8 Best Ecommerce Platforms for Cannabis Brands

Cannabis brands face a unique challenge in ecommerce: most mainstream platforms either ban THC products entirely or charge transaction fees that erode margins at scale. With regulatory frameworks maturing and consumer demand growing, selecting the right platform in 2026 means balancing compliance requirements, payment processing flexibility, and long-term scalability. From API-first headless commerce solutions to cannabis-specific marketplaces, these eight platforms serve different business models and growth stages. This guide examines each option's strengths, pricing structures, and ideal use cases to help cannabis entrepreneurs make informed decisions.

Key Takeaways

• Platform restrictions create existential risk: Mainstream platforms like Shopify ban THC products containing more than 0.3% THC, while Swell places zero restrictions on product categories—evaluate platform policies before committing to avoid sudden account shutdowns
• Transaction fees compound at scale: Dutchie charges 5-8% on online sales, translating to $30,000 annually on $500K GMV, while platforms like Swell charge 0% transaction fees regardless of payment gateway
• Native subscriptions eliminate app dependencies: Cannabis subscription boxes require recurring billing capabilities—Swell includes native subscription commerce while Shopify requires third-party apps like ReCharge that charge additional monthly fees
• Headless architecture enables omnichannel growth: API-first platforms deliver 50% faster deployment and connect web, mobile apps, and IoT devices to a single commerce backend
• Product complexity demands unlimited variants: Cannabis catalogs with multiple strain variations, potency levels, and terpene profiles require platforms supporting unlimited product options—Shopify caps variants significantly while other platforms offer greater flexibility

1. Swell — API-First Headless Commerce with Zero Product Restrictions

Swell stands as the only mainstream headless commerce platform that allows unlimited THC cannabis products without category restrictions, account shutdown risk, or transaction fees.

Key Features:

• Zero restrictions on THC flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, and Delta-8/9/10 products
• 0% transaction fees across all pricing tiers regardless of payment gateway
• Native subscription billing with flexible intervals, mixed carts, and automated dunning
• Unlimited product variants and 250+ custom fields per product for compliance data
• 65+ payment gateway integrations including high-risk cannabis-friendly processors
• True headless architecture supporting React, Vue, Next.js, and mobile app development

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 pricing for merchants exceeding $10M annually

Swell's greatest strength lies in its API-first design where all dashboard and checkout functionality uses the same Backend API available to developers. This means cannabis brands can build custom Metrc compliance workflows, implement state-specific tax calculations via webhook, and create tailored customer experiences without platform interference.

For cannabis brands prioritizing long-term scalability, Swell eliminates the existential platform risk that comes with mainstream alternatives. The platform's encrypted card vault works with any payment gateway, enabling subscription commerce for cannabis products where competitors require workarounds or third-party integrations.

User reviews highlight Swell's flexibility and developer control, with customers noting that native subscription support eliminated ReCharge costs while unlimited product variants solved catalog complexity issues common with Shopify migrations.

2. Dutchie — Cannabis Marketplace with Built-In Customer Acquisition

Dutchie has established itself as the leading cannabis marketplace platform, processing billions in annual orders while providing dispensaries instant access to existing consumer traffic.

Standout Capabilities:

• Built-in marketplace exposure to active cannabis consumers
• Native Metrc and BioTrack compliance integration
• 2-4 week setup timeline—significantly faster than custom development
• Dutchie POS integration for unified in-store and online operations
• Turnkey compliance tools for multi-state operators

Pricing Model:

• Free platform access
• 5-8% transaction fees on online sales
• Additional fees for premium features and integrations

Dutchie excels at customer acquisition for new dispensaries. The platform's marketplace model provides immediate access to consumers already searching for cannabis products, offsetting the need for extensive marketing during launch phases.

The trade-off appears at scale. A cannabis brand generating $500K in annual GMV pays approximately $30,000 in transaction fees—costs that compound as revenue grows. For dispensaries prioritizing speed to market over long-term cost efficiency, Dutchie delivers measurable value through its established consumer base.

3. TreezComm — Native POS Integration for Treez Users

TreezComm delivers turnkey cannabis ecommerce specifically designed for dispensaries already using Treez point-of-sale systems, eliminating complex integration projects.

