Introduction

Finding the best shopify b2b wholesale app is one of the fastest ways to scale recurring bulk orders, manage customer-specific pricing, and automate invoicing for reseller accounts. Many merchants leave wholesale growth on the table because their store was built only for retail checkout and catalog presentation. Adding a purpose-built B2B app changes how customers see prices, order, and pay, and it reduces manual work for your operations team.

This guide covers what B2B on Shopify looks like, the critical features you need, a direct comparison of leading apps and platform options, pricing ranges, and a practical 60-day implementation timeline. You will get actionable checklists, exact questions to ask app vendors, and common pitfalls with mitigation steps. Read this guide to decide which solution fits your order volume, ERP needs, and cash flow requirements, with examples and numbers you can use during vendor evaluations.

What B2B wholesale on Shopify actually is and why it matters

B2B wholesale on Shopify means converting a retail storefront into a system that supports business customers: tiered pricing, net payment terms, purchase orders, tax-exempt accounts, and quick reorder flows. For many merchants B2B buyers account for 30 to 60 percent higher average order value (AOV) than retail customers, and lifetime value increases when you lock in recurring bulk orders.

Key capabilities that change outcomes:

• Customer-specific pricing and price lists so resellers see negotiated rates at login.
• Minimum order quantities (MOQ), volume discounts, and tiered pricing to protect margins on bulk orders.
• Payment terms such as Net 30 or Net 60, and invoice generation to support accounts payable workflows.
• Purchase order (PO) acceptance and manual order creation so reps can place orders for clients.
• Fast reorder UX such as quick order forms, SKU upload, and multi-SKU carts to speed large orders.

Example: A supplement brand adds a wholesale tier and a simple Net 30 invoicing flow. Within 90 days they acquire 25 distributor accounts, each placing 4 orders per year at an AOV of $2,400, leading to $240,000 incremental annual revenue. That kind of uplift is common when retailers explain wholesale benefits clearly and remove friction from ordering.

Why it matters now: B2B buyers expect self-serve commerce similar to Amazon Business or Alibaba. If your Shopify store cannot show correct prices, accept POs, or offer volume breaks, buyers will use email and spreadsheets or look for suppliers with better digital workflows. Investing in a B2B app reduces manual invoicing, speeds order cycles, and increases conversion for business customers.

How to choose the best shopify b2b wholesale app

Choosing the right app starts with aligning features to your business model, order volume, and technology stack. Do a requirements-first evaluation, not a features shopping spree. The most expensive app is not automatically the best fit.

Step 1.

• Order volume: How many wholesale orders per month and average SKUs per order?
• Customer types: Are you selling to retailers, distributors, or internal trade customers?
• Payment terms: Do you need Net 30/60, credit limits, or immediate payment?
• Integrations: Do you need QuickBooks, NetSuite, Shopify POS, or an ERP sync?
• Checkout flow: Must retail and wholesale share the same storefront or be entirely separate?

Step 2.

Create a short list of must-haves versus nice-to-haves.

• Customer or tag-based pricing and price lists
• Minimum order requirements and volume discounts
• Invoicing and payment terms or PO workflows
• Ability to hide wholesale prices from retail shoppers
• Import/export for price lists and customer accounts

Step 3.

Score each vendor on:

• Feature fit: 0-5 for each must-have
• Integration complexity with existing systems: expected setup hours
• Performance and reliability: known limitations for large catalogs
• Support SLAs and documentation
• Cost: monthly fee, transaction fees, and setup fees

Example scoring matrix item: For “customer-specific pricing” give Wholesale Club 5, Bold Custom Pricing 4, Shopify Plus Wholesale channel 5 if you are on Plus.

Step 4.

Run a pilot with 10 to 50 wholesale accounts and measure:

• Time to create a new wholesale account
• Average order value and conversion rate for wholesale vs retail
• Time spent on manual invoicing before and after
• Integration error rates (e.g., mis-synced inventory)

Sample acceptance criteria after 45 days:

• Wholesale AOV increases by at least 25 percent
• Customer setup time reduced to under 10 minutes per account
• Zero missed invoices due to system errors

Cost considerations

• Upfront setup: 4 to 40 hours depending on complexity; plan for higher if ERP mapping is needed.
• Recurring fees: ranges below. Also account for developer or agency hours for customizations.

