Open-Source Spree Commerce Alternative for AI
A Rails store server or one TypeScript project
Notice
86d is under active development and not yet recommended for production commerce. Check versioning and maturity and each capability you enable before relying on it.
What each option offers
Spree Commerce is open-source store software under the BSD-3-Clause license. Its current repository includes a Ruby on Rails server, a REST API, TypeScript tools, and a Next.js storefront.
The open-source edition includes cross-border settings and several B2B features. Spree Enterprise adds other B2B, marketplace, multi-tenant, security, and support features. The exact split depends on the Spree release, so check its current edition table before deciding.
Spree can be self-hosted, and its official site offers an evaluation sandbox. Enterprise pricing and support terms require contact with Spree.
86d is MIT-licensed and can run without an 86d account. Its storefront, administration tools, and store code use TypeScript and are kept in the same repository.
Both projects let you inspect and self-host the store code. The practical difference is the shape of the project and the stack your team wants to own.
At a glance
| Dimension | 86d | Spree Commerce |
|---|---|---|
| License | 86d is MIT-licensed; 86d.app is proprietary | Spree core is BSD-3-Clause; Enterprise has separate terms |
| What is included | The current storefront, admin, and store code are in the open repository | Core includes a REST API, TypeScript tools, a Next.js storefront, and several B2B features |
| Commercial offering | Managed launch pricing is published; paid signup has not opened | Enterprise adds features and support under separate terms |
| Main technology | TypeScript and Next.js | Ruby on Rails server with a Next.js storefront |
| Hosting | Self-host it today, or use 86d Cloud when managed signup opens | Self-hosting and an official evaluation sandbox are available |
| Payments | At launch, bring a supported provider with no added 86d checkout fee | Official materials list payment integrations and a way to add providers |
| B2B and marketplaces | Not part of the first launch focus | Some B2B features are open source; other B2B and marketplace features are in Enterprise or planned for a later core release |
| Automated store changes | In development, with review before changes go live | Spree publishes a command-line tool and an administration API |
| Current readiness | Available for early evaluation | Maintained public releases are available |
Pricing figures as of August 2026. Confirm on each vendor's official pricing page before you buy.
Where the money goes
This example uses $10,000 in monthly sales across 200 orders at a $50 average order value. It uses the same card-processing assumption for both options.
Spree Commerce
Spree Community Edition self-hosted
$9,590
minus costs shown
- Sales minus costs shown$9,590
- Card processing$350
- Platform and tooling$60
- Card processing assumption (2.9% + 30¢ per order)$350
- Hosting (modeled estimate)$60
86d
86d Cloud Premium, using your own payment service
$9,605
minus costs shown
- Sales minus costs shown$9,605
- Card processing$350
- Platform and tooling$45
- Card processing assumption (2.9% + 30¢ per order)$350
- 86d Cloud management fee (planned)$20
- Infrastructure and managed usage (modeled estimate)$25
In this example, the listed monthly costs for Spree Commerce are $15 higher. Card processing is the same on both sides, so the difference comes from the other costs listed below each chart.
This is an estimate, not a quote or profit calculation. It does not include product costs, tax, shipping, labor, refunds, chargebacks, or other business expenses. Published plan and percentage fees come from each company's pricing page. Hosting, app, and extension amounts are assumptions. 86d Cloud is not open for paid signup, so its management fee is also a planned price.
Where Spree Commerce shines
- Spree core is open source under the BSD-3-Clause license.
- The repository includes a REST API and TypeScript tools for storefront work.
- An official Next.js storefront is included in the current project setup.
- The open-source edition includes cross-border and B2B wholesale features.
- Official payment integrations are documented for the current storefront.
- Commercial features and support are available through Spree Enterprise.
What to weigh with Spree Commerce
- A self-hosted store leaves deployment, monitoring, backups, and updates to your team.
- Enterprise prices and support terms require a conversation with Spree.
- The feature split between core and Enterprise changes as new versions are released.
- The standard setup combines a Rails server with a separate Next.js storefront.
- Features marked as coming in a later release should not be treated as available today.
- A move to different software requires a separate review of store data and custom changes.
Where 86d feels different
- 86d is available under the MIT license.
- A self-hosted copy does not require an 86d account.
- The storefront, administration tools, and store code use TypeScript.
- The storefront, admin, and store code are kept in one repository and released together.
- The source can be inspected, changed, and run on infrastructure you choose.
- Managed launch pricing is published before signup opens.
- At launch, bringing your own payment service adds no 86d checkout fee.
What to weigh with 86d
- Migration is manual today. An automated importer is not yet available.
- The first release is planned for PostgreSQL, US stores, and US dollars.
- There is no public app marketplace. Outside code requires an extra opt-in.
- Agent-assisted store changes are still in development.
- 86d does not offer a supported production marketplace or comparable B2B setup.
Who each option fits
Choose Spree Commerce when you need production commerce now or your team already works comfortably in Ruby on Rails.
If you need B2B or marketplace features, confirm which Spree edition and release contains each requirement.
Choose 86d when one MIT-licensed TypeScript project for storefront, admin, and store code fits the way your team wants to work.
Summary
Spree provides an open-source Rails server, public APIs, TypeScript tools, and an official Next.js storefront. Its Enterprise edition adds further features and support.
86d makes a different bet: keep the storefront, admin, and store code together in TypeScript, then give the merchant control of the whole project.
If that unified stack fits your team, 86d is worth evaluating early.
FAQ
What is the difference between Spree editions?
Spree's open-source repository is BSD-3-Clause and includes its REST API, TypeScript tools, Next.js storefront, cross-border settings, and several B2B features. Enterprise adds other B2B, marketplace, multi-tenant, security, and support features. Check Spree's current edition table because the split changes with new releases.
What parts of 86d are open source?
86d is MIT-licensed and can run without an 86d account. The optional managed service, 86d.app, is proprietary. The open-source project is available today, with managed hosting to follow.
FAQWhy does the language matter?
It affects the tools and skills your team needs. Spree uses Ruby on Rails on the server and TypeScript in its current Next.js storefront. The current 86d storefront, administration tools, and store code use TypeScript.
Does 86d support multi-vendor marketplaces?
Not in the first launch focus. Spree's current materials list marketplace support in Enterprise and describe an open-source implementation as planned for a later core release. Confirm the edition and release status with Spree before choosing.
Can I migrate from Spree to 86d?
Begin with a manual catalog and content move into a test store. Automated migration is still being prepared.