Medusa vs Saleor: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Medusa and Saleor? Both are popular e-commerce platforms tools. Below we compare them on pricing, free tiers, features, and pros & cons so you can pick the right fit for your stack.
Quick verdict
Both are solid e-commerce platforms options. Medusa is cheaper to start, but the right choice depends on the specific features and integrations you need. In our catalog, Medusa rates slightly higher (4.4 vs 4.1 out of 5).
Medusa vs Saleor — Side by Side
| Medusa | Saleor | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | E-commerce Platforms | E-commerce Platforms |
| Pricing | Free · paid from $250/mo | Free · paid from $300/mo |
| Starting price | Free tier available | Free tier available |
| Free tier | ||
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.1 |
| Best for | E-commerce Platforms — headless, open-source | E-commerce Platforms — headless, graphql |
Pros & Cons
- Full control of checkout and data model
- TypeScript end to end
- No per-sale platform fee
- You build the storefront and admin flows
- Needs Postgres, Redis and a deploy story
- Smaller ecosystem than Shopify apps
- Genuinely API-first, strong GraphQL schema
- Handles complex catalogues and channels
- Open source with a commercial path
- Python/GraphQL stack to operate
- Heavier than Medusa for a simple store
- Cloud pricing starts high
Key Features Compared
Medusa
- MIT-licensed commerce engine
- TypeScript modules and plugins
- Bring your own storefront
- Postgres and Redis backed
- No revenue share
Saleor
- BSD-licensed core
- GraphQL-first API
- Multi-channel and multi-currency
- Custom checkout logic
- No revenue share
Choose Medusa if…
- You want a free tier to validate before paying.
- Budget is tight — paid plans start lower ($250/mo vs $300/mo).
- Full control of checkout and data model
- TypeScript end to end
Choose Saleor if…
- You want a free tier to validate before paying.
- Genuinely API-first, strong GraphQL schema
- Handles complex catalogues and channels
- Open source with a commercial path
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medusa better than Saleor?⌄
Both are solid e-commerce platforms options. Medusa is cheaper to start, but the right choice depends on the specific features and integrations you need. In our catalog, Medusa rates slightly higher (4.4 vs 4.1 out of 5).
What is the difference between Medusa and Saleor?⌄
Medusa — Open-source headless commerce engine for Node. Saleor — Open-source, GraphQL-first headless commerce platform. Both are e-commerce platforms tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.
Medusa vs Saleor: which is cheaper?⌄
Medusa pricing: Free · paid from $250/mo. Saleor pricing: Free · paid from $300/mo. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.
Which is rated higher, Medusa or Saleor?⌄
In our catalog, Medusa rates 4.4 out of 5 and Saleor rates 4.1 out of 5, so Medusa has a slight edge on reviews.
See more options in our guide to the best e-commerce platforms tools for startups.
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