Going by market share alone, PrestaShop may not be as popular as some of the other eCommerce giants like Shopify and WooCommerce. But, it still packs a punch in the online retail sector, given how versatile it is when building small and large-scale stores alike.
That said, what is the true cost of building an eCommerce website using the software?
Overview of PrestaShop Pricing Plans
Right off the bat, PrestaShop comes in two flavors: Classic and Hosted. The choice of one over the other comes down to your technical skills (in other words, can you code?), budget, and how hands-on you intend to be as far as backend store management goes.
With that in mind, here's an overview of each pricing plan.
PrestaShop Classic
The Classic plan is available to users as an open-source free download and does not include the associated expenses of purchasing a domain name, hosting plan, etc. It is based on version 8 of the software and comes with a built-in, minimalist classic theme, perfect for anyone who's setting up a basic online store.
Like all open-source software, PrestaShop Classic leaves every aspect of installation and configuration to the merchant. You have to customize the source code and be entirely responsible for hosting, security, updates, backups, and everything else involved in running a fully functional eCommerce store. As a result, this plan may not be ideal for merchants with no coding experience or who possess very limited technical know-how.
It also requires you to be extremely hands-on as far as backend site management is concerned. It can be time-consuming if you don't have an in-house IT team, and it would mean splitting your time between running your store and keeping up with the day-to-day admin tasks.
It is worth mentioning that as much as PrestaShop Classic is free, there are other expenses you'll need to factor in to make your online store fully functional. For instance, you'll need to pay for a domain name, hosting, security modules, payment integrations, and several other add-ons required to run your online store effectively. These costs can start to rack up after a while and may send you way over budget.
PrestaShop Hosted
The Hosted plan is available to merchants at a recurrent monthly subscription fee of $29. The plan provides everything you need to launch and run your eCommerce store without involving yourself with the backend tasks.
Under this plan, PrestaShop handles the initial installation and configuration, provides dedicated customer support six days a week, offers robust hosting via Gandi, and even gives merchants a one-hour guided tour of the back office to help get your online store off the ground.
The Hosted plan also lets you leverage modules like PrestaShop Legal Assistant for cookie management, GDPR compliance, and automatic tax calculation, depending on your jurisdiction and the respective laws that apply.
See also: The Ultimate Guide to eCommerce Migration.
Detailed Breakdown of Features Offered in Each Pricing Plan
Here's an in-depth look at the features merchants get in each PrestaShop pricing plan so you can make an informed decision on which one to adopt for your eCommerce business.
1. Pricing
PrestaShop Classic is free. All you have to do is download the source code and set up your store. However, you will need to pay for a hosting plan and domain separately.
PrestaShop Hosted costs $29 per month, excluding tax, although this figure can go down to $24 per month if billed annually.
2. Hosting and Installation
One key difference between PrestaShop Hosted vs. Classic has to do with whether the eCommerce provider will host your store and do the installation for you. In the Classic plan, you would be responsible for getting a hosting provider and installing PrestaShop. You can immediately see why this would be problematic for users with limited technical know-how.
On the flip side, if you would prefer a more hands-off approach as far as getting your PrestaShop store up and running, the Hosted plan would be a better option. The PrestaShop team will handle both the hosting and installation for you.
3. Demo Session
PrestaShop Hosted offers new users a one-on-one demo session, whereas the Classic plan does not. A typical demo session involves a one-hour-long video call with a PrestaShop agent who will teach you everything you need to know about the eCommerce platform and address any questions or concerns you might have.
4. Product Limit
Both the Classic and Hosted plans allow merchants to host an unlimited number of products on the platform. There's also no restriction on the types of products you can sell on your PrestaShop store. Both plans support virtual and physical products alike.
5. Employee Accounts
PrestaShop Classic and Hosted plans both support an unlimited number of employee accounts. Regardless of how big your eCommerce operations are, you can set up as many employee accounts as you need and grant them access permissions based on their respective roles.
6. Customer Groups
The Classic and Hosted plans allow you to organize your customers into groups and create custom shopping experiences for them. You can curate products and offers and decide which groups get to see them.
7. Advanced SEO Features
Regardless of the PrestaShop plan you subscribe to, advanced SEO features are included in both. Merchants can optimize their store for search engines by leveraging powerful built-in SEO features including, but not limited to, redirects, canonical URLs, customizable URLs, sitemap, meta tags, and more.
