Adobe Commerce (Magento) vs. BigCommerce
If you’ve narrowed down your contenders for your ecommerce platform to Adobe Commerce (Magento) and BigCommerce, you’ve done your research.
Biggest similarity: platform architecture
Both Adobe Commerce and BigCommerce are traditional ecommerce platforms with platform-based architecture. An ecommerce platform with platform-based architecture contains both the backend and the frontend (presentation layer), as opposed to a composable platform, such as commercetools, which only has the backend. Click here to discover more about platform-based and composable architecture.
Biggest differences: hosting
BigCommerce offers a cloud-hosted platform, meaning they manage the hosting and technical maintenance. This means that BigCommerce is an excellent platform for you if you need assistance with implementation, development, and maintenance.
Adobe Commerce provides a self-hosted version of its platform, meaning you must provide the hosting and technical maintenance. This adds a layer of complexity to your ecommerce solution, but also provides more control over your ecommerce solution.
Adobe Commerce also offers a cloud-based solution called “Adobe Commerce Cloud.” This version of the platform is hosted on Adobe’s cloud infrastructure, which takes care of server management, security, and updates. It provides a more streamlined setup process and is often chosen by businesses that prefer to focus on their products and customer experience rather than technical infrastructure.
Both platforms have plenty to offer, which is why we’ve created this resource to help you make the right choice for your business. Click below to take a deep dive into every nook and cranny of Adobe Commerce.
Adobe Commerce (Magento)
Flexibility is more than just a feature; it’s a guiding principle that ensures Adobe Commerce remains an expansive playground for unbridled creativity. From refining design details to personalizing the customer journey, every aspect of your platform can be finely adjusted to mirror your distinct identity.
At its core, Adobe Commerce boasts a robust engine engineered to handle a high volume of visitors and transactions. Its architecture is built for scalability, making it an impressive choice for businesses anticipating rapid expansion.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers a versatile platform with a robust suite of features and an intuitive approach. Built on a foundation of innovation and efficiency, BigCommerce serves as a comprehensive solution for businesses seeking to establish or expand their online presence.
BigCommerce’s scalability ensures that as businesses grow, the platform can seamlessly accommodate increased traffic and sales volumes. Its user-friendly interface empowers entrepreneurs, startups, and established enterprises alike to easily set up and manage their online stores, without the need for extensive technical expertise.
Comparing Adobe Commerce (Magento) and BigCommerce
Let’s take a look at the features and functionalities of Adobe Commerce and BigCommerce, to see which one is right for your business.
Key features and benefits
Adobe Commerce (Magento)
- Pricing: The Magento open-source edition is free, while Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento Enterprise) is turnover-based, and thus, the license fee will increase along with your GMV (gross merchandise value) and AOV (average order value). Hosting and domain fees are priced separately.
- Ease of use: Provides an intuitive interface but requires a higher level of technical expertise.
- Apps and extensions: With over 5,000 extensions, Adobe Commerce also allows you to customize its extensions.
- Customization: Adobe Commerce allows for extensive customization, and provides many theme options.
- Scalability: Supports scalability and growth
- Built-in B2B functionality: yes
- Support: Offers support via live chat and email, along with a community and forum.
BigCommerce
- Pricing: Offers subscription-based pricing, with four separate plans: Standard, at $39/month, Plus, at $105/month, and Pro, at $399/month. The Enterprise plan is “custom” and must be negotiated with BigCommerce.
- Ease of use: Provides a user-friendly interface and is easy to get up and running, without coding knowledge.
- Apps and extensions: While BigCommerce comes with a plethora of features out-of-the-box, it also has over 600 paid apps available.
- Customization: BigCommerce is easy to tailor, with 12 free themes and over 100 paid themes available.
- Scalability: Supports scalability and growth
- Built-in B2B functionality: yes
- Support: Provides 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, and a higher level of specialty support for Enterprise clients.
Which platform is right for my business?
Let’s take a look at which platform suits your business needs. Consider your current situation and your future objectives: What are my business goals? Who is my target audience? What is my budget? What features do I need? All these elements are crucial when making a choice between the two platforms.
Adobe Commerce (Magento)
- Companies in need of complex customization, specific functionalities, and personalized customer experiences
- Large corporations and B2B enterprises with intricate pricing models, multi-tiered accounts, and personalized product catalogs.
- Enterprises expecting substantial growth and preparing for high volumes of traffic and transactions
- Businesses equipped with in-house development teams or access to an implementation partner for the initial setup and customization process
- Corporations forecasting significant global expansion
- Adobe Commerce customers include household names such as Helly Hansen, BAUHAUS, Rapala, Wimbledon Shop, and more. Go to our works page to see all of our case studies involving Adobe Commerce.
BigCommerce
- Businesses seeking an easy-to-use platform that doesn’t require extensive technical skills
- Startups, small to medium-sized businesses, or those aiming to launch quickly
- Brands experiencing steady growth and aiming for scalability
- Multi-channel retailers can benefit from BigCommerce’s seamless integration with various sales channels
- Subscription and membership-based businesses
- B2C and B2B businesses
- BigCommerce users include Skullcandy, Yeti, Black Diamond, Badgley Mischka, and more.
The choice between Adobe Commerce and BigCommerce depends on factors such as your business size, the complexity of your operations, customization needs, technical resources, and growth ambitions. Evaluate these factors and align them with the strengths of each platform to determine the most suitable option for your online store.
In short: BigCommerce is a great choice if you’re looking for an easy-to-use platform with everything you need to start your online store. Adobe Commerce is a better option if you’re looking for more flexibility and complete control over your ecommerce platform.
To compare several more popular ecommerce platforms used by enterprise-level businesses, click on the link below!
