Magento 1.x's end-of-life date was June 2020. That means no security patches, no bug fixes, and no official support from Adobe for any store still running it. Given that ecommerce stores handle customer payment data, personal information, and transactional records, running on an unsupported platform isn't an operational risk — it's a liability.
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has issued specific warnings about vulnerabilities in older Magento installations, including the MAGMI plugin, that enable attackers to inject malicious code and compromise stored credentials. These aren't theoretical risks; they're being actively exploited.
If your store is still on Magento 1.x, the question isn't whether to migrate — it's which migration path fits your operational requirements.
Why Magento 1.x Persists Despite the Risk
Magento 1.x stores tend to persist for the same reason any legacy system persists: migration is complex, expensive, and disruptive, and the immediate pain of staying feels smaller than the immediate pain of moving. The risk is real but diffuse — until it materializes as a breach or a compliance failure.
The other factor is that many Magento 1.x stores have accumulated significant customization — complex catalog structures, custom checkout flows, ERP integrations built for the specific platform. Moving that to a new architecture requires more than a platform migration; it requires rethinking those customizations for a new system.
Neither of these factors changes the underlying reality that an unsupported platform with known vulnerabilities handling payment data is an untenable operational position.
Three Migration Paths
Option 1: Upgrade to Magento 2 / Adobe Commerce
Magento 2 (now Adobe Commerce) is a significantly different architecture from Magento 1.x — it's not a simple upgrade but a migration. The benefits are real: improved performance, better admin UX, stronger security architecture, and ongoing platform support.
The considerations: Adobe Commerce is enterprise-grade and enterprise-priced. For operators who've outgrown mid-market platforms or who have requirements that justify the investment, it's the right destination. For operators who don't need that level of complexity and cost, other options may fit better.
Option 2: Migrate to BigCommerce
BigCommerce is the most common destination for mid-market operators migrating off Magento 1.x. The platform offers:
- Robust API architecture for integration depth
- SaaS deployment model that shifts infrastructure management to the platform
- Strong B2B capabilities for operators with complex account requirements
- Catalyst headless storefront option for operators who need that architecture
- More accessible total cost of ownership than Adobe Commerce
For most mid-market operators with complex catalogs, B2B requirements, and integration depth needs, BigCommerce is the practical migration destination. See the replatforming framework for how to structure this migration.
Option 3: Migrate to Shopify Plus
Shopify Plus is a strong fit for consumer-focused operations with relatively standard feature requirements. The platform's strength is in consumer commerce UX, fulfillment infrastructure through Shopify Fulfillment Network, and a large app ecosystem.
The limitations for operators with complex B2B requirements, deep ERP integration needs, or highly customized checkout flows are real — Shopify Plus is more constrained than BigCommerce or Adobe Commerce on these dimensions.
Planning the Migration
Regardless of destination platform, Magento 1.x migrations require attention to:
- Data migration — catalog, customer records, order history, and custom attribute data
- Integration rebuild — ERP, payment, shipping, and marketing integrations reconnected to the new platform architecture
- SEO continuity — URL mapping, 301 redirects, and metadata preservation to avoid post-migration organic traffic loss
- Customization rebuild — identifying which customizations to rebuild, which to replace with platform native features, and which to deprioritize
- Testing — complete transactional flow validation before go-live
The most important thing is not to treat migration as a lift-and-shift of the existing site. A migration is an opportunity to rebuild for current operational requirements and future architecture — not to reproduce the same system on a different platform.
Arizon Digital has migrated Magento 1.x stores to BigCommerce and other modern platforms for mid-market operators. Talk to us about what a migration program would look like for your specific catalog complexity, integration requirements, and operational goals.