DXP 2025 Guide: Comparing the Top Digital Experience Platforms

We get it, choosing a digital experience platform is a big deal. It’s not just a tech buy; it’s a six-figure investment that will shape your business’s future. And with so many options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or lost in the buzzwords.

With Adobe, you get enterprise-grade personalization backed by cutting-edge AI and the power of the Adobe ecosystem. 

Sitecore brings composability and deep personalization to the table, ideal for businesses managing complex, omnichannel customer journeys.

 Liferay, with its open-source roots and portal-first architecture, is the go-to for flexibility and cost-conscious customization.

 In this guide, we break down the strengths, costs, and tech stacks behind each platform    - supported with real life case studies & experiences-. 

So you don’t have to gamble with your budget.

Quick Comparison of Adobe, Sitecore and Liferay

Adobe

Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is known for its effectiveness in helping global organizations personalize their content, manage a wide range of data and scale up easily. 

Thanks to their core strengths, organizations can provide customers with the same great experience on every channel, operating smoothly at high volumes. Even though starting with AEM can be costly, what it gives to companies makes it worth choosing for those looking to grow digitally over time. 

Major global brands such as Coca-Cola, Nissan & Philips utilize AEM to deliver consistent and personalized digital experiences across various channels.

Adobe’s Gartner Presence

Adobe is recognized as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms, highlighting its comprehensive suite of tools and strong market presence. 

Technology Stack Behind Adobe Experience Manager (Front-end & Back-end)

• It uses Apache Sling, a RESTful web application framework, to map HTTP requests to content resources.
  
• Content is stored and managed in a Java Content Repository (JCR) implemented via Apache Jackrabbit Oak.
  
• AEM runs within an OSGi container, which supports modular development and dynamic component deployment.
  
• The Apache Felix framework is used to manage OSGi bundles and services in AEM.
• Supports React or Angular SPAs via the SPA Editor, enabling in-context editing with JSON content served from AEM
• For traditional sites, uses HTL (Sightly) or JSP templating with server-rendered pages
• Front-end build tooling includes Webpack, npm, Babel, SASS/LESS, and AEM’s clientlib system

Adobe’s Winning Edge

• Integration with Adobe's broader ecosystem, including Adobe Analytics and Adobe Target, allows for seamless data-driven personalization. In full Adobe implementation, the number of the products can be used ranges between 8 to 20.
• Advanced AI capabilities, such as the recently launched generative AI assistant, enhance marketing efficiency and content creation.
  
• Cloud-native architecture and Edge Delivery Services ensure high performance and scalability.

Sitecore

Because of its AI-based personalization and versatile deployment, Sitecore is known as a top digital experience platform for companies that want to offer targeted content across several channels. The platform makes it possible for organizations to decide between the cloud and on-premise architecture, depending on their needs. 

Sitecore’s architecture separates content creation (handled by the Content Management Server) and content delivery (via the Content Delivery Server), allowing for scalability in high-traffic environments. 

Sitecore’s Gartner Presence

It’s positioned as a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms. Sitecore integrates tightly with marketing automation, CRM systems, and commerce platforms, making it ideal for organizations looking to create data-driven, personalized digital experiences.

Technology Stack Behind Sitecore (Front-end & Back-end)

• Sitecore Experience Platform is built on Microsoft’s .NET framework.
  
• Its backend supports both content management and customer experience personalization.
  
• A key component is xDB (Experience Database), powered by MongoDB, which captures and analyzes user interactions in real time.
  
• Several SQL Server databases are used to manage content, system configuration, and session data.
• Enables headless/Jamstack front-ends using JSS with React (Next.js), Angular, or Vue, consuming data via GraphQL/REST 
• Supports traditional .NET Razor + jQuery/Bootstrap MVC development for server-rendered experiences.
• Uses Node.js, npm, and build tools like Webpack/Gulp to bundle front-end assets.

Sitecore’s Winning Edge

• Composable and cloud-native architecture allows for flexible and scalable digital solutions.
  
• Advanced personalization features, including AI-driven content recommendations, improve user experiences.
  
• Strong integration capabilities with CRM and e-commerce platforms facilitate unified customer journeys

Liferay

Liferay is a well-known digital experience platform because of its strong portal features and open-source approach which attracts organizations searching for flexible and cost-savings solutions. 

Liferay’s open-source code supports easy adjustments and integrations which attracts businesses that need unique customization. Liferay serves a diverse range of clients including government agencies, non-profits, and major companies like Fujitsu & Vodafone.

Liferay’s Gartner Presence

It is categorized as a Niche Player in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Digital Experience Platforms, indicating a specialized focus with a loyal customer base. 

