Why choose PrestaShop?
PrestaShop is open-source software for running an online store, for both retail (B2C) and wholesale (B2B). It’s worth choosing if you plan to grow: you get full access to the code, you don’t pay the platform a commission on sales, and you can add missing features with an off-the-shelf module or hire a developer to build them.
Key takeaways
- Independence: the code and data are in your hands, and the software has no license fee.
- Sales: manage your catalog with variants, promotions, and orders from a single admin panel.
- Growth: add new features with modules from PrestaShop Addons, and connect your store to your ERP.
- Scale: sell in multiple languages and currencies, run several stores from one admin panel, and serve wholesale customers.
What is PrestaShop?
PrestaShop is open-source software you can build an online store on. You install it on your own server and manage sales from the admin panel. Right after installation, you get hundreds of features out of the box, including a product catalog, payments, promotions, and analytics.
Any features that are missing can be added with a module or built by a developer. That’s why PrestaShop works well for a small single-brand store and for a complex B2B platform connected to an ERP alike. The difference is the scope of the project; the system stays the same.
Control over your store and costs
When you choose a platform, you’re also deciding who will control your store and whether your costs will grow along with your sales. PrestaShop keeps control on your side, and you don’t pay for the software itself, no matter your revenue.
Open-source code
You have access to all of the code, so the store can be tailored to the way your business works. You're also not tied to a single vendor, because another developer can take over the store.
No license fee
You don't pay for the software itself. Your budget goes to what the store actually needs: hosting, implementation, selected modules, and technical support.
No commission on sales
PrestaShop doesn't take a percentage of your revenue, so higher sales don't raise your platform costs. Payment processor fees still apply, just like in any online store.
Data on your server
Products, customers, and orders are stored on your server. You can make a backup or move the data to another system at any time.
Catalog, checkout, and orders
Smooth sales start with well-organized products and fast order handling. In PrestaShop, you do it all in one admin panel, from adding a product to issuing an invoice and processing a return.
Product catalog
You organize products by category, feature, brand, and supplier. You can also sell bundles, virtual products, and downloadable files, and import large amounts of data from a CSV file prepared in Excel.
Product variants
Combine options like color or size into variants of a single product. Each variant can have its own price, stock level, and images.
Product filters
With the filter module, customers can quickly narrow down the product list, for example to a specific size and price range. You decide which data can be filtered and how.
Store search
You set which fields matter more, for example the name over the description, so more relevant products show up higher. You can also add alternate spellings of search terms, and customers see suggestions as they type.
Stock levels
In the admin panel, you see current stock levels and how they change. You also decide what happens when an item runs out: whether customers can still order it or not.
Checkout
Starting with version 9.2, in addition to the classic multi-step checkout, you can turn on the built-in One Page Checkout, meaning checkout on a single page.
Order handling
In one place, you filter orders, check their history and payments, change products, issue invoices and credit notes, and process returns. You can also place an order on behalf of a customer.
Customers and accounts
You have a customer database with addresses and purchase history. In their account, customers can check order status, download invoices, and reorder past purchases.
Marketing and search visibility
For a store to sell, customers have to find it and have a reason to buy from you. PrestaShop has tools for promotions and SEO, and you can add more advanced marketing features with modules.
Promotions
You can set a cart discount, a discount on selected products or categories, a volume discount, or a special price for a customer group. We cover each type in our guide to promotions.
Discount coupons
You can limit a discount code to a specific customer, product, minimum cart value, time period, or number of uses. That makes it easy to run a campaign for a specific group.
Newsletter and loyalty
Newsletter sign-ups, loyalty points, and a referral program with a discount for both sides can be set up with modules. You only choose the ones your store really needs.
Abandoned carts
Modules remind customers about purchases they didn't finish. The message can include the customer's name or a discount. See how to recover abandoned carts.
SEO basics
The store has clean URLs, and you can set titles and descriptions for Google yourself. You also get redirects and full control over the theme, while images in WebP and AVIF formats help pages load faster.
Sales analytics
On one screen, you see visits, carts, orders, conversion rate, and average order value. Reports also show your best-selling products and what customers are searching for in the store.
Admin, design, and security
Your staff will use the admin panel every day, customers will judge your store by its looks, and you’re responsible for their data. That’s why these three things are worth checking before you choose a platform.
An easy-to-use admin panel
The most common tasks take just a few clicks: find a product, add images, check stock levels. You can give each staff member their own permissions.
Custom design and mobile
Your store doesn't have to look like an off-the-shelf template, because you can implement your own visual design. The Hummingbird theme is mobile-friendly and can serve as a starting point for that design.
Security
The platform has protections against common attacks on online stores (including XSS, CSRF, and SQL injection), encrypts passwords, and receives regular patches. Payment card data is handled by third-party processors.
Exports, multistore, and wholesale
A store that does well in its home market often starts selling abroad, wholesale, or under several brands over time. You can grow in any of these directions on PrestaShop without switching platforms.
