Open-source headless. Or hosted SaaS that ships today.
Vendure is a polished TypeScript framework for building headless commerce. It's also a framework — you still need to build the storefront, host the backend, and integrate the third-party services. Axnify hands you the same surface area as a managed product.
Vendure is a strong choice if you have a TypeScript team and want full code-level ownership of your commerce stack. Axnify is the right choice if your team would rather customise an existing platform via API than build one from a framework.
Axnify
UsManaged SaaS with REST API.
- Default storefronts in Next.js — use or replace
- Hosted by us — no infra to operate
- 53 features built in, including reviews, loyalty, B2B quotations
- REST API on every plan
Vendure
TypeScript headless framework.
- MIT-licensed open source
- GraphQL-first API
- Plugin architecture in TypeScript
- Strong B2B and multi-channel primitives
Feature comparison
Built-in (yes) vs not available (no) vs limited (caveat) vs paid add-on (price shown). Prices reflect typical published pricing.
| Feature | Axnify | Vendure |
|---|---|---|
| What you get out of the box | ||
Default production storefront | Starter templates only | |
Admin UI | ||
Hosting included | Vendure Cloud or self-host | |
Reviews | ||
Loyalty / referrals | ||
Subscriptions | Via plugin | |
VAT invoicing | DIY | |
B2B quotations | Strong primitives but DIY UI | |
| Developer experience | ||
API style | REST | GraphQL |
Plugin model | Webhooks + REST | TypeScript plugins in-process |
Open source | ||
Self-hostable | ||
Time-to-ship reality
Vendure self-hosted is free of licence cost. The real cost is the storefront build and ongoing engineering time.
Axnify
- Axnify Pro — sell immediately£19
Vendure stack
- Vendure Cloud Starter$120
- Storefront development (Next.js typical)£12,000+
- Custom plugin development (reviews, loyalty)£6,000+
Where Vendure wins
We're not pretending we're the right tool for every store. Here's where the alternative is genuinely stronger.
TypeScript-native customisation
If your team builds in TypeScript, writing a Vendure plugin is faster than orchestrating a webhook handler around our REST API. Direct in-process code is more ergonomic for deep changes.
GraphQL-first API
Vendure's GraphQL schema is rich and well-documented. We're REST-first; if your team is committed to GraphQL, that's a real fit gap.
Code ownership
MIT-licensed. You can fork, modify, self-host. Vendor lock-in is non-existent.
- Storefront build estimate was 3 months and the team was short on TypeScript bandwidth
- Wanted reviews / loyalty / subscriptions without writing plugins
- Didn't want to operate the Vendure backend + Postgres + Redis stack
- Needed B2B quotations with admin UI today, not after a build sprint
Vendure → Axnify
- 1Export products via Vendure's GraphQL admin API
- 2Map customer / order data to Axnify schema
- 3Storefront — either rebuild in our editor or repoint your existing Next.js at our REST API
Frequently asked
Can my Vendure storefront talk to Axnify?
With a data-layer rewrite — yes. Vendure's GraphQL queries don't map 1:1 to our REST endpoints, but the product/cart/checkout flows are parallel concepts. Plan a 1-2 week rewire.
Is Axnify open source like Vendure?
Not currently. The visual theme editor may be open-sourced as a stretch goal. The core platform is hosted SaaS.
Can you help me move my data from another platform?
Absolutely. Email support@axnify.com with the export file from your current platform — we accept Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, Squarespace, Big Cartel, Gumroad, Sellfy and most other common formats. Our team handles the migration of your products, variants, customers and orders end-to-end, free of charge for standard imports.
Comparing Axnify with another platform?
See how Axnify stacks up against the rest of the e-commerce platforms — not just Vendure.
Decide in five minutes — not five weeks.
Free plan. No credit card. The features in this comparison are live in your admin before you finish your coffee.