# Medusa vs Swell

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Swell

| Attribute | Medusa | Swell |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 63.1 (68% (medium)) | 81.6 (52% (medium)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | - |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 397 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 36,018 | - |
| adoption.package_downloads_weekly | 143,802 | - |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"on_prem":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | A modular, extensible commerce platform that enables developers to create custom storefronts, marketplaces, and commerce systems while reusing foundational commerce functionality. Provides comprehensive modules for product management, pricing, inventory, and fulfillment with extensive customization through APIs and workflows. | A SaaS ecommerce platform enabling retailers to build storefronts and manage subscriptions, digital products, and physical goods through a visual dashboard and flexible APIs. |
| features.capabilities | `{"headless":true,"free_tier":true,"open_source":true,"b2b_features":true,"platform_type":"headless","self_hostable":true,"payments_model":"both","pos_omnichannel":true,"extension_ecosystem":"Modular architecture with Workflows, custom modules, API routes, and UI extensio","multi_currency_language":true}` | `{"headless":true,"open_source":true,"platform_type":"hosted_saas","self_hostable":true,"payments_model":"built_in","pci_compliance":true,"extension_ecosystem":"Apps and integrations ecosystem with Klaviyo, Omnisend, Resend, and payment prov"}` |
| integrations.count | 2 | 10 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Stripe"},{"name":"Google Analytics"}]` | `[{"name":"Klaviyo"},{"name":"ShipStation"},{"name":"PayPal"},{"name":"Braintree"},{"name":"Sezzle"},{"name":"Resend"},{"name":"Omnisend"},{"name":"Shopify"}]` |
| language.primary | TypeScript | - |
| license.spdx | SEE LICENSE IN LICENSE | - |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | - |
| platform.support | `{"cli":true,"web":true}` | `{"cli":true,"web":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"hybrid","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Cloud","summary":"From $29/month","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":29,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Managed cloud infrastructure with AI-powered development tools and automated deployments","contactSales":false}],"summary":"Open-source framework free. Cloud hosting from $29/month.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://medusajs.com/pricing-module/","retrievedAt":"2026-08-14T15:21:18.493Z","startingPrice":{"amount":29,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["month"]}` | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Starter","summary":"$29/month billed yearly","features":["Basic reports","Email & chat support"],"minSeats":2,"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":29,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},{"per":{"qty":100000,"unit":"api_requests"},"kind":"metered","amount":5,"currency":"USD"},{"per":{"qty":1,"unit":"gb"},"kind":"metered","amount":5,"currency":"USD"},{"of":"sales","kind":"percentage","rate":2,"when":"annual sales exceed $50K"}],"description":"Get started with the essentials to launch your store.","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"admin_users":"2","data_storage_gb":"1GB","annual_sales_ceiling":"$50K","api_requests_monthly":"100K"}},{"free":false,"name":"Basic","summary":"$79/month billed yearly","features":["Basic reports","Email & chat support"],"minSeats":5,"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":79,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},{"per":{"qty":100000,"unit":"api_requests"},"kind":"metered","amount":5,"currency":"USD"},{"per":{"qty":1,"unit":"gb"},"kind":"metered","amount":5,"currency":"USD"},{"of":"sales","kind":"percentage","rate":1.5,"when":"annual sales exceed $250K"}],"description":"Everything you need to launch and grow a new online store.","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"admin_users":"5","data_storage_gb":"3GB","annual_sales_ceiling":"$250K","api_requests_monthly":"500K"}},{"free":false,"name":"Standard","summary":"$299/month billed yearly","features":["Advanced reports","Priority support","Role-based permissions","International price lists"],"minSeats":15,"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":299,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},{"per":{"qty":100000,"unit":"api_requests"},"kind":"metered","amount":5,"currency":"USD"},{"per":{"qty":1,"unit":"gb"},"kind":"metered","amount":5,"currency":"USD"},{"of":"sales","kind":"percentage","rate":1,"when":"annual sales exceed $1M"}],"description":"Priority support and time-saving features for larger teams.","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"admin_users":"15","data_storage_gb":"10GB","annual_sales_ceiling":"$1M","api_requests_monthly":"2M"}},{"free":false,"name":"Unlimited","summary":"$2250/month billed yearly","features":["Advanced reports","Priority support","Developer support","Role-based permissions"],"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":2250,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},{"of":"sales","kind":"percentage","rate":0.4,"when":"annual sales exceed $5M"}],"description":"Unlimited scalability, granular control, and better volume rates.","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"admin_users":"Unlimited","data_storage_gb":"Unlimited","annual_sales_ceiling":"$5M","api_requests_monthly":"Unlimited"}},{"free":false,"name":"Custom","summary":"Custom pricing","description":"Priority technical support and negotiated pricing for merchants over $10M in annual sales.","contactSales":true}],"summary":"From $29/month billed yearly. Free tier and trial available. Usage-based API request and data storage overages.