Migrating from PrestaShop to Shopware is a strategic move from one open-source, PHP-based platform to a more modern, Symfony-based e-commerce solution. In 2025, with PrestaShop's sometimes aging architecture, community fragmentation, and occasional performance limitations, and Shopware's modern framework, user-friendly interface, unlimited products, and Symfony architecture flexibility, the case for migration has never been stronger.

This comprehensive technical blueprint is designed for store owners, developers, and decision-makers. We will bypass the marketing fluff and dissect the API structures, the exact field mappings, the cost analysis, and the step-by-step execution required to move your data to Shopware without losing a single byte.

1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Leave PrestaShop?

PrestaShop is a popular open-source eCommerce platform, but it often presents challenges for businesses seeking a more modern architecture, enhanced scalability, and a more streamlined development experience. Moving to Shopware opens specific opportunities:

💰 Modern Architecture & Performance

The PrestaShop Pain: Older versions can suffer from performance bottlenecks. The module system can lead to conflicts. Upgrade paths can be complex.

The Shopware Gain: Built on modern Symfony framework. Optimized for performance and scalability. Clean plugin system. Unlimited products, orders, and customers.

🚀 Streamlined Development & Administration

The PrestaShop Pain: Can require specialized PrestaShop developers. Administration can be less intuitive for non-technical users. Community support can be fragmented.

The Shopware Gain: Modern developer experience with Symfony. Intuitive, user-friendly administration. Vibrant open-source community. Complete control over your store.

🛠 Flexible Product Variants

The PrestaShop Pain: Product attribute management can be cumbersome for large catalogs with many variations.

The Shopware Gain: Unlimited products with flexible product variants using option groups. Symfony entity structure handles large catalogs efficiently. Simplified product management.

⚡ Multi-Store & Multi-Language

The PrestaShop Pain: Multi-store functionality can be complex to set up and manage. Multi-language can require additional modules.

The Shopware Gain: Built-in multi-store (sales channels) and multi-language support. Run multiple stores from one installation. Perfect for international expansion and streamlined management.

2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit

Before touching any data, you must map the terrain. PrestaShop and Shopware speak different data languages.

A. Understanding the Platform Disconnect

PrestaShop uses a PHP/MySQL database with a REST API. Shopware uses Symfony entity structure with Store API for import/export.

PrestaShop Version: Be aware of your PrestaShop version, as data structures and API capabilities can vary.
API Access: PrestaShop provides a RESTful web service API. Generate API keys in PrestaShop admin (Advanced Parameters → Webservice).
Shopware Setup: Ensure Shopware 6 is installed on PHP hosting (PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8+). Install migration plugin if using automated tools.
Product Structure: PrestaShop products with combinations map to Shopware products with option groups. Shopware has a more streamlined variant management.
Images: PrestaShop stores images on local storage. Need to be downloaded and uploaded to Shopware's media system.

3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint

This is the most critical section for developers. This is how PrestaShop entities translate to Shopware. We assume the use of an automated migration tool or custom API integration.

🛍 Product Data Mapping

PrestaShop Field (Source)	Shopware Field (Target)	Notes & Logic
`id_product`	`product.id`	Shopware generates new IDs. Use EAN/SKU for mapping.
`name`	`product_translation.name`	Direct string transfer.
`reference` (SKU)	`product.number`	PrestaShop reference maps to Shopware product number.
`price`	`product_price.price`	Direct price transfer.
`description_long`	`product_translation.description`	HTML content. Images need re-uploading to Shopware media system.
`category_id`	`product_category`	PrestaShop categories map to Shopware categories.
`product_attribute` (combinations)	`property_group_option` and `product_configurator_setting`	PrestaShop combinations map to Shopware product variants.

👥 Customer Data Mapping

PrestaShop Field	Shopware Field	Critical Logic
`email`	`customer.email`	Unique identifier.
`passwd` (hashed)	`customer.password` (hashed)	Password migration supported with migration plugin. Shopware uses bcrypt. Migration tool handles conversion.
`customer_address`	`customer_address`	PrestaShop addresses map to Shopware customer addresses.

