OpenCart to Magento
What is OpenCart to Magento migration? A OpenCart to Magento migration transfers your store's products, customers, orders, and content from OpenCart to Magento (Adobe Commerce)—preserving data integrity, SEO rankings, and customer access. This guide covers data mapping, migration tools, cost, and step-by-step execution.
Migrating from OpenCart to Magento is a strategic upgrade from a lightweight PHP platform to an enterprise e-commerce solution. In 2025, with OpenCart's limited extensibility, basic admin UX, and scaling constraints, and Magento's REST API, configurable products, and enterprise features, the case for migration has never been stronger.
OpenCart to Magento 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 (Magento Migration Hub, Cart2Cart, LitExtension)
- Password migration: Supported with migration extension
- SEO preservation: 301 redirects required—automated tools create them
Why Migrate from OpenCart to Magento? Key Benefits
OpenCart has served its purpose, but limitations hold you back. Moving to Magento opens specific opportunities:
💰 Modern Architecture
The OpenCart Pain: Limited extensibility. Basic admin. Scaling constraints. No native headless.
The Magento Gain: Clean entity structure. REST API. Composer-based extensions. Enterprise-ready scalability.
🚀 REST API & Headless
The OpenCart Pain: No native headless support. Limited API. Custom development required for modern frontends.
The Magento Gain: Native REST API and GraphQL. Built-in headless capabilities. PWA-ready.
🛠 Configurable Products
The OpenCart Pain: Product options structure can be rigid. Limited variant flexibility.
The Magento Gain: Flexible configurable products with option groups. Streamlined product management.
⚡ Admin Panel & UX
The OpenCart Pain: Dated or limited admin. Inconsistent UX.
The Magento Gain: Modern, intuitive Admin Panel. Rule-based pricing. Advanced catalog management.
OpenCart to Magento Pre-Migration Checklist
Before migrating from OpenCart to Magento, audit your source data and prepare your Magento environment. OpenCart and Magento use different data structures—mapping them correctly prevents data loss.
A. Understanding the Platform Disconnect
OpenCart uses its own data structure. Magento uses entity structure with REST API.
- OpenCart Version: 3.x or 4.x? Structure may differ.
- Database: MySQL with oc_ prefix. Direct DB access.
- Magento Setup: Install Magento 2 on PHP hosting.
- Product Structure: OpenCart options map to Magento configurable products.
- Images: image/ directory. Upload to Magento media.
OpenCart to Magento Data Mapping: Products, Customers, Orders
Accurate data mapping from OpenCart to Magento preserves product variants, customer history, and order relationships. Below are the field mappings developers need for products, customers, and orders.
🛍 Product Data Mapping
| OpenCart Field (Source) | Magento Field (Target) | Notes & Logic |
|---|---|---|
oc_product.product_id |
product.entity_id |
Magento generates new IDs. Use model for mapping. |
oc_product_description.name |
product.name |
Direct string transfer. |
oc_product.model |
product.sku |
Direct mapping. |
oc_product.price |
product.price |
Direct price transfer. |
oc_product_description.description |
product.description |
HTML content. Images need re-uploading. |
oc_product_to_category |
catalog_category_product |
OpenCart categories map to Magento. |
oc_product_option |
configurable_options |
OpenCart options map to Magento configurable products. |
👥 Customer Data Mapping
| OpenCart Field | Magento Field | Critical Logic |
|---|---|---|
oc_customer.email |
customer.email |
Unique identifier. |
oc_customer.password |
customer.password_hash |
Password migration supported. |
oc_address |
customer_address |
OpenCart addresses map to Magento. |
📦 Order Data Mapping
| OpenCart Field | Magento Field | Mapping Logic |
|---|---|---|
oc_order.order_id |
order.increment_id |
Preserve OpenCart order ID. |
oc_order.order_status_id |
order.state |
Map OpenCart statuses to Magento. |
oc_order.total |
order.grand_total |
Direct mapping. |
OpenCart to Magento Migration Tools: Automated vs Manual vs Custom
Choose your OpenCart to Magento migration method: automated cloud migration (recommended), CSV import, or custom development. Compare Magento migration tools for features and pricing.
Option A: Automated Cloud Migration (Recommended)
Tools: Magento Migration Hub, LitExtension, Cart2Cart
Specialized tools that connect via OpenCart database/API and Magento REST API or migration extension.
- ✅ Pros: Handles structure complexity, preserves relationships, formats data for Magento automatically.
- ❌ Cons: Cost scales with data ($200 - $400). Requires Magento migration extension installation.
