12 Best Nacelle Alternatives

While Nacelle pioneered headless data layers for ecommerce, the market now offers powerful alternatives that often exceed its capabilities in pricing flexibility, built-in features, and customization depth. From API-first platforms like Swell to enterprise solutions like Commercetools, these twelve alternatives cater to different business models, technical requirements, and growth trajectories. This comprehensive analysis examines each platform's strengths, pricing models, and ideal use cases to help merchants make informed decisions beyond the Nacelle ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

• Native subscription billing separates leaders from followers: Swell includes built-in subscription management with any payment gateway, while most alternatives require costly third-party apps—evaluate whether subscription commerce is core to your business model before committing
• Pricing accessibility varies dramatically: Enterprise platforms like Salesforce Commerce Cloud start at $150,000+ annually, while modern alternatives like Swell deliver comprehensive headless capabilities starting at $299/month
• API depth determines customization potential: True API-first platforms provide complete backend access for custom storefronts, while some "headless" solutions restrict critical functionality—audit your technical requirements before selection
• International commerce capabilities differ significantly: Support ranges from basic multi-currency to comprehensive localization across 230 currencies and 170 languages—match platform capabilities to your geographic expansion plans
• Transaction fees impact long-term profitability: Some platforms charge 0% on external payment gateways while others add per-transaction fees—calculate the five-year cost difference based on your projected sales volume

The headless commerce market has matured significantly, with API-first architecture becoming the standard for brands seeking flexibility beyond traditional monolithic platforms. As ecommerce continues capturing a larger share of retail sales, merchants increasingly recognize that frontend flexibility and backend power determine long-term competitive advantage.

1. Swell — API-First Headless Commerce with Native Subscriptions

Swell stands as the most complete API-first headless commerce platform, offering native subscription billing, unlimited product customization, and comprehensive international capabilities at accessible price points.

Key Features:

• Built-in subscription engine working with any payment gateway through encrypted card vault
• Unlimited product options, variants, and attributes (versus competitor caps at 3 options and 100 variants)
• Multi-currency support across 230 currencies with explicit pricing rules
• Content localization in 170 languages through admin dashboard or API
• Fully customizable checkout experiences via Checkout API
• 0% transaction fees on external payment gateways

Pricing Structure:

• Starter: $29/month (up to $50K annual sales)
• Basic: $79/month (up to $250K annual sales)
• Standard: $299/month (up to $1M annual sales)
• Unlimited: $2,250/month (up to $5M annual sales)
• Custom/Enterprise: Negotiated for $10M+ annual sales

Swell maintains 99.963% platform uptime, demonstrating enterprise-grade reliability while remaining accessible to growing brands. The platform's Backend API provides complete CRUD access to all data models—the same API powering Swell's own dashboard and checkout—ensuring developers can replicate or customize any native functionality.

For subscription-based businesses, Swell eliminates the complexity of third-party subscription apps. Native features include flexible billing intervals, separate invoicing from fulfillment schedules, mixed cart support combining subscriptions with one-time purchases, and automatic payment retry with dunning rules.

According to nopCommerce, "Swell is the most user-friendly and intuitive of all the API-focused commerce systems."

Pros:

• Native subscription billing eliminates third-party dependencies
• Unlimited product variants versus competitor restrictions
• 0% transaction fees on external gateways
• Full API access for complete customization

Cons:

• Smaller app ecosystem than legacy platforms
• Newer platform compared to established players

2. Shopify Plus — Market Leader with Extensive Ecosystem

Shopify Plus maintains market leadership through its massive app ecosystem and brand recognition, serving 2.2 million stores globally with enterprise-grade infrastructure.

Key Features:

• GraphQL Storefront API for headless commerce implementations
• 8,000+ apps and integrations in marketplace
• Omnichannel selling across social media, marketplaces, and POS
• Advanced analytics and reporting dashboards
• Dedicated merchant success manager
• Shopify Flow for workflow automation

Pricing Structure:

• Starting at $2,300/month (with a 3-year term)
• Revenue-based pricing for high-volume merchants
• Additional costs for transaction fees on non-Shopify Payments

Shopify Plus achieves a 9.1/10 rating on TrustRadius, with users praising its ecosystem breadth and ease of use. The platform excels at providing turnkey solutions for brands prioritizing speed-to-market over deep customization.

