Quick Summary
If you’re running a Shopify store and rely on Shopify Scripts, there’s an important update you need to know. Shopify has officially announced the deprecation of Scripts, and it’s going to impact how custom discounts and checkout logic work on your store.
This change might feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’ve built a lot around Scripts. But don’t worry, the Shopify function is a solid alternative, and the transition doesn’t have to be complicated.
In this blog, we’ll break down what the deprecation means, why it’s happening, and what your options are moving forward. You’ll learn how Shopify experts perform the migration smoothly, without disrupting your store or your customers’ experience.
Shopify has pushed back the Scripts deprecation deadline to June 30, 2026 (originally August 28, 2025). This gives merchants more time to plan their migration.
Shopify is using this extra time to improve Shopify Functions, its replacement for Scripts. The goal is to make sure Functions can handle everything Scripts did, like discounts, shipping rules, and payment customizations, but with more flexibility and reliability. If you’re still using Scripts, don’t wait until the last minute. Start exploring Functions now to avoid surprises later.
Shopify isn’t removing Scripts just for the sake of change. The main reason is to make the platform faster, more scalable, and easier to build on, especially for checkout experiences.
Shopify Scripts were built for the old checkout system. While they offered a lot of flexibility, there were some limits. You need technical knowledge to work on Scripts. They were not easy to manage and didn’t always play well with new features or third-party apps.
Now, Shopify is moving toward Shopify Functions, which are designed to work with the new Checkout Extensibility framework. This new setup is more secure, easier to scale, and better suited for long-term growth. You get similar (or even better) customization options, but in a way that’s easier to update and maintain.
In short, Shopify is retiring Scripts to give you a more modern, reliable way to customize your store. And while the transition may take some planning, it’s a step forward for performance, flexibility, and future-proofing your business.
With Shopify Scripts on their way out, Shopify Functions is the go-to solution for adding custom logic to your store, especially at checkout.
So, what are Shopify Functions?
They’re Shopify’s new way to let you customize things like discounts, shipping rates, and payment methods without touching the core code. Functions are built to work with Shopify’s updated checkout and use modern development tools that are easier to maintain, more secure, and faster to run.
They’re flexible but also designed to scale with your business. Whether you’re a developer or working with one, you’ll find that Functions are more predictable and easier to test compared to Scripts.
Shopify Functions are more than just a replacement. They’re a big upgrade. Here’s why they’re a better long-term option:
In short, Shopify Functions are the modern replacement for Shopify Scripts, offering a more flexible and secure way to customize discounts, shipping, and payments. They work seamlessly with the new Shopify checkout and are easier to manage through apps. If you want to switch to Functions and need expert help, our Shopify development company can assist you.
To help you see the difference more clearly, here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of Shopify Scripts and Shopify Functions.
| Feature | Shopify Scripts | Shopify Functions |
| Built For | Legacy checkout | New checkout (Checkout Extensibility) |
| Customization Areas | Discounts, Shipping, Payments | Discounts, Shipping, Payments (expanding) |
| How It’s Applied | Custom Ruby code | App-based, configurable in Admin |
| Developer Dependency | High. Needs custom scripting | Lower. Manageable through apps |
| Performance & Scalability | Slower, less scalable | Faster, more scalable |
| Security | Manual handling required | More secure by design |
| Future Support | Being phased out | Actively supported and evolving |
Now that you know Shopify Scripts are being phased out and that Functions are the better alternative, the next step is understanding how to make the switch. Let us discuss how to migrate from Shopify Scripts to Shopify Functions.
Start by understanding what custom Scripts your store is currently using. Shopify provides a built-in tool called the Shopify Scripts Customizations Report. You can find it directly in your Shopify admin.
This report gives you a full overview of:
You can even export this report as a CSV file, making it easier to review everything in one place.
Once you’ve looked through it, decide whether you want to:
If you go with a custom-built app, you’ll need to use the Shopify Partner Dashboard to create and connect it—these apps can’t be built directly from the Shopify Admin.
After reviewing your Scripts, it’s time to replace them. Shopify guides you through this right inside your admin panel. Here’s how to get started:
From here, you have three options:
Once you’ve set up your new Function-based solutions, test them thoroughly. When you’re confident everything works as expected, go ahead and deactivate your old Shopify Scripts. If you need expert help along the way, you can always hire Shopify developers to ensure everything is implemented correctly.
Shopify Scripts and Shopify Functions can work together in the same store, at least for now. You can continue to use Shopify Scripts for checkouts that are customized with checkout.liquid, or for upgraded checkouts, until the final deprecation date. This gives you plenty of time to test, adjust, and slowly migrate your setup without pressure.
While you can use both at once, it’s important to understand how Scripts and Functions interact, depending on the type of customization you’re running:
Scripts only recognize the first discount code used at checkout. So if multiple discounts are applied, they won’t react to the rest.
If your current Scripts cover use cases that Functions can’t yet handle, you can keep using Scripts until Shopify expands Function capabilities. You can start moving parts of your setup to Functions now, while leaving the rest in place until you’re fully ready. Just be aware of which system is in control for each type of logic.
Not always. Many Shopify Functions are available through public apps that require no coding. You just install and configure them. But working with a developer ensures things run smoothly. It also helps if you want to create a private Function that fits your unique business flow.
No, your store won’t break immediately. Shopify Scripts will keep working until June 30, 2026, if you’re using checkout.liquid or upgraded checkouts. But starting your migration early gives you more time to test, adjust, and avoid last-minute headaches. It also helps you take advantage of newer features sooner.
Yes, Shopify Functions support discount codes, and you can create advanced discount logic through compatible apps or custom development. This gives you more flexibility than Scripts in many cases. You can also combine multiple discount types in a more structured and scalable way.
You can continue using Shopify Scripts for now. Shopify is gradually expanding Functions APIs to cover more customization options. If a needed feature isn’t available yet, it’s okay to hold off on migrating that part. Just keep an eye on updates so you’re ready when it’s supported.
Yes, they are. Shopify Functions run within Shopify’s infrastructure, so there’s less risk of bugs, version issues, or security flaws. You don’t need to manually maintain code or worry about performance. It’s a cleaner and more future-ready solution for growing stores.
If you sell on Shopify or plan to start soon, it’s important to understand that while Shopify Scripts have served merchants well for years, Shopify Functions now clearly represent the future. This shift is about giving you more flexibility, better performance, and future-ready tools to customize your store.
You don’t have to rush the migration. Shopify has given enough time, and the ability to use Scripts and Functions together makes the process smoother. Start small, test what works, and gradually build your way forward. The earlier you begin, the more control you’ll have over the transition. And with Shopify constantly rolling out new Function features, you’re stepping into a more scalable and secure way to customize checkout. If you’re looking for experts to migrate your Shopify Scripts to Functions, you can get in touch with our experts.
John Niles, a dedicated Technical Consultant at BrainSpate since 2023, specializes in eCommerce. With a global perspective, he crafts insightful content on cutting-edge web development technologies, enriching the digital commerce landscape.
