Vendure is an open-source TypeScript and GraphQL headless commerce framework for building custom storefronts. See features, pricing, and alternatives.
Vendure is an open-source, headless commerce framework that lets developers build custom ecommerce storefronts, marketplaces, and B2B ordering portals on top of a Node.js and TypeScript backend. Rather than shipping a fixed storefront template, Vendure exposes a GraphQL Admin API and Shop API so teams can build any frontend experience, from a Next.js site to a mobile app, while Vendure handles catalog data, orders, pricing, and customers.
The framework was created by developer Michael Bromley, who committed the first code in May 2018 with the aim of giving developers an alternative to older monolithic ecommerce systems. It is built on NestJS, giving it a modular, dependency-injected architecture that mirrors patterns familiar to backend TypeScript developers.
Vendure targets teams building complex, custom, or B2B commerce experiences that outgrow off-the-shelf platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, and it is commonly compared to other composable commerce frameworks such as Medusa, Saleor, and commercetools.
At the core of Vendure is a plugin system built on NestJS, letting developers extend or override nearly any part of the commerce logic, from custom pricing rules to new payment integrations, without forking the core codebase.
Vendure natively supports multi-channel, multi-region, and multi-currency selling from a single backend, along with a built-in promotions and pricing engine, order and fulfillment workflows, and role-based access control for the admin dashboard.
Because the platform is headless and API-first, frontend teams are free to build with any framework; the paid Platform tier additionally ships a production-ready Next.js storefront starter to accelerate launches.
Vendure Core is free and open source under the GPLv3 license, with no cost to self-host and no fees tied to gross merchandise value.
Vendure Platform is the commercial, enterprise tier, licensed under the Vendure Commercial License and sold as a flat annual subscription that adds enterprise plugins, AI tooling, and dedicated support. Vendure Cloud, a managed hosting runtime for either Core or Platform projects, is currently available to design partners with general availability planned for late 2026.
Yes, Vendure Core is free and open source under the GPLv3 license and can be self-hosted at no cost.
Vendure is built on Node.js, TypeScript, NestJS, and GraphQL.
Developer Michael Bromley created Vendure, committing the first code in May 2018.
No. Vendure is a headless commerce framework, while Vendr is an unrelated SaaS procurement platform with a similar name.
Vendure is headless by default, so you build your own storefront; the paid Platform tier includes a ready-made Next.js storefront starter.
Yes, Vendure is designed to support complex B2B pricing, catalogs, and ordering in addition to B2C.
Vendure Platform is the paid, commercially licensed enterprise tier that adds extra plugins, AI tooling, and dedicated support.
Vendure Cloud is a managed runtime currently available to design partners, with general availability planned for late 2026.