Shopify to Shopware
Migrating from Shopify to Shopware represents a strategic move from a hosted SaaS platform to a powerful, self-hosted enterprise solution. In 2025, with Shopify's limitations in B2B features, customization constraints, and Shopware's advanced enterprise capabilities and European market focus, many businesses are making the switch for greater control and specialized features.
This comprehensive technical blueprint covers Shopify's REST Admin API structure, field mappings to Shopware's database and API, and step-by-step migration execution.
1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave Shopify?
💰 Enterprise B2B Features
The Shopify Pain: Advanced B2B features, complex pricing rules, and enterprise workflows require Shopify Plus ($2,000+/month) and often still have limitations.
The Shopware Gain: Shopware offers native B2B features, advanced pricing rules, customer groups, and enterprise workflows out-of-the-box or via extensions.
🚀 European Market Focus
The Shopify Pain: Shopify is US-focused. European payment methods, tax compliance (VAT), and market-specific features require additional setup or apps.
The Shopware Gain: Shopware is European-built with strong support for European payment methods, VAT compliance, multi-language, and European market requirements.
🛠 Complete Control & Customization
The Shopify Pain: Shopify's Liquid templating and app-based architecture limit deep customization. Core functionality cannot be modified.
The Shopware Gain: Full access to PHP/Symfony code, unlimited customization, extensive plugin marketplace, and ability to modify core functionality if needed.
⚡ Multi-Store & Advanced Features
The Shopify Pain: Multi-store requires separate Shopify stores or Shopify Plus organization. Advanced features often require expensive apps.
The Shopware Gain: Native multi-store, multi-language, and advanced features built-in. More flexibility for complex business requirements.
2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit
Shopify is a hosted SaaS platform with REST Admin API, while Shopware 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.
- Shopware Version: Are you planning Shopware 5 or Shopware 6? Database structures and APIs differ significantly.
- Product Structure: Shopify's simple product/variant model needs mapping to Shopware's more complex structure.
- Images: Shopify images are on Shopify CDN. Need to be downloaded and re-uploaded to Shopware media directory.
3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint
Shopify's REST Admin API structure requires careful mapping to Shopware's database structure.
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| Shopify Field (Source) | Shopware Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
Product.id |
s_articles.id (SW5) or product.id (SW6) |
Shopware generates new IDs. Use SKU for mapping. |
Product.title |
s_articles_details.name (SW5) or product.name (SW6) |
Direct string transfer. |
ProductVariant.sku |
s_articles_details.ordernumber (SW5) or product.productNumber (SW6) |
Shopify SKU is at variant level, Shopware at variant level (maps well). |
ProductVariant.price |
s_articles_details.price (SW5) or product.price (SW6) |
Price per variant in Shopware. |
Product.body_html |
s_articles.description (SW5) or product.description (SW6) |
HTML content. Images need re-uploading to Shopware media directory. |
Collection |
s_categories (SW5) or category (SW6) |
Shopify collections become Shopware categories. |
Product.options and ProductVariant |
s_article_configurator (SW5) or product.options (SW6) |
Shopify variants map to Shopware configurator options. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| Shopify Field | Shopware Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
Customer.email |
s_user.email (SW5) or customer.email (SW6) |
Unique identifier. |
Customer.password |
s_user.password (SW5) or customer.password (SW6) |
Requires password reset. Shopify uses bcrypt. Shopware uses different hashing. Customers must reset passwords. |
CustomerAddress |
s_user_addresses (SW5) or customer_address (SW6) |
Shopify addresses map to Shopware customer addresses. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| Shopify Field | Shopware Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
Order.name (order number) |
s_order.ordernumber (SW5) or order.orderNumber (SW6) |
Preserve Shopify order number in Shopware order number. |
Order.financial_status, Order.fulfillment_status |
s_order.status (SW5) or order.stateMachineState (SW6) |
Map Shopify's dual status system to Shopware order states. |
Order.total_price |
s_order.invoice_amount (SW5) or order.amountTotal (SW6) |
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 Shopware database/API.
- ✅ Pros: Handles database complexity, preserves relationships, creates redirects.
- ❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($300 - $800).
Option B: Custom Script
Tools: Shopify Admin API + Shopware API/Database
- ✅ Pros: Full control, can handle complex mappings.
- ❌ Cons: Requires Shopware developer ($200-$300/hr), 60+ hours.
5. Execution Protocol: Step-by-Step
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (Shopware):
Install Shopware 5 or Shopware 6. 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. Shopware Access:
Provide Shopware database credentials or use Shopware REST API (Shopware 6) or custom API setup (Shopware 5).
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 Shopware database complexity.
- Create 301 Redirects: Critical for SEO preservation.
- Handle Product Variants: Shopify variants need careful mapping to Shopware configurator options.
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.
4.3. Theme & Design:
Install and customize a Shopware 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
- Database Complexity: Shopware's database structure is complex. Product attributes need careful mapping from Shopify's simpler structure.
- Product Variants: Shopify variants need mapping to Shopware configurator options.
- API Rate Limits: Shopify Admin API has rate limits. Migration tools handle this automatically.
The 301 Redirect Strategy
Shopify URLs differ from Shopware URLs. Automated migration tools create redirects, but verify in Shopware admin or use a redirect plugin.
Ready for Enterprise Power?
Migrating from Shopify to Shopware provides enterprise-level features, unlimited customization, and European market focus. Shopify's API access makes migration straightforward, and you'll gain the power of Shopware's flexible architecture.