Vendor systems comparison
Vending systems in Second Life are used to sell items to customers. They range from the most basic level systems which only allow a "pay" option on a box, to large advanced and networked systems with many functions and capabilities. Each one has different benefits and drawbacks; each merchant will need to decide which one is best for them based on their needs.
This page will compare the currently available (as of the last update) versions of some of the larger vending systems with their major features. All vending systems are sorted in alphabetical order, left to right.
Comparison table
| Basic Operation | Alika | BSM | CasperVend² | KTC Vendor Server | MD Vendor System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Prim Vendors | Yes | Script(s) provided; make your own vendor object | Yes | Yes | Script(s) provided; make your own vendor object |
| 1-Script Vendors | Use 1 script for minimal feature set | Yes | Yes | No | 1 script for standard features, additional features through extra plugin scripts |
| Config via notecard (notecard settings for product vending) |
Yes | Yes | No | Only for multipanel vendors | No |
| Config via website (website settings for product vending) |
Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Free system upgrades | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multipanel Vendors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Networked delivery | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Demos & notecards (Give demos, give information notecards) |
Demos: No Notecards: Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Demos: Yes (extra script) Notecards: No |
| Product server holds unlimited products? (Subject to SL grid limitations) |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extra Vendor Types | Alika | BSM | CasperVend² | KTC Vendor Server | MD Vendor System |
| Event-friendly version Works even at very highly populated events such as Uber, Colabor88, Linden shopping events, etc. |
Unknown | In development | Included | Included | "Not needed" |
| Auction Board Takes bids, sells product to highest bidder |
No | No | No | No | Separate purchase: "Bid Board" |
| Gacha Vendor Sell a random item out of a set |
No | In development | Yes, in FatPack -OR- separate purchase: "Gacha! Expansion Pack" |
No | Separate purchase: MD Gacha Machine |
| Holo/Rezzing vendor | No | In development | Yes, in FatPack -OR- separate purchase: "HoloVend Expansion" |
Included Additional scripts and setup required |
No |
| Lucky Chair | No | In development | Yes, in FatPack -OR- separate purchase: "Lucky Chair Expansion" |
No | No |
| Midnight Prizes | No | In development | Yes, in FatPack -OR- separate purchase: "Midnight Madness Expansion" |
No | No |
| Multi-product vendors Sell multiple products in one vendor |
Included Multi-panel vendors |
Included Multi-panel vendors |
Included Multi-panel vendors |
Included Multi-panel vendors |
Included Uses menu |
| Texture Vendor Specifically to sell both single textures and packs |
No | No | Yes, in FatPack -OR- separate purchase: "TextureVend Expansion Pack" |
No | No |
| Customization | Alika | BSM | CasperVend² | KTC Vendor Server | MD Vendor System |
| Customizeable Vendors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vendor API | No | No | read only (no commands) |
Upon Request | No |
| Advanced Features | Alika | BSM | CasperVend² | KTC Vendor Server | MD Vendor System |
| Dynamic price display Price visible on vendor object without hovertext or a click |
No | No | Vendor API supports price display add-ons |
No | Yes |
| Group products in categories | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Scriptless integration with other systems |
No | SL Marketplace ANS |
Smartbots, Corrade Bot, Thoys Bot, ApexBots, SL Marketplace ANS | Upon Request | SL Marketplace ANS |
| Multi-language support | No | In development | User guides in English and German |
English and French | No |
| Newsletter/subscriber | No | Yes | In development | No | Planned for future |
| Profit sharing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Redelivery options | Vendor only | Terminal & vendor | Terminal, Vendor, HUD-capable | Vendor only | Terminal, Vendor, HUD |
| Sell no-copy items Breedables or gacha items |
No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Send updated products Mass redelivery to prior buyers |
Separate purchase: "Update System" |
Yes | "Product Updates" tab | No | "Mass redeliveries" tab |
| Store Partners Allows partner full access |
