---
title: "Headless Options for Commerce Layer"
canonical_url: "https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/commerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared"
locale: en
meta:
description: "A comparison of headless frontend options for Commerce Layer storefronts."
"og:description": "A comparison of headless frontend options for Commerce Layer storefronts."
"og:title": "Headless Options for Commerce Layer"
---
# Headless Frontend Options for Commerce Layer Compared
Table of contents
1. [1.The starting point](#the-starting-point)
2. [2.Option 1: the default frontend](#option-1-the-default-frontend)
3. [3.Option 2: a fully custom build](#option-2-a-fully-custom-build)
4. [4.Option 3: Laioutr FMP on the REST and GraphQL API](#option-3-laioutr-fmp-on-the-rest-and-graphql-api)
5. [5.Side-by-side](#side-by-side)
6. [6.When each option wins](#when-each-option-wins)
7. [7.FAQ](#faq)
1. [1.The starting point](#the-starting-point)
2. [2.Option 1: the default frontend](#option-1-the-default-frontend)
3. [3.Option 2: a fully custom build](#option-2-a-fully-custom-build)
4. [4.Option 3: Laioutr FMP on the REST and GraphQL API](#option-3-laioutr-fmp-on-the-rest-and-graphql-api)
5. [5.Side-by-side](#side-by-side)
6. [6.When each option wins](#when-each-option-wins)
7. [7.FAQ](#faq)
Choosing a frontend for Commerce Layer is a deliberate decision. Commerce Layer is the API-first transactional commerce layer for composable setups, frontend-agnostic and built for multi-market pricing. Commerce Layer deliberately ships no frontend; the presentation layer is entirely your choice. Teams usually weigh three paths: use the default frontend, build a fully custom one on the REST and GraphQL API, or put a Frontend Management Platform (FMP) like Laioutr on top. Here is the honest comparison.
## The starting point
Because Commerce Layer is headless and exposes its REST and GraphQL API, the backend stays the source of truth for catalog, pricing and orders, and the frontend layer is genuinely yours to choose. The default option is no bundled frontend.
## Option 1: the default frontend
Staying on no bundled frontend is the path of least initial resistance. The trade-off is that customization and ongoing maintenance, performance budgets and accessibility remain your team's responsibility, and marketing changes typically require engineering.
## Option 2: a fully custom build
A bespoke frontend on the REST and GraphQL API gives maximum control. The cost is a multi-month build, a dedicated frontend team and permanent ownership of hosting, upgrades, Core Web Vitals and accessibility. It makes sense when frontend engineering is a strategic core capability.
## Option 3: Laioutr FMP on the REST and GraphQL API
Laioutr sits as a frontend layer on the existing REST and GraphQL API. The Commerce Layer backend stays untouched. You get a visual editor, more than 70 prebuilt commerce components, EU hosting and a Lighthouse 100 target, with marketing teams composing [pages and campaigns](https://www.laioutr.com/en/composable-headless-frontend) without engineering tickets and [WCAG 3.0 and BFSG](https://www.laioutr.com/en/product/wcag-ready) as a platform baseline.
## Side-by-side
- Time-to-launch: default and custom = weeks to months of engineering; Laioutr = weeks
- Year-1 TCO: default and custom = engineering-heavy; Laioutr = predictable subscription
- Maintenance: default and custom = your team; Laioutr = platform-operated
- Accessibility: default and custom = your responsibility; Laioutr = WCAG 3.0 and BFSG in the standard
- Backend optionality: custom = locked to Commerce Layer; Laioutr = backend-agnostic across Commerce Layer, commercetools, Shopify and more
## When each option wins
The default frontend or a custom build wins when you have a strong engineering team and pixel-level control is a strategic priority. [Laioutr](https://www.laioutr.com/en/headless-frontend-for-commerce-layer) wins when you want weeks to go-live, marketing autonomy and built-in EU compliance on top of Commerce Layer.
## FAQ
### Does Laioutr replace the Commerce Layer frontend?
It is an alternative frontend layer on the same REST and GraphQL API. Keep the default, or use Laioutr for faster time-to-launch and no-code page composition.
