Magento vs Shopify – The big comparison for e-commerce brands

If you want to build an online store or modernize your existing platform, two systems are particularly common to choose from: an open-source solution with maximum control or a cloud model that focuses on ease of use and scalability.

Magento and Shopify are among the most established e-commerce platforms worldwide. However, they pursue different approaches that can significantly impact your daily work, maintenance, integrations, and growth.

This is exactly where this comparison comes in : You'll find out which system is a better fit for your business model. We'll examine the technical, strategic, and operational features of both shop systems.

The decision between a customizable setup and a low-maintenance, complete solution affects not only developers, but also you as a decision-maker in the business context.

If you've already taken a closer look at the technical side, this article about the difference between Shopify Plus and Magento might also be of interest to you.

What is the fundamental difference between Shopify and Magento?

Both systems are among the most important solutions in digital commerce. However, they are based on completely different principles. If you're currently in the process of finding the right platform for your business, it's worth taking a closer look at these differences.

Shopify is based on the principle "Software as a Service " (SaaS). You work in a cloud-based system where hosting, maintenance, security, and technical infrastructure are all handled by the provider. You can get started right away, without your own servers or complex setup.

Updates run automatically in the background, and new features can be easily added via the integrated app store.

This keeps your focus on what matters : performance, growth and conversion.

Magento, now known as Adobe Commerce, pursues a Open source approach . Here, you get full access to the source code and can customize every function in the system. This provides maximum flexibility, but also requires technical know-how or an experienced development team.

You are responsible for hosting, security measures, maintenance, and extension compatibility. For many companies, this means more freedom, but also more effort.

The target groups of the two systems differ accordingly. Shopify is primarily aimed at high-growth DTC brands , fast-moving mid-sized companies and omnichannel retailers that rely on easy scalability and short time-to-market cycles.

Magento/Adobe Commerce, on the other hand, is used by corporations, B2B providers, and highly specialized online retailers. It is useful wherever processes, pricing logic, or integrations deviate significantly from the standard.

A look at market trends shows that many companies start with complex on-premises solutions and later switch to cloud-based platforms. The reason lies in the combination of lower maintenance burden, technical predictability, and faster development.

Anyone who wants to grow with a platform should therefore pay attention not only to features, but also to the overall package of operating costs, update strategy and internal resource utilization.

An overview of the most important Shopify Plus benefits can help you better understand the scaling perspective.

Direct comparison: SaaS vs. open source in e-commerce

criterion	SaaS model (e.g. Shopify)	Open source (e.g. Magento/Adobe Commerce)
Hosting	Inclusive, managed by the provider	Self-responsible or external
Maintenance & Updates	Automatically and regularly	Manually by developers
Access to the source code	Restricted	Complete
Start-up effort	Low – immediately usable	High – technical setup required
Scaling	Easy adjustment via tariffs	Individual with technical effort
Design & Templates	Selection of tested themes	Flexible, but more complex
Extensions	App ecosystem, high compatibility	Many plugins, some unstable
Technical know-how	Not required	Absolutely necessary
Target groups	Brands with a focus on time-to-market	Companies with complex requirements
Total Cost of Ownership	Plannable and monthly calculable	Variable, depending on setup and maintenance

1. Drag-and-drop vs. developer focus: What to expect in everyday life

Simplicity is a crucial factor when choosing your e-commerce system, especially if your team consists of marketing, product, or content managers rather than developers. An intuitive system not only saves time but also reduces ongoing costs for external support or internal training.

The daily work in the backend determines how efficiently you create new products, implement campaigns, or update content.

Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at the differences:

function	Shopify	Magento
Furnishings	In a few minutes	Technical setup with hosting & configuration required
user interface	Visual, logically structured	Partly nested, technology-heavy
Changes in layout	Drag and drop in the theme editor	Adjustments mostly in the code
Training effort	Low, ready to use	High, especially in complex setups
Error susceptibility	Low thanks to clear UI	Higher through manual intervention
Multilingualism	Integrated, easy to set up	Possible, but involves effort

If you want to build a store that your team can maintain and develop themselves, a low-threshold approach is crucial. Shopify relies on a graphical user interface that allows you to customize content and layouts without any programming knowledge.

You work directly in a live preview and can test changes in real time without the system becoming unstable.

Adobe's open-source solution, on the other hand, gives you maximum control, but also maximum responsibility. Even small layout changes, such as adding a new CTA area or changing product grids, require

• Templates,
• Child themes or
• even interventions in the core system.

This means : Without technical know-how or a permanent development team, you will quickly reach your limits.

Especially for teams that need to react flexibly to campaigns or seasonal developments, an intuitive interface is worth its weight in gold. You don't need to wait, there are no tickets, and there's no team meeting for code approval.

