osCommerce and PrestaShop are well known shopping carts that power thousands of online stores worldwide. Which of them is better and why? Definitely it is impossible to give a straightforward answer. However, let’s try to compare all the factors related to both solutions to get small recommendations about who and why may want to use the shopping platforms.
Background
osCommerce is a legendary open source solution that started back in early 2000. It became popular right away because of high flexibility and scalability. However, the platform now loses popularity. The last significant stable osCommerce version was released over a decade ago, with subsequent minor updates being infrequent, highlighting its age in the rapidly evolving eCommerce industry. For businesses considering an update, understanding the benefits of a website migration is crucial. Version 3.0, despite being discussed for many years, has still not reached a stable release. Nevertheless, osCommerce powers a considerably smaller number of online shops today compared to its peak, yet still maintains a dedicated community.
PrestaShop is definitely younger solution. It was launched in 2007. However, currently it powers hundreds of thousands of web shops globally and considered to be a true rising star of eCommerce. The platform combines both powerful set of functions and intuitive admin panel. PrestaShop has evolved significantly, with its latest major versions, such as PrestaShop 8.x, continually enhancing its capabilities and user experience, reflecting PrestaShop's ongoing evolution.
Common Benefits
There is a number of advantages that may encourage you to use one of the platforms. Here are some benefits that you will get from implementing each of the shopping cart:
- Both solutions are totally free, aligning with the advantages often found in open-source shopping carts, so you can save your budget.
- PrestaShop and osCommerce can fit any size of business. You will run a store with a dozen or thousands of products equally effectively.
- Great number of extensions. Which allow you to add virtually every specific feature that is not available by default.
Major Differences
Even though the platforms shared some advantages there is a core difference between two shopping carts.
- PrestaShop is a feature-rich and ready to go solution. You can download it, install, fill with products and start selling online. All the important functions are already there: product management and template system, SEO and marketing, multiple checkout options and multi-store function, numerous payment and shipping options, and more than 310 other features.
- osCommerce offers a range of basic default features that will be enough to start with: opportunity to sell any amount and type of products, numerous languages and currencies, basic shipping and payment gateways, orders management, etc. However, the power of osCommerce lays in it’s community and more than 7 000 of extensions. Virtually every function can be added by modules and addons.
Final Decision
Due to the peculiarities of platforms that were mentioned above we can make some conclusions. osCommerce will be a better solution in case if you have middle or high level programming skills and ready to jump into the core programming in order to create your store. If you need a packaged with features and easy to use solution that won’t require any extensive technical skills don’t hesitate and create your PrestaShop shop.
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Monthly Update – January 2026
As we step into January 2026, the e-commerce landscape continues its rapid evolution, emphasizing agility, AI integration, and hyper-personalization. For online stores considering their platform strategy, the new year presents a critical opportunity to re-evaluate existing setups. Legacy systems, while familiar, often lack the native capabilities to keep pace with customer expectations for instant gratification, seamless omnichannel experiences, and data-driven personalization. Modern platforms, or well-executed migrations to them, empower businesses to leverage advanced analytics for predictive inventory management, implement AI-powered chatbots for enhanced customer service, and deliver tailored shopping journeys that convert. The focus shifts from merely transacting to building lasting customer relationships through superior digital experiences. Now is the time to audit your current platform's ability to support these essential trends. Can it integrate with the latest tools? Does it offer the scalability and flexibility needed for growth in a competitive market? A proactive approach to platform modernization is key to staying ahead. Embrace the technological advancements of 2026 to optimize operations and cultivate a truly engaging shopping environment.
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