Magento—now Adobe Commerce—is an ecommerce stalwart for mid-market and enterprise brands. It has long been celebrated as an open source platform that can offer a wealth of customization.
However, in the past decade or two, many alternatives to Magento have sprung up. Those alternatives now offer much of what Magento can, but for less money and development work.
If you’re scanning the market to find an alternative to Adobe Commerce, you’re in the right place. This guide takes the stress out of shopping for a new enterprise ecommerce platform by ranking the 10 best Magento alternatives by features, pros, cons, and price.
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What is Magento (Adobe Commerce)?
Adobe Commerce has a long and storied history, most of it under its more well-known name: Magento. The ecommerce software has gone through a number of different versions and products over the years.
Magento was first released on an open source license in 2008. The software, called Magento Community Edition, was built in the PHP framework and was free to use and customize. It quickly grew in popularity.
In 2016, the company spun out a paid product intended to serve the needs of large businesses, called Magento Enterprise Edition. This was a PaaS (platform as a service) offering, somewhat similar to SaaS (software as a service), where users pay a fee to license the software.
In 2017, Magento Community Edition was renamed Magento Open-Source, and Magento Enterprise Edition was shortened to simply Magento Enterprise. The following year, Adobe acquired Magento and integrated its Enterprise Edition into the Adobe Experience Cloud.
In short, Magento Open-Source still exists today, but if you’re looking for an enterprise ecommerce solution, you’re likely looking for the paid product. There are still a dizzying number of names for Magento’s main product—from Magento Commerce Cloud to Adobe Commerce Cloud—but suffice it to say, they all amount to the same thing.
Three reasons to look for a Magento alternative
No one researches Adobe Commerce alternatives as a hobby. You’re here because you’re doing your due diligence to learn about other popular ecommerce platforms, to make sure you’re choosing the right ecommerce technology for your large or small business. If you’re on Adobe now and looking to replatform, some of these pain points may ring a bell.
Total cost of ownership is high
The cost to build a store on Adobe Commerce will depend on the size of your business and the complexity of the site. In addition to the costs to get the store live, you will also be paying ongoing fees to maintain it. Things that are included with a SaaS solution, like security patches, hosting, and updates, will require developers to maintain.
The Magento developer website MagePlaza estimates the cost of licensing to be between $22,000 and $125,000, depending on the gross sales channel revenue.
Updates take too long
Ecommerce moves fast. Your customers’ wants, needs, expectations, and shopping channels of choice are a constantly moving target. The successful online retailer is one that is constantly staying abreast of changes and adapting in innovative ways to stay ahead of the competition. A nimble site that can make changes quickly is thus a huge asset.
However, because of the platform’s complexity, some Adobe Commerce users find that not only does launching a site take longer, so do updates. Not to mention the ongoing development costs related to making updates. This can really slow down innovation.
Performance is an issue
The complexity of Adobe Commerce that makes it highly customizable can also cause issues with performance. You may find your Magento site falling behind in terms of page load speed, especially during high traffic times. If you’re experiencing this particular pain point, you know how frustrating it can be for your site to fail to perform when you need it most.
Ten best Magento alternatives
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
- OpenCart
- BigCommerce
- Salesforce Commerce Cloud
- Shopware
- VTEX
- Spryker
- Elastic Path
- commercetools
If you’re experiencing any of the pain points above, you’re in luck, because Adobe Commerce is far from the only ecommerce platform out there. In fact, there are some excellent Magento alternatives that can provide the enterprise-level features you want—without the expense and bloat you don’t.
1. Shopify
Leaving behind the land of open source platforms and coming to our SaaS options, Shopify has a fee to license but includes security, hosting, and updates.
The platform provides enterprise-level features and APIs, integrates easily with your business systems and tools, has automated workflows to help your online business run smoothly, and has tools built in to create innovative shopping experiences. Businesses that sell online through Shopify include Rothy’s, Staples, and Allbirds.
Rich Fulop, founder and CEO of Brooklinen, adds, “The flexibility Shopify provides across mobile, desktop, and third-party apps has allowed Brooklinen to grow from a Kickstarter campaign to the largest bedding brand in the D2C space.”
