Why You Should Migrate from Shopify Scripts to Functions in 2025

Shopify Scripts to Functions October 28, 2024

As Shopify evolves, so too must the tools and techniques that developers and merchants rely on to keep their stores competitive. Shopify Scripts, once a powerful tool for customizing complex store logic, will be completely removed by August 28, 2025.

Merchants must migrate Shopify Scripts to Functions before this deadline to avoid disruptions. This article will guide you through the advantages of migrating to Shopify Functions and why making the switch in 2025 is the best strategy for your business.

With the impending removal of Shopify Scripts, migrating your customizations to Shopify Functions is not just a matter of preference—it’s essential for maintaining the performance and flexibility of your Shopify store. Failing to migrate before the deadline could lead to functionality disruptions that impact your store’s revenue, user experience, and overall operations.

In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between Scripts and Functions, the benefits of Functions, how to migrate, and why 2025 is the ideal year to make the transition.

 

What Are Shopify Scripts and Their Limitations?

Shopify Scripts are a key feature of Shopify Plus stores, allowing merchants to customize the checkout process and cart logic. These scripts enable complex discounts, free shipping rules, and various payment gateway configurations. Initially introduced as a solution to provide greater control over checkout and discounts, Scripts have empowered merchants to offer customized user experiences without needing to build entirely custom solutions.

Examples of Shopify Scripts in Action

For example, a merchant might use Shopify Scripts to:

  • Apply a tiered discount: “Buy one, get 10% off; buy two, get 15% off.”
  • Automatically offer free shipping when the cart value exceeds $100.
  • Customize payment methods based on the customer’s location or cart contents.

These customizations were previously difficult or impossible to achieve without Scripts, and they have provided a way for Shopify Plus stores to differentiate themselves by offering unique promotions and payment options.

However, despite their utility, Shopify Scripts come with several limitations that can affect store performance and scalability:

Client-side Execution

Shopify Scripts run on the client side, meaning they are executed in the customer’s browser. This can lead to slower page load times, particularly for larger stores with significant traffic. Since all of the script’s calculations must be processed in the user’s browser, it can cause delays, especially on slower devices or in areas with poor internet connectivity.

Limited Scalability

Shopify Scripts are not designed to handle large volumes of data or complex operations efficiently. As your store grows and traffic increases, Scripts may struggle to keep up with the demand. This could lead to bottlenecks, especially during high-traffic periods such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Exclusivity to Shopify Plus

One of the biggest drawbacks of Shopify Scripts is that they are only available to Shopify Plus users. While Shopify Plus offers numerous advantages for large-scale businesses, it comes with a higher cost, making it inaccessible to smaller businesses. This exclusivity limits the ability of non-Plus stores to implement advanced customizations.

Performance Concerns

Since Scripts execute in the browser, they can cause performance bottlenecks during checkout. This can be especially problematic for stores with high traffic, where slower checkout times may lead to increased cart abandonment and lost sales.

In light of these limitations, Shopify has introduced Shopify Functions as a more powerful and scalable solution that addresses the shortcomings of Scripts while offering even more customization options.

 

What Are Shopify Functions?

Shopify Functions represent the next evolution of Shopify’s customization capabilities. Unlike Scripts, Functions run on Shopify’s global server-side infrastructure, allowing merchants to achieve much more complex logic and customization without sacrificing performance.

With Functions, Shopify is pushing the boundaries of what merchants can achieve with their stores. Whether you want to create personalized discounts, dynamically adjust shipping rates, or handle complex tax rules, Functions make these tasks possible—and they do so more efficiently than Scripts ever could.

Shopify Functions

What Makes Shopify Functions Different?

Here’s what makes Shopify Functions stand out:

  • Server-side execution: Unlike Scripts, which run in the browser, Functions execute on Shopify’s servers. This means that even complex logic can be processed quickly and efficiently, without impacting the user’s browsing experience.
  • Custom logic: Functions allow for more advanced customizations than Scripts, making it easier to implement features like personalized discounts, dynamic shipping rates, or complex tax calculations based on customer behavior.
  • Greater flexibility: Functions are available to all Shopify merchants, not just Shopify Plus users. This means that even smaller stores can benefit from the advanced customization options that were previously only accessible to larger businesses.
  • Integration with Shopify APIs: Functions integrate seamlessly with Shopify’s APIs, providing developers with even more tools to customize their stores in innovative ways.

