As ecommerce continues to evolve in 2024, the need for more flexible, scalable, and performance-driven solutions has never been greater.

Hence, we are bound to ask which is the best CMS in 2024?

Enters, headless CMS, an innovative approach that separates the back-end content management system from the front-end presentation layer.

This separation allows businesses to deliver content more efficiently across multiple channels, making it an essential tool for modern ecommerce.

In a world where speed and user experience are paramount, choosing the best headless CMS for ecommerce stores can significantly impact your business’s success. 

This article explores the top headless CMS options for ecommerce in 2024, focusing on performance, affordability, and the ability to cater to B2B markets.

Why choose headless CMS for Ecommerce businesses?

A headless CMS offers significant advantages over traditional CMS platforms, particularly for B2B ecommerce. 

In a traditional CMS, the back-end is tightly coupled with the front-end, which can limit flexibility and slow down your website as your business grows. 

In contrast, a headless CMS allows you to use APIs to deliver content across multiple platforms and devices, providing the flexibility and scalability that B2B businesses require.

For B2B ecommerce, this translates into the ability to manage complex product catalogs, support customised pricing for different clients, and integrate seamlessly with other business systems such as ERP and CRM. 

Headless and API-driven ecommerce solutions help you to build a robust multi-store B2B ecommerce platform, assuring consistent performance across various regions and devices. 

This level of flexibility is crucial for B2B businesses looking to stay competitive in 2024, especially in a market where buyers expect a personalised, efficient, and frictionless online experience.

Compare the leading top 5 headless CMS solutions to find the best fit for your business needs.

How to choose a headless CMS for ecommerce stores in 2024?

Selecting the right headless CMS for ecommerce store in 2024 involves balancing several factors such as performance, affordability, and integration capabilities. 

Here’s what you should consider:

Performance

The speed and responsiveness of your ecommerce website can directly impact customer satisfaction and conversion rates. 

Look for a CMS that offers quick load times, efficient content delivery, and the ability to handle high traffic volumes without compromising performance.

Affordability

While headless CMS platforms offer many advantages, they can vary significantly in cost. It’s essential to find a solution that fits your budget while still meeting your technical requirements. 

Whether you’re a small business looking for an inexpensive ecommerce website solution or a large enterprise needing a robust platform, there’s likely a headless CMS that aligns with your financial goals.

Integration capabilities

Your ecommerce platform must work seamlessly with other tools and technologies, such as payment gateways, inventory management systems, and customer relationship management (CRM) software. 

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Confirm that the headless CMS you choose has strong API support, allowing you to integrate it with your existing tech stack smoothly.

API and developer support

Since headless CMS relies heavily on APIs, it’s essential to choose a platform with strong developer support and a robust API ecosystem. 

This allows for greater flexibility and customisation, ensuring your ecommerce platform can adapt to future needs.

Customisation and flexibility

Your business may need custom workflows, pricing models, or account management features. A headless CMS for ecommerce that offers extensive customisation options allows you to tailor the platform to your unique needs.

Top 10 headless CMS for ecommerce stores in 2024

When choosing the right headless CMS for your ecommerce store, it’s essential to understand the strengths and unique offerings of each platform. 

Here’s a closer look at five of the top headless CMS platforms for 2024:

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a leading ecommerce platform known for its robust capabilities tailored specifically for businesses of all sizes. 

It offers an open SAAS platform that combines the best of both worlds, the flexibility of open-source with the reliability and security of a SAAS solution.

Features

Headless capabilities

BigCommerce allows you to go headless by using its API-driven architecture, giving you the flexibility to build custom front-ends with popular frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js.

API ecosystem

With over 400 API endpoints, BigCommerce supports complex ecommerce functionalities such as custom pricing, catalog management, and checkout processes.

Integration

Seamlessly integrates with popular business tools like ERP, CRM, and PIM systems, making it ideal for businesses with complex operations.

Scalability

Built to scale with your business, whether you're a small startup or a large enterprise, offering enterprise-grade performance.

What makes BigCommerce unique?

BigCommerce’s combination of open-source flexibility and SAAS reliability makes it a standout choice for businesses looking for a robust, scalable solution without the complexity of managing infrastructure.

Best for

Mid to large-sized businesses that need a powerful, customisable ecommerce platform with strong API support and integration capabilities.

Pricing

Pricing for BigCommerce starts at around $29.95 per month for basic plans, with enterprise solutions available for larger businesses with custom needs. Enterprise pricing is typically based on the volume of sales and the specific features required.

