What is a web shop and what is a shop system?
A web shop is your digital sales space. The shop system is the software that you use to manage products, payments, shipping and content. There are fully hosted solutions as a subscription as well as self-hosted open source systems. Good comparisons show you differences in functionality, costs, and complexity.
What types of web shop software are there?
- SaaS shop systems: Fully hosted, ready to go, subscription costs. Examples: Shopify, BigCommerce, Squarespace.
- Open-source self-hosted: Full control, flexibility, more technical effort. Examples: WooCommerce, Shopware Self-Hosted, Adobe Commerce.
- Headless/Enterprise: API-based, highly scalable, higher implementation effort. Comparison reviews recommend this category for complex setups.
Must-have functions of a shop system
A good shop system reliably covers all processes from the first click to the return. Pay attention to these points so that your shop runs smoothly today and can scale tomorrow.
Catalogue and product data
- Variants, sets, bundles, digital products
- Attributes, filters, facets, and tags
- Media management for images and videos
- import and export, PIM connection
Search and merchandising
- Relevant search using autocomplete and synonyms
- Sorting, cross-selling, and upselling rules
- Individualized recommendations
Checkout, payment and legal
- One-page checkout, guest purchase, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
- Taxes, VAT rates, OSS (one-stop shop), invoices
- GDPR, Withdrawal, Terms and Conditions, Impressum, Cookie Consent
Shipping, logistics and returns
- Shipping zones, rules, multi-package and partial deliveries
- Label printing and tracking
- Returns portal, refunds, exchanges
- Clean interface to Fulfillment We synchronize inventory, orders, tracking and return status
Inventory and order processing
- Real-time stocks, reservations, backorders, preorders
- Order management with status, splits and cancellations
- Multiple warehouses and censuses
Content, marketing, and SEO
- Page builder, blog, landing pages
- Discounts, vouchers, subscriptions, loyalty programs
- Clean URLs, metadata, structured data, 301 redirects
Internationalization and B2B
- Multi-language, multi-currency, country-specific prices
- B2B functions such as customer groups, net prices, offers
Interfaces and expandability
- Stable API, webhooks, app ecosystem
- ERP, CRM, PIM, email, marketplaces, POS
- Headless option when needed
Performance, Security, and Operations
- Fast load times, mobile optimization, Core Web Vitals
- roles and rights, audit logs, 2FA
- Backups, monitoring, SLA, and support
Do you need a reliable fulfillment provider for your web shop?
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Comparing top shop systems
Shopify shop system
short profile
SaaS (Software as a Service) shop system with a large app ecosystem. Strong focus on rapid go-live, high-performance themes, integrated payments, international tools and sales via multiple channels. Admin is intuitive, with role rights, discount logic, subscriptions via app, B2B functions in higher plans.
benefits
- Very quick start, hosting and security included
- Large theme and app store for almost every use case
- Good internationalization and cross-border tools, clear fee schedules for international payments and currency conversion
- Stable checkout with Apple Pay and Google Pay via Shopify Payments
drawbacks
- Expanded logic often via apps with additional costs
- Transaction fee when not using Shopify Payments
- Profound individualizations require Liquid, Functions, or Apps
expenses
- Basic, Grow, Advanced, Plus tiered monthly plans. Temporary introductory actions
- Additional payment fees and, depending on the setup, fees for international sales and duties
- Prices vary depending on country and billing, current details on the official Shopify pricing page
- More info Shopify
WooCommerce WordPress shop system
short profile
Open-source shopping plugin for WordPress. Very flexible, ideal when content and commerce need to be closely interlinked. Wide range of plugins for shipping, taxes, subscriptions, B2B, marketplaces. Technical responsibility for hosting, updates and security lies with you or your agency.
benefits
- Full data sovereignty, high degree of adaptability
- Seamless content integration with WordPress
- Low entry costs, scalable with suitable servers and caching
drawbacks
- In-house hosting, maintenance and security
- Plugin quality varies, manage dependencies
- Performance depends heavily on setup and hosting
expenses
- Core free
- Costs for domain (approx. .de domain: approx. 5—15€ per year, .com domain: approx. 10—20 € per year), hosting (approx. 20 - €100 per month), premium themes (approx. 50-300€/one-time), premium extensions (approx. 50-500€/year depending on requirements and project size), payment fees
- Plan agency costs for setup, maintenance, and security
- More info WooCommerce
Shopware shop system
short profile
Modern DACH platform with strong storytelling about experiences, headless options, B2C and growing B2B features. Available as cloud or self-hosted. Regular releases with functional enhancements.