No | No | No | No | Partner must have: Copy of vendors MD Labs website account |
| Store Managers/CSRs Allows tiered levels of access |
No | No | No | No | Manager must have: MD Labs website account |
| User blacklist | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Built-in video playback | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Wishlist | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Affiliate/Franchise Info | Alika | BSM | CasperVend² | KTC Vendor Server | MD Vendor System |
| Affiliate / Franchise Capable | No | Yes | Yes | Separate purchases: "Multi vendor affiliation" and "Catalog" |
No |
| Affiliate / Franchise commission fees | 2% commission | 2% commission | 2% commission | No commission | Not applicable |
| Gifting Options | Alika | BSM | CasperVend² | KTC Vendor Server | MD Vendor System |
| Supports "Buy as a gift" | Set additional script to "running" in vendor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards available | No | Yes | Yes, in Fat Pack -OR- separate purchase: "Gift Card Plugin" |
Included | Yes |
| Gift wrapping available | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Online check before sending | No | No | For all "gift" purchases | No | No |
| Group & Loyalty Rewards | Alika | BSM | CasperVend² | KTC Vendor Server | MD Vendor System |
| Group discounts | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Loyalty Program available | No | Yes | Yes | By vouchers | Yes |
| # of loyalty levels | Not applicable | 3 levels | Unlimited levels | Unlimited levels | Group & non-group |
| Loyalty credit option | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Loyalty Cash back option | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Statistics & Security | Alika | BSM | CasperVend² | KTC Vendor Server | MD Vendor System |
| Inworld sales tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Daily logs sent via IM and/or email | Yes |
| Sale statistics via web | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Statistical graphs via web | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| SL Marketplace tracking | XStreetSL ANS | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Vendors use llTransferLindenDollars (Ensures money is paid before giving product) |
No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GDPR Compliance |
Unknown | New version in development | GDPR signage not ready yet Otherwise, yes |
Yes | Yes |
| Privacy Notes | Stores complete sales data of merchant and customers, even sales data from other systems, like Marketplace, if configured so by the merchant | Stores complete sales data of merchant and customers, even sales data from other systems, like Marketplace, if configured so by the merchant | Stores complete sales data of merchant and customers, even sales data from other systems, like Marketplace, if configured so by the merchant | All sales transaction data stays in world and only in the private network of the merchant; no sales data is transmitted to the vendor provider. Also, all messages are private and never appear in the public chat. | Stores complete sales data of merchant and customers, even sales data from other systems, like Marketplace, if configured so by the merchant |
| System Costs | Alika | BSM | CasperVend² | KTC Vendor Server | MD Vendor System |
| Free/Commission version available | Yes | No demo version | Yes | Yes | Demo version Works fully for 15 days |
| Free/Commission version Cost | L$1 purchase | Not applicable | L$0 free | L$0 free | L$0 free |
| commission rates to system creator | Free: 5% Commission | Not applicable | Free: 5% Commission | Free: 5% Commission | See subscription info |
| System purchase (non-demo versions) |
Full: L$3,500 |
Full: L$2,999 |
Premium: L$ 1,995 Fat Pack: L$2,995 |
Paid: L$1,449 |
Paid: L$999 + Subscription |
| Charity concessions | Unknown | Charities must contact Redix for details |
100% Free to registered charities | Charities must contact Kimpa for arrangements |
Unknown |
| Company Info | Alika | BSM | CasperVend² | KTC Vendor Server | MD Vendor System |
| Website | alikasystems.com | bejamble.net | CasperTech | English French |
MD Labs |
| Inworld SLURL | Not available inworld | VirtualWorx Vendor near landing point |
CasperTech | Kimpa Tammas Creations | MD Labs Mainstore |
| Marketplace Store | Alika Products Store | VirtualWorx Store | CasperTech Store | Kimpa Tammas Creations store | MD Labs Store |
| Current System Coder | Danna Ewing | Redix Dollinger | Casper Warden | Kimpa Tammas | Mattia Delwood |