MultiVendorX Vs WCFM: Which is Right for You?
Almost 80% of businesses worldwide are heavily reliant on software in today's world. Consequently, there are numerous software options available for those looking to establish a multivendor e-commerce marketplace. However, the question remains: which one should you choose? To aid you in your decision-making process, we have compared two popular multivendor solutions: MultiVendorX and WCFM
6 Evaluation Criteria
Majority of businesses base their software purchases on either positive reviews or other factors like cost. However, these two factors can hardly sum up a software’s true capabilities. To give you the most appropriate result, we compared the two multivendor solutions using six evaluation criteria.
Features & Performance - The Background Engine
A multivendor solution without features is equivalent to a car without an engine. Evaluate your multivendor solution based on the engine that runs it.
Features :
We understand that the feature list is the first thing you will look at when deciding on the best solution for you. To ensure you don't miss out on anything, we've compiled a list of the most important features to look for when deciding on a multivendor solution. Admittedly, both MultiVendorX and WCFM provide an impressive array of features that make the job of handling a marketplace a breeze.
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|
|---|---|---|
| Modules/Extensions | 23 Modules | 6 Extensions |
| Total Features | 173 | 153 |
[A] Seller Management
It’s hardly surprising that the first benefit a multivendor solution would provide would be the ease of managing multiple vendors. Seller management includes a variety of features such as seller onboarding, registration form builders, seller dashboard management, and many others that make management easier. MultiVendorX and WCFM both provide tools that make the process of seller management simple.
| Vendor Registration | MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| ReCaptcha | ||
| Customizable Registration Form | ||
| Email Verification Through Code |
| Seller Management |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Seller Progress Bar | ||
| (Automatic/ Manual) Vendor Approval | ||
| Quick Vendor Activation | ||
| Advanced Seller List | ||
| Vendor Archive |
| Seller Verification |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID and Address verification | ||
| Social profile verification | ||
| Email & Phone verification | ||
| Configurable verification badge | ||
| Product limit restriction before vendor gets verified |
| Marketplace Membership |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Free & Paid plans | ||
| Restrict allowed product types | ||
| Restrict product categories | ||
| Restrict gallery image upload | ||
| Recurring payment | ||
| Trial Period |
[B] Product Management
If you've ever used Amazon or Etsy, you're probably aware of how to enlist your product. But what no one tells you is how important product management is when running a multivendor marketplace. You will have your hands full keeping track of all products, managing inventory, coupons, and many other product-related settings. So having the correct product management tools is very important. When it comes to product management, one thing we can guarantee is that you will not find a more user-friendly solution than MultiVendorX. Regarding this valuable feature, WCFM does not cut corners either.
| Product Management |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| CPG | ||
| Assign Products | ||
| Product Location | ||
| Bulk Product Management | ||
| Import/Export Product | ||
| Custom Product Field | ||
| Featured Product | ||
| Duplicate Product | ||
| Product Bulk Edit | ||
| Submit Product | ||
| Publish Product | ||
| Edit Published Product | ||
| Published & Submit Product | ||
| Add Coupon | ||
| Upload Media Files | ||
| Bulk Edit |
| Single Product Multiple Vendor |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Assign SPMV Product | ||
| Direct store access | ||
| Let different sellers sell the same product | ||
| Search SPMV Products | ||
| Show A Comparison Tablet | ||
| Display Other Vendors to Customers | ||
| Add To Store List |
| Product Import and Export |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Import Products in CSV format | ||
| One-Click Import/ Export Process |
| Inventory Management |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribe Out of Stock Product | ||
| Display Out of Stock Subscribers | ||
| Low stock Alert | ||
| Out of stock Alert | ||
| Low stock limit | ||
| Out of stock limit |
| Product Types |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Bookable | ||
| Rental | ||
| Auctionable | ||
| Subscription | ||
| External/Affiliate | ||
| Variable | ||
| Grouped | ||
| Downloadable | ||
| Virtual | ||
| Accommodation | ||
| Appointment |
| Coupon Management |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Discount | ||
| Percentage Discount | ||
| Flat Cart Discount | ||
| Coupon Usage Restriction | ||
| Coupon User Limit Restriction | ||
| Minimum spend Restriction | ||
| Product & Catagories Restriction | ||
| Exclude Sale Items | ||
| Maximum Spend Restriction | ||
| Limit Usage on Number of Items | ||
| Choose Discount Payee | ||
| Create Different Discount Slabs |
[C] Shipping
One cannot discount the importance of shipping when managing your own multivendor marketplace. Or the availability of shipping options required to meet customer demand. When it comes to shipping management, these two multivendor plugins make certain that all shipping type options are available. So, whether it’s you or your vendor handling shipping, you will find the right arsenal required to succeed.