### Does the Commerce Layer backend change?
No. Laioutr consumes the REST and GraphQL API. Catalog, pricing and order logic stay in Commerce Layer. See the [Commerce Layer pillar page](https://www.laioutr.com/en/headless-frontend-for-commerce-layer).
### How does pricing compare to building it ourselves?
Total cost of ownership is typically lower because hosting, components and the editor are included. See [pricing](https://www.laioutr.com/en/pricing) or [book a strategy call](https://www.laioutr.com/en/contact).
More on Laioutr: [Personalization](https://www.laioutr.com/en/product/personalization).
Related reading: [Headless Frontend Options for BigCommerce Compared](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/big-commerce-headless-frontend-options-compared) and [Headless Frontend Options for Pimcore Compared](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/pimcore-headless-frontend-options-compared).
---
Share this article
[Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.laioutr.com%2Fen%2Fblog%2Fcommerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared) [Share on X](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.laioutr.com%2Fen%2Fblog%2Fcommerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared&text=) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.laioutr.com%2Fen%2Fblog%2Fcommerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared) [Share on Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.laioutr.com%2Fen%2Fblog%2Fcommerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared&description=) [Share via email](mailto:?subject=&body=%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.laioutr.com%2Fen%2Fblog%2Fcommerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared)
## More interesting articles
Practical know-how for frontend development, smart agents, and headless
[To the blog](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blogs)
[iPhone Duo and Ecommerce: What Merchants Need to Know Now
iPhone Duo goes on sale on October 23, 2026. Online stores don't need a dedicated app or a custo…](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/iphone-duo-ecommerce-foldable-storefront)
[Structured Product Data: How It Shows Up in Your Storefront
Structured product data means every product fact lives in a typed attribute with a unit, a stable id…](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/structured-product-data-pim-frontend-2026)
[44% Decide via Trial or PoC: How to Run a Storefront PoC in DACH
In DACH, software decisions are increasingly made hands-on: in the study "Software Buying in DA…](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/storefront-proof-of-concept-dach-buyers-2026)
[Frontend Management Platform Comparison: How to Choose the Right FMP
Choosing a frontend management platform (FMP) is less about feature lists and more about where your …](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/frontend-management-platform-comparison-how-to-choose-2026)
[DAM, PIM, and CMS Are Converging: What It Means for Your Storefront
DAM, PIM, and CMS vendors are moving into each other's territory, and more teams now evaluate on…](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/dam-pim-cms-convergence-content-hub-storefront-2026)
[Contentful Live Preview: What Your Frontend Has to Deliver
Contentful Live Preview lets editors see a draft right next to the entry editor and watch changes ap…](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/contentful-live-preview-frontend-perspective-2026)
[Content Governance at Scale: Product Content and Brand Assets
Content governance at scale means that roles, approvals, brand rules, asset rights and translations …](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/content-governance-product-content-brand-assets-frontend-2026)
[AI Agents as Frontend Operators: Architecture and Control Model
An AI agent becomes a frontend operator when it watches the running storefront, spots concrete issue…](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/ai-agents-as-frontend-operators-2026)
[Shopping Agents Read Your Feed: What Agentic Commerce Changes
Agentic commerce adds a new reader to your product data: shopping agents in ChatGPT, Google AI Mode,…](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/shopping-agents-product-feeds-agentic-data-distribution-2026)
[Server-Side Tracking in E-Commerce: Making Measurement Complete Again
Server-side tracking moves the forwarding of analytics and conversion events from the visitor's …](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/server-side-tracking-ecommerce-complete-measurement-2026)
[Product Image Deep Links, Not ZIP Files: Assets That Stay Current
If you still send product images to retailers, marketplaces and press as ZIP files, every package st…](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/product-image-deeplinks-asset-distribution-2026)
[PrestaShop 8 to 9 Upgrade Without Replatforming: Decouple the Frontend
You can take most of the risk out of the PrestaShop 8 to 9 upgrade by moving the storefront off the …](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/prestashop-8-to-9-upgrade-without-replatforming-2026)
[Order Management With an OMS Like fulfillmenttools: The Frontend View
An efficient order management system decides which location fulfills an order, how much stock is rea…](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/order-management-fulfillmenttools-oms-frontend-2026)
[No Replatforming Budget in 2026? Why the Frontend Gets Approved
If your 2026 budget has no room for a replatforming project, you are not alone, and you do not have …](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/no-replatforming-budget-frontend-project-approval-2026)
[Garden Retail Order Management: What Your Storefront Must Show
In garden and DIY retail, one cart can hold a parcel item, a patio set that ships by freight, live p…](https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/garden-retail-order-management-seasonal-frontend-2026)
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/shopify)
Laioutr
[Shopify](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/shopify)
Shopify is a commerce platform for selling online and in physical retail.
