Short answer
A digital experience platform (DXP) is software that manages content, customer data and personalization across websites, apps and portals. Elogic Commerce checked 10 DXP vendors in October 2026: Contentful, Storyblok and Contentstack publish plan prices. Choose a DXP when several brands, regions or channels share one content stack.
This guide is for commerce teams that run Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus, commercetools or a similar engine. It answers four questions: what a DXP is, which vendors exist, whether a store needs one, and what it costs.
The top results for this term come from DXP vendors and analyst review sites. This guide by Elogic Commerce stays vendor-neutral and starts from the commerce stack, not from a product list.
For architecture work around a DXP, see the Elogic Commerce solution architecture service.
Key takeaways
- As of October 2026, the latest Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms that Elogic Commerce could verify is dated 28 January 2025. Forrester published its DXP Wave for Q4 2025.
- Elogic Commerce profiles 10 vendors: 5 suite platforms, 3 headless platforms, 1 personalization platform and 1 orchestration layer.
- Entry paid plans cost $29 a month (Contentstack Build), $99 (Storyblok Growth) and $300 (Contentful Lite) as of October 2026.
- The Elogic Commerce DXP Fit Test scores 7 questions from 0 to 14 and points to one of three setups.
- Elogic Commerce planning estimate, October 2026: a composable DXP rollout takes 5 phases and 5 to 9 months.
What is a digital experience platform (DXP)?
A digital experience platform (DXP) is software that manages content, assets, customer data and personalization for many digital channels. Elogic Commerce groups DXP features into 8 capabilities, from content management to journey orchestration. A DXP does not replace the commerce engine.
DXP is short for digital experience platform. Gartner and Forrester both evaluate DXPs as a software market, and the vendors in this guide sell into it.
Vendors describe the idea in different words. Sitecore describes a DXP as an integrated set of technologies to create, manage, deliver and optimize digital experiences (July 2026).
Optimizely lists storefront and order handling, customer data, analytics, personalization and A/B testing as common DXP functions (September 2026). Some vendors count commerce as a DXP component.
For a commerce team the key point is scope. The DXP manages the experience layer. The commerce engine still owns price, stock, cart, checkout and orders. Figure 1 shows the layers.
What a DXP is not
- A DXP is not a commerce engine. Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus and commercetools run the order.
- A DXP is not only a CMS. It adds assets, data, personalization and testing around the content.
- A DXP is not an ERP. Systems such as SAP or Microsoft Dynamics 365 still hold stock, price lists and invoices.
Elogic Commerce separates these roles at the start of every architecture review. The ecommerce architecture glossary entry explains the layers in more detail.
What does a DXP do?
A DXP does 8 jobs: content management, digital asset management, personalization, search, analytics, experimentation, journey orchestration and integration. Elogic Commerce maps each job to a commerce use case in Table 1. Buy only the jobs that the Elogic Commerce DXP Fit Test confirms.
| Capability | What it does | Commerce example |
|---|---|---|
| Content management | Creates, edits and publishes pages and components | Landing page for a new product line |
| Digital asset management (DAM) | Stores images, video and documents with versions and rights | One product image set reused on web, app and print |
| Personalization | Changes content by segment, account or behavior | A distributor sees contract-price banners; a guest sees a promotion |
| Search | Finds products and content in one index | Site search that ranks guides and products together |
| Analytics | Measures behavior and content results | Which guide pages lead to quote requests |
| Experimentation | Tests page variants and measures the lift | A/B test of a request-a-quote button |
| Journey orchestration | Sequences pages and messages across channels | Reorder reminder by email and portal banner |
| Integration and governance | Connects APIs and controls roles, approvals and audit trails | Approval flow for regional price pages |
Table 1. The 8 jobs of a DXP with commerce examples. Compiled by Elogic Commerce from vendor documentation, October 2026.
Personalization is the job most buyers ask for first. Elogic Commerce explains the commerce side in its guide to personalization at scale.
Asset reuse is the quiet saver. A digital asset management library lets one image set serve every channel and every region.
A DXP gives teams the tools. Experience design decides what the tools show. Elogic Commerce covers that work in its customer experience design service.
