Key Takeaways
- What is Magento 2 migration? Moving your eCommerce store from Magento 1 (end-of-life since June 2020) to Magento 2, the current generation of the platform.
- Why migrate now: Magento 1 has been end-of-life for six years. No security patches, no support, and any store still on it is out of PCI DSS compliance. Migration is not optional if you take payments.
- Target version: Magento 2.4.9 (May 2026) is current. 2.4.8 is a safe alternative if you want a slightly older, proven stack. Do not target 2.4.6 or earlier, those lose security support on August 11, 2026.
- Cost range: Magento Open Source is free to license; Adobe Commerce (paid) starts around $22,000/year. Total migration project costs typically run $5,000 to $50,000+ depending on catalog size, extension count, and customization complexity.
- Timeline: 3 to 6 months for most migrations. Data volume, custom code, and third-party integrations drive the timeline far more than the platform itself.
Magento 1 has been end-of-life since June 30, 2020, and six years on, any store still running it is exposed to unpatched security vulnerabilities and out of PCI DSS compliance. Migration to Magento 2 is not a growth choice at this point — it is a compliance requirement. In this blog, we discuss the importance of migrating and the best features of Magento 2 (currently at version 2.4.9, released May 2026). Read on…
What Is Magento and How Does It Compare?
Magento is not the only software – there are many counterparts such as ZenCart, PrestaShop, and OpenCart. However, Magento is the only software that has the potential to deliver a complete and extended eCommerce solution. Our expert team at CommerceShop has worked on a variety of platforms and has finally concluded that Magento is the best option to bet on!
Why Do Leading eCommerce Companies Use Magento?
Magento is an open-source eCommerce platform written in PHP, now owned by Adobe since 2018. It helps merchants or retailers to create their online store websites effortlessly. The software opens up a lot more opportunities to grow the business by giving a site the much-needed boost. In 2026, Magento remains the leading platform for enterprise and B2B eCommerce, powering roughly 20% of the top 1,000 US retailers and around 110,000 active stores globally.
Why Should You Migrate to Magento 2?
Magento 2 first launched on November 17, 2015. Since then, Adobe has released seven major point versions, with the current release being Magento 2.4.9 (May 12, 2026). The line runs on a new annual release cadence: one major version each May, with a three-year support window per release.
Here are the essential benefits of migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2:
Faster Load Times
Magento 1 is a free version, and it does not support full-page caching. On the flip side, it cannot handle a large number of transactions in a short duration.
Magento 2 can handle 10 million page views per hour with proper caching (Varnish for full-page, Redis/Valkey for object cache) and horizontal scaling. Magento 2.4.9 requires MySQL 8.4 or MariaDB 11.4 — MySQL 5.6 is long unsupported. Therefore, it enables faster processing of queries, caching, reindexing, etc. In 2026, stores on the Hyva theme also achieve sub-1.2 second load times versus 4+ seconds on legacy Luma, cutting Time to First Byte by up to 65%.
Improved Admin Interface
Though Magento 1 packs numerous tools, and the website owners can customize their online store, many find the admin interface of the original version a bit confusing. With Magento 2, the admin user interface has been improved a lot, and thereby, the software is highly responsive and user-friendly.
Magento 1 supports a single admin manipulating the product data at once, but with the help of Magento 2, multiple administrators can work on the website simultaneously. This feature enables users to update the products quickly and keep the team more productive. Magento 2 also ships with Page Builder, a drag-and-drop visual editor for building storefront pages and content without touching code.
Customer Experience Improvements
The improvements include:
- Simplified and smoother checkout process.
- Simplified registration process (Customers can complete registration after they have ordered a product)
- The checkout process provides details of the order at every step of the process
- Improved PayPal integration
- Final order summary offers photos of the order placed.
More Reliable Mobile Shopping Experience
In 2026, mobile devices drive roughly 75% of global eCommerce traffic and about 60% of eCommerce sales. Magento 2 pack features to enhance mobile user experience.
One such enhanced feature is the browsing which used to be slower and more complicated on mobile devices. The search has been improved to make it easier for shoppers to find the product that they are looking for. Since 2.4.4, Adobe has been building on this with Live Search (powered by Adobe Sensei), typo-tolerant queries, and merchandising rules. In 2026, Google’s Core Web Vitals also target Interaction to Next Paint (INP) under 200ms, which most legacy Luma stores struggle to hit. Migration to Hyva or a headless frontend is the common structural fix.
Improved Technical Architecture
Magento 2’s architecture is fundamentally cleaner than Magento 1’s: dependency injection, service contracts, native REST and GraphQL APIs, and a modular codebase. Upgrades between 2.4.x point releases are also much smoother than the Magento 1 to 2 jump — 2.4.6 to 2.4.9, for example, is a project you can complete in 4 to 8 weeks with proper QA.
How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade to Magento 2?
Various Magento 2 versions have different price points.
