Adobe Commerce Hosting: Cloud, Managed & Self-Hosted Options Compared (2026)
Adobe bought Magento in 2018 for $1.68 billion and rebranded it to Adobe Commerce. The platform changed names. The hosting question stayed the same.
Where should you run your store? Adobe wants you on their cloud. But their cloud costs $40,000 to $200,000 per year. Third-party managed hosting delivers the same performance from $200 per month.
This guide breaks down all three hosting options with pricing, server requirements, and honest trade-offs.
Key Takeaways
Adobe Commerce hosting = where your Adobe Commerce (Magento) store runs. You have three options: Adobe's own cloud, third-party managed hosting, or self-hosted servers. Each option trades cost against control.
Perfect for: Enterprise ecommerce stores doing $1M+ revenue, B2B and B2C companies needing custom workflows, multi-brand retailers requiring separate storefronts.
Not ideal for: Small stores under $500K revenue, businesses wanting a plug-and-play SaaS solution, teams without any technical resources.
What is Adobe Commerce Hosting?
Adobe Commerce hosting means running the Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) software on servers. The platform needs specific infrastructure: PHP 8.3+, MySQL 8.0 or MariaDB 10.6, Redis for caching, Varnish for full-page cache, and Elasticsearch or OpenSearch for catalog search.
Adobe Commerce comes in three editions:
- Magento Open Source (free license, you handle hosting)
- Adobe Commerce On-Premise (paid license, you handle hosting)
- Adobe Commerce Cloud (paid license + bundled hosting from Adobe)
All three editions run on the same Magento codebase. The hosting stack is identical. What changes is the license, the features, and who manages the servers.
This matters because it means third-party managed Magento hosting works for all three editions. You are not locked into Adobe's cloud infrastructure.
Three Adobe Commerce Hosting Options Explained
Option 1: Adobe Commerce Cloud (Adobe's Own Hosting)
Adobe Commerce Cloud is a Platform as a Service (PaaS) built on Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure. Adobe manages the servers, deployment pipeline, and infrastructure monitoring. This is a scalable hosting platform designed for enterprise digital commerce.
What you get:
- Bundled hosting solution with the Adobe Commerce license
- Git-based workflow with automatic build and deploy
- Staging and production environments
- Built-in CDN and Fastly integration
- Adobe Experience Cloud integration (Analytics, Target, Sensei AI product recommendations)
- Built-in order management and B2B features
What you pay:
- Typical range: $40,000 to $190,000+ per year (license + hosting combined)
- Pricing scales with Gross Merchandise Value (GMV)
- Entry tier starts around $22,000 per year for stores under $1M GMV
- Enterprise tier reaches $125,000+ per year for stores above $25M GMV
Limitations:
- No root server access
- Limited infrastructure customization
- Vendor lock-in to Adobe's deployment pipeline
- Scaling requires Adobe support tickets, not instant auto-scaling
- Shared infrastructure (not dedicated servers)
Adobe Commerce Cloud suits enterprises invested in the Adobe Experience Cloud ecosystem. If you use Adobe Analytics, Adobe Target, and Adobe Sensei, the cloud option integrates without friction. For a detailed feature breakdown, see our Adobe Commerce Cloud comparison.
Option 2: Third-Party Managed Hosting
Third-party managed hosting means running Adobe Commerce on infrastructure managed by a specialized hosting provider. The hosting provider handles server setup, security patches, monitoring, and performance optimization.
What you get:
- Dedicated or auto-scaling AWS infrastructure
- Full root access and server customization
- Custom caching layers (Varnish, Redis, OPcache tuned to your store)
- 24/7 monitoring and incident response
- Deployment pipelines you control
What you pay:
- Typical range: $200 to $2,000+ per month for managed hosting
- Adobe Commerce license: separate cost (starts at $22,000 per year)
- Total first-year cost for mid-size store: $25,000 to $50,000 (hosting + license)
Advantages over Adobe Commerce Cloud:
- 60% to 80% lower hosting cost for equivalent performance
- Dedicated servers instead of shared infrastructure
- Full control over the server stack
- Faster scaling (auto-scaling in minutes, not support tickets)
- Provider-agnostic: switch hosts without switching platforms
Third-party managed hosting delivers the best balance of performance, cost, and control. Providers who specialize in Magento hosting understand the platform's specific hosting requirements and optimize the stack from day one.
