The verdict in three sentences
For most B2B merchants in 2026, Shopify Plus B2B offers the best speed/cost ratio up to a certain business-rule complexity. Adobe Commerce is only justified beyond huge catalogs and multi-site logic; its 60,000 to 150,000 EUR build and maintenance debt are rarely amortized below that. Custom wins when your B2B rules are unique or when SaaS commissions become punitive.
Comparing the three options
Each option has an entry cost, a recurring cost and a complexity ceiling.
| Criterion | Shopify Plus B2B | Adobe Commerce | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual plan / license | ~28,000 EUR (plan + apps) | 20,000 - 40,000 EUR | 0 (hosting 3,000-8,000) |
| Initial build | 15,000 - 30,000 EUR | 60,000 - 150,000 EUR | 40,000 - 100,000 EUR |
| First version timeline | 8 - 12 weeks | 20 - 32 weeks | 14 - 24 weeks |
| B2B pricing rules | Solid, capped via apps | Very powerful | Unlimited |
| ERP integration | Connectors + custom | Native but heavy | Bespoke |
| Complexity ceiling | Medium-high | Very high | Unlimited |
The Shopify trap: apps. Expect 8 to 15 apps at 30-300 EUR/month adding 800 to 2,000 EUR/month to the bill. The Adobe trap: the cost of a senior integrator (600-900 EUR/day) on 6-month projects.
Which option fits your profile
The right answer depends on three variables: catalog size, rule specificity, volume.
| Your situation | 2026 recommendation |
|---|---|
| < 5,000 SKUs, standard rules, GMV < 2M EUR | Shopify Plus B2B |
| Mid catalog, a few specific rules | Shopify Plus + targeted apps or light custom |
| Unique business rules, central ERP, > 3M EUR GMV | Custom |
| Multi-brand, multi-country, huge catalog | Adobe Commerce or custom |
| Tight budget, time-to-market priority | Shopify Plus B2B |
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Mini case study
Sophie, CEO of a medical equipment distributor in Lyon, was torn between Adobe (95,000 EUR quote) and Shopify Plus B2B. Catalog of 3,800 SKUs, pricing rules per hospital contract. Choice: Shopify Plus B2B, build 24,000 EUR + 1,400 EUR/month in apps and plan. Over 5 years: ~108,000 EUR versus ~230,000 EUR for Adobe. Savings of 122,000 EUR and go-live in 10 weeks instead of 7 months.
FAQ
Is Shopify B2B really limited? Its pricing and account rules cover 80% of B2B needs. The remaining 20% goes through apps or custom code, still cheaper than Adobe in most cases.
Is Adobe Commerce dead? No, but it now targets very large accounts. Below several million in GMV and multi-brand catalogs, its TCO is hard to justify in 2026.
Is custom risky? The risk comes from the vendor, not the technology. With a Next.js + Supabase core and an experienced team, custom is as reliable as a SaaS and commission-free.
How much do Shopify apps really cost? Between 800 and 2,000 EUR/month for a full B2B stack (pricing, ERP, taxes, customer portal). This must be baked into the TCO.
Can we migrate later? Yes, but each migration costs 15,000 to 30,000 EUR. Better to choose right from the start based on your 5-year trajectory.
Let's scope your project. Give us your catalog size, pricing rules and target GMV: we will recommend the best-TCO option and price the build. 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.