Shopify to Magento
Migrating from Shopify to Magento represents a strategic move from a hosted SaaS platform to an enterprise-level, open-source solution. In 2025, with Shopify's limitations in B2B features, customization constraints, and Magento's powerful enterprise capabilities, many businesses are making the switch for advanced functionality and complete control.
This comprehensive technical blueprint covers Shopify's REST Admin API structure, field mappings to Magento's EAV database model, and step-by-step migration execution.
1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave Shopify?
💰 Enterprise Features
The Shopify Pain: Advanced B2B features, multi-store capabilities, and complex catalog management require Shopify Plus ($2,000+/month). Many enterprise features are still limited.
The Magento Gain: Magento (Adobe Commerce) offers native B2B features, multi-store/multi-website, advanced catalog management, and enterprise capabilities out-of-the-box or via extensions.
🚀 Customization & Flexibility
The Shopify Pain: Shopify's Liquid templating and app-based architecture limit deep customization. Core functionality cannot be modified.
The Magento Gain: Full access to PHP code, unlimited customization, extensive extension marketplace, and ability to modify core functionality if needed.
🛠 Multi-Store & International
The Shopify Pain: Multi-store requires separate Shopify stores or Shopify Plus organization. Complex international setups are limited.
The Magento Gain: Native multi-store, multi-website, and multi-language capabilities. Single admin for multiple storefronts with shared or separate catalogs.
⚡ Cost at Scale
The Shopify Pain: Shopify Plus starts at $2,000/month plus transaction fees. Costs scale with sales volume and app subscriptions.
The Magento Gain: Magento Open Source is free. You pay for hosting and extensions. At enterprise scale, total cost can be lower than Shopify Plus.
2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit
Shopify is a hosted SaaS platform with REST Admin API, while Magento is a self-hosted PHP platform with EAV database model.
- Shopify Plan: Are you on Basic, Shopify, Advanced, or Plus? API rate limits differ by plan.
- API Access: Shopify provides REST Admin API and GraphQL Admin API. Generate API credentials in Shopify admin.
- Magento Version: Are you planning Magento 2 (Adobe Commerce) or Open Source? Database structures differ.
- Product Structure: Shopify's simple product/variant model needs mapping to Magento's EAV attribute system.
- Images: Shopify images are on Shopify CDN. Need to be downloaded and re-uploaded to Magento media directory.
3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint
Shopify's REST Admin API structure requires careful mapping to Magento's EAV database model.
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| Shopify Field (Source) | Magento Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
Product.id |
catalog_product_entity.entity_id |
Magento generates new IDs. Use SKU for mapping. |
Product.title |
catalog_product_entity_varchar.value (attribute_id for name) |
Direct string transfer to Magento EAV structure. |
ProductVariant.sku |
catalog_product_entity.sku |
Shopify SKU is at variant level, Magento at product level. |
ProductVariant.price |
catalog_product_entity_decimal.value (attribute_id for price) |
Price per product in Magento EAV structure. |
Product.body_html |
catalog_product_entity_text.value (attribute_id for description) |
HTML content. Images need re-uploading to Magento media directory. |
Collection |
catalog_category_entity |
Shopify collections become Magento categories. |
Product.options and ProductVariant |
catalog_product_option, catalog_product_option_value |
Shopify variants map to Magento configurable products and options. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| Shopify Field | Magento Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
Customer.email |
customer_entity.email |
Unique identifier. |
Customer.password |
customer_entity.password_hash |
Requires password reset. Shopify uses bcrypt. Magento uses SHA-256 or MD5. Customers must reset passwords. |
CustomerAddress |
customer_address_entity |
Shopify addresses map to Magento customer address entities. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| Shopify Field | Magento Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
Order.name (order number) |
sales_order.entity_id |
Preserve Shopify order number in Magento order ID or order increment_id. |
Order.financial_status, Order.fulfillment_status |
sales_order.status |
Map Shopify's dual status system to Magento order statuses (processing, complete, etc.). |
Order.total_price |
sales_order.grand_total |
Direct mapping with currency conversion if needed. |
4. The Toolkit: Selecting Your Vehicle
Option A: Automated Cloud Migration (Recommended)
Tools: Migration Shop, LitExtension, Cart2Cart
Specialized tools that connect via Shopify Admin API and Magento API/database.
- ✅ Pros: Handles EAV complexity, preserves relationships, creates redirects.
- ❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($300 - $800).
Option B: Custom Script
Tools: Shopify Admin API + Magento API/Database
- ✅ Pros: Full control, can handle complex EAV mappings.
- ❌ Cons: Requires Magento developer ($200-$300/hr), 60+ hours.
5. Execution Protocol: Step-by-Step
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (Magento):
Install Magento 2 (Open Source or Adobe Commerce). Ensure database and server access. Enable maintenance mode during migration.
1.2. Prepare Source (Shopify):
Generate API credentials in Shopify admin. Create private app with read permissions for products, customers, and orders.
Phase 2: The Connection Setup
2.1. Magento Access:
Provide Magento database credentials or API access. Magento 2 has REST API and GraphQL API.
2.2. Shopify API:
Use Admin API access token from Shopify. Migration tool authenticates via Shopify REST Admin API.
Phase 3: Migration Execution
- Use Automated Tool: Recommended for handling Shopify API and Magento EAV complexity.
- Create 301 Redirects: Critical for SEO preservation.
- Handle Product Variants: Shopify variants need careful mapping to Magento configurable products.
Phase 4: Post-Migration
4.1. Customer Communication:
Notify customers about the migration. They'll need to reset passwords.
4.2. Verify Products:
Check all products migrated correctly. Verify EAV attributes mapped correctly.
4.3. Theme & Design:
Install and customize a Magento theme. Shopify themes cannot be migrated.
6. Financial Breakdown: Cost of Migration (2025)
Custom Development
Developer Cost
Automated Cloud
Average Cost
Agency Service
Starting Cost
7. Troubleshooting & SEO Preservation
Common Challenges
- EAV Complexity: Magento's EAV model is complex. Product attributes need careful mapping from Shopify's simpler structure.
- Product Variants: Shopify variants need mapping to Magento configurable products and options.
- API Rate Limits: Shopify Admin API has rate limits. Migration tools handle this automatically.
The 301 Redirect Strategy
Shopify URLs differ from Magento URLs. Automated migration tools create redirects, but verify in Magento admin or use a redirect extension.
Ready for Enterprise Power?
Migrating from Shopify to Magento provides enterprise-level features, unlimited customization, and complete control. Shopify's API access makes migration straightforward, and you'll gain the power of Magento's flexible architecture.