Key features:
- Shopify Flow automates the process of selling online.
- B2B commerce functionality to sell B2B and DTC from the same back end.
- Customize your ecommerce platform with more than 8,000 third-party apps in the app marketplace.
- Speedy one-page checkout to increase conversions.
- Over 70 responsive ecommerce website themes with an intuitive website builder for advanced customization.
- Shopify Collabs to find influencers and creators.
- Artificial intelligence tools to get personalized advice on how to manage your store.
- Integrations with ERPs, CRMs, and business intelligence platforms.
Pros:
- User-friendly website builder means you can launch faster—an average of 90 days.
- Highly cost-effective compared to other enterprise offerings.
- Built-in tools for cutting-edge shopping experiences like AR, 3D, and product videos.
G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: Shopify pricing plans start at $2,000 per month. There’s no fee to migrate from Adobe Commerce.
2. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is an open source ecommerce plug-in for WordPress. It’s primarily used by smaller and mid-market businesses. The plug-in was launched in 2011 and gained popularity as a way to monetize an existing WordPress site or spin up a quick ecommerce store.
There are millions of ecommerce websites running the plug-in, and according to WooCommerce, at least one million of them have had at least one sale. Customers of WooCommerce include All Blacks, Phlearn, and Tonal.
Key features:
- Woo Payments to accept online payments using Apple Pay, WooPay, and credit card.
- Mobile app to manage your ecommerce store on the go.
- Integrations to sell on marketplaces like eBay, Amazon, Etsy, and Walmart.
- Shipping extension to buy USPS and DHL labels from your ecommerce backend.
- No-code customization to edit your store without web developers.
Pros:
- Compatible with other WordPress plugins.
- Very customizable. If you’re looking for a project, WooCommerce, by virtue of being open source, is flexible.
- A wide variety of plug-ins extend WooCommerce to make up for the core features it lacks.
Cons:
- Not for beginners, as some coding will be needed to set things up.
- Has to be used with WordPress as the CMS (content management system).
- Many ecommerce features require additional plug-ins.
G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: WooCommerce is free to download and use but has optional paid extensions. You’ll also have to pay for hosting, themes, and development of the site, as well as its ongoing maintenance.
3. OpenCart
Next on our tour of open source Magento alternatives is OpenCart which is also a PHP-based platform. Unlike Adobe Commerce, which requires expensive licensing, OpenCart remains akin to legacy Magento open source (once Community Edition). Stores operating on OpenCart include Good Smile Connect and Hobbii.
Key features:
- Marketplace home to over 13,000 modules and themes to customize your store.
- Accept payments through PayPal, Amazon Pay, Revolut, and Klarna.
- Manage several stores from the same ecommerce platform.
- Websites are responsive and mobile-friendly by default.
- Set up an affiliate program within the OpenCart dashboard.
Pros:
- Free to use and customize.
- Works with most payment gateways and shipping solutions.
- Great technical support.
Cons:
- Lacks robust SEO features.
- Checkout experience and point of sale (POS) can be slow.
- You have to rely on community support or pay for a limited customer support package.
G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: OpenCart is free, but premium features come at an additional cost.
4. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is another SaaS option that also includes hosting and security for a regular license fee. The BigCommerce Enterprise product includes enterprise features, an open architecture that gives you opportunities to customize, and a relatively easy-to-use website builder. BigCommerce customers include Ted Baker, Johnnie Walker, and Skullcandy.
Key features:
- Sell omnichannel with its Feedonomics integration.
- Localized storefronts and catalogs to sell to online shoppers around the world.
- Discounted credit card processing rates.
- Accept cryptocurrency payments.
- Customizable storefront with a drag-and-drop website builder.
Pros:
- Open architecture makes it easy to operate headlessly.
- Cost effective for total cost of ownership compared to Adobe Commerce.
- Good SEO tools.
Cons:
- Multilanguage tools require some workarounds if you’re operating globally.
- Somewhat of a learning curve to operate on the back end.
- Smaller ecosystem of solutions that it integrates with.