📦 Order Data Mapping

PrestaShop Field	Shopware Field	Mapping Logic
`id_order`	`order.order_number`	Preserve PrestaShop order ID in Shopware order_number field.
`current_state`	`order_state_machine_state`	Map PrestaShop order states to Shopware order states.
`total_paid`	`order.price.totalPrice`	Direct mapping with currency conversion if needed.

4. The Toolkit: Selecting Your Vehicle

You have three vectors of attack for this migration. Choose based on budget and technical capability.

Option A: Automated Cloud Migration (Recommended)

Tools: Shopware Migration Hub, LitExtension, Cart2Cart

Specialized tools that connect via PrestaShop REST API and Shopware Store API or migration plugin.

✅ Pros: Handles API complexity, preserves relationships, formats data for Shopware automatically.
❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200 - $400). Requires Shopware migration plugin installation.

Option B: CSV Import/Export

Tools: PrestaShop CSV Export + Shopware Admin Import

Export from PrestaShop, format for Shopware, and import manually.

✅ Pros: Lower cost, direct control.
❌ Cons: Manual work required, significant data relationships may be lost. Limited to products and categories.

Option C: Custom Development

Tools: PrestaShop API + Shopware Store API

Build a custom script using PrestaShop REST API and Shopware Store API.

✅ Pros: Complete control, reusable for complex needs.
❌ Cons: Very expensive ($2,500+), time-consuming. Must handle PrestaShop's data model and Shopware's Symfony entity structure.

5. Execution Protocol: Step-by-Step

We will proceed using the Automated Cloud Migration method as it is the industry standard for minimizing downtime.

Phase 1: Environment Preparation

1.1. Prepare Target (Shopware):
Install Shopware 6 on PHP hosting (PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8+). Complete Shopware installation. Install migration plugin if using automated tools. Do not point your domain there yet. Use subdomain for testing.
Tip: Use maintenance mode to prevent public access during setup.

1.2. Prepare Source (PrestaShop):
Generate API keys in PrestaShop admin (Advanced Parameters → Webservice). Grant necessary read permissions for products, customers, and orders. Keep your PrestaShop store live during migration.

Phase 2: The Connection Setup

2.1. Shopware Access:
Install migration plugin on Shopware. This provides API endpoints for migration tools. Alternatively, use Shopware Store API if available.

2.2. PrestaShop API:
Use Web Service API key from PrestaShop. Migration tool authenticates via PrestaShop REST API.

Phase 3: Migration Execution

Select what to move. Be careful with these specific settings:

Create 301 Redirects: Check this box if using custom domain. It creates redirects from PrestaShop URLs to Shopware URLs. Without this, your SEO dies.
Migrate Product Variants: Shopware supports flexible product variants. PrestaShop combinations map to Shopware product variants automatically.
Migrate Images: Images are downloaded from PrestaShop and uploaded to Shopware's media system automatically. Ensure correct image paths and resizing.
Password Migration: Supported with migration plugin. Customer passwords are migrated and converted to Shopware's bcrypt format.

Phase 4: The Full Migration

Launch the process. The migration tool handles PrestaShop API calls and Shopware Store API or plugin import automatically.

Time Estimation: 5,000 products + 10,000 orders usually takes 2-4 hours. Large catalogs migrate efficiently via Shopware's Symfony-backed database.

Phase 5: Post-Migration Cleanup

5.1. Customer Communication:
Notify customers about the migration. With password migration support, customers can log in immediately (or may need to reset if not using migration plugin).

5.2. Verify Products:
Check all products migrated correctly. Verify images, prices, and product variants. Shopware's flexible variant support means all configurable products should migrate correctly.

5.3. Design & Customization:
Choose or customize Shopware theme. PrestaShop themes cannot be directly migrated, but Shopware offers modern Storefront and Administration.

6. Financial Breakdown: Cost of Migration (2025)

What does it actually cost? Here is a realistic breakdown for a medium-sized store (2,000 Products, 10,000 Orders, 5,000 Customers).

Custom Script

$2,500+

Developer Time

Automated Cloud

$249

Average Cost

Agency Service