Contentful

Contentful is an API-first headless CMS designed to create, manage, and deliver digital content across any device or platform. 

It is known for its flexibility, making it a popular choice among developers and enterprises looking to integrate with various digital channels.

Features

Content modeling

Allows you to structure your content the way you need, making it easier to reuse and repurpose content across different platforms.

API-First approach

Contentful’s robust RESTful and GraphQL APIs enable seamless integration with other systems and allow you to deliver content across multiple channels.

Real-time editing

Teams can collaborate in real-time, making content management more efficient and reducing the time to market.

Scalability

Handles large volumes of content and high traffic, making it ideal for businesses that need to manage extensive content libraries.

What makes Contentful unique?

Contentful’s developer-friendly, API-first architecture allows businesses to deliver consistent, fast-loading content across multiple platforms, making it ideal for businesses with complex content distribution needs.

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Best for

Companies looking for a fast, responsive, and highly customisable that can offer high performance and seamless integration with various ecommerce tools, making it ideal for large-scale operations.

Pricing

Contentful offers a range of pricing options starting with a free community plan. Paid plans begin at $489 per month, with custom enterprise solutions available based on specific needs and usage.

Strapi

Strapi is an open-source headless CMS that gives you full control over your content management. 

It’s designed to be highly customisable and is a popular choice among developers looking for flexibility without being tied to a specific vendor.

Features

Customisation

As an open-source platform, Strapi allows you to modify every part of the CMS to fit your exact needs, whether it’s the admin panel, APIs, or front-end integration.

RESTful and GraphQL APIs

Strapi supports both RESTful and GraphQL APIs, enabling flexible and efficient data fetching and content delivery.

Plugin ecosystem

Offers a growing library of plugins to extend the platform’s functionality, including tools for SEO, email, and more.

User management

Built-in role-based access control allows for secure and customisable user permissions.

What makes Strapi unique?

Strapi’s open-source nature and extensive customisation capabilities make it a perfect choice for businesses that need complete control over their ecommerce platform without the constraints of proprietary software.

Best for

Businesses looking for an affordable ecommerce solution with full control over the platform, particularly those with in-house development teams.

Pricing

Strapi is free to use as an open-source platform. However, for enterprises looking for additional features such as role-based access, SSO, and SLA support, Strapi offers enterprise plans starting at around $1,000 per month.

Optimizely

Optimizely is a digital experience platform that combines content management with advanced marketing and experimentation tools. 

It offers a headless CMS solution designed to deliver personalised and optimised experiences across all digital touchpoints.

Features

Personalisation

Delivers personalised content and product recommendations based on user behavior and preferences.

A/B testing and experimentation

Built-in tools for running experiments and A/B tests help optimise the user experience and improve conversion rates.

Scalable architecture

Designed to support businesses of all sizes, with the ability to handle high traffic volumes and large-scale digital operations.

Integration

Offers seamless integration with CRM, ERP, and other business systems, ensuring consistent and personalised customer experiences.

What makes Optimizely unique?

Optimizely’s strong focus on personalisation and experimentation sets it apart, making it ideal for businesses looking to optimise their digital experiences and drive higher conversions.

Best for

Enterprises focused on optimising user experiences, improving conversions, and delivering personalised content at scale.

Pricing

Optimizely’s pricing is based on a modular approach, with costs varying depending on the specific services and features required. Pricing typically starts at around $2,000 per month for smaller setups, with enterprise pricing tailored to larger, more complex needs.

Sanity

Sanity is a highly customisable headless CMS that allows businesses to manage and distribute content across multiple channels with ease. 

It’s known for its real-time collaboration features and flexible content modeling, making it a popular choice for teams that need to manage large amounts of content.

Features

Real-time collaboration

Teams can collaborate on content in real-time, making it easier to manage large projects with multiple contributors.

Custom content modeling

Sanity allows you to define your own content structures, giving you the flexibility to manage content in a way that fits your business needs.

API-first approach

Offers robust APIs for easy integration with other systems and front-end frameworks.

Scalability

Built to handle large volumes of content and high traffic, making it suitable for growing businesses.

What makes Sanity unique?

Sanity’s real-time collaboration and flexible content modeling make it an excellent choice for businesses with complex content needs and large teams working across multiple channels.

Best for

Companies with complex content management needs, particularly those that require real-time collaboration and multi-channel distribution.

Pricing

Sanity offers a flexible pricing model starting with a free tier for small projects. Paid plans start at $99 per month, with custom pricing available for larger enterprises that need additional features and support.