DXP vs CMS vs headless CMS vs commerce platform: what is the difference?
A DXP is a broader stack than a content management system (CMS). Elogic Commerce compares 4 options in Table 2 by job and by what each option leaves out. In most commerce projects the four work together and do not replace each other.
| Option | Main job | Does not do | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXP | Manages content, assets, data and personalization for many channels | Run price, cart, checkout and orders | Adobe Experience Manager, Sitecore, Optimizely |
| CMS | Creates and publishes pages | Run cross-channel journeys or unify customer data | The CMS inside a DXP or a commerce platform |
| Headless CMS | Stores content as data and delivers it by API to any front end | Render the page; the team builds the front end | Contentful, Storyblok, Contentstack |
| Commerce platform | Runs catalog, price, cart, checkout and orders | Offer deep asset, journey and testing tools in every case | Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus, commercetools |
Table 2. DXP, CMS, headless CMS and commerce platform compared. Compiled by Elogic Commerce from vendor documentation, October 2026.
The DXP vs CMS question is a question of scope. A CMS answers how to publish a page. A DXP answers how to run every page, asset and audience across all channels. Read the glossary entry for content management system for the basics.
A headless CMS sits between the two. It removes the page templates and serves content by API. The headless commerce glossary entry covers the same split on the commerce side.
The Elogic Commerce DXP Fit Test starts from a simple rule:
- If publishing speed is the problem, start with the CMS the commerce platform already has.
- If many channels or front ends are the problem, add a headless CMS.
- If personalization across brands and regions is the problem, assess a DXP.
What is a composable DXP?
A composable DXP is a DXP built from separate, API-connected products that a team can swap one by one. In this guide, Elogic Commerce classes 3 vendors as headless content cores: Contentful, Contentstack and Storyblok. A suite DXP sells the same jobs as one integrated product.
Composable DXP comes from the same idea as composable commerce. Each job is a separate service with an open API. The MACH architecture guide explains the four principles: microservices, API-first, cloud-native and headless.
Sitecore publishes a “composable DXP vs traditional DXP” comparison, and Uniform calls itself a composable orchestration layer. Acquia offers API-first headless Drupal for composable front ends. The label now covers suite vendors too.
| Dimension | Suite DXP | Composable DXP |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | One integrated product family | Separate products joined by APIs |
| Contracts | One vendor, one contract | Several vendors, several contracts |
| Integration work | Lower between suite modules; still needed for commerce and ERP | Higher; the team owns every join |
| Change path | Replace modules inside the suite | Swap one product without touching the rest |
| Cost shape | Large license, quoted per contract | Several smaller subscriptions plus integration work |
| Best fit | Teams that want one vendor and one roadmap | Teams with strong engineering and many channels |
Table 3. Suite DXP and composable DXP compared. Compiled by Elogic Commerce, October 2026.
Elogic Commerce builds composable stacks through its composable commerce service. For the wider debate, read composable commerce vs headless vs monolith.
Composable does not mean cheaper. Every join is code that someone must own. Elogic Commerce advises composable only when the team can run that code.
Which DXP vendors lead in 2026?
DXP vendors that lead in 2026 fall into 4 groups: suites, headless platforms, personalization platforms and orchestration layers. Elogic Commerce profiles 10 vendors below, using only public facts checked in October 2026. The latest Gartner DXP Magic Quadrant that Elogic Commerce could verify is dated 28 January 2025.
Analyst reports are paid, so Elogic Commerce names only placements that a vendor confirms on its own page. Table 4 lists what Elogic Commerce could verify on 14 October 2026.
| Analyst report | Edition | Vendors that state a Leader placement |
|---|---|---|
| Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms | 2025 (report dated 28 January 2025) | Optimizely (sixth consecutive year) |
| Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms | Edition not stated on the vendor page | Acquia (six consecutive years) |
| The Forrester Wave: Digital Experience Platforms | Q4 2025 (Optimizely page); 2025 (Adobe page) | Optimizely; Adobe |
| A Forrester Wave for digital experience platforms | Edition not stated on the vendor page | Sitecore |
Table 4. Analyst placements that vendors confirm on their own pages. Compiled by Elogic Commerce, 14 October 2026.
