Storefronts
The storefront is separate from the Commerce backend and API layers. Depending on the selected architecture, a storefront can retrieve data from Commerce Foundation APIs, Storefront Services APIs, Adobe Commerce Optimizer Merchandising Services APIs, or connected systems through API Mesh, App Builder, or other integration mechanisms. See Architecture options for how each storefront pairs with a Commerce backend.
Commerce Storefront powered by Edge Delivery Services
The Commerce Storefront powered by Edge Delivery Services is a customer-facing storefront option built on the Adobe Commerce boilerplate, using drop-in components and content blocks. It is compatible with any of the architecture overview, connecting to Commerce Foundation, Storefront Services, or Adobe Commerce Optimizer Merchandising Services depending on the backend. See the Adobe Commerce Storefront overview.
Storefront Services
Storefront Services are storefront-oriented services used with Adobe Commerce. The service APIs provide optimized access to capabilities such as:
- Catalog Service
- Live Search
- Product Recommendations
Both Adobe Commerce on Cloud or on-premises (when configured) and Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service use Storefront Services. They are not exclusive to Adobe Commerce as a Cloud Service and should not be used as the distinguishing label between the two Adobe Commerce platform options. See the Storefront Services GraphQL schema.
Custom headless storefronts
Storefront options beyond the Commerce Storefront powered by Edge Delivery Services include Luma, PWA Studio, or a custom headless storefront, depending on platform support and implementation requirements. A custom headless storefront connects to the same API families as any other storefront option—Commerce Foundation, Storefront Services, or Commerce Optimizer Merchandising Services—based on the selected architecture option.
Cart and checkout integration
Where cart and checkout transactions are handled depends on the Commerce backend, not the storefront technology:
- When Adobe Commerce Commerce Foundation is the backend, the storefront uses Commerce Foundation APIs for cart, checkout, customer, and order operations, along with configured payment, tax, shipping, and fulfillment integrations.
- When a third-party commerce platform is the backend—as with stand-alone Adobe Commerce Optimizer—the storefront connects to that platform’s cart, checkout, customer, order, payment, tax, shipping, and fulfillment services through API Mesh, App Builder, or a direct integration.