| Shipping Options |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Seller Shipping | ||
| Zone-Wise Shipping | ||
| Distance Shipping | ||
| Country-Wise Shipping | ||
| WooCommerce Per Product Shipping | ||
| WooCommerce Table Rate Shipping |
| Shipping Management |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping Cost Widget | ||
| Processing Time | ||
| Free Shipping On Minimum Order | ||
| Flat Rate Shipping | ||
| Local Pick UP | ||
| Free Shipping | ||
| Ship Station Integration |
[D] Order and Refund Management
Do you know what marketplace reputations are built on? Yeah, you got it right their ability to deliver promised goods. Do you understand how that works? It depends on how effectively you handle your orders. Right from when a customer selects the goods to make sure all vendors handling the said order get them completed on time, you need to oversee everything. Alternatively, you can use MultiVendorX or WCFM to get access to tools that let vendors take care of the bulk of order management while keeping you posted on their status. Additionally, you can use other important features that would assist you with the task of handling refunds and invoices.
| Order Management |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Communicate through Order 0tes | ||
| VAT/GSTIN field | ||
| Split Order Module | ||
| Log Orders/ Order List | ||
| Manage Order Status | ||
| Bulk Order Management | ||
| Back Ordering System | ||
| Order Shipping Tracker |
| Refund Management |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Set Conditions for Refund | ||
| Accept or Reject Refund | ||
| Request List | ||
| Request Refunds |
| Invoice Manager |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Customise Invoice | ||
| Vendor's Invoice | ||
| Send PDF Automatically | ||
| Packaging Slip |
[E] Payment Options
While we label this section "Payment Option”, this section lists down the features required to handle payment. Not only is the process of payment management tricky but also cumbersome. Understanding the arduousness of this task, we made sure to pack up a feature list that would make this job easy. Our payment option includes a comprehensive list of features like multiple payment options, commission management, and disbursement management, to name a few.
| Payment Options |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal Marketplace | ||
| Mangopay | ||
| Razorpay | ||
| PayPal Masspay/ PayPal Payout | ||
| Stripe Connect | ||
| Stripe Marketplace | ||
| Wirecard |
| Commission Parameters |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Commission By Purchase Quantity | ||
| Percentage-Wise Commission | ||
| Percentage + Fixed Per Transaction | ||
| Percentage+Fixed Per Unit | ||
| Commission By Product Price | ||
| Commission By Vendor Sales |
| Commission Catagories |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Category | ||
| Vendor | ||
| Membership | ||
| Global |
| Disbursement Management |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Management | ||
| Payment Gateway Management | ||
| Manual disbursal via Bank Transfer | ||
| Realtime disbursal using Stripe Split Pay | ||
| Deduct withdrawal charges | ||
| Manual disbursal via Cash Pay | ||
| Minimum withdrawal limit | ||
| Withdrawal threshold (in days) | ||
| RAuto-disbursal based on order status | ||
| Auto-disbursal with schedule |
[F] Vendor Store Management
Let’s picture it this way: you got the right solution that provides your vendors with a personalized dashboard. But do you believe that your dashboard contains all the required features necessary to optimize it? Check the list below to see if both solutions offer the features required to upgrade a vendor's dashboard.
