Choosing the right E-Commerce platform is crucial for scaling your business, but with so many options, it’s not always easy.

Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) and Shopify Plus are two leading e-commerce platforms, each catering to different business needs. Adobe Commerce provides unparalleled customisation and flexibility for complex operations, while Shopify Plus optimises the process with a user-friendly, scalable solution designed for rapid growth.

Let’s break down the key differences between Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus so you can choose the best fit for your business.

Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Plus at a Glance

Feature	Adobe Commerce	Shopify Plus
What it is	Open-source, self-hosted e-commerce solution with extensive customisation options	Fully hosted, enterprise-level platform with built-in tools and ease of use
Best for	Businesses that need custom features	Businesses that want simplicity
Ease of use	Requires more setup and management	Easier to use, less maintenance
Tech expertise needed	Requires developers and coding skills	Minimal technical knowledge needed
Control level	Complete control over customization	Less control, more built-in features
Monthly fee	$22,000-$125,000+ per year	$24,000+ yearly per year
Hosting Costs	$5,000-$15,000+ monthly	Included in subscription

In a nutshell: Adobe Commerce provides unmatched flexibility and deep customisation capabilities, making it ideal for businesses with complex needs and the resources to manage ongoing development. However, this level of control requires technical expertise and higher operational costs.

Shopify Plus, on the other hand, prioritises ease of use with a fully hosted, scalable solution that simplifies management and maintenance. While it limits customisation compared to Adobe Commerce, it enables businesses to focus on growth rather than infrastructure. The choice ultimately depends on whether your priority is customisation and control or simplicity and efficiency.

What Each Platform Does Best:
Comparison between Adobe Commerce vs. Shopify Plus

Choosing between Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus depends on your priorities. 

Adobe Commerce offers deep customisation and control, making it ideal for businesses with complex needs. Shopify Plus, on the other hand, focuses on ease of use and efficient operations, helping businesses launch and scale quickly. 

Here’s how they compare in key areas:

• Store design and customisation
• Running your business
• Selling globally
• Performance and reliability
• Security

1. Store Design & Customisation

A well-designed store enhances user experience and drives conversions. Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus take different approaches to customisation, catering to businesses with varying technical capabilities.

Designed for businesses that require deep customisation, Adobe Commerce offers:

• Complete design flexibility, from the checkout process to personalised user journeys.
• Multi-store management under one system, each with unique branding, currencies, and catalogues.
• Highly tailored interfaces with custom templates, layouts, and interactive features.
• Total control over integrations that allow you to connect third-party tools, ERP systems, and custom APIs to match your exact business needs.

It is best for usinesses with in-house developers or agencies that require custom features beyond standard templates.

For brands that prioritise ease of use and speed to market, Shopify Plus provides:

• Quick deployment 
• Code-free design changes
• Mobile-first optimisation
• Built-in UX enhancements  through Shopify’s native conversion-boosting features, such as fast checkout and optimised product pages.

Verdict: Adobe Commerce is ideal for companies that need full creative control and have the resources to manage a customised, multi-faceted storefront. Shopify Plus is the better choice for businesses seeking a fast, scalable, and user-friendly platform with minimal development requirements.

2. Running Your Business

The right e-commerce platform should ease your daily operations, whether you manage intricate business workflows or need a system that simplifies processes. Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus cater to different operational needs.

Adobe Commerce is designed for businesses with complex structures and high operational demands. It supports:

• Complex B2B selling, including custom workflows, account-based pricing, and contract management.
• Large product catalogues with advanced filtering, bulk updates, and detailed product attributes.
• Custom pricing models that allow for personalised discounts, volume-based pricing, and customer-specific rates.
• Multi-location inventory management, enabling precise tracking and fulfilment across warehouses and distribution centres.

Shopify Plus makes daily operations more efficient by automating and simplifying key tasks. It offers:

• Simplified order processing with a user-friendly dashboard.
• Automated workflows for order tagging, inventory updates, customer notifications, and more.
• Easy product management with an intuitive interface for adding, updating, and organising products without technical expertise.
• Integrated shipping and fulfilment tools that connect with carriers, automate rate calculations, and enable fast order dispatching.

Verdict: Adobe Commerce is better suited for businesses with intricate operations, requiring deep customisation and control over pricing, inventory, and B2B features. Shopify Plus is ideal for companies looking for a streamlined, automated system that reduces complexity and enhances efficiency.

3. Selling Globally

Expanding into international markets requires robust tools for localisation, compliance, and seamless cross-border transactions. Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus take different approaches to global selling, catering to businesses with varying levels of complexity.