Shopify Plus

Shopify Plus is an enterprise-grade ecommerce platform designed to meet the demands of high-volume merchants and fast-growing businesses.

It combines Shopify's ease of use with advanced features and scalability tailored for large enterprises.

Features

Headless architecture

Shopify Plus offers a flexible headless architecture that allows you to use Shopify's powerful back-end while building custom front-ends with frameworks like React, Vue.js, or Angular.

Extensive API library

With a comprehensive API library, Shopify Plus supports everything from product management to order processing.

Seamless integrations

Shopify Plus integrates effortlessly with a wide range of business tools, including ERP, CRM, and marketing automation platforms.

Scalability for growth

Designed to handle high traffic volumes, Shopify Plus is ideal for businesses that are scaling quickly. Whether you’re running a flash sale or managing global operations, the platform offers the reliability and performance needed to support growth.

What makes Shopify Plus unique?

Shopify Plus is unique in its ability to combine enterprise-level features with the user-friendly interface Shopify is known for. This makes it an attractive option for large businesses that require advanced functionalities without the steep learning curve.

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Best for

Enterprises and high-volume merchants who need a robust, scalable ecommerce platform with extensive customisation options and strong support.

Pricing

Shopify Plus pricing starts at $2,000 per month, with the cost varying based on the business’s sales volume and specific requirements. Customised pricing is available for larger enterprises with complex needs.

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Magento 2

Magento 2 is a highly customisable ecommerce platform that offers extensive features for businesses looking for a flexible and powerful solution. 

The headless version of Magento 2 allows for complete control over the front-end while leveraging its robust back-end capabilities.

Features

Decoupled front-end

Magento 2’s headless configuration enables you to fully decouple the front-end from the back-end, allowing for the creation of unique, fast-loading user experiences. This separation enhances flexibility in design and functionality.

Comprehensive APIs

Magento 2 provides a rich set of REST and GraphQL APIs, facilitating everything from catalog management to customer data handling. 

Robust integrations

Magento 2 integrates seamlessly with a wide range of third-party systems, including ERP, CRM, and PIM solutions. 

Enterprise-level scalability

Magento 2 is built to support large-scale ecommerce operations. It can handle extensive product catalogs and high traffic volumes, making it a strong choice for businesses looking to expand their digital presence.

What makes Magento 2 unique?

Magento 2 stands out for its deep customisation options and extensive developer community, making it an excellent choice for businesses that need a tailored ecommerce solution with strong integration capabilities.

Best for

Medium to large enterprises requiring a customisable, scalable ecommerce platform with comprehensive headless support.

Pricing

Magento 2 pricing varies depending on deployment (on-premise vs. cloud) and specific business needs. Enterprise solutions typically start at around $22,000 per year, with custom pricing for larger implementations.

Netlify CMS

Netlify CMS is an open-source content management system that integrates seamlessly with static site generators like Gatsby and Jekyll. 

It’s designed to provide a modern, Git-based content workflow, making it a popular choice among developers.

Features

Git-based content management

Netlify CMS leverages Git as the core of its content management system, ensuring that all changes are tracked, versioned, and managed through a familiar interface. This approach offers unparalleled control over content deployment.

APIs for static sites

Designed to work with static site generators, Netlify CMS uses APIs that directly interact with your site’s repository. 

Modern integrations

Netlify CMS integrates smoothly with modern web development tools and platforms, including continuous deployment services. 

Lightweight scalability

While Netlify CMS is lightweight, it scales efficiently to support content-heavy websites. Its architecture is optimised for performance, particularly when paired with static site generators.

What makes Netlify CMS unique?

Netlify CMS is unique in its Git-based approach, which gives developers complete control over content management while seamlessly integrating with modern web development workflows.

Best for

Developers and small to medium-sized businesses looking for a modern, flexible CMS that integrates well with static site generators and modern development tools.

Pricing

Netlify CMS is free as an open-source platform, though businesses may opt for Netlify’s hosting services, which offer various pricing tiers from free to enterprise-level solutions.

Kentico Kontent

Kentico Kontent is a cloud-based headless CMS designed for enterprise-level businesses. It emphasises content as a service, offering robust tools for managing content across multiple channels and ensuring a consistent digital experience.

Features

Cloud-native architecture

Kentico Kontent is built as a cloud-native headless CMS, allowing businesses to manage and deliver content globally with high availability and scalability. 

