PrestaShop review (2026): features, pros and cons, and what to check before you buy
Open source ecommerce software from France, free to download with paid hosted offer, modules and themes.
Our take for buyers
PrestaShop is open source ecommerce software founded in Paris in 2007, with roots in a 2005 student project. It is licensed under the OSL. It suits European merchants who want control over their store and developers who build customized shops, with thousands of modules and themes on its marketplace. Payment options include PayPal through PrestaShop Checkout, and costs vary by host.
The ownership history is worth noting: MBE Worldwide took over PrestaShop in November 2021 and later renamed itself Fortidia. G2 reviewers rate it 4.3 out of 5 across about 160 reviews. Shortlist it if you have technical resources, and skip it if you want a managed platform with no upkeep.
- Best for
- European merchants wanting open source control.
- Starting price
- Free (source code download)
- G2 rating
- 4.3 (160 reviews)
What is PrestaShop?
Open source ecommerce software from France, free to download with paid hosted offer, modules and themes. Open source from France, free to download, which makes it a fit for European merchants and developers who want to shape the store themselves. Hosting, modules and themes cost extra. Ask who will handle upgrades and hosting, since nobody manages that for you. PrestaShop was founded in 2007 and is based in Paris, France.
Category: Ecommerce Platforms
PrestaShop key features
| Criterion | What we found |
|---|---|
| Hosted versus self-hosted | Self-hosted (open source) or vendor-hosted offer. |
| Themes and customization | Marketplace modules and themes. |
| App and integration ecosystem | Thousands of modules and themes per vendor homepage. |
| Pricing model and transparency | Free core, paid modules and hosting. |
| Target company size | Small to mid-size. |
PrestaShop plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic (open source) | $0 | per store | Download the source code free |
| Hosted offer | Price not published |
Hosted and Checkout fees not confirmed by the vendor.
Who should shortlist PrestaShop
A strong fit for
- European merchants wanting open source control.
- Developers building customized stores.
A weak fit for
- Merchants wanting a fully managed platform with no technical upkeep.
- Teams needing a huge ecosystem of US apps.
PrestaShop alternatives
WooCommerceMerchants already on WordPress who want full code control.
ShopifySmall and mid-size brands that want a hosted store without managing servers.
Adobe Commerce (Magento)Large merchants with in-house or agency developers.
BigCommerceGrowing stores wanting B2B tools and open APIs on a hosted platform.
Big CartelArtists and small makers who want a cheap flat-fee store.
Ecwid by LightspeedSites that already exist and need a cart added.
Security, admin and compliance
PrestaShop publishes no SSO, SCIM, audit log or DPA details. Data residency depends on your host, so you control it by choosing where to deploy. With self-hosting, security patching, backups and module vetting are your responsibility. If you use the vendor-hosted offer, ask what it covers, request its terms and data processing agreement, and confirm contract length, none of which is published.
- Data residency
- Depends on host.
Contract and buying terms
- Starting price
- Free (source code download)
- Pricing model
- Free software plus hosting, modules, payment fees.
- Free plan or trial
- Free plan.
What to test in a PrestaShop demo or trial
Install a test store and build your real catalog, checkout and shipping flow. List the modules you need and check who maintains each one, since quality varies across a marketplace of thousands. Test PrestaShop Checkout with PayPal if you use it. Ask your developer or agency to estimate upgrade effort and ongoing maintenance. Compare the vendor-hosted offer against your own hosting, and ask for its price, which is not published.
Questions to ask PrestaShop before you sign
These are the points PrestaShop's public pages leave open. Get the answers in writing before procurement signs off.
- Which plan includes SAML SSO, and what does it cost for our seat count?
- Is SCIM provisioning included, or a paid add-on?
- Which plan includes audit logs, and how long are they kept?
- Can we sign your standard DPA without changes?
- Is there a monthly option, and what are the cancellation and renewal terms?
- What will the price be at renewal, and is the increase capped?
Things to know before a demo
- Vendor claims 250,000+ merchants.
- MBE Worldwide took over PrestaShop in November 2021 and later renamed itself Fortidia (Wikipedia).
- Licensed under OSL.
- Founded 2007 in Paris; project began 2005 as a student project.
PrestaShop FAQ
What is PrestaShop used for?
Open source from France, free to download, which makes it a fit for European merchants and developers who want to shape the store themselves. Hosting, modules and themes cost extra. Ask who will handle upgrades and hosting, since nobody manages that for you. It suits european merchants wanting open source control.
Who is PrestaShop best for?
European merchants who want open source control and developers building customized stores.
Where is my PrestaShop data stored?
Data residency depends on your host. With self-hosting you choose the location.
Who owns PrestaShop?
MBE Worldwide took over PrestaShop in November 2021 and later renamed itself Fortidia.
Vendor profile
- Founded
- 2007.
- Headquarters
- Paris, France.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from PrestaShop's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.