WHICH ECOMMERCE PLATFORM IS RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
Adobe Commerce vs Magento
Choosing the right ecommerce platform
Ecommerce is rapidly transforming how businesses sell products and engage with customers. With global retail ecommerce sales reaching an estimated $5.8 trillion in 2023 and projected to exceed $8 trillion by 2027, having an effective ecommerce platform is more crucial than ever.
Choosing the right ecommerce platform for your business is an important consideration that requires strategic planning. Ecommerce isn’t just about listing products in an online store – it’s about enhancing customer experience, streamlining operations, and scaling your business efficiently. The right platform can help you boost sales, improve customer engagement, and even expand into new markets.
Before selecting an ecommerce platform, it’s essential to define your business goals. Are you focused on increasing sales, enhancing customer interactions, or entering or creating a new market? Understanding your specific needs will help you decide on the right solution.
In this article, we’ll compare two leading ecommerce platforms – Magento Open Source vs Adobe Commerce – to help you make an informed decision. We’ll evaluate key factors like features, pricing, scalability, security, and support so you can choose the best fit for your business.
Let's talk
Contact usKey differences at a glance
Magento Open Source vs Adobe Commerce
Magento Open Source is a free, open-source platform aimed primarily at smaller businesses, while Adobe Commerce is a paid, cloud-based platform as a service (PaaS) aimed at larger businesses. Both platforms are built on the Magento framework, an open-source software platform designed for ecommerce. Magento was acquired by Adobe in 2018 and both products are now offered under the Adobe Experience cloud brand.
Here are some of the key differences between the platforms:
- Cost: Magento Open Source is free, but there can be additional hosting, development and security costs. Adobe Commerce is a paid platform with licensing and usage fees. The licensing fee is a percentage of your annual turnover.
- Scalability: Adobe Commerce is highly scalable and automatically adjusts capacity to maintain a steady performance. Magento Open Source offers flexibility and scaling, but if your platform grows beyond a certain point, it might require custom development to ensure optimal performance.
- Security: Adobe Commerce has advanced features offering robust security. Magento Open Source offers basic security features, but additional tools might be needed.
- Support: Adobe Commerce Cloud subscribers benefit from dedicated technical support. While users of Magento Open Source have no direct access to support services, there is a large community that provides support online through forums.
Platform Features: Tailored to Your Business Needs
Both Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce provide a strong set of eCommerce features that can be customized to fit your business. They share essential functionalities such as responsive web design, seamless checkout, multiple payment options, and basic site administration. However, key differences set them apart:
- Magento Open Source offers fundamental eCommerce capabilities, including catalog management, user accounts, and order processing. As a community-driven platform, it supports thousands of third-party extensions and templates to enhance functionality.
- Adobe Commerce is a premium solution designed for larger businesses, offering advanced B2B tools, AI-powered search, sophisticated marketing features, personalized targeting, and a comprehensive content management system. Adobe Commerce also provides greater personalization for customers with product recommendations powered by Adobe Sensei, which uses artificial intelligence and machine-learning algorithms to analyze visitor data.
Your choice between the two depends on your business size, needs, and growth ambitions. Magento Open Source provides essential tools for smaller businesses looking for flexibility and affordability, while Adobe Commerce delivers the scalability and advanced features required by larger businesses or those targeting fast growth.
Pricing Structures: Balancing Costs and Benefits
One of the first considerations when choosing an ecommerce platform is your budget. It’s important to balance the cost of investing in a platform with the benefits it will bring to your business. Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce have different price points and associated costs to consider:
- Magento Open Source is free to download, with no ongoing subscription costs—making it a great option for smaller businesses or those with tight budgets. However, its limited out-of-the-box functionality may require investment in custom development or third-party extensions, leading to additional costs that can add up over time.
- Adobe Commerce operates on a subscription-based model. Its license fees are tiered based on the Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and Average Order Value (AOV) of your online store. This pricing includes access to comprehensive support and advanced features, making it a scalable solution for growing businesses.
The best pricing model for your business depends on your needs and long-term goals. While Adobe Commerce involves higher costs, its additional features and scalability can provide a strong return on investment.
Technical Support: Ensuring Operational Continuity
Keeping your eCommerce platform running smoothly is essential for both customer retention and ongoing business success. Reliable technical support ensures operational continuity and enhances customer satisfaction.
- Magento Open Source does not offer direct technical support. Instead, users rely on a large and active online community that provides support and resources through forums. While this can be helpful, leveraging community-based support may require technical expertise or assistance from third-party services.
- Adobe Commerce Cloud provides a dedicated support service that is comprehensive and professional. This includes customer success care, cloud onboarding support, and 24/7 global assistance with a dedicated account manager.
Hosting Options: Flexibility vs. Managed Solutions
Where will your eCommerce platform be hosted – on-premises or in the cloud? Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce each offer both solutions, but there are key differences:
- Magento Open Source requires separate hosting, with costs varying based on your scalability needs, performance requirements, and chosen provider.
- Adobe Commerce offers two hosting options:
- On-Premises (Adobe Commerce Edition) – You manage your own hosting infrastructure.
- Cloud-Based (Adobe Commerce Cloud Edition) – Hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, with built-in security, scalability, and performance optimization included in the cost.
If you prefer full control over your hosting environment, Magento Open Source or Adobe Commerce (on-premises) may be suitable. However, for a fully managed, high-performance solution, Adobe Commerce Cloud provides enhanced security, reliability, and seamless scalability.
Target Audience Suitability: Which Platform Is Right for You?
Choosing the right eCommerce platform depends on multiple factors, including your business size, growth plans, and technical capabilities. Both Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source offer powerful solutions, but they cater to different needs.
-
Adobe Commerce Empowers Large-Scale Businesses
If you are a large or rapidly growing business with complex requirements, Adobe Commerce is a powerful solution. With its high scalability, it can grow with your business, ensuring a seamless experience for customers and no loss of functionality. Its advanced security features, combined with regular patches and updates, will give you peace of mind that your online store is protected from vulnerabilities and malicious attacks. Additionally, the comprehensive and professional technical support provided by Adobe ensures that any store-related issues will be addressed 24/7.
With these features, Adobe Commerce empowers larger businesses to take their eCommerce to the next level, scaling efficiently while maintaining performance and security.
-
The Value of Magento Open Source for Smaller Operations
Magento Open Source provides a cost-effective way to launch and manage an eCommerce platform. The lack of licensing fees makes it an affordable and accessible option for smaller businesses. It is supported by a large community of knowledgeable users and developers, who have created and curated a vast range of additional functionalities. If you have the technical expertise within your business, you can fully customize the platform to meet your specific needs.
If you’re looking for flexibility and affordability, and you have the technical resources to manage customization, Magento Open Source is a strong choice.
How Bluprintx can help you choose and implement the right platform
As a Gold Adobe Solutions Partner with an Adobe Commerce Specialization, Bluprintx is a leader in delivering certified Adobe Commerce and Magento development. With over a decade of expertise, we can help you choose and implement the right ecommerce platform for your business.
Our experts will work closely with you to assess your unique requirements, ensuring the solution aligns with your key business objectives. With more than 150 successful projects completed worldwide, and more than 35 Adobe Commerce / Magento certifications, we know how to unlock the full potential of both platforms. Our comprehensive services include strategy development, seamless integration, and ongoing support, empowering your business to thrive in the dynamic digital marketplace.
Connect with Bluprintx
Partner with experts to ensure a smooth transition and long-term success.
Unleash the power of Adobe Commerce and Magento with Bluprintx – your growth partner for driving results through innovative solutions and uncompromising performance. Contact us today to start your Adobe Commerce journey.