| Review and Ratings |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Store Review | ||
| Product Review | ||
| Review Parameters Manager |
| Follow Store |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Customer List | ||
| Follow/Unfollow Stores | ||
| Send 0tification from Followed Store |
| Store Timing/ Business Hours |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Edit Shop’s Schedule | ||
| Display Store's Opening and Closing Time |
| Vendor Vacation |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Clickable Vacation Calendar | ||
| Disable Add to Cart | ||
| Customer notification |
| Vendor Staff Manager |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Add Staff Members | ||
| Manage Staff Capabilities | ||
| Personalised Staff Dashboard |
| Wholesale |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Become Wholesale Customer | ||
| Sell Wholesale Product | ||
| Set Wholesale Price |
| Live Chat |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Real Time Messages (seller/Customer) | ||
| Facebook Live Chat |
[G] Marketplace Analytics
There are a couple of tricks out there that can help increase your marketplace traffic. However, the one step that none of these tricks can forgo is tracking your data. Tracking data requires you to have a good analytical system, that churns out data that is easy to comprehend. Reports on sales, marketplace performance, vendor performance, and other metrics are examples of understandable data.
| Marketplace and Store Analytics |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Vendor Product Sales Report | ||
| Product Sales Report | ||
| Transaction History | ||
| Top sales/ sellers/ products | ||
| Sales/Product & Category Overview | ||
| Transactions Overview | ||
| Tax Report | ||
| Customer Downloads |
| Store SEO |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| SEO Support | ||
| Social Media Open Graph support | ||
| Google Analytics Integration | ||
| Yoast & Rank Math SEO integration |
[H] Notification
You know how it feels when you are super busy with so much to do? You think, "If only there was a person who could keep reminding you of very important tasks that need to be done”. Well, the notifications deal with that; you can find a set of features that help track all your tasks for you while reminding you of them. While WCFM does provide one of them, MultiVendorX does take the cake for this one.
| Announcement |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcasting news to all vendors | ||
| Broadcasting news to selected vendors | ||
| Allow vendors to post comment |
| Knowledgebase |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Post Messages | ||
| Notification prompts |
| Workboard |
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|---|---|---|
| Quick access to pending tasks | ||
| Manage Abuse Reports | ||
| Track Refund Requests | ||
| View Customer Queries |
Ease of Usage :
The ease of usage refers to the usability of a software application. By comparing both solutions, we will be able to determine which solution is easier to use.
Inter-Operability :
A solution's ability to work with other solutions is referred to as interoperability. Simply put, it determines whether or not other solutions can be integrated into the software. Let's see how many integrations both MultiVendorX and WCFM support.
WooCommerce Bookings
When combined with a multivendor solution, vendors can sell bookable items.Yith Auctions
Integrated with a marketplace plugin lets vendors conduct online auctions.BuddyPress
A combination with a plugin like MultiVendorX would let you create a Facebook marketplace.WooCommerce Subscriptions
Enables vendors to create subscription boxes for customers.Affiliate AP
With this, you can grant vendors the option to participate in affiliate programsGEO my WordPress
Allows customers to view product locations on a map.Read More
Innovation :
The term innovation is loosely used in reference to the development scope of a solution. Here are a few questions that would help us with our understanding.
-
How is the solution's performance in relation to other plugins?
MultiVendorX and WCFM are up to date with their features in comparison to other solutions. -
What are the required standards of the solution?
MultiVendor relies mostly on customer requirements followed by market research to develop their solution. Since WCFM entered the market relatively late, the majority of its development strategy has been based on existing solutions. -
Future plans regarding the solution?
MultiVendorX has a list of features it wants to add to the product. The majority of these features take the needs of the customer into account. The future plans of WCFM cannot be determined based on its most recent update.
Ecosystem - The Connecting Thread
The software ecosystem refers to how closely users and partners are linked to the technology. Evaluation based on the ecosystem will give us an idea about which Solution provides the best backup.
Support :
A good product support team can make or break your business operation. Although technology is a crucial component of improving a business, many people lack the necessary technical knowledge. To assist customers in running a smooth and worry-free business, it is critical that the support team remain vigilant and resolve customer queries.
