Shopify vs Magento (Adobe Commerce) for Singapore Brands (2026)
Short answer: For most Singapore brands, Shopify now does what Magento used to be chosen for, with far less hosting, upkeep and development cost. Magento (Open Source or Adobe Commerce) still makes sense for very complex catalogues, heavy custom B2B logic, or businesses with an in-house Magento team that already uses its flexibility. If you’re on Magento mainly because “it was the serious option” years ago, it is worth checking what you are really paying to keep it running.
What is the difference between Shopify and Magento?
Shopify is a hosted platform. You pay a monthly fee, and Shopify runs hosting, security and checkout. Magento comes in two versions:
- Magento Open Source: free software that you host, secure and update yourself
- Adobe Commerce: Adobe’s paid version, either self-managed or on Adobe’s cloud, licensed by annual sales
| Shopify | Magento Open Source | Adobe Commerce | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence | Monthly plan | Free | Annual licence, priced by sales |
| Hosting and security | Included | Yours to manage | Yours, or bundled on cloud |
| Upgrades | Automatic | Manual projects | Manual projects |
| Developers needed | General Shopify developers | Magento specialists | Magento/Adobe specialists |
| Flexibility | High, within Shopify’s rules | Very high | Very high |
| Best for | Most DTC and SME brands | Teams with Magento skills in-house | Large, complex enterprises |
How much does each cost?
Shopify (Singapore): Basic from S$39/month, Grow S$132/month, Advanced S$531/month (lower when billed annually). Shopify Plus starts from US$2,300/month. See Shopify Plus Singapore for when it is worth upgrading.
Magento Open Source: no licence fee, but hosting that can handle Magento well, security patches, extension licences and specialist developer time add up. One 2026 estimate puts managed hosting alone at roughly US$1,200 to US$7,000+ a year.
Adobe Commerce: Adobe doesn’t publish prices. Third-party 2026 estimates start around US$22,000 a year for stores under US$1M in sales, rising past US$125,000 a year for large stores, and higher again on Adobe’s cloud. Implementation is quoted separately.
The cost that catches most Magento stores out is upgrades. Major Magento version upgrades are development projects. On Shopify, the platform updates itself.
Which is easier to run?
Shopify. Magento gives you control over everything, which also means everything is your job: servers, caching, security patches, extension conflicts and version upgrades. Most Singapore SMEs don’t have the in-house team to do that well, so they pay an agency to keep the site alive instead of to grow it.
Which has better developer availability in Singapore?
Shopify. There are many more Shopify developers, freelancers and agencies than Magento specialists, so Shopify work is usually quicker to staff and easier to move between providers.
When should you stay on Magento?
Staying may be right if:
- You have very complex catalogue, pricing or B2B rules that Shopify can’t meet, even with Shopify’s B2B features, apps or Shopify Functions
- You have an in-house Magento team and a recent, well-maintained build
- Your Magento store integrates deeply with an ERP that would be costly to reconnect
When should you move to Shopify?
Consider moving if:
- A major Magento upgrade is due and the quote is large
- Hosting, patching and extension costs keep rising
- Your team waits on developers for simple changes
- Site speed and checkout reliability are hurting conversion
Read our Magento to Shopify migration guide for the full process, including how to protect your SEO with a 1:1 redirect map.
How Soodo can help
Soodo migrates stores to Shopify and builds new Shopify stores for Singapore brands, with 30+ live stores. Founder Jessica Bong has 10+ years in ecommerce, runs her own Shopify brand (Patch&Bagel), and is a WSQ-certified Shopify trainer at Equinet Academy.
- Migrate to Shopify: from SGD 4,000, from 4 weeks
- New Shopify store: from SGD 4,500, from 6 weeks
Get the free Shopify optimisation checklist · Get an instant quote
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify better than Magento?
For most SMEs and DTC brands, yes, because it costs less to run and is easier to maintain. Magento is better only where you need deep custom logic and have the team to support it.
How much does Adobe Commerce cost in Singapore?
Adobe doesn’t publish prices. Third-party 2026 estimates start at around US$22,000 a year for smaller stores, before hosting and implementation. You need a quote from Adobe.
Will I lose SEO moving from Magento to Shopify?
Not if every old URL is 301-redirected to the matching Shopify URL, and titles, descriptions and content carry over. Magento URLs often include .html or category paths, so the redirect map needs care.
Can Shopify handle large catalogues like Magento?
Yes, for most brands. Shopify supports large catalogues. Note the variant limits on very complex products, covered in our Shopify variant limit guide.
How long does a Magento to Shopify migration take?
It depends on catalogue size and integrations. Soodo’s migrations start from 4 weeks.
Sources
- mgt-commerce.com (Adobe Commerce licence estimates)
- ecommerce.folio3.com (Adobe Commerce Cloud estimates)
- shopify.com (Shopify SGD pricing, checked 25 Oct 2026)
Jessica Bong
Jessica Bong is the founder of Soodo, a Singapore Shopify agency that builds, revamps and migrates Shopify stores, with every store set up to be found in AI search (GEO). She has spent over 10 years in ecommerce and runs her own Shopify brand, Patch&Bagel, where every Soodo technique is tested first. Jessica is also a WSQ-certified Shopify trainer at Equinet Academy.
