Prestashop vs Shopify: Which shop system suits you better?

If you want to start your own online store today, you're quickly faced with the question: Prestashop or Shopify, which shop system is the better choice? Both are among the most well-known e-commerce platforms worldwide and promise to make it easy to sell your products online.

But the approaches are fundamentally different: Shopify is a cloud-based “ all-in-one ” solution, while Prestashop, as an open-source system, offers maximum freedom.

What this means for you: Depending on whether you're looking for flexibility or simplicity , the decision will be very different. Perhaps you're wondering: Is Prestashop better because you have full control over design, modules, and customization ? Or is Shopify the smart choice because you can get started right away without any technical know-how and don't have to worry about hosting, updates, and security?

This is exactly where this article comes in. We'll compare features, costs, user-friendliness, and typical deployment scenarios. This way, you can find out which shop system is the perfect fit for your business, whether you're just starting out or have been active in e-commerce for a while and are looking for a better solution.

Prestashop vs Shopify at a glance: Costs, Usability & Design

If you're wondering which ecommerce platform is better for you, you first need to understand the basics. Both systems take two completely different approaches, and this will influence how you build and run your store.

Prestashop: Open source and full control

This system was developed in France in 2007 and is now one of the most well-known online store solutions in Europe. The software is open source and the basic version is free . You download it, install it with your hosting provider, and thus have full control over your store.

This freedom brings you many advantages: You can choose from thousands of themes, install modules, and customize almost every detail. Whether it's special payment methods, marketing features, or multilingual support, almost anything is possible with this system.

The downside: You need technical knowledge or support to properly manage setup, updates, and hosting. However, if you enjoy working with technology or value customization, the open-source shop system is an exciting solution.

Shopify: Simplicity and instant launch

Shopify is the direct opposite. Instead of installation and hosting, you simply take out a subscription and log in. Everything runs as a SaaS solution in the cloud , from updates to security to hosting. This allows you to get your store live in no time.

The system is extremely user-friendly: Even during setup, a wizard guides you through all the steps: adding products, activating payments, and setting up shipping. The dashboard is clearly structured, and with just a few clicks, you can add additional features via the app store , such as the Shopify Plus apps.

The downside: Many extensions are tied to monthly fees, so costs can increase over time.

Cost comparison

There are big differences between the two shop systems, especially when it comes to budget.

The following table shows you the most important points:

Conclusion: At first glance, the open-source system seems cheaper because you only pay for the components you actually need. However, you have to worry about hosting and technology. The SaaS solution is more expensive, but you get a clear monthly calculation and a worry-free package.

Usability, design & extensions in comparison

The following points show you how both systems differ in terms of operation, layout and additional features:

Conclusion: The open-source solution offers maximum flexibility if you're willing to learn the technology and customization. With the SaaS solution, you can get started immediately, requiring less effort, but with ongoing costs associated with apps.

Functions & features in comparison

When comparing both shop systems , the specific features are crucial. After all, you don't just want a visually appealing shop , but also everything you need for products, marketing, payments, and growth.

The following table summarizes the main differences:

Conclusion: This open-source shop system offers you full control and maximum flexibility, perfect if you're tech-savvy or working with a developer. The SaaS solution impresses with its ease of use, worry-free growth, and immediate launch, making it ideal if you'd rather focus on marketing and sales.

Security & Updates

E-commerce is a success without security. Your customers expect their personal data, passwords, and payments to be protected at all times . Regular updates are also crucial to ensure your store remains stable and avoids security gaps.

Both systems pursue different approaches here:

• Prestashop:
• You are responsible for security, updates and backups.
• You have to organize hosting, patches, and maintenance manually.
• You can get help through community posts, tutorials, modules, or agencies.

Advantage: You can determine your own security level and adapt it to your individual requirements. This is a particular advantage for larger shops with specialized processes.

The downside: If you forget to install updates or install them improperly, you risk system failures or security vulnerabilities. That's why many retailers rely on agencies that handle this professionally.

• Shopify:
• Security and updates run automatically in the background.
• SSL certificate, PCI-DSS compliant payments and server protection are directly integrated.
• New features, bug fixes , and patches are implemented without your intervention.

The advantage: You have a stable, modern system that always stays up to date. This means enormous time and cost savings, especially for smaller teams without a technical department.

Disadvantage: You are dependent on Shopify's security standards and can only define your own rules to a limited extent, but this is perfectly sufficient for most merchants.

Conclusion: Prestashop offers you maximum control, but requires technical expertise or external support. This makes it the right choice if you need specific security standards or want maximum independence.

Shopify is the " all-inclusive package " where all updates and security features run automatically. This is ideal for most merchants, as it allows you to focus entirely on products, marketing, and growth without having to worry about security risks.

Support & Community in comparison

At some point you'll need support, whether it's with a technical error, a new feature, or if your store suddenly starts experiencing problems in the middle of peak season.

