Is Adobe Commerce the Same as Magento?

Adobe Commerce and Magento are closely related but not exactly the same. Their relationship has evolved over time, creating some confusion about where one ends and the other begins.

The Evolution from Magento to Adobe Commerce

Magento was first released in 2008 as an open-source ecommerce platform for small to medium-sized businesses. Its flexibility and adaptability quickly made it popular for tailored ecommerce solutions. In 2018, Adobe acquired Magento for $1.68 billion, and in April 2021, Magento Commerce was officially rebranded to Adobe Commerce as part of Adobe's strategy to integrate Magento into their broader suite of digital experience solutions.

Current Platform Offerings

Today, two main editions exist:

Magento Open Source

This remains a free, open-source option that businesses can download and develop to meet their needs. Users manage their own site's hosting, maintenance, upgrades, and customization. It features basic but powerful ecommerce capabilities including site search, integrated checkout, payment, shipping, and catalog management tools.

Adobe Commerce

This is the premium, enterprise-level version (formerly known as Magento Commerce/Enterprise Edition). It's part of Adobe's Experience Cloud and comes with advanced features, enhanced functionalities, and comprehensive support. Adobe Commerce is available in two deployment options:

• On-premises solution
• Adobe Commerce Cloud (platform-as-a-service)

Similarities and Differences

Similarities

• Both Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source share the same core architecture and basic functionalities.
• Both platforms can be used by businesses of all sizes to sell online securely.
• They both support marketing and merchandising needs and can handle high-volume multi-currency sales.
• Both have access to the extensive ecosystem of extensions, developers, and partners.

Key Differences

• Pricing: Magento Open Source is free, while Adobe Commerce costs between $22,000 and $125,000 annually depending on business size and requirements.
• Features: Adobe Commerce includes additional capabilities like business intelligence dashboards, B2B functionality, content staging, visual merchandiser, customer loyalty tools, and advanced marketing features.
• Scalability: Adobe Commerce is designed for better scalability with three databases for checkout, orders, and product data, while Magento Open Source operates with a single database system.
• Support: Adobe Commerce provides dedicated support, while Magento Open Source relies on community support.
• Integration: Adobe Commerce seamlessly integrates with other Adobe Experience Cloud products.

Conclusion

To directly answer the question: No, Adobe Commerce is not exactly the same as Magento. Adobe Commerce is the rebranded, enhanced version of what was formerly Magento Commerce/Enterprise Edition, while Magento Open Source continues to exist as the free option. As one Reddit user succinctly put it, "They're the same product. Just Adobe commerce has additional add-ons." Adobe Commerce is built on top of Magento Open Source but adds significant extra functionality, particularly for B2B merchants and enterprise-level businesses. If you need assistance with either Magento or Adobe Commerce, don't hesitate to drop us a line at x2y.dev/contact.