PrestaShop to Shopify
A PrestaShop to Shopify migration transfers your store's products, customers, orders, and content from PrestaShop to Shopify—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 Shopify moves your store from self-hosted open-source to a fully managed SaaS platform. Whether you're reducing DevOps overhead, scaling with Shopify's infrastructure, or tapping into its app ecosystem—this guide covers the data mapping, migration steps, and SEO preservation you need.
PrestaShop to Shopify 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 Shopify? Key Benefits
PrestaShop has served its purpose, but limitations hold you back. Moving to Shopify opens specific opportunities:
💰 Hosted Infrastructure
The PrestaShop Pain: Self-hosting. Server management. Module conflicts. Limited app ecosystem.
The Shopify Gain: Hosted or managed. Reduced server management. Focus on selling.
🚀 App Ecosystem
The PrestaShop Pain: PrestaShop Addons. Module conflicts. Limited integrations.
The Shopify Gain: Broader app ecosystem. One-click integrations. More third-party options.
🛠 Ease of Use
The PrestaShop Pain: Back Office learning curve. Smarty templates.
The Shopify Gain: User-friendly admin. Modern UX. Non-technical users can manage stores.
⚡ Quick Launch
The PrestaShop Pain: Self-hosting. Updates. Security patches.
The Shopify Gain: Launch fast. Focus on selling, not infrastructure.
Who Should Migrate from PrestaShop to Shopify?
PrestaShop to Shopify migration suits merchants tired of self-hosting, wanting zero server management, or seeking Shopify's 8,000+ app ecosystem. Shopify Plus ($2,000+/month) offers multi-store; standard plans are single-store. Ideal for brands prioritizing ease of use over full control.
PrestaShop to Shopify: Platform-Specific Considerations
Every migration path has unique nuances. For PrestaShop to Shopify, pay attention to:
- Shopify 100-variant limit: PrestaShop has unlimited combinations—products with 100+ variants must be split or consolidated.
- PrestaShop img/p/ folder structure differs from Shopify CDN—images re-upload during migration.
- PrestaShop order states map to Shopify financial_status and fulfillment_status—dual status system.
PrestaShop to Shopify Pre-Migration Checklist
Before migrating from PrestaShop to Shopify, audit your PrestaShop data and prepare your Shopify environment. PrestaShop and Shopify use different data structures—mapping them correctly prevents data loss.
Understanding the Platform Disconnect
PrestaShop uses MySQL with ps_ prefix and Web Service API. Shopify uses its own data structure.
- PrestaShop Version: 1.6, 1.7, or 8? Table structure may differ.
- Database: MySQL with ps_ prefix. Direct DB or Web Service API.
- Shopify Setup: Create Shopify store. Configure API access.
- Product Structure: PrestaShop combinations map to Shopify variants. 100 variants/product limit.
- Images: img/p/ directory. Transfer to Shopify CDN.
PrestaShop to Shopify Data Mapping: Products, Customers, Orders
Accurate data mapping from PrestaShop to Shopify preserves product combinations, customer history, and order relationships. Below are the field mappings developers need.
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field (Source) | Shopify Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
ps_product.id_product |
Product.id |
Shopify generates new IDs. Use reference for mapping. |
ps_product_lang.name |
Product.title |
Direct string transfer. |
ps_product.reference |
ProductVariant.sku |
PrestaShop reference maps to Shopify variant SKU. |
ps_product.price |
ProductVariant.price |
Direct price transfer. |
ps_product_lang.description |
Product.body_html |
HTML content. Re-upload images to Shopify CDN. |
ps_category_product |
Collection |
PrestaShop categories map to Shopify collections. |
ps_product_attribute |
Product.variants |
PrestaShop combinations map to Shopify variants. Shopify limits 100 variants/product. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field | Shopify Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
ps_customer.email |
Customer.email |
Unique identifier. |
ps_customer.passwd |
Customer.password |
Password migration supported with migration tool. |
ps_address |
CustomerAddress |
PrestaShop addresses map to Shopify. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field | Shopify Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
ps_orders.reference |
Order.name |
Preserve PrestaShop order number. |
ps_order_state |
Order.financial_status |
Map PrestaShop states to Shopify. |
ps_orders.total_paid |
Order.total_price |
Direct mapping. |
PrestaShop to Shopify Migration Tools
Choose your PrestaShop to Shopify 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 Shopify API.
- ✅ Pros: Handles structure complexity, preserves relationships, formats data for Shopify automatically.
- ❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200–$400).
Option B: CSV Import
Tools: PrestaShop Export + Shopify Import
Export from PrestaShop Back Office, format for Shopify, 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 + Shopify API
Build a custom script using PrestaShop Web Service API and Shopify API.
- ✅ Pros: Complete control, reusable.
- ❌ Cons: Expensive ($2,500+), time-consuming.
How to Migrate from PrestaShop to Shopify: Step-by-Step
Follow this PrestaShop to Shopify migration process using automated cloud migration. See the full PrestaShop migration guide for detailed planning.
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (Shopify):
Create your Shopify 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. Shopify Access:
Provide API credentials. Migration tool connects to Shopify.
Phase 3: Migration Execution
Select what to move. Critical settings:
- Create 301 Redirects: Essential for SEO. Redirects from PrestaShop URLs to Shopify URLs.
- Migrate Product Combinations: PrestaShop combinations map to Shopify variants.
- Migrate Images: Images from PrestaShop img/p/ uploaded to Shopify media system.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration tool. Customer passwords converted.
Phase 4: Post-Migration
Verify products, images, prices, combinations. Notify customers. Choose a Shopify theme.
PrestaShop to Shopify 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 Shopify: Troubleshooting & SEO
Common Challenges
- Combination Mapping: PrestaShop combinations map to Shopify variants. Check variant limits (e.g., Shopify 100/product).
- Database/API Structure: PrestaShop ps_ tables differ from Shopify. Migration tools handle translation.
- Image Migration: PrestaShop img/p/ images need re-uploading to Shopify media system.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration tool.
301 Redirects: Preserve SEO
PrestaShop URLs differ from Shopify URLs. Create 301 redirects to preserve search rankings. Automated tools create redirects—verify in target admin.
PrestaShop to Shopify: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about migrating from PrestaShop to Shopify—cost, duration, password migration, and SEO preservation.
Can I migrate PrestaShop to Shopify with 100+ product variants?
Shopify limits 100 variants per product. If your PrestaShop products have more combinations, split them into multiple Shopify products or consolidate options before migration.
Will PrestaShop customer passwords work on Shopify?
Migration tools convert PrestaShop password hashes to Shopify format when possible. Verify tool support—otherwise customers reset passwords.
How do PrestaShop URLs redirect to Shopify?
Automated tools create 301 redirects from PrestaShop URLs (e.g. /product-slug) to Shopify URLs. Export your PrestaShop sitemap and verify redirect coverage post-migration.
Ready to Migrate from PrestaShop to Shopify?
A PrestaShop to Shopify migration unlocks hosted infrastructure, broader app ecosystem, and reduced server management. Run a free demo to verify your data maps correctly.