Decision logic examples

• If you are on Shopify Plus and expect high-volume B2B, the Shopify Plus Wholesale channel is often the cleanest and most scalable option.
• If you are SMB and want a low-cost fast start, apps like Wholesale Club or Wholesale Gorilla can be implemented in days and scaled later.
• If you need advanced pricing rules and deep ERP integration, consider Bold Custom Pricing or a combination of an enterprise middleware like Celigo with a B2B app.

Top app options and side-by-side comparison

Below are commonly used apps and platform options, what they do well, estimated pricing ranges, and ideal use cases. Prices are approximate monthly ranges as of early 2026 and can change; always confirm on the Shopify App Store.

1. Shopify Plus Wholesale channel

What it is: Native wholesale channel available for Shopify Plus merchants. Allows separate wholesale storefront, custom prices, and B2B checkout workflows.

Strengths:

• Deep native integration with Shopify core and Shopify Scripts
• Scales to high order volumes and complex catalogs
• Enterprise security and available SLAs

Pricing:

• Shopify Plus typically starts around $2,000 per month based on revenue and contract

Best for: High-volume brands and wholesalers with enterprise ERP integrations

2. Wholesale Club by Pixel Union

What it is: Lightweight app for customer-specific pricing and tiered discounts without duplicate stores.

Strengths:

• Fast to implement, simple UI, price lists per customer or tag
• Low learning curve for merchants

Pricing:

• Typical range $9.99 to $79 per month; some advanced features may increase cost

Best for: Small to midsize merchants launching wholesale quickly

3. Bold Custom Pricing (Bold Commerce)

What it is: Mature pricing and wholesale rules engine that handles tiers, customer groups, and volume discounts.

Strengths:

• Complex pricing rules, good for mixed B2B/B2C setups
• Enterprise features and custom scripting options

Pricing:

• Range $49 to $399 per month depending on features

Best for: Merchants needing advanced pricing logic

4. Wholesale Gorilla

What it is: A popular wholesale app focused on quick order forms, net payment workflows, and minimum order enforcement.

Strengths:

• Quick order and CSV upload for large carts
• Built-in wholesale registration and approvals

Pricing:

• Free plan available; paid plans $19 to $149 per month

Best for: Fast-growing SMBs that need reorder efficiency

5. B2B/Wholesale Solution by Wholesale Helper

What it is: Full-featured B2B suite with price lists, MOQ, net terms, and PO workflows.

Strengths:

• More “all-in-one” with invoicing and quoting tools

Pricing:

• Range $29 to $199 per month; some modules may be add-ons

Best for: Merchants wanting an integrated quoting and invoice experience

Comparison points to evaluate in demo

• Can the app import 10,000 SKUs and 50,000 price list rows within acceptable time?
• Does it support per-customer currency and region rules?
• How are inventory conflicts handled when wholesale and retail sell the same SKU?
• Is there a separate wholesale storefront or same store with gated access?
• What APIs exist for ERP and fulfillment sync?

Example selection scenario

• A D2C apparel brand wants to add 200 boutique wholesale accounts with average order $1,200 and 12 SKUs per order. They need quick order, MOQ, and billing on Net 30. Wholesale Gorilla plus a QuickBooks Online integration meets needs for under $200 monthly and 40 hours of setup.

Implementation plan and timeline (60-day example)

A practical timeline to launch a wholesale channel on Shopify including app setup, content, and testing. This assumes you are starting from a retail store and want a usable wholesale flow in 60 days.

Week 0: Discovery and vendor selection (Days 1-7)

• Gather requirements and pick top 2 apps.
• Ask vendors for live demos and implementation estimates.

Deliverables: Requirements doc, vendor selection, budget approval.

