When you think of moving your store to a platform that better meets your needs, Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce are two solid options to consider. Both offer robust customization and scalability for demanding eCommerce stores.
In this blog, we’ll dive into their key differences to help you decide which platform better fits your business needs in 2025.
Understanding the Difference Between Magento and Adobe Commerce
Magento and Adobe Commerce are two terms that often get used interchangeably in the world of eCommerce development, but they actually refer to different versions of the same platform.
Adobe has expanded the platform’s capabilities, adding AI-powered product recommendations, seamless integrations with other Adobe tools, and enhanced security features.
Is Magento the Same as Adobe Commerce?
Though Magento and Adobe Commerce share the same core software, they’re built for different business needs. Magento Open Source is a free version, great for small to medium businesses that want flexibility and can handle their own customizations.
Adobe Commerce, the premium option, suits larger businesses needing advanced features like B2B tools, detailed analytics, and priority support, with an optional cloud-hosted version for enterprise-level performance.
When Did Magento Become Adobe Commerce?
Adobe bought Magento in 2018 and has since developed it under the Adobe brand. They rebranded Magento’s enterprise solution as Adobe Commerce, while the open-source version kept the Magento name.
Is Magento Still Working?
Magento Open Source is actively maintained by both Adobe and the community, keeping it a strong option for businesses that want flexibility. Adobe continues to support and update both Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce, with the community driving improvements and resources for the open-source version.
Adobe Commerce vs Magento: Key Differences
One is free and supported by the community, while the other is a paid solution officially backed by Adobe. For enterprise companies, choosing Adobe Commerce is often a straightforward decision. However, if you're an SMB eCommerce business, you’ll want to carefully consider whether the price is justified. Let’s explore this further.
Customizability and Flexibility
Magento Open Source is highly customizable, allowing businesses to modify the code to meet their unique requirements, such as custom layouts, functionalities, and features. Adobe Commerce also offers significant customization options but includes additional built-in tools like a robust theme editor and pre-built functionalities, making setups faster and more efficient, especially for complex stores.
Performance and Scalability
Adobe Commerce boasts enhanced performance features, such as improved caching, optimized indexing, and a fully managed cloud-hosted version (Adobe Commerce Cloud) for easier scaling.
Magento Open Source can manage growth effectively but may require additional optimization strategies, like implementing a content delivery network (CDN) or optimizing database queries, to handle higher traffic smoothly.
Analytics and Reporting
Adobe Commerce includes advanced reporting and analytics tools, along with seamless integration with Adobe Analytics, providing deep data insights that help businesses understand customer behavior and sales performance.
Magento Open Source offers basic reporting, so businesses seeking more advanced analytics would need to rely on third-party tools.
Extensions and Integrations
Both platforms support a wide range of extensions, but Adobe Commerce offers more official integrations with Adobe products, such as Adobe Experience Manager and Adobe Campaign, facilitating a cohesive marketing strategy. Magento Open Source supports third-party integrations, but businesses may need to invest additional time in setup and customization.
Pricing Structure
Magento Open Source is free, making it a budget-friendly choice for small to medium businesses that can manage customizations themselves. In contrast, Adobe Commerce operates on a paid model, with pricing based on the size and specific needs of the business, which includes the added benefits of dedicated support and enterprise-level features.
Content Management
Adobe Commerce includes a Page Builder, an intuitive drag-and-drop tool for creating and managing content, which simplifies design updates and enhances user experience. In comparison, Magento Open Source requires additional plugins or custom coding to achieve similar content management functionality.
AI-Powered Product Recommendations
Adobe Commerce features AI-driven product recommendations powered by Adobe Sensei, enabling more personalized shopping experiences that can enhance conversion rates. Magento Open Source doesn’t offer this feature natively, so businesses seeking similar capabilities would need to implement third-party solutions.
Seamless Integrations with Adobe Tools
Adobe Commerce seamlessly integrates with other Adobe tools, such as Adobe Experience Manager and Adobe Analytics, providing a unified ecosystem for content and data management. Magento Open Source supports various integrations, but Adobe-specific tools typically require custom setups or third-party options.
Enhanced Security Features
Adobe Commerce provides built-in advanced security features like two-factor authentication, fraud protection, and a Web Application Firewall to safeguard businesses against cyber threats.
While Magento Open Source has baseline security measures, businesses would need to custom-add these advanced features or manage them through third-party tools.
