PrestaShop to VirtueMart
A PrestaShop to Virtuemart migration transfers your store's products, customers, orders, and content from PrestaShop to Virtuemart—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 Virtuemart moves your store from self-hosted open-source to Virtuemart. Whether you're reducing server management, consolidating platforms, or seeking Virtuemart's features—this guide covers the data mapping and migration steps you need.
PrestaShop to Virtuemart 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 Virtuemart? Key Benefits
PrestaShop has served its purpose, but limitations hold you back. Moving to Virtuemart opens specific opportunities:
💰 Hosted Infrastructure
The PrestaShop Pain: Self-hosting. Server management. Module conflicts.
The Virtuemart Gain: Hosted or managed. Reduced server management. Focus on selling.
🚀 App Ecosystem
The PrestaShop Pain: PrestaShop Addons. Module conflicts. Limited integrations.
The Virtuemart Gain: Broader app ecosystem. One-click integrations. More third-party options.
🛠 Ease of Use
The PrestaShop Pain: Back Office learning curve. Smarty templates.
The Virtuemart Gain: User-friendly admin. Modern UX. Non-technical users can manage stores.
⚡ Quick Launch
The PrestaShop Pain: Self-hosting. Updates. Security patches.
The Virtuemart Gain: Launch fast. Focus on selling, not infrastructure.
Who Should Migrate from PrestaShop to Virtuemart?
PrestaShop to Virtuemart migration suits merchants wanting Joomla VirtueMart, reducing server management, or consolidating with an existing Virtuemart ecosystem. PrestaShop offers full control; Virtuemart offers hosted or integrated simplicity.
PrestaShop to Virtuemart: Platform-Specific Considerations
Every migration path has unique nuances. For PrestaShop to Virtuemart, pay attention to:
- PrestaShop ps_ schema differs from Virtuemart structure—migration tools map entities.
- Product combinations map to target variants or options—verify mapping coverage.
- PrestaShop img/p/ paths differ from target media system—re-upload or transform URLs.
PrestaShop to Virtuemart Pre-Migration Checklist
Before migrating from PrestaShop to Virtuemart, audit your PrestaShop data and prepare your Virtuemart environment. PrestaShop and Virtuemart use different data structures—mapping them correctly prevents data loss.
Understanding the Platform Disconnect
PrestaShop uses MySQL with ps_ prefix and Web Service API. Virtuemart uses its own data structure.
- PrestaShop Version: Check your version.
- Virtuemart Setup: Create target store. Configure API.
- Product Structure: PrestaShop combinations map to target variants.
- Images: img/p/ to target media system.
PrestaShop to Virtuemart Data Mapping: Products, Customers, Orders
Accurate data mapping from PrestaShop to Virtuemart preserves product combinations, customer history, and order relationships. Below are the field mappings developers need.
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field (Source) | Virtuemart Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
ps_product.id_product |
product_id / id |
Virtuemart generates new IDs. Use reference for mapping. |
ps_product_lang.name |
name / title |
Direct string transfer. |
ps_product.reference |
sku / model |
Direct mapping. |
ps_product.price |
price |
Direct price transfer. |
ps_product_lang.description |
description |
HTML content. Images need re-uploading. |
ps_category_product |
categories |
PrestaShop categories map to target. |
ps_product_attribute |
variants / options |
PrestaShop combinations map to target variants. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field | Virtuemart Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
ps_customer.email |
email |
Unique identifier. |
ps_customer.passwd |
password |
Password migration supported with tool. |
ps_address |
address |
PrestaShop addresses map to target. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| PrestaShop Field | Virtuemart Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
ps_orders.reference |
order_id |
Preserve order number. |
ps_order_state |
status |
Map PrestaShop states to target. |
ps_orders.total_paid |
total |
Direct mapping. |
PrestaShop to Virtuemart Migration Tools
Choose your PrestaShop to Virtuemart 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 Virtuemart API.
- ✅ Pros: Handles structure complexity, preserves relationships, formats data for Virtuemart automatically.
- ❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200–$400).
Option B: CSV Import
Tools: PrestaShop Export + Virtuemart Import
Export from PrestaShop Back Office, format for Virtuemart, 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 + Virtuemart API
Build a custom script using PrestaShop Web Service API and Virtuemart API.
- ✅ Pros: Complete control, reusable.
- ❌ Cons: Expensive ($2,500+), time-consuming.
How to Migrate from PrestaShop to Virtuemart: Step-by-Step
Follow this PrestaShop to Virtuemart migration process using automated cloud migration. See the full PrestaShop migration guide for detailed planning.
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (Virtuemart):
Create your Virtuemart 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. Virtuemart Access:
Provide API credentials. Migration tool connects to Virtuemart.
Phase 3: Migration Execution
Select what to move. Critical settings:
- Create 301 Redirects: Essential for SEO. Redirects from PrestaShop URLs to Virtuemart URLs.
- Migrate Product Combinations: PrestaShop combinations map to Virtuemart variants.
- Migrate Images: Images from PrestaShop img/p/ uploaded to Virtuemart media system.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration tool. Customer passwords converted.
Phase 4: Post-Migration
Verify products, images, prices, combinations. Notify customers. Choose a Virtuemart theme.
PrestaShop to Virtuemart 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 Virtuemart: Troubleshooting & SEO
Common Challenges
- Combination Mapping: PrestaShop combinations map to Virtuemart variants. Check variant limits (e.g., Shopify 100/product).
- Database/API Structure: PrestaShop ps_ tables differ from Virtuemart. Migration tools handle translation.
- Image Migration: PrestaShop img/p/ images need re-uploading to Virtuemart media system.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration tool.
301 Redirects: Preserve SEO
PrestaShop URLs differ from Virtuemart URLs. Create 301 redirects to preserve search rankings. Automated tools create redirects—verify in target admin.
PrestaShop to Virtuemart: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about migrating from PrestaShop to Virtuemart—cost, duration, password migration, and SEO preservation.
How long does PrestaShop to Virtuemart migration take?
Automated PrestaShop to Virtuemart migration typically takes 2–4 hours for medium catalogs. Run a demo migration first to validate data mapping.
Can PrestaShop customer passwords transfer to Virtuemart?
Migration tools often support password transfer when hashing is compatible. Check tool documentation—otherwise customers reset passwords.
Will SEO survive PrestaShop to Virtuemart migration?
Yes, with 301 redirects from PrestaShop URLs to Virtuemart URLs. Automated tools create redirect rules. Submit the new sitemap to Google Search Console.
Ready to Migrate from PrestaShop to Virtuemart?
A PrestaShop to Virtuemart migration unlocks hosted infrastructure, broader app ecosystem, and reduced server management. Run a free demo to verify your data maps correctly.