Both systems differ greatly in how you get help:

• Prestashop:
• No central 24/7 support, but a large community with forums, Facebook groups, blogs, and GitHub issues.
• Many tutorials and the user guide give you step-by-step help.
• More complex problems such as module conflicts or migrations are often solved by specialized agencies, who, for a fee, address your store individually.
• The focus is clearly on technical topics such as hosting, module development or integration.
  
  
• Shopify:
• Offers direct 24/7 support via chat, email, or phone, depending on your plan, especially valuable when you need answers quickly.
• Additionally, you get access to a help center with tutorials , blog articles , video lessons and an active community.
• App providers in the App Store often have their own support, so you can get quick help with extensions.
• Discussions in the community focus more on tips, marketing, conversion optimization, and strategies to increase your sales.

Conclusion: Which e-commerce platform is better for you depends largely on your expectations of support. Prestashop relies on community knowledge and agencies, which gives you a lot of flexibility but requires initiative. Shopify, on the other hand, offers you direct, 24/7 support, complemented by robust documentation and app providers that can help you get started quickly.

This is a real advantage, especially for smaller teams without their own IT. If you choose Shopify, you can find more tips on conversion rate optimization in our article: Shopify Conversion Rate.

Target groups & use cases

Not every shop system is suitable for every business model. To help you make the right decision, it's worth considering who Prestashop and Shopify are best suited for. Ultimately, you're not just choosing a shop system, but a working model .

• Prestashop is especially suitable for you if you need maximum flexibility, plan to have multiple shops or highly customized features, and are willing to deal with technology. This is typical for medium-sized to large shops that want to grow long-term and have a team or technical expertise.
  
  An example would be an international fashion retailer that requires multiple language versions and complex ERP interfaces; this is where the open source solution fully demonstrates its strengths.
  
  
• Shopify, on the other hand, is perfect if you want to get started quickly. Log in, choose a theme, set up payments, and your store is online. This system is particularly suitable for founders, small businesses, or solo entrepreneurs who want to sell products without much effort.
  
  A typical example: a startup that markets handmade accessories directly via Instagram and wants to have an online store within a few days. Thanks to Shopify Plus , you can even scale to enterprise level later without having to switch systems.
  
  If you're wondering what the differences are between the plans, you can find our Shopify Advanced vs Shopify Plus comparison here.

In short: The open-source solution offers complete freedom and greater responsibility, ideal for individualists and larger projects. The SaaS solution offers maximum simplicity and clear support, making it ideal for quick success and beginners.

Advantages and disadvantages of both shop systems

Now that we've examined both systems in detail, it's time for a clear comparison. The comparison isn't about the " best system ," but rather about which one better fits your needs .

The overview shows you the most important criteria:

The table shows: Prestashop is the right choice if you want maximum flexibility and full control over your store , ideal for larger projects, custom solutions, and merchants who have technical knowledge or a development team.

Shopify, on the other hand, impresses with its simplicity, predictable costs, and a worry-free package . Hosting, security, and support are automated, allowing you to focus on marketing and sales. This makes the SaaS solution particularly attractive for founders, small businesses, and growing brands who want to launch online without major overhead.

Conclusion: Prestashop vs Shopify - which shop system is right for you?

In the end, there is no one-size-fits-all answer; the decision depends on your goals, your team, and the scope of your project.

PrestaShop is the perfect choice if you want complete freedom. You can customize designs, features, and workflows to your liking and even run multiple shops in parallel. This requires technical expertise or a supporting development team, as you're responsible for hosting, updates, and security. Ideal for individual, medium- to large-scale projects with clear requirements.

Shopify impresses with its simple, quick implementation and no technical hurdles. Hosting, security, maintenance, and support are automated, allowing you to focus fully on marketing and growth. This is a real advantage, especially for founders, solo entrepreneurs, and growing brands. Thanks to Shopify Plus, your store grows with you, without switching platforms.

If you choose the SaaS solution, we'll support you as an official Shopify partner at datora.de , from the initial idea to successful scaling. We combine modern Shopify design with conversion optimization and develop customized solutions that are a perfect fit for your business. Whether it's theme customizations, app integrations, or customized features, we'll ensure your online shop not only works but also sells.

Further shop system comparisons

After comparing, you may still be unsure whether one of the two systems is truly the best fit for your business. After all, there are other platforms that could be interesting depending on your target audience, budget, and technical focus.

Here you can find more detailed comparisons:

• WooCommerce vs Shopify : ideal if you already use WordPress and are wondering if WooCommerce is enough or if switching to Shopify will bring more benefits.
• Shopware vs Shopify : particularly interesting for retailers in German-speaking countries who choose between a strong local solution and an international platform.
• Magento vs Shopify : a comparison for companies with complex requirements that are balancing open source freedom with SaaS convenience.
• BigCommerce vs Shopify : an exciting international alternative that can also be attractive in some scenarios.
• Shopify vs Etsy : perfect for creatives and smaller retailers who currently sell on Etsy and are looking for more independence.

These articles will give you an even more comprehensive overview and help you ensure that you ultimately find the best shop system for your business .