Adobe Commerce (Magento) Pricing and Hidden Costs in 2025

Navigating Adobe Commerce’s offerings can be challenging, especially if you are trying to find the right balance between cost and functionality. You don’t want to overpay for features your business doesn’t need, but you can’t afford to choose a plan lacking essential tools.

Based on my experience testing all three editions and both cloud plans, it’s clear that Adobe Commerce caters primarily to businesses with larger budgets, starting at $22,000/year. It’s not the most affordable option, but it can be worth the investment if you’re looking for enterprise-level features, extensive customization, and scalability.

Unfortunately, Adobe Commerce has no free plan or trial available, so you must commit upfront. However, it’s worth considering cost-effective alternatives like Shopify, which offers a free three-day trial that you can extend up to three months for just a dollar per month. Otherwise, keep reading for my detailed overview of Adobe Commerce (Magento) pricing.

Adobe Commerce Features and Pricing Overview

Extensive Features, Substantial Costs

Adobe Commerce’s pricing is higher than that of many competitors like Shopify and BigCommerce, with annual costs ranging from $22,000–$125,000 for the Adobe Commerce On-premise Edition to $40,000–$190,000 for Adobe Commerce on Cloud. However, the pricing is somewhat justified by its exhaustive feature set, such as B2B functionality, multi-store management, and advanced marketing tools.

The pricing structure is tiered and complex. It’s based on a company’s sales volume (gross merchandise value) and average order value (AOV), which is the average amount spent per order on a website or e-commerce store.

Adobe Commerce offers different editions, but tier distinctions only apply within Adobe Commerce Cloud, which comes in two options: Commerce Pro and Managed Services. Both plans include cloud hosting and standard reporting tools. Subscriptions are typically annual, with no clear monthly option, so you must make a significant upfront financial commitment.

While Adobe Commerce is powerful, I wouldn’t recommend it for smaller businesses or startups due to the high costs and lack of monthly payment options. Plus, you should be aware of potential hidden costs, such as fees for customization, development, and third-party integrations, which can quickly add up depending on the scale of the implementation​.

Magento Open Source

Magento Open Source is the free, open-source version of Adobe Commerce. This version allows you to build specific functionalities that align with your business’s needs while still offering basic e-commerce features like product management, catalog creation, search engine optimization (SEO) tools, and customer management.

The open-source version is great if you need a cost-effective platform but are willing to handle more of the technical setup and management. While the platform itself is free, it doesn’t cover essential costs like web hosting, domain, maintenance, and a developer’s salary if you need one.

Magento Open Source also lacks advanced features found in the paid editions of Adobe Commerce, like B2B capabilities, access to a data management and analytics platform (Adobe Business Intelligence), and AI tools. You can only enhance the platform’s functionality through third-party extensions from the Magento Marketplace.

Adobe Commerce On-premise

Adobe Commerce On-premise is a paid, self-hosted edition of Adobe Commerce, starting at $22,000 annually. The costs don’t end there. As with Magento Open Source, you’re still responsible for hosting, hardware, scaling, upgrades, and maintenance. It’s significantly more expensive than its open-source counterpart but gives you access to B2B, personalization, analytics, and more built-in features.

Whether Adobe Commerce On-premise is worth it depends on your company’s needs. It may be valuable if you require complete control, enhanced security, and enterprise-grade features. However, if you have a smaller company without a dedicated IT team, managing the infrastructure’s cost and complexity may outweigh the benefits. In that case, the feature-packed Shopify Advanced Plan will cover most of your e-commerce needs for a much lower price.

Adobe Commerce on Cloud

Adobe Commerce Cloud pricing starts at around $40,000 per year. I recommend this edition for global retailers, large B2B enterprises, or high-traffic e-commerce platforms generating over $10 million in annual revenue, with traffic ranging from 100,000 to more than 1 million monthly visitors.

Adobe Commerce on Cloud is available in two plans, differing mainly in the level of support you’ll receive. Commerce Pro suits businesses with in-house IT teams managing hosting, maintenance, and server operations. In contrast, Managed Services is for companies needing extra support for upgrades, site monitoring, and launching.

Both plans include cloud-specific features like a content delivery network (CDN), cloud backup, and DDoS protection, making them best for enterprise-level businesses that need global scalability, advanced security, and high performance. That said, the pricing remains steep. Shopify Plus users receive access to similar advanced e-commerce and global-selling features for half the price.

Adobe Commerce (Magento) Pricing Comparison Table

Paid-for Extras

Adobe Commerce offers several paid add-ons that you can purchase in addition to your annual plan. While these add-ons provide significant value, especially for larger enterprises, they can substantially increase the overall cost of the platform.

Before committing to these additional features, you should carefully assess your specific business needs​. Since most have different costs depending on your business size and needs, you’ll need to contact Adobe sales representatives for a direct quote.

Here are some of the available add-ons:

Third-Party Integrations

Adobe Commerce supports numerous third-party integrations, such as payment gateways, CRM systems, and ERP solutions. The pricing varies based on integration needs, from free to as much as $99,999 (!) for more complex setups. It all ultimately depends on your specific needs, budget, and scope.

In contrast, Shopify includes many free, built-in integrations through its App Store. Adobe charges for advanced and custom integrations, which can add up quickly. Shopify also charges for some specialized integrations, such as ERP systems or advanced analytics, but those typically range from $100 to $1,000/month. Again, Shopify outshines Adobe’s offerings as a better overall choice for your budget.

Order Management for Adobe Commerce

The Order Management add-on provides a centralized system to manage orders across multiple channels and locations. It offers real-time inventory visibility, intelligent sourcing, and streamlined fulfillment processes so customers can receive their orders promptly and accurately.

