As a member of the Toriut team, developing a PIM system is something I’m pretty passionate about. But why did I take the time to dive deep into the PIM market and look for the best solutions? Well, it’s simple—understanding what’s out there is key to figuring out what our users need and spotting opportunities for improvement. Plus, it never hurts to see what our colleagues and competitors are up to; it can spark some great ideas and, honestly, a little inspiration goes a long way.
So, I’ve done the research to find the top PIM systems specifically for Shopify. And since I already went through the trouble, I figured, why not share my findings with you all? After all, marketers like me know that readers always want to see who’s leading the pack. So, here’s my personal top 8 list of PIM systems.
My Top 8 PIM Systems for Shopify
Toriut
Let me kick things off by talking about the PIM I know best—Toriut. I might be biased, but I’m confident it’s the best solution for Shopify users. Why? Well, for starters, we built Toriut specifically with Shopify in mind. When we noticed a clear demand for a Shopify-focused PIM, we jumped on it. Sure, we made the system adaptable for other platforms, but every step of the way, Shopify was front and center in our design process.
With Toriut, managing your data becomes a breeze. Here are a few things that set it apart:
- Data consolidation: Manage all your product information in one place.
- Information accuracy: Keep your data clean and consistent across all channels.
- Seamless integration: Toriut works smoothly with other systems, making it easy to manage your workflow.
- Catalog management: Organize and track products effortlessly with tools that streamline updates and information management.
One of the features I’m most excited about is AI-powered automation. It’s a game-changer for time-saving—our system can generate product descriptions and auto-tag items, which means less manual work and faster results. And when it comes to searchability, Toriut shines. Add unlimited attributes to your products and enjoy advanced search options to find exactly what you’re looking for.
What’s more, with bulk actions, updating your entire product catalog is quick and efficient. You can match images with product variants, customize fields, and make large-scale changes in minutes, saving countless hours of work.
Toriut truly provides a single source of truth for all your product data, images, and digital assets—accessible both internally and externally. It’s designed to help teams work smarter, not harder. Whether you’re a large enterprise or a small business, Toriut is highly scalable, allowing it to grow alongside your team’s needs. It’s a perfect fit for industries like eCommerce, manufacturing, and retail, offering flexibility and efficiency no matter the size of your operations.
Now, let’s talk about the PIM systems that truly stand out. These are the ones that not only caught my attention but are also quite popular with users. They’ve racked up a ton of great reviews, and honestly, they gave me some fresh ideas for improving our own product at Toriut.
Pimcore
If you're looking for flexibility, Pimcore is one of the most versatile platforms out there. As an open-source solution, it offers a ton of customization options, which is perfect for large enterprises that need more control over their data. It’s not just a PIM; it also includes features like Digital Asset Management (DAM) and omnichannel publishing.
One of the things I love about Pimcore is its ability to handle complex data structures and high volumes of product information. Whether you're dealing with hundreds of products or thousands, it can scale with your needs.
Another bonus: since it’s open-source, the community support is great. There's a huge developer ecosystem behind it, which means constant updates and a wide array of plugins and extensions you can use to customize your experience.
Akeneo
Akeneo is a solid contender, especially if you’re in the eCommerce world. It’s widely loved by retailers and works beautifully with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. One of the great features of Akeneo is its user-friendly interface. Whether you go for the free community edition or the enterprise version, you’re getting a system that’s intuitive and simple to use, even if your team doesn’t have a technical background.
You can easily manage product data across different regions and languages. Akeneo also lets different teams work together to enrich product information and make sure that everything is accurate and consistent before it gets published.
If you’re just starting out, the free community edition is a great way to dip your toes into the world of PIM. But as your business grows, the enterprise version has more advanced features like automation and analytics that make managing larger catalogs much easier.
Plytix
Plytix is one of those tools that just feels easy to use from day one. If you’re a small or mid-sized business, this PIM is a good option. What I love about Plytix is that it’s designed with simplicity in mind, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on features.
