What is Adobe Commerce? The ONLY Beginner’s Guide You’ll Need

Handling billions in transactions every year, Adobe Commerce powers some of the world’s most successful online stores [think Tommy Hilfiger, HP, Puma, Volkswagen], enabling them to deliver smooth and personalized online shopping experiences that keep customers coming back.

In this beginner-friendly guide, you will get an in-depth understanding of Adobe Commerce, explore its key features, compare it with Magento Open Source, and learn why it’s a top choice for businesses looking to scale their e-commerce operations.

We will talk about -

• What is Adobe Commerce?
• Adobe Commerce Vs Magento Open Source
• How does Adobe Commerce Work?
• Why is Adobe Commerce a Top Choice for E-commerce?
• What are the top Adobe Commerce Features?
• How much does Adobe Commerce Cost?

What is Adobe Commerce (Magento)?

Adobe Commerce is a top e-commerce platform for businesses selling to both other businesses (B2B) and individual customers (B2C). Built on Magento, it helps create fast, seamless, and personalized online shopping experiences, while offering powerful tools to manage stores at scale.

Part of Adobe Experience Cloud

Adobe Commerce is a key component of the Adobe Experience Cloud—a comprehensive suite of digital marketing, analytics, and commerce solutions. But what does this mean for your business?

By integrating with other Adobe Experience Cloud applications like Adobe Analytics, Adobe Target, and Adobe Campaign, you gain a unified platform for content creation, marketing automation, data analytics, and e-commerce.

With this integration, you gain deeper insights into customer behavior, personalize marketing campaigns, and deliver consistent experiences across all touchpoints.

Adobe Commerce vs. Magento Open Source

Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source – both are built on a strong Magento framework but they both cater to different business needs and scale.

Magento Open Source

Magento Open Source is the free, open-source version of the Adobe e-commerce platform. It offers core functionalities like product management, checkout, and basic reporting. So, it’s a versatile choice for businesses looking to build e-commerce stores without significant upfront costs.

This makes it a popular choice for -

• small to mid-sized businesses with moderate traffic and product catalog needs
• that have in-house development expertise or service of third-party developers
• and are budget conscious, so want to minimize their initial costings as much possible without compromising on platform.

While Magento Open Source is a great option for many, it lacks on certain areas -

• to customize it extensively, you need a highly skilled development support
• it lacks some of the advanced enterprise-level features available in Adobe Commerce, like AI-driven insights, advanced inventory management, and built-in integrations with popular marketplaces.
• and last, as your operations expand & become complex, you may need some significant modifications in terms of infrastructure upgrades, and ongoing maintenance to support increased traffic, bigger product catalogs & additional integrations.

How Does Adobe Commerce Work?

Adobe Commerce uses a primary-replica database setup to handle high traffic and keep everything running smoothly.

Primary database: Stores all the website's critical data, including customer information, product catalogs, and orders. It processes all read-write requests, like adding items to a cart or cataloging new products.

Replica database: A copy of the primary database that handles read requests, freeing up the primary database to focus on write operations. This setup allows the website to handle more traffic without slowing down.

In contrast, Magento Open Source uses a single database system by default. Setting up a primary-replica database setup requires extra configuration and possibly third-party tools, which can add complexity and may not include technical support from Adobe.

Why is Adobe Commerce a top choice for E-commerce?

Did you know that 87% of Fortune 100 companies rely on Adobe Experience Cloud —including Adobe Commerce—to deliver, measure, and personalize customer experiences? That says a lot about its capabilities in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

I recently spoke with Saurabh, a senior Adobe Commerce developer, to understand why so many big businesses choose Adobe Commerce? Here are the top 6 reasons he shared:

1. Customization:

Adobe Commerce offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to customization. Whether you want to add a new payment method or create unique modules, Adobe Commerce simplifies the process. It can efficiently manage large datasets, handling up to 50 million records seamlessly, which means your store can scale effortlessly as your business grows.

2. Integration:

Integrating Adobe Commerce with other tools is simple and far less of a hassle. You can set up Progressive Web Apps (PWA) or go headless by separating the frontend from the backend, Adobe Commerce offers the flexibility you need. This makes it easy to connect with your existing CRM, ERP, or any other systems you use, streamlining your operations without any technical headaches.

3. Server Control:

With Adobe Commerce e-commerce platform, you have complete control over your server environment. If you prefer keeping your servers on-premises or using cloud-based solutions, you can easily scale your infrastructure up or down based your needs. This level of control helps prevent downtime even during peak traffic times.

