is 22,800 EUR of margin a month. A Shopify build at 15,000 EUR plus 400 EUR monthly maintenance pays back in under one month at target volume, and in about four months at 400 orders a month during ramp up.
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FAQ
Does Shopify support iDEAL in 2026?
Yes, through Shopify Payments or a Dutch payment provider. Check the transaction fee on each route, since a 0.5 % difference on 600,000 EUR yearly revenue is 3,000 EUR.
How long does an Amsterdam brand need to launch?
Count 6 to 10 weeks on Shopify and 10 to 16 weeks on WooCommerce or Shopware with 100 to 1,000 products.
When does custom headless make sense?
Usually above 2 million EUR in online revenue, or when subscriptions, B2B portals and retail stock must share one system.
What does Dutch consumer law require at checkout?
A 14 day withdrawal right, total prices including VAT and clear delivery costs before payment, plus a model withdrawal form.
Can we move platforms later?
Yes, but a migration typically costs 30 to 60 % of a new build, so check data export terms before signing.
Let's scope your project. Send us your catalogue size, payment methods and delivery zones and we will compare two platforms side by side with three year costs. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.