Shopify Migration Tools
In the dynamic world of eCommerce, staying static is often synonymous with falling behind. Whether you are fleeing the rising subscription costs of hosted platforms like BigCommerce and Wix, or simply moving your existing store from one Shopify account to another, the vehicle of your transition matters. That vehicle is the Migration Tool or Service.
In 2025, the ecosystem of Shopify migration tools has matured significantly. Gone are the days of manually copying CSV files and praying for the best. Today's services utilize sophisticated API connections, cloud-based processing, and intelligent data mapping to ensure accuracy. However, not all tools are created equal. A tool designed to clone a site is useless for re-platforming, and a CSV importer can destroy your product variants if not handled correctly.
This comprehensive guide dissects the top contenders in the market. We have categorized them by use case, analyzed their technical architecture, and weighed their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision for your business.
Part 1: Platform-to-Shopify Migrators (Re-platforming)
Use Case: You are moving from a different system (WooCommerce, Magento, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce) to Shopify. You need to translate data from Format A to Format B.
1. Migration Shop (Automated Cloud Service)
Type: Automated Cloud Migration Service
Best For: Business owners who need a "Done-For-You" result without hiring an agency.
As the proprietary service for the Migration Shop Hub, this tool acts as a bridge between your source store and Shopify. Unlike traditional tools that rely on your server's resources (and often timeout), the Migration Shop service links your source store to a dedicated cloud engine. This engine handles the heavy lifting of pulling data from your source store (e.g., Magento, WooCommerce), restructuring it, and pushing it into your Shopify store via the Admin API.
Key Features:
- Broad Platform Support: Supports migration from over 85 different carts, including obscure or legacy platforms like Zen Cart, OsCommerce, and Volusion.
- Targeted Data Mapping: Allows for granular control. You can map "Customer Group A" in Magento to "Customer Tags" in Shopify.
- Recent Data Migration: A standout feature for 2025. After your full migration, you can run a "smart update" that only fetches new orders or customers that were created while you were setting up your new store, ensuring zero data loss.
- 301 Redirect Automation: It can automatically create redirects from your old URLs to your new Shopify URLs, preserving your SEO rankings.
đź’° Pricing Breakdown
Migration Shop operates on a "Pay per Entity" model, meaning you only pay for the data you actually move. There are no monthly subscriptions.
- Demo Migration: Free (Moves roughly 10-20 products/orders for testing).
- Basic Migration: Starts at $69 USD (One-time fee).
- Scaling Cost: The price increases based on the volume of data. For example, a store with 500 products might cost ~$89, while a store with 10,000 products might range between $149 - $299.
- Additional Options: SEO 301 Redirects and Password Migration usually add small flat fees (approx. $19-$29 each).
Pros & Cons:
- No technical skills required; fully wizard-based.
- Does not use your server resources, preventing crashes.
- Migrates complex data like passwords and order history.
- 24/7 technical support is included with the migration package.
- It is not a "one-click" free tool; it is a premium service.
- Design and theme elements are not migrated (data only).
Verdict: The industry standard for serious businesses moving from other platforms to Shopify. It offers the highest data fidelity.
2. Matrixify (formerly Excelify)
Type: Shopify App (Import/Export)
Best For: Shopify-to-Shopify transfers or importing supplier data into Shopify.
This Shopify app is a specialized tool laser-focused on Shopify data handling. It bypasses the need for CSV files by connecting directly to your Shopify store using the Admin API. It provides powerful import/export capabilities for products, customers, orders, and more.
Key Features:
- Shopify Webhooks: The Pro version utilizes Shopify's webhooks for real-time data sync.
- Image Handling: It automatically handles product images from external URLs and uploads them to Shopify's CDN.
- Variant Logic: It understands Shopify's variant system and handles complex product options correctly.
- Metafields Support: Can import/export custom metafields that other tools often miss.
đź’° Pricing Breakdown
Matrixify follows a subscription model with a generous free tier.
- Free Version: Available, but limited to 10 items per import/export.
- Pro Version: $20 USD/month (Cancel anytime). Unlimited imports/exports.
- Best Value: Subscribe for one month, complete your migration, then cancel.
Pros & Cons:
- The free version is surprisingly capable for small imports.
- Intuitive interface for Shopify users.