Examples of Shopify Functions in Action

For instance, with Shopify Functions, you can:

  • Create personalized discounts: Offer different discount rates based on customer segments, such as loyalty members or first-time buyers.
  • Dynamic shipping rates: Adjust shipping rates in real-time based on factors such as location, product weight, or cart value.
  • Automated tax rules: Set up complex tax logic that adapts to different regions, ensuring compliance without manual updates.

Shopify Functions provide the flexibility that modern merchants need to meet their customers’ demands and create unique shopping experiences.

 

The Critical Deadline: August 28, 2025

One of the most important factors driving the migration from Scripts to Functions is the impending August 28, 2025, deadline. After this date, Shopify Scripts will no longer function. For merchants still relying on Scripts, this means that any customizations tied to Scripts—such as discounts or shipping logic—will stop working.

Shopify scripts

Shopify Scripts Deprication

Why Is Shopify Retiring Scripts?

Shopify has made it clear that Scripts are being retired for several reasons:

  • Functions are designed to scale with growing businesses, something that Scripts struggle to do. As your store grows and your needs become more complex, Functions will be able to keep up with demand.
  • Shopify is prioritizing server-side execution for enhanced performance and load times. This shift is crucial for maintaining fast, seamless customer experiences, particularly during high-traffic events like Black Friday.
  • Shopify is continuously evolving its platform, and Functions are part of a larger shift toward more powerful, future-proof technologies. By investing in Functions, Shopify ensures that merchants have access to the latest tools and features, while older technologies like Scripts are phased out.

If your store is still using Scripts, it’s essential to start planning your migration well before the 2025 deadline to avoid any last-minute disruptions.

Key Benefits of Migrating to Shopify Functions

Migrating to Shopify Functions offers several significant benefits over Scripts. Here are some of the most important reasons why Shopify Functions will provide a superior experience for your store:

Improved Scalability

One of the most significant advantages of Shopify Functions is their ability to scale with your business. As your store grows, Functions can handle more complex operations without slowing down. Whether you have a few hundred or tens of thousands of visitors, Functions can efficiently manage your store’s logic.

For example, if you run a store with a large inventory and frequent promotions, Functions can manage real-time adjustments to discounts, shipping rates, or tax calculations without any delays. This is especially critical for stores that experience traffic spikes during sales events, as Scripts may struggle to handle the increased load, leading to slower performance or even crashes.

Enhanced Customization

Functions provide much greater flexibility in terms of customization. While Scripts are limited to certain types of logic, Functions can handle a broader range of use cases, allowing merchants to create truly unique shopping experiences.

For example, you could create a function that applies different discount levels based on the customer’s past purchase behavior, rewarding loyal customers with higher discounts. Alternatively, you could implement real-time shipping rate adjustments based on current carrier availability or customer location, ensuring that you offer the most competitive rates at all times.

Faster Load Times

Since Shopify Functions run server-side, they don’t rely on the customer’s browser to execute. This reduces the strain on the client’s device and leads to faster load times, which can improve the overall user experience. A faster checkout process reduces cart abandonment and can directly increase sales, especially during peak times when every second counts.

Wider Accessibility

While Shopify Scripts are exclusive to Shopify Plus users, Functions are available to all Shopify merchants. This democratizes advanced store customization, giving all merchants the opportunity to implement sophisticated logic without needing to upgrade to Shopify Plus. Smaller businesses can now leverage the same tools that were once reserved for large-scale enterprises, leveling the playing field.

Future-Proofing

Shopify is heavily investing in Functions as the future of store customization. By migrating to Functions now, you’re ensuring that your store will be compatible with Shopify’s future updates and features. This not only helps you stay ahead of your competitors but also ensures that your store is ready for any changes Shopify might implement in the coming years.

How to Migrate from Shopify Scripts to Functions

Migrating from Shopify Scripts to Functions will require some planning and technical expertise, but it’s a necessary step to future-proof your store. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

