Magento vs Salesforce Commerce Cloud are two of the most prominent eCommerce platforms available today. Both offer advanced capabilities to help businesses scale and succeed online, yet they follow fundamentally different models.
- Magento offers open-source flexibility and deep customization.
- Salesforce Commerce Cloud delivers a fully managed, cloud-native experience within the Salesforce ecosystem.
When comparing Magento to platforms like Salesforce Commerce Cloud, the focus is typically on Adobe Commerce or Adobe Commerce Cloud—as these editions are closest in terms of enterprise functionality, scalability, and support. However, Magento Open Source may also be referenced when comparing cost structures or entry-level flexibility for smaller businesses.
In this guide, we’ll compare Adobe Magento vs Salesforce Commerce across key dimensions, including:
- Pricing
- Hosting and deployment models
- Customization and flexibility
- AI and personalization features
- Marketing and merchandising tools
- Omnichannel commerce and global scalability
- Integration ecosystems and extensibility
- Security and compliance
- Support
Let's get in!
A Quick Overview of Magento vs Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Both Adobe Commerce (Magento) and Salesforce Commerce Cloud are recognized as Leaders in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Commerce (2024). This means they excel in both “Completeness of Vision” and “Ability to Execute,” placing them among the top-tier enterprise eCommerce solutions globally.
Gartner’s classification confirms that both platforms are well-suited for enterprise retailers with complex requirements and are continuously evolving to meet the demands of modern digital commerce.
What is Magento (Adobe Commerce)?
Magento is an open-source eCommerce platform owned by Adobe, known for its flexibility, scalability, and developer-friendly architecture. Since its acquisition by Adobe in 2018, the platform has evolved into two distinct offerings:
- Magento Open Source – Free and self-hosted, it is suited for small to mid-sized businesses with technical capabilities.
- Adobe Commerce – A licensed enterprise solution that includes advanced features, support, and optional cloud infrastructure (Adobe Commerce Cloud).
For this comparison, Adobe Commerce (and Adobe Commerce Cloud) is the primary focus, as it provides a more direct comparison in the Adobe vs Salesforce commerce platform landscape at the enterprise level.
Pros of Adobe Commerce Magento:
- Deep customization with full code access
- Scalable architecture for both B2B and B2C
- Rich ecosystem of extensions and developers
- Advanced SEO, CMS, and staging tools
- Headless and composable commerce support
Adobe Commerce (Magento) powers complex eCommerce infrastructures for global and technically demanding brands. Land Rover utilizes Magento’s flexible architecture to manage multi-brand support and hybrid B2B/B2C capabilities. Helly Hansen operates across multiple regions with localized tax and shipping configurations, while T-Mobile USA combines omnichannel retail and AI-driven marketing automation on the Adobe stack.
Cons of Magento (Adobe Commerce):
- Requires technical expertise or agency support
- Higher total cost of ownership (infrastructure, licensing, development)
- Maintenance burden, unless hosted via Adobe Commerce Cloud
What is Salesforce Commerce Cloud?
Salesforce Commerce Cloud (SFCC) is a fully managed SaaS eCommerce platform designed for enterprise-level retailers that require speed, stability, and integrated customer experiences. It’s part of the broader Salesforce ecosystem, alongside Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, and Marketing Cloud.
Unlike Magento, SFCC is hosted, maintained, and updated entirely by Salesforce. This reduces the burden on internal IT teams and allows brands to focus on customer engagement, product management, and omnichannel strategies.
Pros of Salesforce Commerce Cloud:
- Seamless integration with Salesforce CRM, Marketing Cloud, Service Cloud
- Scalable, secure SaaS hosting with automated updates
- Built-in AI through Salesforce Einstein
- Enterprise-ready omnichannel and localization tools
Several iconic retailers operate their stores on the Salesforce Commerce Cloud, leveraging its seamless integration with the Salesforce CRM, global scalability, and AI-powered personalization capabilities. For instance, Cotton On uses SFCC to power its multichannel fashion retail experience, while luxury brands like Versace, Bvlgari, and Jimmy Choo rely on its ability to deliver premium, data-driven customer journeys.