Week 1-2: Setup and configuration (Days 8-21)

• Install app on staging theme or create Shopify Plus Wholesale channel.
• Configure customer tags, price lists, and discount rules.
• Import initial wholesale price CSV (sample of 500 SKUs).

Deliverables: Test price lists, registration form, MOQs configured.

Week 3-4: Integrations and workflows (Days 22-35)

• Connect QuickBooks, NetSuite, or other ERP for invoices and inventory sync.
• Configure shipping rules and carrier settings for bulk shipments.
• Set up email templates for approvals and invoices.

Deliverables: Integration test logs, email template library.

Week 5: Pilot with internal and 5-10 live customers (Days 36-42)

• Onboard a small set of accounts, test login, pricing, order, and invoicing.
• Collect feedback and resolve edge cases like price overlaps and split shipments.

Deliverables: Pilot report, bug list, resolution plan.

Week 6-8: Launch and scale (Days 43-60)

• Open registration to target reseller list, use email campaign and direct outreach.
• Track metrics: wholesale AOV, conversion rate, time-to-fulfill, and AR days.
• Iterate on onboarding and sales collateral.

Deliverables: Launch metrics dashboard, onboarding process documentation.

KPIs to measure

• Time to onboard new account: target under 15 minutes for self-serve, under 1 hour for manual setup.
• Wholesale conversion rate: target 2-5 percent of invited accounts convert in first 90 days.
• Average order value: target increase of 25-50 percent over retail.
• Accounts receivable days: aim to keep under 45 days for Net 30 partial compliance.

Checklist before launch

• Price lists synced and spot-checked for 50 SKUs.
• Tax-exempt flags and documentation storage in place.
• Order fulfillment allocations tested for mixed retail and wholesale demand.
• Support scripts for onboarding and account managers written.

Tools and resources

Below are recommended apps, middleware, and integrations with pricing notes and purpose. Confirm current pricing and trial options on each vendor site.

Apps and channels

• Shopify Plus Wholesale channel: Enterprise option for Shopify Plus merchants; contact Shopify for pricing and setup details. Best for high-volume merchants.
• Wholesale Club by Pixel Union: Estimated $9.99 to $79 per month. Simple customer-level pricing and discount rules.
• Bold Custom Pricing by Bold Commerce: Estimated $49 to $399 per month. Strong for advanced rules and custom scripts.
• Wholesale Gorilla: Free tier available; paid tiers $19 to $149 per month. Good for quick order forms and registration flows.
• B2B/Wholesale Solution by Wholesale Helper: $29 to $199 per month depending on modules. Integrated quoting and invoicing.

Middleware and integrations

• Celigo or Mulesoft: Enterprise middleware for ERP syncs; pricing varies, often $1,000+ per month for enterprise-class integrations.
• Zapier or Make (formerly Integromat): For light automation between Shopify apps and QuickBooks or Google Sheets. Zapier pricing $19 to $599 per month depending on volume.
• QuickBooks Online or Xero: For small to mid-market accounting integrations. QuickBooks Online plans $30 to $90 per month.
• NetSuite: ERP for larger merchants; pricing depends on modules and implementation services.

Payment and invoicing tools

• QuickBooks Payments: Processes invoices and accept ACH/credit card; fees apply.
• Third-party invoicing apps: Some B2B apps include invoicing; otherwise use Shopify Draft Orders plus external invoicing tools.
• Stripe Billing: For custom invoicing and card-on-file payments; fees as per Stripe.

Implementation partners and agencies

• Shopify Experts and Partners: Good for theme-level customizations and complex checkout flows.
• E-commerce agencies with B2B experience: Many handle ERP mapping and customizations; expect 40 to 200 hours for custom integrations.

Sample budget (first 90 days)

• App subscriptions: $0 to $400 per month depending on app choice
• Developer or agency hours: $2,000 to $15,000 for integrations and theme tweaks
• Middleware/integration tools: $0 to $2,000 per month depending on needs
• Total initial 90-day investment: $2,000 to $20,000

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

1. Treating wholesale as retail with price tags

Mistake: Showing wholesale prices publicly or using discount codes for wholesale customers.

