ChannelAdvisor vs. Zentail: Which multichannel platform is right for your business?

ChannelAdvisor (Rithum) is one of the most recognizable names in multichannel ecommerce. But brand recognition doesn’t always equal best fit.

The reality: ChannelAdvisor was built for enterprise sellers with massive GMV, complex global operations, and large internal teams. For most small-to-mid-sized multichannel sellers, it’s often too expensive, too manual, and too rigid.

That’s why many former ChannelAdvisor users ultimately switch to Zentail – a modern multichannel listing and operations platform designed for speed, accuracy, and seller sanity.

Below, we break down ChannelAdvisor’s real pros and cons, explain why sellers leave, and show how Zentail compares.

Key takeaways

• Most SMB and mid-market sellers find ChannelAdvisor too expensive and manual
• Zentail is the top ChannelAdvisor alternative for U.S.-based multichannel sellers
• Zentail’s SMART Types enable one-click listing without sacrificing data quality
• Zentail prioritizes seller success, usability, and support – not complexity

What Is ChannelAdvisor (Rithum)?

ChannelAdvisor is a legacy multichannel ecommerce platform founded in 2001, originally built to support sellers listing on eBay and early online marketplaces.

Over time, it expanded to support 100+ domestic and international sales channels, reporting tools, and ad management modules. 

ChannelAdvisor is now owned by Rithum (formerly CommerceHub). While the platform has continued under new ownership, much of its software and user experience still reflect its early-2000s origins.

ChannelAdvisor pros and cons 

ChannelAdvisor pros

ChannelAdvisor can make sense if you are a large enterprise seller with complex international needs.

Advantages include:

• Access to 100+ sales channels, including many international marketplaces
• A wide range of custom reports, dashboards, and modules
• Built-in ecommerce ad management tools

ChannelAdvisor cons

For most non-enterprise sellers, ChannelAdvisor’s drawbacks outweigh its benefits.

Common complaints from former users include:

• Outdated, clunky software that feels difficult to navigate
• Heavy reliance on manual setup, including:
  
  • Custom listing templates
  • SKU-by-SKU data mapping for each channel
• Tools that feel unfinished or “half-baked” without extensive configuration
• High costs, including:
  
  • Expensive upfront contracts
  • Percentage-based commissions on sales
  • Extra fees for support, channels, and add-ons
• Limited or poor customer support unless you pay premium rates
• A long, complex onboarding process

“ChannelAdvisor…was the only native connection with NetSuite at the time, which is why we used it. But I absolutely did not enjoy my experience,”
— CoCo Peterson, Ecommerce Manager, Candle Warmers

Best ChannelAdvisor (Rithum) alternative: Zentail

Zentail was built from the ground up to solve the problems ChannelAdvisor users complain about most.

Founded in 2011 by experienced multichannel sellers, Zentail was designed for modern marketplaces, not retrofitted for them.

What makes Zentail different?

Built for change, not maintenance

Marketplaces constantly change listing requirements, category rules, and attribute expectations. Zentail was designed with this reality in mind.

Zentail’s proprietary change-management technology SMART Types automatically:

• Enriches listings per channel
• Adjusts formatting when requirements change
• Alerts sellers before listing errors turn into lost sales

This enables true one-click multichannel listing, without sacrificing listing quality.

One-click listing (that’s actually accurate)

With Zentail, sellers can:

• Toggle a channel “on”
• Automatically list with the correct category, attributes, and formatting
• Maintain high-quality product data across every marketplace

No manual remapping. No duplicate templates. No constant firefighting.

Zentail pros and cons

Zentail pros

• True one-click multichannel listing
• The only platform with built-in change management (SMART Types)
• Clean, intuitive interface built for operators — not engineers
• Deep integrations with top U.S. marketplaces
• Five-star-rated, white-glove support
• Built-in inventory, pricing, and order management
• One transparent contract fee (no commissions, no add-ons)

Zentail cons

• Does not currently support international marketplaces
• Does not natively support dropship vendors (integrates with dropship tools instead)
• Not ideal for:
  
  • New sellers
  • Side hustles
  • Single-channel businesses

Zentail is purpose-built for sellers fully committed to multichannel ecommerce.

Frequently asked questions

Is ChannelAdvisor (Rithum) worth it?

ChannelAdvisor can be worth it for large enterprise sellers with global operations. For most small-to-mid-sized sellers, the cost and complexity outweigh the benefits.

What is the best alternative to ChannelAdvisor?

Zentail is widely considered the best ChannelAdvisor (Rithum) alternative for U.S.-based sellers who want automation, accuracy, and transparent pricing.

Who should use Zentail?

Zentail is best for brand owners and authorized resellers doing (or scaling toward) $1M+ in GMV who are fully invested in multichannel ecommerce.

How does Zentail pricing work?

Zentail offers custom pricing based on SKU count and order volume. All plans include full platform access and integrations — no commissions or surprise fees.

What channels does Zentail support?

Zentail integrates with top U.S. marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, eBay, Target Plus, Shopify, BigCommerce, and more.

Experience zen in retail

If ChannelAdvisor feels more like a burden than a solution, it might be time for an upgrade.

Request a free Zentail demo and see why former ChannelAdvisor users call it a game-changer.