PrestaShop vs Shopify: Which E-Commerce Tool Is Better in 2026?
PrestaShop
From $0
Shopify
From $29Quick verdict
Overall pick: PrestaShop
Choose PrestaShop if you want a free, self-hosted platform with complete data ownership and no native transaction fees, which suits European merchants and self-hosted multi-lingual stores. Choose Shopify if you prefer a paid all-in-one platform starting at $29, aimed at scaling brands, dropshippers, and retail operations, and you accept that native transaction fees apply. Both cover inventory management, abandoned cart recovery, POS support, custom domains, multi-currency, an app store, and APIs.
- PrestaShop's entry plan ($0) is 100% cheaper than Shopify's ($29).
- PrestaShop has a free plan; Shopify does not.
- Only PrestaShop offers: 0% native transaction fees.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| PrestaShop · flat | $0.00 | $0 |
| Shopify · flat | $29.00 | $348 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Merchant wanting zero platform subscription cost | PrestaShop | PrestaShop has a free plan with a starting price of $0, while Shopify has no free plan and starts at $29. |
| Merchant wanting to avoid native transaction fees | PrestaShop | PrestaShop lists 0% native transaction fees, while Shopify does not. |
| European merchant needing a self-hosted multi-lingual store | PrestaShop | PrestaShop is positioned as an open-source European platform with complete data ownership and lists European merchants and self-hosted multi-lingual stores as best-for. |
| Scaling brand or dropshipper wanting an all-in-one paid platform | Shopify | Shopify is positioned as an all-in-one global commerce platform and lists scaling brands and dropshippers & retail as best-for. |
| Buyer comparing feature coverage | Tie | Both platforms list inventory management, abandoned cart recovery, POS support, custom domains, multi-currency, an app store, and APIs. |
Feature comparison: PrestaShop vs Shopify
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✅ | ❌ |
| Starting price | $0 /mo | $29 /mo |
| Multi-channel inventory management | ✅ | ✅ |
| Abandoned cart recovery | ✅ | ✅ |
| Point of Sale (POS) hardware & integration | ✅ | ✅ |
| 0% native transaction fees | ✅ | — |
| Custom domain with free SSL | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-currency international checkout | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rich third-party app marketplace | ✅ | ✅ |
| REST & GraphQL developer APIs | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
PrestaShop
- Free plan with a starting price of $0
- 0% native transaction fees
- Open-source platform offering complete data ownership
- Covers inventory management, abandoned cart recovery, POS, custom domain, multi-currency, app store, and APIs
- Requires self-hosting, which shifts infrastructure responsibility to the merchant
- No paid managed tier is described in the provided data
Shopify
- All-in-one global commerce platform
- Covers inventory management, abandoned cart recovery, POS, custom domain, multi-currency, app store, and APIs
- Positioned for scaling brands, dropshippers, and retail
- No free plan; starting price is $29
- Does not offer 0% native transaction fees
Which tool would you pick for your stack?
Cast your vote to see real-time peer recommendations from other software buyers.
At a glance
Open-source European e-commerce platform offering complete data ownership.
Founded 2007 · From $0 · 8/8 tracked features
Best for: European merchants, self-hosted multi-lingual stores
See PrestaShop alternatives →The all-in-one global commerce platform powering millions of businesses.
Founded 2006 · From $29 · 7/8 tracked features
Best for: scaling brands, dropshippers & retail
See Shopify alternatives →FAQ
Is PrestaShop cheaper than Shopify?
Yes. PrestaShop has a free plan with a starting price of $0, while Shopify has no free plan and starts at $29.
Does Shopify charge native transaction fees?
Shopify does not offer 0% native transaction fees, whereas PrestaShop does.
Do both platforms support POS and multi-currency?
Yes. Both PrestaShop and Shopify list POS support and multi-currency international checkout.
Which platform is better for European merchants?
PrestaShop is positioned as an open-source European e-commerce platform and lists European merchants as a best-for audience.
Do both offer developer APIs?
Yes. Both PrestaShop and Shopify list REST and GraphQL developer APIs.
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Data last reviewed: pending verification. All E-Commerce tools →