Rich API ecosystem

With a robust set of REST and GraphQL APIs, Kentico Kontent supports seamless integration with various enterprise tools and platforms.

Enterprise integrations

Kentico Kontent integrates with a wide range of enterprise systems, including CRM, ERP, and marketing automation platforms. 

Scalable content management

Designed to handle the demands of large enterprises, Kentico Kontent offers extensive scalability, capable of managing high volumes of content and supporting global digital operations.

What makes Kentico Kontent unique?

Kentico Kontent’s strong focus on enterprise needs, combined with its cloud-native, headless architecture, makes it a top choice for large organisations seeking to manage and deliver content efficiently across multiple channels.

Best for

Large enterprises and global brands require a scalable, headless CMS with strong API support and the ability to deliver personalised content experiences.

Pricing

Kentico Kontent offers a range of pricing plans, starting at $1,299 per month for professional use, with custom pricing available for enterprise-level needs based on scale and complexity.

Prismic

Prismic is a headless CMS that emphasises simplicity and flexibility, offering a user-friendly interface for both developers and content editors. It is designed to streamline content management processes while providing robust support for multi-channel content delivery.

Features

User-centric interface

Prismic offers a highly intuitive interface that simplifies content management for non-technical users. Its Slice Machine feature allows for the creation of reusable content components, making content creation and editing more efficient.

Flexible API options

Prismic supports both REST and GraphQL APIs, enabling developers to deliver content quickly and efficiently across multiple platforms. 

Comprehensive integrations

Prismic integrates well with a wide range of tools and services, including ecommerce platforms, CRMs, and marketing automation tools. This versatility makes it a strong choice for businesses looking to build a cohesive digital ecosystem.

Scalable performance

Prismic is designed to scale with your business, supporting high traffic volumes and extensive content operations.

What makes Prismic unique?

Prismic’s user-friendly interface, combined with its robust API options and flexible content management capabilities, makes it an excellent choice for teams looking to simplify their content workflows without sacrificing performance or scalability.

Best for

Small to medium-sized businesses and teams that require a flexible, easy-to-use headless CMS that can scale with their content needs and integrates well with various digital tools.

Pricing

Prismic offers a variety of pricing plans, starting with a free tier for small projects. Paid plans begin at $7 per month, with custom pricing available for larger enterprises with more complex content management needs.

Your choice will depend on your specific needs, whether it's the need for robust integrations, the flexibility of open-source solutions, or advanced personalisation and testing features.

Balancing performance and affordability

When evaluating headless CMS platforms, it’s crucial to consider both performance and affordability. High performance is essential, especially when your website handles complex transactions and large amounts of data. 

Cost comparison

Platforms like Strapi and Netlify CMS offer cost-effective solutions, especially for smaller businesses or startups. 

In contrast, enterprise solutions like Optimizely and Kentico Kontent might require a larger investment but offer superior scalability and performance.

Performance metrics

Look at benchmarks like page load times, API response times, and scalability options. Faster platforms generally offer better user experiences, which can lead to higher conversion rates.

Scalability

Depending on your business size, you might need a platform that can scale quickly. Shopify Plus and BigCommerce, for example, are known for their ability to handle large-scale operations, making them ideal for businesses planning significant growth.

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Open-source options and flexibility

Open-source headless CMS platforms like Strapi and Netlify CMS offer unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to tailor your ecommerce store to your exact needs. 

These platforms are often more affordable, especially for businesses that have the in-house development expertise to manage and customise their solutions since there are no licensing fees and can modify the platform to meet your exact needs.

Flexibility

Open-source platforms are highly customisable, making them ideal for businesses with unique requirements. You can modify the source code, integrate it with any tools you need, and scale as your business grows.

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Cost-effectiveness

Open-source solutions can be more budget-friendly, especially if you’re willing to invest in development. They allow you to avoid the high licensing fees associated with some commercial platforms.

However, open-source platforms also require more technical expertise to implement and maintain. So, businesses should consider their technical capabilities when choosing the best open-source CMS for their needs in 2024.

As we move forward, expect to see more innovations in API-driven ecommerce and a continued shift towards customisable, scalable solutions that can meet the diverse needs of modern online stores.

Whether you’re a small business looking for an affordable solution or a large enterprise in need of top-tier performance, there’s a headless CMS out there that can help you achieve your goals in 2024 and beyond.

Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with our experts. 

Whether you’re looking to choose the right headless CMS, optimise your existing platform, or need advice on scaling your online store, we’re here to help.