When Adobe acquired Magento back in 2018, many predicted the platform’s decline. Contrary to these forecasts, not only we witnessed remarkable growth in new Magento-based stores, but also new forks like Mage-OS and Hyvä Commerce have emerged, proving the platform’s dynamic evolution. So, in the following lines, let’s see what these versions bring to the table and how they help Magento’s future.

We’re experts in eCommerce development services and we’re here to help you choose the right solution for your business.

Please contact us

To set the tone straight, we need to underscore the fact that the Magento community is thriving, with more than 150,000 active developers around the globe. The Magento Marketplace features more than 3700 extensions split in categories such as Accounting & Finance, Content & Customization, Marketing, Payments & Security and more, offering expanding capabilities fit for every complex demand of modern retail. At the same time, there are many third party eCommerce platforms that see Magento as one of the top retailing solutions, therefore offering seamless integration with the platform.

One of the strongest qualities of Magento, and we might add – the reason why it’s still going strong – is the fact that it combines the flexibility of open-source architecture with the power of enterprise-grade solutions, catering to businesses of all sizes. Small companies that want to grow, having a trusted development agency by their side, can opt for the open-source version, while big retailers seeking advanced tools for personalization, analytics, and scalability have the option of Adobe Commerce. At the same time,  innovations like Mage-OS and the newly announced Hyvä Commerce inject fresh ideas into the ecosystem, offering streamlined frontends and community-driven solutions, based on the same robust core engine. These options are highly suitable for those who prioritize independence and innovation.

Comparing Platforms

The development of Magento-based forks like Mage-OS and Hyva Commerce, along with the availability of Magento Open Source and the premium Adobe Commerce version, is highly beneficial because it tailors the platform to suit businesses of all sizes and needs. From robust open-source options with an accessible entry point to enterprise-grade features, this multi-tiered approach ensures that whether a business is a small startup or a global enterprise, there is a Magento-based solution that aligns with its goals and resources.

Adobe Commerce

Adobe Commerce has evolved significantly since 2018, the year when Adobe bought Magento and integrated it into the Adobe Experience Cloud.

This integration has enhanced the capabilities of an already robust core engine, offering a complex suite of tools for eCommerce businesses. Adobe has a tight release schedule for its flagship product, which also applies to Magento open-source. This ensures that the system performance is top notch, with fast page loads and smooth user experiences, that various bugs and issues are addressed to improve overall platform stability and that third-party components are always compatible. Security patches are constantly released to make sure that Adobe Commerce and Magento stores are always protected against cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

As for enterprise-grade features, Adobe Commerce comes packed with rich features worthy of the ‘eCommerce power-house’ status. First of all, it uses Adobe’s AI engine – Sensei – to deliver personalized shopping experiences through product recommendations and targeted content. The platform supports extensive product catalogs and high traffic volumes, making it suitable for businesses aiming for growth, as well as a solid B2B functionality.

But what makes it truly stand out is the fact that it is fully integrated with all the other tools from ADOBE Experience Cloud, like Adobe Experience Manager Sites, Analytics and Customer Journey Analytics, Journey Optimizer, Adobe Audience Manager, and many more powerful marketing modules, to create the ultimate package in eCommerce software.

However, the product comes with a hefty price tag, that’s why its primary target audience is made of medium to large enterprises seeking a robust, scalable, and customizable eCommerce solution able to use AI to deliver personalized and engaging customer experiences.

Magento Open Source (Magento OS)

Since Adobe’s acquisition of Magento in 2018, Magento Open Source has continued to thrive as a flexible and community-driven eCommerce platform. Moreover, Adobe has maintained its commitment to the open-source community, and by extending the core updates and security patches applied to Adobe Commerce also to Magento open-source, it ensures that it remains a viable option for businesses seeking customizable solutions.

What makes Magento OS stand out is that it offers unparalleled flexibility. It has a modular architecture which supports extensive customization, enabling the addition of unique functionalities and seamless integration with various third-party services. Simply put, it is not a ‘fit-for-all’ solution. It has a solid backbone, but companies can choose and integrate only the extensions that they truly need – and there are thousands of them to choose from. This adaptability makes it an ideal choice for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and developers who require full control over their eCommerce operations.

One notable fact is that the majority of extensions available in the Adobe Marketplace are designed to work seamlessly with both Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source, showing both the agencies’ and Adobe’s commitment to keep both versions thriving.

Although hardly accentuated by the pandemic in the last years the once vibrant Magento community has become a little dormant, with the help of organizations like the Magento Association and many Magento agencies, in-person events like Meet Magento have started to be back on. These events play a pivotal role in keeping this ecosystem, offering valuable insights and facilitating connections among community members.

Magento Open Source is a convincing choice for small to medium businesses. Its open-source nature ensures that users have complete control over their online stores, empowering them to create unique and scalable solutions tailored to their specific requirements.

Mage-OS

Officially introduced in October 2023 and driven by the MageOS Association from Poland, the platform is a community-driven fork with the first iteration based on Magento Open Source 2.4.6.

It included additional community contributions, such as a refreshed admin panel. Their aim is to offer the robust Magento core, in addition to a more agile and responsive platform. And by operating with complete transparency, encouraging community contributions, they hope to achieve a quicker implementation of features and fixes. 

What’s highly important is that it maintains compatibility with existing Magento 2 extensions and integrations. This way users experience a seamless transition from Magento to Mage-OS.

Is it an attractive option? Well, at the moment specific data on the number of stores operating on the Mage-OS platform is not publicly available. However, the Traktor Servis store, launched in September 2024 by Inchoo, is one of the first live stores using the Mage-OS platform and the Hyva theme for frontend.

Hyvä Commerce

Only a few weeks ago at Meet Magento Netherlands, Hyvä – well known for their innovative Magento front-end solutions – has announced the development of Hyvä Commerce, an eCommerce suite based on the same core engine – Magento, paired with their renowned headless front-end.

The initiative was started with the purpose of bringing Magento back to a product status rather than a platform that is being built on.

Helped by a strategic partnership with Mollie, a leading payment service provider and already the number 1 payment provider on the Hyva theme, they are aiming to enhance the platform’s capabilities and market reach. 

Hyvä Commerce simply seeks to fill a gap between the expensive Adobe Commerce suite and Magento open-source, by introducing powerful tools and functionalities for merchants, both in the administrative backend and the customer-facing frontend. The suite will include the Hyvä Theme and Hyvä Checkout by default and will make an excellent option for businesses looking to optimize speed and user experience.

If you want to know more about our list of services at Clever++, please visit our website.

Visit our website