Medusa vs commercetools vs Saleor - headless B2B in 2026
For mid-market B2B with ERP, MedusaJS v2 usually gives the lowest entry point and strongest code control. commercetools fits global enterprise with procurement and multi-region scale. Saleor is strong for GraphQL, catalogue and Python teams, but advanced B2B usually needs custom modules.
Three headless models in 2026
The 2026 headless market splits into three camps: open-source with code ownership (MedusaJS v2, Saleor), enterprise SaaS with annual licenses (commercetools) and vendor-hosted hybrids. For B2B the logo on a slide matters less than whether the engine supports contract pricing, credit limits, marketplace split checkout and ERP sync without waiting on a product roadmap.
commercetools is built over years in global programmes with dedicated SI partners. Saleor attracts GraphQL teams with strong product catalogues. MedusaJS v2 pairs modular Node.js architecture with the React/Next.js ecosystem - a natural stack when you already run JavaScript and want one API for web, mobile apps and integrations.
GMI Software delivers all three classes, but most often recommends Medusa when a mid-market client needs B2B with ERP and does not want GMV fees or enterprise license rent without a clear ROI.
What typical platform comparisons hide
Most Medusa, Saleor and commercetools comparisons look like feature matrices. The problem: features do not buy themselves. In B2B the expensive decisions are accountability decisions: who operates the engine, who writes integrations, who owns order lifecycle and how fast the business can change commercial rules.
commercetools communicates order-based pricing with no GMV fee and additional packages such as Connect, Frontend and InStore. That is a strong enterprise model, but it requires sales conversation, procurement and a partner who knows the ecosystem. It is not a “turn on a plan and build tomorrow” purchase.
Saleor Cloud publishes GMV thresholds and overage percentage, which helps early D2C and catalogue-heavy evaluation. Medusa communicates no GMV platform fee and code ownership. So the comparison must combine platform economics with team and integration cost.
Medusa vs Saleor vs commercetools - decision table
MedusaJS v2: open-source (MIT), no transaction take-rate, B2B modules (price lists, approval flows), fast MVP with a Next.js storefront. Requires a dev team or agency. Typical B2B plus ERP delivery budget: EUR 55,000 - 120,000 with a platform-experienced partner.
Saleor: open-source GraphQL, strong catalogue and PIM-friendly data model, good for D2C with many product variants. B2B (credit limits, approval workflows, sales reps) needs custom modules - like Medusa, but a GraphQL/Python stack may be unfamiliar to a React/Node team.
commercetools: enterprise composable commerce, multi-region, mature partner and certification ecosystem. Pricing is sales-led, usually around order volume and selected packages. Fits global rollouts, multiple brands, many channels and organizations ready for enterprise governance.
Decision signal: if ERP integration and custom B2B checkout are core and the team wants code ownership, Medusa or Saleor are more direct. If you have global procurement, a dedicated platform team and enterprise-standard requirements, commercetools stays on the table.
B2B: what the commerce engine must handle
B2B commerce is not “a shop with login”. It is per-customer and per-group price lists, MOQs, credit limits synced with ERP, sales-rep order approval and split checkout when a buyer fills a cart from many marketplace vendors.
MedusaJS v2 ships price list modules and an extensible order lifecycle - GMI adds NestJS integrations for credit balance sync, Redis caching and warehouse webhooks. Saleor needs similar custom work in GraphQL. commercetools offers B2B patterns out of the box, but every custom rule flows through expensive SI change requests.
When migrating from a monolith (Magento, legacy ERP portal), historical data matters too: orders, contract prices, company accounts. Open-source gives full control over migration scripts; enterprise SaaS often needs partner tooling priced separately.
TCO and license economics over 3 years
Headless B2B TCO covers license or cloud plan, storefront and module development, ERP/PIM integrations, run-team cost and regulatory change work. Do not compare price tables only: in B2B the expensive parts are custom rules, data quality and speed of change after launch.
Medusa and Saleor move cost toward team and infrastructure while giving more code control. commercetools moves cost toward enterprise platform, partners and governance while reducing some operational responsibility for global organizations.
GMI practice: a Medusa v2 plus Next.js MVP lands at EUR 25,000 - 45,000; full B2B with ERP EUR 55,000 - 120,000. Annual run cost (hosting, monitoring, small iterations) is typically 15-25% of initial build. Saleor and Medusa are comparable on open-source TCO; the gap is team stack and onboarding time.
When GMI recommends which engine
MedusaJS v2: mid-market B2B, ERP integration, omnichannel (web plus React Native), marketplace with split checkout, JavaScript/TypeScript team. Our default commerce choice since 2024.
Saleor: D2C with rich catalogues, GraphQL team, less emphasis on custom B2B workflows. We collaborate when the client already committed to Saleor.
commercetools: global enterprise, many regions, procurement process and a dedicated SI partner. GMI does not compete on the license here - we advise on mobile integrations and custom modules when ct is already in the stack.
Sources and references
MedusaJS v2 documentation: https://docs.medusajs.com
Medusa pricing: https://medusajs.com/pricing/
commercetools pricing model: https://commercetools.com/pricing
commercetools B2B commerce: https://commercetools.com/products/b2b-commerce
Saleor pricing: https://saleor.io/pricing
Saleor GraphQL commerce platform: https://saleor.io
GMI MedusaJS service: https://gmi.software/services/medusajs-development
Frequently asked questions
- Is Medusa suitable for B2B marketplaces?
- Yes - with custom split-payment modules, vendor onboarding and gateway integration (Stripe Connect, Adyen). GMI has delivered B2B marketplaces on Medusa v2 with NestJS - see our advanced commerce hub.
- What does commercetools vs Medusa cost per year?
- commercetools requires an enterprise quote based on order volume and selected packages. Medusa has no SaaS license or GMV fee; cost is development (typically EUR 55k-120k for B2B with ERP) plus infrastructure and maintenance.
- Can you migrate from Saleor to Medusa?
- Yes, but it is a data and API migration project, not a flip switch. We map catalogues, B2B accounts and historical orders; typical timeline 3-6 months depending on data quality. Quote after a DDT audit.
- Who implements Medusa B2B in Poland for international clients?
- GMI Software from Gdansk - MedusaJS v2 agency with English delivery for EU, UK and US clients. Initial estimate in 48h, fixed price after DDT. See gmi.software/services/medusajs-development.
Content updated: July 11, 2026