Saleor
High-performance open-source headless commerce platform built with Python, GraphQL, and React
Overview
Saleor is a high-performance headless commerce platform built with Python (Django) and React. Its GraphQL-first API design makes it a favorite among developer teams who want a clean, modern commerce backend without the constraints of Shopify’s Liquid templates or WooCommerce’s PHP heritage.
With strong multi-currency, multi-language, and multi-channel capabilities, Saleor is particularly well-suited for businesses selling internationally or across multiple channels (web, mobile, POS).
Key Features
- GraphQL API — Complete commerce API with subscriptions and events
- Multi-Channel — Single backend for storefront, mobile, POS, and marketplace
- Product Management — Variants, attributes, collections, and warehouse management
- Checkout & Payments — Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, and custom payment gateways
- Admin Dashboard — React-based admin with order management
- Webhooks — Real-time event system for integrations
Pricing: Self-Hosted vs Shopify
| Users | Shopify | Saleor (self-hosted) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10K/mo revenue | $79/mo + fees (Shopify) | $20/mo (VPS) | $349/mo |
| $50K/mo revenue | $299/mo + fees (Shopify) | $20/mo (VPS) | $1,729/mo |
| $100K/mo revenue | $299/mo + fees (Shopify) | $40/mo (VPS) | $2,859/mo |
| $500K/mo revenue | $2,300/mo + fees (Shopify+) | $80/mo (VPS) | $15,220/mo |
Pros
- + GraphQL-first API — excellent developer experience
- + Multi-channel (storefront, POS, marketplace)
- + Strong multi-currency and multi-language support
- + Beautiful React-based admin dashboard
- + Python/Django backend — easy to extend
Cons
- - Smaller community than Medusa or WooCommerce
- - Requires Python/Django expertise for backend customization
- - Heavier deployment requirements than Medusa
- - Cloud pricing is expensive for small stores
Deployment Options for Saleor
Docker
Self-host with Docker Compose
Coolify
One-click via Coolify panel
Elestio
Managed hosting from $9/mo
PikaPods
Simple managed hosting
Frequently Asked Questions
Saleor vs Medusa — which is better?
Can Saleor handle large catalogs?
What frontend should I use?
Is there Shopify migration tooling?
Our Verdict
Saleor is a high-performance headless commerce platform built with Python (Django) and React. Its GraphQL-first API design makes it a favorite among developer teams who want a clean, modern commerce b...
Best for: Python-stack teams building multi-channel commerce with complex product catalogs