AppDirect vs Pax8
Choose AppDirect if you need to build and operate a marketplace for your own technology offerings; choose Pax8 if you are an MSP looking to buy, sell, and manage products through an established partner marketplace. Both support branded selling and subscription workflows, but AppDirect emphasizes control over the marketplace platform, while Pax8 emphasizes a curated catalog and tools for serving clients.
Last updated November 1, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | AppDirect | Pax8 |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace model | White-label B2B marketplace platform | Curated partner marketplace |
| Primary users | Businesses selling technology through their own marketplace | MSPs and other technology partners serving clients |
| Marketplace pricing | Starter $799/month; Professional $1,499/month; Enterprise custom | Alliance Member $25/month; marketplace fee waived at higher spend tiers |
| Transaction fees | Professional: 1% first-party and 5% third-party merchandise value | Not published |
| Branded storefront | White-label online store | Branded Storefronts tool for client purchases |
| Catalog | Own and third-party products; AppDirect catalog on Professional | Curated vendor catalog and Custom Products tool |
| Integrations | Developer APIs, payment gateways, and identity integrations | Integrations Hub and PSA integrations, including Autotask and ConnectWise |
| Billing and provisioning | Subscription billing and provisioning on Professional | Marketplace billing and provisioning |
| Support | Starter and Professional chat, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET; Enterprise 24/5 on-call | Standard support; elevated support at higher partner tiers |
| Published account limits | 2 admin accounts on Starter; 5 on Professional; unlimited on Enterprise | Not published |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose AppDirect if
- Businesses launching a white-label technology marketplace
- Teams selling their own products alongside third-party offerings
- Operators needing marketplace billing and partner-management tools
Choose Pax8 if
- MSPs sourcing products from a curated vendor catalog
- Partners managing client subscriptions in one marketplace
- Teams connecting marketplace activity to PSA tools
- MSPs wanting a branded client storefront within Pax8
The verdict
The deciding factor is whether you need to operate the marketplace or work within one. AppDirect fits businesses that want a white-label storefront, third-party vendor management, and configurable commerce. Pax8 fits MSPs that want to source products from its catalog, connect their operational tools, and sell to clients through the Pax8 Marketplace.
AppDirect vs Pax8: common questions
- Should I use AppDirect or Pax8 to launch my own marketplace?
- AppDirect is designed for businesses launching a white-label B2B marketplace. Pax8 offers partners a branded Storefronts tool, but its core offering is a curated marketplace where partners source and sell products.
- Which is a better fit for an MSP buying products to resell?
- Pax8 is the more direct fit for an MSP that wants to source products from a curated catalog and manage client purchases. AppDirect is a better fit when the MSP's priority is operating its own marketplace platform.
- How do AppDirect and Pax8 charge for marketplace access?
- AppDirect lists Starter at $799 per month, Professional at $1,499 per month, and Enterprise at custom pricing. Pax8 lists a $25 monthly marketplace fee for Alliance Members and waives that fee at higher Voyager Alliance spend tiers. Product purchases and other applicable charges are separate.
- Can I sell my own offerings alongside third-party products?
- Yes. AppDirect supports first-party and third-party products in a marketplace you operate. Pax8 offers a Custom Products tool for partners to include their own offerings alongside vendor products in the Pax8 Marketplace.
- Which has PSA integrations?
- Pax8 publishes PSA integrations including Autotask, ConnectWise, Kaseya, RepairShopr, Syncro, and SuperOps. AppDirect publishes platform APIs and other integrations, but its pricing page does not list that same set of PSA integrations.
- Does AppDirect's Starter plan process sales?
- No. AppDirect describes Starter as a marketplace plan without commerce checkout. Its Professional plan adds checkout, subscription billing, and provisioning.
- Can customers buy through a branded storefront?
- Both vendors publish branded storefront options. AppDirect offers a white-label online store for a marketplace operator; Pax8's Storefronts tool lets partners present their offerings and enable client purchases.