Option 3: Self-Hosted (DIY)
Self-hosted means your team manages the servers. You rent bare cloud instances (AWS EC2, Google Cloud, Azure) and handle everything: OS updates, security patches, PHP upgrades, database optimization, caching configuration, and scaling.
What you get:
- Maximum control over every layer
- Lowest hosting cost (just the cloud compute bill)
- Freedom to architect any infrastructure
What you pay:
- AWS compute: $100 to $500+ per month for a production setup
- DevOps engineer salary: $80,000 to $150,000 per year
- Adobe Commerce license: separate cost
Risks:
- One misconfigured security patch can expose customer payment data
- No PCI-compliant hosting guarantee unless you build it yourself
- Downtime during traffic spikes if auto-scaling is not configured
- Your team is on-call 24/7
Self-hosting only makes sense if you have a dedicated DevOps team with deep Magento experience. For most businesses, the cost of a senior DevOps engineer exceeds the cost of managed hosting.
Adobe Commerce Cloud vs. Third-Party Managed Hosting
This is the decision most Adobe Commerce merchants face. Here is how the two options compare:
| Factor | Adobe Commerce Cloud | Third-Party Managed Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Annual hosting cost | $40,000 to $190,000+ | $2,400 to $24,000 |
| License included | Yes | No (separate $22,000+/year) |
| Total first-year cost | $40,000 to $190,000+ | $25,000 to $50,000 |
| Infrastructure | Shared AWS (Adobe-managed) | Dedicated AWS (provider-managed) |
| Root access | No | Yes |
| Auto-scaling | Via support ticket | Automatic, real-time |
| CDN | Fastly (bundled) | CloudFront, Fastly, or custom |
| Deployment | Adobe Cloud CLI | Git, CI/CD, custom pipelines |
| Adobe Experience Cloud | Native integration | Via APIs and extensions |
| PCI compliance | Adobe handles | Hosting provider handles |
| Customization | Limited | Full stack control |
| Vendor lock-in | High | Low |
For stores generating $1M to $10M in annual revenue, third-party managed hosting cuts the total cost of ownership by 40% to 70% while delivering equivalent or better performance.
Server Requirements for Adobe Commerce
Adobe Commerce runs on a specific stack. Whether you choose cloud, managed, or self-hosted, these are the minimum production requirements:
| Component | Minimum | Recommended Production |
|---|---|---|
| PHP | 8.2 | 8.3 with OPcache enabled |
| Database | MySQL 8.0 / MariaDB 10.6 | MySQL 8.0 with optimized innodb settings |
| RAM | 2 GB | 8 to 32 GB (depends on catalog size) |
| Storage | 25 GB SSD | 100+ GB NVMe SSD |
| Web server | Apache 2.4 or Nginx | Nginx with custom Magento config |
| Cache | Redis 7.0+ | Redis for session + cache, Varnish 7.x for FPC |
| Search | Elasticsearch 8.x / OpenSearch 2.x | OpenSearch with dedicated node |
| OS | Linux (Ubuntu, RHEL, Debian) | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or RHEL 9 |
Performance reality check: Marketing materials promise sub-second page loads. Real-world Adobe Commerce stores with 50+ extensions, custom themes, and catalogs above 10,000 SKUs load in 2 to 4 seconds without aggressive caching. With Varnish and a CDN, cached pages serve in under 500ms. Core Web Vitals scores depend on your hosting stack, theme weight, and third-party scripts.
The server requirements for Magento apply to Adobe Commerce without changes. The codebase is the same.
Cost Comparison: What Adobe Commerce Hosting Costs in 2026
Understanding Magento hosting costs helps you budget for your Adobe Commerce project. Here is the full breakdown for 2026.
Adobe Commerce Cloud Pricing
Adobe does not publish fixed pricing. Costs scale with your GMV (Gross Merchandise Value):
| GMV Tier | Typical Annual Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Under $1M | $22,000 to $40,000 | License + Cloud hosting |
| $1M to $5M | $40,000 to $80,000 | License + Cloud hosting |
| $5M to $25M | $80,000 to $125,000 | License + Cloud hosting |
| $25M+ | $125,000 to $190,000+ | License + Cloud hosting + premium support |
Prices are typical ranges based on industry reports and community data. Request a quote from Adobe for current pricing.
