Migrating from Shopware 5 to Shopware 6 is a strategic upgrade within the Shopware ecosystem—from Symfony 2-based architecture to modern Symfony 5+, Store API, and headless capabilities. In 2025, with Shopware 5 approaching end-of-life and Shopware 6 offering native Store API, flexible product variants, and modern Administration, the case for upgrade 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 database structures, the exact field mappings, the cost analysis, and the step-by-step execution required to move your data from Shopware 5 to Shopware 6 without losing a single byte.

1. The Strategic Pivot: Why Upgrade to Shopware 6?

Shopware 5 is a solid platform, but Shopware 6 offers modern architecture, native headless capabilities, and future-proof features. Upgrading opens specific opportunities:

💰 Native Store API

The Shopware 5 Pain: REST API requires plugins. No native headless support. Custom development for modern frontends.

The Shopware 6 Gain: Native Store API. Built-in headless capabilities. PWA-ready. Vue Storefront integration.

🚀 Modern Symfony Architecture

The Shopware 5 Pain: Symfony 2-based. Legacy structure. Limited plugin ecosystem for modern needs.

The Shopware 6 Gain: Symfony 5+. Clean architecture. Composer-based plugins. Rule Builder. Flow Builder.

🛠 Flexible Product Variants

The Shopware 5 Pain: Configurator structure can be rigid. Limited variant flexibility.

The Shopware 6 Gain: Flexible product variants with option groups. Streamlined product management. Better variant handling.

⚡ Administration & UX

The Shopware 5 Pain: Dated admin interface. Vue.js backend but limited compared to SW6.

The Shopware 6 Gain: Modern Administration. Rule Builder. Flow Builder. Intuitive product and order management.

2. The Pre-Migration Architecture Audit

Before touching any data, you must map the terrain. Shopware 5 and Shopware 6 use different data structures.

A. Understanding the Platform Disconnect

Shopware 5 uses MySQL with s_ prefix tables and Symfony 2 entities. Shopware 6 uses Symfony entity structure with Store API.

Shopware 5 Version: Are you on Shopware 5.6 or 5.7? Check your database schema.
Database Access: Shopware 5 stores data in MySQL with s_ prefix. Shopware 6 uses different entity structure.
Shopware 6 Setup: Ensure Shopware 6 is installed on PHP hosting (PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8+). Use Migration Assistant or automated tools.
Product Structure: Shopware 5 s_articles with s_article_configurator maps to Shopware 6 products with option groups.
Images: Shopware 5 media in s_media. Need to be migrated to Shopware 6 media system.

3. Exact Data Mapping: The Blueprint

This is the most critical section for developers. This is how Shopware 5 entities translate to Shopware 6.

🛍 Product Data Mapping

Shopware 5 Field (Source)	Shopware 6 Field (Target)	Notes & Logic
`s_articles.id`	`product.id`	Shopware 6 generates new IDs. Use article number for mapping.
`s_articles_detail.name`	`product_translation.name`	Direct string transfer.
`s_articles_detail.ordernumber`	`product.number`	Direct mapping.
`s_articles_prices.price`	`product_price.price`	Direct price transfer.
`s_articles.description_long`	`product_translation.description`	HTML content. Images need re-uploading to Shopware 6 media system.
`s_articles_categories`	`product_category`	Shopware 5 categories map to Shopware 6 categories.
`s_article_configurator`	`property_group_option`, `product_configurator_setting`	Shopware 5 configurator maps to Shopware 6 product variants.

👥 Customer Data Mapping

Shopware 5 Field	Shopware 6 Field	Critical Logic
`s_user.email`	`customer.email`	Unique identifier.
`s_user.password`	`customer.password` (hashed)	Password migration supported. Both use bcrypt. Migration tool handles conversion.
`s_user_addresses`	`customer_address`	Shopware 5 addresses map to Shopware 6 customer addresses.

📦 Order Data Mapping

Shopware 5 Field	Shopware 6 Field	Mapping Logic
`s_order.id`	`order.order_number`	Preserve Shopware 5 order number in Shopware 6 order_number field.
`s_order.status`	`order_state_machine_state`	Map Shopware 5 order statuses to Shopware 6 order states.
`s_order.invoice_amount`	`order.price.totalPrice`	Direct mapping with currency conversion if needed.

4. The Toolkit: Selecting Your Vehicle

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

Option A: Shopware Migration Assistant (Recommended)

Tools: Official Shopware Migration Assistant, Shopware Migration Hub, LitExtension

Official or specialized tools that connect Shopware 5 database to Shopware 6.

✅ Pros: Handles structure difference, preserves relationships, formats data for Shopware 6 automatically.
❌ Cons: Cost may scale with data. Requires Shopware 6 installation.

Option B: CSV Import

Tools: Shopware 5 Export + Shopware 6 Admin Import

Export from Shopware 5, format for Shopware 6, and import manually.

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

Option C: Custom Development

Tools: Shopware 5 DB + Shopware 6 Store API

Build a custom migration script using Shopware 5 database and Shopware 6 API.

✅ Pros: Complete control, reusable.
❌ Cons: Expensive ($2,500+), time-consuming. Must handle both platform structures.

5. Execution Protocol: Step-by-Step

We will proceed using the Shopware Migration Assistant or automated tool as it is the industry standard for minimizing downtime.

Phase 1: Environment Preparation

1.1. Prepare Target (Shopware 6):
Install Shopware 6 on PHP hosting (PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8+). Complete Shopware 6 installation. 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 (Shopware 5):
Ensure database access. Keep your Shopware 5 store live during migration.

Phase 2: The Connection Setup

2.1. Shopware 6 Access:
Migration tool connects to fresh Shopware 6 installation.

2.2. Shopware 5 Access:
Provide database credentials. Migration tool connects to Shopware 5 data source.

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 Shopware 5 URLs to Shopware 6 URLs. Without this, your SEO dies.
Migrate Product Configurator: Shopware 6 supports flexible variants. Shopware 5 configurator maps to Shopware 6 product variants automatically.
Migrate Images: Images are downloaded from Shopware 5 media and uploaded to Shopware 6's media system automatically.
Password Migration: Supported. Both use bcrypt. Customer passwords migrate directly.

Phase 4: The Full Migration

Launch the process. The migration tool handles Shopware 5 data extraction and Shopware 6 import automatically.

Time Estimation: 5,000 products + 10,000 orders usually takes 2-4 hours. Same platform family can make migration relatively smooth.

Phase 5: Post-Migration Cleanup

5.1. Customer Communication:
Notify customers about the upgrade. With password migration support, customers can log in immediately.

5.2. Verify Products:
Check all products migrated correctly. Verify images, prices, and product configurator.

5.3. Theme & Plugins:
Shopware 5 themes and plugins cannot be migrated. Choose Shopware 6 theme and install equivalent plugins.

6. Financial Breakdown: Cost of Upgrade (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 Tool

$249

Average Cost

Agency Service