Uniform states that it holds a Visionary listing in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant. Gartner Peer Insights shows 37 DXP products for 2026, so the field is wider than this guide.
The 10 vendors below cover four buyer needs. Each profile uses facts from the vendor’s own pages and ends with the Elogic Commerce view.
Adobe Experience Manager
Adobe sells Adobe Experience Manager Sites for content and Experience Manager Assets for digital asset management. It also sells Experience Manager Forms and Guides. Adobe states that it is a Leader in the Forrester Wave for DXPs. The product page shows no price.
Elogic Commerce view: AEM suits large Adobe Commerce programs with many sites and heavy asset needs. Both products come from Adobe, but the join still needs design work.
Sitecore
Sitecore describes SitecoreAI as a cloud-native SaaS platform that unifies content, data and personalization. SitecoreAI bundles content management, digital asset management, content operations, audience insights and conversion optimization. Sitecore says it is a Leader in a Forrester Wave for DXPs. Its pages show no prices and offer a demo.
Elogic Commerce view: Sitecore suits enterprises that want content, data and personalization from one vendor. The products page does not name XM Cloud, so Elogic Commerce confirms current product names in every vendor call. Elogic Commerce also checks the commerce connector, because Commerce appears only as a menu link.
Optimizely
Optimizely One groups nine product lines on its 2026 products page. They include a Content Management System, Experimentation, Personalization and Commerce. Optimizely says Gartner named it a Leader for the sixth consecutive year in January 2025. It also states that it is a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Digital Experience Platforms, Q4 2025. The products page shows no prices.
Elogic Commerce view: Optimizely suits teams that want experimentation and commerce in the same suite as content. Elogic Commerce tests how its Commerce product fits the current engine before it recommends a change.
Acquia
Acquia builds on open source Drupal. Its products page lists Acquia Source, Acquia Cloud Platform for managed Drupal hosting, Acquia DAM and Acquia AI. Acquia states that Gartner named it a Leader in the DXP Magic Quadrant for six consecutive years. The page names no commerce product and no price.
Elogic Commerce view: Acquia suits content-heavy brands that already run Drupal. Elogic Commerce pairs it with a separate commerce engine and plans the join through APIs.
Liferay
Liferay DXP is open-source software that runs as SaaS, PaaS or on-premise. Liferay lists content management, digital asset management, personalization, B2B commerce, headless commerce and product information management. Its pages target dealers and distributors with customer, partner and supplier portals. Liferay shows no list price and offers a total cost of ownership calculator.
Elogic Commerce view: Liferay fits B2B teams that want portals, content and commerce in one product. Elogic Commerce compares it with an Adobe Commerce or commercetools build when a portal is the main need.
Bloomreach
Bloomreach calls itself the AI platform for personalization. Its September 2026 products page lists Loomi AI, Marketing Automation, Email, Ecommerce Search, a Shopping Agent and an Enterprise CMS. The page names Shopify as the only commerce platform and claims 175+ integrations. It shows no prices.
Elogic Commerce view: Bloomreach fits teams whose first need is personalization and search, not a full content suite. Elogic Commerce treats it as a layer next to the commerce engine and a separate CMS.
Contentful
Contentful sells Contentful Platform, Personalization, Studio and AI Actions. Its pricing page lists a Free plan at $0 and a Lite plan at $300 a month. Lite allows 20 users, 3 locales and 1 million API calls a month. Enterprise pricing is custom.
Elogic Commerce view: Contentful fits teams that have front-end engineers and want a headless core. Elogic Commerce connects it to Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus or commercetools through the engine API.
Contentstack
Contentstack lists Content Cloud, with a headless CMS and a visual editor, plus Launch hosting, Personalize and Lytics CDP. Public plans are Free at $0, Build at $29 a month and Growth at $299 a month. Enterprise pricing is custom and includes a 99.5%+ uptime SLA.
Elogic Commerce view: Contentstack fits enterprises that want a headless CMS with a public entry price. Elogic Commerce checks traffic-based costs early, because Contentstack states that usage costs can rise with traffic.