Support - Your Multivendor Backup
Community :
MultiVendorX has been making every effort to unite users, partners, and industry leaders on a single platform. The idea is to create a space for users where members of the community can help one another. We urge our users to participate in this community building process and help us help them. WCFM on the other hand does have a community support team, they only have a facebook page.
| MultiVendorX | WCFM | |
|---|---|---|
| Community Platform | Community Page, Community Group Facebook | Facebook Page |
| Community Members | Partners | Developers | Users | Industry | Experts | No community page of their own |
| Community Assistance | Discussion Knowledgebase FAQ Forum | Only through support ticket |
| Community Activities | In Progress | N/A |
Expert Guidance :
We know how daunting managing a business can be, especially for new users. To ensure you don’t find yourself in the spot both MultiVendorX and WCFM provide expert guidance. You can gain valuable insights on multivendor, business practices and WordPress by following the guidance of industry experts. -
Client Reference - Let’s Hear it From the Users
Only the users of a software solution can make an accurate assessment of it. To gauge whether the solutions deliver what they promise, you can draw inferences from client reviews and testimonials.
Reviews & Ratings :
Users can get a good idea of a product by reading reviews and ratings. So we thought it would be a good idea to include the reviews and ratings that MultiVendorX and WCFM have amassed over time.
MultiVendorx |
WCFM |
|
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8 rating | 4.6 rating |
| 5 star Reviews | 347 | 342 |
| Support Review | 78 | 18 |
Client Testimonials :
Client testimonials are statements or feedback provided by clients or customers who have used a product or service. They serve as a form of social proof and play a crucial role in establishing credibility, building trust, and influencing potential customers' purchasing decisions. Here are some reasons why client testimonials are important. Let's see what clients have to say about MultiVendorX and WCFM.
Cost - The Deciding Scale
Price is an important factor that one cannot neglect when selecting software. Check out the cost required to start your multivendor marketplace.
Installation Cost :
Installation cost refers to the expenses associated with installing software on a computer system or network. It can include the time and effort required by technical personnel to set up and configure the software. Since MultiVendorX and WCFM are WordPress solutions, there is no associated cost of installation.
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|
|---|---|---|
| Set up Cost | No Installation Cost | No Installation Cost |
License Cost :
Software licensing costs refer to the fee that users or organizations pay to obtain the legal right to use a particular software application. It typically grants the user a license or permission to use the software under certain terms and conditions. MultiVendorX and WCFM both charge a license fee for the use of their software.
MultiVendorX |
WCFM |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sites with only 6 Addons | N/A | $265 |
| 3 Sites with All Modules | $399 | N/A |
Maintenance Cost :
Maintenance cost in the context of software refers to the expenses incurred to support, update, and enhance a software application after its initial development and deployment. Maintenance cost covers the list given below.
MultiVendorx |
WCFM |
|
|---|---|---|
| Bug Fixes: | Yes | Not in the last two updates |
| Updates and Patches: | Yes | Not in the last two updates |
| Technical Support | Yes | Somewhat |
| Enhancements and Improvements | Yes | Not in the last two updates |
| Documentation and Training: | Yes | Yes |
| License Renewals: | Yes | No |
Reliability & Security - Who delivers on Trust ?
The dependability of a solution can be gauged by measuring its reliability. Based on the reliability and security you can measure how much you can trust these solutions.
Reliability :
Reliability is a crucial factor to consider when purchasing software for your business. It refers to the consistent performance and dependability of the software in meeting your operational needs.
Security :
Without delving into too many technical details, we can assure you that both plugins have gone through a highly detailed security audit. Results indicated that they are secure plugins, maintaining all security protocols.
Company Credibility - What’s Your Brand Value
Company credibility refers to the reputation, trustworthiness, and reliability of the software provider. You check the brand value of both solutions.
