Shopify or PrestaShop: which platform should you choose for your online store?

Choosing the right platform to create or develop your online store can seem like a complex task.

With options like PrestaShop and Shopify, two big names in the industry, it's crucial to understand what they offer to meet your specific needs.  

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Why compare PrestaShop and Shopify?

When it comes to launching or developing an online store, PrestaShop or Shopify often come up for discussion.

And it's no coincidence: both platforms dominate the market thanks to their solid functionality and popularity with e-tailers. But why compare them specifically?

Firstly, they address very different needs. Shopify, a turnkey solution, seduces with its simplicity and ability to quickly integrate features such as dropshipping and multi-currency payments.

On the other hand, PrestaShop, an open source CMS, offers almost infinite customization, but requires a little more technical skill to get the most out of it.

Then there's the question of differentiation from other CMS such as WordPress and WooCommerce.

Unlike WordPress, often perceived as a blogging tool transformed into an online store through extensions, Shopify or PrestaShop were designed from the outset for e-commerce.

This positioning makes them better equipped to meet the needs of ambitious merchants.

Finally, choosing the right platform means laying the foundations for your success.

Your priorities, be they simplicity, cost, flexibility or support, will directly influence your decision.

In the rest of this article, we'll review some key criteria to help you make an informed choice.

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Ease of use: Which platform for your skills?

Ease of use is often a decisive criterion when choosing an e-commerce platform.

Whether you have development skills or not, whether you're a first-time entrepreneur or a large company, your technical skills will largely determine your decision.

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PrestaShop

PrestaShop is an open-source tool that offers a high degree of customization, but this implies a certain level of technical competence.

The platform requires you to install the software on a server, manage manual updates and configure the modules required for your store.

In short, it's an ideal solution for developers or companies prepared to have a dedicated technical team.

One of PrestaShop's major advantages, however, is its advanced user access management.

This makes it possible to delegate certain tasks within the team, and to efficiently structure the management of your store.

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Shopify

Shopify, for its part, was designed to simplify the lives of entrepreneurs, even without technical knowledge.

The platform offers an intuitive interface where everything is ready to use.

From signing up to putting your store online, everything can be done in just a few clicks.

The system also includes integrated tools for payment, product management and even marketing.

Its main advantage is that it's quick to set up and easy to manage, so you can spend more time developing your business than solving technical problems.

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To know more about Shopify check out this episode of our podcast (in french) with a Shopify expert

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Customization: how far can you adapt your store?

Customizing your online store is essential to reflect your brand identity and meet your customers' expectations. So how far can these two platforms take you in this area?

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PrestaShop

With PrestaShop, you have total freedom.

This open source platform gives you direct access to the code, which means you can modify almost every aspect of your store.

Do you have very specific requirements? No problem, you can create custom features or integrate external modules to take things even further.

This is ideal if you're looking to differentiate yourself in a competitive market, or if you have a clear vision of what you want.

On the other hand, this flexibility requires a certain amount of technical know-how or a skilled developer at your side.

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Shopify

Shopify, on the other hand, offers more controlled customization.

You can choose from a vast library of themes, but customization options are limited to what the native tools or applications available in the Shopify ecosystem allow.

That said, for a standard store, these options are often more than sufficient.

And bonus: Shopify integrates a blog directly into its platform, which can be a real plus if you rely on content to attract traffic.

Modules, features and add-ons: which platform is the most complete?

Modules and add-ons are essential for enhancing your online store and meeting specific needs.

They enable you to add functionality or optimize your day-to-day management, and this is where PrestaShop and Shopify stand out.

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PrestaShop

PrestaShop offers a very rich ecosystem with its official marketplace, PrestaShop Addons.

Here you'll find thousands of modules for almost every need: marketing, payments, logistics and SEO.

This diversity makes PrestaShop an extremely flexible solution, particularly suitable if you have specific needs or if you want a tailor-made store. However, most modules are not free of charge, and installation often requires a degree of technical expertise.

If you're already using PrestaShop, tools like Loyoly, which specialize in loyalty and referral, can be perfectly integrated to boost your performance.

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Shopify

For its part, Shopify offers the Shopify App Store, a marketplace featuring hundreds of ready-to-use applications.

Shopify's strength lies in its simplicity: with just a few clicks, you can add functionality to your store.

The applications cover a wide range of needs, including marketing, inventory management and customer loyalty.