Core Strengths:

• Native Treez POS synchronization for real-time inventory management
• Unified commerce experience across in-store and online channels
• Built-in cannabis compliance tools
• Seamless customer data flow between touchpoints

Pricing:

• $300-800/month depending on features and transaction volume
• Bundled pricing with Treez POS subscription

TreezComm's primary advantage emerges for existing Treez POS customers who gain ecommerce capabilities without complex integration projects. The platform maintains inventory accuracy across channels and simplifies operations for single-location dispensaries focused on omnichannel consistency.

For dispensaries evaluating new POS systems alongside ecommerce, TreezComm's value proposition depends entirely on committing to the Treez ecosystem.

4. WooCommerce — Open-Source Flexibility with Full Platform Ownership

WooCommerce offers cannabis brands complete platform ownership through its open-source WordPress plugin, providing maximum control for technically capable teams.

Technical Advantages:

• Free core plugin with hosting from $5-25/month minimum
• Full infrastructure control and code ownership
• Thousands of available plugins and extensions
• Complete customization capabilities for compliance workflows
• No platform transaction fees

Cost Considerations:

• Hosting: $20-200/month depending on traffic and requirements
• Premium plugins: Variable costs for advanced functionality
• Security updates, backups, and compliance: Self-managed
• Developer time for maintenance and updates: Ongoing investment

WooCommerce delivers the lowest upfront costs among viable cannabis platforms. For teams with dedicated technical resources, the platform enables custom Metrc integrations, age verification systems, and payment gateway configurations without platform restrictions.

The self-hosted model requires ongoing plugin maintenance and compatibility management. Cannabis brands choosing WooCommerce accept responsibility for security updates, PCI compliance, and infrastructure scaling—considerations that Swell's managed platform handles automatically.

5. BigCommerce — Enterprise B2B Features for CBD and Hemp

BigCommerce serves CBD and hemp merchants with strong native B2B capabilities, though the platform does not accommodate full THC commerce.

B2B Strengths:

• Customer organizations and account hierarchies
• Multiple product catalogs per customer segment
• Customer-specific pricing and payment terms
• Quote management and approval workflows
• 0% platform transaction fees regardless of gateway choice
• 600+ pre-built integrations

Pricing Tiers:

• Standard: $39/month
• Plus: $105/month
• Pro: Custom pricing
• Enterprise: Negotiated rates

BigCommerce's B2B features make it attractive for hemp-derived CBD brands operating wholesale channels. The platform's native capabilities for customer segmentation, tiered pricing, and complex approval workflows serve B2B operations without requiring extensive app dependencies.

For cannabis brands selling products containing >0.3% THC, BigCommerce remains non-viable. CBD and hemp merchants benefit from enterprise-grade reliability and the platform's comprehensive integration ecosystem.

6. Shopify — Ecosystem Leader with THC Product Restrictions

Shopify powers major brands including Pepsi, Staples, and Nestle, offering the largest app ecosystem in ecommerce with 1,000+ pre-built integrations.

Platform Highlights:

• Fastest setup among major platforms (days to weeks)
• Shopify Payments with competitive transaction fees
• Hydrogen framework for headless commerce
• Extensive third-party app marketplace

Cannabis Considerations:

• THC products containing more than 0.3% THC are restricted, including flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles, and Delta-8/9/10
• CBD merchants have experienced account shutdowns without warning
• Product variant limitations per product

Shopify's ecosystem advantages serve non-cannabis businesses exceptionally well. For cannabis brands specifically, the platform's product restrictions and variant limitations create operational constraints. Brands considering Shopify alternatives for cannabis commerce often migrate to platforms like Swell that eliminate these category restrictions entirely.

7. Carrot — All-in-One Cannabis Retail Platform

Carrot combines ecommerce, loyalty programs, and marketing tools in a single cannabis-focused platform, serving 300+ dispensaries since its 2021 launch.

Integrated Features:

• Ecommerce with built-in compliance tools
• Customer loyalty and rewards programs
• Marketing automation
• Delivery management capabilities
• Age verification systems

Pricing:

• Not publicly disclosed
• $1-3 per transaction based on volume

Carrot's all-in-one approach appeals to dispensaries seeking unified operations without managing multiple vendor relationships. The platform consolidates functionality that competitors require through separate integrations.

For cannabis brands requiring advanced customization, headless architecture, or marketplace capabilities, Carrot's integrated model may present constraints compared to API-first alternatives.

8. Mosaic — Enterprise Compliance for Multi-State Operators

Mosaic targets large-scale cannabis operators managing compliance across multiple state jurisdictions, automating regulatory workflows for enterprise deployments.

