Swell vs Vendure: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Swell and Vendure 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:
- • You need api tools features specifically
- • Swell is a headless e-commerce platform for custom storefronts
- • It provides flexible APIs for building unique shopping experiences
Vendure
Headless commerce framework
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.2/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need e-commerce platforms features specifically
- • Vendure is an open-source headless commerce framework
- • It provides GraphQL APIs for building custom e-commerce experiences
| At a Glance |  Swell |  Vendure |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | API Tools | E-commerce Platforms |
Rating | 80/100 | 82/100 |
| Feature | Swell | Vendure |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| 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 | E-commerce PlatformsHeadless Commerce |
How Swell and Vendure Compare
Swell
Headless e-commerce for developers
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Vendure
Headless commerce framework
Free · 82/100 score
Swell is a api tools tool. Vendure is in e-commerce platforms.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Vendure is free. Swell is freemium.
Go with: Vendure
Want the highest-rated option?
Swell: 80/100. Vendure: 82/100.
Go with: Vendure
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Vendure
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Swell is freemium. Vendure is free. Go with Vendure if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Swell is a api tools tool. Vendure is in e-commerce platforms. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Vendure scores higher: 82/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Vendure
- Higher score: 82/100 vs 80
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Swell
- Better fit for api tools
The Bottom Line
Vendure (82/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swell or Vendure better?
Vendure scores 82/100 in our evaluation. Swell is freemium and Vendure is free.
What are Swell and Vendure used for?
Swell: Headless e-commerce for developers. Vendure: Headless commerce framework.
What does Swell cost vs Vendure?
Swell is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Vendure is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.