What's great
Swell is one of the most flexible and developer-friendly e-commerce platforms I’ve used. It gives full control over the data model, checkout, and API — something most other SaaS platforms limit. The modern developer experience with REST APIs, an intuitive dashboard, and extensibility makes it a perfect choice for building custom storefronts or headless commerce solutions.
I use Swell for B2B and B2C projects, integrating it seamlessly with frameworks like Next.js and Nuxt. Its ability to handle complex product models, subscriptions, and custom checkout logic makes it stand out. The documentation and support team are also exceptional. Quick responses and constant improvements.
vs Alternatives
I chose Swell because it offers the flexibility of a true headless commerce platform without the heavy complexity of enterprise systems. Unlike most alternatives, Swell gives full control over data models, checkout logic, and API structure, letting developers build exactly what they need.
It also stands out for its clean dashboard, powerful APIs, and seamless integration with modern frameworks like Next.js and Nuxt. Plus, it’s easy to set up custom integrations with tools like Stripe, TaxJar, and ShipStation, making it ideal for building scalable, automation-ready eCommerce systems.
The ability to reuse Shopify theme templates on Swell made it even more practical for migrating existing storefronts.
Does subscription billing handle mixed carts reliably?
Yes, Swell’s subscription system is solid and supports mixed carts with both one-time and recurring products. It manages renewals, billing intervals, and customer profiles without friction. In my experience, it works reliably across custom checkouts.
How smooth is multi-currency pricing and rounding?
Swell handles multi-currency pricing quite well. The rounding logic is consistent across APIs and the dashboard. The platform supports localized pricing and taxes, making it easy to scale globally.
How customizable are headless themes and components?
Highly customizable. Swell’s headless setup allows you to build with Next.js, Nuxt, or Astro, using REST for complete control. You can even adapt Shopify theme templates, and they work smoothly with a bit of setup, giving developers maximum flexibility and creative freedom.