Magento vs MatterHackers vs Prusa Shop vs FormLabs Direct, how do you actually choose for 3D printing + maker retail?

Different problems get different platforms. The honest cut:

• MatterHackers is a vertically-integrated retailer with their own catalog + bureau + curriculum. You don’t “build a MatterHackers”, you sell on MatterHackers as a brand. Worth listing on if you make filament or accessories.
• Prusa Shop, Bambu Lab Store, FormLabs Direct are first-party brand stores. They exist to push that one manufacturer’s ecosystem. You can’t replicate them, you can only complement them as a multi-brand reseller.
• Magento + Hyvä is the right pick if you are (or want to be) a multi-brand reseller: stocking Bambu + Prusa + Creality + FormLabs + Markforged with filament from PolyMaker, Hatchbox, Prusament, Sunlu, etc. The platform handles the spec compatibility matrix (printer → compatible nozzles / hotends / plates), filament subscription auto-ship, schools B2B portal, and print-service bureau without an app-stack bill that grows linearly with revenue.

If you’re launching a single-brand specialty store (e.g. “Bambu Lab-only reseller”) Shopify works fine up to ~$2M GMV. Above that, or for multi-brand + B2B + subs + bureau, Magento is the lower-friction long-term home.