Here is the pricing list that you may come across in the market:
Magento 2 Open Source:
Magento 2 Open Source was previously known as Community Edition is free to license. Therefore, it is easy to download from Magento’s website. However, the hosting, development, and design costs will have to be met.
Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento 2 Enterprise Edition):
Adobe Commerce (the paid enterprise edition, renamed from Magento Commerce in 2020) starts at around $22,000 per year and scales up based on gross merchandise value tiers.
Adobe Commerce Cloud:
Adobe Commerce Cloud (the platform-as-a-service version, formerly Enterprise Cloud Edition) starts at around $40,000 per year and scales up for larger merchants. It costs more than the on-premises version because hosting, infrastructure, and managed services are bundled.
Besides these, other costs that may be incurred are as follows:
Infrastructure: Web/app servers, Databases, Firewalls, and load balancers
Development costs: Programming, Design, and App integration costs
Managed Support: Troubleshooting, Bug fixes, Patches, and Managing update costs
In 2026, total Magento 1 to 2 migration project costs typically run $5,000 to $50,000+ depending on catalog size, extension count, and customization complexity. Simple catalog-only migrations sit at the lower end; complex migrations with ERP integrations, custom checkout, or B2B workflows sit at the higher end.
How to Choose The Right Magento 2 Migration Partner?
Shortlisting the right Magento 2 migration partner can be a challenging task. Again, the migration process is equally challenging too, and therefore, it requires a certified partner who knows the platform like the back of their hand. Look for a partner with at least five years of Magento-specific experience, verifiable case studies at your catalog size, and Adobe certifications (Adobe Commerce Developer or Adobe Commerce Solution Architect). Ask for references, extension audit examples, and specifically ask how they handle upgrade-safe customizations. A partner who never modifies core code and always uses plugins, observers, and preferences will save you the most money long-term.
CommerceShop Magento Migration Services
CommerceShop has completed 120+ Magento 1 to Magento 2 migrations. Our certified team handles the full migration path: data migration, extension audit and replacement, custom code refactoring, SEO preservation, and post-launch performance tuning.
Our service covers:
- Smooth migration to a Magento 2 platform
- Matching your eCommerce to the current trends in the digital market
- Implementing a fast and secure shopping cart
- Keeping your website search-engine-optimized
- Delivering a higher level of user engagement
- Choosing between 2.4.8 (proven stability) and 2.4.9 (current, longest support window) based on your specific needs
- Optional migration from Luma to Hyva theme for measurably faster storefront performance
Final Thoughts on Migrating to Magento 2
Magento 1 has been end-of-life for six years. If you are still on it, you are running an unpatched store, exposed to known vulnerabilities, and out of PCI DSS compliance. Migration is urgent, not optional.
The migration process is a bit challenging, thereby, we welcome you to discuss with our professionals today, and we will help you migrate hassle-free. For scoping and support, see our Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration services, check our Magento website cost guide for budgeting, or talk to our team directly for a scoped conversation on your migration path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Magento 1 still supported?
No. Magento 1 reached end-of-life on June 30, 2020. Since then, Adobe has issued no security patches, functional updates, or official support. Any store still running Magento 1 is exposed to unpatched vulnerabilities and out of PCI DSS compliance.
How long does a Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration take?
3 to 6 months for most migrations. Small catalogs with few extensions can complete in 8 to 12 weeks. Large stores with heavy customization, ERP integrations, or B2B workflows typically take 4 to 6 months. The biggest timeline driver is not the platform itself but the number of custom modules that need to be rebuilt in Magento 2.
How much does Magento 1 to Magento 2 migration cost?
Typically $5,000 to $50,000+ depending on complexity. Simple catalog-only migrations start around $5,000. Standard migrations with a modest extension list run $15,000 to $30,000. Complex migrations with ERP integrations, custom checkout, or B2B workflows sit at $30,000+.
Should I migrate to Magento 2.4.8 or 2.4.9?
Choose 2.4.9 (May 2026, current) if you want the longest support window (through May 2029) and can handle the larger infrastructure jump (PHP 8.5, Valkey, OpenSearch 3, Symfony 7.4). Choose 2.4.8 (April 2025) if you want proven stability with a slightly older stack. Do not target 2.4.6 or earlier — those lose security support on August 11, 2026.
Can Magento 1 be upgraded to Magento 2 directly?
No, it is a migration rather than an upgrade. Magento 1 and Magento 2 have completely different architectures. Data (products, customers, orders) can be migrated using Adobe’s Data Migration Tool or third-party tools like LitExtension. Themes, extensions, and custom code must be rebuilt from scratch for Magento 2.
What are the risks of staying on Magento 1?
Three main risks: security (unpatched vulnerabilities exploited by attackers), compliance (PCI DSS violations that can result in fines or loss of card processing), and business continuity (no support, no fixes, extensions no longer updated, and shrinking talent pool for anyone who can maintain it).