Technology Stack Behind Liferay (Front-end & Back-end)

• Liferay DXP is a modular digital experience platform built on a Java backend.
  
• The platform is based on the OSGi specification, enabling modular service deployment and hot updates.
  
• Hibernate ORM is used for database interactions and persistence.
  
• Apache Jackrabbit serves as the content repository for managing structured content.
  
• Integrated search is powered by Apache Lucene or Solr for efficient indexing and querying.
• Fully front-end agnostic: supports ES2015+, jQuery, AlloyUI, Metal.js, and modern frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue
  
• Offers ClayUI, a React-based component library built to the Lexicon design system.
  
• Uses liferay‑npm‑bundler to package front-end modules as OSGi bundles, and supports JSP, FreeMarker, or Soy templates

Liferay’s Winning Edge

• Open-source foundation provides flexibility and cost-effectiveness for organizations.
• Strong capabilities in building portals and intranets support complex B2B and B2E scenarios.
• Active global partner ecosystem enhances solution customization and support.

Licenses Cost Breakdown - Adobe Experience Manager vs Sitecore vs Liferay

Adobe

• Licensing Costs: AEM's annual licensing fees typically range around $30,000+ depending on deployment type (cloud or on-premise), user count, and required features. (Emizentech) AEM Sites starts at $60,000 and AEM Forms starts at $80,000 per year.
• Implementation Costs: Implementation expenses can vary significantly based on customization levels, integration complexity, and organizational needs. Small businesses might incur costs around $35,000+, while larger enterprises could see expenses exceeding $250,000, especially when extensive customization and integration are involved.
  
• Cost Influencers: Key factors include deployment choice (cloud vs. on-premise), user volume, customization requirements, and integration with existing systems.

Sitecore

• Licensing Costs: Sitecore's annual licensing starts at approximately $40,000, with additional yearly fees around $8,000. (Drupalsun)
  
• Implementation Costs: Implementation expenses typically begin around $25,000 and can escalate depending on project complexity, customization, and integration needs.
  
• Cost Influencers: Factors affecting costs include the scale of deployment, desired customization, integration with other systems, and training requirements for staff.

Liferay

• cording to Tridhya Tech, Liferay offers both a free Community Edition and a subscription-based Enterprise Edition. Enterprise licensing varies based on deployment:
  
  • SaaS: Starts at $24,700 annually.
    
  • PaaS: Begins at $77,300 per year.
    
  • Self-Hosted: Starts at $40,200 annually.
    
• Implementation Costs: Depending on customization and integration needs, implementation costs can range from $10,000 to over $100,000.
  
• Cost Influencers: Deployment choice (SaaS, PaaS, or self-hosted), level of customization, integration complexity, and ongoing support requirements significantly impact the total cost.

Partners Ecosystem - Adobe vs Sitecore vs Liferay

When choosing a digital experience platform, the size and quality of a vendor’s partner network can be very important for enterprises that want help with implementation, planning or custom work.

Adobe

Since Adobe is a major player, its partner ecosystem is also at the top. Although Adobe doesn’t officially state how many partners use AEM, it has more than 4,000 partners offering digital experience solutions globally. 

Such firms are consulting companies, system integrators and technology partners that focus on deploying and perfecting Adobe Experience Cloud solutions.

Adobe’s Partner Finder tool makes it easy for businesses to search for partners by their interests, location and areas of expertise.

🔹 The largest network in the world

🔹 A main emphasis on enterprise solutions

🔹 Presence in the most places worldwide

Sitecore

Sitecore, known for its composable digital experience platform, has a wide-ranged but more focused partner ecosystem. Current numbers suggest over 800 official partners worldwide, including solution providers, independent software vendors (ISVs), and strategic alliances.

Depending on the source, the number of Sitecore partners varies (some list around 400 to 750) which likely reflects how tightly Sitecore curates its certified ecosystem. It’s a solid network with a clear emphasis on quality partnerships and deep platform knowledge.

 🔹 Strong presence in North America and EMEA
🔹 Focus on strategic alliances and composability

Liferay

Liferay mainly provides services to government, financial and B2B sectors and its partners are more specific yet reach all over the world. Right now, it has established partnerships with more than 360 organizations in 86 different countries. They are split into three levels (Platinum, Gold, Silver) and provide services that include consulting, training, integration and application development for Liferay DXP.

Liferay’s network is smaller than those of Adobe and Sitecore, but it is well established in many areas and draws the attention of companies that need open-source software or want to personalize their solutions.

 🔹A lean network with offices around the world

 🔹Excellent in open-source and uncommon markets

Developer Rates Comparison - AEM vs Sitecore vs Liferay

Adobe Experience Manager Developers

In the U.S., the average annual pay for an Adobe AEM Developer in 2025 ranges from $110,400 to $180,000+. The average AEM Architect salary in the U.S. is $150,800, according to Talent.com. Still, how much you earn can depend on your experience and where you work. The average salary for AEM Developers in San Jose, CA is $266,542 which is much higher than what they earn across the US (Comparably).