benefits
- Very good content presentation and shopping experiences
- Clean API, headless possible, cloud or self-hosted selectable
- Good fit for brands in the DACH region, strong roadmap and support levels
drawbacks
- Fewer out-of-the-box apps than Shopify
- Learning curve for self-hosted and complex setups
- Cloud plans with clear feature limits, enterprise features in higher tiers
expenses
- Official plans: Rise from around 600 euros per month, Evolve from around 2,400 euros per month, Beyond from around 6,500 euros per month plus VAT
- Self-hosted plan additional hosting and agency services
- More info Shopware
BigCommerce
short profile
SaaS with a powerful range of functions for growing shops and B2B. Many enterprise features without plugin proliferation, headless, multi-storefront, channels. Revenue-based plan logic.
benefits
- Many features natively on board, less app dependency
- B2B edition, multi-store and headless well supported
- Robust performance and security through SaaS
drawbacks
- Plan change as turnover increases, Pro-Plan scales price with turnover
- Smaller app selection than Shopify
- Consider prices in USD, exchange rates, and taxes
expenses
- Standard approx. 39 USD per month, plus approx. 105 USD per month, Pro from approx. 399 USD per month, Enterprise individual
- Pro plan with revenue scale, additional charge per additional revenue corridor
- More info BigCommerce
Adobe Commerce shop system (formerly Magento)
short profile
Enterprise platform with very high flexibility, multi-store, complex catalogs, B2B modules, headless, PWA options, deep rights management. Ideal for companies with individual processes and large volumes of SKUs. Requires experienced development and DevOps.
benefits
- Maximum adaptability, strong B2B features and workflows
- Comprehensive APIs, omnichannel and marketplace connections
- PWA Studio, Page Builder, Amazon Sales Channel, and more
drawbacks
- Higher implementation and operating costs
- Security and update maintenance essential in-house
- Critical security gaps require rapid patching, especially when on-premise
expenses
- License and cloud service individually by scope
- Additional project, hosting if on-prem, maintenance and development
- More info Adobe Commerce
Squarespace Commerce shop system
short profile
Website builder with integrated shop. Very strong in design, ideal for content-driven brands, creator shops, small catalogs, services and digital products. Easy to use, more limited depth than pure commerce suites.
benefits
- Very quick implementation with high-quality templates
- All-in-one hosting, easy maintenance, integrated marketing and analytics
- Appointment booking and services are easy to map
drawbacks
- Limits when it comes to complex catalogs, B2B and special logic
- Extensibility and integrations are less deep than with Shopify or Shopware
- More suitable for small to medium-sized shops
expenses
- Four main plans, commerce features from mid-tiers, 14-day trial
- Prices and promotions are changing, official check
- Third party reports show 2025 tiers (level) from basic to advanced with varying degrees of commerce
- More info Squarespace
Mini selection guide
- Start and scale quickly Shopify or BigCommerce
- Content first and full control WooCommerce
- DACH brand with storytelling and headless Shopware
- Enterprise, complex catalogs, B2B Adobe Commerce
- Design focus, small catalog, services Squarespace
Interface to MOODJA Fulfillment
Regardless of which system you choose, the key is a clean connection to your fulfillment. At MOODJA, you get boutique service for fashion, lifestyle, beauty and accessories plus sustainable processes. We take care of incoming goods, storage, personalized packaging, worldwide shipping and efficient returns management. Our warehouse near Berlin is designed to meet fashion requirements, including hanging and folded goods.
Technical connection
- Standard integrations or API for Shopify, WooCommerce, Shopware and Co.
- Transfer of orders, tracking, inventory and return status in real time.
- Personalized packaging and unboxing to match your brand.
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Checklist for your start
- Define business model, target markets, sales plan
- Select system type: SaaS, Open Source, Enterprise
- Compare mandatory features: payment methods, taxes, shipping, SEO
- Define the fulfillment interface and return processes
- Bring MVP live, measure, optimize
Current advice and comparisons help you prioritize.
conclusion
There is no one “best” shop system, but the most suitable one for your goals, resources and growth plans. Start pragmatically, think Fulfillment Join early and then scale in a controlled manner. No matter what you decide, we wish you every success.
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faqs
How much does a web shop really cost?
In addition to subscription or hosting, there are costs for themes, apps or development as well as payment and shipping fees. Also plan a budget for SEO, ads, and content. You should calculate current price ranges for your individual project.
Can I switch later?
Yes, but replatforming costs time and money. Therefore, choose a system that supports your roadmap for 12 to 24 months. Neutral comparisons help with pre-selection.
How do I connect MOODJA?
Through standard integrations or API. We will advise you on the best interface and configure inventory, order and return flows to suit your shop.
