Launching a multi-vendor marketplace is a great move, and there are several solid options out there—depending on your budget, technical skills, customization needs, and go-to-market timeline. Here’s a breakdown of top marketplace software, ideal tech stacks, and the core features you need:

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Top Marketplace Software Options (No-code & Low-code)

1. Sharetribe
• Best for: Fast MVP launch with limited dev resources.
• Pros: Out-of-the-box multi-vendor support, built-in payments (Stripe), customizable, supports services/products.
• Cons: Limited scalability/customization on Sharetribe Go (no-code version).
• Versions:
• Sharetribe Go (hosted, no-code)
• Sharetribe Flex (API-based, customizable)

2. Arcadier
• Best for: B2C/B2B marketplaces with more flexibility.
• Pros: Multi-vertical support (services, goods, rental), modern UI, white-label, supports Stripe, PayPal, etc.
• Cons: Slight learning curve, limited custom dev freedom compared to headless solutions.

3. CS-Cart Multi-Vendor
• Best for: Fully-featured eCommerce marketplace with self-hosted control.
• Pros: Comprehensive admin/vendor panels, scalable, one-time license fee.
• Cons: Requires hosting + dev knowledge.

4. Magento with Marketplace Extension
• Best for: Large-scale enterprise marketplaces.
• Pros: Robust, customizable, open-source.
• Cons: Dev-intensive, needs optimization and experienced Magento devs.

5. WordPress + WooCommerce + Dokan/WCFM
• Best for: Budget-conscious founders.
• Pros: Affordable, easy to start, plugins available.
• Cons: Not ideal for scale without optimization. Can get bloated.

6. Shopify + Multi Vendor Marketplace App
• Best for: Quick setup for physical goods.
• Pros: Clean UI, secure payments, hosted.
• Cons: Less flexibility than open platforms, monthly app fees.

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Best Tech Stack (Custom Build Approach)

If you’re building from scratch (custom dev or with a dev team), here’s a proven scalable stack:
• Frontend: React.js / Next.js (with Tailwind CSS or Chakra UI)
• Backend: Node.js / Express or Django
• Database: PostgreSQL or MongoDB
• Authentication: Firebase Auth / Auth0
• Payment Gateway: Stripe Connect (for vendor payouts)
• File Storage: AWS S3 / Cloudinary
• Hosting: Vercel / Netlify (frontend), Render / AWS / Heroku (backend)
• DevOps: GitHub + CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions)