How Much Does Magento 1 to Magento 2 Migration Cost?

When Magento terminated support of version 1 in June 2020, it set a deadline that many e-commerce store owners are still grappling with. Moving to Magento 2 makes perfect sense when it comes to features and security, but the migration budget is what's causing the real headaches. 

Let's break down where the Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration cost comes from and what's driving it up.

Theme Migration

Since Magento 2 uses a completely different architecture and frontend setup than the first version, you'll need to start fresh with your theme. That sad fact makes the “one-click” migration option impossible.

And if you’re moving from another platform, for example, if you’ve used osCommerce to Magento migration services, you’ll face the same challenge with themes.

Instead, you’ll need a new design or a custom theme built for Magento 2. Here you have two available options.

• Purchasing and customizing a ready-made Magento 2 theme. While a ready-made theme will cost around $0-$200, be ready to invest an additional $3,000-$5,000 to tailor it to fit your specific business needs. The final Magento 1 to 2 migration cost is defined by the extent of customization.
• Building a bespoke theme from scratch. With this option, you get maximum flexibility and brand consistency. However, this expensive solution can cost you anywhere from $5,000–$20,000+, depending on the scope.

To make the right choice, ask yourself: can existing templates reflect your brand identity, or do you need a ground-up solution? 

Custom Function Migration

If you're running a Magento 1 store, there's a good chance you've got some custom-built features that make your business tick. The bad news? When it's time to upgrade, those custom functions won't make the jump to the newer version. You'll need to rebuild them from scratch.

Instead, your development team or technology partner should take the following steps:

• Review existing customizations.
• Rebuild or adapt them for Magento 2’s architecture.
• Ensure performance and security compliance.

Depending on the number and complexity of your custom features, this Magento 2 migration cost can range from $2,000 to $10,000+. Complex logic, integrations, or unique workflows can push this number higher.

Extension Migration

Using Magento extensions, you can enhance virtually any functionality, whether it's marketing and sales, backend efficiency, or SEO and visibility. 

Since Magento 1 and Magento 2 modules are built differently, you will have to take the following actions:

• Find equivalent Magento 2 versions of your existing extensions.
• Purchase new licenses (if required).
• Test and configure them within your new store.

Modules that are not compatible with Magento 2 will require a custom replacement. 

Expect to spend $1,000–$5,000 for standard extension migrations, though this can be higher if you rely on rare or heavily customized add-ons.

Data Migration

A crucial part of the migration process is the transfer of the following store data:

• Products and categories
• Orders including related invoices, shipments, and credit memos
• Customers and customer groups
• Catalog price rules and shopping cart price rules
• Store configurations and system settings
• Taxes and currencies.

Although the Magento data migration tool speeds up the process, manual adjustments are still required in most cases. Thus, data cleanup trims away unnecessary assets, while data mapping secures a smooth, precise transfer process.

Most Magento 1 to Magento 2 data migrations range from $500–$2,000. Your total cost will be influenced by the amount of data, project complexity, and the skills of your migration team.

Settings Migration

Your Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration does not end with data transfer. You need to reconfigure your store settings as well. Here we are talking about system and general configurations, sales settings, store views, payment, and shipping methods. While this process looks less complicated than design or data migration, overlooking settings can cause major disruptions post-migration.

Your technology partner will probably include this step in their Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration cost package. However, if your Magento store has complex multi-store or multi-language configurations, add $500–$2,000 to your budget.

Magento License

To start with, the Magento Open Source licence comes for free. Of course, there are still costs for reliable hosting, building your store, and maintenance down the road. 

Adobe Commerce charges based on your annual sales figures, beginning at roughly $22,000 per year and increasing with higher revenue. 

This subscription model is typically what makes or breaks the decision for most merchants.

Other Costs

Smart merchants calculating the cost to migrate to Magento 2 know it involves more than just the technical transition. The same holds true for merchants moving away from WooCommerce , where theme and setup challenges also come into play.

Beyond development, server hosting will hit your wallet harder due to increased resource needs. Typically it will cost you $100–$500+ monthly for smaller operations, with enterprise-level sites requiring much larger investments. Quality testing across browsers and devices generally costs $1,000–$5,000. 

Your team will need training on the new admin features, and post-launch support for ongoing maintenance and fixes should be part of your financial planning.

Conclusion

At first glance, a transfer from Magento 1 to the latest Magento version seems a significant investment. However, it will pay off in improved performance, security, and scalability. For most businesses, Magento 2 migration cost can range from $10,000 on the low end for a simple migration to $50,000+ for large-scale, highly customized projects.

To plan your budget wisely, review your Magento 1 store with a comprehensive audit first. Identify which features, extensions, and customizations you truly need, and plan your Magento 2 build accordingly. With a clear roadmap and the right development partner, you’ll be able to future-proof your online business and unlock Magento 2’s full potential.