Medusa
Headless open-source commerce platform — modular, API-first, built for developers.
MIT-licensed alternative to Shopify. TypeScript commerce modules for products, carts, orders, and fulfillment — self-host or use Medusa Cloud with any storefront.
Saleor
GraphQL-first headless commerce API — composable, multichannel, built in Python.
BSD-3-Clause alternative to Shopify. High-performance Django backend with PIM, OMS, and Next.js storefront — self-host via saleor-platform or Saleor Cloud.
Alokai
Composable commerce frontend — Nuxt/Next storefronts connected to any backend API.
MIT-licensed Frontend-as-a-Service (formerly Vue Storefront). Unified Data Layer, Storefront UI, and middleware for Magento, Shopify, Shopware, and more.
Vendure
Plugin-first headless commerce in TypeScript — NestJS, GraphQL, enterprise-ready.
GPL-3.0 alternative to Shopify. Catalog, orders, promotions, and multi-channel APIs with extensible plugins — self-host or Vendure Cloud.
Your Next Store
AI-native Next.js storefront — Stripe-powered, no database required.
MIT-licensed commerce template with typed Commerce Kit SDK. Next.js 16, Shadcn UI, and AGENTS.md for Claude/Cursor — deploy to Vercel or self-host in minutes.
Compare commercetools alternatives
| Tool | Stars | Forks | License | Self-hosted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medusa | 34.1K | 4.6K | MIT | Yes |
| Saleor | 22.9K | 6K | BSD-3-Clause | Yes |
| Alokai | 10.9K | 2.1K | MIT | No |
| Vendure | 8.2K | 1.4K | GPL-3.0 | Yes |
| Your Next Store | 5.4K | 660 | MIT | No |
commercetools is an enterprise headless commerce platform built on MACH architecture (microservices, API-first, cloud-native, headless). It gives large retailers composable APIs for catalog, cart, checkout, and orders, but it ships no storefront, requires custom front-end development, and enterprise contracts commonly run from the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year — putting it out of reach for smaller teams who still want a modern, API-first commerce backend.
If you need a fully open, self-hostable headless commerce API without enterprise licensing, Saleor and Vendure are the closest match to commercetools' composable, API-first model. Medusa is the better starting point if you want a large plugin ecosystem and fast setup, while Alokai focuses specifically on the storefront layer connecting to any commerce backend. Your Next Store is the simplest option if you just want a Next.js storefront over Stripe without running a database at all.
FAQ
Is there a free, open-source alternative to commercetools?
Yes. Saleor, Vendure, and Medusa are all open source and free to self-host, unlike commercetools' enterprise licensing model.
What's the best open-source alternative to commercetools?
Saleor and Vendure are closest to commercetools' headless, API-first architecture. Medusa is the better pick if you want a bigger ecosystem of ready-made plugins and faster time to launch.
Can I avoid commercetools' enterprise pricing with an open-source option?
Yes. Saleor, Vendure, Medusa, Alokai, and Your Next Store are all free to run yourself, with cost limited to your own hosting instead of commercetools' per-year licensing.
What are the top open-source alternatives to commercetools?
Browse all open-source alternatives to commercetools above, or explore the full Commerce category for more options.