  1. Review Your Existing Scripts. Start by auditing all the Shopify Scripts currently running in your store. Identify which Scripts will need to be migrated and note their functionality. This will help you understand the scope of the migration and allow you to prioritize which customizations need to be rebuilt as Functions. This is a good opportunity to review your current store’s custom logic and determine if there are areas that can be improved or streamlined when migrating to Functions. For example, if you’re using Scripts for discounts, you might consider whether those same discounts could be more flexible or personalized when rebuilt as Functions.
  2. Map Out Functionality in Shopify Functions. Once you’ve identified the Scripts that need to be migrated, start mapping out how they will work as Functions. Shopify Functions offer more advanced options and flexibility, so you may be able to achieve the same results more efficiently. Consider what additional capabilities you can leverage with Functions to enhance the user experience. For example, Shopify Functions can be used to offer dynamic pricing, based on customer segmentation, or to calculate real-time tax rates based on geolocation.
  3. Build Shopify Functions. Now that you’ve outlined the logic, it’s time to start building your Functions. Shopify provides thorough documentation and a wide range of resources for developers who are new to Functions. Depending on the complexity of your store’s setup, you may want to enlist the help of a Shopify developer or expert to ensure the migration goes smoothly. Shopify Functions can be written in a variety of languages, and you’ll need to ensure your Functions are correctly integrated into your store. You can also use Shopify’s Function Extensions, which allow developers to add new functionalities without needing to build everything from scratch. These extensions can be a useful starting point for those transitioning from Scripts.
  4. Test Thoroughly. Before making any new Functions live, thoroughly test them in a staging environment. Ensure that your new Functions perform as expected, with no adverse impact on performance, and confirm that all customizations behave correctly in different scenarios. Testing is critical, especially if your Functions are handling key aspects of the checkout process, like discounts, tax calculations, or payment rules. Be sure to test during peak traffic hours to see how the new system performs under load. Pay close attention to checkout speed, overall performance, and whether the new Functions handle complex scenarios properly.
  5. Migrate Before the Deadline. Given that Shopify Scripts will no longer work after August 28, 2025, it’s essential to plan your migration well in advance of this date. Waiting until the last minute could result in rushed decisions and possible disruptions to your store’s functionality. By migrating early, you allow time for any unforeseen issues that may arise during the transition.

Additionally, migrating in 2025 gives you a chance to test and optimize your new Functions over time, ensuring that everything runs smoothly when Scripts are fully deprecated.

 

Why 2025 Is the Perfect Time to Migrate

You may be wondering why you should start the migration process now rather than waiting until closer to the 2025 deadline. Here are a few compelling reasons why starting in 2025 makes the most sense for your business:

Stay Ahead of Competitors

Migrating to Shopify Functions early will give you a competitive advantage. As more merchants begin to migrate in 2025, stores that switch early will have better performance, more advanced customizations, and a smoother user experience. By moving ahead of the curve, you’ll be able to offer features that your competitors may not have yet implemented.

Early adopters often see greater benefits because they can capitalize on new technologies before the rest of the market catches up. Whether it’s offering personalized discounts or faster checkouts, using Shopify Functions will differentiate your store from the competition.

Avoid the Last-Minute Rush

As the August 2025 deadline approaches, many merchants will likely rush to migrate their stores from Scripts to Functions. This rush could lead to a shortage of developers available to help with migrations, increasing costs and creating delays. By migrating early in 2025, you can avoid the panic and stress of a last-minute rush, ensuring that your store transitions smoothly without any interruptions.

Take Advantage of Shopify’s New Features

Shopify is continually enhancing its platform, and Shopify Functions will be at the core of these improvements. By migrating early, you’ll be able to take full advantage of new features, tools, and updates as they become available. This means that while other stores are still dealing with outdated Scripts, you’ll be able to offer the latest and most efficient customizations that keep your store ahead of the competition.

In 2025, Shopify is expected to introduce even more powerful tools and updates that integrate with Functions, allowing stores to create even more sophisticated custom logic. Being ready for these updates will allow your store to remain on the cutting edge.

 

Conclusion: Time to Make the Switch

The future of Shopify customizations lies in Shopify Functions, and with the removal of Shopify Scripts by August 28, 2025, it’s crucial that merchants begin the migration process now. Shopify Functions offer better performance, scalability, and flexibility than Scripts, making them the clear choice for modern eCommerce stores.

By migrating in 2025, you’ll stay ahead of your competitors, improve your store’s performance, and ensure that your store is ready for the future of Shopify. Don’t wait until the last minute—start planning your migration today and secure your store’s success in the years to come.

Functions will not only enhance your store’s current capabilities but also set you up for future success as Shopify continues to evolve. Migrating early ensures that you avoid disruptions, capitalize on new features, and provide a better experience for your customers. The time to act is now—begin your migration to Shopify Functions and future-proof your store before it’s too late.

This expanded article should now meet the word count requirement, providing in-depth coverage on why and how to migrate from Shopify Scripts to Functions, while emphasizing the urgency and benefits of doing so by 2025.