PrestaShop to Shopify
Migrating from PrestaShop to Shopify moves your store from an open-source PHP platform to a fully managed eCommerce solution. In 2025, merchants choose Shopify for managed hosting and migrations run from Shopify admin using apps like Cart2Cart - no server or database access required.
This guide covers PrestaShop data structure (MySQL), how it maps to Shopify, and a step-by-step migration path using Shopify apps run from your new store.
1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave PrestaShop?
Security and Updates
The PrestaShop Pain: Self-managed security patches, PHP/MySQL upgrades, and module compatibility.
The Shopify Gain: Shopify handles security and hosting. Migration runs from Shopify admin; no PrestaShop server access needed.
Hosting and Performance
The PrestaShop Pain: You manage hosting, caching, and scaling.
The Shopify Gain: Hosting, CDN, and scaling included. Run migration and daily ops from one admin.
Modules and Features
The PrestaShop Pain: Many modules are paid or outdated; upgrades can break customizations.
The Shopify Gain: App Store apps install in one click. Migration apps connect to PrestaShop and run from Shopify.
Developer Availability
The PrestaShop Pain: Finding PrestaShop developers is harder than for Shopify.
The Shopify Gain: Large developer and app ecosystem. Migrate using a Shopify app.
2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit
PrestaShop uses MySQL; migration apps may connect via database or a bridge.
- PrestaShop version: 1.6, 1.7, or 8.x - confirm your migration app supports your version.
- Access: Migration from Shopify admin typically uses a bridge or MySQL connection.
- Multi-store: If you use multistore, plan how shops map to Shopify stores.
- Modules: List critical modules; plan Shopify app replacements.
- Combinations and attributes: PrestaShop product combinations map to Shopify variants.
3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint
PrestaShop products, customers, and orders map to Shopify when using a migration app run from Shopify admin.
Product Data Mapping
| PrestaShop (Source) | Shopify (Target) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
id_product | id | Use SKU for mapping. |
name (product_lang) | title | Direct transfer. |
reference / combination | variants[].sku | SKU at variant level. |
price | variants[].price | Per variant. |
description | body_html | HTML; images re-hosted. |
| Categories | collections | PrestaShop categories to Shopify collections. |
| Combinations / attributes | options and variants | Combinations become Shopify variants. |
Customer Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field | Shopify Field | Logic |
|---|---|---|
email | email | Unique identifier. |
passwd | password (on create) | Password reset required. |
| addresses | addresses[] | Map to Shopify addresses. |
Order Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field | Shopify Field | Logic |
|---|---|---|
id_order | name | Preserve order ID in name. |
| Order state | financial_status, fulfillment_status | Map to Shopify statuses. |
| total_paid | total_price | Direct; currency if needed. |
4. The Toolkit: Selecting Your Vehicle
Option A: Shopify App Migration (Recommended)
Cart2Cart and similar apps in the Shopify App Store
Install the app in Shopify and run the migration from Shopify admin. The app connects to PrestaShop (bridge or DB), maps data, and creates redirects.
- Pros: No coding; runs from Shopify admin; products, customers, orders, SEO redirects.
- Cons: Cost scales with data.
Option B: Custom Script
PrestaShop DB/API + Shopify Admin API
- Pros: Full control.
- Cons: Developer time, 40+ hours typical.
5. Execution Protocol: Step-by-Step
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (Shopify):
Create your Shopify store; enable password protection during migration if desired.
1.2. Prepare Source (PrestaShop):
Ensure the migration app can connect (bridge install or DB credentials as required).
Phase 2: Connection from Shopify Admin
2.1. Install the migration app (e.g. Cart2Cart) from the Shopify App Store and open it from your Shopify admin.
2.2. Connect PrestaShop as source. Enter store URL and credentials as instructed.
Phase 3: Migration Execution
- Run from Shopify admin: Select products, customers, orders; start migration. Combinations map to variants.
- Create 301 redirects: Use the app to map old PrestaShop URLs to new Shopify URLs.
Phase 4: Post-Migration
4.1. Customer communication: Notify customers; they will need to reset passwords.
4.2. Verify data: Check products, collections, and orders in Shopify admin.
6. Financial Breakdown: Cost of Migration (2025)
Custom Development
Developer Cost
Shopify App (e.g. Cart2Cart)
Typical Range
Agency Service
Starting Cost
7. Troubleshooting and SEO Preservation
Common Challenges
- Combinations: Ensure all product combinations are migrated as Shopify variants.
- Multi-shop: Plan which PrestaShop shops map to which Shopify stores.
- Friendly URL: PrestaShop URL structure differs from Shopify; use the app redirect feature.
The 301 Redirect Strategy
Use the migration app from Shopify admin to map old PrestaShop URLs to new Shopify URLs and preserve SEO.
Ready to Move to Shopify?
Migrate from PrestaShop to Shopify using an app run from your Shopify admin. No server access or coding. Get products, customers, orders, and SEO redirects in one flow.