If you need assistance with setup, an experienced Shopify Plus Development Agency can help you tailor your system to your exact needs.

2. Flexibility and adaptability – How deeply you can intervene

Customizability is more than just a design feature. It determines how well your shop system fits your internal processes.

Whether it's special B2B prices, a multi-stage ordering process, or customized product logic: the more specific your business model, the more flexible your system needs to be.

Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) is designed to focus on technical freedom.

You get full access to the source code and can customize virtually every line:

• Do you want an ordering process with intermediate steps, e.g., with approval from sales?
• Do you need a role and rights concept for major customers?
• Or do you want to completely restructure the checkout process?

All of this is possible with the open-source solution. The prerequisite is that you have an in-house development team or work with a specialized agency.

In return, you need project management, code reviews, testing, and maintenance for each of these changes. The more complex your processes, the more your store depends on the code quality and stability of your customizations.

Many B2B companies take advantage of this flexibility because they need to fully integrate existing ERP systems or logic into the shop.

Shopify Plus takes a different approach. You work within a stable framework in which many requirements can be mapped via the app store or API.

• Design changes are possible via the theme structure, even with custom code.
• The checkout is fully customizable in the Plus plan – e.g., for B2B logic or additional input fields.
• Using Shopify Functions and metafields, you can integrate your own business logic without leaving the platform.

This means you don't need a full development team, but instead work efficiently with what the system natively offers. Customizations are implemented faster, easier to maintain, and often involve lower running costs.

Overview: Magento vs Shopify

aspect	Shopify Plus	Adobe Commerce
Source code access	Partially (theme and checkout files)	Completely open
Complex business logic	Via APIs, apps or Shopify Functions	Customizable directly in the core
Checkout modification	Available from Shopify Plus	Unrestrictedly possible
Maintenance effort after updates	Small amount	High in individual adjustments
Time-to-market for features	Briefly through the app ecosystem	Long through in-house development

If you want maximum control, Adobe Commerce is the right choice for you, but you'll need to factor in development resources, security concepts, and update management on an ongoing basis.

If speed, efficiency, and predictability are more important to you, a professional Shopify Plus Development Service offers you significantly more flexibility without increasing complexity.

3. Extensions & Integrations – App Store or Developer Marketplace?

Your online store isn't a standalone system, but part of a networked infrastructure. For everything to run smoothly, different tools and services must work together seamlessly.

This includes:

• Payment providers such as PayPal or Klarna
• Shipping service providers such as DHL or Sendcloud
• CRM and marketing tools such as HubSpot or Klaviyo
• Accounting software such as Lexoffice or sevDesk
• ERP systems such as Xentral, Plentymarkets or SAP

The key question is : How easily and reliably can these systems be integrated? And this is precisely where the differences between the two platforms become particularly clear.

This is where the two systems differ fundamentally:

criterion	Shopify	Magento (Adobe Commerce)
Number of extensions	Over 8,000 verified apps in the official store	Around 4,000 in the Marketplace
compatibility	High quality standards, regular updates	Different – ​​often version problems
Integration effort	Low through plug-and-play	Often in-house development required
API documentation	Uniform, standardized	Very different depending on the provider
Maintenance effort	Centralized, often with support	Depends on developer or agency

Shopify: App ecosystem with a focus on usability

Shopify follows the app store approach : extensions can be installed with a click, are compatible with the core system, and are often ready to use within minutes.

Typical examples:

• Klaviyo for email marketing
• Sendcloud for shipping processing
• Xentral or PlentyMarkets as an ERP system
• Lexoffice or sevDesk for accounting

Most of these tools have their own support teams, clear user guides, and automatic updates. You don't have to worry about maintaining the interfaces, as the providers take care of that.

This level of standardization is a huge advantage, especially for fast-growing brands: fewer bugs, less downtime, less technical overhead.

Magento/Adobe Commerce: Maximum openness, but higher effort

Magento technically allows for anything. You can build or customize any integration yourself.

This offers maximum flexibility, but also brings with it significantly more responsibility:

• Many extensions come from third parties with different standards
• Not all plugins are compatible with every version
• Updates to the shop software can cause conflicts with existing modules
• Troubleshooting and debugging are complex and time-consuming

In addition, external systems often have to be connected via custom-developed interfaces. This is feasible, but costly and maintenance-intensive.

4. Security, Updates & Maintenance

Security affects not only hosting but also payment processing, data encryption, and system maintenance.

Shopify offers you:

• Automatic updates
• SSL certificates from the start
• PCI-DSS compliant checkout processes
• No maintenance required by your team

Magento requires you to:

• Manual updates & patches
• Setting up SSL certificates
• Maintenance of own servers or hosting providers
• High security requirements in day-to-day business

If you don't have your own IT team, the SaaS model offers a clear advantage. You work with a system that protects itself, thus freeing you up.