- Handles currency formatting and metafields well.
- Native Shopify app with deep integration.
- Strictly limited to Shopify; useless if you are migrating from other platforms.
- Large stores (10,000+ products) may require multiple import runs.
Verdict: An excellent choice for Shopify-to-Shopify transfers or importing supplier data. Not suitable for cross-platform migrations.
3. LitExtension
Type: Automated Cloud Migration Service
Best For: Businesses looking for Cart2Cart alternatives with better pricing.
LitExtension is a direct competitor to Cart2Cart, offering similar automated migration services. Unlike API-based tools, LitExtension connects to both your source and target stores via their APIs or connection bridges.
Key Features:
- Raw Speed: Because it uses cloud processing, it is significantly faster than manual methods, capable of moving thousands of products in hours.
- CMS Page Migration: One of the few services that attempts to migrate "About Us" and "Privacy Policy" pages from source platforms to Shopify pages.
- Media Retrieval: It can download media files from external URLs and upload them to Shopify's CDN.
- All-in-One Pricing: Often bundles features that competitors charge extra for.
đź’° Pricing Breakdown
The pricing is more transparent than some competitors, with bundled features.
- Demo Migration: Free (Moves roughly 10-20 products/orders for testing).
- Basic Migration: Starts at ~$59 USD (One-time fee).
- Scaling Cost: Price increases based on data volume. A store with 1,000 products might cost ~$99, while 10,000 products ranges between $149 - $249.
- Add-ons: Some specialized features require extra modules, but many are included in base packages.
Pros & Cons:
- Incredibly fast for large catalogs.
- Offers add-ons for specific platform extensions.
- More transparent pricing than some competitors.
- Excellent customer support.
- Requires API access or connection bridge installation.
- Some advanced features may require additional fees.
Verdict: The best alternative to Cart2Cart for developers and businesses migrating from open-source platforms like Magento, PrestaShop, or WooCommerce where API or database access is available.
Part 2: Shopify-to-Shopify Transfer Tools
Use Case: You already have a Shopify store, but you are moving to a new Shopify account (e.g., changing business structure, consolidating stores, or moving from development to production).
4. Shopify's Built-in Export/Import
Type: Native Shopify Feature
Best For: Simple product transfers between Shopify stores.
Shopify provides built-in CSV export and import functionality in the admin. You can export products, customers, and orders, then import them into another Shopify store.
Key Features:
- Free: No additional cost—it's built into Shopify.
- Simple Products: Works well for basic product catalogs without complex variants.
- Direct Access: Available in Shopify admin under Settings > Apps and sales channels.
đź’° Pricing Breakdown
Price: Free.
This is included with your Shopify subscription. No additional fees.
Pros & Cons:
- Completely Free. No additional costs.
- Native Shopify feature—no third-party apps required.
- Simple interface for basic transfers.
- Limited to products, customers, and orders only.
- Complex variants may not transfer correctly.
- No automatic image migration—images must be accessible via URL.
- No password migration—customers must reset passwords.
Verdict: The absolute best free option for simple Shopify-to-Shopify product transfers. For complex migrations, use specialized tools.
5. Store Importer by Shopify
Type: Shopify App
Best For: Importing data from CSV files into Shopify.
This is Shopify's official app for importing data. It handles CSV files and provides better mapping options than the basic import feature.
Key Features:
- CSV Mapping: Visual interface to map CSV columns to Shopify fields.
- Preview Before Import: See how your data will look before committing.
- Error Handling: Identifies and reports import errors clearly.
đź’° Pricing Breakdown
While historically free, Shopify may charge for advanced features.
- Basic Import: Free for standard CSV imports.
- Advanced Features: May require Shopify Plus or paid app subscription.
Pros & Cons:
- Zero configuration required for basic imports.
- Official Shopify app with reliable support.
- Preview feature prevents errors.
- The CSV Format Trap: Your CSV must match Shopify's exact format requirements.
- Large files may timeout on slower connections.
- Limited to what can be expressed in CSV format.
Verdict: Perfect for beginners with CSV data. For larger stores or complex migrations, automated services are more reliable.
Part 3: Data Import/Export Tools (CSV/API)
Use Case: You have product data in a spreadsheet (from a supplier or dropshipper) and need to sync it into Shopify, or you need to export Shopify data for analysis.
