Are you considering launching an e-commerce store? If so, you may be wondering which platform to choose. Adobe Commerce and Magento are two popular options in the market, but what’s the difference between the two?
- What is Adobe Commerce?
- Advantages of Adobe Commerce
- Cost considerations
- Support and peace of mind
- Integration with Adobe products
- Final thoughts
What is Adobe Commerce?
In simple terms, Adobe Commerce is the licensed version of Magento that comes with more features than the standard version. With Adobe Commerce, you can either opt for the Adobe Commerce Cloud, where Adobe hosts your store, or go for the on-premise version, where you’ll have to source your own hosting.
Advantages of Adobe Commerce
Adobe Commerce is a powerful e-commerce platform with an abundance of rich features that allows you to sell products online. Unlike some other platforms, it can handle internationalisation, create B2B sites, and allow for any integration you want. Additionally, it gives you more freedom to be creative with your site and go beyond the limitations of other platforms.
One significant advantage is that if you encounter any issues with the platform, you can go back to Adobe Commerce and request help. In contrast, with Magento, you’ll have to wait for the problem to be fixed as a patch or an upgrade, or have your agency fix it for you. Therefore, the total cost of ownership for Adobe Commerce should be lower than Magento.
Cost considerations
While Adobe Commerce may cost more than Magento because you’ll be paying for a license, it means you’re going to have a top-rate site with a bespoke front-end and multiple integrations with third-party systems. While Magento is free, you should be aware that you may need to allocate a considerable additional budget as the platform does not include as many features and tools as Adobe Commerce.
As a rule of thumb, if your annual revenue is less than £1m a year, Magento will probably be suitable for your needs, but if you plan to turn over more than £1m, it’s advisable to consider Adobe Commerce.
With both platforms you have to pay an agency to configure and develop it, produce a front-end and handle any integrations. The beauty of working with an agency to develop your platform is the breadth of experience and technical knowledge they will bring to the project, and the dedicated support they will provide.
Support and peace of mind
When considering Adobe Commerce, businesses should weigh up the risk and peace of mind that come with using proprietary software backed by a company. With Adobe Commerce, you pay for the license, and someone is accountable if anything goes wrong. In contrast, with Magento, full responsibility lies with the merchant to ensure everything works correctly.
Adobe Commerce users are fully supported with things like documentation. However, the level of support provided is down to the agency you choose to work with.
Integration with Adobe products
Adobe has been working to integrate Adobe Commerce into its suite of products. This means if you opt for Adobe Commerce, you become part of the Adobe Experience suite and can connect to Adobe Analytics, Adobe Target, Adobe Sensei, and more, giving you access to powerful audience insights, testing capabilities, personalisation, and automation.
Final thoughts
In summary, Adobe Commerce offers many advantages over Magento, but it may cost more upfront.
If you’re looking for an e-commerce platform that provides basic functionality and tools, Magento may be suitable. However, if you’re willing to invest in a top-rate site with a bespoke front-end, the ability to customise, and have multiple integrations, Adobe Commerce is an excellent option. Additionally, you get more support and can be much more creative with your site.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to your e-commerce needs and the degree of functionality and support you would like.
If you’re looking to build an e-commerce store, consider Adobe Commerce as a viable option. Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss the specifics of your project and get started on building your dream e-commerce store today.