Storyblok
Storyblok presents itself as a headless CMS with a visual editor. It publishes three plans. Starter is free. Growth costs $99 a month on monthly billing, or $90.75 a month on annual billing. Growth Plus costs $349 a month, or $319.91 a month on annual billing. Premium and Elite plans have custom prices.
Elogic Commerce view: Storyblok fits mid-market teams that want a headless CMS with a visible price list. Elogic Commerce still plans the front end, because a headless CMS does not render pages.
Uniform
Uniform sells a composable DXP and calls itself an orchestration layer. It says it can sit on top of an existing CMS such as Contentful, Sitecore or Contentstack. The page claims 70+ integrations and lists no price.
Elogic Commerce view: Uniform fits teams that already own several content systems and need one layer to compose pages. Elogic Commerce checks the commerce connector first, because the Uniform page names no commerce platform.
| Vendor | Type | Best for | Commerce note | Plan prices (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Experience Manager | Suite | Large multi-site programs with heavy asset use | Adobe Commerce is a separate Adobe product | None on product page |
| Sitecore | Suite | Enterprises that want content, data and personalization from one vendor | Commerce appears only as a menu link | None on products page |
| Optimizely | Suite | Teams that add experimentation and commerce to content | Commerce is one of nine product lines | None on products page |
| Acquia | Suite on open source Drupal | Content-heavy brands on Drupal | No commerce product named; join by API | None on products page |
| Liferay | Suite on open source | B2B portals with content and commerce | B2B and headless commerce inside the product | No list price; TCO calculator |
| Bloomreach | Personalization platform | Personalization and search for retail | Shopify named; 175+ integrations | None on products page |
| Contentful | Headless platform | Teams with front-end engineers | Join through the commerce API | Free $0; Lite $300 a month |
| Contentstack | Headless platform | Enterprises that want a public entry price | Join through the commerce API | Free $0; Build $29; Growth $299 a month |
| Storyblok | Headless platform | Mid-market teams | Join through the commerce API | Starter free; Growth $99; Growth Plus $349 a month |
| Uniform | Orchestration layer | Teams with several content systems | No commerce platform named; check the connector | None on homepage |
Table 5. Ten DXP vendors compared. Compiled by Elogic Commerce from vendor pages checked on 14 October 2026.
Which DXP is best for a commerce team?
No single DXP is best. The best DXP is the one that fits the commerce engine, the team and the budget. Elogic Commerce recommends the options in Table 6 as a starting shortlist, not a final choice.
| Commerce setup | Shortlist to test first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Commerce with many sites and heavy asset use | Adobe Experience Manager | Same vendor as the engine; four known patterns |
| Shopify Plus with a content-led brand | Contentful, Storyblok or Contentstack | A headless CMS covers the content gap at a public entry price |
| commercetools in a composable stack | A headless CMS plus Bloomreach or Uniform | Each job stays a separate service with an API |
| B2B dealer or distributor portals | Liferay or Optimizely | Both list B2B or commerce products next to content |
| Existing Drupal estate | Acquia | Keeps the Drupal skills and the open source base |
Table 6. Shortlist by commerce setup. Compiled by Elogic Commerce, October 2026.
Does an ecommerce business need a DXP?
An ecommerce business needs a DXP when content, assets and personalization must run across several brands, regions or channels. The Elogic Commerce DXP Fit Test scores 7 questions from 0 to 14 points. A score of 0 to 4 points to the content tools of the commerce platform.
Answer each question in Table 7 with 0, 1 or 2 points. Add the points. The total picks one of three setups.
| Question | 0 points | 1 point | 2 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. How many brands or sites share content? | One | 2 to 3 | 4 or more |
| 2. How many regions or languages? | One | 2 to 3 | 4 or more |
| 3. Which channels beyond the web store? | None | One (app or portal) | Two or more (app, portal, kiosk, feeds) |
| 4. How many content teams and approvals? | One editor group | Two groups, light approval | Many groups, legal or regional approval |
| 5. How deep is the personalization need? | Product recommendations only | Segment banners | Account, contract and behavior rules |
| 6. How many assets are reused? | Few assets per product | Several asset types per product | Many assets reused across brands and channels |
| 7. Can the team own API joins? | No in-house engineers | A small team | A dedicated team |
Table 7. The Elogic Commerce DXP Fit Test: seven questions, 0 to 14 points. Compiled by Elogic Commerce, October 2026.
