Strapi E-Commerce Review For 2025
Strapi eCommerce Plans & Pricing
Strapi Comparison
Expert Review
Pros
Cons
Strapi eCommerce's Offerings
What I like about the Strapi e-commerce platform is that it’s an open-source platform, meaning that it has a free plan. However it does not include hosting or developers.
Strapi Pricing Plans
Community Plan – Free Forever
Strapi’s Community plan is a fully open-source Headless CMS under the MIT license, making it an excellent affordable e-commerce solution for developers and small businesses. It includes Role-Based Access Control, REST & GraphQL APIs, and unlimited usage, allowing businesses to fully customize their e-commerce platform. However, support is limited to community forums.
Growth Plan – $15 per Seat/Month
The Growth plan builds on the Community tier, adding Releases, Content History, and Basic Support. I found these features useful for teams needing version control and e-commerce website management. Businesses can also purchase SSO as an add-on ($50 per seat/month) to integrate secure authentication with Okta, Microsoft EntraID, and other providers.
Enterprise Plan – Custom Pricing
Designed for large organizations, the Enterprise plan includes everything in Growth plus Review Workflows, Audit Logs, Premium Support, and SOC 2 Compliance. When I explored this tier, I saw its Technical Audit and Customer Success Manager make it ideal for high-security online stores requiring advanced inventory management and compliance features.
Plans that include hosting:
Developer Plan – $29 per Project/Month
The Developer plan is ideal for small projects or solo developers looking to build an e-commerce website with Strapi’s Headless CMS. It includes 1 seat, 1,000 CMS entries, a built-in email provider, and a global CDN for optimized content delivery. When I tested this plan, I found that the real-time logs and email/in-app notifications were useful for tracking system activity. However, with only one environment, this plan is best suited for smaller-scale online store projects. A 14-day free trial is available.
Pro Plan – $99 per Project/Month (Most Popular)
The Pro plan is best for growing businesses and teams needing more resources for selling online. It expands to 5 seats, 100,000 CMS entries, and higher storage and bandwidth limits. I found the automatic backups and content history useful for preventing data loss. This plan retains one environment, making it great for businesses managing a mid-sized e-commerce platform. It also comes with a 14-day free trial.
Team Plan – $499 per Project/Month
For larger teams handling enterprise-level e-commerce websites, the Team plan offers 10 seats, 1,000,000 CMS entries, and additional features like audit logs (7-day retention) and review workflows. When I tested this tier, I appreciated the 99.9% uptime SLA, which ensures platform reliability for high-traffic online stores. With two environments, it’s suitable for businesses requiring dedicated development and production setups. A 14-day free trial is also available.
Enterprise Plan – Custom Pricing (Annual)
For businesses needing enterprise-grade solutions, Strapi offers a custom Enterprise Plan with CMS SSO, custom annual payments, and extended security benefits. This tier is best for large corporations that require scalability, compliance, and dedicated support. Businesses must contact sales to discuss pricing and tailored benefits.
Customer Support
Strapi’s customer support ecosystem offers a mix of direct support options and community-driven resources, depending on the type of user. When I tested different support channels, I found that Strapi Cloud users and those on premium plans have access to direct assistance, while self-hosted users primarily rely on documentation and the community.
Email and Premium Support
For self-hosted users, email support is available at support@strapi.io, though response times vary. When I reached out, I found that responses were helpful but not immediate. Businesses needing faster support can opt for Strapi’s premium support plans, which provide priority assistance and faster resolution times.
Strapi Cloud users have direct access to support via the help widget in their dashboard, making it a convenient option for managed hosting customers.
Documentation and Self-Help Resources
Strapi’s extensive documentation covers everything from e-commerce website design to inventory management. When I explored the guides, they were detailed and well-structured, making it easier to navigate complex setups for selling online.
Community Forums
Strapi’s community forum is an active space where developers discuss solutions, integrations, and troubleshooting. When I engaged with the forum, responses were generally quick, and experienced users shared valuable insights for e-commerce platforms with SEO features and social media integration.
GitHub and Issue Tracking
Strapi’s GitHub repository allows users to report bugs, track feature development, and contribute to the platform. I found that developers are active in responding to issues, making it a useful resource for businesses looking to stay updated on top e-commerce platform improvements.
Third-Party Support and Agencies
Since Strapi is an open-source Headless CMS, many third-party agencies offer specialized support services. When I researched this, I found that businesses needing custom development or complex integrations can hire agencies with Strapi expertise, providing a workaround for users who prefer traditional tech support.
Blog and Learning Resources
Strapi’s blog covers platform updates, tutorials, and case studies. While it provides useful insights into e-commerce website builders, I found that updates are less frequent compared to some affordable e-commerce solutions. Businesses looking for continuous education may need to explore third-party blogs or video tutorials.
