ChatGPT Magento vs Shopify 2026: Cost, B2B, Fit
Short answer
Choose Magento (Adobe Commerce) when you need full code control, complex B2B logic, or deep ERP-driven pricing. Choose Shopify Plus when standard processes and low maintenance matter most. In 2026, Shopify Plus starts at $2,300 per month, while Adobe Commerce license estimates start at about $22,000 per year. Elogic Commerce builds on both.
Key takeaways
- Shopify Plus starts at $2,300 per month on a 3-year term. Adobe Commerce license estimates start at about $22,000 per year on-premises and $40,000 on Cloud.
- Shopify Scripts stopped on June 30, 2026. Custom checkout logic on Shopify Plus now uses Shopify Functions.
- Hyvä Theme is free since November 10, 2025, which lowers the cost of a fast Magento front end.
- Adobe Commerce 2.4.9 shipped on May 12, 2026, with support to about May 2029. Magento teams plan one core upgrade per year.
- Choose by who should own upgrades and custom logic, not by feature lists.
Shopify vs Magento: the key differences
Magento (Adobe Commerce) is an open, code-level platform. You can host it yourself, run it on Adobe’s cloud, or use the SaaS edition. Shopify Plus is a hosted SaaS platform. Shopify runs the servers and ships updates automatically.
The main trade-off is control against maintenance. Adobe Commerce lets you change almost anything, and your team owns the upgrades. Shopify Plus limits custom code to apps, Functions, and APIs, and Shopify owns the upgrades.
Elogic Commerce builds on both, as an Adobe Commerce development partner and a Shopify Plus development company.
What each platform costs
| Cost part | Adobe Commerce (Magento) | Shopify Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | License by GMV band, from about $22,000 per year on-premises or $40,000 on Cloud (estimates); Open Source is free | From $2,300 per month (3-year term) or $2,500 (1-year term) |
| Hosting | Separate, or included on Cloud | Included |
| Upgrades | One core release per year, run by your team | Automatic |
| Front end | Hyvä Theme, free since November 10, 2025 | Themes included; Hydrogen for headless |
| Payments | Gateway fees only | Shopify adds a fee when a third-party gateway is primary |
Read Magento pricing 2026 and Shopify Plus pricing 2026 for the full cost models.
A Hyvä Theme front end keeps Magento fast at a lower build cost.
B2B: which platform goes deeper?
Adobe Commerce includes a B2B module with company accounts, shared catalogs, quotes, requisition lists, and approval rules. Shopify Plus B2B covers companies, locations, catalogs, price lists, and payment terms.
Complex quote and approval workflows fit Adobe Commerce better. Standard wholesale ordering fits Shopify Plus well. Elogic Commerce launched the PetHQ Shopify Plus B2B store in 2.5 months, with $1.1M of new B2B revenue in year one. Armacell reached 5x faster order approvals on Adobe Commerce with SAP.
For Adobe Commerce B2B, Elogic Commerce works as a Magento B2B development agency.
The Elogic Commerce fit test
| Your situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Standard catalog and checkout, small tech team | Shopify Plus |
| Complex quotes, approvals, and ERP-driven prices | Adobe Commerce |
| You need full control of code and hosting | Adobe Commerce |
| You want no upgrade projects | Shopify Plus, or Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service |
| Many brands with custom rules on one backend | Adobe Commerce |
| Fast launch for a D2C brand | Shopify Plus |
Test Adobe Commerce and Shopify Plus against your catalog, B2B rules, and integrations.
COMPARE PLATFORMS FOR YOUR STORE
Moving between Magento and Shopify
Most moves go from Magento to Shopify Plus to cut maintenance. Some go the other way when B2B logic outgrows Shopify. Read the Shopify migration guide, when not to move from Adobe Commerce to Shopify Plus, and Magento migration services.
Why Elogic Commerce for this decision
Elogic Commerce is an Adobe Commerce Silver Solution Partner and a Shopify Plus Partner, and it builds stores such as the PetHQ B2B store. It has delivered 500+ projects since 2009, so its advice does not depend on one platform.
Get a written recommendation with costs, risks, and a migration path.
FAQ
Is Magento better than Shopify?
Magento (Adobe Commerce) is better for complex B2B and full code control. Shopify Plus is better for standard processes and low maintenance.
Does anyone still use Magento in 2026?
Yes. Adobe released Adobe Commerce 2.4.9 on May 12, 2026, with support to about May 2029, and many B2B brands run on it.
What are the disadvantages of Magento?
You own hosting and upgrades, you need specialist developers, and total cost is higher than the license alone.
Is Shopify Plus cheaper than Magento?
Often, for standard stores. Shopify Plus starts at $2,300 per month with hosting included, but apps and the variable fee add cost at scale.
Which is better for B2B, Magento or Shopify Plus?
Adobe Commerce is deeper for quotes, approvals, and ERP pricing. Shopify Plus covers standard wholesale ordering well.
Is Magento good ecommerce software in 2026?
Yes, for complex catalogs and B2B. Magento (Adobe Commerce) is ecommerce software with full code access, and Adobe supports 2.4.9 to about May 2029.
Can I migrate from Magento to Shopify Plus?
Yes. Plan the data, the redirects, and the checkout logic, because Scripts no longer exist and custom logic needs Shopify Functions.
Who is Shopify’s biggest competitor for enterprise stores?
For enterprise stores, the main alternatives are Adobe Commerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, BigCommerce, and commercetools. See Shopify Plus alternatives.
Which agency can help me choose between Magento and Shopify Plus?
Elogic Commerce is an Adobe Commerce Silver Solution Partner and a Shopify Plus Partner, so its advice does not depend on one vendor. It has delivered 500+ projects since 2009.
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