Read the total as follows:
- 0 to 4 points: use the content tools of the commerce platform. A DXP adds cost without a clear gain.
- 5 to 9 points: add a headless CMS such as Contentful, Contentstack or Storyblok to the commerce engine.
- 10 to 14 points: assess a full DXP, either a suite or a composable stack.
Question 7 matters most for composable builds. A composable stack needs a team that owns every join. Without that team, a suite or a smaller scope is safer.
Elogic Commerce uses the Fit Test before any vendor demo. The ecommerce platform selector helps when the commerce engine itself is still open.
Elogic Commerce case: Benum redesign. Benum is a Norway-based distributor of professional audio equipment. Elogic Commerce redesigned its Adobe Commerce storefront and built a Hyvä theme. Overall conversion rose 29%, from 2.4% to 3.1%. Mobile conversion rose 47%, from 1.5% to 2.2%. Product page add-to-cart rose 31%, from 7.8% to 10.2%. Read the Benum redesign case.
The case page names no CMS or DXP. The gains came from UX design, behavior analysis and a faster Hyvä storefront on the commerce platform. Score the business first, then buy tools.
How does a DXP connect to Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus or commercetools?
A DXP connects to a commerce engine through APIs in one of 4 patterns: experience-driven, hybrid headless, commerce-led hybrid or vertical hybrid. Elogic Commerce documented these 4 patterns for AEM and Adobe Commerce, and they apply to Shopify Plus and commercetools too. Choose the pattern first, then the vendor.
| Pattern | Who owns the storefront | Best for | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience-driven commerce | The DXP renders the storefront and calls commerce APIs | Content-led brands with many campaigns | The DXP team must own cart and checkout flows |
| Hybrid headless commerce | A custom front end calls the DXP and the commerce API | Brands with several front ends | Needs technical assistance; not out of the box |
| Commerce-led hybrid | The commerce platform renders the storefront; the DXP supplies content | Teams that keep the current storefront | The content model must fit the commerce templates |
| Vertical hybrid | The DXP renders marketing and catalog pages; commerce renders checkout and account | Brands with strong campaigns and a stable checkout | Two page shells must match in design and session |
Table 8. Four DXP and commerce integration patterns. Compiled by Elogic Commerce from its AEM and Adobe Commerce guide, October 2026.
Elogic Commerce delivers hybrid headless builds through its headless ecommerce development service. The guide to headless commerce platforms compares the commerce engines in more detail.
Adobe Commerce
Adobe Commerce and Adobe Experience Manager both come from Adobe. Elogic Commerce describes the four patterns and the Commerce Integration Framework in its AEM and Adobe Commerce integration guide. The join uses GraphQL APIs.
The commerce-led hybrid is the least troublesome pattern for Adobe Commerce owners. Adobe also documents a Commerce storefront powered by Edge Delivery (Adobe Commerce Optimizer overview, updated 8 October 2026). The same page says AEM Assets can supply product images. See headless Adobe Commerce and Adobe Edge Delivery Services for the front-end options. Elogic Commerce builds on this engine through its Adobe Commerce development service.
Shopify Plus
The Shopify Storefront API is GraphQL only, and Shopify lists 2026-10 as the latest version. Shopify also offers Hydrogen, a React-based framework for headless commerce. Elogic Commerce, a Shopify Plus Partner, pairs the API with a headless CMS in commerce-led hybrid and hybrid headless setups. The Shopify Storefront API glossary entry explains the interface.
For architecture options, read Shopify Plus headless commerce. The Shopify Plus development service covers the build.
commercetools
The Elogic Commerce headless guide lists commercetools as a MACH platform for digitally mature enterprises. The storefront belongs to the team or to a DXP. Elogic Commerce, a commercetools Registered Partner, pairs it with the experience-driven or hybrid headless pattern.