Third-Party Managed Hosting
| Store Size | Monthly Hosting | Annual Total (Hosting + License) |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 5K orders/mo) | $200 to $500 | $24,400 to $28,000 |
| Medium (5K to 25K orders/mo) | $500 to $1,200 | $28,000 to $36,400 |
| Large (25K+ orders/mo) | $1,200 to $3,000+ | $36,400 to $58,000+ |
Third-party hosting separates the Adobe Commerce license from the hosting cost. This gives you negotiation leverage and the freedom to optimize each cost on its own.
Hidden Costs to Consider
Both options carry costs beyond the sticker price:
- Extension licenses: $500 to $5,000 per year per extension
- Theme development: $10,000 to $50,000 for custom themes
- Integration development: $5,000 to $50,000+ for ERP, CRM, PIM connections
- Security audits: $2,000 to $10,000 per year
- Performance optimization: Included with managed hosting, extra with Adobe Cloud
Performance and Scalability
Adobe Commerce Cloud Performance
Adobe Commerce Cloud runs on shared AWS infrastructure. Your store shares compute resources with other tenants. During Black Friday or flash sales, you request additional capacity through Adobe support.
Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service (ACCS), launched in 2025, moves toward a more scalable architecture with edge delivery and microservices. This newer offering addresses some of the scaling limitations of the original Commerce Cloud.
Third-Party Managed Hosting Performance
Specialized Magento hosting providers run your store on dedicated infrastructure. Your resources are not shared. Auto-scaling hosting plans spin up additional servers in minutes when traffic spikes.
A well-tuned managed hosting stack delivers:
- Varnish cache hit rate: 85% to 95% of requests served from cache
- Time to First Byte (TTFB): Under 200ms for cached pages
- Full page load: 1.5 to 3 seconds with extensions and custom theme
- Concurrent users: 500+ without performance degradation on a single server
The key difference: with managed hosting, scaling happens without downtime and without waiting for a support response.
Security and Compliance
Adobe Commerce processes payment data. Security is not optional.
What Adobe Commerce Cloud Provides
- PCI DSS Level 1 certified infrastructure
- Automated security patches (on Adobe's schedule)
- Web Application Firewall (WAF) via Fastly
- DDoS protection
- SOC 2 Type II compliance
What Third-Party Managed Hosting Provides
- PCI DSS compliant infrastructure (Level 1 available)
- Security patches applied within 24 to 48 hours of release
- Custom WAF rules (ModSecurity, AWS WAF, or Cloudflare)
- DDoS protection via CloudFront or Cloudflare
- Server-level firewall configuration
- Intrusion detection and monitoring
Both options meet enterprise security standards. The difference is control: managed hosting lets you set the patching schedule, configure custom firewall rules, and audit the security stack yourself.
Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service (ACCS): The New Option
In 2025, Adobe launched Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service. ACCS is a SaaS-like offering that moves beyond the traditional PaaS model:
- Edge delivery for storefront content
- Microservices architecture for checkout, catalog, and search
- Composable commerce approach with API-first design
- Reduced customization compared to on-premise deployments
ACCS suits merchants who want Adobe to manage everything. But it limits customization more than the original Commerce Cloud. Stores with heavy custom code, complex integrations, or unique business logic may find ACCS too restrictive.
For stores that need full control over the code and infrastructure, third-party managed hosting remains the flexible option.
Who Should Choose What?
Choose Adobe Commerce Cloud If:
- Your annual revenue exceeds $10M and the license cost is a small percentage of revenue
- You use Adobe Analytics, Adobe Target, and other Adobe Experience Cloud products
- Your team prefers a single-vendor solution with bundled support
- You have limited DevOps resources and want Adobe to handle infrastructure
- Budget is not the primary concern
Choose Third-Party Managed Hosting If:
- You want dedicated infrastructure with full root access
- Cost optimization matters (save 40% to 70% vs. Adobe Cloud)
- You need true auto-scaling without support tickets
- Your store has heavy customizations requiring specific server configurations
- You want to separate hosting costs from license costs
- You need hosting in specific regions for GDPR compliance
Choose Self-Hosted If:
- You have a dedicated DevOps team with 3+ years of Magento experience
- You need complete infrastructure control for compliance or regulatory reasons
- You run a development agency managing multiple client stores
- You have existing AWS or cloud infrastructure with spare capacity
How to Migrate Between Hosting Options
Moving from Adobe Commerce Cloud to third-party hosting (or vice versa) is possible. The Adobe Commerce codebase is portable. You can deploy code changes to any hosting environment that meets the system requirements.