However, Shopify Plus charges 0.20% transaction fees on external payment gateways and restricts checkout modifications even on enterprise plans. Product modeling limitations (3 options, 100 variants maximum) may constrain businesses with complex catalog requirements.

Pros:

• Largest third-party app ecosystem
• Strong brand recognition and merchant community
• Proven scalability for high-volume stores

Cons:

• 0.20% transaction fees on external gateways
• Limited checkout customization
• Product variant caps restrict complex catalogs

3. BigCommerce — No Transaction Fees with Unlimited Products

BigCommerce offers a compelling mid-market alternative with zero transaction fees on any plan and unlimited products, file storage, and bandwidth.

Key Features:

• No transaction fees regardless of payment gateway
• 1,000+ pre-built integrations available
• No API call throttling for high-volume implementations
• Built-in B2B capabilities including wholesale pricing and quote management
• Multi-storefront management from single backend
• Advanced SEO features and structured data support

Pricing Structure:

• Standard: $29.95/month
• Plus: $79.95/month
• Pro: $299.95/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

BigCommerce maintains a 4.2/5 rating on G2 based on hundreds of reviews. The platform demonstrates proven scalability for enterprise-level operations.

According to industry analysts, "BigCommerce is a powerhouse platform for businesses that have outgrown simpler solutions and need more built-in functionality to manage their growth."

Pros:

• Zero transaction fees on all plans
• No API throttling for developers
• Strong B2B and wholesale features

Cons:

• Annual sales thresholds trigger plan upgrades
• Subscription management requires third-party apps
• Steeper learning curve than simpler platforms

4. Commercetools — True MACH Architecture for Enterprise

Commercetools represents the gold standard for composable, MACH-certified headless commerce, trusted by enterprise brands including Audi, Bang & Olufsen, and AT&T.

Key Features:

• 300+ API endpoints for complete customization
• MACH-certified (Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, Headless)
• Multi-cloud infrastructure supporting AWS, GCP, and Azure
• Merchant Center dashboard for non-technical users
• 60-day free trial with full functionality
• Event-driven architecture for real-time updates

Pricing Structure:

• Custom enterprise pricing starting at $50,000+ annually
• Pricing based on GMV and transaction volume
• Implementation services available separately

Commercetools achieves a 4.5/5 rating on G2 and serves 300+ enterprise brands globally. The platform's true API-first architecture eliminates SQL customization requirements while enabling infinite frontend flexibility.

Pros:

• Industry-leading composable architecture
• Multi-cloud deployment options
• Generous 60-day free trial

Cons:

• Enterprise-only pricing excludes SMBs
• Complex implementation requires technical expertise
• Longer deployment timelines than simpler alternatives

5. Adobe Commerce (Magento) — Open-Source Flexibility

Adobe Commerce offers both open-source and enterprise editions, serving merchants globally with maximum customization potential.

Key Features:

• Open-source version available for self-hosting (free)
• PWA Studio for progressive web applications
• 750+ extensions and plugins available
• Integration with Adobe Experience Cloud
• B2B-focused features including quote management and company accounts
• Multi-site, multi-brand architecture support

Pricing Structure:

• Magento Open Source: Free (self-hosted)
• Adobe Commerce: $22,000+ annually
• Implementation costs vary significantly

Adobe Commerce maintains a 7.9/10 rating on TrustRadius. The platform's legacy as Magento provides it with a massive developer community and extensive customization options.

According to Chargebee, "Magento is highly customizable, but you might need advanced experience and development knowledge to get the most out of it."

Pros:

• Free open-source option available
• Maximum customization freedom
• Massive developer community

Cons:

• Steep learning curve and technical requirements
• Hosting and development costs add up quickly
• Security maintenance falls on merchant

6. Salesforce Commerce Cloud — CRM Integration Powerhouse

Salesforce Commerce Cloud excels for organizations already invested in the Salesforce ecosystem, serving 3,000+ brands including Adidas, Puma, and L'Oreal.

Key Features:

• Deep integration with Salesforce Customer 360
• Einstein AI for personalization and recommendations
• PWA Kit for mobile-first storefronts
• Multi-site, multi-language, multi-brand support
• Advanced analytics and attribution modeling
• Order management system included

Pricing Structure:

• Custom enterprise pricing starting at $150,000+ annually
• Revenue-based pricing tiers
• Implementation services typically required

The platform achieves an 8.1/10 rating on TrustRadius and reportedly powers commerce for hundreds of enterprise retail brands worldwide.

