UCP vs ACP: Complete Guide for Merchants
The agentic commerce era has arrived, but with it comes a critical decision: UCP or ACP? As a merchant, you're caught in the middle of a format war between two tech giants. This guide will help you understand both protocols and show you how to avoid choosing sides.
What is UCP (Universal Commerce Protocol)?
UCP is backed by Google & Shopify and powers shopping on:
- Google Gemini
- Google Search AI Overviews
- Google Shopping integrations
Key Features:
- Open-source specification
- REST and JSON-RPC transports
- Built-in AP2 (Agent Payments Protocol) support
- Schema.org compatible
- Designed for Google's AI ecosystem
Who Uses UCP?
- Google Gemini shopping agents
- Google Search AI Overviews
- Shopify-powered stores (native support)
- Merchants targeting Google's AI audience
What is ACP (Agentic Commerce Protocol)?
ACP is backed by OpenAI & Stripe and powers:
- ChatGPT Instant Checkout
- OpenAI shopping agents
- Conversational commerce in ChatGPT
Key Features:
- Instant checkout capabilities
- Stripe Shared Payment Tokens
- Optimized for conversational AI
- Designed for ChatGPT's chat interface
- Secure payment delegation
Who Uses ACP?
- ChatGPT shopping agents
- OpenAI-powered commerce
- Merchants targeting ChatGPT users
- Conversational commerce applications
The Format War Problem
Here's the dilemma: Google wants you to speak UCP. OpenAI wants you to speak ACP.
If you build for one, you lose the other. This creates:
- Double integration work - Build UCP for Google, ACP for OpenAI
- Maintenance overhead - Two codebases to maintain
- Missed opportunities - Lose customers on the platform you didn't integrate
- Breaking changes - Protocol updates require rework
The Solution: UCP Commerce
UCP Commerce is the universal translator that solves this problem.
How It Works:
- Connect Once - Integrate with your existing WooCommerce, Magento, or custom stack
- Automatic Translation - We translate your store into both UCP and ACP formats
- Zero Maintenance - Protocol updates are handled automatically
- Universal Visibility - Be visible on Gemini AND ChatGPT instantly
Key Benefits:
- ✅ No format wars - Support both protocols simultaneously
- ✅ No migration - Works with your existing infrastructure
- ✅ Future-proof - Automatically adapts to protocol changes
- ✅ Maximum reach - Access both Google and OpenAI audiences
Comparison Table
| Feature | UCP | ACP | UCP Commerce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Gemini Support | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| ChatGPT Support | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Shopify Native | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Stripe Integration | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Source | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Single Integration | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Which Protocol Should You Choose?
Answer: You don't have to choose.
With UCP Commerce, you get:
- UCP compliance for Google Gemini
- ACP compliance for ChatGPT
- One integration instead of two
- Automatic updates for both protocols
Getting Started
- Sign up for UCP Commerce early access
- Connect your store (WooCommerce, Magento, or custom)
- Configure once - Set your store URL and platform
- Go live - Your store is now visible on both platforms
Conclusion
The format wars are real, but you don't have to pick a side. UCP Commerce is the Switzerland of agentic commerce - neutral, universal, and future-proof.
Ready to connect your store? Request API Keys →