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/shopware)
Laioutr
[Shopware](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/shopware)
Shopware is a flexible ecommerce platform from Europe for product catalogs and omnichannel commerce.
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/adobe-commerce)
Laioutr
[Adobe Commerce](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/adobe-commerce)
Adobe Commerce is an enterprise commerce platform for complex, global B2C and B2B scenarios.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/b2b-sellers)
Laioutr
[B2Bsellers](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/b2b-sellers)
B2B suite for Shopware that turns an online store into a professional B2B commerce platform.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/commerce-layer)
Laioutr
[Commerce Layer](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/commerce-layer)
Commerce Layer is a headless commerce platform for making inventory and catalogs available online.
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/commercetools)
Laioutr
[Commercetools](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/commercetools)
Commercetools is a SaaS-based headless ecommerce platform used worldwide.
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/emporix)
Laioutr
[Emporix](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/emporix)
Emporix is a composable, API-first commerce platform for scalable B2B and B2C scenarios.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/hcl-software)
Laioutr
[HCL Software](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/hcl-software)
Enterprise suite for digital commerce and experience with extensive configurability.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/intershop)
Laioutr
[Intershop](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/intershop)
Enterprise commerce platform for complex B2B and B2C business models.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/magento-2)
Laioutr
[Magento 2](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/magento-2)
Widely used, extensible commerce platform for B2C and B2B scenarios.
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/oxid-eshop)
Laioutr
[OXID eShop](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/oxid-eshop)
OXID eShop is an extensible commerce platform for complex B2B and B2C requirements.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/patchworks)
Laioutr
[Patchworks](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/patchworks)
Patchworks is a low-code iPaaS that connects ecommerce, ERP, WMS, 3PL, and marketplaces.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/PrestaShop)
Laioutr
[Prestashop](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/PrestaShop)
Open-source commerce platform for small and midsize merchants in Europe and beyond.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/saleor)
Laioutr
[Saleor](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/saleor)
Open-source, API-first commerce platform built on GraphQL for custom storefronts.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/salesforce-commerce-cloud)
Laioutr
[Salesforce Commerce Cloud](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/salesforce-commerce-cloud)
Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a cloud-based enterprise commerce platform for businesses of any size.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/sap-commerce-cloud)
Laioutr
[SAP Commerce Cloud](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/sap-commerce-cloud)
Enterprise commerce platform for complex catalogs, pricing models, and omnichannel journeys.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/scayle)
Laioutr
[Scayle](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/scayle)
SCAYLE is a commerce engine that helps brands and retailers scale their business.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/spryker)
Laioutr
[Spryker](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/spryker)
Composable commerce platform for sophisticated B2B and B2C business models.
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/sylius)
Laioutr
[Sylius](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/sylius)
Sylius is a developer-friendly ecommerce framework for B2C and B2B shopping experiences.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/vendure)
Laioutr
[Vendure](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/vendure)
Vendure is a headless commerce platform for businesses with complex requirements.
Coming Soon
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/vtex)
Laioutr
[VTEX](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/vtex)
Cloud-native, composable commerce platform for B2B and B2C at scale.