Cons of Salesforce Commerce Cloud:
- Less flexible/customizable than open-source platforms
- High licensing and implementation costs
- Limited control over infrastructure
A Quick Summary of Magento Adobe Commerce vs Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Category | Magento (Adobe Commerce) | Salesforce Commerce Cloud |
Pricing & Licensing | Tiered license based on Annual Gross Revenue; Open Source free but unsupported | Revenue share model (1–3% of GMV); includes hosting and support |
Hosting & Deployment | Self-hosted or Adobe-managed (PaaS); full infrastructure control | Fully managed SaaS; automatic scaling, no server access |
AI & Personalization | Adobe Sensei for recommendations, Live Search, content targeting via Adobe Target | Einstein AI + Copilot for real-time personalization and automation |
Customization & Flexibility | Full code access, open-source foundation, supports headless & PWA | Structured customization via SFRA; limited server-side control |
Marketing & Merchandising | Rule-based promotions, visual CMS, staging, SEO tools; extendable via Adobe stack | Built-in campaign manager, A/B testing, Einstein personalization, social tools |
eCommerce Site Management | Great admin controls, multi-site management, staging tools, MSI inventory | Business Manager UI, workflow automation, real-time analytics |
Omnichannel & Internationalization | Multi-store, multi-language, currency, POS/OMS integrations | Unified inventory, social commerce, in-store pickup, global rollout tools |
Security & Compliance | Merchant-managed security (Open Source); Adobe handles cloud compliance | Fully managed security, PCI DSS Level 1, automatic updates |
Customer Support & Community | Enterprise support via Adobe + strong open-source community | Unified support via Salesforce Success Plans + robust partner ecosystem |
Magento vs Salesforce Commerce Cloud: Pricing & Licensing
Verdict: Adobe Commerce wins. It offers more predictable pricing for businesses with stable revenue and internal dev teams. Salesforce Commerce Cloud simplifies infrastructure but may become more costly over time due to revenue sharing and ecosystem licensing.
Magento (Adobe Commerce) pricing
Adobe Commerce follows a tiered licensing model based on your Annual Gross Revenue (AGR). Pricing may start at approximately $22,000 per year and increase with business scale and feature requirements. Optional Adobe Commerce Cloud includes managed cloud infrastructure (PaaS) with additional fees.
While Magento Open Source is free, it is not directly comparable to Salesforce Commerce Cloud due to its lack of enterprise support and hosting. Adobe Commerce is the appropriate counterpart in terms of scope and service level.
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To have precise pricing for Magento Commerce, you’d need to leave your contact info for their Sales Rep
Like its open-source version, you still need to consider hidden costs, including ongoing maintenance, security updates, and the potential need for a dedicated development team.
Overall, Magento Open Source costs from $12K to $45K. If you plan to use Adobe Commerce Cloud, the cost may range from $ 22,000 per year to $ 125,000 per year.
Note: These figures are estimates and may vary depending on specific requirements, cloud hosting needs (Adobe Commerce Cloud vs self-hosted), and contract terms. Recommended reading: Magento (Adobe Commerce) Pricing.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud’s pricing
Salesforce Commerce Cloud uses a GMV-based pricing model, where the platform cost is tied to a percentage of your annual gross merchandise value. This makes SFCC attractive for businesses that want predictable scaling costs as they grow, but it can become expensive at high volumes. This model can be advantageous for startups and smaller businesses, as it scales with revenue; however, it can become quite expensive for high-volume businesses.
For B2C Commerce:
- Starter Plan: 1% of GMV, designed for startups and smaller brands seeking entry into enterprise-grade commerce.
- Growth Plan: 2% of GMV, typically chosen by growing businesses with higher transaction volumes and evolving operational complexity.
B2B plans are custom-priced and often exceed B2C rates, given the additional features needed for account-based pricing, quoting workflows, purchase approvals, and large-volume orders.
Note: Unlike Adobe Commerce, SFCC includes hosting, performance management, and updates in its base pricing, making it a more “hands-off” solution from an infrastructure perspective.