8. Domain Name Customization and Setup
This feature is exclusive to PrestaShop merchants subscribed to the Hosted plan. It allows you to purchase and automatically configure your domain name without ever leaving your store's back office. The process is straightforward and doesn't require any technical expertise.
9. Free URL
Like Domain Name Customization, the free URL feature is only available to merchants on the Hosted plan. While the free URL is in the default format "yourstorename.mypresta.shop," you can customize it to something more personalized, such as "yourstorename.com."
10. PayPal Checkout
Both the Classic and Hosted plans support PrestaShop checkout with PayPal. Merchants can sell in 190+ countries globally and accept payment in up to 20 different currencies.
11. Marketing With Google
PrestaShop developed its marketing module in partnership with Google and allows merchants to display their products in the Shopping tab of search engine results pages (SERPs). Merchants can also leverage this feature to promote their products via ads on YouTube, Google Search, etc. This module is available to both Classic and Hosted plan subscribers.
12. Facebook and Instagram Marketing
PrestaShop's Social module integrates with Facebook and Instagram, allowing you to display products in your store to targeted audiences. While this add-on is included in both the Classic and Hosted plans, Classic plan subscribers will need to pay an extra fee to use this feature.
13. Marketing Automation
PrestaShop has partnered with Klaviyo to provide merchants with marketing automation capabilities. Store owners can create personalized content to target prospective shoppers, allowing you to engage more effectively with your audience and boost your website's conversion rates. This feature is available to both Classic and Hosted plan subscribers.
14. Store Insights and Metrics
Whether you're on the Classic or Hosted plan, PrestaShop allows merchants to monitor their stores' Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in real-time. You can leverage these metrics to better understand your audience and for more informed decision-making.
15. MBE eShip
PrestaShop, in partnership with MBE eShip, provides merchants with complete end-to-end order processing management. With eShip, you can receive, pack, ship, and track deliveries seamlessly without the hassle associated with supply chain logistics. This module is available to both Classic and Hosted plan users.
16. PrestaShop Legal Assistant
The platform's Legal Assistant module is exclusive to PrestaShop Hosted subscribers only. Merchants subscribed to this plan can leverage the rich library of legal templates created by law experts to create GDPR-compliant cookie banners for their online stores and manage shoppers' data collected on the website.
17. Accounting Synthesis
This module is also only available to PrestaShop's Hosted plan subscribers. With this add-on, you can generate table summaries to manage your store's account and support your tax declarations.
18. PrestaShop Marketplace
PrestaShop Marketplace is available to both Classic and Hosted plan subscribers. Store owners can explore the expansive repository of add-ons to integrate into their eCommerce website and enhance their store's functionality to improve shoppers' overall user experience.
19. PrestaShop Themes
PrestaShop comes with two built-in themes. On the one hand, you have the simple and minimalist Classic theme whose design is ideal for anyone setting up a basic online store. The theme is available to subscribers on both Classic and Hosted plans.
On the other hand, you have the highly versatile Casual theme whose design is ideal for merchants in all business sectors, including, but not limited to, fashion, interior design, technology, and more. The Casual theme is exclusive to Hosted plan users only.
PrestaShop's full theme catalog is accessible to both Classic and Hosted plan subscribers.
20. Support
PrestaShop offers merchants several ways to get support in case of any issue or query. The Help Center, Community, and Academy resources are accessible to users on both the Classic and Hosted plans.
If you prefer to speak to a support representative via Live Chat, phone, or email, you must be subscribed to PrestaShop Hosted.
21. Store Backup
PrestaShop's automated backup function is only available to Hosted plan subscribers. You can have peace of mind knowing you have a copy of your store in case you ever encounter an error or if you wish to migrate to a different eCommerce platform.
Additional Fees to Consider
PrestaShop's Hosted plan is pretty transparent as far as pricing goes. For a standard monthly fee, you get all the features detailed in the Classic plan and more. However, keep in mind that opting for the Classic plan means you're solely responsible for all the modules you would need to install, and that comes with an associated cost implication. Additional fees include the cost of:
- A hosting plan and domain
- Add-ons or modules
- Templates or themes
- An SSL/TLS certificate
- A server for large-scale enterprises
- Web development
Whether or not you incur these additional costs boils down to the scale and complexity of your project and the size of the budget you're working with.
