PrestaShop to BigCommerce
A PrestaShop to BigCommerce migration transfers your store's products, customers, orders, and content from PrestaShop to BigCommerce—preserving data integrity, SEO rankings, and customer access. This guide covers data mapping, migration tools, cost, and step-by-step execution.
Migrating from PrestaShop to BigCommerce moves your store from self-hosted open-source to a hosted SaaS platform. Whether you're reducing server management, scaling with BigCommerce's infrastructure, or tapping into its Stencil theme ecosystem—this guide covers the data mapping and migration steps you need.
PrestaShop to BigCommerce Migration: Quick Facts
- Average cost: $69–$400 (automated) vs $2,500+ (custom)
- Typical duration: 2–4 hours (automated) vs weeks (manual)
- Recommended method: Automated cloud migration (Cart2Cart, LitExtension)
- Password migration: Supported with migration tool
- SEO preservation: 301 redirects required—automated tools create them
Why Migrate from PrestaShop to BigCommerce? Key Benefits
PrestaShop has served its purpose, but limitations hold you back. Moving to BigCommerce opens specific opportunities:
💰 Hosted Infrastructure
The PrestaShop Pain: Self-hosting. Server management. Module conflicts.
The BigCommerce Gain: Hosted or managed. Reduced server management. Focus on selling.
🚀 App Ecosystem
The PrestaShop Pain: PrestaShop Addons. Module conflicts. Limited integrations.
The BigCommerce Gain: Broader app ecosystem. One-click integrations. More third-party options.
🛠 Ease of Use
The PrestaShop Pain: Back Office learning curve. Smarty templates.
The BigCommerce Gain: User-friendly admin. Modern UX. Non-technical users can manage stores.
⚡ Quick Launch
The PrestaShop Pain: Self-hosting. Updates. Security patches.
The BigCommerce Gain: Launch fast. Focus on selling, not infrastructure.
Who Should Migrate from PrestaShop to BigCommerce?
PrestaShop to BigCommerce migration suits merchants wanting hosted SaaS without Shopify, BigCommerce's native multi-currency, or Stencil theme flexibility. BigCommerce has no transaction fees on its plans—unlike Shopify.
PrestaShop to BigCommerce: Platform-Specific Considerations
Every migration path has unique nuances. For PrestaShop to BigCommerce, pay attention to:
- BigCommerce product variants have different structure—PrestaShop combinations map cleanly; no 100-variant limit like Shopify.
- BigCommerce Stencil themes require frontend rebuild—PrestaShop Smarty templates cannot transfer.
- BigCommerce API rate limits vary by plan—schedule migration during low-traffic windows.
PrestaShop to BigCommerce Pre-Migration Checklist
Before migrating from PrestaShop to BigCommerce, audit your PrestaShop data and prepare your BigCommerce environment. PrestaShop and BigCommerce use different data structures—mapping them correctly prevents data loss.
Understanding the Platform Disconnect
PrestaShop uses MySQL with ps_ prefix and Web Service API. BigCommerce uses its own data structure.
- PrestaShop Version: Check your version.
- BigCommerce Setup: Create store. Configure API.
- Product Structure: PrestaShop combinations map to BigCommerce variants.
- Images: img/p/ to BigCommerce CDN.
PrestaShop to BigCommerce Data Mapping: Products, Customers, Orders
Accurate data mapping from PrestaShop to BigCommerce preserves product combinations, customer history, and order relationships. Below are the field mappings developers need.
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field (Source) | BigCommerce Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
ps_product.id_product |
Product.id |
BigCommerce generates new IDs. Use reference for mapping. |
ps_product_lang.name |
Product.name |
Direct string transfer. |
ps_product.reference |
Product.sku |
Direct mapping. |
ps_product.price |
Product.price |
Direct price transfer. |
ps_product_lang.description |
Product.description |
HTML content. Re-upload images. |
ps_category_product |
Product.categories |
PrestaShop categories map to BigCommerce. |
ps_product_attribute |
Product.variants |
PrestaShop combinations map to BigCommerce variants. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field | BigCommerce Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
ps_customer.email |
Customer.email |
Unique identifier. |
ps_customer.passwd |
Customer.password |
Password migration supported. |
ps_address |
Address |
PrestaShop addresses map to BigCommerce. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field | BigCommerce Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
ps_orders.reference |
Order.id |
Preserve order number. |
ps_order_state |
Order.status |
Map PrestaShop states to BigCommerce. |
ps_orders.total_paid |
Order.total_inc_tax |
Direct mapping. |
PrestaShop to BigCommerce Migration Tools
Choose your PrestaShop to BigCommerce migration method: automated cloud migration (recommended), CSV import, or custom development. Compare PrestaShop migration tools for features and pricing.