Company Maturity :
In reference to software, company maturity refers to the level of experience, stability, and established processes within a software development company. It reflects the company's ability to consistently deliver high-quality software products and services over an extended period.
| MultiVendorX | WCFM | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Plan | Started a project | Started as a frontend feature |
| Development | Developed over a span of 7-8 Years | Developed Over a span of 3-4 years |
| Decline or rejuvenation | Rebranded as MultiVendorX using latest tech to upgrade the plugin | The solution has seen no decline but no improvement either. |
Track Record :
The track record of a company refers to its historical performance and achievements in its respective industry. It encompasses factors such as successful projects, client satisfaction, financial stability, and overall business reputation.
| MultiVendorX | WCFM | |
|---|---|---|
| History of Delivery | Consistent with updates delivered every month. | Inconsistent. Initially delivered updates but declined in the recent months. |
| Quality | 4.9 ratings | 4.6 rating |
| Consistency of meeting customer expectation | Over 347 customers have given it a 5 star rating. | Over 342 customers have given it a 5 star rating. |
Transparency & Ethics :
The value of ethics in business can never be overstated. Customers will only trust you if you are open and honest. Both solutions have followed the guidelines and standards established by business practice to keep their businesses clean and ethical.
Conclusion
The final verdict belongs to you, the users. Check out the table below to see where each solution stands.
| MultiVendorX | WCFM | |
|---|---|---|
| About Product | MultiVendorX, formerly WC Marketplace, is a multivendor marketplace tool that enables users to build their own online marketplace. | The WooCommerce Frontend Manager, also known as WCFM, is a multivendor tool that users can use to build their own online marketplace. |
| Support | 90% WordPress Resolution | 5.88% WordPress Resolution |
| Reviews & Rating | 4.8 out of 5.00 Ratings/347 Positive Review | 4.6 out of 5.00 Ratings/348 Positive Review |
| Features | 174 | 153 |
| Innovation & Updates | In 2 Weeks | In 2-3 Months |
| Reliability | Used the latest tech to optimise the solution | Use basic technology |
| Cost | Budget-Friendly Price | Cheaper than other multivendor software |
Overall :
Both solutions deliver on the promise of creating a user-friendly marketplace. While there are many factors where MultiVendorX beats WCFM, you can still give WCFM a try before changing your mind.
Last updated: June 10th, 2023
Reference
MultiVendorX
Overall
347
15
Support
78
2
WCFM
Overall
342
29
Support
18
25
Powerful Plugin
Great plugin, excellent support
Awesome Trusted Support
Features & Performance
Features:
|
|
|
|
| Seller Management | 18 | 15 |
| Product Management | 53 | 48 |
| Shipping | 13 | 13 |
| Order and Refund Management | 16 | 12 |
| Payment Options | 27 | 24 |
| Vendor Store Management | 19 | 18 |
| Marketplace Analytics | 13 | 11 |
| Notification | 9 | 3 |
Performance:
MultiVendorX
173
96%
WCFM
153
85%
The feature meter estimates the features that are available based on the customer's requirements.
Ecosystem
Transparency
MultiVendorX
Yes
WCFM
No
WordPress Support
MultiVendorX
Yes
WCFM
No
Turn Around Time
MultiVendorX
Quick
WCFM
Late
Price
Business Plan
$133 / site
when you buy 3 sites at $399/yr
50+ Modules
You Get Also
Guaranteed Support
Updates & Patches
Enhancements
1 Year License
Addons Plan
$112 / site
when you buy 2 sites at $224/yr
Only 6 Addons
You Get Also
Compatibility Fixes*
Updates & Patches*
Bug Fixes*
1 Year License
* According to users who migrated from WCFM, there have been no visible updates in the last 1.5 years.
Reliability
Speed
MultiVendorX
1.52 sec
WCFM
2.30 sec
Tech Base
MultiVendorX
React + PHP
WCFM
PHP
Tested Upto WP Version
MultiVendorX
6.2.2
WCFM
6.0.5
Credibility
Markect Presence
MultiVendorX
Since 2015
WCFM
from 2018
Consistency
MultiVendorX
Consistent
WCFM
Inconsistent
Quality
MultiVendorX
4.8 Ratings