Adobe Commerce vs Shopify: Which Platform is Right for You in Australia?

Adobe Commerce vs Shopify Overview

Shopify is a straightforward eCommerce platform designed for easy business launch with its user-friendly website builder and essential sales tools. It supports third-party digital tools for added functionality.

Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) offers robust features beyond the basics, focusing on delivering consistent customer experiences. It caters to businesses of all sizes, enabling multichannel experiences and multiple multilingual websites. Its Adobe Marketplace provides 3,600 native integrations for extensive site optimization, customer support, marketing, and logistics.

Compared between Adobe Commerce vs Shopify, Shopify is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses seeking simplicity, while Adobe Commerce suits enterprises aiming for customized, feature-rich eCommerce solutions.

Key Comparison Factors Between Adobe Commerce vs Shopify

Adobe Commerce vs Shopify are leading eCommerce platforms with user-friendly interfaces and powerful features. Adobe Commerce offers advanced capabilities like multichannel experiences and extensive integrations, while Shopify focuses on simplicity and comprehensive eCommerce tools, making them both essential for digital transformation. Here is a detailed analysis:

Pricing plans

Here’s a detailed look at the prices of Adobe Commerce vs Shopify and what you can expect in terms of initial investments and ongoing expenses.

Adobe Commerce: To sign up for Adobe Commerce, you can choose between two main pricing packages: Adobe Commerce Pro and Managed Services. Pricing details are negotiated based on your business specifics.

• License Fee: Calculated based on Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and Average Order Value (AOV), starting at a minimum of $22,000/year.
• Development Cost: Typically ranges between $100,000 to $500,000 or higher, depending on customization needs.
• Hosting: Costs around $1,000/month or higher, with the option of Magento 2 Commerce Cloud Hosting starting at $3,333/month, inclusive of hosting and license fees.

Shopify: Shopify offers three primary pricing plans:

• Basic Shopify: $39/month
• Shopify: $105/month
• Advanced Shopify: $399/month

Additionally, Shopify provides a 3-day free trial and a promotional period where the first three months cost $1/month. For more advanced features, Shopify Plus is available at $2,000/month. Shopify’s plans include a variety of templates and eCommerce tools aimed at optimizing business performance.

Scalability

When considering Adobe Commerce vs Shopify, scalability emerges as a crucial factor influencing the choice of eCommerce platform. Understanding these scalability features helps businesses align their platform choice with their growth strategies and operational needs.

Adobe Commerce Scalability: Adobe Commerce offers robust scalability features:

• Allows creation of professional hubs for multiple brands, sites, and channels.
• Supports extensive product variants such as colors, styles, and dynamic options.
• Facilitates multi-region and multi-tenant storefronts.
• Enables management of new product catalogs and brands.

Shopify Scalability: Shopify is versatile and suitable for scaling businesses:

• Designed to accommodate businesses of all sizes.
• While customization options may have some limitations, Shopify Plus provides advanced features to optimize store performance.

Watch more: Key Comparisons: Shopify vs Salesforce for Australian Users

Customization

Let’s compare the customization options between Adobe Commerce vs Shopify:

Adobe Commerce Customization:

• Adobe Commerce is known for its extensive customization capabilities, but it requires a certain level of technical expertise.
• Setting up and customizing your online store on Adobe Commerce typically requires basic technical knowledge.
• Offers flexibility for developers to create highly customized eCommerce solutions, suitable for complex business needs.

Shopify Customization:

• Shopify excels in providing a user-friendly interface that simplifies customization tasks.
• It features a web-based platform with an intuitive dashboard, allowing users to easily make edits and updates without extensive technical knowledge.
• Ideal for merchants looking to quickly set up and manage their store with minimal technical effort.

Apps and extensions

The choice between Adobe Commerce vs Shopify in terms of apps and extensions depends on the depth of customization and specific functionalities required to optimize eCommerce  operations effectively. Let’s see in detail:

Adobe Commerce Extensions:

• Adobe Commerce offers access to over 4,000 extensions through the Adobe Commerce Marketplace.
• Extensions cover various categories such as customer support (Zendesk Connector), tax automation (TaxJar Sales Tax Automation), checkout optimization (Smart One Step Checkout for Magento 2), shipping solutions (Magento Multi Carrier Shipping Label & Rates With Tracking), marketing automation (Mautic Integration), shipping management (Amasty Shipping Suite), and authentication (Google One Tap Login).
• Costs for these extensions can vary, so it’s important to consider pricing before installation.