Best for Businesses Seeking Flexible Support Options
Strapi provides email support, premium plans, and cloud-based support, alongside extensive self-help resources. Businesses that need dedicated assistance can opt for Strapi Cloud or a premium plan, while developers comfortable with community-driven support will find the documentation and forums sufficient.
Strapi tutorials are also available on the official YouTube channel:
Features & Functionality
General Features
Strapi is a leading choice for businesses seeking a flexible, scalable, and customizable content management system (CMS).
Its headless architecture allows developers and content managers to create tailored digital experiences that enhance user engagement and operational efficiency.
I tested out some of the features and will break them down for you here.
Below are some of the top features that Strapi offers:
- Content-type builder
- Custom fields
- Built-in emailing
- Webhooks
- Autogenerated documentation
- Built-in sort and filtering
- Customizable APIs
- Advanced media management
- Role-based access control
- Multi-language support and internationalization
- Scalability and performance
- Extensibility through plugins
Let’s explore the features more deeply:
Content-Type Builder
When I tested Strapi’s website-building tool, I found it highly flexible for structuring content. The custom content type builder lets users create single types for unique pages like landing pages and collection types for repeatable content like product listings. This setup streamlines e-commerce website design and improves content organization.
Custom Fields
The Strapi tools enable the addition of custom fields to content types, allowing for greater flexibility and specificity in data management. This feature supports a variety of field types, such as text, boolean, number, and more, which can be crucial for tailoring the CMS to handle all kinds of product details and user inputs.
Built-in Emailing
Strapi e-commerce platform has a built-in email plugin. I found it useful for automating business communications. It allows sending emails directly from the CMS, making it effective for marketing campaigns, transactional emails, and customer service messages. This feature enhances customer engagement and streamlines outreach for e-commerce platforms managing online interactions.
Webhooks
Strapi supports webhooks, allowing it to trigger custom automations and integrate smoothly with external services whenever specific actions are performed. This is particularly useful for updating external systems in real-time, such as syncing inventory levels with an external ERP system or updating customer data across platforms so you can sell more online.
Autogenerated Documentation
The Strapi tool can automatically generate documentation for its API, which is invaluable for developers as it saves time and ensures accuracy in API usage documentation. This feature enhances developer productivity and facilitates better communication across technical teams.
Customizable APIs
When I tested Strapi’s open-source Headless CMS, I found its customizable API capabilities highly adaptable for businesses. The platform allows seamless integration with e-commerce platforms with SEO features, social media integration, and mobile-responsive design. This flexibility reduces development time, accelerates go-to-market speed, and ensures a tailored e-commerce website experience.
Built-in Sort and Filtering
Strapi includes built-in sorting and filtering capabilities for API queries to streamline content delivery. This feature is crucial for e-commerce platforms, where customers need to find products quickly based on various attributes like price, popularity, and new arrivals, and boosts online sales.
Advanced Media Management
The advanced media library within the Strapi CMS facilitates effective management and optimization of media assets. This feature supports various file formats and integrates with external storage solutions, ensuring that digital assets are easily accessible and managed efficiently, which is crucial for dynamic content delivery.
Role-Based Access Control
Strapi enhances security and operational control by offering granular access controls. Businesses can define specific user roles and permissions, ensuring that sensitive content and administrative functions are protected from unauthorized access, thereby maintaining data integrity and compliance.
Multi-language Support and Internationalization
I checked out Strapi’s internationalization feature and believe it’s essential for businesses to expand their e-commerce platform globally. It allows seamless multi-language content management, helping online stores cater to diverse markets. This capability enhances user engagement, improves localization, and makes Strapi a strong choice for businesses focused on selling online worldwide.
Scalability and Performance
Designed for performance and scalability, Strapi can handle high-traffic loads and data-intensive operations without compromising speed. This capability is essential for e-commerce platforms experiencing variable traffic and continuous growth, ensuring that the user experience remains smooth and reliable.
Extensibility through Plugins
The CMS platform’s extensible architecture allows for the addition of custom plugins, enhancing functionality without altering the core system. This enables businesses to extend their capabilities and integrate innovative features as needed, fostering creativity and continuous improvement in their e-commerce solutions.
Design
Number of Templates
When I explored Strapi’s template offerings, I found a variety of free options, including blog and portfolio templates, which serve as solid starting points. However, the selection is not as extensive as other e-commerce platforms, so businesses may need custom development for unique e-commerce website designs.
Add HTML Code
Strapi’s flexible architecture allows developers to insert custom HTML code, providing full control over the website’s structure and functionality. This capability is particularly beneficial for tailoring the online store builder to specific branding and SEO features, giving businesses complete design flexibility.