Another thing that makes Plytix popular is its collaborative features. Your team can work together on product data in real-time, which is a huge time-saver. For businesses that need something user-friendly but powerful enough to handle growing product data, Plytix is a smart choice.
Bluestone PIM
If your business prioritizes collaboration and flexibility, Bluestone PIM is a promising option. It’s a cloud-native, API-first platform, which means it’s built for modern, real-time teamwork. One of its biggest strengths is how well it handles rich media like images and videos—if you’re managing large catalogs with lots of visual assets, Bluestone PIM has you covered.
Another thing I like about Bluestone is its scalability. While it’s a bit more of an investment compared to other PIMs, Bluestone’s flexibility and focus on real-time data make it a powerful solution for businesses that need something that can scale as they grow.
Salsify
Salsify is a favorite among brands and retailers. It integrates smoothly with Shopify, WordPress, and a variety of other platforms, so no matter where you’re selling, Salsify can keep your product data consistent.
One of Salsify’s great features is its analytics. For larger businesses that need detailed insights into how their product data is performing, Salsify offers robust reporting tools that can really help fine-tune your operations. Its focus on automation means that you can save a lot of time on routine tasks, leaving you free to focus on more strategic work.
If your business operates across multiple channels and needs to ensure that product data stays consistent no matter where it appears, Salsify is a great option.
Sales Layer
Sales Layer is a PIM that’s perfect for manufacturers, but it works well for other industries too. What’s great about Sales Layer is how fast it is to get set up. If you need a system that can be onboarded quickly and integrate smoothly with Shopify and WordPress, this is it.
Sales Layer also offers real-time synchronization and data enrichment tools, which means your product data stays accurate and up-to-date across all your channels. This is especially helpful for businesses that sell across multiple platforms and need to ensure consistency in product information.
Perfion
Finally, let’s talk about Perfion. This PIM is ideal for large enterprises with complex product structures. If your business needs deep customization and real-time data access, Perfion is hard to beat. It integrates with Shopify and various ERP systems, which makes it a great fit for businesses that need a high level of flexibility and integration.
Perfion excels at handling complex product data. If you’re managing a large catalog with lots of variations, Perfion makes it easy to keep everything organized. The system is highly customizable, so you can tailor it to fit your exact needs without compromising on performance.
How to Choose the Right PIM for Your Needs
Choosing the best PIM system for Shopify might seem a little overwhelming, but I promise it’s not as tricky as it looks. The key is to focus on what you really need. Here are a few things to think about:
- Size and complexity: If you’ve got a big product catalog with complex data, you’ll want a PIM that can handle it. For smaller businesses, though, you probably don’t need all the extra features. Something like Plytix or Sales Layer would work well without the unnecessary fuss.
- Integration: Make sure the PIM you choose plays nicely with Shopify and any other systems you're using. Look for smooth data updates and hassle-free integration.
- Ease of use: If your team isn't super tech-savvy, go for a PIM with a simple, user-friendly interface. Plytix is known for being easy to use, and Toriut is also designed to be straightforward and intuitive. Plus, we offer practical training sessions (definitely not boring school lectures!) to show your team everything they need to know to use Toriut effectively—and even enjoy it.
- Budget: PIM systems vary a lot in price. Some, like Akeneo, have free or community editions, while others, like Bluestone PIM, are more of an investment. Make sure to consider both the upfront cost and any ongoing maintenance fees.
- Scalability: Think long-term! If your business is growing, you’ll want a PIM that can grow with you. Systems like Salsify and Bluestone PIM are great for scalability—and, of course, so is Toriut. Our platform is super flexible and we’re always improving it to meet your needs.
At the end of the day, the right PIM should simplify your product data management without giving you any headaches. If you’re feeling stuck or need help choosing the best fit, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at Toriut. We’re happy to guide you toward the perfect solution for your business!
Did you enjoy this article? Give Toriut a try — or book a demo with us, and we'll be happy to answer any of your questions.
