JTL software is popular for its versatile functions and customization options in the e-commerce and merchandise management sector, but is also met with criticism from online retailers in Germany due to its complex user interface and limited scalability. As a result, companies are looking for simpler and more flexible JTL alternatives.
Shopify offers itself as a JTL alternative for the online store with a user-friendly interface, diverse customization options and comprehensive support for sellers of all sizes. Thanks to its cloud infrastructure, Shopify offers a reliable and scalable platform that makes online commerce efficient and supports business growth.
But is Shopify really a suitable JTL alternative? We have compared the two store systems.
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JTL is designed to simplify and optimize online commerce for small to medium-sized companies. The core products include:
A comprehensive inventory management system that enables online retailers to manage their stock, check incoming and outgoing goods, process orders and handle logistics efficiently. JTL-Wawi supports synchronization with various online marketplaces and store systems, making it easier to sell across multiple channels.
A flexible and customizable store system that offers seamless integration with JTL-Wawi. It enables online merchants to create and manage their own professional webshops. The store system is known for its good integration with JTL WaWi.
An interface for connecting to marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon, which makes it possible to create, manage and synchronize offers directly from the merchandise management system. With eazyAuction, retailers can make their presence on these platforms more efficient.
Note: JTL is not a store system, but a company that offers various products - including the JTL Shop store system. When we refer to Shopify as a "JTL alternative" in the following, we are actually referring to Shopify as a "JTL Shop alternative". There are also companies that use Shopify as their store system and JTL WaWi as their merchandise management system.
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JTL Shop
JTL offers various price models:
Additional costs: Hosting, ongoing maintenance, extensions
Shopify
The JTL alternative Shopify also offers various price models:
Additional costs: e.g. transaction fees, apps, extensions
The costs for Shopify Plus as a JTL alternative start at USD 2,300 per month, but can vary depending on the company's specific requirements and sales volume. Shopify Plus is aimed at larger businesses that require a higher level of personalization, support and advanced features.
JTL Shop
Users benefit from specialized support tailored to the needs of the German market and integration with JTL-Wawi. This includes access to an extensive knowledge base, a support forum and direct support via email or phone. JTL also offers training and webinars to help users get the most out of their software. However, the availability of direct support may vary depending on the pricing model chosen.
Shopify
The JTL alternative Shopify, on the other hand, offers round-the-clock support via various channels, including live chat, email and telephone. Shopify's global reach means that their support team is available to users in different time zones and languages. JTL Alternative also offers a comprehensive knowledge base, called the Shopify Help Center, where users can find answers to frequently asked questions and access learning resources such as guides, blog articles and video tutorials.
JTL-Shop
As JTL-Shop is based on a self-hosted solution, scalability is highly dependent on the infrastructure that the merchant provides or rents. This means that significant growth may require investment in server capacity or hosting services to cope with increased traffic and data volumes. Alternatively, hosting can be outsourced to JTL. However, the flexibility in customizing and extending functionalities through plugins or individual developments is a plus point that makes JTL Shop attractive for growing companies.
Shopify
As a cloud-based platform, JTL's alternative Shopify offers seamless scalability without the need for the merchant to worry about the underlying infrastructure. Shopify's hosting solution automatically adapts as the store grows, meaning merchants can focus on growing their business without worrying about server performance or downtime. The JTL alternative offers different subscription levels, from basic versions for beginners to Shopify Plus for large enterprises, allowing for flexible scaling. With access to an extensive app store, merchants can easily add additional features to meet their growing needs.
JTL Shop
JTL-Shop requires a connection to JTL-Wawi and is therefore aimed in particular at users who are looking for a comprehensive solution for the German market that seamlessly combines warehousing, shipping and online sales. Setting up a JTL store usually requires technical knowledge, as the adaptability and complexity of the software allow for detailed configuration. The platform offers a variety of customization options and extensions, allowing users to extensively personalize and optimize their store. However, this may also mean that technical support or even hiring a developer may be necessary for setup and maintenance.
ShopifyThe JTL alternative Shopify, on the other hand, is known for its high user-friendliness and speed of setup. It is a cloud-based, all-in-one e-commerce platform that allows users without prior technical knowledge to start an online store quickly and easily. Shopify offers a wide range of design templates as well as a drag-and-drop editor. In addition, Shopify includes an extensive app store through which functions can be expanded as required (e.g. DATEV export).
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JTL-Shop in connection with JTL-Wawi
Shopify
JTL Shop in conjunction with JTL Wawi is particularly suitable for companies that are looking for deep integration with their ERP system and value a close connection to the German market. Its strengths lie in efficient warehousing, accounting and the ability to automate processes, which makes it ideal for medium-sized companies that want to optimize their business processes.
The JTL alternative Shopify, on the other hand, is optimal for companies that want a quick and easy setup of their online store, with access to an extensive app store for additional functionalities. The platform offers a strong solution for multi-channel selling and is attractive for companies of all sizes that value flexibility, easy scalability and extensive marketing tools.
As a JTL alternative, Shopify impresses with its user-friendliness and diverse, customizable designs. The app store and 24/7 support in multiple languages make it easier to expand and operate the store. Cloud-based operation ensures reliability and allows retailers to focus on their growth, with the platform flexibly responding to the needs of companies of all sizes.
Another key advantage of Shopify is its support for internationalization. Shopify offers tools and features as standard that allow merchants to sell their products globally, support multiple currencies and languages, and serve international markets seamlessly. In addition, Shopify has built-in AI that helps merchants optimize their business operations, better understand customers and provide personalized shopping experiences.
Shopify is modern and future-oriented. It utilizes the latest technologies and trends in e-commerce to ensure that merchants are always one step ahead. In comparison, JTL Shop looks outdated and seems like it hasn't been significantly developed in ten years. These modern features and advanced infrastructure make Shopify a leading choice and a strong alternative to JTL.
In the search for a suitable JTL alternative, retailers cannot ignore Shopware. Shopware is an attractive alternative to JTL, primarily because of its high level of flexibility and customizability, which makes the system ideal for the German and international market. With its open architecture and a variety of apps, Shopware enables individual store designs and the integration of extended functions. The platform impresses with strong content management capabilities, which improves branding and the customer experience.
Compared to Shopify, the JTL alternative Shopware scores with greater control and deeper customization options, especially suitable for medium to large businesses with special needs.
Would you like to know what advantages Shopware or Pickware offers as a JTL alternative? Read more here:
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