See the commercetools development service and the Adobe Commerce vs commercetools comparison for engine choice.
Product data and ERP
A DXP shows product and price data. It does not own that data. Elogic Commerce connects the commerce engine to ERP systems such as SAP S/4HANA and Microsoft Dynamics 365. It also connects PIM systems such as Akeneo, Pimcore and inRiver.
The product information management glossary entry explains the PIM role. The systems integration service covers the joins.
What does a DXP cost?
A DXP costs from $0 for a headless CMS entry plan to a custom contract for an enterprise suite. Elogic Commerce checked 3 vendors with public plans in October 2026: Contentstack Build costs $29 a month and Contentful Lite costs $300 a month. The pages checked for the five suite vendors show no price.
| Vendor | Plan | Price | Billing basis | Main limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contentful | Free | $0 | Free forever | 10 users, 2 locales, 100K API calls a month |
| Contentful | Lite | $300 a month | Monthly | 20 users, 3 locales, 1M API calls a month |
| Contentstack | Free | $0 | Per month, forever | 3 users, 100K API calls a month |
| Contentstack | Build | $29 a month | Monthly | 3 users, 250K API calls a month |
| Contentstack | Growth | $299 a month | Monthly | 10 users, 1M API calls a month |
| Storyblok | Starter | Free | Not applicable | 1 seat, 100K API requests |
| Storyblok | Growth | $99 a month | Monthly billing; $90.75 a month on annual billing | 5 seats, 1M API requests |
| Storyblok | Growth Plus | $349 a month | Monthly billing; $319.91 a month on annual billing | 15 seats, 4M API requests |
Table 9. Public plan prices of three headless platforms, shown in dollars. Compiled by Elogic Commerce from vendor pricing pages, 14 October 2026.
The three pricing pages show a dollar sign and no currency code. Enterprise plans at all three vendors have custom prices. Figure 3 compares the paid plans.
License fees are only one layer. Table 10 splits the cost into four layers, so a budget does not hide the join work.
| Cost layer | What it covers | How it is priced | Planning guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| License or subscription | CMS, DAM, personalization and search | Public tier or custom contract | See Table 9; suites need a quote |
| Implementation | Content model, front end and migration | Time and materials or fixed scope | Elogic Commerce planning estimate, October 2026: 1,200 to 3,000 hours at $50 to $99 per hour, or $60,000 to $297,000 |
| Integration | Commerce, ERP and PIM joins | Time and materials | Part of the implementation hours |
| Run | Hosting, support, renewals and content operations | Subscription plus support retainer | Plan a yearly budget line from launch |
Table 10. Four DXP cost layers. Compiled by Elogic Commerce, October 2026.
Watch the extras. Contentstack prices Personalize separately and states that usage costs can rise with traffic. Contentful sells a Lite Space add-on at $850 a month. Elogic Commerce lists add-ons in every vendor comparison.
Elogic Commerce rates are $50 to $99 per hour, and projects start at $25,000. Use the commerce architecture blueprint to size the integration scope before a quote.
How do you implement a DXP?
A DXP implementation runs in 5 phases: discovery, content model and design, build and integrate, migrate and test, then launch and improve. Elogic Commerce planning estimate, October 2026: a composable build takes 5 to 9 months. Start with the commerce architecture, not the vendor demo.
- Discovery and architecture, 3 to 5 weeks. Map channels, content owners and systems. Score the Fit Test. Pick the pattern from Table 8.
- Content model and design, 4 to 8 weeks. Define content types, the asset library and the design system. Agree roles and approval flows.
- Build and integrate, 10 to 16 weeks. Connect the DXP to the commerce engine, the PIM system and the ERP.
- Migrate and test, 4 to 6 weeks. Move content and assets. Check speed, search, tracking and redirects.
- Launch and improve, 2 to 4 weeks, then ongoing. Release in stages. Review analytics and test results every month.
These durations are an Elogic Commerce planning estimate, October 2026. Phases can overlap. Integration scope is the main driver.
