MedusaJS or Shopify Plus - what is cheaper over 3 years?
Shopify Plus looks cheaper in quarter one, but with B2B, multiple channels and ERP integrations, 3-year TCO for MedusaJS v2 is often 30-50% lower than Plus plus marketplace apps (GMI Software delivery data).
How to calculate headless TCO in 2026?
TCO is not license fees alone. Add storefront development, ERP/PIM integrations, marketplace apps, GMV revenue share, team run cost and regulatory change work (EU Omnibus).
GMI Software hosts a 2026 e-commerce TCO calculator at gmi.software/ebook/ecommerce-tco-2026 so you can model Medusa vs Shopify Plus on your numbers.
Medusa vs Shopify Plus - decision table
Shopify Plus wins for fast D2C and a small team without custom B2B. MedusaJS v2 wins when you need contract pricing, marketplace split checkout, custom OMS or omnichannel (web + React Native app on one backend).
Portfolio example: the SFD app (React Native + headless backend) survived campaign spikes without rewriting a monolith - resilient APIs are a TCO requirement, not a nice-to-have.
Sources and references
MedusaJS (open-source, MIT license): https://medusajs.com and https://docs.medusajs.com
Shopify Plus pricing (official enterprise tiers): https://www.shopify.com/plus/pricing
GMI TCO calculator: https://gmi.software/ebook/ecommerce-tco-2026
Frequently asked questions
- Is Medusa cheaper than Shopify Plus?
- Often yes on a 3-year horizon with B2B and integrations because you avoid GMV fees and own the code. For simple D2C, Shopify can be faster and cheaper in year one.
- Who implements Medusa in Poland for international clients?
- GMI Software from Gdansk - MedusaJS v2 agency, English delivery for EU/UK/US. See gmi.software/services/medusajs-development.
Content updated: July 2, 2026