mercur
Mercur is an open-source, self-hosted marketplace platform built on top of Medusa.js that enables operators to run multi-vendor B2B and B2C marketplaces without SaaS fees or platform lock-in. It includes vendor onboarding, catalog management, commission handling, and automated payouts as built-in features.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | mercurjs/mercur |
| Owner | mercurjs |
| Primary language | TypeScript |
| License | MIT — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 1.6k |
| Forks | 400 |
| Open issues | 15 |
| Latest release | v2.1.6 (2026-06-05) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-08 |
| Source | https://github.com/mercurjs/mercur |
What mercur is
TypeScript/Node.js monorepo providing a modular, API-first marketplace engine (Mercur Core) layered on Medusa's commerce primitives, with independently deployable admin panel, vendor panel, and storefront components. Uses PostgreSQL, Redis, React, and Vite; event-driven, headless architecture designed for AI-assisted development.
Get the mercur source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/mercurjs/mercur.gitcd mercur# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Requires Node.js ≥20.x, PostgreSQL ≥13.x, and Redis; plan for containerization, container orchestration, and persistent storage setup.
- Monorepo structure and modular architecture mean admin panel, vendor panel, and storefronts must be deployed separately; coordinate deployment pipelines.
- Event-driven design and composable API-first approach necessitate clear understanding of marketplace workflows (vendor onboarding, offer/commission logic, payout rules) before customization.
- Stripe Connect payout integration is built in; other payment and payout providers require custom integration via the API.
- No built-in vendor KYC, EAN deduplication, or buy-box logic in open-source core; plan for in-house development or Mercur Enterprise license if these are critical.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Minimal DevOps/Infrastructure Appetite — Requires PostgreSQL, Redis, Node.js runtime, and container orchestration knowledge. Not a zero-ops SaaS; self-hosting demands infrastructure ownership and operational responsibility.
- Simple Single-vendor Ecommerce — Mercur's multi-vendor and marketplace-specific features are overhead if you only need a basic product catalog and checkout. Consider lighter commerce solutions for straightforward use cases.
- Immediate, Production-grade Enterprise Features — Advanced modules (EAN deduplication, Buy Box engine, vendor KYC, multi-channel sync) are part of Mercur Enterprise, not included in the MIT-licensed open-source core. Requires separate license and subscription.
- Non-technical Operations Teams — Admin and vendor dashboards are included, but deployment, customization, and integration require technical engineering. Not suitable for non-technical operators without dedicated eng support.
License & commercial use
Licensed under MIT (MIT License), a permissive open-source license allowing commercial use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions. Source code is fully accessible.
MIT license permits commercial use and self-hosting without per-transaction or percentage-of-GMV fees. However, advanced enterprise features (EAN deduplication, vendor KYC, multi-channel sync) are part of Mercur Enterprise and require a separate commercial license and subscription. Verify Enterprise licensing terms directly with the Mercur team before relying on those features in production.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Strong |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Data owned and controlled by operator (self-hosted). No proprietary runtime or vendor-managed security audit details provided in data. Operators are responsible for PostgreSQL, Redis, Node.js, and infrastructure security hardening. Stripe Connect integration relies on Stripe's security for payouts. No explicit vulnerability disclosure policy or security audit log provided; requires review before production deployment.
Alternatives to consider
Medusa.js (Core Commerce)
Lighter-weight, single-vendor e-commerce foundation; Mercur builds on top. Use if multi-vendor complexity is not needed.
Shopify Plus / WooCommerce Multivendor Plugins
SaaS or managed solutions with vendor lock-in and transaction fees, but less infrastructure overhead and vendor-managed security. Choose if operational simplicity outweighs cost.
Sharetribe / Arcadier (SaaS Marketplaces)
Fully managed, turnkey marketplace platforms with built-in vendor features; no self-hosting required. Trade off data sovereignty and customization for faster time-to-market.
Build on mercur with DEV.co software developers
Mercur is production-ready and self-hosted. Get started with `bun create mercur-app@latest`, review the docs, or book a demo with the Rigby team for enterprise features and professional services.
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mercur FAQ
Is Mercur free to use?
Do I own my data and marketplace?
What's the difference between the open-source core and Mercur Enterprise?
How hard is it to deploy and operate?
Work with a software development agency
From first prototype to production, DEV.co delivers software development services around tools like mercur. Our software development agency staffs experienced software developers and web developers for custom software development, web development, integrations, and ongoing support across open-source ecommerce and beyond.
Ready to build your marketplace?
Mercur is production-ready and self-hosted. Get started with `bun create mercur-app@latest`, review the docs, or book a demo with the Rigby team for enterprise features and professional services.