It’s no surprise that B2B eCommerce is booming. According to Hokodo, digital platforms are becoming the go-to for wholesale customers, with 75% of B2B buyers preferring eCommerce sites, portals, marketplaces, and apps. Coalition Technologies states that the value of B2B eCommerce is set to hit $36.16 trillion by 2026, showing a growing interest in scaling wholesale channels.
But not all platforms are built for the unique demands of B2B…
What is a B2B eCommerce platform?
A B2B eCommerce platform is essentially software that allows businesses to sell products or services to other businesses online. Unlike B2C platforms, B2B tools need to support wholesale expectations, like tiered pricing, account-based purchasing, payment terms, and bulk ordering.
The right B2B eCommerce platform should give you:
- Custom price lists for each customer group
- Order minimums, basket rules, and tiered pricing
- Multiple payment options, like Net 30 and POs
- Masquerade ordering tools (like Sales Agent)
- Customer-specific product lists and quick-buy menus
- 24/7 self-service ordering and speedy reordering
Some platforms are standalone marketplaces (like Faire), while others integrate directly into your eCommerce stack (like SparkLayer for Shopify).
How to choose a B2B eCommerce platform
The best eCommerce platform for your business depends on how you want to sell, grow, and manage relationships. It ultimately comes down to how easily you can access and control your B2B operation, from pricing and customer management to order processing and growth. Here are some key questions to ask yourself when thinking about choosing a B2B eCommerce platform:
| Question | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Do you want to manage your B2C and B2B eCommerce store from one site? | Many modern brands run both direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels. Managing two separate sites doubles your workload and leaves more room for inventory challenges. A platform like SparkLayer lets you layer B2B features on top of your existing Shopify site so that you can manage your hybrid set-up in one place. |
| 2. Do you want a marketplace or to manage customer relationships directly? | Marketplaces like Faire can be a great way to get discovered by new wholesale buyers quickly. They bring built-in traffic, exposure to thousands of buyers, and a low-effort setup. However, they often take a commission on sales and control much of the buyer experience, from how your products are presented to how you communicate with customers. On the other hand, managing your wholesale store directly through a platform like SparkLayer gives you full control over pricing, branding, and the customer journey. You own the data, the relationship, and the entire buyer experience. But with that control comes added responsibility - you’ll need to drive your own traffic, invest in marketing, and provide support to your wholesale customers. It can be more hands-on, but also far more rewarding in the long run. If you're exploring how to build and grow your own wholesale channel, SparkLayer has a helpful guide on B2B customer acquisition tactics to get you started. |
| 3. What are the transaction fees for eCommerce platforms? | Some platforms charge commission (up to 25% in some cases), while others charge per-user licences or additional fees to unlock features. Look closely at pricing to avoid surprises as you scale! |
| 4. How many users or licences do you need? | Does your team need access? Do you have sales reps? Platforms like NuOrder charge per user, while SparkLayer includes extensive users on every plan. Think about who needs access to your B2B platform (sales reps, account managers, customer service teams), and how that might change as your business grows. Some platforms, like NuOrder, charge per user licence, which can quickly drive up costs. SparkLayer, however, enables you to invite your whole team, giving you the flexibility without worrying about hidden costs or access restrictions. |
| 5. What’s your budget? | When comparing B2B e-commerce platforms, it’s essential to consider more than just the base subscription cost. Some solutions, like Shopify Plus or NuOrder, offer powerful functionality, but can require a larger investment, especially when you factor in upgrade fees, developer support, or agency retainers. For brands with more complex requirements or larger teams, these tools may be a good fit, but it’s worth understanding the full scope of costs upfront. If you're looking for a more cost-effective option without compromising on features, SparkLayer offers full B2B functionality from just $49/month. That includes everything from custom pricing and catalogues to sales rep tools and user licences - no extra fees to unlock key features. |
Ultimately, the right B2B eCommerce platform is the one that aligns with your specific needs, giving you room to grow without unnecessary complexity or cost.
