What Is a DXP (Digital Experience Platform)? A 2026 Guide for Commerce Teams

What Is a DXP (Digital Experience Platform)? A 2026 Guide for Commerce Teams

Guide
21 min read Published: Last Updated:
Guide
DXP: What Is a Digital Experience Platform?

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.

Four-layer commerce architecture by Elogic Commerce: channels, DXP, commerce engine and back office
Figure 1. Where a DXP sits in a commerce architecture. Compiled by Elogic Commerce, October 2026.

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.

CapabilityWhat it doesCommerce example
Content managementCreates, edits and publishes pages and componentsLanding page for a new product line
Digital asset management (DAM)Stores images, video and documents with versions and rightsOne product image set reused on web, app and print
PersonalizationChanges content by segment, account or behaviorA distributor sees contract-price banners; a guest sees a promotion
SearchFinds products and content in one indexSite search that ranks guides and products together
AnalyticsMeasures behavior and content resultsWhich guide pages lead to quote requests
ExperimentationTests page variants and measures the liftA/B test of a request-a-quote button
Journey orchestrationSequences pages and messages across channelsReorder reminder by email and portal banner
Integration and governanceConnects APIs and controls roles, approvals and audit trailsApproval 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.

OptionMain jobDoes not doExamples
DXPManages content, assets, data and personalization for many channelsRun price, cart, checkout and ordersAdobe Experience Manager, Sitecore, Optimizely
CMSCreates and publishes pagesRun cross-channel journeys or unify customer dataThe CMS inside a DXP or a commerce platform
Headless CMSStores content as data and delivers it by API to any front endRender the page; the team builds the front endContentful, Storyblok, Contentstack
Commerce platformRuns catalog, price, cart, checkout and ordersOffer deep asset, journey and testing tools in every caseAdobe 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.

DimensionSuite DXPComposable DXP
ArchitectureOne integrated product familySeparate products joined by APIs
ContractsOne vendor, one contractSeveral vendors, several contracts
Integration workLower between suite modules; still needed for commerce and ERPHigher; the team owns every join
Change pathReplace modules inside the suiteSwap one product without touching the rest
Cost shapeLarge license, quoted per contractSeveral smaller subscriptions plus integration work
Best fitTeams that want one vendor and one roadmapTeams 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 reportEditionVendors that state a Leader placement
Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms2025 (report dated 28 January 2025)Optimizely (sixth consecutive year)
Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience PlatformsEdition not stated on the vendor pageAcquia (six consecutive years)
The Forrester Wave: Digital Experience PlatformsQ4 2025 (Optimizely page); 2025 (Adobe page)Optimizely; Adobe
A Forrester Wave for digital experience platformsEdition not stated on the vendor pageSitecore

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.

VendorTypeBest forCommerce notePlan prices (October 2026)
Adobe Experience ManagerSuiteLarge multi-site programs with heavy asset useAdobe Commerce is a separate Adobe productNone on product page
SitecoreSuiteEnterprises that want content, data and personalization from one vendorCommerce appears only as a menu linkNone on products page
OptimizelySuiteTeams that add experimentation and commerce to contentCommerce is one of nine product linesNone on products page
AcquiaSuite on open source DrupalContent-heavy brands on DrupalNo commerce product named; join by APINone on products page
LiferaySuite on open sourceB2B portals with content and commerceB2B and headless commerce inside the productNo list price; TCO calculator
BloomreachPersonalization platformPersonalization and search for retailShopify named; 175+ integrationsNone on products page
ContentfulHeadless platformTeams with front-end engineersJoin through the commerce APIFree $0; Lite $300 a month
ContentstackHeadless platformEnterprises that want a public entry priceJoin through the commerce APIFree $0; Build $29; Growth $299 a month
StoryblokHeadless platformMid-market teamsJoin through the commerce APIStarter free; Growth $99; Growth Plus $349 a month
UniformOrchestration layerTeams with several content systemsNo commerce platform named; check the connectorNone on homepage

Table 5. Ten DXP vendors compared. Compiled by Elogic Commerce from vendor pages checked on 14 October 2026.

Matrix of ten DXP vendors against content, asset, personalization and commerce products listed on vendor pages, compiled by Elogic Commerce
Figure 2. Products that ten DXP vendors list on their own pages. Compiled by Elogic Commerce, 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 setupShortlist to test firstWhy
Adobe Commerce with many sites and heavy asset useAdobe Experience ManagerSame vendor as the engine; four known patterns
Shopify Plus with a content-led brandContentful, Storyblok or ContentstackA headless CMS covers the content gap at a public entry price
commercetools in a composable stackA headless CMS plus Bloomreach or UniformEach job stays a separate service with an API
B2B dealer or distributor portalsLiferay or OptimizelyBoth list B2B or commerce products next to content
Existing Drupal estateAcquiaKeeps 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.

