Overview

The core packages are free for commercial use, with no recurring license fees for self-run shops or client projects. That removes a licensing cost, but Aimeos is a framework rather than a finished hosted store: its value depends on having the development capacity to build and operate a custom commerce experience.

Aimeos targets developers, agencies, and enterprises. It supports multiple stores and B2B commerce, with deployment options spanning self-hosted and API-based use. Its catalog claims range from up to 100,000 products out of the box on standard MySQL to more than one billion with SOLR or Elasticsearch. The larger figure depends on those search technologies and the gigacommerce extension, so it is a scale option rather than a default configuration.

Key features

The framework handles product variants, bundles, vouchers, downloads, events, subscriptions, recurring payments, and configurable goods. Multi-vendor, multi-channel, and multi-warehouse support, plus multi-tenant shops in one installation, make it better suited to businesses with several selling models or operations than to a basic single shop.

A JSON:API REST API and GraphQL admin API support custom storefronts, progressive web apps, and mobile apps. Omnipay connects to more than 100 payment providers, including PayPal, Authorize.net, Mollie, and Stripe. The maker describes gateway-based payments as PCI compliant; its security measures include reviewed code, SQL injection allowlists, and Content Security Policy support against cross-site scripting.

Database support includes MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and DB2. That range can help teams fit the framework to an existing database environment, while the substantial commerce and deployment scope favors projects with technical ownership over buyers wanting a managed, ready-to-launch service.

Pricing

The Core framework is open source, free for commercial use, and has no license or transaction fees; its price is custom pricing. Aimeos core is 0.00 USD per free under the LGPLv3 and is also free for commercial use. These are the sensible starting points for teams prepared to run and maintain their own implementation.

Extended long term support costs 99.00 USD per month, billed yearly with VAT and a 12-month minimum. It provides bug fixes and security updates for Aimeos LTS versions across Laravel, TYPO3, and Symfony. It suits teams needing maintained LTS releases, but it is not an implementation service.

For direct assistance, Basic support costs 179.00 USD per month plus VAT, with a 12-month minimum, email and direct developer support, and a 24-business-hour response. Extended support is 379.00 USD per month plus VAT for the same minimum term, adding telephone or video callback support and a 12-business-hour response. Premium costs 569.00 USD per month plus VAT, also with a 12-month minimum, and adds remote web or SSH support to email, developer, and callback support, with an 8-business-hour response. All three subscriptions are offered in English and German. Paid support subscriptions provide unlimited requests per developer per month, but exclude implementation and custom development.

The one-off Professional support package costs 259.00 USD plus VAT for two hours. It includes personal email and direct developer support, web or SSH support, and a 24-business-hour response in English or German. It can address a bounded support need without a monthly subscription, but its two-hour allowance is limited. Support is not a substitute for a team to build the commerce experience.

Platforms

Aimeos supports API, Linux, self-hosted, and web environments. The APIs make custom frontends and apps possible, while self-hosting gives teams control over deployment. That flexibility comes with responsibility for operating the platform; Aimeos is not positioned as a hosted storefront that removes that work.

Who it's for

Choose Aimeos if you have developers or an agency and need a customizable Laravel or TYPO3 commerce foundation for multiple stores, marketplace activity, B2B sales, or varied product types. It is less suitable for a small business that wants a finished storefront without development work, or for a project whose team needs implementation included in its support contract.

Pros and cons

Pro: Commercial-use core packages carry no recurring license fees, making self-run projects possible without an ongoing software license charge.
Pro: Multi-tenant, multi-vendor, multi-channel, and multi-warehouse support accommodates complex operations in one installation.
Pro: REST and GraphQL APIs, broad database support, and more than 100 payment providers give developers room to shape a custom stack.
Con: Aimeos is a framework for developers, not a ready-made hosted shop, so teams need technical capacity to build and operate it.
Con: Paid support subscriptions require a 12-month commitment and exclude implementation and custom development.
Con: Catalog capacity beyond 100,000 products relies on SOLR or Elasticsearch, with the billion-item figure also tied to the gigacommerce extension.

Alternatives

For a more bounded free self-hosted PHP option, consider Bagisto: its open-source download is 0.00 USD per free, with requirements including PHP 8.3+, MySQL 8.0.32+ or MariaDB 10.3+, and at least 4 GB RAM. Pick it when those requirements and a self-hosted setup fit better than Aimeos's Laravel and TYPO3 framework scope.

Crystallize is a freemium API and web option whose Particle plan has one tenant per project, unlimited users and languages, 25 orders, 100 items, and 5 GB bandwidth. It may suit a project that fits those explicit caps; Aimeos is the more direct fit for teams seeking a self-run, commercially free PHP framework.

Commerce Layer offers a freemium API, web, Android, and iOS platform. Its Developer plan has one organization, two users, two markets, 1,000 SKUs, 10 links, and 100 free live orders per month, so consider it when those limits and mobile platforms align with the project.

Sylius offers an open-source MIT-licensed on-premise edition with community support, making it an alternative for teams who prefer that licensing and support arrangement. Unchained Engine is a free, open-source API and self-hosted option with no licensing or per-transaction fees, though hosting infrastructure is paid by the user.

Solidus offers a free DIY edition on customer-managed infrastructure. Fabric Commerce Platform is a paid API and web alternative. Medusa is a freemium API, self-hosted, and web option with a Develop plan at 29.00 USD per month; consider these when their deployment and pricing models better match your requirements. For broader browsing, see Headless Ecommerce Platforms and Ecommerce platforms.

Verdict

Aimeos is a strong choice for developer-led projects that need a free commercial-use foundation with room for multiple commerce models, tenants, and custom frontends. Its breadth and API flexibility are compelling when a team can own development and operations; look elsewhere if you need a finished hosted storefront or implementation bundled with support.

	Aimeos	Shopware
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	—	€600/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	api, Linux, self-hosted, Web	Web
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Hosting model	—	hosted
Sales channels	—	omnichannel
Transaction fee	—	varies
App marketplace	—	Yes
Digital products	—	Yes

Aimeos vs Shopware

Aimeos

Shopware