So, what are the best B2B eCommerce platforms available today - and how do they compare? Let’s take a look…
What is the best B2B eCommerce platform?
As we’ve covered in the previous section, there are several important factors to consider when choosing a B2B eCommerce platform. Consider whether you prefer a marketplace model or full control over your customer relationships; if you want to manage B2C and B2B from a single storefront; or whether your team has the capacity and resources to run separate systems.
Your choice will ultimately depend on how your business is set up today, and where you plan to grow in future.
Let’s explore some of the leading B2B eCommerce platforms.
1. SparkLayer
The B2B eCommerce platform, SparkLayer, is built specifically for B2B eCommerce. It essentially layers seamlessly onto any existing eCommerce store (like Shopify or Wix, for example), giving you full-featured wholesale functionality without needing to upgrade to Shopify Plus (or similar) or build a separate site.
This means you can launch your wholesale store quickly, without relying on developers or agencies. With pricing starting at just $49 per month and no hidden fees or transaction charges, SparkLayer offers a straightforward, cost-effective solution. Unlike many platforms that restrict features or charge per user, SparkLayer includes all essential B2B functionality and substantial user accounts on every plan. This allows your entire team (sales reps, account managers, and customer service) to access the platform without extra costs.
Trusted by over 2,500 brands worldwide, SparkLayer gives you full control over your B2B customer experience while keeping your direct-to-consumer and wholesale operations unified and easy to manage
Why SparkLayer stands out
- ✅ Launch on your existing Shopify plan - no Plus required (and other platforms!)
- ✅ Get started in hours, not weeks
- ✅ Lower total cost of ownership
- ✅ All B2B features included as standard
- ✅ No transaction fees, no hidden costs
- ✅ Considerable user licences on all plans
- ✅ Loved by over 2,500 brands
Whether you’re just starting with wholesale or scaling globally, SparkLayer gives you everything you need to succeed with B2B ecommerce.
2. Shopify
Great for B2C but often expensive for B2B, Shopify is undoubtedly a leading platform for direct-to-consumer with growing B2B capabilities.
Shopify is a dominant player in the direct-to-consumer space and has expanded its offerings to include B2B features. However, businesses should be aware that many of these advanced B2B tools are only available on the Shopify Plus plan, which starts at $2,500 per month. Additionally, businesses may incur developer or agency fees to customise and fully unlock these features, along with a 0.18% transaction fee on B2B orders.
While Shopify’s B2B functionality is evolving, some businesses find the setup process and associated costs challenging as they scale. Where Shopify falls short for B2B eCommerce:
- DTC platform that’s gone B2B
- High entry costs with Plus required for B2B
- Developer-heavy setup
- Extra fees that scale with your business
Why SparkLayer is a better Shopify B2B alternative:
- ✅ Works with any Shopify plan, without needing to upgrade to Shopify Plus
- ✅ Plug-and-play setup - no developers needed
- ✅ Lower total cost of ownership
- ✅ Purpose-built for B2B
- ✅ No transaction fees
Head to our latest comparison page for more information on SparkLayer vs Shopify Plus.
3. Wholesale Gorilla
A wholesale app for small-scale B2B, Wholesale Gorilla is a Shopify app tailored to meet the basic needs of merchants starting their B2B eCommerce journey.
As businesses expand, some users may find that certain advanced features are offered only on higher-tier subscription plans, which could impact scalability and budgeting.
Additionally, product pricing updates in Wholesale Gorilla are managed manually, without automation or import tools, which might require extra time and effort for merchants handling larger or more complex catalogues.
Where Wholesale Gorilla falls short for B2B eCommerce:
- Some features are locked behind higher-tier plans
- Manual product pricing (no automation or import tools)
Why SparkLayer is a good Wholesale Gorilla alternative:
- ✅ All features included from day one
- ✅ Pricing automation and import tools
- ✅ More scalable for growing B2B brands
- ✅ Designed specifically for wholesale eCommerce
From just $49/month, SparkLayer includes everything: tailored pricing, customer-specific product lists, Sales Agent tools, and more, making it a more powerful and cost-effective choice.