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.swell.is/","retrievedAt":"2026-08-04T08:34:01.545Z","startingPrice":{"amount":5,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["month","year"]}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | commercial | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | mid | low |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | 10 | - |
| release.history | `[{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.19.0","date":"2026-08-13T13:09:55Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.19.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.18.0","date":"2026-07-23T14:28:51Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.18.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.17.2","date":"2026-07-01T17:17:33Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.17.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.17.1","date":"2026-06-25T09:49:54Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.17.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.17.0","date":"2026-06-24T18:47:31Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.17.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.16.0","date":"2026-06-18T12:00:47Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.16.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.15.5","date":"2026-06-01T08:49:24Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.15.5"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.15.3","date":"2026-05-21T11:25:48Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.15.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.15.2","date":"2026-05-13T13:39:45Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.15.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.15.1","date":"2026-05-11T21:16:56Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.15.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.15.0","date":"2026-05-11T15:02:07Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.15.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.14.2","date":"2026-04-30T16:22:18Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.14.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.14.1","date":"2026-04-24T14:11:43Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.14.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.14.0","date":"2026-04-23T12:17:37Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.14.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.13.6","date":"2026-04-08T09:01:38Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.13.6"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.13.5","date":"2026-03-25T08:10:34Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.13.5"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.13.4","date":"2026-03-14T10:14:04Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.13.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.13.3","date":"2026-02-27T13:01:44Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.13.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.13.2","date":"2026-02-26T16:55:58Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.13.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/medusajs/medusa/releases/tag/v2.13.1","date":"2026-01-25T16:20:07Z","type":"stable","version":"v2.13.1"}]` | - |
| reliability.sla_pct | 99.99 | 100 |
| reliability.status_page | - | yes |
| security.gdpr | yes | - |
| security.scorecard | 5.6 | - |
| security.vulnerabilities | `{"count":0,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=npm&package_name=%40medusajs%2Fmedusa&per_page=100","last_12m":0,"max_severity":null}` | - |

## Capabilities (E-commerce Platforms)

| Capability | Medusa | Swell |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Core** |  |  |
| Platform type | Headless / composable | Hosted all-in-one SaaS |
| **Licensing** |  |  |
| Open-source | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Deployment** |  |  |
| Self-hostable | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Pricing** |  |  |
| Free / open tier | ✓ | - |
| Transaction fees beyond plan | - | - |
| **Payments** |  |  |
| Payments model | Built-in + BYO gateway | Built-in payments |
| **Architecture** |  |  |
| Headless / API-first storefront | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Compliance** |  |  |
| PCI-DSS compliance provided | - | ✓ |
| **Reach** |  |  |
| Multi-currency / multi-language | ✓ | - |
| **Selling** |  |  |
| B2B / wholesale features | ✓ | - |
| POS / omnichannel | ✓ | - |
| **Extensibility** |  |  |
| App / extension ecosystem size | Modular architecture with Workflows, custom modules, API routes, and UI extensio | Apps and integrations ecosystem with Klaviyo, Omnisend, Resend, and payment prov |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T16:31:12.418Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*