The verdict in three sentences
Over 3 years, Shopify Plus and a custom build land at similar total costs, between EUR 150,000 and 250,000, while Adobe Commerce often exceeds EUR 350,000 because of its annual license. Shopify Plus wins when B2B rules stay standard, custom wins as soon as prices, discounts and ERP flows are specific. Adobe Commerce makes sense for a multi-brand, multi-country group that already has a Magento team.
Three very different business models
The CIO of a manufacturer selling to 3,000 resellers is really comparing three ways of paying. Shopify Plus is a SaaS subscription: little upfront investment, but permanent rent and paid apps. Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento Commerce) combines a license indexed on online revenue with an expensive integrator. Custom concentrates spending upfront, then limits it to maintenance.
| Criterion | Shopify Plus | Adobe Commerce | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| License or subscription | from USD 2,300 per month | EUR 40,000 to 120,000 per year depending on online revenue | none |
| Variable fees on sales | yes above a volume threshold | no | no |
| B2B implementation | EUR 40,000 to 90,000 excl. VAT | EUR 100,000 to 250,000 excl. VAT | EUR 60,000 to 150,000 excl. VAT |
| Apps or extensions | EUR 500 to 2,000 per month | EUR 10,000 to 30,000 per year | built into the code |
| Maintenance and changes | EUR 1,500 to 3,000 per month | EUR 20,000 to 50,000 per year | 15% of project per year |
| Hosting | included | included in cloud edition | EUR 3,000 to 8,000 per year |
| Code ownership | no | partial | full |
Total cost over 3 years, median scenario
Shared scenario: 3,000 resellers, 15,000 SKUs, EUR 6 million in online sales per year from year two, integration with SAP or Microsoft Dynamics, net prices per reseller. Exchange rate used: USD 1 = EUR 0.92. These are 2026 estimates, to be refined against your specifications.
| 3-year item | Shopify Plus | Adobe Commerce | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| License or subscription | EUR 76,000 | EUR 210,000 | EUR 0 |
| B2B and ERP implementation | EUR 65,000 | EUR 160,000 | EUR 100,000 |
| Apps and extensions | EUR 36,000 | EUR 45,000 | EUR 0 |
| Maintenance and changes | EUR 54,000 | EUR 105,000 | EUR 45,000 |
| Hosting | EUR 0 | EUR 0 | EUR 18,000 |
| 3-year total cost | EUR 231,000 | EUR 520,000 | EUR 163,000 |
| Cost per reseller per year | EUR 26 | EUR 58 | EUR 18 |
The line that tips the Shopify Plus calculation is apps: per-customer pricing, quick order, quotes, multi-buyer accounts and the ERP connector are often third-party modules billed monthly. On the Adobe Commerce side, it is the license, which rises with online revenue.
How to decide
Three questions are enough to steer the choice. Do your pricing rules fit into discounts by customer group? If so, Shopify Plus is quick to launch, in 3 to 4 months. Do you have net prices per reseller, free-shipping thresholds, approval flows and a legacy ERP? Custom avoids paying for every workaround as a subscription. Do you run more than 5 brands and 10 countries with an in-house Magento team? Adobe Commerce remains consistent.
An often forgotten point: the exit. Leaving Shopify Plus after 3 years means rebuilding the integrations. Custom code belongs to the company, which can change vendor without starting from scratch.
Mini case study
Marc, CIO of a heating equipment manufacturer near Grenoble, serves 3,000 resellers with contract-negotiated net prices and a Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP. He compares two final quotes.
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- Shopify Plus: USD 2,300 × 36 months = USD 82,800, i.e. EUR 76,000, plus EUR 65,000 integration, EUR 1,200 per month in apps (EUR 43,200) and EUR 1,500 per month in changes (EUR 54,000). Total: EUR 238,200.
- Custom: EUR 110,000 excl. VAT, then 15% maintenance per year, i.e. EUR 16,500 × 3 = EUR 49,500, plus EUR 6,000 per year hosting (EUR 18,000). Total: EUR 177,500.
- 3-year gap: EUR 60,700 in favor of custom, a gap that widens every following year as the subscription continues.
Marc picks custom, with a launch in 5 months instead of 4.
FAQ
Does Shopify Plus really handle B2B in 2026?
Yes, Shopify Plus natively offers company-specific catalogs, payment terms and volume pricing. Limits appear with per-customer net prices on more than 10,000 SKUs or complex approval flows.
Why does the Adobe Commerce license vary so much?
It is indexed on gross revenue processed online: about EUR 40,000 a year under EUR 1 million, more than EUR 120,000 above EUR 25 million. The price is negotiated directly with Adobe or a partner.
Isn't custom riskier?
Risk is managed through 3 to 4 weeks of scoping, deliveries every two weeks and acceptance testing with 20 to 50 pilot resellers. The code and data remain the company's property.
How much does migrating from one platform to another cost?
Allow 30 to 60% of the initial implementation cost, depending on the volume of data and integrations to rebuild. That is an argument for choosing well from the start.
What is the launch timeline for each option?
Shopify Plus: 3 to 4 months. Custom: 4 to 6 months. Adobe Commerce: 6 to 9 months for a full B2B scope.
Let's scope your project. Send us your reseller count, pricing rules and ERP, and we will cost all three options over 3 years with a custom budget between EUR 60,000 and 150,000 excl. VAT and a 4 to 6 month plan. 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.