Although the offer is a little less varied than that of PrestaShop, it is more than sufficient for classic stores.

And here too, Loyoly can be a great ally in boosting your customers' engagement, thanks to fast, fluid integration with Shopify.

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You can also check our 200 tools for your e-commerce

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Payments : Simplicity, transaction costs and commissions

When it comes to payments, there are two aspects to consider: ease of use for you and your customers, and the fees that eat into your margins. Shopify and PrestaShop each have their own approach.

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PrestaShop

With PrestaShop, there's an integrated payment solution that works on a commission basis, but you also have the freedom to integrate virtually any payment provider. PayPal, Stripe, Payplug, Mollie and many others.

You won't have to pay any additional platform fees, which is a big plus.

However, it does require a little technical configuration, especially if you want everything to run smoothly.

But for those who like to be in control of their tools and negotiate their own fees, this is a solid option.

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Shopify

Shopify makes life easier with Shopify Payments, its integrated solution that works on a commission basis like Prestashop.

On the other hand, if you opt for another provider, such as PayPal or Stripe, Shopify applies additional transaction fees of up to 2% per sale, depending on your subscription. This can quickly add up, especially for businesses with high sales volumes - an important detail to bear in mind if your margins are tight.

Shopify also has another advantage: its point-of-sale (POS) system, perfect for physical stores that want to synchronize their online and in-store payments.

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If you want to control everything at low cost, PrestaShop is a good choice.

If you prefer a simple, integrated solution, Shopify is clearly cut out for that, especially with Shopify Payments.

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Dropshipping: which solution is best?

Dropshipping is a popular strategy for launching an online store without managing stock. Both PrestaShop and Shopify enable you to launch a dropshipping business, but they don't address exactly the same needs.

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PrestaShop

PrestaShop offers modules dedicated to dropshipping, such as Dropified.

These extensions enable you to connect your store to suppliers, manage products and synchronize orders.

However, configuring these modules can be more technical, especially if you're just starting out. It also requires extra effort to find reliable suppliers, as PrestaShop doesn't provide a turnkey solution like Shopify.

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Shopify

Shopify excels in dropshipping thanks to its integrations like DSers (Oberlo's official replacement) or Spocket.

These tools are easy to configure and directly accessible from the Shopify App Store. With DSers, for example, you can easily import products from AliExpress, synchronize prices and stocks, and automate your orders.

Shopify also simplifies payment processing and customer notifications. Everything is designed for rapid implementation, even for beginners.

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Customer support: available when you need it?

Quality customer support can make all the difference, especially when you need to solve a technical problem quickly.

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PrestaShop

PrestaShop offers comprehensive and accessible support, even free of charge.

You can contact their technical team by chat, e-mail or telephone, with a response time within 24 working hours.

Support is available Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 10pm, making it a responsive and practical service for managing your issues in real time.

In addition, the PrestaShop community remains very active via the official forums, a valuable resource for practical advice.

For specific needs or advanced expertise, paid plans are also available via PrestaShop Addons, such as module installation or technical audits.

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Shopify

Shopify stands out for its 24/7 customer support, which is included in all subscriptions.

Whether by chat, e-mail or telephone, you can get help whenever you need it, whatever your time zone.

Shopify also offers a detailed help center and a dynamic community to assist users in managing their store.

This ongoing support is ideal for entrepreneurs seeking total peace of mind.

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Performance and security: which platform is the most reliable?

Performance and security are two fundamental pillars for guaranteeing the stability of your store and reassuring your users. Let's take a look at PrestaShop and Shopify.

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PrestaShop

With PrestaShop, performance and security depend heavily on the hosting provider you choose.

You are entirely responsible for configuring updates, integrating an SSL certificate, and ensuring that your site is optimized to handle high traffic.

This flexibility can be an advantage if you have specific needs or a technical expert on hand. However, it also represents an additional workload, and errors in configuration can harm your store's performance or security.

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Shopify

Shopify simplifies things by integrating hosting directly into its solution.

Your store automatically benefits from high availability and robust security, with SSL certificates included.

The platform also handles updates in the background, eliminating technical worries so you can concentrate on growing your business. If peace of mind and reliability are your priorities, Shopify offers a particularly attractive turnkey solution.

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Marketing and SEO: cost and complexity

Marketing and SEO are essential for attracting visitors to your store and boosting sales.

But which platform offers you the most tools to achieve this?