B2B Module

For businesses catering to other businesses, the B2B Module is indispensable. It introduces features tailored for B2B transactions, such as company account management, custom catalogs and pricing, quick ordering, and advanced payment options. These tools help streamline the purchasing process for business clients.

Additional Store Views

Expanding your reach to diverse markets requires localized storefronts. The Additional Store Views add-on allows you to create multiple store views within a single Adobe Commerce instance. This particularly benefits targeting different regions or customer segments with tailored content, languages, and pricing strategies. You can purchase these in packs of 15 if you’re using the Managed Services plan.

Adobe Commerce Cancellation & Refund Policy

What to Know Before You Cancel Your Adobe Commerce Subscription

As part of Adobe’s enterprise solutions, Adobe Commerce operates under specific contractual agreements that may differ from standard consumer subscriptions. The cancellation and refund policies for Adobe Commerce are typically outlined in your organization’s contract with Adobe.

To cancel your subscription, you need to consult your contract or contact customer support. Terms can vary significantly based on factors such as the duration of the contract and any negotiated clauses.

As for Marketplace purchases, including extensions like Advanced SEO or In-Store Pickup, the refund process is very simple. From My Profile, go to Purchase History, then Request a Refund. After you complete the order, you’re all set. Requests must be submitted within 25 days of purchase.

Recommended Adobe Commerce Alternatives

Although Magento is a powerful and highly customizable platform, it may not provide the features you need at a price that fits your budget. It’s worth comparing it with some top-rated alternatives to see what other platforms offer in a more affordable range:

Shopify

Shopify excels in its vast app ecosystem and ease of use. It’s great for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. Shopify’s powerful integrations and seamless multi-channel selling, especially for social media platforms, make it a better choice for businesses focused on omnichannel retailing. While Magento offers more customization, Shopify’s simplicity and community support provide a hassle-free setup and maintenance experience.

Although Adobe Commerce allows for deep customization via open-source architecture, it often demands significant developer resources. In contrast, Shopify’s ecosystem of third-party apps covers everything from inventory management to marketing automation. You can see some examples of Shopify stores to get an idea of how polished a website can look without expensive developers on your team.

Wix

Wix is an easy-to-use, flexible website builder. Its drag-and-drop interface is ideal for small businesses, freelancers, or startups looking to quickly build and launch their stores. Unlike Magento, which requires more technical know-how, Wix is accessible to a broader range of users. Its pricing is also significantly more affordable, with cost-effective plans. Wix also offers a free plan to test out its features.

Wix offers hundreds of customizable templates, allowing you to create visually stunning websites that align with your brand. It also provides integrated SEO tools and integrations with popular e-commerce apps. Though it doesn’t match Adobe Commerce’s depth of customization or advanced features like multi-store management, Wix’s simplicity is better if you have a smaller business and want a solution you can manage independently.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce’s scalability is one of its main strengths, as it can handle stores with large product catalogs or high traffic levels without slowing down. Compared to Adobe Commerce, BigCommerce offers more built-in features like product filtering and robust SEO tools, reducing reliance on third-party apps. Its API-driven architecture allows for deep customization while maintaining ease of use.

The platform is also great for omnichannel support. BigCommerce integrates with various sales channels like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook, making managing multiple platforms from one dashboard easier. While Adobe Commerce can also be extended for multichannel sales, it usually requires more custom development. BigCommerce’s seamless integration with these channels can save time and reduce the need for extensive configuration.

The True Cost of a Magento Website

The cost of a Magento website can vary widely. Magento Open Source is free to download, but businesses must cover hosting, development, and maintenance expenses. Adobe Commerce on Cloud (Magento’s enterprise solution) starts at around $40,000 per year, with pricing increasing based on the size and complexity of the store. Additional costs include extensions, themes, and ongoing developer support, so Magento ends up being a high-investment platform.

For smaller to mid-sized businesses or those without a large technical team, Shopify is an excellent alternative. Shopify plans start as low as $29.00, offering a user-friendly platform with integrated hosting and plenty of customization. Compared to Adobe Commerce Cloud, Shopify is easier to manage and gets you online faster with its pre-built themes and plug-and-play apps.

FAQ

Is Magento free or paid?

Adobe offers both free and paid versions. Magento Open Source is free to download and use. Adobe Commerce On-premise and Adobe Commerce on Cloud (the enterprise versions) are paid solutions with advanced features for larger businesses. However, the free version doesn’t include hosting or anything else to help you get your store online. If you want a truly free e-commerce website, try Wix’s free plan.

How much does Magento cost?

The cost of Magento depends on whether you’re using Magento Open Source or Adobe Commerce. While Magento Open Source is free, the full cost includes hosting, development, and extensions. Adobe Commerce starts at around $40,000 annually, with pricing scaling based on business needs. You can also explore our website builder cost guide for a more detailed breakdown.

How do Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce (Magento) pricing differ?

Magento Open Source is free but requires separate costs for hosting, custom development, extensions, upgrades, and patches. On the other hand, Adobe Commerce includes hosting, advanced features, and technical support, starting at a higher price point, typically at more than $40,000 per year.

Are there any hidden costs to consider when building a Magento store?

Yes, in addition to the base software (free or paid), businesses must budget for hosting, development, custom themes, extensions, security, and ongoing maintenance. These additional costs can quickly add up, especially for Magento Open Source users. If you prefer more transparent pricing, I recommend trying Shopify instead.

How does Magento pricing compare to other e-commerce platforms?

Magento, especially Adobe Commerce, is more expensive than platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce. While Magento Open Source is free, you also need to consider hosting and development costs. Adobe Commerce starts at $40,000/year, while Shopify and BigCommerce start at around $29.00, making them much more affordable for smaller businesses. To explore lower-cost options more closely, check out our top 10 website builders.