Shopify to PrestaShop
Migrating from Shopify to PrestaShop 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 PrestaShop's zero-cost model with full control, many merchants are making the switch for better cost efficiency and customization.
This comprehensive technical blueprint covers Shopify's REST Admin API structure, field mappings to PrestaShop'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 add up over time.
The PrestaShop Gain: PrestaShop is completely free. You only pay for hosting ($10-$100/month) and domain. No platform fees or transaction fees.
🚀 Full Customization
The Shopify Pain: Shopify's Liquid templating has limitations. Custom functionality requires expensive apps or Shopify Plus.
The PrestaShop Gain: Full access to PHP code, unlimited customization, extensive module marketplace (5,000+ modules), and complete control over your store.
🛠 Multi-Store Capabilities
The Shopify Pain: Multi-store requires separate Shopify stores or Shopify Plus organization at $2,000+/month.
The PrestaShop Gain: PrestaShop supports multi-store out-of-the-box. Manage multiple stores from one admin panel with shared or separate catalogs.
⚡ European Market Focus
The Shopify Pain: Shopify is US-focused. Some European payment methods and tax compliance features require additional setup.
The PrestaShop Gain: PrestaShop is European-built with strong support for European payment methods, tax compliance (VAT), and multi-language/multi-currency.
2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit
Shopify is a hosted SaaS platform with REST Admin API, while PrestaShop 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.
- PrestaShop Version: Are you planning PrestaShop 1.7 or 1.8? Database structures are similar but verify compatibility.
- Product Structure: Shopify products map well to PrestaShop products. Variants structure is similar.
- Images: Shopify images are on Shopify CDN. Need to be downloaded and re-uploaded to PrestaShop img directory.
3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint
Shopify's REST Admin API structure maps to PrestaShop's MySQL database structure.
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| Shopify Field (Source) | PrestaShop Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
Product.id |
ps_product.id_product |
PrestaShop generates new IDs. Use SKU for mapping. |
Product.title |
ps_product_lang.name |
Direct string transfer. |
ProductVariant.sku |
ps_product.reference |
Shopify SKU is at variant level, PrestaShop at product level. |
ProductVariant.price |
ps_product.price |
Price per product in PrestaShop. |
Product.body_html |
ps_product_lang.description |
HTML content. Images need re-uploading to PrestaShop img directory. |
Collection |
ps_category |
Shopify collections become PrestaShop categories. |
Product.options and ProductVariant |
ps_product_attribute, ps_product_attribute_combination |
Shopify variants map to PrestaShop product attributes and combinations. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| Shopify Field | PrestaShop Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
Customer.email |
ps_customer.email |
Unique identifier. |
Customer.password |
ps_customer.passwd |
Requires password reset. Shopify uses bcrypt. PrestaShop uses Blowfish. Customers must reset passwords. |
CustomerAddress |
ps_address |
Shopify addresses map to PrestaShop addresses. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| Shopify Field | PrestaShop Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
Order.name (order number) |
ps_orders.id_order |
Preserve Shopify order number in PrestaShop order ID or reference. |
Order.financial_status, Order.fulfillment_status |
ps_order_state.id_order_state |
Map Shopify's dual status system to PrestaShop order states. |
Order.total_price |
ps_orders.total_paid |
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 PrestaShop 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 + PrestaShop 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 (PrestaShop):
Install PrestaShop. 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. PrestaShop Access:
Provide PrestaShop database credentials or use PrestaShop Web Service 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 PrestaShop 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 PrestaShop handle variants similarly, but verify mapping.
- Image Migration: Shopify images need to be downloaded and re-uploaded to PrestaShop img directory.
The 301 Redirect Strategy
Shopify URLs differ from PrestaShop URLs. Automated migration tools create redirects, but verify in PrestaShop admin or use a redirect module.
Ready to Eliminate Platform Fees?
Migrating from Shopify to PrestaShop provides a completely free platform with full control and customization. Shopify's API access makes migration straightforward, and you'll gain the flexibility of open-source software.