Compared the total cost of ownership of Magento vs Salesforce Commerce Cloud, the latter can cost you from $250K – $600K to build a full-fledged online store– much higher than Magento.
Hosting & Deployment
Verdict: Salesforce Commerce Cloud wins. Its fully managed SaaS model eliminates hosting responsibilities and scales automatically, while Adobe Commerce requires infrastructure planning and maintenance unless hosted via Adobe Commerce Cloud.
Magento hosting options
Magento Adobe Commerce offers flexible hosting options, depending on the edition and business needs:
- Self-hosted: Businesses can deploy Adobe Commerce on their own infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure, on-premise), allowing for full control over environment configuration.
- Adobe Commerce Cloud (PaaS): An optional managed hosting solution provided by Adobe, built on AWS. It includes DevOps tools, CI/CD pipelines, performance optimization, and infrastructure monitoring—while still retaining code-level flexibility.
Adobe’s approach favors teams with technical resources that want a tailored environment but also offers managed services for those who prefer support with scalability and maintenance.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud hosting model
Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a SaaS platform with fully managed hosting, which means:
- Hosting, infrastructure, and server maintenance are all handled by Salesforce.
- You don’t have to worry about patches, downtime, or scaling your infrastructure.
- Automatic scaling and updates ensure performance during traffic spikes (e.g., BFCM).
However, this also means less technical control. You’re bound by Salesforce’s ecosystem and architecture, which can be limiting for complex customizations or backend modifications.
AI & Personalization Capabilities
Verdict: Salesforce Commerce Cloud wins. Einstein AI and Copilot offer a more integrated, cross-platform AI experience, while Adobe Sensei focuses primarily on merchandising and product discovery within commerce.
Magento AI features (powered by Adobe Sensei)
Adobe Commerce integrates Adobe Sensei, Adobe’s proprietary AI engine, to enhance product discovery, merchandising, and search experiences. These features are natively available in the platform (not in Magento Open Source), and they integrate tightly with Adobe Experience Cloud for data-driven commerce.
Key AI features in Adobe Commerce:
- Product recommendations: Powered by shopper behavior and context to boost upsells and cross-sells.
- Live search: AI-enhanced site search with real-time indexing and autocomplete, personalized per user.
- Intelligent merchandising: Automated product ranking based on performance signals.
- Personalized content delivery: Through integration with Adobe Target and Experience Manager (optional).
These tools support both B2B and B2C use cases and are configurable through the admin interface with minimal development effort.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud (AI with Einstein)
Salesforce Commerce Cloud includes Einstein AI, a native part of the Salesforce platform. It delivers real-time personalization and predictive analytics embedded across the customer journey.
Key capabilities include:
- Einstein product recommendations: Based on historical and real-time shopper behavior.
- Predictive sort: Automatically ranks PLPs per user.
- Search recommendations: Enhances query relevance with learning-based suggestions.
- Commerce Insights Dashboards: Help Merchandisers Optimize Decisions with Predictive Data.
Einstein AI also extends into Marketing Cloud and Service Cloud, enabling truly personalized, cross-channel engagement when SFCC is used within the broader Salesforce stack.
Customization & Flexibility
Verdict: Adobe Commerce wins. It provides unmatched flexibility with open-source architecture and full code access, allowing complete customization of storefronts, workflows, and integrations—something SFCC can’t match.
Magento
Adobe Commerce is built for flexibility. It provides full code access and a modular architecture, enabling businesses to customize every layer of their store—from storefront and checkout flows to backend logic and third-party integrations.
You can:
- Modify or replace core features
- Build custom modules and APIs
- Implement headless front-ends via PWA Studio or third-party frameworks
- Adapt workflows to unique B2B/B2C requirements
This makes Adobe Commerce ideal for businesses with complex needs or niche functionality that off-the-shelf platforms can’t handle.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Salesforce Commerce Cloud supports customization, but within a controlled, structured environment. The platform uses proprietary development frameworks like SFRA (Storefront Reference Architecture) and ISML scripting to extend functionality.