Option B: CSV Import
Tools: OpenCart CSV Export + Magento Admin Import
Export from OpenCart, format for Magento, 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: OpenCart DB/API + Magento REST API
Build a custom script using OpenCart database or REST API and Magento REST API.
- ✅ Pros: Complete control, reusable.
- ❌ Cons: Expensive ($2,500+), time-consuming. Must handle both platform structures.
How to Migrate from OpenCart to Magento: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow this OpenCart to Magento migration process using automated cloud migration—the industry standard for zero-downtime cutovers. See the full Magento migration guide for detailed planning.
Phase 1: Environment Preparation
1.1. Prepare Target (Magento):
Install Magento 2 on PHP hosting (PHP 8.1+, MySQL 8+). Install migration extension 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 (OpenCart):
Ensure database or API access. Keep your OpenCart store live during migration.
Phase 2: The Connection Setup
2.1. Magento Access:
Install migration extension on Magento. This provides API endpoints for migration tools.
2.2. OpenCart Access:
Provide database credentials or API access. Migration tool connects to OpenCart 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 OpenCart URLs to Magento URLs. Without this, your SEO dies.
- Migrate Product Options: Magento supports configurable products. OpenCart variants/options map to Magento configurable product variants automatically.
- Migrate Images: Images are downloaded from OpenCart and uploaded to Magento's media system automatically.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration extension. Customer passwords are migrated and converted to Magento format.
Phase 4: The Full Migration
Launch the process. The migration tool handles OpenCart data extraction and Magento import automatically.
Time Estimation: 5,000 products + 10,000 orders usually takes 2-4 hours.
Phase 5: Post-Migration Cleanup
5.1. Customer Communication:
Notify customers about the migration. With password migration support, customers can log in immediately.
5.2. Verify Products:
Check all products migrated correctly. Verify images, prices, and product options.
5.3. Design & Customization:
Choose or customize Magento theme. OpenCart themes cannot be migrated, but Magento offers modern Luma and custom themes.
OpenCart to Magento Migration Cost (2025)
OpenCart to Magento migration cost depends on method and data volume. For a medium-sized store (2,000 products, 10,000 orders, 5,000 customers), here is the breakdown.
Custom Script
Developer Time
Automated Cloud
Average Cost
Agency Service
Starting Cost
OpenCart to Magento Migration: Troubleshooting & SEO Preservation
Common OpenCart to Magento Migration Challenges
- Option Mapping: Magento supports configurable products. OpenCart variants/options map to Magento configurable product variants automatically.
- Database/API Structure: OpenCart structure differs from Magento. Migration tools handle translation.
- Image Migration: OpenCart images need to be re-uploaded to Magento's media system.
- Password Migration: Supported with migration extension.
- Multi-Store: Magento supports multi-store natively.
301 Redirects: Preserve SEO During OpenCart to Magento Migration
OpenCart URLs differ from Magento URLs. Create 301 redirects from old OpenCart URLs to new Magento URLs to preserve search rankings. Automated migration tools create redirects automatically—verify in Magento Admin Panel or use URL Rewrites.
OpenCart to Magento Migration: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about migrating from OpenCart to Magento—cost, duration, password migration, and SEO preservation.
How long does a OpenCart to Magento migration take?
A typical OpenCart to Magento migration takes 2–4 hours for automated tools (5,000 products, 10,000 orders). Manual CSV import can take weeks. Automated migration via Magento Migration Hub or Cart2Cart runs in the cloud while your store stays live.
How much does OpenCart to Magento migration cost?
OpenCart to Magento migration costs $69–$400 for automated tools (Magento Migration Hub, LitExtension, Cart2Cart), depending on data volume. Custom development runs $2,500+. CSV import is free but time-consuming and risky for complex data.
Can I migrate OpenCart customer passwords to Magento?
Yes. Customer password migration from OpenCart to Magento is supported with migration extensions. Automated tools convert password hashes to Magento format so customers can log in immediately after migration.
Will my SEO rankings survive a OpenCart to Magento migration?
Yes, if you create 301 redirects from old OpenCart URLs to new Magento URLs. Automated migration tools offer 301 redirect creation. Submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console and verify redirects before going live.
What data can I migrate from OpenCart to Magento?
You can migrate products, categories, customers, orders, coupons, reviews, and CMS pages from OpenCart to Magento. Product variants map to Magento configurable products. Images are downloaded and uploaded to Magento's media system.
Ready to Migrate from OpenCart to Magento?
A OpenCart to Magento migration unlocks enterprise features: REST API, configurable products, multi-store, and headless options. Run a free demo migration to verify your data maps correctly before going live.