Head to our latest comparison page for more information on SparkLayer vs Wholesale Gorilla.
4. NuOrder
NuOrder provides a robust B2B eCommerce platform that supports wholesale operations through a dedicated, separate site. This setup allows for tailored wholesale experiences but does require managing multiple storefronts and administrative systems.
NuOrder’s pricing includes charges per user licence, which can increase costs as your team grows, with a starting price around $7,000 per year plus potential add-ons.
Where NuOrder falls short for B2B eCommerce:
- Separate sites mean more maintenance
- Charges per user licence
- Starting price around $7,000/year, plus add-ons
Why SparkLayer is a better NuOrder alternative:
- ✅ Layers onto your existing store—no second site needed
- ✅ Whole team licences included
- ✅ Transparent pricing from $49/month
- ✅ Full B2C and B2B in one place
For brands that want simplicity, control, and scalability, SparkLayer is the smarter choice.
Head to our latest comparison page for more information on SparkLayer vs NuOrder.
5. Faire
A marketplace, not a platform, Faire is a well-known wholesale tool that connects brands with independent retailers. It acts as a discovery channel, much like Amazon does for consumers. It offers an easy way for brands to reach new buyers without the need to build and manage their own wholesale storefront.
However, because Faire operates as a marketplace, brands need to consider that they are restricted to Faire's requirements for displaying products and don’t fully own the customer relationship. Additionally, there are transnational fees to consider - up to 25% on first orders and 15% on reorders.
Where Faire falls short for B2B eCommerce:
- It’s a marketplace, rather than a B2B eCommerce platform
- Limited control over pricing, presentation, or branding
- You don’t own the customer relationships
- Up to 25% commission on first orders, 15% on reorders
Why SparkLayer is a better Faire alternative:
- ✅ Own the relationship with your customer
- ✅ No commission or transaction fees
- ✅ Fully customisable buyer experience
- ✅ Keep everything on your own website
While Faire is great for discovery and reaching new buyers quickly, SparkLayer provides more control and flexibility for businesses focused on managing and scaling their wholesale business.
Head to our latest comparison page for more information on SparkLayer vs Faire.
6. Joor
Fashion-focused but with marketplace limitations, Joor is a widely recognised wholesale tool, especially popular among fashion and apparel brands.
However, for brands outside the fashion industry or those looking to unify their direct-to-consumer (DTC) and B2B sales under one roof, Joor’s marketplace model may not be the ideal fit.
Because Joor operates primarily as a marketplace, it limits the amount of control you have over your brand and customer relationships.
Where Joor falls short for B2B eCommerce:
- Marketplace model
- Only for fashion brands
- Pricing not transparent
Why SparkLayer is a better Joor alternative:
- ✅ Industry-agnostic - B2B eCommerce experts
- ✅ Layers onto your existing ecommerce
- ✅ All-in-one experience for B2C and B2B
- ✅ Allows you to own the customer relationship
- ✅ Transparent pricing with no commission
While Joor is a good option for fashion brands, SparkLayer is industry-agnostic, giving you powerful, customisable B2B functionality, no matter what you sell.
Head to our latest comparison page for more information on SparkLayer vs Joor.
The best B2B wholesale platform for your business
There’s a huge opportunity in adding a wholesale arm to your B2C business - but choosing the right B2B eCommerce platform requires careful consideration.
From deciding whether you want a marketplace model that helps drive discovery to managing everything in-house, to understanding transaction fees, user licences, and where your operations will live, there’s a lot to weigh up.
The right platform isn’t just about features; it’s about finding a solution that fits your business model, your customers, and your long-term growth plans.
Each B2B eCommerce solution has its strengths, but whether you’re just getting started or scaling globally, SparkLayer offers the flexibility, control, and affordability that modern B2B brands need.
It’s why more than 2,500 merchants trust SparkLayer to power their wholesale business!
Try SparkLayer today and see why it’s the best B2B eCommerce platform. Book a talored demo or sign up for your free 14-day trial now!