Faire vs Shopify Plus Wholesale for B2B Ordering
TLDR
Faire is a commission-based wholesale marketplace (15-25% per order). Shopify Plus is a subscription-based commerce platform ($2,300+/mo) with B2B features layered on top. Faire drives buyer discovery but destroys margins on repeat orders. Shopify Plus gives you control but charges enterprise prices for features that are still maturing. For a commission-free, subscription-affordable wholesale portal, OrderDock starts at $20/mo.
| Feature | Faire | Shopify Plus | OrderDock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | 15-25% commission per order | $2,300+/mo + per-transaction fees | $20–$99/mo. Zero commissions. |
| Built for | Retail + B2B bolt-on | Varies | B2B wholesale only |
| Native B2B features | Limited | Limited | Full (net terms, matrix ordering, buyer pricing) |
Marketplace vs Platform: The Core Trade-Off
Faire and Shopify Plus represent two fundamentally different approaches to wholesale ordering. Understanding which problem you are solving determines which tool fits.
Faire is a marketplace. You list your products, retailers discover you, and orders flow through Faire platform. You pay commission (15-25%) on every transaction. The buyer relationship belongs to the marketplace. If Faire changes its terms or algorithm, your wholesale channel is affected.
Shopify Plus is a platform. You build a storefront, manage your own buyers, and control the experience. You pay $2,300+/month in subscription plus per-transaction fees. The buyer data belongs to you. B2B features are available but are secondary to Shopify primary retail focus.
The Faire Commission Math
Faire commission model works for buyer acquisition. Paying 15-25% to acquire a new wholesale account is reasonable if that account generates profitable repeat business.
The problem is that Faire charges commission on every order, not just the first one. A brand doing $500,000 in annual wholesale volume through Faire pays $75,000-$125,000 in commissions. Year after year. On buyers who already know the brand and would reorder regardless.
For a manufacturer with established dealer relationships, listing those accounts on Faire means paying commission on orders that were already happening. The discovery function has no value for existing accounts.
The Shopify Plus Problem
Shopify Plus solves the ownership problem: you control buyer data and relationships. But $2,300/month is consumer commerce platform pricing applied to a B2B use case. The B2B channel, while improving, is still secondary to Shopify retail DNA.
Net terms on Shopify Plus still require third-party apps. Matrix ordering for wholesale catalogs is limited. The platform excels at consumer DTC and adds B2B as a feature layer, not a core product.
The Middle Path
OrderDock fills the gap between Faire commission model and Shopify Plus enterprise pricing. A private wholesale portal starting at $20/month where you own buyer relationships, pay zero commission, and get native net terms and matrix ordering without app dependencies.
| Annual Volume | Faire (15-25%) | Shopify Plus | OrderDock |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $37,500-$62,500 | $30,000-$36,000 | $240-$1,188 |
| $500,000 | $75,000-$125,000 | $30,000-$36,000 | $240-$1,188 |
| $1,000,000 | $150,000-$250,000 | $32,000-$40,000 | $240-$1,188 |
| $2,000,000 | $300,000-$500,000 | $34,000-$45,000 | $240-$1,188 |
PROS & CONS
Faire
Pros
- Zero upfront cost for brands
- Access to Faire retailer network for discovery
- Payment risk handled by Faire
Cons
- 15-25% commission on every order
- No ownership of buyer relationships
- Competitive marketplace positioning
PROS & CONS
Shopify Plus
Pros
- Full control over brand and buyer data
- DTC and wholesale in one platform
- Extensive app marketplace
Cons
- $2,300+/month starting cost
- Net terms via third-party apps only
- B2B is secondary to retail focus
Q&A
Is Faire or Shopify Plus better for wholesale ordering?
They serve different purposes. Faire is a marketplace for buyer discovery. Shopify Plus is a commerce platform for brands that want DTC and B2B unified. If you already have wholesale accounts and need a portal for them to reorder, neither is the most cost-effective option.
Q&A
How much does Faire really cost at $1M in wholesale volume?
At $1M in annual wholesale volume, Faire commission costs $150,000-$250,000 per year (15-25% commission). Shopify Plus would cost approximately $30,000-$40,000/year including subscription, apps, and transaction fees. OrderDock would cost $240-$1,188/year.
Q&A
Can I use Faire for new buyers and a private portal for existing accounts?
Yes. This is a common strategy. Use Faire to reach new retail buyers willing to discover products through the marketplace. Move repeat buyers to a private wholesale portal like OrderDock where you own the relationship and pay no commission on reorders.
Verdict
Use Faire for buyer discovery if you are a new brand building a wholesale network. Use Shopify Plus if you need DTC and B2B unified on one platform. Use OrderDock ($20/mo) if you have existing wholesale accounts and need a private ordering portal without commissions or enterprise pricing.
Does Faire charge commission on repeat orders?
Does Shopify Plus include B2B features on all plans?
Can I move my Faire buyers to my own portal?
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