Shopify vs Magento (Adobe Commerce)
Shopify is simpler and usually cheaper to run for small and mid-sized UK stores, with hosting, security and updates included. Magento, now Adobe Commerce, offers deep customisation for complex catalogues but needs specialist developers, hosting and ongoing maintenance.
By Abdullah Ashraf, Shopify expert · Last updated: October 2026
Side-by-side comparison
| Shopify | Magento / Adobe Commerce | |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Included | Self-hosted or Adobe cloud |
| Running costs | Predictable monthly plan | Hosting, developers, extensions, licence for Adobe Commerce |
| Customisation | High, within Shopify's framework | Very high |
| Developer needs | Low to moderate | High, specialist |
| Updates and security | Automatic | Your responsibility |
| Time to launch | Weeks | Months |
Costs in the UK
Shopify's costs are mainly the plan and apps. Magento Open Source is free to download but needs hosting and developer time; Adobe Commerce adds a licence. For most stores under enterprise scale, total running costs are much lower on Shopify.
Prices change. Check each provider's current UK pricing page before deciding.
Which should you choose?
Choose Shopify if…
- You want lower running costs
- You don't have an in-house dev team
- You want faster launches
Choose Magento if…
- You have very complex catalogue or pricing logic
- You have an in-house development team
- You need full server-level control
Frequently asked questions
Is Magento to Shopify worth it?
For most small and mid-sized stores, yes. See the migration service.
Can Shopify handle large catalogues?
Yes, with good collection structure and apps for search and filtering.
What about Shopify Plus?
Plus covers many enterprise needs. Compare Shopify and Plus.
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