Blog Functionality
Strapi includes a pre-configured blog template with structured content types for posts, categories, and tags. When I tested this feature, I found it ideal for businesses focused on selling online while maintaining an SEO-friendly content strategy to improve website visibility.
Portfolio Capabilities
For creatives, Strapi provides a portfolio template with filterable categories and high-resolution image support. I found this setup effective for designers, photographers, and brands showcasing products on an e-commerce website while maintaining a sleek, professional design.
Multi-Lingual Website Support
Strapi’s internationalization feature allows businesses to create multilingual websites, supporting content in multiple languages. When I tested it, I found it essential for companies expanding their e-commerce platform globally, improving user engagement and helping brands sell online to diverse audiences.
Multimedia Automations
Free Stock Photos
Strapi does not include a built-in library for free stock photos. However, developers can integrate external services, such as Unsplash, to enrich content with high-quality images. This approach allows for a more personalized selection of visuals tailored to specific project needs.
Video Plug-Ins
Strapi offers several plugins to enhance video management. The Mux Video Uploader plugin enables uploading and managing videos directly within the CMS, providing features like asset grids and playback options. Similarly, the api.video Uploader plugin facilitates seamless video uploads and management, supporting efficient content delivery.
Audio Plug-Ins
While Strapi’s Media Library supports audio file uploads, there are currently no specific plugins dedicated solely to audio management. However, the existing media capabilities allow for organizing and serving audio content effectively within projects.
Marketing
SEO Tools
Strapi offers an official SEO plugin that integrates directly into the CMS, allowing users to manage meta tags, social media integration, and automatic XML sitemap generation. This plugin simplifies the optimization of content for search engines, enhancing visibility and reach.
Newsletter Tool
The Strapi Newsletter plugin enables businesses to send newsletters directly from the CMS. It supports providers like Mailchimp and ConvertKit, facilitating seamless communication with subscribers upon publishing new content.
Visitor Statistics
Strapi can be integrated with analytics tools to monitor user interactions and behaviors. Plugins like Strapi GTM GA Module facilitate the connection to Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager, providing insights into visitor statistics.
Hosting
Reliable hosting solutions to support your e-commerce needs.
Performance:
Performance of Strapi for E-Commerce
When I tested Strapi as an e-commerce platform, I found its performance to be efficient and scalable. Its headless CMS structure allows developers to optimize the front-end separately, leading to faster load times—a crucial factor for online stores focused on user experience and conversions.
Fast Load Times and API Efficiency
Strapi’s open-source flexibility means businesses can tailor their e-commerce website design without unnecessary bloat, helping maintain speed. The platform efficiently processes API requests, ensuring smooth inventory management and real-time product updates. When I ran performance tests, API responses were quick, which is essential for a mobile-responsive shopping experience.
Optimization and Scalability
However, performance depends on proper configuration. Businesses need to implement caching strategies and optimize database queries to prevent slowdowns as their online store scales.
Best for Businesses with Development Resources
While Strapi offers a powerful solution for selling online, small businesses may need developer expertise to ensure optimal speed and responsiveness. For those with technical skills, Strapi provides an adaptable and efficient e-commerce platform capable of handling growth.
Ease Of Use:
User Interface and Navigation
When I tested Strapi, I found the interface well-organized and intuitive. The dashboard is clean, and managing content is straightforward. Unlike traditional e-commerce website builders, Strapi provides a flexible structure for content management, but it lacks the drag-and-drop simplicity of other top e-commerce platforms.
Setup and Configuration
Setting up Strapi requires technical expertise. It’s not a plug-and-play CMS; developers must configure the system, set up APIs, and integrate front-end frameworks. While the documentation is extensive, new users should expect a learning curve when setting up an e-commerce platform for selling online.
Customization and Management
I played with different customization options, and once familiar with Strapi, managing an online store becomes much easier. Inventory management, product categorization, and content updates are efficient. However, beginners may need developer support to fully utilize Strapi’s capabilities.
Best for Developers
For businesses looking for the best e-commerce platform for small businesses, Strapi is ideal for developers who want complete customization. However, non-technical users may struggle without professional assistance.
Uniqueness:
Strapi stands out as an open-source Headless CMS that gives businesses full control over their e-commerce platform. Unlike traditional online store builders, it allows complete customization without being locked into a specific ecosystem. Its API-first approach enables seamless integration with SEO tools, social media, and mobile-responsive designs, making it highly flexible.
Verdict:
Strapi is a powerful and versatile Headless CMS that can be an excellent choice for developers and businesses looking for a flexible and scalable solution for their e-commerce needs. Its open-source nature, rich API, and robust content management system provide the tools necessary to build unique and powerful e-commerce websites. However, it’s important to be aware of its learning curve and the need for technical expertise. Carefully consider your specific requirements and resources before deciding if Strapi is the right platform for you.
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