Adobe Commerce provides extensive global selling capabilities for businesses needing advanced control. It supports:

• Multi-store setups, allowing businesses to create region-specific storefronts with unique languages, currencies, and pricing models.
• Flexible localisation settings, including custom tax rules, payment gateways, and region-based shipping policies.
• Advanced international product management, enabling businesses to tailor catalogues and promotions to specific markets.
• Multi-location inventory management, ensuring efficient stock distribution and fulfilment across different regions.

Shopify Plus simplifies global expansion with built-in tools that reduce complexity. It offers:

• Shopify Markets Pro, which automates currency conversion, tax compliance, and international duties.
• Automatic currency conversion that adjusts prices based on real-time exchange rates.
• A standardised checkout experience that provides a consistent and seamless purchasing process for customers worldwide.
• A global content delivery network (CDN) that ensures fast site performance, regardless of the customer’s location.

Verdict: Adobe Commerce is best for businesses that require full control over their international strategy, from multi-store management to detailed localisation. Shopify Plus is the better choice for companies looking for a scalable, low-maintenance solution that simplifies global selling without extensive technical setup.

4. Performance and Reliability

A high-performing e-commerce platform ensures fast load times, smooth transactions, and the ability to handle traffic spikes without disruptions.

Adobe Commerce allows for extensive performance optimisation but requires proactive management. It offers:

• A self-hosted infrastructure where performance depends on server quality, caching strategies, and custom configurations.
• The ability to fine-tune speed and scalability with advanced optimisations, such as custom CDN integrations and database enhancements.
• Flexibility to choose and upgrade hosting solutions to match business growth and traffic demands.
• The responsibility to monitor and optimise performance, requiring in-house expertise or third-party hosting providers.

Shopify Plus provides a fully managed infrastructure with built-in performance optimisations. It offers:

• A globally distributed cloud network that ensures consistent speed and uptime without manual intervention.
• Automatic traffic scaling to handle large sales events, preventing slowdowns or crashes during peak demand.
• A built-in content delivery network (CDN) that enhances site speed worldwide.
• Minimal need for ongoing performance management, as Shopify continuously optimises its hosting environment.

Verdict: Adobe Commerce is ideal for businesses that want full control over performance and are willing to invest in optimisation and high-quality hosting. Shopify Plus is the better choice for companies that prioritise reliability, automatic scalability, and minimal technical maintenance.

5. Security Considerations

Security is critical for any e-commerce platform, covering data protection, fraud prevention, and compliance with industry regulations.

Adobe Commerce provides greater flexibility in security but requires active management. It offers:

• Full control over security configurations, allowing businesses to implement custom firewalls, encryption protocols, and access controls.
• The ability to integrate third-party security solutions, such as advanced fraud detection and bot protection.
• Responsibility for staying compliant with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) and implementing necessary updates.
• Regular security patches and updates from Adobe, but businesses must ensure they are applied promptly to maintain protection.

Shopify Plus provides a fully managed security environment with built-in compliance features. It offers:

• Automatic security updates, ensuring stores are always protected without manual intervention.
• PCI DSS Level 1 compliance as standard, handling payment security and encryption for all transactions.
• Built-in fraud prevention tools, including risk analysis and machine learning-based transaction monitoring.
• Secure hosting with Shopify’s infrastructure, reducing the risk of breaches or vulnerabilities from misconfigured settings.

Verdict: Adobe Commerce is best for businesses that need full control over security measures and are willing to invest in monitoring and compliance management. Shopify Plus is the better choice for companies that want a secure, hassle-free environment with automatic updates and industry-standard compliance.

Comparison between Shopify Plus & Adobe Commerce – Pros and Cons at a Glance

Platform	Pros	Cons
Adobe Commerce	✅ Highly customisable and flexible ✅ Ideal for complex B2B and large product catalogs ✅ Multi-store and global selling capabilities ✅ Advanced pricing and inventory management	❌ Requires technical expertise ❌ Longer setup time and higher development costs ❌ Maintenance and hosting costs can add up
Shopify Plus	✅ Quick to set up and easy to use ✅ No coding required for most design changes ✅ Built-in automation and streamlined operations ✅ Simple global selling with Markets Pro	❌ Less control over store functionality ❌ Customization options are limited compared to Adobe Commerce ❌ Higher transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments

Getting Your Store Live

The time and effort required to launch an E-Commerce store depend on the platform’s complexity, customisation options, and technical requirements. Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus offer different approaches:

• Adobe Commerce provides a highly flexible, customisable solution, often requiring a longer setup time and a specialised team to handle development, integrations, and testing.
• Shopify Plus prioritises ease of use and a efficient launch process, allowing businesses to go live more quickly with fewer technical resources.

