Inriver offers a flexible and customizable platform with a comprehensive feature set and strong integration capabilities. However, users have reported challenges with its user interface and performance issues when handling large data queries.
On the other hand, Akeneo provides robust import/export functionalities, mass editing, and automation features, along with both Community and Enterprise Editions to cater to different business sizes. Nevertheless, some users find it complex for small to medium-sized businesses and note integration difficulties with external systems. Understanding these distinctions will help you determine which PIM solution aligns best with your organization's requirements and resources.
Inriver
Flexibility and customizability
A wide range of functionalities that support various aspects of PIM
The system integrates well with other platforms
User interface challenges
Limited usability features (like import/export)
Performance issues with large queries
High pricing
What is Inriver
Inriver PIM is a Product Information Management system designed to centralize and manage product data, offering flexibility and a comprehensive set of features to support businesses in delivering accurate and compelling product information across various channels.
Usecases for Inriver
Suitable for businesses of varying sizes, from small enterprises to large global brands.
Akeneo
Mass Editing and Automation Features
Community and Enterprise Editions
Robust Import and Export Capabilities
Strong Community Support
Complexity for SMBs
Challenges with Multi-Environment Deployment
Integration Difficulties with External Systems
Limited Customization in Community Edition
What is Akeneo
Akeneo(click for in depth review) streamlines the process of collecting, managing, and enriching product information in a single, centralized platform. It’s available as an open-source Community Edition and a feature-rich Enterprise Edition, catering to smaller businesses and large-scale global brands.
Akeneo enables effective organization and improvement of internal product data practices, enhancing overall data quality.
Usecases for Akeneo
Ideal for businesses that sell through multiple channels (online, physical stores, marketplaces) and need a single source of truth for product data such as fashion, beauty, consumer electronics, and home goods brands and retailers.
Full
None
Partial
Integration
Inriver
Akeneo
Crystallize
Core
Official website
https://www.inriver.com/
https://www.akeneo.com/
https://crystallize.com
Core focus
Product Information Management (PIM) with integrated Digital Asset Management (DAM)
PIM and Product Experience Management (PEM)
Headless commerce platform with integrated PIM, APIs, and GraphQL
Open-source availability
A proprietary SaaS solution
Community Edition, OSL 3.0
Deployment options
Cloud-based SaaS
On-premise, private cloud, and SaaS (Enterprise editions)
SaaS (cloud-based) only
Pricing model
Subscription-based with tiered pricing plans
Free community edition / Paid enterprise/SaaS editions with advanced features
Free plan / tiered subscription pricing based on usage and features
Target company size
Mid-size to large enterprises
Mid-market to enterprise. Also used by growing SMBs
Mid-market to enterprise, especially for developer-driven, headless commerce projects
Technology stack
PHP/Symfony-based for Community. Cloud-based tech for Enterprise/SaaS
API-first, GraphQL-based, headless architecture
Feature breadth
Comprehensive suite including PIM, DAM, syndication, digital shelf analytics
GraphQL, JSON, CSV, XLS, XML + import SDK in TypeScript
Data export
GraphQL, CSV, JSON, XLS, XML, TypeScript SDK
Users
User management
Adding, removing, editing, and assigning roles
Adding, removing, editing, and assigning roles
Roles & permissions management
Granular control over user roles and permissions
Notifications
Via event driven Webhooks
User communication
Integrates with collaboration tools to enhance user communication
Commenting on products
With workflows and Webhooks directly
Product
Multi-tenant support
Revision history
Maintains version history for data objects
Seeing the user and the scope of changes on the product and comparing both versions
Restoring the previous version
Versions of product
Configurable products with variants
Up to 3 variants
Product relations
Products grid
Export to PDF
Multilanguage in product info
Automatic translator
Integrates with translation services
Developer work required
Open-source plugin
Multichannel
Digital Asset Management (DAM) cell
Integrated DAM
Photo upload. No editing, but it is possible with paid add-ons
Automatic transcoding to modern formats
CDN for delivering assets
Scheduling
With configuration and development
Support for SEO
Mass edit action
Product preview
Multichannel preview natively supported
Tech
Built with
Built on Microsoft technologies
Symfony 5.4, MySQL, RESTful API
TypeScript
Hosting (or Deployments)
Cloud-based deployment via Microsoft Azure
Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based
Cloud native. API + Web-based access
Licenses
PSA with SaaS
Open Source (OSL 3.0)
Enterprise SLA for Cloud / MIT license for open-source code
Architecture
Cloud-based SaaS
API-centric architecture
Event based architecture with horizontal scaling
Integrations
Third-party via API
Native Add-Ons and third-party plugins
Full flexibility to Third-party via API
Toolset
PIM / DAM
PIM
PIM / DAM / CMS / Commerce / Subscription
Who is it for?
Enterprise / SMEs
Enterprise
Enterprise / SMEs / Agencies
Pricing
Tiers
No free plan. Fully customizable to your needs
Free / Enterprise
Free / Usage-based metered pricing
Support
Community
Email / Tickets
Phone
Live 24/7
Training
Available options
Documentation / Videos / In Person / Webinars
Certification / Documentation / Livestreams / Videos / In Person / Online training sessions
DISCLAIMER: The comparison pages on this website are based on publicly available information and are intended for informational purposes only. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date content , we make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information presented. Readers are advised to consult the official websites of the respective platforms for the most current details, as features and specifications are subject to change without notice.
Flexibility and customizability
User interface challenges
Partial
Integration