Question0 points1 point2 points
1. How many brands or sites share content?One2 to 34 or more
2. How many regions or languages?One2 to 34 or more
3. Which channels beyond the web store?NoneOne (app or portal)Two or more (app, portal, kiosk, feeds)
4. How many content teams and approvals?One editor groupTwo groups, light approvalMany groups, legal or regional approval
5. How deep is the personalization need?Product recommendations onlySegment bannersAccount, contract and behavior rules
6. How many assets are reused?Few assets per productSeveral asset types per productMany assets reused across brands and channels
7. Can the team own API joins?No in-house engineersA small teamA 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.

PatternWho owns the storefrontBest forMain risk
Experience-driven commerceThe DXP renders the storefront and calls commerce APIsContent-led brands with many campaignsThe DXP team must own cart and checkout flows
Hybrid headless commerceA custom front end calls the DXP and the commerce APIBrands with several front endsNeeds technical assistance; not out of the box
Commerce-led hybridThe commerce platform renders the storefront; the DXP supplies contentTeams that keep the current storefrontThe content model must fit the commerce templates
Vertical hybridThe DXP renders marketing and catalog pages; commerce renders checkout and accountBrands with strong campaigns and a stable checkoutTwo 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.

VendorPlanPriceBilling basisMain limits
ContentfulFree$0Free forever10 users, 2 locales, 100K API calls a month
ContentfulLite$300 a monthMonthly20 users, 3 locales, 1M API calls a month
ContentstackFree$0Per month, forever3 users, 100K API calls a month
ContentstackBuild$29 a monthMonthly3 users, 250K API calls a month
ContentstackGrowth$299 a monthMonthly10 users, 1M API calls a month
StoryblokStarterFreeNot applicable1 seat, 100K API requests
StoryblokGrowth$99 a monthMonthly billing; $90.75 a month on annual billing5 seats, 1M API requests
StoryblokGrowth Plus$349 a monthMonthly billing; $319.91 a month on annual billing15 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.

Bar chart of public paid plan prices in dollars per month for Contentstack, Storyblok and Contentful, compiled by Elogic Commerce
Figure 3. Public paid plan prices in dollars per month, monthly billing. Compiled by Elogic Commerce, October 2026.

License fees are only one layer. Table 10 splits the cost into four layers, so a budget does not hide the join work.

Cost layerWhat it coversHow it is pricedPlanning guide
License or subscriptionCMS, DAM, personalization and searchPublic tier or custom contractSee Table 9; suites need a quote
ImplementationContent model, front end and migrationTime and materials or fixed scopeElogic Commerce planning estimate, October 2026: 1,200 to 3,000 hours at $50 to $99 per hour, or $60,000 to $297,000
IntegrationCommerce, ERP and PIM joinsTime and materialsPart of the implementation hours
RunHosting, support, renewals and content operationsSubscription plus support retainerPlan 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.

  1. Discovery and architecture, 3 to 5 weeks. Map channels, content owners and systems. Score the Fit Test. Pick the pattern from Table 8.
  2. Content model and design, 4 to 8 weeks. Define content types, the asset library and the design system. Agree roles and approval flows.
  3. Build and integrate, 10 to 16 weeks. Connect the DXP to the commerce engine, the PIM system and the ERP.
  4. Migrate and test, 4 to 6 weeks. Move content and assets. Check speed, search, tracking and redirects.
  5. 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

  1. 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/
  2. Optimizely: The Forrester Wave: Digital Experience Platforms, Q4 2025: https://www.optimizely.com/insights/forrester-wave-digital-experience-platforms/
  3. Optimizely: products: https://www.optimizely.com/products/
  4. Adobe: Adobe Experience Manager: https://business.adobe.com/products/experience-manager/adobe-experience-manager.html
  5. Sitecore: What is a DXP?: https://www.sitecore.com/resources/insights/digital-transformation/what-is-a-dxp
  6. Sitecore: SitecoreAI and products: https://www.sitecore.com/products
  7. Acquia: products: https://www.acquia.com/products
  8. Liferay: Liferay DXP platform: https://www.liferay.com/platform
  9. Bloomreach: products: https://www.bloomreach.com/en/products
  10. Uniform: Agentic DXP: https://www.uniform.dev/
  11. Contentful: pricing: https://www.contentful.com/pricing/
  12. Storyblok: pricing: https://www.storyblok.com/pricing
  13. Contentstack: pricing: https://www.contentstack.com/pricing
  14. Shopify: Storefront API reference: https://shopify.dev/docs/api/storefront
  15. Adobe: Adobe Commerce Optimizer overview: https://experienceleague.adobe.com/en/docs/commerce/optimizer/overview

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