International sales
The store can run in multiple languages and currencies. You can set separate tax rates for individual countries and tailor content and prices to each market.
Multiple stores in one admin panel
The Multistore feature lets you run several stores from one installation and one admin panel, for example for different brands or countries. It's convenient, but it requires careful configuration.
Payments and shipping
In the admin panel, you set shipping methods and costs by zone, weight, or price. Modules connect the store to payment providers such as PayU, Przelewy24, and PayPal, as well as to shipping carriers.
B2B sales
Customer groups with separate prices, B2B mode, and net pricing give you a solid foundation for wholesale. More complex processes, such as price negotiations, can be added with a module or integration.
Modules, integrations, and support
When choosing a platform, it’s worth checking what you get beyond the software itself: ready-made add-ons, community support, available specialists, and the ability to connect your store to other systems.
Thousands of modules on Addons
The official PrestaShop Addons marketplace offers thousands of modules and themes. You can launch many features without writing code, and when an off-the-shelf add-on isn't enough, a developer can build a custom solution.
Community support
PrestaShop is developed in the open on GitHub. In the forum, documentation, and tutorials, you'll find answers to many questions before you need to hire a developer.
Available specialists
Plenty of agencies and developers know PrestaShop. That makes it easier to find help, and switching vendors doesn't mean moving your store to another platform.
ERP integrations
The store can be connected to systems such as Symfonia, Subiekt and Comarch Optima, as well as Base, so orders and stock levels update automatically. This is done through modules and the new Admin API.
Up-to-date technology
Version 9 runs on Symfony 6.4 LTS and current PHP, technologies that still receive updates. A store like that is easier to maintain, secure, and develop in the years ahead.
Scalability
The same platform can power a small store and a large product catalog. To keep the store fast, you need a well-chosen server, caching, and a tidy set of modules.
What’s new in PrestaShop 9.2?
The latest stable release is PrestaShop 9.2.0, released on September 30, 2026. It introduces a built-in One Page Checkout and the Ask AI assistant in the admin panel. Extra Properties fields let you add your own data without changing the system’s code, and new B2B features handle companies and their addresses, among other things.
Before upgrading, test on a copy of your store to make sure modules, the theme, payments, and integrations work correctly. Only then move the changes to your live store.
PrestaShop vs. subscription platforms
No platform is the best fit for every store. The key difference is this: PrestaShop gives you more control, while a subscription platform takes some of the technical work off your plate.
| Area | PrestaShop | Subscription platform |
|---|---|---|
| Software cost | None | Monthly subscription |
| Platform commission on sales | None | Depends on the provider and plan |
| Access to the code | Full | Limited or none |
| Hosting and updates | Handled by you or your agency | Handled by the provider |
| Build-out | Modules and any custom code | Apps and APIs, within the limits set by the provider |
| Getting the store live | Requires an implementation project | Usually faster |
When is another platform a better fit?
Not every store needs this much capability. If you sell a handful of products, don’t plan any integrations, and don’t have a budget for technical support, PrestaShop may be more than you need. Also keep in mind that many useful features require paid modules, and major upgrades need to be tested first.
It’s a different story when you have unusual processes, a large catalog, B2B sales, or plans to sell abroad. That’s when the ability to tailor the store becomes this platform’s biggest advantage.
PrestaShop FAQ
Is PrestaShop free?
The software itself is free, with no license fee. But your budget needs to cover hosting, a domain, implementation, paid modules, and ongoing technical support.
Is PrestaShop suitable for B2B sales?
Yes. PrestaShop has a B2B mode and customer groups with separate prices and discounts. Price negotiations, credit limits, or custom price lists from an ERP usually require additional modules or integrations.
Can PrestaShop be connected to an ERP and marketplaces?
Yes, through ready-made modules, the API, or custom-built integrations. The store can be connected to Symfonia, Subiekt, and Comarch Optima, among others, as well as to Base and Allegro.
Is PrestaShop good for SEO?
Yes, it gives you a solid foundation: clean URLs, custom titles and descriptions, redirects, and control over the theme. That said, Google rankings also depend on content and store speed, and some more advanced features require modules.
Is PrestaShop secure?
PrestaShop has protections against common attacks, encrypts passwords, and lets you assign permissions to staff. Store security also depends on regular updates, trusted modules, good hosting, and backups.
PrestaShop or a subscription platform?
PrestaShop is the better choice when your store has unusual processes, many integrations, and growth plans. A subscription platform is often the better pick for simple sales, a small budget, and no technical support.
What is the latest version of PrestaShop?
As of November 2026, the latest stable release is PrestaShop 9.2.0, released on September 30, 2026. Before upgrading a live store, check that your modules, theme, and integrations are compatible with the new version.
Let's see if PrestaShop is right for your store
Tell us how you sell today. We'll suggest what scope of implementation makes sense and where to start.