We move VirtueMart shops from Joomla 3 and 4 to a supported Joomla version – products, orders, customers, payment and shipping plugins and your template overrides – and plan the step to Joomla 6 with VirtueMart 5, so your store keeps selling while it upgrades.
Excellent
| Joomla | 3.10 → 5.4 → 6Two steps: supported base first | Plan |
| VirtueMart | 3.8 → 4.8 → 5VM 5 when it is stable | Plan |
| Data | 8,420 products · 31,904 ordersCounts compared before and after | Kept |
| Overrides | 23 files in html/com_virtuemartCart and checkout need the new token fields | Rebuild |
| Payment | 3 plugins2 updated · 1 replaced | 1 replace |
| Shipping | 2 pluginsBoth have VM 4.8 versions | Update |
Not shops, but the same work: data kept, payments tested, extensions replaced where they had no update.
The hard partOne installation running all sites through MightySite – kept as one install, with content, features and SEO value intact.
The hard partKunena to EasyDiscuss, WordPress content into Joomla, surgeon verification and ACL for four user groups.
The hard partCiviCRM only ships for Joomla 5. Compatibility built as extensions and hooks, proven through a CiviCRM update.
VirtueMart 4 is the current stable line and is listed by the VirtueMart team for Joomla 3.10, 4 and 5. The latest release is VirtueMart 4.8 (security release, August 2026). VirtueMart 5 is the version for Joomla 6: its beta is published as VirtueMart 4.9.
Joomla 5 left regular bug-fix support on 13 October 2026 and gets security fixes until 12 October 2027 – so now is the time to plan.
J3 + VM3→J5.4 + VM 4.8→J6 + VM 5VirtueMart 3 updates to 4 like a normal update – the work is in the template, the plugins and the custom code around it.
Old Joomla 3 / VirtueMart 3 shops move to a supported, stable base first.
On a staging copy we run your store on Joomla 6 with the VirtueMart 5 beta and list what has to change in overrides and extensions.
We switch your live shop to Joomla 6 once VirtueMart 5 has a stable release and your payment and shipping plugins support it – not before.
Every part of the shop that takes money or holds customer data, checked on a copy first.
Categories, products, custom fields, prices, order history and shopper accounts are kept and checked after every step.
Updated or replaced when there is no version for your target Joomla and VirtueMart – then real test orders.
Rates, zones and carriers checked against the old shop before the switch.
Product, category and cart overrides compared with the new core layouts and rebuilt where needed.
Custom plugins and scripts fixed; jQuery-only code that VirtueMart 5 no longer needs removed.
Product and category URLs kept or redirected, so the store keeps its rankings.
Your shop keeps selling on the live site until the switch.
Joomla, VirtueMart, PHP and every extension, override and custom plugin in the shop.
A full backup and a staging copy on the target PHP and database.
Joomla and VirtueMart updated in order; data counts compared after each step.
Overrides rebuilt, payment and shipping plugins updated or replaced.
Real test orders on staging, then the switch with a final sync of new orders and customers.
What goes wrong when a shop is updated in place, and how we avoid it.
| Pitfall | Why it happens | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Old overrides break the cart | Overrides copied from VirtueMart 3 can hide new form fields or security tokens. VirtueMart 4.8 added token checks to front-end forms. | Cart and checkout overrides refreshed from the new core layouts, then tested with real orders. |
| Third-party add-ons | One-page checkouts, payment gateways and feed or import tools each need a version for your Joomla and VirtueMart release. VirtueMart 5 moves some functions to static calls. | Each add-on checked with its vendor; replaced or patched outside the core when there is no update. |
| Server requirements | Joomla 6 needs PHP 8.3+ and MySQL 8.0.13+ or MariaDB 10.4+. Older hosting plans often can't. | A hosting checklist up front, or a move to a host that meets it. |
| SEO & URLs | Router and SEF changes move product and category URLs. | URLs kept or 301-redirected. See SEO & speed optimization. |
The latest VirtueMart release with our notes for Joomla shops, and guides for your own upgrade.
VirtueMart 4.8.2 is the stable release, for Joomla 3 to 5. Joomla 6 needs VirtueMart 5, still in beta (test build 4.9.3) – fine on a staging shop, not yet for a live one.
Small update for VirtueMart 4.8
VirtueMart on Joomla 6: The Complete Guide (2026)
Can your VirtueMart shop move to Joomla 6? The VirtueMart 4 and 5 status, the safe two-step route from VirtueMart 3, server needs and an upgrade checklist.
Does VirtueMart Work on Joomla 6? Status for VirtueMart 4.8 and 5
VirtueMart 4.8 supports Joomla 3.10 to 5; VirtueMart 5, the Joomla 6 version, is still in beta. Current status, what changes, when to move a live shop.
Test VirtueMart 5 Beta on Joomla 6 Safely: A Staging Walkthrough
Try your shop on Joomla 6 with the VirtueMart 5 beta without risking the live store: build staging, upgrade, log what breaks, and turn it into a plan.
Much of our work comes from other developers: agencies with client sites on Joomla, and teams who know their site but want senior Joomla hands for the hard part.
We work under your name, in your repository and your ticket system.
Hand us only the hard part and keep the rest.
One team for the whole job, explained without jargon.
“They do a good job of walking through each new project to fully understand the scope, and then are responsive throughout.”Several projects, several years
“They worked on a full staging environment … including full backups, a clear rollback plan, and post-deployment support.”Joomla 4 → 5 upgrade
“We use their services for our companies websites maintenance, development and updates … for last 5 years.”Maintenance · 5 years
“We had a joomla 3.x site with a discontinued template … we are very impressed.”Joomla 3 → 5 upgrade
“They consistently provide exceptional support and deliver outstanding results.”Development · upgrades · servers
“We asked ThePixel to migrate our website from Joomla 4 to Joomla 6. … I would highly recommend using ThePixel for website work.”Joomla 4 → 6 migration
Not VirtueMart 4. The VirtueMart team lists VirtueMart 4 for Joomla 3.10, 4 and 5. Joomla 6 support comes with VirtueMart 5, which is in beta (published as VirtueMart 4.9). We test your shop on it on staging and go live when the stable release is out.
If your shop still runs Joomla 3 or 4, move to Joomla 5.4 with VirtueMart 4.8 now. Joomla 5 gets security fixes until 12 October 2027, and the later step to Joomla 6 is much smaller from there.
No. We work on a full backup and a staging copy, compare product, order and customer counts before and after, and only switch the live site when test orders work.
Yes. We update your existing template and its VirtueMart overrides. If you want a new look at the same time, see template customization.
We look for an updated release first, then a supported alternative from the same provider, and if needed write a small custom plugin.
“We asked ThePixel to migrate our website from Joomla 4 to Joomla 6. … I would highly recommend using ThePixel for website work.”