While customization is possible, it’s often constrained by the platform’s SaaS nature:
- Limited access to server-side logic
- Extensions must conform to Salesforce’s ecosystem
- Custom work typically requires SFCC-certified developers
That said, SFCC excels at providing pre-integrated, configurable tools for common enterprise use cases, minimizing the need for deep customization in many scenarios.
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Marketing & Merchandising Tools
Verdict: Salesforce Commerce Cloud wins. It delivers stronger out-of-the-box campaign management, native A/B testing, and unified personalization across channels, reducing the need for third-party tools.
Magento
Adobe Commerce includes robust marketing and merchandising features with a strong emphasis on control, segmentation, and campaign scheduling. You can manage promotions and customer experiences directly within the platform or extend capabilities through Adobe Experience Cloud.
Key features:
- Visual Page Builder for promotional content and CMS control
- Rule-based promotions (cart price rules, customer group targeting)
- Content staging & scheduling for time-based campaigns
- Customer segmentation for tailored promotions
- SEO management tools for metadata, URLs, and structured data
- Integration with Adobe Target & Campaign (optional) for advanced personalization and omnichannel marketing
Merchandising includes dynamic product listings, custom sort rules, and related product automation.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
SFCC integrates merchandising and marketing deeply into its core platform, with real-time personalization powered by Einstein and campaign execution supported via Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
Key features:
- Campaign management console to schedule promotions, banners, and experiences
- A/B testing and content targeting directly within the storefront
- Einstein recommendations for automated personalization
- Multi-channel marketing execution via native integration with Marketing Cloud
- Real-time analytics dashboards for merchandising optimization
- Dynamic content blocks personalized by segment, location, or behavior
Merchandisers can manage categories, search rules, and product sequencing without developer involvement.
Ecommerce Site Management
Verdict: Adobe Commerce wins. Its multi-store admin capabilities, staging tools, and customizable workflows offer deeper control for complex site structures and operational needs.
Magento
Adobe Commerce offers a powerful admin interface designed for multi-store, multi-language operations. It gives full control over catalog management, order workflows, content updates, and user roles.
Key capabilities:
- Centralized admin for managing multiple storefronts across regions or brands
- Advanced user permissions to segment access by role or team
- Content staging & preview for scheduling site updates, launches, or promotions
- Multi-source inventory (MSI) for flexible stock allocation and fulfillment
- Bulk product updates and import/export tools for large catalogs
- Custom workflows for order, shipping, and approval processes via extensions
Adobe Commerce also supports headless setups and PWA front ends for performance and site flexibility.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
SFCC focuses on operational efficiency with Business Manager, a centralized console tailored for non-technical users. It enables quick changes without developer input and supports global operations.
Key capabilities:
- Multi-site and multi-locale management with unified admin
- Real-time inventory sync and order orchestration
- Staging environments with sandbox support for pre-launch QA
- Workflow automation for product lifecycle and promotions
- Integrated analytics dashboards for live performance insights
- Business-user-friendly controls for promotions, content, and catalog changes
SFCC is designed to reduce time-to-market and enable teams to operate globally at scale with minimal overhead.
Omnichannel & Internationalization
Verdict: Salesforce Commerce Cloud wins. It leads with real-time inventory syncing, social commerce integrations, and global infrastructure that supports seamless omnichannel execution.
Magento’s omnichannel & global capabilities
Adobe Commerce supports omnichannel and international commerce through its multi-store architecture. Merchants can manage multiple storefronts—across regions, languages, currencies, and customer segments—from a single admin.
Key capabilities:
- Magento multi-store, multi-website, multi-language support
- Localized pricing, taxation, and shipping rules by country or region
- B2B and B2C storefronts on the same backend
- Integration with POS, ERP, and OMS (e.g. Adobe Commerce Order Management)
- PWA Studio and headless APIs for channel-agnostic storefronts
- Custom workflows for international catalogs and fulfillment
Adobe Commerce is ideal for brands managing multiple regional sites with varied customer experiences and operational rules.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Salesforce Commerce Cloud is built with omnichannel retail in mind. It natively supports global operations, unified commerce, and seamless customer experiences across digital and physical touchpoints.