Shopify Apps:

• Shopify boasts a larger selection of over 8,000 apps, including both free and paid options.
• Apps on Shopify cover a wide range of functionalities aimed at enhancing store performance, sales, marketing, customer service, and more.

Sales features  

When evaluating Adobe Commerce vs Shopify for their sales features, distinct advantages and limitations emerge that cater to different business needs and growth strategies. Here are some main differences between them:

Adobe Commerce Sales Features:

• Adobe Commerce supports tracking regional brands, multiple B2B/B2C stores, and multi-brands effectively.
• Allows setting up localized pricing for different markets and supports unlimited expansion stores.
• Activates multi-source inventory management to optimize stock availability across locations.
• Merchandising capabilities include displaying various product types such as simple, configurable, bundled, downloadable, virtual, grouped, and gift cards.
• Provides tools like Magento Enterprise Edition for establishing rules and managing orders and product catalogs efficiently.

Shopify Sales Features:

• Shopify, including Shopify Plus, limits the number of additional stores (maximum 9 stores).
• Currency conversion features are limited without using Shopify Pay, which can inconvenience both customers and merchants.
• Offers robust eCommerce features such as multi-store inventory management, point-of-sale (POS) integration, and support for multiple payment gateways.

Customer support  

The availability and accessibility of support options of Adobe Commerce vs Shopify play a pivotal role in determining which platform best meets the customer service needs of eCommerce businesses.

Adobe Commerce Support:

• Adobe Commerce typically requires payment for access to professional support services, which can be costly.
• Users can also refer to the Commerce Help Center for self-service resources and tips on managing their stores.

Shopify Support:

• Shopify offers 24/7 customer support through various channels including live chat, phone, and email.
• Provides a flexible and responsive support system that allows merchants to quickly resolve issues and get assistance as needed.

Watch more: Adobe Commerce vs Magento: Pros and Cons for Australian eCommerce

Which Platform is Right for You?

When deciding between Adobe Commerce vs Shopify, it’s essential to consider the specific needs and scale of your eCommerce  business.

Why you should choose Shopify?

Shopify is highly favored by small to medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs who prioritize ease of use and accessibility. Its intuitive platform and user-friendly interface make it ideal for merchants without extensive technical knowledge. Shopify offers a range of customizable templates and apps that allow businesses to quickly set up and manage their online stores with minimal effort. 

This flexibility and affordable pricing plans make Shopify a popular choice for sustaining long-term growth, particularly for businesses with straightforward operational needs. Notable success stories like Brilliant Business Moms, Gymshark, and The Farmer’s Dog showcase Shopify’s effectiveness in supporting diverse eCommerce ventures.

Why you should choose Adobe Commerce?

On the other hand, Adobe Commerce is tailored for enterprises and larger businesses that require robust customization and scalability. While the initial investment and technical expertise required may be higher compared to Shopify, Adobe Commerce offers unparalleled flexibility and functionality. It excels in managing complex product catalogs, supporting multiple storefronts, and implementing advanced customization options. 

This makes it particularly suitable for businesses with extensive product variants, cross-border operations, and demanding integration requirements. Leading B2B brands such as ACME, Alibaba, Amazon, and Massey Ferguson leverage Adobe Commerce’s capabilities to effectively manage and expand their substantial online presence.

Expert Advice from SmartOSC

In summary, the decision between Adobe Commerce and Shopify hinges on your business objectives, technical expertise, and the extent of customization and scalability needed for sustainable growth in the competitive eCommerce market. Shopify excels for smaller operations seeking simplicity and cost-efficiency, whereas Adobe Commerce shines in supporting large-scale ventures with complex requirements.

It’s worth noting that SmartOSC serves as a partner for both Adobe Commerce and Shopify platform, offering expertise and solutions that cater to businesses leveraging either platform’s strengths to maximize their online potential. As a trusted partner, we employ the most up-to-date technology and cutting-edge analytics to help businesses get the most out of their infrastructure assets.

Conclusion

Deciding between Adobe Commerce vs Shopify hinges on business size in Australia, complexity, and growth goals. Shopify offers simplicity and accessibility for smaller ventures, while Adobe Commerce excels in customization and scalability for larger enterprises. Understanding these distinctions helps tailor your choice to optimize your online business’s success.

If you need more information about these platforms, please contact us for more expert information.