Magento has long been among the top e-commerce solutions for building online stores. Since the Magento 1 release in 2008 and followed by Magento 2 in 2015, the platform has been around for years, being popular with big brands with complex catalogs and thousands of products.
The release of Magento 2 has made the platform immensely popular due to its improved performance, user interface, and overall functionality, which eventually led to users switching to it from its predecessor, Magento 1. Still, some businesses keep using Magento 1 even today, years after its last official update in 2019.
If you or your clients are still on Magento 1, this guide is definitely for you. We’ve compared the two platforms and highlighted the key differences between Magento 1 and Magento 2 regarding performance, scalability, and many other points. We do hope that this post will help you make an informed decision about migrating from Magento 1 to Magento 2 to future-proof your business.
What is Magento 1?
Magento 1 was first released in 2008 and quickly became one of the leading open-source e-commerce platforms. It provided store owners with the flexibility to customize their stores and scale them as needed. However, Magento 1 is now considered legacy software and is no longer actively supported by Adobe, its parent company.
Last release date: The final official release of Magento 1 was Magento 1.9.4 in 2019.
Why people still use it: While Magento 1 is outdated, many businesses continue to use it because of the costs associated with migrating to Magento 2 or because they are tied to specific customizations that still work well.
Key tech requirements: Magento 1 requires a LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) stack for optimal performance, along with specific versions of PHP (up to 7.4).
Despite these limitations, Magento 1 laid the foundation for many features and functionalities seen in modern e-commerce today. However, as time goes on, the Magento 1 vs Magento 2 performance gap has widened, making it increasingly harder to justify staying on Magento 1.
What is Magento 2?
Released in 2015, Magento 2 was designed to address many of the shortcomings of Magento 1, offering a more streamlined, efficient, and modern platform for e-commerce businesses.
Magento 2 offers a range of features and add-ons, including improved security, better performance, and a more user-friendly admin panel, which makes it the recommended choice for modern e-commerce businesses looking to scale.
Magento 1 vs Magento 2 Comparison Table
To help you visualize the main differences between Magento 1 and Magento 2, here’s a comparison table by key aspects:
Aspect | Magento 1 | Magento 2 |
Technology | Older architecture, limited scalability; Apache 2.x PHP 5.2.x – 5.5.x MySQL HTML JQuery Zend Framework 1 | Modern architecture, faster, more flexible; Apache 2.2 / 2.4 Nginx 1.7 + PHP 5.6.x / 7.0.2 / 7.0.6 MySQL / MySQL Percona 5.6.x + Varnish 3.x / 4.x HTML5 JQuery / RequireJS / Knockout.js Zend Framework 1 / 2 Symphony Composer |
Performance | Slower page load times, less optimized | Faster page load, enhanced caching & indexing |
Admin Panel | Basic, outdated interface | Modern, user-friendly, customizable |
Extension Compatibility | Many extensions, but less efficient | Improved extension compatibility, more integrations |
SEO | Basic SEO features | Advanced SEO capabilities, better index management |
Security | Vulnerable to attacks after 2020 | Regular security updates, better protection |
Support | No longer officially supported | Active support with regular updates |
Let’s break down each aspect in more detail.
Technology
Magento 1 relied on an older technology stack, which worked fine for smaller stores but couldn’t handle the demands of larger, more complex sites. It uses an MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture that, while functional, had some limitations in flexibility and scalability.
Magento 2, on the other hand, is built on a modern MVC architecture, which makes it more efficient and scalable. It also includes support for Composer, a tool that simplifies managing and installing libraries, and PSR standards, which allow for easier integration with other systems.
Performance
One of the biggest differences between Magento 1 and Magento 2 performance is speed. Magento 2 features full-page caching, Varnish integration, and improved database indexing, making it significantly faster than Magento 1. In addition, Magento 2’s optimized code structure allows for faster page loads and a smoother user experience.
Magento 1 sites tend to be slower, especially as the store grows and the number of products and customer data increases. This performance gap is one of the primary reasons why businesses should consider migrating to Magento 2.
Admin Panel
The admin panel is one of the most noticeable differences between Magento 1 and Magento 2. Magento 1’s admin interface was often criticized for being clunky, difficult to navigate, and not intuitive for non-technical users.
In contrast, Magento 2 offers a modernized admin panel that is more user-friendly, with drag-and-drop features and better workflow management. The new interface allows store owners to manage products, orders, and customers more efficiently, saving time and reducing the need for technical expertise.
Extension Compatibility
Both Magento 1 and Magento 2 boast a wide array of extensions available through the Magento marketplace, but the Magento 2 extensions are generally more refined and efficient. As Magento 2 is built with a more modern framework, extensions built for it are more robust, easier to install, and integrate better with other technologies.
Magento 1 had its share of compatibility issues, especially when it came to updates. With Magento 2, the compatibility and integration options are vastly improved, enabling smoother upgrades and easier management of third-party solutions.
SEO
When comparing Magento 1 and Magento 2 SEO, Magento 2 offers advanced SEO tools that make it easier to optimize product pages, content, and categories for search engines. With features like advanced URL rewrites, automated meta tags, and better index management, Magento 2 provides more powerful tools for improving your site's visibility in search engines.
Magento 1’s SEO features were basic and could require significant effort to improve. Magento 2 makes it simpler to manage SEO, with better out-of-the-box tools for improving rankings and driving traffic.
Security
After Magento 1’s end of life on June 30, 2020, many sites that still use it became vulnerable to security breaches, as they no longer receive official patches or updates.
Magento 2, however, continues to receive regular security updates, bug fixes, and feature improvements. The platform also provides enhanced security features, such as two-factor authentication, stronger password management, and regular security audits to protect your store and customer data.
Support
Magento 1 officially lost support in June 2020, meaning there are no more security patches or bug fixes available unless you are using paid extended support. On the other hand, Magento 2 is still actively supported, with regular updates and fixes available.
Important E-commerce Benefits of Magento 2
Magento 2 definitely has more benefits to offer e-commerce businesses these days, being especially valuable for companies looking to scale and provide a seamless user experience.
Better performance: Faster page loading and full-page caching, which can significantly improve user experience and conversion rates.
User-friendly admin panel: The new, modern interface makes managing the store easier, even for non-technical users.
Better mobile experience: Magento 2 is optimized for mobile-first design, offering responsive Hyvä themes and faster mobile performance.
Improved security: Regular updates and patches keep your store secure against emerging threats.
These features help e-commerce businesses remain competitive and meet the expectations of modern consumers.
Summing It Up: Why Migrate to Magento 2 from Magento 1
If you’re still using Magento 1, it is high time to seriously consider migrating to Magento 2. Magento 2, in addition to being mentally fresh and up-to-date, offers improved performance, security, SEO capabilities, and a user-friendly experience. Migrating to Magento 2 is essential for staying competitive in the fast-paced world of e-commerce, as Magento 1 no longer receives support or updates.
The difference between Magento 1 and Magento 2 is clear, and while migrating may require some investment, the long-term benefits far outweigh the challenges. With improved technology, security, features, and the right migration partner, Magento 2 definitely wins over its predecessor, successfully future-proofing your e-commerce business.
If you're considering upgrading, keep in mind that it’s not just about performance or new features, Magento 2 offers the flexibility to grow your business as needed, with robust support from Adobe and the wider Magento community.
