Swell vs Medusa: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Swell and Medusa comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Swell
Headless e-commerce for developers
Best for you if:
- • Swell is a headless e-commerce platform for custom storefronts
- • It provides flexible APIs for building unique shopping experiences
Medusa
Open-source headless commerce
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • Medusa is an open-source headless commerce platform for developers
- • It provides flexible building blocks for custom e-commerce experiences
| At a Glance |  Swell |  Medusa |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | API Tools | API Tools |
Rating | 80/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Swell | Medusa |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 82 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | API ToolsE-commerce Platforms | API ToolsE-commerce Platforms |
How Swell and Medusa Compare
Swell
Headless e-commerce for developers
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Medusa
Open-source headless commerce
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Swell
Want the highest-rated option?
Swell: 80/100. Medusa: 82/100.
Go with: Medusa
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Medusa
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are api tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Medusa scores higher: 82/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Medusa
- Higher score: 82/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Swell
The Bottom Line
Medusa (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swell or Medusa better?
Medusa scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Swell and Medusa used for?
Swell: Headless e-commerce for developers. Medusa: Open-source headless commerce.
What does Swell cost vs Medusa?
Swell is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Medusa is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.