Enterprise Focus:

• Multi-state compliance automation
• Enterprise-grade reporting and analytics
• Scalable infrastructure for high-volume operations
• Custom integration capabilities

Target Market:

• Multi-state operators (MSOs)
• Cannabis brands with complex compliance requirements
• Enterprise organizations requiring dedicated support

Mosaic serves a specific segment: large operators navigating multi-state compliance complexity. For single-state dispensaries or brands prioritizing cost efficiency, the platform's enterprise positioning exceeds typical requirements.

Choosing Your Cannabis Ecommerce Platform

Selection should align with your business model, technical resources, and growth trajectory:

By Business Stage:

• Pre-launch startups: Dutchie for fastest time-to-market with built-in traffic
• Growing DTC brands: Swell for scalable headless commerce and subscription capabilities
• Multi-state enterprises: Mosaic for compliance automation at scale
• Technical teams with development resources: WooCommerce for full platform ownership

By Product Type:

• THC products (flower, edibles, concentrates): Swell or cannabis-specific platforms
• CBD/hemp only: BigCommerce or Shopify viable options
• Subscription boxes and recurring products: Swell with native billing

Total Cost Comparison ($500K Annual GMV):

Swell

• Year 1 Total: ~$40,000
• Primary Cost Driver: Platform license + development

Dutchie

• Year 1 Total: ~$49,000
• Primary Cost Driver: Transaction fees (5–8%)

WooCommerce

• Year 1 Total: ~$30,400
• Primary Cost Driver: Hosting + development + maintenance

For cannabis brands seeking enterprise-grade flexibility without product restrictions, Swell's combination of 0% transaction fees, native subscriptions, and unlimited product modeling delivers long-term value. The platform's API-first architecture supports growth from startup to millions in revenue without re-platforming.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific features should cannabis brands prioritize in an ecommerce platform for compliance in 2026?

Cannabis brands should evaluate age verification capabilities, tax calculation integrations (Avalara, TaxJar), and flexible custom fields for tracking THC content, terpene profiles, and batch numbers. Platforms with API access enable custom Metrc compliance workflows specific to state requirements. Swell's 250+ custom fields per product and webhook support for custom tax calculations address these compliance needs without third-party dependencies.

How does a headless commerce platform benefit a cannabis brand compared to traditional solutions?

Headless architecture separates the frontend presentation layer from the backend commerce engine, enabling custom storefronts in React, Vue, or Next.js while maintaining unified inventory, orders, and customer data. This approach delivers 50% faster deployment compared to monolithic platforms and connects multiple customer touchpoints—web, mobile apps, in-store kiosks—to a single commerce backend. Cannabis brands gain design freedom without sacrificing operational efficiency.

Can ecommerce platforms support multi-state shipping and complex tax regulations for cannabis products?

Platforms like Swell integrate with Avalara and TaxJar for region-specific tax compliance, supporting custom tax rule groups by location and product type. Multi-warehouse management enables state-specific fulfillment, while shipping zone configurations handle jurisdiction-based restrictions. The key is selecting platforms with flexible APIs that allow custom compliance logic rather than rigid, pre-built rules.

What are the typical pricing structures for scalable cannabis ecommerce platforms?

Pricing models vary dramatically: Swell charges $29-2,250/month based on annual sales volume with 0% transaction fees; Dutchie offers free platform access but charges 5-8% on transactions; WooCommerce is free but requires hosting, plugins, and development investment. For a $500K GMV cannabis brand, annual platform costs range from approximately $25,000-49,000 depending on the chosen solution.

How important is native subscription billing for cannabis businesses building recurring revenue?

Native subscription capabilities eliminate $300-500/month in third-party app fees while reducing integration complexity. Swell's built-in subscription engine supports flexible billing intervals, mixed carts combining subscription and one-time products, automated payment retry with dunning rules, and separate invoicing from fulfillment schedules. For cannabis subscription boxes or auto-replenishment programs, native billing reduces churn through automated card expiration notifications and customer self-service functionality.

What support and developer resources are available for customizing a cannabis ecommerce store?

Platform support varies by tier: Swell offers email and chat support across all plans, priority support starting at $299/month, and dedicated developer support at $2,250/month and above. API documentation, webhooks for custom shipping and tax calculations, and model editors for custom data fields enable technical teams to build tailored solutions. For non-technical teams, Swell's visual theme editor provides hosted storefront customization without code.