Key Considerations	Adobe Commerce	Shopify Plus
Typical timeline	4-8 months for larger stores	2-4 months for larger stores
Team required	Larger, specialised team	Smaller, less specialised team
Testing needs	More extensive testing	More straightforward testing
Launch complexity	More complex process	Simpler launch process
Initial stability	Varies based on implementation	More consistent stability

Launch takeaway: 

• Adobe Commerce offers greater customisation but requires more time and expertise to launch. 
• Shopify Plus allows for faster deployment with a more standardised and predictable process.

At what., we can help you fully customise your Shopify Plus store to ensure it aligns perfectly with your business needs, enhances user experience, and maximizes efficiency. Get in touch today for obligation-free consultation.

The Future of Your E-Commerce Platform

Adobe Commerce is investing in:

• Deeper integration with Adobe’s marketing and analytics tools
• Enhanced content and experience management for personalised shopping journeys
• Expanded B2B capabilities to support complex business models
• AI-powered recommendations to boost conversions

Shopify Plus is expanding on:

• More enterprise-level features for high-growth brands
• Greater customisation options
• Improved global commerce tools for cross-border selling
• Optimised fulfillment services for faster, more efficient logistics

Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus: Future outlook

• Adobe Commerce is doubling down on advanced marketing and personalisation, making it a strong choice for businesses leveraging the Adobe ecosystem. 
• Shopify Plus continues to enhance its enterprise capabilities while maintaining its core advantage – simplicity and ease of use.

Finding the Right E-Commerce Platform for Your Business

Here’s how Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus compare based on key business factors:

1. Technical Expertise Required

• Adobe Commerce: Best suited for businesses with a strong technical team or access to development resources. It provides extensive customisation but requires ongoing technical management.
• Shopify Plus: Designed for businesses that want a powerful platform without heavy technical demands. Most features are user-friendly, reducing the need for in-house developers.

2. Business Complexity

• Adobe Commerce: Handles intricate business models, including multi-store, multi-language, and advanced B2B features. Ideal for businesses with specialized workflows.
• Shopify Plus: Excels at standard E-Commerce setups with streamlined processes, making it a strong choice for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands and high-growth retailers.

3. Customisation & Scalability

• Adobe Commerce: Offers deep customisation, making it a long-term fit for businesses that need tailored experiences. However, custom development can add complexity.
• Shopify Plus: Enables rapid scaling with built-in tools and automation. It offers a range of customisation options that allow brands to create visually stunning and high-converting online stores, even without extensive development work. 
  
  To see how top brands are leveraging Shopify Plus for exceptional store design, check out our article on the best Shopify Plus stores.

4. Operational Priorities

• Adobe Commerce: Ideal for brands prioritising unique customer experiences, advanced merchandising, and deep integration with marketing tools.
• Shopify Plus: Best for businesses focusing on operational efficiency, quick go-to-market strategies, and simplified store management.

5. Cost & Maintenance Considerations

• Adobe Commerce: Typically involves higher initial investment and ongoing costs for hosting, development, and maintenance.
• Shopify Plus: Offers predictable costs with a hosted infrastructure, reducing maintenance overhead.

Key Takeaway:

The best platform for your business depends on your technical resources, operational complexity, and growth priorities. 

Adobe Commerce is a strong choice for businesses needing extensive customisation and control, while Shopify Plus is ideal for those looking for a scalable, user-friendly solution with lower technical overhead.

Conclusion – Which is better: Adobe Commerce or Shopify Plus?

Choose Adobe Commerce if:

• Your business requires deep customisation and tailored workflows.
• You have strong technical resources or a dedicated development team.
• You need advanced B2B features, such as custom pricing and account management.
• Your products or pricing structures are complex and require flexibility.
• Full control over hosting, integrations, and data handling is a priority.

Choose Shopify Plus if:

• Speed to market and ease of use are critical for your business.
• You have limited technical resources and want a low-maintenance solution.
• Operational efficiency, automation, and streamlined processes are key.
• Your needs align with standard E-Commerce models, such as DTC or B2C.
• You prefer predictable costs, built-in performance optimization, and a hosted infrastructure.

As we saw, both platforms can power successful online stores, but their strengths lie in different areas. 

Ultimately, the right platform is the one that best supports your growth, resources, and long-term vision.