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

Highlights

• Discover the key differences between Adobe Commerce vs Shopify in pricing, scalability, customization, and support for Australian eCommerce businesses.
• Learn which platform is better suited for B2B enterprises, multichannel growth, or quick D2C launches.
• Get expert insights from SmartOSC, a certified Adobe and Shopify Plus partner, to guide your platform decision and implementation.

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.

Adobe Commerce Overview

What is Adobe Commerce (Magento)?

Adobe Commerce, formerly known as Magento Commerce, is a powerful enterprise-grade eCommerce platform developed by Magento and acquired by Adobe in 2018. It builds upon Magento’s open-source foundation, offering unparalleled flexibility and a wide range of features for businesses looking to deliver tailored digital experiences. Designed for scalability, Adobe Commerce supports complex catalogs, multi-store management, and advanced integrations, making it a popular choice for large retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers.

What sets Adobe Commerce apart is its technical depth and modular architecture, which gives developers the ability to build fully customized experiences at every touchpoint. It caters especially well to businesses with unique needs and high-volume transactions, including B2B enterprises that require account-level personalization, workflow automation, and ERP synchronization. With Adobe’s Experience Cloud integration, Adobe Commerce also allows for advanced marketing, personalization, and analytics capabilities that extend far beyond traditional eCommerce functionalities.

Key Features of Adobe Commerce

• B2B support: Native tools for company accounts, custom catalogs, quick ordering, and request-for-quote (RFQ) workflows.
• Product catalog management: Manage complex SKUs, product attributes, and pricing rules across multiple channels.
• Custom checkout workflows: Adapt the checkout experience with multiple payment methods, tax rules, and shipping logic.
• API-driven architecture: Build headless storefronts or integrate with mobile apps using REST and GraphQL APIs.
• ERP/CRM integrations: Seamlessly connect to backend systems like SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, or Salesforce for real-time data flow and operational efficiency.

Pros and Cons of Adobe Commerce

Pros:

• Highly customizable: Ideal for businesses with unique workflows and design requirements.
• Robust for B2B: Built-in features tailored specifically for B2B sellers with complex sales structures.
• Scalable: Easily supports enterprise operations across regions, languages, and brands.

Cons:

• Requires development resources: Implementation and ongoing maintenance demand technical expertise or a certified partner.
• Higher total cost of ownership: Costs include licensing, infrastructure, development, and ongoing optimization, more suited for mid-size to large businesses.

Shopify Overview

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a fully hosted, cloud-based eCommerce platform known for its simplicity, speed, and ease of use, making it a top choice for small to mid-sized businesses entering the online retail space. With a focus on usability, Shopify enables merchants to build, launch, and manage their online stores without needing extensive technical knowledge or development support. Its intuitive admin dashboard and vast theme library help businesses create professional-looking storefronts with minimal setup time.

For larger or rapidly scaling businesses, Shopify Plus extends the platform’s capabilities with more advanced features, including automation tools, enhanced customization options, and dedicated support. This makes it suitable not just for startups but also for growing brands and enterprises looking for operational efficiency without the complexity of maintaining their own infrastructure. Shopify’s popularity in Australia continues to grow, thanks to its streamlined experience and strong ecosystem of apps and service providers.

Key Features of Shopify

• Drag-and-drop builder: Easily create and customize storefronts without coding.
• App ecosystem: Access thousands of plugins for marketing, logistics, analytics, and more.
• Payment gateway integration: Shopify Payments, as well as support for global and local gateways.
• Hosting and security included: Fully managed infrastructure with SSL, PCI compliance, and automatic updates.
• Shopify Markets for cross-border selling: Manage multiple international storefronts from a single backend.

Pros and Cons of Shopify

Pros:

• Easy to use: Designed for non-technical users with an intuitive interface.
• Fast setup: Launch an online store quickly with pre-built templates and integrated tools.
• Scalable with Shopify Plus: Upgrade as your business grows without migrating to a new platform.

Cons:

• Limited backend control: Less flexibility compared to open-source platforms like Adobe Commerce.
• App dependency for custom functions: Heavily reliant on third-party apps for advanced or niche features, which can impact costs and performance.

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.

How SmartOSC Can Help You Choose and Implement between Adobe Commerce vs Shopify

When navigating the decision between Adobe Commerce vs Shopify, having a trusted digital partner can make all the difference. SmartOSC is a leading eCommerce agency with certified expertise in both platforms, helping Australian businesses select, implement, and optimize the right solution based on their unique needs.

With over 1,000 global projects delivered, SmartOSC provides end-to-end services, from platform consultation and strategic planning to full implementation, system integration, and ongoing optimization. Whether you need a highly customized Adobe Commerce setup or a fast-to-market Shopify Plus solution, SmartOSC brings the technical experience and local insights needed for long-term success.

Our services include:

• Platform evaluation and selection
• Custom UX/UI design and theme development
• ERP, CRM, and third-party app integrations
• Performance optimization and security hardening
• Post-launch support, analytics, and continuous improvements

SmartOSC is a certified partner of both Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus, giving you direct access to best-in-class technologies and support networks. From large-scale B2B deployments to D2C brand rollouts, we’ve supported a variety of digital transformation journeys across Australia and APAC.

Looking for proof? Explore our case studies or contact us directly to learn how we’ve helped clients in fashion, electronics, beauty, and more achieve measurable growth with tailored Adobe and Shopify solutions.

FAQs: Adobe Commerce vs Shopify in Australia

Which platform is more cost-effective for Australian startups?

For most Australian startups, Shopify tends to be the more cost-effective option. Its monthly subscription model, included hosting, and low setup requirements make it ideal for businesses with limited budgets and smaller teams. Adobe Commerce, while highly customizable, involves higher upfront development costs and ongoing maintenance, making it more suitable for established businesses with complex needs.

Can Shopify support B2B transactions like Adobe Commerce?

Yes, Shopify can support B2B transactions, especially through Shopify Plus, which includes features like customer-specific pricing, company profiles, and custom checkout flows. However, Adobe Commerce offers more advanced and native B2B capabilities, such as RFQ workflows, requisition lists, and multi-user company accounts, making it better suited for businesses with complex B2B structures or wholesale operations.

Is Adobe Commerce better for SEO than Shopify?

Adobe Commerce offers deeper control over SEO elements, including customizable URLs, meta tags, canonical tags, and structured data. It’s ideal for businesses that want full technical control of on-page SEO and custom implementations. Shopify, while SEO-friendly and sufficient for most standard use cases, has some limitations, such as restricted access to server-level settings and forced URL structures.

What are the key differences in integrations and APIs?

Adobe Commerce features an open-source, API-first architecture with extensive customization and integration potential, making it suitable for complex systems involving ERP, CRM, and PIM platforms. It supports both REST and GraphQL APIs. Shopify also offers a robust API ecosystem, especially for app development and third-party integrations, but has more constraints compared to Adobe when it comes to backend flexibility and advanced workflows. For businesses with custom backend requirements, Adobe Commerce is typically the more flexible choice.

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.