That's why many brands rely on a specialized Shopify Plus agency for security and maintenance.

5. Scalability – Which platform grows better?

As your online business grows, not only must your warehouse, team, and marketing keep pace, but your shop system must also not become a bottleneck.

Whether you are developing new target groups, entering international markets or significantly expanding your product range , the technical basis determines whether your growth runs smoothly or whether you have to constantly readjust.

This is about more than just server capacity.

Scaling affects:

• System stability during traffic peaks (e.g. TV advertising or Black Friday)
• Multi-store capability for international domains, languages ​​or brands
• Extensibility in catalog size, user roles or authorizations
• performance despite growing data volumes
• Time to market when introducing new features

Here is an overview of the most important differences :

Scaling factor	Shopify Plus	Adobe Commerce Cloud
Multi-Store	Possible via Shopify Markets or Expansion Stores	Standard function, but complex to set up
Headless architecture	API-based, high-performance	Flexible, requires configuration
Enterprise features	Integrated with Shopify Plus	Modular via paid add-ons
Traffic peaks	Automatically scalable (CDN, Cloud)	Hosting dependent, sometimes manual tuning necessary
Performance monitoring	Integrated	Third party required

Shopify Plus: Scaling without system disruption

Shopify is designed to grow with your business—whether you're a startup with a few products or already generating seven-figure revenue. Thanks to its cloud-based infrastructure, you don't have to worry about server utilization, storage space, or loading times.

You benefit from automatic scaling during peak loads and can Shopify Markets or Expansion Stores set up new regions.

In addition, headless setups, custom apps, and custom integrations can be easily integrated without compromising the stability of the overall system. Even companies with multiple countries, currencies, and fulfillment partners can manage everything centrally via a scalable architecture.

Magento/Adobe Commerce: Scalability with technical depth

Magento is designed for scaling. You can run any number of store views, currencies, and B2B channels, configure your hosting individually, and scale virtually every element of the system.

For this, you need a well-coordinated DevOps team or an agency with enterprise experience. Without these resources, maintenance costs increase with each growth step.

Especially for multinational projects, Adobe Commerce offers you more control over pricing logic, tax configurations, or shipping zones, but only if you are willing to bear this effort.

If you're looking for a system that allows you to grow quickly with minimal technical risk, Shopify Plus is the right solution. You'll work with a stable setup that can be expanded with just a few clicks.

You can find out more about comparing Shopify plans here : Shopify Advanced vs Shopify Plus.

6. SEO & Marketing

Search engine optimization begins with the setup of your store. The platform determines your visibility.

Shopify offers:

• Customizable meta tags, URLs, image alt texts
• Loading time optimization
• Integrated marketing tools
• Apps for SEO, newsletters, retargeting

Magento offers:

• In-depth SEO configuration in the backend
• High technical control
• Expandable marketing modules
• Content management more flexible, but more complex

Shopify is SEO-ready right out of the box. Adobe Commerce requires more expertise, but offers more technical flexibility.

Also interesting in context: WooCommerce vs Shopify.

7. Multichannel & POS – Online meets offline

Today's customers expect more than just a functioning online shop. They gather information through social media, buy on marketplaces, discover products via Google Shopping, or even stand in a store and scan a QR code.

A powerful shop system must not only serve all these channels, but must also be able to link, synchronize and centrally manage them.

These requirements can only be met efficiently if your system is not only prepared for multichannel and point-of-sale (POS) but actively supports these functions.

Channel / Function	Shopify POS & Multichannel	Adobe Commerce with third parties
Social Commerce	Natively integrated (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)	Extensible, but plugin dependent
Marketplaces	Connection to eBay, Amazon & Co. with just a few clicks	Additional modules and manual configuration
POS systems	Shopify POS as your own POS solution (including hardware)	Third-party providers required, e.g., via ERP connection
Central data synchronization	In real time across all channels	Partly manually or with middleware
Customer data	Managed consistently in the Shopify backend	Fragmented without additional tools

Shopify

Shopify was designed with omnichannel sales in mind from the ground up. The platform offers native integrations with relevant channels like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, Google Shopping, and Amazon. New sales channels can be activated directly from the backend.

A real highlight is Shopify POS : a fully integrated cash register solution for brick-and-mortar retailers, trade fairs, or pop-up stores.

With this central system you manage

• stocks,
• payments,
• Returns and
• Customer profiles

Data synchronization occurs in real time, ensuring your inventory and sales figures remain consistent at all times.

