Magento is an open-source e-commerce platform that provides online merchants with a flexible shopping cart system and control over the look, content, and functionality of their online store. It was initially developed by Varien Inc., a US private company headquartered in Culver City, California, with assistance from volunteers.

Magento offers a range of features, including catalog management, order management, customer accounts, customer service tools, marketing tools, and search engine optimization (SEO). It supports multiple payment gateways and shipping methods, making it suitable for a wide range of online businesses.

Magento comes in several editions, including Magento Open Source (formerly known as Magento Community Edition), which is free to use, and Magento Commerce (formerly known as Magento Enterprise Edition), which is a paid version with additional features and support.

One of the key advantages of Magento is its flexibility and scalability, allowing businesses to grow and adapt their online stores as needed. However, it also requires technical expertise to set up and customize effectively.