Shopware to Shopify
Migrating from Shopware to Shopify represents a strategic move from a European-focused, enterprise-level platform to a globally scalable, fully managed eCommerce solution. In 2025, with Shopware's high hosting costs, complex maintenance requirements, and Shopify's robust infrastructure, many businesses are making the switch to reduce operational overhead while maintaining enterprise capabilities.
This comprehensive technical blueprint covers Shopware's database structure, API access, field mappings to Shopify's REST API, and step-by-step migration execution.
1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave Shopware?
💰 Total Cost of Ownership
The Shopware Pain: Shopware requires dedicated servers ($200-$1000/month), developer maintenance ($150-$300/hr), and extensions ($500-$5000/year). Total annual cost: $20,000-$60,000+ for enterprise stores.
The Shopify Gain: Shopify Plus starts at $2,000/month with everything included: hosting, CDN, security, updates, and support. Predictable costs with no surprise server bills.
🚀 Global Scalability
The Shopware Pain: Shopware is primarily European-focused. Global expansion requires complex multi-store setups and additional infrastructure.
The Shopify Gain: Shopify's infrastructure is global by default. Built-in multi-currency, multi-language, and global CDN for worldwide performance.
🛠 Maintenance & Updates
The Shopware Pain: Finding skilled Shopware developers is expensive ($150-$300/hr). Updates require careful testing, and custom code often breaks with upgrades.
The Shopify Gain: Shopify handles all platform updates automatically. Apps update independently. No maintenance windows, no downtime.
⚡ App Ecosystem
The Shopware Pain: Shopware Community has limited extensions. Shopware 6 Professional/Enterprise has more, but at high costs.
The Shopify Gain: Shopify App Store has 8,000+ apps with better integration, support, and competitive pricing.
2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit
Shopware uses a MySQL database with a complex structure. Shopware 5 and Shopware 6 have different architectures.
- Shopware Version: Are you on Shopware 5 (legacy) or Shopware 6? Database structures and APIs differ significantly.
- API Access: Shopware 6 has REST API. Shopware 5 may require database access or custom API setup.
- Multi-Store: Do you use Shopware's multi-store features? Shopify requires separate stores or Shopify Plus organization accounts.
- Custom Fields: Shopware custom fields map to Shopify metafields.
- Plugins: List all Shopware plugins. Many will need Shopify app equivalents.
3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint
Shopware's structure requires careful mapping to Shopify's API.
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| Shopware Field (Source) | Shopify Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
s_articles.id (SW5) or product.id (SW6) |
id (Product API) |
Shopify generates new IDs. Use SKU for mapping. |
s_articles_details.name (SW5) or product.name (SW6) |
title |
Direct string transfer. |
s_articles_details.ordernumber (SW5) or product.productNumber (SW6) |
variants[].sku |
Shopware SKU is at variant level, maps well to Shopify. |
s_articles_details.price (SW5) or product.price (SW6) |
variants[].price |
Price per variant in Shopify. |
s_articles.description (SW5) or product.description (SW6) |
body_html |
HTML content. Images need re-uploading to Shopify CDN. |
s_categories (SW5) or category (SW6) |
collections |
Shopware categories become Shopify collections. |
s_article_configurator (SW5) or product.options (SW6) |
options and variants |
Shopware configurator options become Shopify variants. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| Shopware Field | Shopify Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
s_user.email (SW5) or customer.email (SW6) |
email |
Unique identifier. |
s_user.password (SW5) or customer.password (SW6) |
password (on create) |
Requires password reset. Shopware and Shopify use different hashing. Customers must reset passwords. |
s_user_addresses (SW5) or customer.addresses (SW6) |
addresses[] |
Shopware addresses map to Shopify addresses array. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| Shopware Field | Shopify Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
s_order.ordernumber (SW5) or order.orderNumber (SW6) |
name (order number) |
Preserve Shopware order number in Shopify name field. |
s_order.orderstatus (SW5) or order.status (SW6) |
financial_status, fulfillment_status |
Map Shopware order statuses to Shopify's dual status system. |
s_order.invoice_amount (SW5) or order.amountTotal (SW6) |
total_price |
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 Shopware API (SW6) or database (SW5) and Shopify Admin API.
- ✅ Pros: Handles Shopware complexity, preserves relationships, creates redirects.
- ❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($300 - $800).
Option B: Custom Script
Tools: Shopware API/Database + Shopify Admin API
- ✅ 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 (Shopify):
Create Shopify store. For enterprise Shopware stores, Shopify Plus may be required.
1.2. Prepare Source (Shopware):
For Shopware 6: Generate API credentials in admin. For Shopware 5: Ensure database access or API setup.
Phase 2: The Connection Setup
2.1. Shopify API Access:
Create private app in Shopify with read/write permissions.
2.2. Shopware API:
Use API credentials from Shopware 6, or database access for Shopware 5.
Phase 3: Migration Execution
- Use Automated Tool: Recommended for handling Shopware complexity and Shopify mapping.
- Create 301 Redirects: Critical for SEO preservation.
- Handle Configurator Options: Shopware configurator options need careful mapping to Shopify variants.
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 configurator options mapped to variants.
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
- Version Differences: Shopware 5 and 6 have different structures. Ensure correct mapping for your version.
- Configurator Options: Shopware configurator options need careful mapping to Shopify variants.
- Multi-Store Setup: Shopware multi-store requires separate Shopify stores or Shopify Plus organization.
The 301 Redirect Strategy
Shopware URLs differ from Shopify URLs. Automated migration tools create redirects, but verify in Shopify admin.
Ready to Simplify Your Enterprise Store?
Migrating from Shopware to Shopify reduces complexity while maintaining enterprise capabilities. By following this guide and using automated migration tools, you can preserve your data while dramatically reducing operational costs.