In Germany, an AEM Developer typically earns about  £105,600 each year. The numbers mentioned may differ from city to city and depending on the developer’s skills. 

You can check Crafton’s blog “AEM Developers Cost Breakdown: How Much Should You Really Pay in 2025” if you want a detailed report about AEM Developer salaries across the world and Crafton’s Rate Card for AEM Developers.

Sitecore Developers

United States: Since data on Sitecore Developers in the U.S. isn’t always available, it is true that those with many years and certifications are well-paid. Many things can affect how much a person earns such as their job’s location, the business they work for and what they know.

In the UK, the average salary for a Sitecore Developer is around £57,500 and salaries usually fall between £57,500 and £72,500. This demonstrates that Sitecore demand is high in the region.

Liferay Developers

According to Glassdoor, Liferay Developers in the United States typically earn an average of $133,656 each year and their annual salaries range from $77,000 to $131,000, with bonuses adding up to $25,000 to $46,000. This means there is a solid demand for Liferay experts in the U.S.

Salaries for Liferay Developers differ by country in Europe. In the UK, most people earn £40,825 a year and their total compensation is around £43,945 (Glassdoor). In Spain, most people earn about €23,000 a year, but in Germany, the average salary is about €40,000. (aimprosoft, 2024)

Keep in mind that a person’s salary can change depending on their experience, the place they work and the company size. Average numbers are used, but they may not apply to every person.

Real Life Digital Transformation Examples from Adobe, Sitecore & Liferay

Adobe

Henkel, as a global leader in consumer and industrial products, partnered with Adobe to drive its digital transformation by creating RAQN (A scalable and flexible digital business platform built on Adobe Experience Cloud solutions such as Adobe Experience Manager, Adobe Campaign, and Adobe Analytics)

This seamless solution enabled Henkel to unify its content, marketing, and data strategies across over 30 brands in 40 countries, accelerating real-time market and improving operational efficiency. The seamless integration of Adobe tools within RAQN lets Henkel to deliver personalized and data-driven customer experiences, based on a strong foundation for sustainable growth.

Sitecore

Challenge

• The previous SharePoint based system lacked the flexibility, scalability, and personalization capabilities required to meet the bank's evolving needs.

Results

• Saxo Bank took on an important digital transformation by consolidating over 40 disparate websites into a single, unified platform using Sitecore Experience Platform. 
• By transitioning to Sitecore, Saxo Bank achieved seamless integration across 26 markets, streamlining content management and enhancing the user experience. 
• This consolidation not only improved operational efficiency but also reduced the time to launch new campaigns by 50%.

The scalability of the Sitecore solution supports the bank's plans to leverage dynamic content features and further enhance the platform's capabilities, positioning itself to deliver personalized experiences at scale and adapt swiftly to the changing digital landscape.

Liferay

Gruppo Veritas, a leading public multi-utility in Italy, transformed its digital services by implementing a seamless solution using Liferay DXP. The new self-service portal, SOL, offers a unified platform for over 600,000 users across 51 municipalities to manage services like waste collection and water management. This seamless integration has significantly enhanced user experience, with an average of 1,000 new registrations per week, totaling 142,000 registered users. The platform's scalability and flexibility allow for continuous innovation, enabling the addition of new features and services to meet evolving user needs. 

By digitizing processes and enabling personalized, multichannel interactions, Veritas has improved operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. The platform's flexibility supports future growth and adaptability, ensuring that Veritas can continue to meet the digital expectations of its users. 

                                      

Myth-Busting

There are many myths about DXP Platforms. But, Are they reflecting the real? Let’s check together.

Summary

Choosing the right Digital Experience Platform (DXP) comes down to aligning strengths with your business needs.

• Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) stands out as a powerhouse for large enterprises, offering deep integrations with Adobe’s marketing tools, AI-powered personalization, and the scalability needed for global content delivery. 
• Sitecore brings a strong advantage in personalization and flexibility, thanks to its composable architecture, AI-driven experiences, and seamless deployment options across cloud and hybrid environments. 
• Liferay, on the other hand, offers open-source agility with a strong reputation in self-service portals, intranets, and B2B use cases, especially valued in sectors like finance and public services. 

While AEM excels in enterprise control and marketing power, Sitecore is ideal for organizations scaling complex customer journeys, and Liferay provides cost-effective customization with robust portal capabilities. 

The best DXP for you depends not on features alone, but on how well those features fit your goals, team structure, and future roadmap.

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