Shopify to OpenCart
Migrating from Shopify to OpenCart represents a strategic move from a hosted SaaS platform to a free, open-source solution. In 2025, with Shopify's transaction fees, monthly costs, and OpenCart's zero-cost model with extensive customization, many merchants are making the switch for better cost control and flexibility.
This comprehensive technical blueprint covers Shopify's REST Admin API structure, field mappings to OpenCart's MySQL database, and step-by-step migration execution.
1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave Shopify?
💰 Zero Cost Platform
The Shopify Pain: Shopify charges monthly fees ($29-$299) plus transaction fees (0.5%-2%) unless using Shopify Payments. Costs accumulate over time.
The OpenCart Gain: OpenCart is completely free. You only pay for hosting ($10-$100/month) and domain. No platform fees or transaction fees.
🚀 Extensive Extension Marketplace
The Shopify Pain: Shopify App Store has many paid apps. Costs add up with multiple app subscriptions.
The OpenCart Gain: OpenCart has 13,000+ extensions in its marketplace, many free or one-time purchase. Lower long-term costs.
🛠 Multi-Store Capabilities
The Shopify Pain: Multi-store requires separate Shopify stores or Shopify Plus organization at $2,000+/month.
The OpenCart Gain: OpenCart supports multi-store out-of-the-box. Manage multiple stores from one admin panel with shared or separate catalogs.
⚡ Full Control & Customization
The Shopify Pain: Shopify's Liquid templating has limitations. Custom functionality requires expensive apps or Shopify Plus.
The OpenCart Gain: Full access to PHP code, unlimited customization, MVC architecture for easy development, and complete control over your store.
2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit
Shopify is a hosted SaaS platform with REST Admin API, while OpenCart is a self-hosted PHP platform using MySQL database.
- Shopify Plan: Are you on Basic, Shopify, Advanced, or Plus? API rate limits differ by plan.
- API Access: Shopify provides REST Admin API. Generate API credentials in Shopify admin.
- OpenCart Version: Are you planning OpenCart 3.x or 4.x? Database structures are similar but verify compatibility.
- Product Structure: Shopify products map well to OpenCart products. Variants structure is similar.
- Images: Shopify images are on Shopify CDN. Need to be downloaded and re-uploaded to OpenCart image directory.
3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint
Shopify's REST Admin API structure maps to OpenCart's MySQL database structure.
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| Shopify Field (Source) | OpenCart Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
Product.id |
oc_product.product_id |
OpenCart generates new IDs. Use SKU for mapping. |
Product.title |
oc_product_description.name |
Direct string transfer. |
ProductVariant.sku |
oc_product.sku |
Shopify SKU is at variant level, OpenCart at product level. |
ProductVariant.price |
oc_product.price |
Price per product in OpenCart. |
Product.body_html |
oc_product_description.description |
HTML content. Images need re-uploading to OpenCart image directory. |
Collection |
oc_category |
Shopify collections become OpenCart categories. |
Product.options and ProductVariant |
oc_product_option, oc_product_option_value |
Shopify variants map to OpenCart product options. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| Shopify Field | OpenCart Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
Customer.email |
oc_customer.email |
Unique identifier. |
Customer.password |
oc_customer.password |
Requires password reset. Shopify uses bcrypt. OpenCart uses SHA1. Customers must reset passwords. |
CustomerAddress |
oc_address |
Shopify addresses map to OpenCart addresses. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| Shopify Field | OpenCart Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
Order.name (order number) |
oc_order.order_id |
Preserve Shopify order number in OpenCart order ID or order number. |
Order.financial_status, Order.fulfillment_status |
oc_order.order_status_id |
Map Shopify's dual status system to OpenCart order statuses. |
Order.total_price |
oc_order.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 OpenCart database/API.
- ✅ Pros: Handles database complexity, preserves relationships, creates redirects.
- ❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200 - $500).
Option B: Custom Script
Tools: Shopify Admin API + OpenCart Database/API
- ✅ Pros: Full control, can customize mapping.
- ❌ Cons: Requires developer ($100-$200/hr), 40+ hours.
5. Execution Protocol: Step-by-Step
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (OpenCart):
Install OpenCart. Ensure database 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. OpenCart Access:
Provide OpenCart database credentials or use OpenCart REST API if available.
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 OpenCart database mapping.
- Create 301 Redirects: Critical for SEO preservation.
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 images, prices, and variants.
6. Financial Breakdown: Cost of Migration (2025)
Custom Script
Developer Time
Automated Cloud
Average Cost
Agency Service
Starting Cost
7. Troubleshooting & SEO Preservation
Common Challenges
- API Rate Limits: Shopify Admin API has rate limits. Migration tools handle this automatically.
- Product Variants: Shopify and OpenCart handle variants similarly, but verify mapping.
- Image Migration: Shopify images need to be downloaded and re-uploaded to OpenCart image directory.
The 301 Redirect Strategy
Shopify URLs differ from OpenCart URLs. Automated migration tools create redirects, but verify in OpenCart admin or use a redirect extension.
Ready to Eliminate Platform Fees?
Migrating from Shopify to OpenCart provides a completely free platform with extensive customization options. Shopify's API access makes migration straightforward, and you'll gain the flexibility of open-source software.