Option A: Automated Cloud Migration (Recommended)
Tools: Cart2Cart, LitExtension
Specialized tools that connect via PrestaShop Web Service API or database and BigCommerce API.
- ✅ Pros: Handles structure complexity, preserves relationships, formats data for BigCommerce automatically.
- ❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200–$400).
Option B: CSV Import
Tools: PrestaShop Export + BigCommerce Import
Export from PrestaShop Back Office, format for BigCommerce, and import manually.
- ✅ Pros: Lower cost, direct control.
- ❌ Cons: Manual work required. Limited to products and categories.
Option C: Custom Development
Tools: PrestaShop Web Service API + BigCommerce API
Build a custom script using PrestaShop Web Service API and BigCommerce API.
- ✅ Pros: Complete control, reusable.
- ❌ Cons: Expensive ($2,500+), time-consuming.
How to Migrate from PrestaShop to BigCommerce: Step-by-Step
Follow this PrestaShop to BigCommerce migration process using automated cloud migration. See the full PrestaShop migration guide for detailed planning.
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (BigCommerce):
Create your BigCommerce store. Complete setup. Configure API access. Use subdomain for testing.
Tip: Don't point your domain yet.
1.2. Prepare Source (PrestaShop):
Ensure Web Service API or database access. Keep your PrestaShop store live during migration.
Phase 2: Connection Setup
2.1. PrestaShop Access:
Enable Web Service API in PrestaShop Back Office. Or install migration module if using automated tools.
2.2. BigCommerce Access:
Provide API credentials. Migration tool connects to BigCommerce.
Phase 3: Migration Execution
Select what to move. Critical settings:
- Create 301 Redirects: Essential for SEO. Redirects from PrestaShop URLs to BigCommerce URLs.
- Migrate Product Combinations: PrestaShop combinations map to BigCommerce variants.
- Migrate Images: Images from PrestaShop img/p/ uploaded to BigCommerce media system.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration tool. Customer passwords converted.
Phase 4: Post-Migration
Verify products, images, prices, combinations. Notify customers. Choose a BigCommerce theme.
PrestaShop to BigCommerce Migration Cost (2025)
For a medium-sized store (2,000 products, 10,000 orders, 5,000 customers):
Custom Script
Developer Time
Automated Cloud
Average Cost
Agency Service
Starting Cost
PrestaShop to BigCommerce: Troubleshooting & SEO
Common Challenges
- Combination Mapping: PrestaShop combinations map to BigCommerce variants. Check variant limits (e.g., Shopify 100/product).
- Database/API Structure: PrestaShop ps_ tables differ from BigCommerce. Migration tools handle translation.
- Image Migration: PrestaShop img/p/ images need re-uploading to BigCommerce media system.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration tool.
301 Redirects: Preserve SEO
PrestaShop URLs differ from BigCommerce URLs. Create 301 redirects to preserve search rankings. Automated tools create redirects—verify in target admin.
PrestaShop to BigCommerce: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about migrating from PrestaShop to BigCommerce—cost, duration, password migration, and SEO preservation.
PrestaShop to BigCommerce: any variant limits?
BigCommerce has no 100-variant limit like Shopify. PrestaShop combinations map directly to BigCommerce variants.
Does BigCommerce charge transaction fees?
BigCommerce does not charge per-transaction fees on its plans. You pay the subscription; payment gateway fees apply separately.
Ready to Migrate from PrestaShop to BigCommerce?
A PrestaShop to BigCommerce migration unlocks hosted infrastructure, broader app ecosystem, and reduced server management. Run a free demo to verify your data maps correctly.