Shopify vs Adobe Commerce: 7 Key Differences
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Differences between Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce
- Platform Types
- Controversial Products
- Pricing
- Multi-Store Support
- International Selling
- B2B Capabilities
- Product Types
- Customizations
- Hosting
- Conclusion
Introduction
When it comes to choosing an eCommerce platform, there are several options available in the market. Two of the most popular choices are Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce. In this article, we will compare these two platforms and highlight their strengths and weaknesses. We will discuss various factors including platform types, pricing, multi-store support, B2B capabilities, product types, customizations, and hosting. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of which platform suits your business needs the best.
1. Differences between Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce
Before diving into the details, let's first understand the differences between Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce. These two platforms cater to different types of businesses and have unique features.
2. Platform Types
Shopify Plus is a SaaS platform, which means it is a ready-to-use solution with automatic updates. It is designed for medium to big businesses that want to kick off quickly. On the other hand, Adobe Commerce has two versions - Adobe Commerce (an on-premise version) and Adobe Commerce Cloud (a hosted platform version). Adobe Commerce is suitable for medium, large, and enterprise-level businesses.
3. Controversial Products
One important factor to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform is the acceptance of controversial products. Shopify Plus controls what can be sold on its platform and bans certain products like ammunition, vapes, online pharmacy items, and guns. In contrast, Adobe Commerce allows the sale of any legal products, including ammunition, guns, tobacco, and related items. If your business revolves around such products, the choice is clear.
4. Pricing
Pricing is another essential aspect to consider while selecting an eCommerce platform. Adobe Commerce's pricing starts at $22,000 for the on-premise version and $40,000 for the cloud-based edition annually. The price is calculated based on average gross sales revenue on a project-to-project basis. On the other hand, Shopify Plus starts at $2,000 a month and the cost varies depending on Gross Merchandise Volume. It's important to factor in other expenses like hosting, development, design, and more while calculating the overall budget.
5. Multi-Store Support
For large eCommerce companies operating across different locations, multi-store support is crucial. Adobe Commerce allows the management of an unlimited number of storefronts from a single admin panel. It offers the ability to synchronize inventory between stores and share product catalogs across different websites, stores, and store views. Shopify Plus, on the other hand, allows the management of up to 10 clone stores. Each clone store needs to be managed and updated individually.
6. International Selling
When it comes to international selling, Adobe Commerce takes the lead with its advanced product attribute management. It allows merchants to set the scope of attributes at a global or local level, enabling efficient international selling. On the other hand, Shopify Plus is still in the early stages of its international eCommerce capabilities and lacks certain features like content customization based on market and global inventory locations.
7. B2B Capabilities
Both platforms have B2B capabilities, but Adobe Commerce offers a wider range of B2B-specific features out of the box. It provides features like different customer groups, customized discounts and catalogs, shopping priorities, company accounts, credit limits, budget assignments, role assignments, and more. Shopify Plus offers flexible payment options, order management, custom pricing, and the ability to set up a wholesale channel, but it is more suitable for eCommerce businesses with simpler B2B requirements.
8. Product Types
Adobe Commerce offers a variety of native product types, including simple products, configurable products, bundled products, virtual products, downloadable products, grouped products, and gift cards. These product types can be customized or expanded based on business needs. On the other hand, Shopify Plus supports the equivalent of simple and configurable products. To achieve the same level of functionality, customizations or third-party applications need to be utilized.
9. Customizations
When it comes to customization capabilities, Adobe Commerce outshines Shopify Plus due to its open-source nature. With Adobe Commerce, there are no limitations to customization. Merchants can customize all features provided out of the box and create a unique customer experience tailored to their business needs. On the other hand, Shopify Plus allows limited customization options through third-party integrations and applications.
10. Hosting
Hosting is an important factor to consider for website performance, scalability, security, and PCI compliance. Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce Cloud are both hosted solutions, which means the platforms handle the hosting for you. However, Shopify Plus manages all aspects of hosting, while with Adobe Commerce Cloud, you may need to manage certain aspects yourself. With the on-premise version of Adobe Commerce, you have the flexibility to choose your preferred hosting provider.
11. Conclusion
In conclusion, both Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce are powerful eCommerce platforms that cater to different types of businesses. Shopify Plus is a great choice for relatively straightforward businesses operating in the B2C segment. It offers an easy-to-use solution with a range of out-of-the-box features. On the other hand, Adobe Commerce is more suitable for businesses with complex requirements, including B2C, B2B, and D2C models. It provides extensive customization capabilities, advanced B2B features, and a wide range of product types. Consider your business needs and goals to determine which platform is the best fit for you.
