VARCommerce vs ConnectWise CPQ
ConnectWise CPQ (formerly Sell) is the quoting layer of the ConnectWise platform, and inside that ecosystem it does its job. The moment hardware is the business rather than an add-on, you need purchasing, receiving, inventory and invoicing on the same record as the quote. That is VARCommerce, whether you run ConnectWise PSA or Autotask.
ConnectWise CPQ is automated quote and proposal software in the ConnectWise ecosystem: templates, distributor price comparison, e-signature, and e-orders placed through ConnectWise PSA. VARCommerce is an independent quoting and ERP platform that runs purchasing, orders, inventory, invoicing, storefronts and government contracts on one record and integrates with either Autotask or ConnectWise PSA. Choose by whether the PSA or the product transaction is the centre of your business.
What you get with VARCommerce that you do not get with ConnectWise CPQ
- Built for product resale. Purchasing, receiving, serials, inventory, shipping labels and invoicing on the quote’s own record, not pushed into the PSA.
- Independent of your PSA. Works with ConnectWise PSA today and Autotask tomorrow. Your quoting and procurement do not change when your PSA does.
- Storefronts and government contracts. Customer and agency stores, SEWP, CIO-CS and GSA pricing enforced on the quote, none of which CPQ claims.
- Support from the people who build it. Built and supported in the USA since 2012; you reach the same team for years.
Side by side
| Area | VARCommerce | ConnectWise CPQ |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Independent quoting and ERP platform for resellers; integrates with Autotask or ConnectWise PSA | "Automated quote and proposal software"; a module of the ConnectWise platform |
| Distributor pricing | Ingram Micro, TD SYNNEX, D&H, BlueStar feeds in the quote, with your own account pricing; electronic PO to Ingram Micro, TD SYNNEX, D&H, Arrow and HP Direct | Named: Arrow, BlueStar, D&H, Ingram, TD Synnex; "pull and compare pricing from multiple distribution partners" |
| Ordering | POs per distributor from the quote with electronic submission; acknowledgements, status, serials, tracking on the order | "Place e-orders through your preferred distributor" via integration with ConnectWise PSA |
| Invoicing, inventory, shipping | Invoice from what shipped, on-hand inventory, FedEx/UPS labels, accounting export | Handled in ConnectWise PSA and its accounting integrations, not in CPQ |
| Storefronts | Public and customer-specific B2B stores, agency stores, PunchOut | Not claimed |
| Government contracts | SEWP, CIO-CS, GSA, state contracts as first-class objects | Not claimed |
| Quote delivery | Quote documents with PDF and Excel export, versioning, recurring maintenance lines, DocuSign e-signature, pricing profiles and contract price lists enforced | Templates, online quote delivery, e-signature, renewal reminders, pricing rules |
| PSA dependency | Works with Autotask or ConnectWise PSA; also standalone with its own CRM | Designed around ConnectWise PSA |
| Support | In-house, Dublin, Ohio, from the team that builds the platform; built and supported in the USA since 2012 | ConnectWise support organisation; details not on the CPQ page |
Competitor information is taken from ConnectWise CPQ's own public pages (connectwise.com/platform/cpq). Products change; if something here is out of date, email support@varcommerce.com and we will correct it. ConnectWise CPQ is a trademark of its owner; VARCommerce is not affiliated with or endorsed by it.
Choose ConnectWise CPQ if…
- Your business is managed services on ConnectWise PSA and hardware is a small add-on to agreements.
Choose VARCommerce if…
- Hardware and software resale is a large part of revenue and you want purchasing, receiving, inventory and invoicing on the same record as the quote.
- You run Autotask rather than ConnectWise, or want the option to change PSA without changing your quoting and procurement system.
- You need customer storefronts or government contract management.
Moving from ConnectWise CPQ
MSPs on ConnectWise PSA keep it. VARCommerce shares companies, opportunities and quotes with the PSA so the product sale connects to the ticket or project that delivers it, while purchasing, receiving and invoicing for hardware run in VARCommerce. ConnectWise PSA integration →
The bottom line
Keep ConnectWise PSA for tickets, agreements and projects. Put the product business, from quote to invoice, in a system built for it. You get the best of both, and the part of the business that moves hardware is not tied to one vendor's roadmap.
ConnectWise CPQ vs VARCommerce: common questions
Is VARCommerce a ConnectWise CPQ alternative?
For an MSP or VAR that resells hardware, yes. VARCommerce quotes from distributor pricing like CPQ and then runs purchasing, receiving, inventory, invoicing and storefronts, while integrating with ConnectWise PSA or Autotask.
Do I have to leave ConnectWise to use VARCommerce?
No. ConnectWise PSA stays your system for tickets, agreements and projects; VARCommerce integrates with it for companies, opportunities and quotes.
Does ConnectWise CPQ do storefronts or government contracts?
Its public page does not claim either. VARCommerce includes both.