Magento vs Shopify: Which One Should You Choose in 2026?
Adobe Commerce (Magento)
Best for: Complex catalogs and enterprise Starts at: Custom quote (Open Source edition free) Adobe Commerce (Magento) review Full profilePick Adobe Commerce (Magento) if you need complex catalogs and enterprise. Pick Shopify Plus (B2B) if DTC brands adding wholesale matters more. The table and three-question quiz below show where they differ.
Shopify Plus (B2B)
Best for: DTC brands adding wholesale Starts at: $2,300 / month 1.35,256 reviews Shopify Plus (B2B) review Full profileSide-by-side comparison
| Feature | Adobe Commerce (Magento) | Shopify Plus (B2B) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Complex catalogs and enterprise | DTC brands adding wholesale |
| Pricing model | Custom quote (Open Source edition free) | Flat monthly, 1- or 3-year term |
| Starting price | Custom quote (Open Source edition free) | $2,300 / month |
| Rating | – | 1.3 / 5 (5,256 reviews) |
| Launched | 2008 | 2006 |
| Headquarters | – | Ottawa, Canada |
| Team size | – | 5,001-10,000 |
| Key features | Adobe Commerce cloud/on-prem, Magento Open Source, B2B commerce, Multi-store | B2B catalogs and price lists, DTC and B2B on one store, Payments, APIs, Hosted storefront, Checkout & payments |
| Our score | 75.8 / 100 | 82.3 / 100 |
From each company's public pricing page and review profiles, checked Oct 27, 2026. Prices change: confirm on the vendor's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Adobe Commerce (Magento)
- Very flexible for complex catalogs
- Free open-source edition
- Strong B2B capabilities
- Adobe Commerce pricing not public
- Needs developers to run well
Shopify Plus (B2B)
- B2B and DTC on one platform
- Public pricing
- Huge app and partner ecosystem
- Annual commitment required
- Less suited to complex ERP-driven B2B
Magento vs Shopify: the core difference
Magento, now offered as Adobe Commerce alongside the free Magento Open Source edition, gives you full control of the code and hosting. Shopify is a hosted platform: it runs the servers, security and updates, and you extend the store with themes and apps.
As a result, one path offers deep customization at the cost of development and maintenance, while the other trades some flexibility for speed and lower upkeep.
When each one fits
Brands with complex catalogs, custom B2B rules, several storefronts or heavy integrations sometimes prefer the control of a self-managed platform. However, they need a capable development team or agency. Meanwhile, most DTC brands grow faster on a hosted platform, because the team can launch pages, apps and promotions without waiting on developers.
Costs work differently, too. Hosted plans bundle hosting, while self-managed stores pay separately for hosting, security, updates and development.
How to decide
To start, list the features you can’t live without and test them on each platform. Next, price three years of ownership, including developers and apps. Then plan the migration path, especially URL redirects. In the end, choose the platform your team can run confidently day to day.
Which should you choose?
Answer three questions. The pick is worked out from the prices, scores and features in the table above.
Alternatives to consider
FAQs: Magento vs Shopify
Magento vs Shopify: which is better?
Neither Magento nor Shopify is better for everyone. The side-by-side table compares them point by point, and the short quiz below it recommends one based on your goal, team size and sales channels.
Magento vs Shopify: which is cheaper?
Compare the starting-price rows in the table above, then price Magento and Shopify at your real volume (contacts, orders, seats or spend), because entry plans include different limits and features.
Magento vs Shopify: which suits Amazon and Shopify sellers?
For Amazon and Shopify sellers, the deciding factors are native integrations, how each handles marketplace data, and reporting. The 'Which should you choose' section maps common seller situations to Magento or Shopify.