Cart2Cart Alternatives
Cart2Cart has long been the "Coca-Cola" of the eCommerce migration world—ubiquitous, reliable, but increasingly expensive. As we move through 2025, smart merchants are realizing that paying $300+ for a standard migration often isn't necessary. Whether you need a cheaper automated service, a developer-friendly tool, or a specialized app for Shopify, the market is now full of powerful alternatives that offer better value.
We have tested and analyzed the top competitors to help you find the right tool for your specific needs. Here is the definitive guide to breaking free from the industry giant.
Quick Verdict: Which Alternative is Right for You?
- Best Overall Value: LitExtension (Similar service, lower cost, better support).
- Best Budget Automation: Next-Cart (Starts at ~$20, significantly cheaper).
- Best for Shopify Users: Matrixify (The gold standard for Shopify data handling).
- Best for Developers: Custom API Script (Complete control via Shopify Admin API).
Category 1: Direct Competitors (Automated Services)
These services operate exactly like Cart2Cart. You connect your Source Store and Target Store via API, and their cloud servers handle the rest. The main difference? Pricing and support quality.
1. LitExtension
The "All-in-One" Powerhouse
LitExtension is the primary rival to Cart2Cart. They have built their reputation on two things: transparency and the "All-in-One" package. While Cart2Cart charges you extra for every little add-on (like 301 redirects or preserving Order IDs), LitExtension often bundles these into a single price.
Why it beats Cart2Cart:
- Pricing Model: Starts around $59 - $79. Unlike Cart2Cart's complex estimator that creeps up as you add options, LitExtension's pricing is more predictable.
- Support: They are famous for their 24/7 support which is generally faster and more hands-on than Cart2Cart's tiered support system.
- Re-Migration: They offer a "Smart Update" feature that allows you to re-migrate data (to catch new orders) for free or a low cost within 3 months of your initial migration.
Best For: Merchants who want the safety of an automated service but refuse to pay Cart2Cart's premium add-on fees.
2. Next-Cart
The "Budget" Automated Solution
Next-Cart is a newer challenger that is aggressively undercutting the market. In 2025, they have become the go-to recommendation for smaller stores because their entry pricing is incredibly low compared to the giants.
Why it beats Cart2Cart:
- Insane Value: Migrations can start as low as $20 - $49 depending on entity count. This is a fraction of the cost of Cart2Cart.
- 100% Uptime: Like the others, it keeps your store live.
- Simple Interface: Their 3-step wizard is arguably even simpler than Cart2Cart's.
Best For: Small to medium store owners (under 1,000 products) who want automation on a shoestring budget.
Category 2: Platform-Specific Tools
Sometimes you don't need a "universal" tool; you just need one that is perfect for Shopify.
3. Matrixify (formerly Excelify)
The Shopify Specialist
If you are moving to or from Shopify, Matrixify is widely considered superior to any general migration tool. It is a Shopify App that gives you "God Mode" over your data.
Why it beats Cart2Cart:
- Granular Control: It allows you to export/import specific fields (like Metafields) that general tools often miss.
- Speed: Because it is native to Shopify, it can process thousands of items per minute without timing out.
- Cost: It has a generous free tier (10 items) and a $20/month plan that covers most standard migrations. You can subscribe for one month, do your migration, and cancel.
- Metafields Support: Can handle Shopify's custom metafields that Cart2Cart may miss.
Best For: Anyone touching the Shopify ecosystem, especially for Shopify-to-Shopify transfers or importing supplier data.
4. Custom API Script (Shopify Admin API)
The Developer Solution
For developers, you can build a custom migration script using Shopify's REST Admin API or GraphQL Admin API. This gives you complete control over the migration process.
Why it beats Cart2Cart:
- One-Time Development: You pay a developer once (~$2,000-$5,000), and you own the script forever.
- Custom Logic: You can add custom data transformations, filtering, or business logic during migration.
- Direct API: It connects directly to Shopify's Admin API, giving you full control over rate limits and error handling.
Best For: Developers and agencies who want full control and plan to migrate multiple stores.
Category 3: Developer Tools (Maximum Control)
5. Shopify's Built-in CSV Import
The "DIY" Free Tool
Shopify provides native CSV import functionality in the admin. You export your data from your old store to CSV, and then use Shopify's import feature to map it into Shopify.
Why it beats Cart2Cart:
- Free: No cost—it's built into Shopify.
- Data Transformation: You can modify data in Excel before importing. Want to increase all prices by 20%? Edit the CSV.
- No Black Box: You see exactly what data is going where.
Best For: Simple product catalogs with no complex variants, no order history, and no customer passwords to preserve.
The "Free" Alternative: Manual CSV Migration
Is it possible to migrate for free? Yes, but there is a catch.
Shopify comes with a built-in CSV Product Importer. Most platforms (BigCommerce, Volusion, Squarespace) allow you to export products to CSV.
- The Process: Export from Source → Open in Excel → Rename columns to match Shopify format (e.g., change "Title" to "Title") → Import to Shopify.
- The Risk: You will likely lose your images (unless you manually upload them), your product variants will break, and you cannot migrate customer passwords this way.
- Verdict: Only do this if you have fewer than 100 simple products and no order history to save.
Comparison Table: 2025 Pricing & Features
| Service | Starting Price | Pricing Model | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cart2Cart | $69+ | Pay per Entity + Add-ons | Industry reliability |
| LitExtension | $59+ | Pay per Entity (Bundled) | Excellent Support |
| Next-Cart | $20+ | Pay per Entity | Lowest Price |
| Matrixify | $20/mo | Subscription (Cancel anytime) | Shopify deep integration |
| Shopify CSV Import | Free | Built-in Feature | Simple products only |
In 2025, you do not have to pay the "market leader tax."
If you want a smooth, automated experience that rivals Cart2Cart but costs less, LitExtension is the safe bet. If you are on a tight budget, Next-Cart is an incredible value. And if you are migrating within Shopify or importing supplier data, Matrixify is the only tool you will ever need.
Recommendation: Before committing to any paid service, always run their Free Demo Migration. If the demo fails or misses images, walk away. If it works, you can pay with confidence.