- By Kiwi Commerce
- 20 Oct, 2025
- shopify
Shopify Plus vs Adobe Commerce: Which Platform is Right for Your Business?
As eCommerce continues to grow, choosing the right platform for your business has never been more important. Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce are two of the leading enterprise-level eCommerce platforms, trusted by some of the world’s most successful brands. In this guide, we’ll explore their similarities, differences, and unique strengths to help you make an informed decision for your online store.
What Are Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce?
Shopify Plus is the enterprise version of the popular Shopify platform, designed for high-growth businesses that require scalability and reliability. Known for its user-friendly interface and extensive app ecosystem, it supports both B2B and B2C operations. Well-known brands such as Gymshark, Kylie Cosmetics, and Fashion Nova use Shopify Plus to power their eCommerce operations.
Adobe Commerce is a highly flexible and customisable eCommerce solution now backed by Adobe. It’s built for large enterprises with complex eCommerce requirements, offering advanced product management, marketing tools, and integration with other Adobe solutions such as Adobe Experience Manager and Adobe Target. Brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Ford use Adobe Commerce for its extensive functionality and adaptability.
Shopify Plus is a fully hosted Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, meaning hosting, upgrades, and security are all managed by Shopify. In contrast, Adobe Commerce is self-hosted, giving businesses full control over their infrastructure but requiring more technical expertise to maintain and update.
Similarities Between Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce
Despite their different architectures, both platforms share several features that make them ideal for enterprise-level eCommerce businesses:
- App and integration support: Both platforms integrate with third-party tools, including CRM systems, analytics platforms, and marketing software.
- Multi-store management: Both offer the ability to manage multiple stores from one account. Adobe Commerce supports fully independent multi-store setups, while Shopify Plus allows up to nine linked expansion stores.
- Reporting and analytics: Each platform provides detailed reporting tools to track sales, monitor performance, and optimise marketing strategies.
- Dedicated support: Both Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce offer technical support, documentation, and helpful community resources for store owners and developers.
Key Differences Between Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce
While both platforms cater to large businesses, they differ in several key areas:
1.Hosting and Maintenance
- Shopify Plus is a fully hosted platform. Shopify handles all updates, security, and server management, allowing you to focus on your business.
- Adobe Commerce is self-hosted, offering full control and flexibility but requiring regular maintenance, updates, and technical expertise.
2.Customisation and Flexibility
- Shopify Plus is designed for ease of use, with an intuitive interface and customisable themes that make setup simple.
- Adobe Commerce allows deep customisation and complex functionality but has a steeper learning curve and may require development resources.
3.Merchandising and Product Management
- Shopify Plus provides straightforward merchandising tools that make it easy to manage and display products.
Adobe Commerce offers more advanced product management features, including detailed catalogue control and flexible pricing rules.
4.Payment Options
- Shopify Plus offers its own gateway, Shopify Payments, as well as a wide range of third-party options. Transaction fees apply for external gateways, but these are waived if you use Shopify Payments.
- Adobe Commerce doesn’t have a proprietary payment gateway but integrates with multiple third-party payment providers, offering greater flexibility with no additional transaction fees.
Pros and Cons of Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce
Shopify Plus
Pros:
- Easy to use and quick to launch
- Fully hosted and managed
- Highly scalable
- Extensive app ecosystem and integrations
- Excellent customer support
Cons:
- Limited deep-level customisation
- Transaction fees for some third-party payment gateways
Adobe Commerce
Pros:
- Highly customisable and flexible
- No transaction fees
- Advanced marketing and segmentation tools
- Powerful multi-store management capabilities
Cons:
- Requires technical expertise and ongoing maintenance
- Steeper learning curve for new users
Fewer pre-built app integrations compared to Shopify Plus.
Choosing the Right Platform
The right choice depends on your business goals, technical resources, and growth plans:
- Choose Shopify Plus if you want a simple, scalable, fully hosted solution that’s easy to manage and quick to launch.
- Choose Adobe Commerce if your business requires advanced customisation, complex integrations, and complete control over hosting and infrastructure.
How KiwiCommerce Can Help
Whether you choose Shopify Plus or Adobe Commerce, KiwiCommerce can help you get the best out of your chosen platform. Our experienced team supports businesses through every stage from planning and design to development, integration, and ongoing support.
We build fast, secure, and high-performing eCommerce websites tailored to your needs.
Explore our Shopify Plus and Adobe Commerce services today and take the first step towards building a powerful online presence.
