Free tool · 3-year TCO model

Open-source vs SaaS: what does migration really cost?

SaaS looks cheaper on day one — until transaction fees and app subscriptions scale with your revenue. Compare the true 3-year total cost of ownership across platforms, and find the GMV where the cheaper option flips.

01 · Your store
Current platform
Compare to pick up to 3
Annual GMV / revenue

€166.667/mo — the main driver of SaaS transaction fees.

GMV growth / yr
%
Custom plugins
Horizon
Your hosting /mo
Your retainer /mo

Hosting & retainer apply to open-source platforms (you own the infra).

App subscriptions €730/mo

Rented on SaaS; built-in / owned on open-source.

02 · 3-year cost of ownership

Verdict · indicative

For your profile, staying on Magento is cheaper over 3 years.

Cheapest alternative (Shopify Plus) costs €26.950 more.

  • Excludes payment-processing fees (equal across platforms).
  • Migration is a one-off; SaaS transaction fees compound with GMV growth.
  • Indicative only — custom functionality can change this materially.
Crossover

Below €58.875/mo GMV, Shopify Plus is cheaper. Above it, Magento wins — transaction fees overtake the savings.

PlatformYear 1Year 2Year 33-yr total
Magentocurrent€56.600€56.600€56.600€169.800
Shopify Plus€63.693€65.493€67.563€196.750

3-year TCO by platform

Where the money goes — transaction fees in red.

Crossover: TCO vs GMV

Where the two platforms cost the same.

MagentoShopify Plus
Platform subscriptionTransaction fees (% of GMV)App subscriptionsHosting & infrastructureSupport & retainerExtension licensesMajor upgradesOne-off migration

This is an estimate

Get an exact, independent migration assessment for your store.

We plug in your real hosting, plugins and payment fees, audit what won't port to SaaS, and deliver a 3-year financial-technical verdict. We don't sell platforms — the recommendation is neutral.

See the Migration Review →