Best B2B Ecommerce Platform: 10 Options

Trade buyers expect to order online the way they shop at home, but with their own catalogue, their own terms and repeat orders in a couple of clicks. If they can't, they'll pick up the phone or email your team, and that's where errors creep in.

The ten platforms below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order. Each description comes from the vendor's own site, read this week. If you're also working on winning new trade accounts, my guide to AI for B2B lead generation covers that side.

B2B ecommerce platforms at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site names a free plan, a free version or an open source edition. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
B2B Wave	Wholesale ordering site	Wholesalers wanting a site out of the box	Trial only
BigCommerce B2B Edition	B2B and B2C platform	B2B and B2C from one store	Not stated
OrderEase	B2B order management	Taking orders from portal, email and EDI	Not stated
OroCommerce	B2B ecommerce	Manufacturers wanting one unified platform	Not stated
Pepperi	B2B commerce and retail execution	Consumer goods brands selling into retail	Not stated
Sana Commerce	ERP-linked B2B store	Manufacturers selling from their ERP data	Not stated
Shopify B2B	Trade selling on Shopify Plus	Shopify brands adding trade buyers	Not stated
Shopware	Open source commerce	Choosing your own hosting	Not stated
Virto Commerce	Composable B2B platform	Distributors building custom portals	Not stated
Zoey	Wholesale ordering	Distributors moving reps' orders online	Not stated

Ten B2B ecommerce platforms to consider

B2B Wave

Best for: Small wholesalers who want a wholesale ordering website, sales rep tools and PDF catalogues working out of the box.

BigCommerce B2B Edition

Best for: Brands that sell to consumers and trade buyers and want both from one place, with an open-source buyer portal to customise.

OrderEase

Best for: Distributors that take orders by portal, email, EDI and sales reps and want them all landing in the ERP.

OroCommerce

Best for: Manufacturers and distributors that want B2B ecommerce and sales tools on one unified platform, from a company with an open source background.

Pepperi

Best for: Consumer goods suppliers that sell into shops and want B2B ecommerce plus retail execution tools for reps in stores.

Sana Commerce

Best for: Manufacturers and wholesalers that want their B2B web store built straight on the product and customer data held in their ERP.

Shopify B2B

Best for: Brands already on Shopify that want wholesale and trade buyers served from the same store through Shopify Plus.

Shopware

Best for: Merchants who want B2B features on an open source commerce platform where they choose PaaS, SaaS or self-hosting.

Virto Commerce

Best for: Larger distributors with their own developers who want a platform for B2B ordering portals and distribution they can shape.

Zoey

Best for: Wholesale distributors who want customers and reps placing orders online on a platform built only for B2B ordering.

The payment terms rule your B2B store should reflect

Trade customers buy on terms, and the law has a view on how long those can run. GOV.UK says that if you don't agree a payment date, a business payment is late 30 days after the customer gets the invoice or you deliver, and an agreed date must usually be within 60 days for business transactions.

So check that any platform can show each buyer their agreed terms, track what's due and connect to your accounting. A store that takes orders but loses track of terms just moves the problem.

Wholesale ordering site, combined store or ERP-led platform?

Wholesale ordering sites suit small wholesalers and distributors who want something working quickly. Combined stores suit brands selling to consumers and trade buyers from one place. ERP-led and composable platforms suit manufacturers and larger distributors who want the store built on their existing product and customer data, often with developers involved.

Start with the group that matches your team and systems. A small wholesaler with no developers will struggle with a platform built to be customised.

What trade buyers expect online

• Their own catalogue and terms when they log in.
• Quick reorders from past orders.
• Bulk ordering by product code or spreadsheet upload.
• Clear stock levels and delivery dates.
• Invoices and statements they can download.

Features that separate B2B from B2C

• Customer-specific catalogues. Each account sees its own products.
• Quotes and approvals. Buyers can request a quote before ordering.
• Sales rep tools. Reps can order on behalf of customers.
• Order channels. Email and EDI orders land in the same system.

Bringing reps along

Sales reps sometimes worry that an online store will cut them out. It's rarely what happens: routine reorders move online and reps spend their time on new accounts and bigger deals. Involve them early and give them tools inside the platform.

B2B ecommerce for small wholesalers

If you're a small wholesaler, a ready-made ordering site with catalogue and reorder features covers most needs, and you won't need developers to get it live. Save larger platforms for when you have the team to run them.

Do you make B2B ecommerce software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

My plain advice on choosing a B2B ecommerce platform

Start from your customers' ordering habits, not the platform's feature list. If most trade orders come by email or through reps, choose a platform that brings those orders in too, not just one that adds a website.

Then check the connection to your ERP or accounting system before anything else. Most B2B projects that disappoint do so because orders, stock and terms don't flow between systems. My checklist of key ecommerce website design elements helps with the buyer-facing side.

Frequently asked questions

What is a B2B ecommerce platform?

It's software that lets business customers order online with their own catalogue, terms and account details.

When is a B2B payment late in the UK?

GOV.UK says that if no payment date is agreed, a payment is late 30 days after the customer gets the invoice or you deliver.

Is there a free B2B ecommerce platform?

None of the platforms on this list names a free plan on the B2B pages I read. At least one offers a free trial.

Can I sell B2B and B2C from one store?

Yes. Some platforms on this list are built to serve consumers and trade buyers from the same store.

Do I need my ERP connected to a B2B store?

It helps a lot. Orders, stock, customer terms and invoices are much easier to manage when the store and ERP share data.

How long does a B2B ecommerce project take?

Ready-made wholesale sites can go live quickly. Platforms built around an ERP or custom features take longer.