Magento and Adobe Commerce Pricing Comparison
When comparing Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce, it’s essential to understand their unique pricing structures. Magento Open Source is free, making it attractive for budget-conscious businesses that can manage development and customization in-house or with freelance support.
Adobe Commerce, however, comes with an annual license fee, which scales based on company revenue and the complexity of the store. Larger enterprises often choose Adobe Commerce for its robust capabilities, recognizing that these advanced features, extended functionality, and numerous integrations align with their growth ambitions and often require significant custom development investments.
Development and Maintenance
Launching and running a store on these platforms often means having reliable development support. Especially during setup and scaling, creating custom features, integrating extensions, and optimizing performance require a skilled developer—or even a dedicated team. There are typically three options for hiring Magento (Adobe Commerce) developers:
- Freelancer: $15 to $120 per hour
- Web Development Agency: $25 to $140 per hour
- In-House Developer: $60,000 to $120,000 per year, depending on location and taxes
Adobe Commerce: Adobe Commerce includes many enterprise-ready features, reducing the need for third-party add-ons and lowering ongoing development costs. However, businesses should plan to invest an average of $20,000 to $100,000 annually on customizations, development, and maintenance, particularly for advanced integrations and tailored functionality.
| Total average sales revenue | Adobe Commerce cost |
| < $1,000,000 |
$22,000/year
|
| $1,000,000 - $5,000,000 |
$32,000/year
|
| $5,000,000 - $10,000,000 |
$49,000/year
|
| $10,000,000 - $25,000,000 |
$75,000/year
|
| $25,000,000+ |
$125,000/year
|
Platform License Costs
Adobe Commerce: Licensing costs for Adobe Commerce start around $22,000 annually for smaller businesses and can range up to $125,000 or more for larger, enterprise-level companies. This fee varies based on revenue tiers and the specific feature set chosen, with higher fees bringing increased support levels and more advanced tools.
Magento Open Source: Magento Open Source is completely free to download and use, without any licensing fees. Businesses only need to factor in additional costs for development, maintenance, and optional extensions, making it a cost-effective choice for those on a budget or with in-house expertise.
Hosting Expenses
Adobe Commerce: Adobe Commerce Cloud, an optional managed hosting solution, typically adds around $15,000 to $25,000 to annual costs. This pricing includes dedicated hosting with built-in scalability, maintenance, and security features, making it simpler to manage for companies needing a high-performance solution.
Magento Open Source: Hosting for Magento Open Source depends on the provider and can range from $500 per year for basic shared hosting to $10,000 annually for dedicated servers or cloud hosting that meets enterprise demands. While it offers flexibility, higher traffic stores may need premium hosting options to maintain performance.
Security and Compliance
Adobe Commerce: Adobe Commerce includes advanced security features such as two-factor authentication and a Web Application Firewall, which are built into the licensing cost. These features offer strong protection from cyber threats, potentially saving up to $10,000 annually in third-party security expenses.
Magento Open Source: Magento Open Source includes basic security measures but lacks Adobe’s advanced protections. Businesses may need to allocate $2,000 to $8,000 annually for additional security services, depending on traffic and data sensitivity, to reach Adobe Commerce’s security level.
Magento vs Adobe Commerce for B2B eCommerce
Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce both offer powerful B2B solutions but cater to businesses with different needs and resources. Understanding these differences can help companies choose the right platform to support complex sales cycles, customized pricing, and other B2B requirements.
While Magento Open Source provides flexibility and core functionality, Adobe Commerce includes advanced tools that streamline large-scale operations, making it an ideal fit for enterprises with high-volume sales and multiple purchasing workflows.
Magento B2B Features
Magento Open Source offers essential tools for B2B companies looking to streamline their online operations. With a flexible foundation, it supports a range of customizations to help small and mid-sized businesses get started with B2B eCommerce.
- Customer-specific pricing and catalogs
- Flexible API integrations for ERP and CRM systems
- Support for multiple storefronts within a single platform
- Customizable workflows and checkout processes
Adobe Commerce Requisition List and B2B Advantages
Adobe Commerce goes a step further for B2B eCommerce with advanced features that meet the demands of larger organizations. It is built for scalability and includes tools to streamline complex procurement and ordering processes.