6. Matrixify (Excelify) - Advanced Import
Type: Advanced CSV/Excel Mapper
Best For: Stores requiring complex, scheduled data feeds from suppliers.
This is the advanced option for data import in Shopify. Matrixify handles files of any size or structure. It is famous for its "Drag and Drop" interface where you can visually map any column in your CSV to any field in Shopify, including metafields.
Key Features:
- Variable Product Logic: It has the most sophisticated engine for handling complex variable products (e.g., mapping separate rows to a single parent product based on SKU).
- Scheduled Imports: You can set it to check a URL (e.g., your supplier's Dropbox link) every hour and update stock levels automatically.
- Metafields Support: Can import custom metafields that other tools cannot handle.
- Image URL Handling: Automatically downloads images from URLs and uploads to Shopify CDN.
đź’° Pricing Breakdown
Matrixify uses a subscription model with a free tier.
- Free Version: 10 items per import/export.
- Pro Version: $20 USD/month. Unlimited imports/exports, scheduled imports, advanced mapping.
- Best Value: Subscribe for one month, complete your migration, then cancel.
Pros & Cons:
- Can handle messy, non-standard CSV/Excel files.
- Exceptional control over data transformation.
- Subscription model allows you to cancel after migration.
- Native Shopify app with deep API integration.
- Monthly subscription cost if you need it long-term.
- Overkill for simple transfers.
Verdict: Essential for stores that rely on frequent data feeds from suppliers. It is the only tool that gives you total control over the data structure while being native to Shopify.
7. Product Import Export for Shopify (WebToffee)
Type: CSV Importer App
Best For: Routine store management and bulk edits.
While Matrixify is the heavy lifter, WebToffee's app is the user-friendly alternative. It is designed specifically for Shopify standard formats. It creates CSVs that are clean, readable, and easy to edit in Excel before re-importing.
Key Features:
- Review Import: Uniquely, this app supports the export/import of Product Reviews, which is often overlooked by other tools.
- Filter Options: You can choose to export only products from a specific collection or with a specific inventory status.
- Bulk Updates: Great for updating prices, inventory, or descriptions across multiple products.
đź’° Pricing Breakdown
WebToffee uses a standard subscription model.
- Free Version: Supports simple products nicely.
- Pro (Single Store): $69 USD / year. Unlocks Variable products, scheduled exports, and advanced mapping.
- Multi-Store License: $99 USD / year.
Pros & Cons:
- Much easier to use than Matrixify for simple tasks.
- Great Free version for basic product management.
- Annual pricing is reasonable for ongoing use.
- Struggles with very large files (API timeout risk).
- Requires your CSV to be formatted fairly strictly according to Shopify standards.
Verdict: The best tool for day-to-day store management and bulk edits (e.g., "Black Friday Price Updates").
Part 4: How to Choose the Right Tool?
With so many options, the choice comes down to your specific scenario. Here is our 2025 decision matrix:
Scenario A: "I am leaving WooCommerce/Magento/Wix for Shopify."
Do NOT use CSV importers like WebToffee or Shopify's built-in import. The data structures are too different, and you will lose SEO rankings and image links.
Solution: Use Migration Shop or LitExtension. The cost (starting ~$69) is negligible compared to the hours saved, and the "Recent Data Migration" feature ensures you don't lose sales during the switch.
Scenario B: "I am moving my Shopify store to a new Shopify account."
Do NOT use Re-platforming tools—they're overkill.
Solution: Use Matrixify ($20/month, cancel after migration) or Shopify's built-in export/import for simple transfers.
Scenario C: "I need to update stock levels from my supplier's list."
Do NOT use migration services—they're for one-time moves.
Solution: Use Matrixify or WebToffee. Set up a scheduled import to fetch the supplier's CSV every night and sync the stock levels automatically.
Final Thoughts
Migration is heart surgery for your business. The right tool acts as a skilled surgeon, performing the transplant with precision and minimal scarring. The wrong tool is a rusty scalpel.
At Migration Shop, we believe that data ownership is the future of eCommerce. By moving to Shopify, you are claiming that ownership with a platform that gives you full control via API access. Whether you choose our automated solution or one of the other excellent tools on this list, ensuring a complete backup before you begin is the golden rule of migration. Good luck with your move!