On March 24, 2025, Shopware’s General Terms & Conditions will be updated, including the introduction of the Fair Usage Policy for the Shopware Account and Shopware Store alongside the Community Edition.
What is the Fair Usage Policy?
The Fair Usage Policy is applicable to businesses that utilize the Shopware Account and Shopware Store alongside the Community Edition. This policy is designed to maintain fairness, scalability, and long-term sustainability within our open-source ecosystem while continuing to fuel innovation and growth for all users. Importantly, the Fair Usage Policy does not impact the open-source license of the Community Edition.
For us, open source is built on the principle of fair exchange—a collaborative cycle that thrives when everyone contributes. We provide a powerful open-source commerce system, our developer community enhances it with valuable projects and extensions, and merchants support this ecosystem by upgrading to a paid plan once they achieve commercial success. This model ensures sustainability, fairness, and the ability to deliver a truly comprehensive open-source solution.
What the Fair Usage Policy covers:
Businesses using the Community Edition with an annual GMV of under €1 million, generated through their Shopware online store, will continue to have full access to the Shopware Account and Shopware Store without any changes. This applies to the vast majority of Community Edition users.
Businesses using the Community Edition with an annual GMV exceeding €1 million, generated through their Shopware online store, must subscribe to Shopware Rise, Evolve, or Beyond to retain access to the Shopware Account and Shopware Store.
To achieve this, we are introducing a requirement for Community Edition merchants to report their GMV to us. To make that as easy and convenient as possible, we have developed a simple way to meet this requirement: The extension “Shopware GMV Reporting”. The data will be transmitted in aggregated form and will be used to ensure compliance with the Fair Usage Policy.
What happens next?
On March 24th, the new Terms and Conditions will come into effect. From this date, every merchant must accept the new Terms and Conditions, including the Fair Usage Policy.
With the new Terms and Conditions GMV reporting will also become mandatory. A simple solution to complete this with just a few clicks can be done by using the extension Shopware GMV Reporting mentioned above.
If your GMV is below €1 million, there is nothing else you need to do beyond the GMV reporting.
If your GMV exceeds €1 million, please contact us directly. We would like to make you an offer while also recognizing your loyalty to Shopware.
We will not take any action before having an individual discussion with you about your options and allowing sufficient time to ensure a smooth transition. If no mutual solution can be found, you are, of course, free to continue using the Community Edition without access to the Shopware Store and Shopware Account. The core functionality of the Community Edition remains unchanged, and you can continue to operate your store independently.
We value every merchant as a crucial part of our community. We are thriving for a fair exchange within the community where every part of the cycle contributes in the way they can. Together, we’re not just navigating the future of commerce—we’re building it. And we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for your understanding and we are sure we can find the best solution for everyone together!
Is Shopware still open source?
Yes, absolutely! Shopware remains committed to open-source principles. The Community Edition continues to be fully open source and is licensed under the permissive MIT License, ensuring maximum flexibility for developers and businesses. This means that merchants and developers can freely access, modify, and extend the software.
To sustain our investment in open source and ensure the long-term strength of our Community Edition, we are introducing the Fair Usage Policy.
How does Shopware define GMV?
Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) refers to the total value of all transactions processed through a Shopware system before any deductions, such as returns, cancellations, or refunds. Discounts are subtracted, while taxes are excluded from the calculation, meaning GMV is measured based on net values.
This approach aligns with industry standards and provides a clear reflection of a business’s overall commerce activity within the Shopware ecosystem.
This definition can be found in the new GTC under §2.9:
2.9 GMV: Gross Merchandise Value. The following principles are used to calculate the GMV:
Returns are included (do not reduce the GMV);
Discounts are taken into account (reduce the GMV);
taxes are not taken into account (calculation with net values); and
shipping costs are included.
How can merchants accurately report their GMV to Shopware?
Under the updated Terms & Conditions, we ask merchants to share their annual GMV with Shopware. The easiest way to do this is by installing the extension Shopware GMV Reporting inside their admin panel, which makes reporting quick, seamless, and hassle-free. For merchants who need it we have already pre-licensed the app, making it available under "my extensions"- this means the app has been made available but will still need to be installed and activated by the merchant so that GMV is transmitted.