Planned
[](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/websale)
Laioutr
[Websale](https://www.laioutr.com/en/apps/websale)
Stable, enterprise-ready commerce backend for complex retail environments.
Strategy call
## Ready to turn your frontend into a control layer?
Show us your stack, your roadmap, your replatforming scenario, and we'll show you how Laioutr fits, what it costs, and how fast you go live.
*"After 30 minutes, we knew Laioutr makes our replatforming feasible." - Daniel B., CEO,* [*hygibox.de*](https://hygibox.de)
[Book a demo](https://www.laioutr.com/en/contact)
## Structured Data
```json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@graph": [
{
"@type": "Organization",
"@id": "https://www.laioutr.com/#identity",
"name": "Laioutr",
"legalName": "Laioutr GmbH",
"url": "https://www.laioutr.com/",
"logo": {
"@type": "ImageObject",
"url": "https://www.laioutr.com/laioutr-logo.png",
"width": 400,
"height": 400
},
"email": "info@laioutr.com",
"telephone": "+49 30 75435715",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "Münchweilersteig 5",
"postalCode": "12559",
"addressLocality": "Berlin",
"addressCountry": "DE"
},
"vatID": "DE450905846",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/laioutr",
"https://www.youtube.com/@Laioutr",
"https://x.com/laioutr"
]
},
{
"@type": "WebSite",
"@id": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/#website",
"url": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/",
"name": "Laioutr",
"inLanguage": "en",
"publisher": {
"@id": "https://www.laioutr.com/#identity"
}
},
{
"@type": "BlogPosting",
"@id": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/commerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared#article",
"headline": "Headless Frontend Options for Commerce Layer Compared",
"description": "A comparison of headless frontend options for Commerce Layer storefronts.",
"image": [
"https://eu-west-2.graphassets.com/cmii2mlqi0dux06l5543v7nkc/cmq66tauig4cx07mk0b48kxvi"
],
"datePublished": "2026-07-09T04:45:51.064989+00:00",
"dateModified": "2026-07-09T04:45:50.834754+00:00",
"inLanguage": "en",
"articleSection": "Insights",
"keywords": "Headless Commerce, Comparison, Frontend Management, Migration, BigCommerce, Commerce Layer, commercetools, Pimcore, Shopify",
"author": {
"@type": "Person",
"name": "Marcel Thiesies",
"jobTitle": "Co-Founder & CEO, Laioutr",
"image": "https://eu-west-2.graphassets.com/cmii2mlqi0dux06l5543v7nkc/cmj01b962364n07lb0iguvts5"
},
"publisher": {
"@id": "https://www.laioutr.com/#identity"
},
"mainEntityOfPage": {
"@id": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/commerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared#webpage"
},
"isPartOf": {
"@id": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/#website"
}
},
{
"@type": "WebPage",
"@id": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/commerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared#webpage",
"url": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/commerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared",
"name": "Headless Frontend Options for Commerce Layer Compared",
"description": "A comparison of headless frontend options for Commerce Layer storefronts.",
"inLanguage": "en",
"isPartOf": {
"@id": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/#website"
},
"breadcrumb": {
"@id": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/commerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared#breadcrumb"
},
"primaryImageOfPage": {
"@type": "ImageObject",
"url": "https://eu-west-2.graphassets.com/cmii2mlqi0dux06l5543v7nkc/cmq66tauig4cx07mk0b48kxvi"
},
"datePublished": "2026-07-09T04:45:51.064989+00:00",
"dateModified": "2026-07-09T04:45:50.834754+00:00",
"mainEntity": {
"@id": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/commerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared#article"
}
},
{
"@type": "BreadcrumbList",
"@id": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/blog/commerce-layer-headless-frontend-options-compared#breadcrumb",
"itemListElement": [
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 1,
"name": "Laioutr",
"item": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/"
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 2,
"name": "Insights",
"item": "https://www.laioutr.com/en/blogs/insights"
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 3,
"name": "Headless Frontend Options for Commerce Layer Compared"
}
]
}
]
}
```