Choosing the right eCommerce platform is more than just a technical decision—it’s a strategic one. With online shopping evolving rapidly and artificial intelligence (AI) becoming a powerful player in how businesses operate, it’s important to understand how platforms like Shopify and Magento (now Adobe Commerce) are adapting.
In this blog, we’ll explore how both platforms differ fundamentally and how each one is integrating AI to improve customer experiences, simplify operations, and drive smarter sales.
Shopify and Magento: What Sets Them Apart?
Before diving into AI, it’s helpful to understand the core nature of both platforms.
- Shopify is a fully hosted solution designed to help entrepreneurs get started quickly. It’s known for its user-friendly interface, quick setup, and range of built-in features.
- Magento, on the other hand, is an open-source platform (owned by Adobe) offering greater flexibility and control—ideal for businesses that need advanced customizations or are working at an enterprise level.
How Shopify Is Using AI
Shopify has introduced several AI tools aimed at making store management and marketing easier—especially for small business owners who don’t have a big tech team.
Some of its notable AI features include:
- Shopify Magic: Helps you write product descriptions, emails, and other store content in seconds.
- Product Recommendations: Uses customer data and shopping behavior to suggest relevant products and increase conversions.
- Smart Replies & Chatbots: Through apps like Shopify Inbox and Tidio, you can automate customer service using AI.
- Shopify Sidekick (in beta): An AI assistant that can help you make decisions, run reports, and answer questions about your business.
These features are especially useful for brands that want to save time and boost performance without diving deep into technical setups.
Magento’s Approach to AI (Adobe Commerce)
Magento takes a more advanced route when it comes to AI, especially when paired with Adobe’s own AI engine, Adobe Sensei.
Here’s how Magento leverages AI:
- Smart Product Recommendations: Personalized suggestions based on user behavior, order history, and predictive analytics.
- AI Search: Magento’s site search goes beyond basic keyword matching—it understands context and delivers results based on shopper intent.
- Customer Segmentation & Targeting: Adobe Sensei helps businesses create dynamic customer segments that update automatically.
- B2B Optimization: For businesses selling to other businesses, Magento uses AI to streamline custom pricing, reorders, and quoting.
While Magento’s AI capabilities are powerful, they also require more setup and technical know-how. You’ll likely need a developer or agency partner to unlock their full potential.
Shopify vs Magento with AI: Which One Should You Choose?
Let’s break it down based on business goals:
- If you’re a small to medium-sized brand looking for a hassle-free setup and useful AI tools out of the box, Shopify is a smart choice.
- If you run a large or complex store—especially one that needs deep customization or serves B2B customers—Magento offers greater flexibility and richer AI features.
- Scaling D2C brands that want to start simple and grow fast may consider starting on Shopify and migrating to Magento or Shopify Plus as complexity grows.
Looking Ahead: AI Is Changing Everything
Both platforms are adapting to the future of eCommerce, where AI isn’t just a “nice to have” but a core part of doing business. Whether it’s writing content, analyzing data, or providing smarter recommendations, AI is already transforming how online stores operate.
Expect to see more:
- Personalized customer journeys
- Automated inventory forecasting
- AI-powered search and product discovery
- Voice and visual search features
- Smarter marketing and retargeting tools
The real question isn’t whether you’ll use AI—it’s how soon and how well you’ll integrate it into your workflow. Connect for more!