Struct vs Inriver vs Ecom – which PIM solution is the right fit for your business?
When it's time to choose a PIM system, two names tend to come up early: Struct PIM and Inriver. Both are powerful solutions that solve the same fundamental problem – centralising, structuring, and distributing product information. But which one is the right fit for your business?
Quick summary
Inriver is the established benchmark, with exceptionally flexible data modelling
Struct PIM is the modern challenger, built around usability and performance
E-commerce platforms with built-in PIM modules suit smaller retailers with straightforward needs
Inriver PIM – the established benchmark
How Inriver describes themselves: Adaptable, enterprise-ready PIM software – create consistent, compelling, and high-performing product experiences across every channel.
Inriver's biggest strengths
🧩 Exceptionally flexible data model
Inriver's standout strength is its highly flexible data model. This is particularly valuable for businesses with complex product structures or specific industry requirements. You can build virtually any structure you need – from simple product-item-SKU hierarchies to complex models for industrial products, spare parts, or heavy machinery.
⛓️ Powerful data transformation capabilities
Inriver excels when you need to transform data between systems with different structures. If your ERP structure differs from how you want to present products in your e-commerce channels, Inriver can step in the middle and transform it correctly.
"Inriver is the benchmark when it comes to PIM. It's not until you've worked with another PIM that you truly appreciate what Inriver can do. For many businesses with an underlying ERP or PLM system that has its own specific structure, Inriver can come in and transform that data so it comes out right in every end channel."
- Carl Torgnyson, PIM expert at Cypoint
Struct PIM – a modern challenger
How Struct describes themselves: Struct PIM fits the bill for a fully flexible, powerful and user-friendly PIM solution. With Struct PIM you engage your customers by delivering the right product information at the right time.
Struct's biggest strengths
📲 Dynamic and configurable interface
One of Struct's biggest differentiators is the ability to set up your product structures and product pages exactly the way you want. You can group content by channel, role, or function – ideal for organisations with many users and multiple content types.
⚡ Fast performance and no-code configuration
Struct is built on a modern tech stack, which shows in its performance and lightning-fast API. Configuration is done directly in the interface, without writing a single line of code. The result: fast to work in, with strong integration capabilities.
🪄 Smart handling of technical data
For businesses with extensive product specifications, Struct offers one of the best solutions for technical data through its category-specific attributes. The core idea is that you configure your technical attributes based on product types and categories.
"You can really tell that Struct was built with the user in mind. It's a great user experience with smart features that make everyday work genuinely easy for the people using the system. They've picked up a lot of the best ideas from other systems along the way."
- Daniel Jansson, PIM architect at Cypoint
But we already have a PIM in our e-commerce platform?
A note on "Ecom-PIM" – e-commerce platforms with a built-in PIM module
Alongside dedicated PIM systems, there are also e-commerce platforms with built-in PIM modules – such as Geins, Norce, Shopify, and others. These make a lot of sense for smaller businesses where the same person managing campaigns, the homepage, and CMS pages is also handling product information.
✅ Benefits of Ecom-PIM
Everything in one system
Faster to get up and running
Well-suited for smaller organisations
❌ Limitations:
Less flexibility in data modelling
Limited support and tooling for content workflows
Can become a bottleneck as you scale, expand into new markets, or add channels
When does each system fit?
A brief summary of where Inriver and Struct each shine.
Inriver is a good fit if you:
✅ Have complex product structures that require advanced data modelling
✅ Need to transform data between systems with different structures
✅ Are a larger enterprise with demanding integration requirements
✅ Value proven technology and an established market position
✅ Need maximum flexibility in how entities and relationships are configured
Struct PIM is a good fit if you:
✅ Want strong usability and an intuitive interface
✅ Need a flexible UI that can be tailored to different roles and channels
✅ Want to get up and running quickly with no-code configuration
✅ Have a lot of technical product data that needs smart structuring
✅ Value transparent pricing and modern functionality
👉 At their core, both systems solve the same problem. Start with your business, not with a system – because it's not the system itself that solves the problem. It's what you and your organisation want to do with it.
Frequently Asked Questions: Inriver vs Struct
Answer some of the common questions we get about PIM systems.
Honestly, it's a toss-up – it depends almost entirely on which integrations need to be built and how many. In theory, Inriver offers greater flexibility for complex requirements. While Struct PIM's code-free configuration of the data model theoretically goes faster.
Struct has transparent list pricing starting at €2,200/month for the Basic package. Inriver uses quote-based pricing, which can both overlap with and potentially exceed Struct's list prices depending on the tier. Remember that total cost of ownership includes implementation and ongoing development – not just the licence fee.
Yes, both are built for scale. Struct stands out with its fast search, capable of filtering down 50,000 products to a handful in an instant. Inriver has the edge when it comes to managing multiple entity types and the relationships between them.
Struct PIM has a fast API thanks to its modern tech stack. Inriver's API is more tested with a wide range of ready-made connectors that can save time in complex integration projects.
Both are powerful PIM systems with different strengths. Struct excels with its modern UI, fast performance, powerful API, and easy configurability. While InRiver has a longer history on the market and is well-known for its extremely flexible data model where you can create any entities or relationships you want.
InRiver has a functional and clear interface that is easy to work with for the everyday user. Struct focuses more on modern UX with configurable layout and role/channel-based views, which is appreciated by organizations with many users and different types of content.
Cypoint is a partner with both Inriver and Struct and can give you a tailored walkthrough in our own demo environment. Reach out and we'll help you from there.
It is also possible to request a demo directly from Inriver and Struct.
The short answer is no, we (Cypoint) do not sell platforms and licenses for Inriver and Struct.
We are an implmenetation partner specialized in the systems. In practice, this means that we implement, develop, and manage the platforms for customers.
More articles about PIM
What is PIM? A guide on what it is and means.
Guide for a successful PIM-implementation.
A brief overview of the solution and the highlights of Struct PIM.
What PIM can do for your e-commerce.
JULA customer case. How we helped Jula with the implementation of a new modern PIM.
Six benefits of Struct PIM according to our developers and users. Six benefits of Struct PIM according to our developers and users
How Struct's pricing model and license costs work..
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