G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: BigCommerce plans start at $29/month, but this doesn’t include all advanced features for enterprise brands. The most expensive plan, Pro, is $299/month. There’s also the option to build a custom quote if you’re still looking for something more customizable.
5. Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Salesforce Commerce Cloud (formerly Demandware) has two products: one for B2C retailers and one for B2B. That’s markedly different from Adobe Commerce’s approach of having features for both in the same platform. Stores running on Salesforce include L’Oreal, YETI, and Gucci.
Key features:
- Einstein, a proprietary AI product recommendation software.
- Native integration with the Salesforce CRM for lead tracking.
- Composable storefronts to build a customizable progressive web app (PWA).
- Personalization features to remarket and build customer loyalty.
- Sell on your marketplace, social media, and ads from the same dashboard.
Pros:
- Has strong merchandising and inventory management.
- Can support multiple stores and languages.
Cons:
- You need to get both the B2C and B2B products if you want the features of both.
- More expensive than other SaaS options.
G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: Salesforce doesn’t have set monthly prices for its ecommerce platform. All merchants are billed 1% of their gross merchandise value.
6. Shopware
Shopware is a commerce solution popular in Germany that can be delivered on-premise or as SaaS. Shopware offers a PaaS (hosting and software management handled together) option called Shopware Enterprise Cloud for larger businesses. All models are based on the same code, which is open source. Stores operating on Shopware include Staples, Foodspring, and Biketec.
Key features:
- Spatial commerce to build 3D visuals using augmented reality and machine learning.
- Customer-specific pricing for wholesale buyers.
- Flow Builder to automate complex sales or operational processes.
- Integrations with hundreds of payment processors, loyalty, and shipping apps.
- Website hosting available within the same plan.
Pros:
- Flexible and scalable.
- Good search engine optimization (SEO) features and promotions.
- B2B Suite includes advanced capabilities for B2B sellers.
Cons:
- Support comes as an additional cost.
- Not very user-friendly and will require developer resources to set up and update.
- Reporting tools don’t come as standard.
G2 rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: From $600 per month for its most basic plan. Advanced features, such as advanced search and B2B functionality, are custom quoted.
7. VTEX
VTEX is both a SaaS ecommerce platform and marketplace solution. Like many other Magento alternatives on this list (minus Salesforce and commercetools), it includes B2B and B2C features in a single product. Big brands have used VTEX because it can help them create marketplaces in addition to shopping cart functionality and order management. Big brands including Motorola, Nestle, and Coca-Cola run their stores and marketplaces with VTEX.
Key features:
- Omnichannel fulfillment options like buy online, pick up in-store.
- Sell on marketplaces using inventory data from your ecommerce platform.
- Easy to use website editor to make changes to your site on the fly.
- Accept bulk orders and create quotes with its B2B ecommerce dashboard.
- Site search engine uses AI to help shoppers find products they’re looking for.
Pros:
- Has “Workspaces” so code can be deployed without affecting user experience
- Launching and updates can be relatively quick, given the microservices-first, modular approach of “store blocks.”
Cons:
- There are limits to how much you can personalize the storefront.
- Price, based on sales, can be high.
G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: Information not available publicly.
8. Spryker
Spryker is a cloud-based PaaS solution designed for B2B and B2C enterprise businesses. It’s a modular and customizable platform, and could be a good choice for stores looking for a headless approach. Customers who built their ecommerce websites on Spryker include Toyota, Aldi, and Ricoh.
Key features:
- Impressive content management system to format website content.
- Wish list functionality to convince people to buy.
- Order management system to handle logistics, shipping, and returns.
- Show inventory in different currencies on the same storefront.
- Allow B2B customers to configure their own wholesale price quotes.
Pros:
- Flexible and customizable.
- Supports headless/composable commerce.
- Has strong B2B capabilities
Cons:
- Good developer knowledge of the system is required; it can be complex.
- Total cost of ownership can be expensive.
G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: Information not available publicly.
9. Elastic Path
Elastic Path is another great Magento alternative because of its headless commerce offering. Its composable commerce functionality allows merchants to custom-build their ecommerce platform with building blocks, a CX studio, and product experience manager. Stores using Elastic Path include Norgren, ReMarkable, and The Pokemon Company.
