PrestaShop vs WooCommerce: which platform do you choose?

PrestaShop and WooCommerce are both popular open-source e-commerce platforms. But they differ significantly in approach and target audience. In this comparison, we help you make the right choice.

Overview

PrestaShop

PrestaShop is a dedicated e-commerce platform, built specifically for online stores.

Advantages

E-commerce focus:

• All features out-of-the-box
• No extra plugins for basic functionality
• Optimized for selling

Product management:

• Powerful catalog functions
• Attributes and variants
• Inventory management built-in

B2B capabilities:

• Customer groups
• Tiered pricing
• Quote system

Disadvantages

Smaller community:

• Fewer themes available
• Fewer free modules
• Smaller developer pool

Less flexible:

• Primarily for e-commerce
• Blogging is limited
• Basic content management

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that transforms your website into a store.

Advantages

Huge ecosystem:

• Thousands of plugins
• Hundreds of themes
• Large community

Flexibility:

• Content and commerce
• Extensive SEO capabilities
• Any type of website possible

User-friendly:

• Familiar WordPress interface
• Many tutorials available
• Low learning curve for WordPress users

Disadvantages

Plugin dependency:

• Basic functionality via plugins
• Can become complex
• Update management

Performance:

• Can become slow with many plugins
• WordPress overhead
• More optimization needed

Feature comparison

Cost comparison

PrestaShop costs

• Platform: Free
• Hosting: €10-50/month
• Theme: €50-200 (one-time)
• Modules: €50-300+ per module
• Typical first year: €500-2,000

WooCommerce costs

• Platform: Free
• WordPress: Free
• Hosting: €5-30/month
• Theme: €50-100 (one-time)
• Plugins: €0-200+ per plugin
• Typical first year: €200-1,000

When to choose PrestaShop?

PrestaShop is the better choice if:

• You only need a webshop (no blog/content)
• You have many products (1000+)
• You need B2B features
• You have complex product variants
• You have experience with e-commerce platforms

When to choose WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is the better choice if:

• You already have a WordPress website
• Content marketing is important
• You have a limited budget
• You want flexibility
• You need many plugins
• SEO is top priority

Hosting comparison

PrestaShop hosting:

• Requires PHP 7.4+ and MySQL 5.6+
• Recommended: VPS or managed hosting

WooCommerce hosting:

• Runs on WordPress hosting
• Many optimized options available

Migration possibilities

From PrestaShop to WooCommerce (and vice versa) is possible via import/export tools or migration services.

Tools:

• Cart2Cart (paid)
• LitExtension (paid)
• Manual CSV import

Verdict

Choose PrestaShop for a dedicated webshop with extensive e-commerce features.

Choose WooCommerce for flexibility, content marketing and an extensive plugin ecosystem.

Both platforms are capable. The best choice depends on your specific situation and priorities.