They can also choose to simply send us their GMV directly once a year by contacting us. We're here to help and answer any questions.
What happens if I don't report a GMV to Shopware?
According to the new Terms & Conditions, GMV reporting is mandatory for all Community Edition users. This requirement can be easily fulfilled with just a few clicks by using the "Shopware GMV Reporting" extension. Alternatively, users can manually calculate and submit their GMV via a form, which must be done at least once per year. The first reporting deadline is June 30, 2025.
If this obligation is continuously ignored despite multiple reminders, Shopware reserves the right to restrict access to the Shopware Account and Store and to terminate existing extension subscriptions.
What happens to my data if I report my GMV to shopware?
Shopware processes your GMV solely to verify compliance with the Fair Usage Policy. Only aggregated order data is used—no individual transactions or detailed financial data are collected.
The data is not shared with third parties and is only stored for as long as necessary to verify compliance with the Fair Usage Policy and for audit purposes. Shopware adheres to all applicable data protection regulations.
Why do I need the Shopware Store and a Shopware Account? Is it possible to run a shop without these services?
The Shopware Store and Shopware Account provide essential features for managing and expanding your shop system.
The Shopware Store allows you to rent extensions.
The Shopware Account is used to manage your extension subscriptions, handle support requests, and access additional Shopware services.
It is possible to run a Shopware Community Edition shop without the Shopware Store and Account. Overall, the Community Edition shop remains fully functional without these services, but access to paid extensions and support will no longer be available.
Can merchants continue to extend and customize their online shops while using the Community Edition?
Yes, all merchants can continue using, extending, and customizing their online store with the Community Edition (CE). We reserve the right to revoke access to the Shopware Account and Shopware Store, as well as terminate existing extension rentals, for businesses using the Community Edition that exceed €1 million GMV per year, generated through their Shopware online store, if they choose not to transition to Shopware Rise, Evolve, or Beyond even after individual consultation and a given deadline.
That said, they will retain full access to the Shopware CE source code, giving them complete freedom to customize, extend, and develop their online store independently as needed.
What happens to my active extensions if the account is suspended?
This is what happens to active extensions if you no longer have access to your Shopware Account:
Purchased (one-time purchase) extensions remain active and usable.
Rented (subscription-based) extensions continue to function until the end of the current contract period.
However, without account access, no new extensions can be purchased, and updates for existing plugins from the Shopware Store will no longer be available.
If I already know that my annual GMV does not exceed €1 million, do I still need to report it to Shopware?
Yes, all Community Edition users must report their GMV to Shopware, regardless of whether their annual GMV is below or above €1 million. This ensures transparency and fairness within the Shopware ecosystem and guarantees that the Fair Usage Policy is applied correctly.
Why is the €1 million GMV per year threshold set at this level? What if my business operates with low margins?
The €1 million GMV threshold was established to ensure that higher-revenue businesses contribute to funding the platform, allowing the Community Edition to remain free for smaller merchants.
Affected merchants should contact Shopware directly to discuss fair and tailored options based on their individual challenges.
What happens if I exceed €1 million GMV per year but choose not to subscribe to a plan?
If no mutual solution is found after individual discussions with our sales team and you actively decide against switching to a Shopware plan, Shopware reserves the right to restrict access to the Account and Store. Additionally, existing extension subscriptions may be terminated.
How much time do I have to active the GMV tracking and switch to a paid plan?
The new Terms & Conditions will take effect on March 24, 2025. To continue using the Store and Account, they must be accepted.
From this date, a transition period will run until June 30, 2025, during which affected merchants will be contacted individually and supported in making the switch.
There will be no immediate restrictions—we prioritize finding a collaborative solution.
After June 30, 2025, we will review the status of affected customers and take appropriate measures if no agreement has been reached.
Does the Fair Usage Policy apply to merchants using the Community Edition with Shopware 5?
Users of the Community Edition with Shopware 5 are not subject to the Fair Usage Policy as long as they continue using Shopware 5. However, once they migrate to Shopware 6 with the Community Edition, the policy will apply to them, just as it does for all other users of the Community Edition.