Pros:

• Seamless Salesforce CRM integration
• Enterprise-grade AI personalization
• Proven Fortune 500 scalability

Cons:

• Highest price point among alternatives
• Complex implementation timeline
• Lock-in to Salesforce ecosystem

7. Fabric — Fastest Implementation at Enterprise Scale

Fabric combines ecommerce, OMS, and PIM in a modular platform with implementation timelines of 4-12 weeks—significantly faster than traditional enterprise solutions.

Key Features:

• Order Management System (OMS) included natively
• 300+ API endpoints with <50ms response time
• AI-powered Product Discovery
• Transparent pricing published on website
• Product Information Management (PIM) included
• Modular architecture for selective adoption

Pricing Structure:

• Published pricing from $4,500-$72,000+ annually
• Tiered based on features and volume
• No minimum contract length on lower tiers

Fabric serves brands including GNC, Build-A-Bear, and Chico's, achieving a 4.7/5 rating on G2. The platform's unified approach reduces integration complexity while maintaining enterprise capabilities.

Pros:

• Fastest enterprise implementation timelines
• OMS and PIM included natively
• Transparent published pricing

Cons:

• Newer platform with smaller track record
• Limited international presence
• Fewer third-party integrations than mature platforms

8. Spryker — B2B Commerce Specialization

Spryker leads in B2B and industrial commerce, serving enterprise brands including Toyota, Hilti, and TomTailor with 900+ API modules for composability.

Key Features:

• Glue API for specialized B2B, B2C, and D2C services
• Corporate account hierarchies and approval workflows
• Custom catalog management per customer segment
• B2B marketplace administration capabilities
• Quote management and negotiated pricing
• Rapid deployment claims of 3-6 months

Pricing Structure:

• Custom enterprise pricing starting at $45,000+ annually
• Implementation services typically bundled
• Pricing based on modules selected

For B2B and wholesale operations, Spryker's specialized features address complex requirements that general-purpose platforms struggle to support.

Pros:

• Industry-leading B2B capabilities
• Modular architecture for selective adoption
• German engineering reputation for quality

Cons:

• B2B focus limits B2C suitability
• Enterprise-only pricing
• Limited TrustRadius reviews

9. OroCommerce — Open-Source B2B Platform

OroCommerce, built by Magento founders, provides an open-source B2B ecommerce platform with built-in CRM and 100+ enterprise integrations.

Key Features:

• Free community edition for self-hosting
• OroCRM included for customer management
• Multi-vendor marketplace capabilities
• Account hierarchies and RFQ workflows
• ERP and EDI integration support
• Active developer community of 20,000+ members

Pricing Structure:

• Community Edition: Free (self-hosted)
• Enterprise: $45,000+ annually

OroCommerce achieves a 4.5/5 rating on G2, with users praising its B2B-first design and included CRM functionality.

Pros:

• Free open-source edition available
• Built-in CRM reduces integration needs
• B2B-first architecture

Cons:

• Limited B2C functionality
• Self-hosting requires technical resources
• Smaller ecosystem than competitors

10. Elastic Path — Industry-Specific Solutions

Elastic Path brings 25+ years of ecommerce experience to composable commerce, supporting 49 languages and serving brands including reMarkable and Swisscom.

Key Features:

• Product Experience Manager (PXM) for merchandising
• Catalog Composer for multiple customized catalogs
• Industry-specific solutions for automotive, healthcare, retail
• Flexible deployment (cloud or on-premise)
• 14-day free trial (rare for enterprise platforms)
• Extensive localization capabilities

Pricing Structure:

• Custom pricing starting at $50,000+ annually
• 14-day free trial available
• Implementation services separate

The platform maintains a 4.3/5 rating on G2. According to nopCommerce, "Elastic Path is one of the best headless commerce platforms for enterprise businesses... eliminates all the complexities associated with going headless."

Pros:

• Industry-specific solution templates
• Rare 14-day enterprise free trial
• Flexible deployment options

Cons:

• Enterprise-only pricing
• Complex implementation requirements
• Smaller market presence than leaders

11. Commerce Layer — API-First Simplicity

Commerce Layer delivers pure headless commerce via API with a free plan available—unusual among enterprise-grade solutions—and 99.99% uptime SLA.

