Comparing Salesforce Commerce Cloud and SAP Commerce Cloud

Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a multi-tenant SaaS platform built on the former Demandware architecture, designed for B2C use cases. It relies on a proprietary backend with cartridge-based extension, server-rendered storefronts via ISML, and controlled deployments managed through Business Manager. In contrast, SAP Commerce Cloud (formerly Hybris) is a containerized, Java-based platform hosted on Microsoft Azure via SAP BTP. It supports modular development using extensions and Spring-based services, handles both B2B and B2C models, and enables headless builds using OCC REST APIs or SAP Spartacus.

Platform Architecture

Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Built on a proprietary SaaS infrastructure (formerly Demandware), follows a multi-tenant architecture. Merchants deploy code using the B2C Commerce Cartridge framework. All infrastructure and updates are managed by Salesforce. Storefronts are primarily rendered server-side using ISML (Interactive Script Markup Language).

SAP Commerce Cloud

Built on a modular Java-based architecture (formerly Hybris), deployed in containers on Microsoft Azure via SAP BTP. The system uses a layered extension model (AddOns, Accelerators) and supports microservice decoupling via SAP Spartacus or custom APIs.

Headless and API Capabilities

Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Supports headless commerce through its PWA Kit and Salesforce Commerce APIs. These REST APIs expose catalog, cart, checkout, and customer operations. However, deep customization often requires working within the proprietary backend logic of Commerce Cloud Digital.

GET /products/{productId}

Authorization: Bearer <access_token>

Explanation:

• GET /products/{productId}: Requests product data by ID (e.g., 12345).
• Authorization: Bearer <access_token>: Uses OAuth2 token to authenticate the request.Used in headless frontends to render product information.

SAP Commerce Cloud

Exposes REST APIs through the OCC (Omni Commerce Connect) layer and supports GraphQL via SAP Spartacus, can fully decouple the frontend and leverage SAP BTP services for authentication, personalization, and content delivery.

public class CustomProductWsDTO extends ProductWsDTO {

private String videoUrl;

}

Explanation:

• Adds a videoUrl field so video metadata can be included in API responses.
• Used to expose product video links to headless frontends like Spartacus or React apps.

Customization and Extensibility

Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Customization is limited to front-end and controller logic using ISML templates and JavaScript controllers inside cartridges, and cannot modify backend infrastructure or platform services. Extensibility is handled through a cartridge system, allowing code injection at specific hooks, but constrained by platform boundaries and governed deployments via Business Manager.

SAP Commerce Cloud

Customization is full-stack, can override backend logic, define new item types in XML, and configure workflows via Spring beans. Extensibility is modular, using Add-ons and Accelerators to encapsulate features. Business rules, services, and integrations can be extended or replaced entirely, offering control across the commerce stack.

Video and Media Support

Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Handles product video integration through content assets and CMS components. Videos are embedded via YouTube or Vimeo links in ISML templates or configured in Page Designer slots.

Example (ISML Embed):

<isif condition="${!empty(product.custom.videoUrl)}">

<video controls width="100%">

<source src="${product.custom.videoUrl}" type="video/mp4">

</video>

</isif>

Explanation:

• <isif condition="${!empty(product.custom.videoUrl)}">: Checks if videoUrl exists in the product"s custom attributes.
• <video controls width="100%">: Renders a full-width HTML5 video player with playback controls.
• <source src="${product.custom.videoUrl}" type="video/mp4">: Loads the video file from the videoUrl custom field in MP4 format.
• </isif>: Closes the condition; skips video block if videoUrl is empty.

SAP Commerce Cloud

Videos are treated as media containers attached to products via attributes like galleryImages or videoMedia. Can be displayed via SmartEdit and Spartacus with direct media URLs.

Example (Impex to assign video to product):

INSERT_UPDATE Product;code[unique=true];videoMedia(code)

;SKU-001;product-video-001

Explanation:

• videoMedia(code): Refers to a previously uploaded media file in the system.
• Enables video rendering in templates, SmartEdit, or Spartacus by linking media to the product model.

Deployment and DevOps

Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Code is pushed via UX Studio or CLI as cartridges, then deployed through Business Manager. No direct server/container access. CI/CD is possible using sandbox and staging workflows, but is limited by platform boundaries.

SAP Commerce Cloud

Supports container-based deployments using Kubernetes with blue-green deployment, auto-scaling, and infrastructure-level configuration via SAP Cloud Portal, can run full local builds, and perform cluster-level debugging.

B2B and Multi-Site Support

Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Designed for B2C. B2B capabilities are handled via Salesforce B2B Commerce (separate product) and require integration via Salesforce Core CRM. Multi-site requires managing multiple sandboxes.

SAP Commerce Cloud

Handles B2B and B2C natively under the same instance. Multi-site configurations share or isolate catalogs, languages, currencies, and pricing. Offers native features like account hierarchies, approval workflows, and punchout.

Comparison Table: Salesforce Commerce Cloud vs SAP Commerce Cloud