How can merchants using the Community Edition transition to Shopware Rise, Evolve, or Beyond?
Whether you're considering Shopware Rise, Evolve, or Beyond, our sales team is here to provide personalized guidance and help you secure an attractive, tailored offer. Simply reach out via the contact form to get started. Businesses using the Community Edition can also seamlessly upgrade to Shopware Rise through our self-service booking option on the pricing page.
How much does it cost to transition to a Shopware Rise, Evolve or Beyond plan?
Our list prices can be found on our website and serve as reference points. We aim to offer individual solutions and attractive transition discounts for our Community Edition users. Please contact us directly to receive your personalized offer.
When will access to a Shopware Account or the Shopware Store be revoked?
Access will only be removed after we have had personal discussions with you and no mutual solution could be reached. Under no circumstances will access be removed automatically or without prior consultation.
Will there be any immediate impacts on March 24th with the launch of the updated general Terms & Conditions?
All affected merchants will be personally contacted to discuss the impact of the Fair Usage Policy, with every effort made to find a tailored solution within a reasonable timeframe that aligns with their unique business needs. During this collaborative process, merchants can continue their existing extension rental agreements without interruption.
There is no automated system in place to restrict access to the Shopware Account or Shopware Store on a fixed date. However, if a suitable solution cannot be reached within a reasonable timeframe, Shopware reserves the right to revoke access to these services and cancel existing extension rent contracts.
On March 24th, all Shopware merchants will be presented with the updated Terms & Conditions upon logging into their Shopware Account and must accept them to continue using the Account.
What else has changed in the general Terms & Conditions (T&C)?
The T&Cs have been revised to better align with Shopware’s current product portfolio and respective requirements. We’ve provided a summary of changes below, and you can read the full T&C’s on our website before they’re implemented on 24th March.
1. Reorganized content for structure clarity The last update of Shopware’s general Terms & Conditions was made in 2015, since then, our product portfolio has expanded and various terms added to meet new requirements. In this iteration, the overall content structure has been optimized for organization and clarity. This includes the hierarchy of contract components, which have been defined and simplified by integrating provisions of the license agreement (for new contracts) into the T&Cs.
2. Addition of definitions for key terms In order to improve readability, the definitions of key terms have been incorporated directly into the T&Cs. This makes the provisions easier to understand and offers greater transparency.
3. Introduction of the Acceptable Use Policy With the new Acceptable Use Policy, Shopware defines the principles of permitted use. This serves to ensure the security and stability of the platform for all users, prevent misuse and comply with legal and ethical standards.
4. Introduction of the Fair Usage Policy The Fair Usage Policy is applicable to businesses that utilize the Shopware Account and Shopware Store alongside the Community Edition. This policy is designed to maintain fairness, scalability, and long-term sustainability within our open-source ecosystem while continuing to fuel innovation and growth for all users.
5. License check and compliance requirements In order to ensure that the software is used in accordance with the contract, the regulations on license verification have been revised. In addition, regulations on export control have been added.
6. Extended support for software versions Shopware Rise, Evolve and Beyond customers will no longer be required to use the latest software version in order to use support services. Instead, it is sufficient that the version used by the customer is supported according to the release calendar of the Shopware Release Policy (available at Shopware Release Policy Documentation) at the time the service is provided.
7. Support and services The updated T&Cs specify the scope of services and support provided by Shopware, in particular for users of Shopware Rise, Evolve and Beyond. This includes clearly defined response times and regulations on service level agreements (SLAs).
8. Clearer regulations for our products and services Numerous regulations in connection with our products and services have been clarified. This includes both our self-hosted solutions and the Shopware cloud offerings (SaaS and PaaS).
9. Updates for data protection and confidentiality The data protection and confidentiality terms have been reviewed to keep in line with current requirements.
What happens if I don't agree to the new T&Cs?
After logging into the Shopware Account or Store, the Terms & Conditions must be accepted in order to use these services. This means that the Community Edition can, of course, continue to be used without accepting the Terms & Conditions, but access to the Account and Store will no longer be possible.