Key features:
- Product information management tool to control product data.
- Merchandising features like bundles, promotions, and launches.
- CX Studio to separate your online store from the back end and design using no code.
- Payment processing in more than 135 countries powered by Stripe.
- One-click checkout to speed up the checkout process.
Pros:
- Option to host on premise or go cloud-based.
- Excellent customer support, including a team of commerce advisors.
- Free trial available.
Cons:
- Steep learning curve.
- So many customization options can feel overwhelming.
G2 rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: All plans are billed on a percentage of gross merchandise value.
10. commercetools
commercetools is another German-based software company that offers an enterprise ecommerce platform that rivals Magento. It’s a composable commerce tool that uses APIs to help you assemble your own platform with unlimited flexibility. Audi, Sephora, and Domino’s Pizza are all powered by commercetools.
Key features:
- Omnichannel capabilities to sell on multiple platforms from the same back-end.
- Expansive API portfolio for hassle free scalability.
- Rule-based routing to speed up operational processes.
- Partner network and apps library to get support outside of commercetools.
- Autoscaling to manage peak shopping periods and flash sales.
Pros:
- 99.99% uptime.
- PCI DSS certified.
- 60-day free trial.
Cons:
- Option to assemble the front end of your store isn’t included as standard.
- Premium support comes at an additional cost.
- Steep learning curve compared to other Magento alternatives.
G2 rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars.
Pricing: Information not available publicly. There is a free 60-day trial to get to grips with its software.
Choosing Shopify as a Magento alternative
With all these enterprise ecommerce solutions to choose from, it’s clear Adobe Commerce has many alternatives that may be able to provide you the same functionality without the pain points. But which one is right for your business model?
While no one platform is the perfect fit for every business, for the vast majority of use cases, Shopify can likely meet your needs with pricing that delivers a lower total cost of ownership to Adobe Commerce and a faster launch time. Without your budget and developer resources tied up in your platform, you can devote them to more innovative, revenue-generating updates.
Other reasons why Shopify should be your Magento alternative:
- Shopify integrates with a huge ecosystem of systems and tools, workflow automations to make your job easier, ecommerce-optimized templates, and tools to create innovative shopping experiences built in.
- Feel supported from first conversation to launch and beyond, with ongoing strategy, resources, and access to the largest partner and app ecosystem in the industry.
- Industry-leading security, compliance, data encryption, and fraud and bot protection.
- Convert carts with the best customizable checkout and conversion tools on the internet.
- Migrate and launch your online store on Shopify fast with a customizable, easy-to-use platform.
Businesses that migrated to Shopify from Magento
Here are two businesses that found greater success after moving from Magento (Adobe Commerce).
Bombas
Bombas is well known for its comfortable, high-performance socks. Founded in 2013, the company really took off when it was featured on Shark Tank. Unfortunately, it quickly realized its Magento site wasn’t ready for its explosive growth. Customers were unable to check out, leading to loss of revenue.
Updating the site to scale with its growth would have been very costly on Magento, so it explored other options. By switching to Shopify, Bombas began saving $108,000 a year in platform costs. On top of that, it had a reliable site that wouldn’t experience bugs during crucial high-traffic times.
“From an infrastructure standpoint, Shopify has our back,” says Bombas CTO Adam Weinstock. “We feel incredibly comfortable that, as we continue to scale, our website’s going to be up and running. As an IT function, that allows us to really focus on the things that we do best.”
Rebecca Minkoff
Rebecca Minkoff is known not only for its high-couture fashion, but also for its cutting-edge tech advancements. The company wanted to continue to remain ahead of the competition in innovation on its website by integrating 3D modeling and augmented reality on product pages.
Making quick updates on its Magneto website was difficult. Rebecca Minkoff turned to Shopify for its built-in tools, which made creating product pages to truly improve the customer experience and help visualize how they would look with the products easier. In the end Rebecca Minkoff discovered the customers who viewed a product in AR were 65% more likely to make a purchase.
