The verdict in three sentences
For B2B e-commerce in Berlin in 2026, Shopify Plus costs around 25,000-30,000 EUR/yr plus build, custom 50,000-150,000 EUR, and open-source 15,000-50,000 EUR plus hosting. The sticker price decides nothing: 3-year TCO, the hidden cost of extensions and your in-house capacity settle it. Quick rule: Shopify to move fast, open-source to control cost, custom for complex B2B logic and a central ERP.
Comparing the three paths
Each option fits a different profile. Here are the 2026 ranges for a mid-size Berlin B2B project.
| Criterion | Shopify Plus | Custom | Open-source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial build | 15,000 - 45,000 EUR | 50,000 - 150,000 EUR | 15,000 - 50,000 EUR |
| Licence / yr | 25,000 - 30,000 EUR | 6,000 - 36,000 EUR (SaaS) | 0 EUR (licence) |
| Hosting / yr | Included | 3,000 - 12,000 EUR | 3,000 - 15,000 EUR |
| B2B extensions | 2,000 - 10,000 EUR/yr | Included | 3,000 - 12,000 EUR |
| Timeline | 2 - 4 months | 4 - 8 months | 3 - 6 months |
| Technical autonomy | Low | High | Medium |
| Vendor lock-in | High | Low | Low |
The classic trap: underestimating extension and maintenance costs. On Shopify, 6 to 10 B2B apps (per-customer pricing, quick order, ERP connector) can exceed 8,000 EUR/yr. On open-source, technical debt and security updates cost in dev hours.
3-year TCO, the only honest referee
The real comparison happens over three years, build and run included.
| Scenario | Shopify Plus | Custom | Open-source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (build + run) | 55,000 EUR | 85,000 EUR | 45,000 EUR |
| Year 2 (run + evol) | 40,000 EUR | 22,000 EUR | 25,000 EUR |
| Year 3 (run + evol) | 42,000 EUR | 24,000 EUR | 27,000 EUR |
| 3-yr TCO | 137,000 EUR | 131,000 EUR | 97,000 EUR |
| Time-to-market | Fast | Slow | Medium |
| Key risk | Recurring cost | Upfront cost | Technical debt |
Over 3 years, open-source is often the cheapest in cash but assumes an available technical team. Shopify Plus is fastest but most expensive in recurring cost. Custom catches up from year 2 thanks to no heavy licence and becomes relevant when B2B logic is specific.
Mini case study
Sylvie, owner of a hospitality-equipment wholesaler in Berlin, is torn between the three paths to digitise 900 pro customers. Her targeted online revenue is 1.2 M EUR over 3 years, with negotiated pricing per chain but few functional changes.
She compares: Shopify Plus at 137,000 EUR over 3 years, custom at 131,000 EUR, open-source at 97,000 EUR. With no in-house dev team, she rules out open-source despite its price. Since her pricing logic is standard and she wants to launch in 3 months, she chooses Shopify Plus, budgeting 8,000 EUR/yr for B2B apps. The 6,000 EUR premium over custom is absorbed by a 3-month faster time-to-market, roughly 100,000 EUR of revenue captured sooner.
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FAQ
Which option is cheapest over 3 years?
Usually open-source (around 97,000 EUR 3-year TCO in our example), provided you have a technical team. Otherwise outsourced maintenance narrows the gap.
Does Shopify Plus really handle B2B?
Yes, via Shopify B2B: per-customer catalogues, company accounts, quick order. Very complex pricing cases need apps (2,000-10,000 EUR/yr) or development.
When does custom become cost-effective?
From year 2 in our TCO, and especially when B2B logic (grids, credit terms, central ERP) is too specific for a standard base.
How much do extensions really cost?
Between 2,000 and 12,000 EUR/yr depending on platform and number of B2B modules. It is the most often underestimated line item.
What timeline for each path?
Shopify Plus 2-4 months, open-source 3-6 months, custom 4-8 months. An MVP can always shorten these by shipping in batches.
Let's scope your project. Give us your targeted online revenue, per-customer pricing logic and technical resources, and we will build your decision matrix and the 3-year TCO for all three paths. 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.