The verdict in three sentences
Over three years, Shopify Plus and a custom build often cost a similar amount for a B2B distributor with 8,000 SKUs: roughly 250,000 to 290,000 CAD either way, ERP connector included (2026 ballpark). The real differences are pricing logic, code ownership and speed to launch. If your trading rules fit Shopify's native B2B features, choose Shopify Plus; if they are your competitive edge, custom wins.
The context: 8,000 SKUs and an ERP that runs everything
The e-commerce director of an industrial supplies distributor in Mississauga sells fasteners, tools, PPE and consumables to 3,500 trade accounts: machine shops, municipalities, contractors. The catalogue holds 8,000 SKUs with multiple pack sizes and family-level discounts. The ERP (Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central) is the source of truth for stock, prices and invoicing.
The brief: an ordering site with customer accounts, negotiated prices, online quotes, quick reorder lists and net 30 terms. Two options are on the table.
| Criterion | Shopify Plus | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Licence or initial build | from 2,300 USD per month (about 3,150 CAD) | 120,000 to 220,000 CAD one-off |
| B2B apps (quotes, lists, net terms) | 300 to 1,000 USD per month | included in the build |
| ERP connector | 20,000 to 45,000 CAD | 20,000 to 45,000 CAD |
| Time to launch | 3 to 5 months | 5 to 8 months |
| Code ownership | Theme and apps licensed | Code handed over to client |
| Transaction fees | 0 to 0.3% outside Shopify Payments | Gateway fees only, no platform surcharge |
| Custom features | Limited by API and apps | No technical ceiling |
The 3-year total cost calculation
A fair comparison adds everything paid over 36 months: licence, apps, implementation, connector, hosting, maintenance and enhancements. Here is a simulation for this Toronto-area distributor.
| Item over 36 months | Shopify Plus | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Platform licence | 113,400 CAD (3,150 x 36) | 0 CAD |
| B2B apps (average 850 CAD per month) | 30,600 CAD | 0 CAD |
| Implementation, theme, setup | 65,000 CAD | 140,000 CAD |
| ERP connector | 30,000 CAD | 30,000 CAD |
| Hosting and monitoring | included | 43,200 CAD (1,200 per month) |
| Maintenance and enhancements | 45,000 CAD | 42,000 CAD (15% per year, years 2 and 3) |
| 3-year total | 284,000 CAD | 255,200 CAD |
The gap is about 10%. Over five years custom pulls further ahead, because the Shopify licence keeps running while the initial build is already paid off. On the other hand, Shopify Plus launches faster and hands security, upgrades and peak load to the vendor.
The criteria that really decide
Pricing complexity. Shopify Plus now handles company-specific catalogues, payment terms and quantity rules. If your prices follow discount logic by family, customer and volume with 3,500 price lists calculated in the ERP, you will need a sync app or custom middleware, which pushes Shopify's cost toward custom.
Buying behaviour. A shop buyer often orders by part number or recurring list, not by browsing product pages. Quick order by CSV upload or SKU entry is straightforward in a custom build; on Shopify it depends on a third-party app.
Internal team. Without in-house developers, Shopify Plus limits risk. With an IT team able to manage a vendor, custom keeps control of the roadmap. Kolonell supports both paths through its custom web applications, priced on quote.
Canadian specifics. Quebec customers need French product data and checkout under Bill 96, which adds translation and a second content workflow to either option. Prices shown to trade buyers must also handle GST, HST and PST correctly by province, something Shopify Plus manages natively and a custom build must implement, typically one to two weeks of work.
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Mini case study
Priya, e-commerce director of an industrial distributor in Toronto, targets 6,000,000 CAD of online revenue in year three. Her custom scenario costs 255,200 CAD over 3 years, Shopify Plus 284,000 CAD. She also prices opportunity cost: Shopify goes live three months earlier. With 160,000 CAD of monthly online revenue expected at launch and a 25% gross margin, those three months are worth about 120,000 CAD of margin. Because her price lists fit native B2B catalogues, she picks Shopify Plus and budgets a possible move to custom if needs outgrow the platform after 36 months.
FAQ
Does Shopify Plus really handle B2B in 2026?
Mostly yes: company catalogues, net terms, quantity rules and multiple buyers per account. Advanced needs such as negotiated quotes or CSV quick order still require apps at 300 to 1,000 USD a month.
Does the ERP connector cost the same either way?
Roughly, 20,000 to 45,000 CAD, since most of the work is mapping ERP data. With Business Central or NetSuite, allow 6 to 10 weeks of tuning.
What happens if we leave Shopify?
Product, customer and order data export cleanly, but you do not own the theme or apps. A move to custom then costs 60 to 80% of a new project.
Is custom riskier?
Only with a vague specification. A 3 to 4 week discovery phase, phased releases and a warranty period of 3 to 12 months sharply reduce that risk.
Do we need a maintenance budget on Shopify?
Yes, plan 15,000 to 30,000 CAD a year for theme changes, app management and connector monitoring. The licence covers only the platform.
Let's scope your project. Share your SKU count, ERP and pricing rules, and we will compare both scenarios on your actual case with a launch timeline. 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.