Key capabilities:
- Endless Aisle and Click & Collect (BOPIS) integrations
- Multi-site, multi-currency, multi-language from a single instance
- Unified data model across eCommerce, CRM, and marketing
- Personalized experiences across web, mobile, in-store, and support channels
- Global inventory visibility and order routing
- Integrated with Marketing Cloud for geo-targeted engagement
SFCC is ideal for enterprise brands operating at scale across markets, regions, and sales channels with a focus on consistency and customer continuity.
Extensions and Plugins
Magento offers more extensions and plugins. Though Salesforce Commerce Cloud’s AppExchange marketplace has many quality extensions, Magento’s extension and plugin marketplace is much more extensive.
Magento extensions and plugins
Magento offers a vast marketplace with thousands of extensions and plugins. These cover a wide range of functionalities, from SEO and marketing tools to advanced analytics and payment gateways, allowing extensive customization of your store.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud marketplace
Salesforce Commerce Cloud provides several extensions through its AppExchange marketplace. While it offers numerous options for enhancing your store, the range and flexibility are much less extensive compared to Magento’s offerings.
Security & Compliance
Verdict: Salesforce Commerce Cloud wins. As a fully managed platform, it handles security patches, infrastructure hardening, and compliance certifications out of the box—reducing risk and overhead.
Magento security
Adobe Commerce provides robust security features, but responsibility varies depending on how the platform is hosted.
- For self-hosted deployments, security is the merchant’s responsibility. This includes patching, server configuration, SSL, firewall setup, and PCI compliance.
- With Adobe Commerce Cloud (PaaS), Adobe manages infrastructure-level security, including DDoS protection, WAF (Web Application Firewall), data encryption, and server hardening.
Adobe regularly releases security patches and provides tools such as:
- Security Scan Tool for vulnerability monitoring
- Role-based access control for admin permissions
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) and CAPTCHA integrations
- Support for PCI DSS compliance, though merchants must still manage application-level requirements
Salesforce Commerce Cloud security
Salesforce Commerce Cloud offers fully managed, enterprise-grade security as part of its SaaS model. All infrastructure, data, and application layers are secured and maintained by Salesforce.
Key security features include:
- PCI DSS Level 1 compliance
- Data encryption at rest and in transit
- Multi-tenant isolation to safeguard customer data
- Automated patching and platform updates
- Regular SOC, ISO, and GDPR compliance certifications
Because SFCC is hosted and maintained by Salesforce, security is built into the platform by design, reducing the operational burden on the merchant.
Customer Support & Community
Verdict: Adobe Commerce wins. While Salesforce provides strong enterprise support, Adobe’s advantage lies in its combination of official support and a vast, active open-source developer community.
Magento support
Support for Adobe Commerce varies depending on the edition.
- Adobe Commerce (licensed) customers receive enterprise-level support through Adobe, including SLAs, technical support tickets, onboarding resources, and performance monitoring.
- Adobe Commerce Cloud users gain additional support for infrastructure, DevOps, and deployment.
- Magento Open Source, in contrast, has no official support from Adobe and relies entirely on the community.
Beyond Adobe’s services, Adobe Commerce benefits from a large global developer ecosystem, thousands of certified partners, and a mature marketplace of extensions.
You can find resources in
- Adobe Help Center and Commerce DevDocs
- Certified Adobe Solution Partners
- Magento Stack Exchange and forums
- Adobe Commerce certification programs
Salesforce Commerce Cloud Support
Salesforce Commerce Cloud offers comprehensive enterprise support as part of its SaaS model. Support is tailored to the client’s service level and may include:
- 24/7 technical support with tiered SLAs
- Access to Salesforce Premier Success Plans (includes architectural guidance, enablement, and proactive services)
- Onboarding and solution architects during implementation
- Access to Salesforce Trailhead, a rich training platform for developers and admins
If you're using multiple Salesforce products (not just Commerce), you can manage them all through the same vendor relationship — including support, onboarding, and training.
Magento vs Salesforce Commerce Cloud: Which One Should You Choose?
Adobe Commerce and Salesforce Commerce Cloud offer distinct value propositions. The right platform depends on your organization's size, technical resources, existing systems, and operational priorities. Below is a practical recommendation based on core business criteria.