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PrestaShop

PrestaShop, on the other hand, offers maximum flexibility, but this translates into an increased reliance on modules.

You'll need to install paid extensions for features like blogging or email marketing campaigns.

These options offer greater customization, but they can also add to your costs and require a little more technical management.

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Shopify

Shopify includes many marketing features directly in its plans. You get an integrated blog to improve your SEO and email marketing tools to interact with your customers, all at no extra cost.

These tools are simple to use and perfect for those who want to keep things simple without investing in complex modules or integrations.

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Scalability: How far can you expand your store?

Can your store grow with your business? The ability of your platform to adapt to rapid growth or international expansion is essential.

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PrestaShop

PrestaShop is particularly well-suited to companies with large product catalogs or complex international needs.

The platform naturally supports multilingualism, allowing you to add an unlimited number of languages and customize every aspect of your store for different markets.

With specific modules available on PrestaShop Addons, you can also automate translations or enhance the experience for users in multiple regions.

This flexibility makes PrestaShop an excellent choice for companies with international ambitions or a very specific business model.

However, this scale-up requires technical and human investment to configure and manage these features.

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Shopify

Shopify is designed to facilitate the growth of small and medium-sized businesses, while remaining accessible.

If you're aiming for international expansion, Shopify allows you to offer up to five different languages with its standard plans, and even more with Shopify Plus.

Integration with applications such as Weglot or Shopify Translate & Adapt simplifies translation management.

For a growing store, Shopify also offers robust tools for managing increasing order volumes.

However, its scalability may show its limits for companies with very large catalogs or ultra-complex needs, as the platform is more optimized for standardized structures.

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Price: which platform is the most economical?

Cost is a key criterion when choosing between PrestaShop and Shopify, and each has its own way of structuring costs.

PrestaShop

PrestaShop is an open source CMS, so it's free to download and use.

However, there are hidden costs.

You'll have to pay for hosting (between €5 and €30 per month for small stores), essential modules (which can cost several hundred euros), and sometimes even development services to configure and customize your store.

Ultimately, PrestaShop may be economical for technical experts, but beginners could see the bill climb quickly.

However, once these expenses have been met, all you'll have to pay for is hosting.

What's more, you'll own your site 100%.

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Shopify

Shopify operates on a monthly subscription model, with plans ranging from €27 to €289 per month (depending on your needs). These rates include hosting, updates, and much of the functionality you need.

However, if you don't use Shopify Payments, additional transaction fees (from 0.5% to 2%) apply for each sale.

This transparency allows you to better anticipate your expenses, even if costs can be higher over the long term for larger stores.

Finally, you're not 100% owner; unsubscribing from Shopify will cost you your store.

Conclusion on price

PrestaShop is an affordable option for those with the technical skills to manage hidden costs. Shopify, on the other hand, offers a more transparent experience, ideal for those looking for a no-surprise solution.

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Addressing common concerns: What are the key considerations when choosing PrestaShop or Shopify?

When deciding between PrestaShop and Shopify, you might encounter a few recurring questions. Let’s address some of them directly:

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Is PrestaShop better than Shopify?

It depends on your needs. PrestaShop is better for businesses seeking customization and flexibility, while Shopify excels in simplicity and ease of use.

What is the biggest problem with Shopify?

Shopify’s transaction fees for third-party payment gateways can be costly, and its proprietary nature limits advanced customization.

Who uses PrestaShop?

PrestaShop is often used by businesses with technical expertise or larger teams, especially those needing tailored solutions or operating in niche markets.

Which platform is best for small businesses?

Shopify is generally better for small businesses due to its user-friendly interface and all-in-one approach, which simplifies the setup and management process.

Which platform should you choose: PrestaShop or Shopify? A final comparison

Your choice between PrestaShop and Shopify ultimately depends on your business priorities:

• Choose PrestaShop if:
  You value flexibility, own technical expertise, or require a highly customized store with unique features. It’s particularly suitable for businesses with large product catalogs, international ambitions, or niche markets.
  
  
• Choose Shopify if:
  You want a hassle-free setup, a user-friendly experience, and ongoing support. It’s a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses that prefer focusing on growth rather than technical management.
  
  

Whatever your decision, the platform you choose lays the foundation for your eCommerce success. Need help with your customer loyalty strategy on Shopify or PrestaShop? Contact Loyoly to take your retention game to the next level!

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