Magento/Adobe Commerce

Magento can also support multichannel, but only with appropriate third-party tools, plugins, or custom-developed interfaces. Integrating social commerce or marketplaces is technically possible, but often requires custom configuration, ongoing maintenance, and sophisticated data management.

There's no native POS solution available for brick-and-mortar sales. Here, you'll need to rely on external providers and connect them to your store system via API or middleware. This increases the effort required for system maintenance and introduces potential for errors in data synchronization.

Another interesting comparison for you: Shopware vs Shopify.

8. B2B functionalities

If you want to serve business customers, features like tiered pricing, customer groups, and approval workflows are mandatory.

Adobe Commerce (Magento):

• Native B2B Suite
• Customer-specific price lists
• Offer function and rights management
• Flexible for complex logic

Shopify Plus:

• B2B extension in the Enterprise plan
• Customer groups, net prices, volume discounts
• API-first approach to ERP integration
• Still under development, but with a clear roadmap

If B2B conversion is your topic: Shopify Plus CRO Services.

9. Costs & pricing structure – What does what really cost?

What starts out cheap can become expensive in the long run. That's why it's worth taking a look at the total cost of ownership.

Cost factor	Shopify	Magento
Entry fee	from 36 €/month	Open source: free, but setup required
Hosting	including	separately
maintenance	including	Agency or IT team required
Extensions	mostly cheap apps	often expensive modules
Enterprise version	from approx. €2,000/month	from €22,000/year

You can find out more about positioning here : Zoey vs Shopify Plus.

10. Performance & loading times – Who loads faster?

Loading time has a direct impact on your conversion rate, and it depends heavily on the system.

Shopify:

• CDN-supported infrastructure
• Global server structure
• Mobile performance optimized
• Automatic compression & caching

Magento:

• Performance depends on hosting
• Optimization via third-party tools
• Strong performance with good infrastructure
• Caching can be individually configured

You can find out what this looks like in the enterprise sector here: Scayle vs Shopify Plus.

Shopify vs. Magento at a glance

criterion	Shopify Plus	Adobe Commerce (Magento)
System type	SaaS (cloud-based)	Open Source / On-Prem / Cloud
Furnishings	Fast, without prior technical knowledge	Complex, developer required
user interface	Intuitive, visual	Technically demanding
Design customization	Themes, Liquid code, drag and drop	Free code, full template control
Checkout customization	Fully customizable only in the Plus plan	Freely customizable
Extensions	>8,000 verified apps in the App Store	>4,000 extensions, varying quality
Multichannel & POS	Natively integrated, including own POS	Third-party provider required
B2B functionalities	Available in the Plus plan, solid basis	Very comprehensive, especially for complex use cases
SEO & Marketing	Controllable directly in the backend & via apps	Highly customizable, but technically complex
Scaling	Automatic, high-performance	Possible, but depends on setup & hosting
Cost structure	Transparent, from 36 €/month, Plus from approx. 2,000 €	Open source free, Enterprise from approx. €22,000
Maintenance & Updates	Including	Self-responsible
Support	24/7 support, large community	Community Forum + Enterprise Support

Decision-making aid: Which system suits your project?

If you're looking for an e-commerce platform that supports rapid growth, minimizes technical complexity, and offers as many features as possible out of the box, Shopify Plus is the more efficient solution. You can focus on your business while the platform takes care of the technology, hosting, and security.

Shopify Plus is ideal for:

• DTC brands with a focus on conversion and time-to-market
• Medium-sized retailers with clear processes
• Companies that focus on internationalization, multichannel or POS

Adobe Commerce (Magento) is particularly suitable if you need a highly customized setup, need to deeply integrate existing IT systems, or want to map complex B2B processes – and are willing to invest in technology, development, and maintenance.

Useful for Adobe Commerce are, for example:

• Corporations with specific pricing or role logic
• Wholesalers with quotation processes and customer-specific catalogs
• Projects that cannot be mapped using standard processes

If you're still undecided, the next section on migration will help you—especially if you're currently working with Magento and planning to switch.

For those who want to delve deeper

Especially for companies with modular architectures and API-first approaches Our comparison of Commercetools vs. Shopify is interesting. Here we show the concrete impact of composability and scalability.

Who creative products, unique pieces or limited editions are often faced with the choice between platforms like Etsy and Shopify. In the article "Shopify vs. Etsy," you'll learn where the differences really matter: fees, target audiences, and branding.

Existing ERP setups also play a role: Companies focusing on Backend integration and process automation should take a closer look at Shopify Plus vs NetSuite.

For larger teams with a focus on Enterprise scaling, API access, and flexible pricing Our comparison of Shopify Plus vs BigCommerce Enterprise offers a practical insight.

If you have gained an overview and need support with your decision or implementation, we are happy to assist you.