Saleor
Self-HostedOpen-source headless e-commerce platform for scalable online stores
Overview
Saleor is a flexible, headless e-commerce solution built with Python and GraphQL, designed for custom online stores, marketplaces, or B2B platforms. It supports multi-channel sales (web, mobile, social), inventory management, payment integrations (Stripe, PayPal), tax automation, and multi-currency transactions. Deployable via Docker, Kubernetes, or cloud providers like AWS/GCP, it scales from small businesses to enterprise operations. Open-source under MIT license, it enables full customization without vendor lock-in, with a community-driven ecosystem of plugins and extensions.
Self-Hosting Resources
Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml.
⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.
version: '3'
services:
saleor:
image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
container_name: saleor
ports:
- "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
volumes:
- ./data:/app/data
restart: unless-stopped Key Features
- Headless architecture for omnichannel sales experiences
- Scalable GraphQL API for seamless frontend-backend integrations
- Multi-store, multi-currency, and inventory management tools
- Extensible via plugins and custom code modifications
Frequently Asked Questions
? Is Saleor hard to install?
Saleor offers quick setup via Docker Compose for testing, but production deployment (e.g., Kubernetes) requires familiarity with containerization and cloud infrastructure. Basic installation is straightforward, but customizing the frontend or scaling may need knowledge of Python, GraphQL, and DevOps tools.
? Is it a good alternative to Shopify?
Yes—Saleor is ideal for users wanting full code control and no recurring fees. Unlike Shopify’s managed, closed ecosystem, Saleor is headless and open-source, allowing unlimited customization. However, it lacks Shopify’s drag-and-drop theme builder and managed hosting (you must self-host or use a cloud provider).
? Is it completely free?
Saleor is 100% free under the MIT license—no licensing costs for use, modification, or distribution. Self-hosting expenses (server, hosting, maintenance) or paid support from the Saleor team are optional but not required for core functionality.
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Tool Info
Pros
- ⊕ Open-source (MIT license) with zero licensing fees
- ⊕ No vendor lock-in—full control over codebase
- ⊕ Scalable to handle high-traffic enterprise-level stores
- ⊕ Supports modern payment and shipping service integrations
Cons
- ⊖ Requires technical expertise (Python, GraphQL) for setup/customization
- ⊖ Lacks out-of-the-box frontend themes (needs custom development)
- ⊖ Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- ⊖ Self-hosting demands server maintenance and security updates