Choose Adobe Commerce if:
- You require deep control over your eCommerce environment, including backend logic, front-end design, and data models.
- You have an in-house development team or agency partner capable of managing custom implementations.
- You operate a multi-brand or global retail model, managing multiple storefronts with unique catalogs or regional rules.
- Your business model demands a hybrid B2B/B2C setup, custom workflows, or advanced pricing structures.
- You want the flexibility to choose between on-premise hosting or Adobe’s PaaS cloud environment.
Summary profile: Adobe Commerce Magento is best for businesses that value flexibility, extensibility, and custom architecture, especially where differentiation and complex workflows are a priority.
Choose Salesforce Commerce Cloud if:
- You are a mid-market or enterprise brand with complex operations and high traffic volume.
- Your organization already uses Salesforce CRM, Marketing Cloud, or Service Cloud and benefits from integrated data and customer profiles.
- You prefer a fully managed SaaS solution with minimal infrastructure responsibilities.
- Your focus is on scalability, speed to market, and consistent customer experiences across channels.
- Your business operates internationally and requires built-in localization tools for multiple languages, currencies, and tax settings.
Summary profile: SFCC is well-suited for enterprise-level B2C or B2B brands prioritizing reliability, omnichannel execution, and tight Salesforce ecosystem integration.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud vs Magento: FAQs
What is the main difference between Magento and Salesforce Commerce Cloud?
Magento (Adobe Commerce) is an open-source platform that offers full customization and hosting flexibility. Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a SaaS solution with built-in infrastructure and deep integration with the Salesforce ecosystem. Magento favors control; SFCC favors convenience and scale.
Does Salesforce integrate with Magento?
Yes. While Magento and Salesforce are separate platforms, integration is possible via APIs or third-party connectors (e.g., Magenest, Zapier, custom middleware) to sync customer, order, and product data with Salesforce CRM.
What is Magento called now?
Magento is now referred to as Adobe Commerce for the enterprise, paid version. The free, self-hosted version retains the Magento Open Source name. Adobe Commerce includes more advanced features, support, and optional cloud infrastructure.
What are the hidden costs in Magento and Salesforce Commerce Cloud?
Magento’s hidden costs include development and implementation, hosting infrastructure (unless using Adobe Commerce Cloud), ongoing updates, patches, and security and licensing for Adobe Commerce (AGR-based).
Salesforce Commerce Cloud’s hidden costs include revenue share fees (1–3% GMV), high implementation and onboarding via certified partners, and additional licenses for Salesforce products like Marketing Cloud, Service Cloud, etc.
Which is more scalable: Magento or Salesforce Commerce Cloud?
Both Magento and Salesforce Commerce Cloud scale well but differently. Magento offers technical scalability with infrastructure control. SFCC handles scaling automatically through its managed SaaS environment, which is better suited for rapid enterprise expansion.
Is Magento Open Source still relevant in 2025?
Yes, Magento Open Source remains widely used for businesses seeking cost-effective, customizable solutions. However, Adobe’s development focus and roadmap now lean heavily toward Adobe Commerce Cloud for enterprise clients. Open Source is still relevant but requires more self-management and technical investment.
Final Thoughts
Magento and Salesforce Commerce Cloud represent two fundamentally different eCommerce approaches.
Choose Magento (Adobe Commerce) if you need complete control over customization, have technical resources, or operate in complex B2B/B2C environments. Its open architecture and modular flexibility are ideal for businesses that prioritize ownership and scalability on their own terms.
Opt for Salesforce Commerce Cloud if you’re an enterprise brand seeking a fully managed, scalable platform with deep CRM integration and AI-driven personalization. SFCC simplifies operations and unifies marketing, sales, and service across channels.
The right choice depends on your team structure, budget, and long-term digital commerce strategy.
We hope you found this article insightful and now have a clear understanding of the Adobe Magento vs Salesforce Commerce Cloud. For more content like this, be sure to visit the LitExtension blog and join our eCommerce community to gain further insights and connect with fellow business owners.
