Suppose you’re building a wholesale or B2B experience on Shopify. In that case, you’ve probably asked questions like – “Is Shopify Plus worth it for B2B or should I use third-party apps instead?” or “Can I replicate Shopify Plus features using third-party apps on the regular Shopify plan?“
These are valid questions, and the answer isn’t the same for everyone. In this article, we will compare Shopify Plus vs third-party apps, helping you make the best choice based on your store’s size, budget, and B2B or wholesale requirements.
Want to skip the comparison and just go straight into building? Check out these practical guides:
1. Wholesale on Shopify Without Shopify Plus – A step-by-step playbook for creating a wholesale experience using just apps.
2. Shopify Wholesale: The Complete Guide – Covers core wholesale strategies, pricing, customer segmentation, and more.
Quick Comparison of Shopify Plus vs Third-Party Apps to Create a Shopify Wholesale Store
| Faeture | Shopify Plus (Native B2B) | Third-party apps, such as WPD, Lock Manager, etc. |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | Starts at ~$2,300 | ~$30–$150 total (scalable with app tiers) |
| Tiered Pricing by Customer Group | ✅ Native (Price Lists) | ✅ Via tags + app logic |
| Net Payment Terms | ✅ Native | ✅ Using draft orders + tags |
| Locking Products/Prices | ✅ With theme customization | ✅ With apps (no code) |
| Wholesale Portal / Account Management for customers | ✅ Company profiles and B2B Registration Form | ✅ Using tags and Wholesale Signup Forms |
| Scalability | ✅ Enterprise-level | ✅ Suitable for most Small & mid-sized brands |
| Developer Requirement | High | Low to none |
| Setup Time | Weeks to months | Days |
| Multi-Currency/Geo-Pricing | Advanced with Shopify Markets | supported by apps integrated with the Markets |
| Checkout Customization | Full Access including native checkout.liquid access | Limited Access, including post-purchase or order tagging workarounds |
Cost Analysis: Apps Offer Significant Savings for Most Businesses
The most immediate difference is cost. Shopify Plus comes with a premium price tag, starting around $2,300 per month, which can scale upwards based on your Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV). This cost is justified for:
- High-Revenue Enterprises: Brands generating tens of millions or more annually.
- Global Multi-Store Operations: Businesses requiring separate regional storefronts (e.g., example.com for the USA, example.co.uk for the UK).
- Complex Integrations: Deep connections with ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning), CRMs, or intricate warehouse management systems.
- Extensive Checkout Logic: Unique validation rules, dynamic shipping calculations, or multi-step checkout flows not achievable with standard Shopify.
But for most stores doing under $5–10M annually, using third-party Shopify wholesale apps like Wholesale Pricing Discount B2B, Wholesale Lock Manager B2B, and WSH Order Form & ReOrder offer:
- Cost-Effectiveness: These apps typically range from $10-$50 USD per month each, totaling anywhere from $30 to $100 USD per month for a comprehensive B2B setup. This represents a minuscule fraction of the Shopify Plus cost.
- Feature Parity: For core B2B needs like tag-based pricing, gated access, tiered discounts, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and Net payment terms, third-party apps provide 90-95% of the same functionality as Shopify Plus, but without the enterprise-level overhead.
Verdict: If your primary needs revolve around essential B2B features without extreme customization, the app stack is the undisputed winner for cost efficiency.
Functional Comparison (Main Features of a B2B store)
| Feature | Shopify Plus | 3rd Party Apps | Recommended App |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiered or Customer-Specific Pricing | 1. Native “Price Lists” tied to company profiles 2. Managed in the admin panel | 1. Assign pricing logic using customer tags 2. Great for small teams, and much easier to manage | Wholesale Pricing Discount B2B by Wholesale Helper |
| Locking Pricing and Products from Public View | 1. You can modify Liquid code or use checkout extensions | 1. Simulate with draft orders and customer tags 2. Works perfectly for stores offering invoice-based flows | Wholesale Lock Manager B2B by Wholesale Helper |
| Quick bulk ordering | 1. Native quick bulk order form feature is available 2. Provides the option to customize tiered pricing and set minimum quantity requirements | 1. Quick bulk ordering apps are available with options for reordering and integrations with other 3rd party apps for more customized use. | WSH Order Form & ReOrder by Wholesale Helper |
For a complete breakdown of the best wholesale apps—including pricing, features, and compatibility with standard Shopify plans—read: 8 Best Shopify Wholesale Apps (Reviewed & Ranked)
Which Store Profiles Should Opt for an App Stack?
An app-based B2B solution on standard Shopify is ideal if you are:
- Revenue Under $10M/year (or less for B2B segment): Cost-effectiveness is a priority.
- Running a Blended B2C & B2B Store: You want to serve both customer types from a single Shopify instance without duplication.
- Seeking Rapid Setup & Low Developer Reliance: You need to launch quickly and manage your B2B channel without significant technical resources.
- Comfortable with Tag-Based Logic: You understand how customer tags can drive access, pricing, and specific functionalities.
- Operating in Diverse Regions (e.g., UK, Germany, USA): Apps can support multi-currency via Shopify Markets and allow for region-specific pricing rules through tags.
This setup offers incredible value and functionality for most small-to-medium and many mid-market brands.
When Shopify Plus Becomes the Strategic Choice
You should seriously consider upgrading to Shopify Plus if your business:
- Requires Deep ERP/CRM Integration: You need seamless, high-volume data synchronization with complex backend systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Salesforce).
- Manages Multiple International Storefronts: You operate distinct domains or subdomains for different countries (e.g., yourbrand.com for US, yourbrand.co.uk for UK).