4. Multiple Modules:

Adobe Commerce includes a range of built-in modules for both B2B and B2C operations. You can set up loyalty programs, reward points, gift cards, or customize your order process. Adobe Commerce makes it straightforward. These modules let you enhance your store’s functionality without having to build everything from scratch.

5. Ecosystem:

You get access to thousands of extensions in the Magento App Store, now part of Adobe Commerce, to enhance your store’s capabilities. Whether you're looking for new features or ready-made solutions, the extensive library has you covered. You don’t have to develop everything yourself, which saves you time and resources. Plus, the library is always updated with new extensions, ensuring you stay up to date with the latest tools to keep your store competitive and fresh.

6. Security Features:

Adobe Commerce regularly releases security patches and updates every month to protect your store from vulnerabilities. Features like two-factor authentication for admin logins and adherence to industry standards ensure that both your business and customer data are well-protected. With Adobe Commerce, you can have peace of mind knowing that your online store is secure against potential threats.

Worried about migrating from your current platform?

Platform migration can seem daunting, but Adobe Commerce offers easy migration tools and support to make the switch smooth and stress-free. If you’re considering making the move, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at hello@coderapper.com for a quick chat with our Adobe-certified team.

What are the Top Adobe Commerce Features?

To dive deeper into what adobe commerce offers, I’ve grouped its top features into six categories -

1. Manage Commerce Across Multiple Business Models

Adobe Commerce lets you manage B2B, B2C, and D2C operations from a single platform. It offers tools like:

• Custom pricing & catalogs: Tailor pricing and catalogs for different customer segments, especially useful for B2B clients.
• Multi-Site Configurations: Support multiple storefronts, payment types, languages, and currencies, all managed from one admin panel.

With this capability, you can easily scale into new markets without compromising the customer experience.

2. Advanced Inventory Management

For businesses handling complex product catalogs and multiple warehouses, Adobe Commerce provides:

• Centralized Inventory Management: Syncs stock levels across all channels by integrating with accounting and fulfillment systems.
• Advanced Inventory Techniques: Features like forecasting and stock replenishment help optimize inventory levels and reduce errors.
• Store Fulfillment Options: Supports options like Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS) and ship-from-store, giving you flexibility in fulfilling customer orders.

“From my experience working with retailers, managing inventory across multiple channels is often a headache. Adobe Commerce simplifies this by syncing stock levels in real-time, so you never oversell or disappoint a customer.” Saurabh Sahu, Senior Lead, Adobe Commerce

3. Headless Commerce with PWA Studio

Adobe’s Progressive Web App (PWA) Studio lets you create highly customized and engaging shopping experiences:

• Flexible Front-End Development: Separates the front-end and back-end, so you can flexibly design the front end without affecting backend operations.
• Multi-Channel Experiences: Supports creating custom front-end experiences for multiple channels, ensuring customers can seamlessly switch between mobile, web, and in-store shopping.
• Improved Performance: PWAs offer faster load times and app-like experiences, improving customer engagement and conversion rates.

This headless commerce approach ensures you’re ready for mobile-first experiences, driving higher engagement and conversions.

4. Integrated Sales & Ad Channels

Adobe Commerce helps you expand your reach with built-in integrations for popular marketplaces and ad platforms:

• Amazon Sales Channel: Integrates directly with Amazon, so you can manage products, inventory, and fulfillment right from Adobe Commerce.
• Google Shopping Ads Channel: Manage and optimize Google Shopping ads, including tracking performance and adjusting bids in real-time, all within the Adobe admin panel.

These integrations let you tap into more sales opportunities while maintaining control from one platform.

5. Business Intelligence, Reporting & Visualization

Adobe Commerce uses Adobe Sensei AI to provide enhanced business insights:

• Centralized Data Aggregation: Collects data from various sources into a unified dashboard.
• Advanced Analytics: Offers visualizations of key metrics like AOV, CLV, and customer purchase patterns.
• Actionable Insights: Helps you make informed decisions about inventory, marketing, and overall strategy.

This data-driven approach improves your decision-making and planning.

6. Customer Experience and Engagement

Enhancing customer experience is at the heart of Adobe Commerce:

• Mobile-first design: Ensures the shopping experience is optimized for mobile devices, catering to the growing trend of shopping on phones.
• Quick Checkout: Simplifies the checkout process to reduce cart abandonment and improve sales.
• Live Search: Offers real-time, predictive search results, making product discovery easier.
• Product Recommendations: Uses AI-driven insights to show personalized product suggestions, increasing AOV and customer satisfaction.
• Personalized Buyer Journeys: Tools that leverage data analytics to create tailored shopping experiences.

