Commerce architecture overview
Adobe Commerce architectures generally combine three layers: a commerce backend (Adobe Commerce or Adobe Commerce Optimizer), a storefront, and a set of connected services and integrations. This section orients you to the product model and points you to the detailed comparisons, diagrams, and API references maintained in each dedicated page.
Getting started
Section
Use it to
Understand what each Commerce product is—Adobe Commerce, Commerce Foundation, Adobe Commerce Optimizer, and Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service.
Compare Commerce options based on transaction ownership, deployment model, and merchandising needs.
Compare all four supported architectures in detail, including system diagrams and reference links.
Understand storefront options and how they connect to each architecture.
Compare the API families used across Commerce Foundation, Storefront Services, and Commerce Optimizer.
Add centralized digital asset management to any Commerce or Optimizer architecture.
Plan a move between architectures or a phased adoption of Adobe Commerce Optimizer.
Terminology quick reference
Preferred term
Meaning
Avoid using as a current architecture label
Commerce Foundation
Base commerce and transactional capabilities
Core Commerce and PHP Foundational Layer
Storefront Services
Storefront-oriented APIs for Catalog Service, Live Search, and Product Recommendations
A label limited to only one Commerce platform
Commerce Optimizer Merchandising Services
Optimizer APIs for catalog discovery and merchandising experiences
Commerce Foundation APIs
Commerce Storefront powered by Edge Delivery Services
Customer-facing storefront implementation
An API family
Related guidance
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