Key Features:

• 300+ API endpoints for commerce operations
• Multi-market commerce for global selling
• Free tier for development and small stores
• Composable architecture for easy integrations
• Multi-language support (English, German, French, Italian)
• Stock location and inventory management

Pricing Structure:

• Free: Developer tier available
• Growth: $649/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Commerce Layer achieves a 5.0/5 rating on Capterra, with users praising its API quality and developer experience.

Pros:

• Free tier available for developers
• Clean, well-documented APIs
• Strong uptime guarantees

Cons:

• Requires development resources
• Limited non-API management interface
• Smaller support team than established vendors

12. Snipcart — Simplest Implementation Path

Snipcart enables adding ecommerce to any existing website through simple HTML/JavaScript integration, serving 25,000 active merchants and developers.

Key Features:

• Add cart to ANY website with HTML attributes
• Works with any CMS (WordPress, Webflow, static sites)
• Developer-first documentation and approach
• No migration required from existing tech stack
• PCI-compliant hosted checkout
• Digital product delivery support

Pricing Structure:

• Custom pricing based on volume (contact required)
• Percentage-based transaction model
• No platform fees on lower volumes

Snipcart maintains a 4.8/5 rating on G2, particularly popular among developers and content-first websites.

Pros:

• Simplest possible implementation
• Works with existing website infrastructure
• No migration complexity

Cons:

• Limited to cart/checkout functionality
• Not a full commerce platform
• Weaker subscription support

Choosing Your Alternative Based on Business Requirements

Selection should align with your specific commerce requirements and growth trajectory:

By Business Model:

• Subscription commerce: Swell (native billing), Chargebee integration for others
• B2B/Wholesale: Spryker, OroCommerce, or Swell's B2B capabilities
• Direct-to-consumer: Swell, Shopify Plus, or BigCommerce
• Enterprise multi-brand: Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Commercetools

By Technical Resources:

• Limited development team: Swell, Shopify Plus, BigCommerce
• Strong technical team: Commercetools, Adobe Commerce, Elastic Path
• No developers: Shopify Plus with apps, Snipcart for existing sites

By Budget:

• Under $500/month: Swell, BigCommerce, Commerce Layer
• $500-$5,000/month: Swell Unlimited, Shopify Plus, Fabric
• $5,000+/month: Commercetools, Salesforce, Elastic Path

For brands prioritizing migration simplicity, Swell offers Shopify theme compatibility, allowing merchants to upload and customize existing themes within its environment while gaining access to superior subscription management and unlimited product modeling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Swell different from other Nacelle alternatives?

Swell stands apart through native subscription billing that works with any payment gateway, unlimited product options and variants (versus Shopify's 100-variant cap), and 0% transaction fees on external gateways. While most platforms require third-party apps for subscription commerce, Swell includes flexible billing intervals, mixed cart support, and dunning management as core features. The platform also provides complete API access—the same APIs powering its own dashboard—ensuring developers can customize any functionality.

How does Swell's native subscription management compare to third-party apps?

Swell's built-in subscription engine eliminates the monthly fees, integration complexity, and feature limitations of third-party subscription apps. Native features include separate invoicing from fulfillment schedules (bill monthly, ship quarterly), automatic payment retry with customizable dunning rules, card expiration notifications, and customer self-service for pause/resume functionality. Third-party apps typically charge percentage-based fees and create data silos between your commerce platform and subscription management.

Can I customize my checkout experience completely with Swell?

Yes, Swell provides fully customizable checkout experiences via its Checkout API, allowing complete control over the checkout flow, design, and functionality. This contrasts with platforms like Shopify that restrict checkout modifications even on Plus plans. Swell also offers a hosted PCI-compliant checkout option for merchants who prefer turnkey solutions without custom development.

What kind of international commerce features does Swell offer?

Swell supports transactions across 230 currencies with explicit pricing rules per currency for products, shipping, and discounts, plus automatic exchange rate conversions. Multi-language support localizes all customer-facing content—including products, categories, checkout, and email notifications—through the admin dashboard or API, covering 170 languages. Tax calculation integrates with Avalara and TaxJar for region-specific compliance, with support for custom tax rule groups by location and product type.

Is Swell a good option for businesses with high sales volumes or complex product catalogs?

Swell scales from startups to businesses generating over $10M annually without re-platforming. The Unlimited plan supports up to $5M in annual sales with unlimited API requests, data storage, and a 100% uptime SLA. For complex catalogs, Swell offers unlimited product options, variants, and custom attributes—eliminating the constraints that force growing businesses to seek platform migrations.