By focusing on customer engagement, Adobe Commerce helps you build loyalty and drive repeat sales.

7. Robust Security Measures

Adobe Commerce places a strong emphasis on security, offering features like PCI compliance, secure payment gateways, and regular security updates. This ensures your customers' data is protected, building trust and credibility for your brand.

How Much Does Adobe E-commerce Cost?

Like I mentioned, Adobe Commerce is designed for large businesses with complex products, high volumes of SKUs, and a need for scalability. It’s ideal for companies with revenue in the millions who require robust support and enterprise-level functionality.

Cost Breakdown:

1. Licensing: Pricing starts from around $22,000 per year and goes up depending on your business size and specific needs.
2. Tiered Pricing: Adobe Commerce has a tiered pricing structure, and the final cost is determined after assessing your business needs. For exact pricing, it's best to contact Adobe directly.

Note: Adobe Commerce's licensing fees are tiered based on both GMV and AOV. For example, if your online store generates $5 million in GMV annually, your licensing fee will be calculated accordingly. As your sales volume and transaction values increase, so do the costs associated with using the platform.

Factors Affecting Total Costs

Whether you choose Magento Open Source or Adobe Commerce, several factors will affect your total investment:

1. Discovery & Solutioning: Figuring out your e-commerce needs, roadmap, and required features.
2. UI/UX Design: Design work for desktop, mobile, and other devices.
3. Front-End Development: Customizing your site’s look and user experience.
4. Integration & Backend: Connecting your store to systems like ERP, CRM, and payment gateways.
5. Configuration: Setting up payment processing, shipping, taxes, and email systems.
6. Staging & Testing: Preparing the site for launch and running tests across browsers and devices.

Development & Maintenance Costs:

• Initial Development: Depending on how complex your project is, initial costs can range from $50,000 to $100,000.

• Ongoing Maintenance: Plan to set aside 10-15% of the initial development cost each year for maintenance, updates, and security patches.

Conclusion

Choosing the right e-commerce platform is a big decision that can impact how you drive customer engagement that can boost your profitable growth. Adobe Commerce gives you a robust set of features designed to help you scale and meet the evolving demands of today's digital shoppers.

Whether you're a rapidly growing startup or an established enterprise, Adobe Commerce provides the tools you need to succeed in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

We'd love to hear from you! If you have questions about Adobe Commerce or want to share your experiences with e-commerce platforms, drop a comment below.

FAQs

Is Adobe Commerce the Same as Shopify?

No, Adobe Commerce and Shopify are distinct e-commerce platforms designed for different kinds of business.

Adobe Commerce is a highly customizable and great for enterprise level, complex businesses, especially if you need b2b and multi-channel capabilities. It requires technical expertise but offers more flexibility and scalability.

Shopify is a more user-friendly, out-of-the-box platform best suited for small to medium-sized businesses. It has fewer customization options compared to Adobe Commerce

Is Adobe Magento Free?

Yes and no. Magento Open Source is free to download and use, but you'll need to cover costs for hosting, development, and integration. Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento Commerce) is the paid, enterprise-level version with additional features and support.

Is Magento a CMS?

Yes, Magento is a content management system (CMS) for e-commerce websites. In addition to its core e-commerce features, it lets you manage website content like pages, blog posts, and more.

Does Magento Need Coding?

Yes, to get the most out of Magento, you'll need some coding knowledge. Familiarity with languages like PHP and MySQL, as well as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, is important.

Who Uses Magento?

Medium to large enterprises across industries like retail, fashion, electronics, home, and accessories, use Magento as a popular e-commerce platform. Some well-known companies that use Magento include Nike, Lenovo, and HP.

Is Magento Easy to Learn?

It depends. If you're familiar with coding and e-commerce platforms, you might find Magento manageable. But it does have a steep learning curve, especially for beginners, because of its complexity. The good news is, there's plenty of documentation and community support to help you along the way.

Is Magento Front-end or Back-end?

Magento covers both front end and back end.

• Front End: This is what your customers see—the design and layout—managed through themes and templates.
• Back End: Where you manage products, process orders, and handle customer data, which is more technical.

By getting to know what Adobe Commerce brings to the table and how it can help your business, you can decide if it's the right e-commerce platform for you. With its strong features, ability to scale, and flexibility, Adobe Commerce is a top choice for businesses looking to boost their online presence and grow.