- Demands Extensive Checkout Customization: Your B2B purchasing workflow involves unique, non-standard steps or logic within the checkout process.
- Needs Enterprise-Level Automation & Workflow Control: You have complex internal processes that benefit from advanced automation tools like Shopify Flow (which has enhanced features on Plus) or Launchpad for large-scale events.
- Values Dedicated Support & Account Management: You need a direct Shopify contact for strategic guidance and priority technical assistance.
In these scenarios, Shopify Plus functions as a powerful, integrated enterprise platform, justifying its higher investment.
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Final Verdict: What’s Best for Your Store in 2025?
For most growing brands venturing into or expanding their wholesale and B2B operations, Shopify’s robust ecosystem of third-party apps offers an incredibly powerful and cost-effective solution. You can achieve:
- 90-95% of the core B2B features are found in Shopify Plus.
- At a fraction of the cost.
- Without requiring dedicated developers or complex custom coding.
Our Recommendation:
Start your B2B journey on Shopify Basic or Advanced plans by implementing:
- Strategic Customer Tagging: Segment your B2B buyers (e.g., wholesale-distributor, corporate-account-uk).
- Smart Pricing Logic: Utilize an app like Wholesale Pricing Discount B2B for tiered, volume, and customer-specific pricing.
- Gated Access: Employ Wholesale Lock Manager B2B to ensure only approved buyers see wholesale content.
- Streamlined Ordering (Optional): Consider WSH Order Form & ReOrder for faster bulk purchases.
Final say: Only consider upgrading to Shopify Plus when your business complexity, scale, or specific checkout requirements genuinely necessitate its enterprise-level features.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to build a Shopify Plus-like experience using third-party apps?
Shopify Plus typically starts at around $2,300 USD per month and can increase with sales volume. A comprehensive third-party app stack for similar B2B functionalities (e.g., pricing, gating, quick order forms) usually costs between $30 and $100 USD per month in total, offering significant cost savings for most businesses.
Can a standard Shopify plan (Basic, Shopify, Advanced) handle multi-currency wholesale pricing for international buyers (e.g., USD for USA, GBP for UK)?
Yes. Standard Shopify plans, especially when combined with Shopify Markets and apps like the Wholesale Pricing Discount B2B, can effectively display and manage multi-currency wholesale pricing. Customer tags can differentiate regional pricing, ensuring buyers in the USA see USD, while those in the UK see GBP, for example.
How does Shopify Plus handle company accounts and multiple buyers per company, compared to third-party app solutions?
Shopify Plus has native “Company Profiles” that allow you to manage multiple buyer contacts and locations under one central company account, with granular permissions. Third-party app solutions typically rely on Shopify’s customer accounts combined with tags to group buyers and apply rules.
Is it easier to integrate an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system with Shopify Plus or with a standard Shopify plan using apps?
Shopify Plus generally offers smoother and more direct ERP integrations. It provides higher API limits, dedicated B2B APIs, and is often preferred by integration middleware providers. While integrations are possible with standard Shopify and apps, Plus simplifies the process for complex, high-volume data synchronization with systems like SAP, NetSuite, or Microsoft Dynamics.
Can I offer a self-service portal for my wholesale customers to manage their orders, view history, and reorder on Shopify without Plus?
Yes, a strong self-service experience is achievable without Shopify Plus. By combining customer accounts, a quick order form app (like WSH Order Form & ReOrder), and ensuring order history is accessible, your wholesale customers can manage their own purchasing and reordering, similar to what’s expected on a B2B portal.
How do I manage wholesale customer approval workflows on a non-Plus Shopify store?
You can manage this efficiently using a sign-up form (e.g., Shopify Forms, or Wholesale Sign up Form made via the Wholesale Pricing Discount B2B App) where prospective dealers apply. Upon manual review, you then approve them and apply specific customer tags (e.g., dealer-approved).
Can I set up different product catalogs or hide specific products from certain wholesale groups (e.g., showing only electronics to one distributor in the USA, and only accessories to another in the UK)?
Yes, this is a common B2B requirement and achievable with apps. Using an access control app like Wholesale Lock Manager B2B in conjunction with customer tags (e.g., electronics-distributor-usa, accessories-b2b-uk), you can precisely control which products or collections are visible to each tagged wholesale group.
What are the best options for recurring B2B orders or subscriptions on Shopify (for wholesale clients)?
For recurring B2B orders, you would typically use subscription apps from the Shopify App Store. While native Shopify Plus has some B2B-specific subscription features, many apps can manage recurring billing cycles, provide customer portals for subscription management, and integrate with standard Shopify plans for both B2C and B2B recurring needs.
How does inventory management differ for wholesale on Shopify Plus versus using third-party apps?
Shopify’s core inventory management is unified. Shopify Plus might offer more advanced multi-location inventory features and dedicated B2B inventory insights, especially with its robust API for ERP integrations. However, for standard Shopify, third-party inventory management apps (often integrated with apps for wholesale pricing) can provide advanced functionalities like stock alerts, purchase order management, and multi-warehouse tracking for both retail and wholesale stock.
Is it possible to offer custom discounts (e.g., a 10% off promotion) on top of the established wholesale pricing for specific B2B campaigns?
Yes. Both Shopify Plus’s native discounting tools and third-party wholesale pricing apps allow for promotional discounts. These can often be applied to specific customer segments (via tags) or products, allowing you to run targeted campaigns on top of your base wholesale pricing for temporary promotions, new product launches, or special offers to a dealer in, say, Canada or Australia.
What’s the best alternative to Shopify Plus for managing customer-specific pricing?
To manage customer-specific pricing without wanting to upgrade to Shopify Plus plan, you can use a third-party app like Wholesale Pricing Discount B2B by Wholesale Helper
