AEM 6.5 vs AEM Cloud: Key Differences and Which to Choose

As businesses push for better digital experiences, choosing the right content management system (CMS) becomes crucial. When it comes to Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), two versions often stand out: AEM 6.5 and AEM Cloud. If you’re caught between the two, don't worry, you're not alone. In this post, we'll break down the difference between AEM 6.5 and AEM Cloud, what each offers, and help you figure out which one makes the most sense for your organization.

So, is the traditional AEM 6.5 still the best option, or should you jump into the world of cloud-based solutions with AEM Cloud Services? Let’s find out!

What is AEM 6.5?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the comparison, let's start with an introduction to AEM 6.5. Launched in April 2019, AEM 6.5 is part of Adobe’s on-premise CMS solutions. It offers an array of tools for managing content across web, mobile, and even IoT devices. AEM 6.5 continues to be a solid choice for companies that need full control over their infrastructure, updates, and customizations.

This version is particularly known for its stability, performance, and the ability to integrate with third-party applications, making it a popular choice for companies that require a fully customizable solution.

What is AEM Cloud?

On the flip side, AEM Cloud is Adobe’s more recent, cloud-based CMS solution. Officially known as AEM as a Cloud Service, this version is designed to be more scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient. With the rise of cloud-based infrastructure in almost every business sector, AEM Cloud brings AEM’s capabilities into the modern cloud environment, offering continuous updates, automatic scaling, and a reduced need for heavy IT involvement.

AEM Cloud Services enable businesses to focus more on content creation and marketing rather than worrying about infrastructure or upgrades.

Key Differences Between AEM 6.5 and AEM Cloud

Let’s now dive into the major distinctions between AEM 6.5 and AEM Cloud Services to help you decide which version is best for your needs.

1. Infrastructure

AEM 6.5:

AEM 6.5 operates as an on-premise solution, which means your team needs to manage the infrastructure. You have full control over the hosting environment, servers, and updates, but this also comes with higher operational costs, especially for scaling.

AEM Cloud:

AEM Cloud Services, as the name implies, run on Adobe’s cloud infrastructure. You no longer need to worry about managing servers or hardware, as Adobe takes care of all the backend work. This reduces the workload on your IT team and offers automatic scalability based on traffic and demand.

2. Scalability

AEM 6.5:

Scaling with AEM 6.5 can be time-consuming and costly. It requires physical or virtual hardware updates, and sometimes, manual configuration is needed to adjust capacity for increased traffic.

AEM Cloud:

One of the standout features of AEM Cloud is its automatic scalability. The platform can dynamically scale to meet your content and traffic needs without any manual intervention, saving both time and money.

3. Upgrades and Maintenance

AEM 6.5:

With AEM 6.5, upgrades are often manual and time-consuming. You might face downtime during the update process, and it requires dedicated resources for maintenance. While Adobe provides security patches, you still need to manage the majority of updates yourself or rely on an AEM development company for assistance.

AEM Cloud:

AEM as a Cloud Service comes with continuous updates and improvements without the need for manual intervention. Adobe handles the maintenance, so your team can focus more on content strategy rather than operational concerns.

4. Customization

AEM 6.5:

AEM 6.5 offers more flexibility when it comes to customizations. Because you control the infrastructure, you have the freedom to implement deeper custom features, integrations, and workflows that suit your business.

AEM Cloud:

While AEM Cloud allows for some customizations, it's more restricted compared to AEM 6.5. Since it operates on Adobe’s shared infrastructure, the scope for deep customization is somewhat limited, although there are still many ways to tweak the platform to fit most needs.

5. Development Speed

AEM 6.5:

Development in AEM 6.5 can be slower, mainly due to the complexity of maintaining your infrastructure and the need for extensive testing, especially when deploying new updates or features.

AEM Cloud:

With the cloud version, you can leverage Adobe’s built-in tools to develop and deploy faster. Thanks to continuous integration and delivery pipelines, the entire AEM development process is streamlined, leading to faster time-to-market for new features and updates.

AEM Development Services: On-Premise vs Cloud

When considering AEM development services, you need to think about how these differences affect the development lifecycle. If you’re working with an AEM development company, the choice between on-premise and cloud services can drastically impact project timelines and resource needs.

With AEM 6.5, expect longer development cycles due to infrastructure management, whereas AEM Cloud enables faster and more agile development. If your company is looking to stay ahead with constant innovation, AEM Cloud might be the better fit.

Why AEM Cloud Services Could Be the Future

The rise of cloud-based solutions isn’t just a trend—it’s a complete shift in how businesses operate. With AEM Cloud Services, you can expect:

• Lower operational costs: No need to maintain costly hardware or dedicate as many IT resources.
• Faster time-to-market: Continuous deployment and automated updates mean you can push new features and content quicker.
• Higher scalability: As your content needs grow, so does your AEM Cloud without manual intervention.

For companies focused on reducing operational burdens while keeping their digital experience top-notch, AEM Cloud is likely the better choice.

Conclusion: AEM 6.5 vs AEM Cloud – Which Should You Choose?

At the end of the day, both AEM 6.5 and AEM Cloud offer excellent solutions depending on your needs. If you want more control over your infrastructure, deep customizations, and don’t mind the additional IT overhead, then AEM 6.5 is a solid choice. However, if you’re looking for a modern, scalable, and low-maintenance solution that can grow with your business, then AEM Cloud Services is the way to go.

The right choice ultimately depends on your company's resources, goals, and future scalability needs. If you’re unsure, consulting with an AEM development company to guide your decision based on your specific use case.

FAQs

1. Can I migrate from AEM 6.5 to AEM Cloud?

Yes, Adobe offers migration paths and tools to help businesses transition from AEM 6.5 to AEM Cloud, although the complexity depends on your current setup.

2. Is AEM Cloud more cost-effective than AEM 6.5?

It can be, especially when considering the savings in infrastructure, maintenance, and scalability. However, the initial cost might be higher depending on your usage.

3. Do I need an AEM development company to manage AEM Cloud?

While AEM Cloud reduces a lot of IT work, partnering with an AEM development company can still be beneficial, especially for customization and maximizing the platform's potential.

4. Is AEM Cloud secure?

Yes, Adobe provides enterprise-level security, including regular patches and updates, to ensure your content and data are safe.