Elogic Commerce runs dev, staging and production environments with CI/CD and pull-request review. Critical vulnerabilities get a fix within 48 hours and high ones within 7 days. The public risk register maps these controls to NIST SSDF, PCI DSS v4.0 and DORA.
Frequently asked questions
What does DXP stand for?
DXP stands for digital experience platform. Elogic Commerce uses the term for software that manages content, assets, customer data and personalization across channels. A DXP sits beside the commerce engine and does not replace it. Gartner and Forrester both evaluate the market.
Is a DXP the same as a CMS?
A DXP is not the same as a CMS. Elogic Commerce defines a CMS as the tool that publishes pages and a DXP as the wider stack with assets, data and personalization. Table 2 compares both with a headless CMS and a commerce platform.
What is the difference between a DXP and a headless CMS?
A headless CMS stores content and delivers it by API, while a DXP adds assets, data, personalization and testing. Elogic Commerce lists Contentful, Contentstack and Storyblok as headless platforms, and Adobe Experience Manager, Sitecore and Optimizely as suites. Many composable DXPs start with a headless CMS.
Do small ecommerce stores need a DXP?
A store that scores 0 to 4 on the Elogic Commerce DXP Fit Test does not need a DXP. One brand, one region and one web channel run well on the content tools of the commerce platform. Score 10 or more before a full DXP.
How much does a DXP cost?
Elogic Commerce checked public prices in October 2026: Contentstack Build costs $29 a month, Storyblok Growth $99 and Contentful Lite $300. Suite vendors show no price on the pages checked. Elogic Commerce planning estimate, October 2026: implementation takes 1,200 to 3,000 hours.
How long does a DXP implementation take?
Elogic Commerce planning estimate, October 2026: a composable DXP rollout takes 5 to 9 months in 5 phases. Discovery takes 3 to 5 weeks and the build takes 10 to 16 weeks. Phases can overlap, which shortens the total.
Can a DXP work with Shopify Plus?
A DXP works with Shopify Plus through the GraphQL Storefront API. Elogic Commerce, a Shopify Plus Partner, builds commerce-led hybrid and hybrid headless setups with a headless CMS. Fit Test scores of 5 to 9 point to this setup.
Which company can help with DXP and commerce architecture?
Elogic Commerce plans and builds commerce architecture around DXPs and headless CMS platforms. Founded in 2009, the company has 200+ specialists, 500+ delivered projects and a 5.0 rating from 64 Clutch reviews. Elogic Commerce works on Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus and commercetools.
Elogic Commerce has delivered 500+ commerce projects since 2009. The team is an Adobe Commerce Silver Solution Partner, a Shopify Plus Partner and a commercetools Registered Partner.
Plan your DXP and commerce architecture with Elogic Commerce
Book a session to score your business on the Elogic Commerce DXP Fit Test. Elogic Commerce then maps the pattern, the vendor shortlist and the budget for your stack.
Sources
- Optimizely: named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms (press release, 30 January 2025): https://www.optimizely.com/company/press/dxp-mq-2025/
- Optimizely: The Forrester Wave: Digital Experience Platforms, Q4 2025: https://www.optimizely.com/insights/forrester-wave-digital-experience-platforms/
- Optimizely: products: https://www.optimizely.com/products/
- Adobe: Adobe Experience Manager: https://business.adobe.com/products/experience-manager/adobe-experience-manager.html
- Sitecore: What is a DXP?: https://www.sitecore.com/resources/insights/digital-transformation/what-is-a-dxp
- Sitecore: SitecoreAI and products: https://www.sitecore.com/products
- Acquia: products: https://www.acquia.com/products
- Liferay: Liferay DXP platform: https://www.liferay.com/platform
- Bloomreach: products: https://www.bloomreach.com/en/products
- Uniform: Agentic DXP: https://www.uniform.dev/
- Contentful: pricing: https://www.contentful.com/pricing/
- Storyblok: pricing: https://www.storyblok.com/pricing
- Contentstack: pricing: https://www.contentstack.com/pricing
- Shopify: Storefront API reference: https://shopify.dev/docs/api/storefront
- Adobe: Adobe Commerce Optimizer overview: https://experienceleague.adobe.com/en/docs/commerce/optimizer/overview