Fix: Use customer-tag-based price lists or a gated wholesale storefront to ensure only approved buyers see business prices.

2. Not automating invoicing and PO workflows

Mistake: Sending manual invoices and reconciling payments by email, leading to missed payments and data entry errors.

Fix: Use an app with draft order and invoice generation, integrate with accounting (QuickBooks or NetSuite), and set clear Net terms with reminders.

3. Underestimating inventory conflicts

Mistake: Running the same SKU for retail and wholesale without stock reservations, leading to stockouts and fulfillment disputes.

Fix: Implement allocation rules or backorder handling and set reorder points in your inventory system. Reserve stock for wholesale or sync with fulfillment partners.

4. Skipping a pilot phase

Mistake: Rolling out wholesale to all customers without testing.

Fix: Run a 30-60 day pilot with a small cohort to surface UX issues, pricing errors, and integration bugs.

5. Overcomplicating price lists

Mistake: Creating hundreds of custom price lists with manual edits.

Fix: Use CSV imports and templates, standardize price tiers, and automate assignment by tags or customer groups.

FAQ

What is the Difference Between a Wholesale App and Shopify Plus Wholesale Channel?

A wholesale app is a third-party Shopify App Store extension that adds B2B features to any Shopify plan, while the Shopify Plus Wholesale channel is a native enterprise-grade solution available only to Shopify Plus merchants. The Plus channel offers tighter integration and scalability, while apps are better for SMBs and quick launches.

Can I Run Retail and Wholesale on the Same Shopify Store?

Yes. Many apps support role-based pricing and gated access so wholesale customers see custom prices within the same storefront. Alternatively, Shopify Plus lets you run a separate wholesale storefront if you need fully distinct catalog experiences.

How Much Does It Cost to Add B2B Functionality?

Costs vary widely. Small merchants can start with apps costing $0 to $100 per month plus a few hours of setup. Enterprise implementations on Shopify Plus with ERP integration can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars for initial setup, plus ongoing monthly fees for middleware and apps.

Do These Apps Handle Net 30 or Net 60 Payment Terms?

Some apps include invoicing and Net payment workflows, while others rely on Shopify Draft Orders and third-party invoicing tools. If you need credit limits and AR aging, choose an app that explicitly supports Net terms or integrate with your accounting system to manage receivables.

Will Adding a Wholesale App Affect My SEO or Retail UX?

When configured properly, wholesale apps can hide wholesale prices and pages from public indexing. Use noindex tags on gated wholesale pages and ensure the retail UX remains unchanged. Many merchants keep retail SEO intact by separating wholesale pages or using customer-specific content.

How Long Does It Take to Implement a B2B Solution?

A simple launch can take 1 to 2 weeks. A thorough launch with ERP integration, automated invoicing, and billing workflows typically takes 6 to 8 weeks. Enterprise migrations can take several months depending on complexity.

Next steps

1. Create a clear requirements document (1-2 days)

List must-have features, SKUs, order volume, payment terms, and integrations you need. Use this as the evaluation baseline.

2. Shortlist 2-3 apps and request a demo (3-7 days)

Ask vendors for a demo using your product catalog and at least one live wholesale price list import. Request estimated setup hours and references.

3. Run a 30-60 day pilot with 5-25 wholesale accounts (30-60 days)

Onboard a small set of accounts, track onboarding time, AOV, conversion, and invoice timing. Iterate based on feedback.

4. Measure and scale (ongoing)

Use KPIs like wholesale AOV, conversion rate, and accounts receivable days to refine pricing, credit policies, and onboarding. Plan quarterly reviews to adjust pricing tiers and integrations.

Checklist to hand to your team

• Requirements doc completed and approved
• App shortlist and demos scheduled
• Budget for initial integration and monthly fees confirmed
• Pilot customer list created
• ERP/accounting integration plan finalized

Further Reading

• Best Shopify B2b App for Wholesalers and Distributors
• Best Quantity Breaks Shopify App Guide
• Best Quote App for Shopify Comparison
• Best Shopify Inventory Management App Guide