Migration checklist:
- Export database (MySQL/MariaDB dump)
- Copy media files (product images, CMS assets)
- Replicate server configuration (PHP version, extensions, cron jobs)
- Set up caching stack (Redis, Varnish, Elasticsearch/OpenSearch)
- Test in staging before switching DNS
- Update DNS with minimal downtime (TTL set to 300 seconds before migration)
A managed hosting provider handles steps 1 through 5. You approve the DNS switch. Typical migration takes 2 to 5 business days with zero downtime.
FAQ
What is Adobe Commerce hosting?
Adobe Commerce hosting is the server infrastructure that runs your Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) store. Options include Adobe's own cloud hosting, third-party managed hosting providers, or self-managed servers on AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.
How much does Adobe Commerce Cloud cost?
Adobe Commerce Cloud pricing ranges from $22,000 to $190,000+ per year, depending on your store's Gross Merchandise Value (GMV). Adobe does not publish fixed pricing. Contact Adobe for a custom quote.
Can I host Adobe Commerce on my own servers?
Yes. Adobe Commerce On-Premise and Magento Open Source can run on any server that meets the system requirements: PHP 8.3+, MySQL 8.0 or MariaDB 10.6, Redis, Varnish, and Elasticsearch or OpenSearch. You need Linux servers with at least 8 GB RAM for production.
Is third-party hosting compatible with Adobe Commerce?
Yes. Adobe Commerce runs on the same Magento codebase regardless of where it is hosted. Third-party managed hosting providers deliver identical functionality to Adobe Commerce Cloud at 40% to 70% lower cost.
What are the minimum server requirements for Adobe Commerce?
Production requirements include PHP 8.3 with OPcache, MySQL 8.0 or MariaDB 10.6, 8 to 32 GB RAM, NVMe SSD storage, Nginx or Apache web server, Redis for caching, Varnish for full-page cache, and Elasticsearch or OpenSearch for catalog search.
Does Adobe Commerce need Varnish?
Varnish is not required but recommended. Without Varnish, every page request hits the PHP application server. With Varnish, 85% to 95% of requests serve from cache, reducing server load and improving page speed by 5x to 10x.
What is the difference between Adobe Commerce Cloud and Adobe Managed Services?
Adobe Commerce Cloud is a PaaS where Adobe provides the hosting infrastructure. Adobe Managed Services is a higher-touch option where Adobe's team manages your dedicated environment. Managed Services costs more but includes hands-on support and custom infrastructure.
Can I migrate from Adobe Commerce Cloud to third-party hosting?
Yes. The Adobe Commerce codebase is portable. Migration involves exporting your database, copying media files, replicating the server configuration, and switching DNS. A managed hosting provider handles the technical work. Typical migration takes 2 to 5 business days.
What is Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service (ACCS)?
ACCS is Adobe's newest hosting option, launched in 2025. It offers a SaaS-like experience with edge delivery, microservices architecture, and composable commerce. ACCS limits customization more than the original Commerce Cloud but simplifies infrastructure management.
How does auto-scaling work for Adobe Commerce?
On Adobe Commerce Cloud, scaling requires contacting Adobe support. On third-party managed hosting with AWS, auto-scaling triggers when CPU or memory usage crosses a threshold. New server instances launch in 2 to 5 minutes without downtime or manual intervention.
Conclusion
Adobe Commerce hosting comes down to three choices: Adobe's own cloud, third-party managed hosting, or self-hosted servers.
Adobe Commerce Cloud bundles everything but costs $40,000 to $190,000+ per year. Self-hosting saves money but demands a full-time DevOps team. Third-party managed hosting hits the middle ground: dedicated infrastructure, full control, and 40% to 70% lower cost than Adobe Cloud.
For most Adobe Commerce merchants generating $1M to $25M in annual ecommerce revenue, managed Magento hosting delivers scalable hosting for Adobe Commerce stores without enterprise pricing.
Your store deserves infrastructure that scales with your business, not infrastructure that scales your invoice.
