NextChapter Suite vs. Shopify: Key Differences Explained

When selecting an e-commerce platform, businesses often face the choice between a modular solution like Shopify and a fully integrated e-commerce suite such as NextChapter. While both aim to support online sales, there are fundamental differences in approach, scalability, and functionality.

Of course, there are many e-commerce platforms available on the market. However, at NextChapter, we often notice that Shopify is frequently considered in replatforming projects. To make an informed decision, it’s essential to compare apples to apples. That’s why we’re outlining the key differences between NextChapter and Shopify below.

1. Suite vs. Point Solution
NextChapter offers a complete e-commerce suite, a fully integrated platform where all modules work seamlessly together, from product management and webshop administration to inventory and order processing.

Shopify, on the other hand, is more of a point solution. It serves as a webshop foundation that often requires additional systems (such as a PIM or OMS) and third-party plugins (like reviews) to create a fully functional ecosystem. This can lead to more moving parts, higher costs, and multiple points of contact.

2. Scope: For Simple and Complex Setups
The NextChapter multiˣ suiteis both flexible and scalable. Whether you're running a simple store with a single inventory location or a complex multi-store structure with multiple warehouses — or anything in between — NextChapter can handle it. One of its strengths is the ability to pay only for what you use, making it affordable to start small, while also being ready to scale when needed.

Shopify is also a strong option for straightforward use cases and, in many situations, for more complex ones as well. However, in omnichannel retail or B2B environments, some businesses may encounter limitations. NextChapter was specifically designed for multi-channel and multi-location operations, making it especially suitable for growing SMEs.

3. Features: Native vs. Plugins
A major distinction between the two lies in how features are delivered.

In the NextChapter multiˣ suite, many capabilities are native — from advanced product and inventory management to storefront features and an integrated connector that provides insights into all your technical processes.

While Shopify can support similar functionality, it often requires third-party plugins to fill those needs. This brings flexibility, but also potential drawbacks: extra costs, more complexity, and a reliance on external developers, which may impact reliability depending on plugin quality.

4. Data
Often overlooked but just as vital as your storefront: your data.

Because NextChapter's core modules are tightly integrated, data flows seamlessly between systems — including product and stock information. This creates a streamlined engine that ensures both efficiency and reliability.

This integration reduces the burden on web store owners to manage data flows manually. The focus can stay where it belongs: on data-driven growth, not on patching and maintaining technical connections.

5. Dutch Market Focus
NextChapter was founded in the Netherlands and is specifically geared toward the Dutch market. This means standard integrations with widely used Dutch business systems, including ERP software, are available out of the box.

Shopify has a more international orientation. While it’s growing in the Dutch market and local support is improving, the platform isn’t specifically optimized for Dutch business needs. Many companies also appreciate the ability to receive Dutch-speaking support — something NextChapter offers natively (see also point 7).

6. No More Replatforming
Migrating to the NextChapter multiˣ suite can be the last replatforming project your company ever needs.

Because the suite is built to scale with your business, it eliminates the risk of outgrowing your platform. Replatforming is resource-intensive, and with NextChapter, that effort ideally only needs to happen once. Unlike fixed packages from other providers — including Shopify — the multiˣ suite evolves with your company, reducing the need for future migrations.

Finally, both NextChapter and Shopify operate versionlessly. Unlike platforms like Magento, you’ll never need to rebuild your store just because a new platform version is released.

7. Roadmap Influence

With NextChapter, you have direct contact with the team behind the platform. You benefit from the full feature set, and if a feature you need isn’t yet available, you can often influence the roadmap. Thanks to the close relationship with the Dutch-based team, new features are regularly aligned with client needs.

Shopify also releases new features regularly, but its product roadmap is entirely determined by the company. While your implementation partner can support your project, they cannot influence Shopify’s core development roadmap.

8. Implementation Quality
Both NextChapter and Shopify are high-quality e-commerce platforms.

The key variable with Shopify is that implementation is handled by third-party agencies — and the quality of those agencies can vary significantly.

With NextChapter, implementation is handled in-house. That means the same team that builds the platform also sets it up for you, ensuring deep platform knowledge and consistent implementation quality from start to finish.