- Requisition Lists for easy repeat ordering and streamlined procurement
- Custom quote management and customer-specific pricing
- Robust access control and permission settings for multiple buyers per account
- Pre-built integrations with Adobe Experience Manager for an enhanced customer experience
- Support for shared catalogs and advanced inventory management
Magento and Adobe Commerce Integrations
Integrations are a key factor in determining the right eCommerce platform for your business, especially for businesses relying on specialized tools like ERPs, CRMs, or advanced analytics software.
While both Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce support a range of integrations, Adobe Commerce offers native options that can save time and reduce development costs, especially for companies already within the Adobe ecosystem.
Common Magento Open Source Integrations
Magento Open Source is compatible with many third-party tools and applications, providing flexibility for businesses looking to build custom setups or integrate unique software. While these integrations typically require additional development, they allow small to mid-sized businesses to control costs and choose specialized tools. Common integrations include:
- Payment Gateways: Magento Open Source supports major payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net.
- Shipping and Fulfillment: Magento can connect with providers such as UPS, FedEx, and ShipStation for seamless order fulfillment.
- Marketing Automation: Tools like Mailchimp and Klaviyo integrate with Magento to manage email marketing and customer engagement.
- ERP and CRM Systems: Integrations with ERP and CRM systems like Zoho, Salesforce, and SAP are possible, though these often require custom development.
Adobe Commerce Integrations with Adobe Tools
Adobe Commerce offers additional native integrations with Adobe’s suite, making it a powerful solution for businesses that prioritize unified workflows and in-depth analytics. These integrations streamline customer experience management and provide advanced insights with less customization. Key Adobe integrations include:
- Adobe Analytics: This integration enables deep analysis of customer behavior, sales trends, and performance metrics.
- Adobe Experience Manager (AEM): Adobe Commerce and AEM combine to deliver personalized content and unified customer journeys across digital touchpoints.
- Adobe Sensei: Leveraging AI for product recommendations, Adobe Sensei enables a more tailored shopping experience directly within Adobe Commerce.
- Adobe Target: For companies using Adobe Target, Adobe Commerce offers built-in support for personalized customer experiences and A/B testing.
These built-in integrations give Adobe Commerce a significant advantage for enterprise-level businesses looking for a fully connected ecosystem, particularly if they are already leveraging Adobe’s digital marketing or content management tools.
Choosing Between Magento and Adobe Commerce for Your Business
Selecting the right platform between Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce can significantly impact your eCommerce success. Each platform offers distinct advantages suited to different business needs, so understanding these differences can guide your choice.
When to Choose Magento Open Source
Magento Open Source is an ideal choice for businesses that need flexibility and cost efficiency while still accessing a robust eCommerce framework. It’s particularly suited to small to mid-sized businesses that have development resources and want more control over customization.
- Budget-Friendly: Best for companies that need a free platform and can handle customizations internally or with freelance developers.
- Customizable: Ideal for businesses that want extensive control over site features and functions through custom development.
- Community Support: Strong support from a global community of developers and access to a wide range of extensions.
- Scalable for Growth: Suitable for businesses planning gradual scaling without investing in enterprise-grade infrastructure right away.
When to Opt for Adobe Commerce Cloud
Adobe Commerce Cloud is designed for larger businesses or enterprises with complex needs and a focus on streamlined integrations, advanced functionality, and dedicated support. It’s optimal for companies that need a fully managed, scalable solution within the Adobe ecosystem.
- Enterprise-Grade Features: Built-in tools like AI-powered product recommendations and advanced analytics make it ideal for businesses prioritizing personalization and data insights.
- Adobe Ecosystem Integration: Seamlessly connects with Adobe tools like Experience Manager, Analytics, and Target, which is beneficial for companies already using Adobe solutions.
- Cloud-Hosted Scalability: The cloud-based environment enables easy scaling and reduces the need for IT maintenance, perfect for high-traffic eCommerce sites.
- Advanced Security and Compliance: Comes with enhanced security features, making it a strong choice for industries with strict regulatory requirements.
Final Thoughts on Choosing Between Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce
In conclusion, choosing between Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce hinges on your specific business needs and resources. While Magento offers flexibility and cost efficiency ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, Adobe Commerce provides advanced features and integrations suited for larger enterprises looking to scale seamlessly.
Ultimately, both platforms deliver robust eCommerce solutions, but understanding their differences will empower you to make an informed decision. As you evaluate your options for 2025, consider the unique capabilities of each platform to ensure your eCommerce store thrives in a competitive landscape.