See also: SEO Migration Checklist – Replatforming Your Online Store With Minimal Impact.
How to Choose the Right Plan for Your Needs
So far, we've explored the specific features that come with each PrestaShop plan. The question then becomes, should you go with the Classic open-source plan or Hosted SaaS option?
While anyone visiting your site won't be able to tell which plan you're on, the fundamental differences between the two options come down to two things: What went into building it and how it functions. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best PrestaShop solution for your eCommerce needs.
1. Cost
At first glance, it might seem like PrestaShop Classic is the cheaper option, given that the open-source software is free to download. However, what you might fail to take into account are the costs and responsibilities that come with having more control.
As much as it is free to use, you must also factor in the expenses associated with hosting, customization, modules, maintenance, security, and compliance. These costs can really add up and may not be ideal for a small business that's just starting up.
On the flip side, PrestaShop Hosted operates on a monthly subscription model. All you need to do is pay the required monthly fee to host your eCommerce website on the platform, and PrestaShop takes care of everything else related to installation and setup, hosting, security, PCI compliance, updates, backups, business-critical add-ons, and everything you need to run an online store. It frees you up to focus on your business.
2. Security
A critical part of setting up and running an online store is managing sensitive customer information like their credit card numbers, addresses, transaction histories, etc. Ensuring that this data is safe and secure against looming cyber threats should be a top priority for every business owner.
If you go the Classic plan route, you will be solely responsible for maintaining your site's security and meeting PCI compliance. You'll need to install trusted security modules to keep your website safe from hackers. These include add-ons like a firewall, antivirus, GDPR compliance, reCAPTCHA spam bot blocker, etc. Once again, each of these modules costs money and can be expensive if you're on a tight budget.
With the Hosted plan, PrestaShop is responsible for managing your store's security and everything related to PCI compliance. The platform will even install security patches as and when needed to protect your website from emerging cyber threats.
3. Setup
PrestaShop Classic and Hosted are both easy to download and install. Even individuals with no background in web development can do it. The same can't be said when it comes to configuring them for your eCommerce website. That's where things start to get tricky.
To reiterate, PrestaShop Classic is open-source, which means configuration and customization require you to modify the source code. This would be impossible if you lack the technical skills required to do so. However, if you know your way around code and are well-versed in web development, the setup process will be a breeze.
With PrestaShop's Hosted plan, the team not only installs and configures the eCommerce software for you, but you'll also have a one-on-one demo session with an agent to walk you through how to use your back office and address any lingering questions you might have about the platform. Once they complete the setup process, which usually takes about 30 minutes, your PrestaShop store will be ready to launch.
4. Customization
One fundamental difference between PrestaShop Classic open source vs. its Hosted counterpart is the level of customization you get with each. In other words, to what degree can you personalize your eCommerce site to reflect your brand identity and functional requirements?
With the Classic plan, merchants have full access to and total control over the source code, allowing for complete customization with no restrictions whatsoever. Store owners can tailor the themes, product pages, checkout process, and any other aspect of the site to create memorable customer experiences.
On the other hand, the Hosted plan may not be as customizable, but it is a great option for users who don't possess the coding knowledge required to modify the source code.
5. Support
The last thing you need to think about is the level of support you get with each plan. Like most (if not all) open-source platforms, PrestaShop Classic offers limited support. If you run into any issues while using the platform, your only remedy would be to seek a solution from the Help Center or Community forum or watch video tutorials from the PrestaShop Academy.
With the PrestaShop Hosted plan, you have access to all these resources, plus the ability to speak directly with a customer support specialist via Live Chat, phone, or email. Users on this plan also benefit from automated backups of their website, a perk that Classic plan merchants don't get to enjoy.
Tips for Getting the Most Value Out of Your PrestaShop Subscription
Regardless of the PrestaShop plan you pick, here are five ways to ensure you get the most value from your subscription.
1. Pick a Ready-to-Use Solution
When in doubt (especially if you're just starting), pick a plan that allows you to set up your eCommerce business quickly, seamlessly, and independently, even with limited technical knowledge. Check that it includes basic add-ons that are critical to the proper functioning of your store. At the bare minimum, it should include hosting, a payment gateway, a CRM tool, marketing tools, a shipping tool, and analytics tools, and it should support legal compliance.
2. Prioritize Scalability
Your online store should be capable of evolving to keep up with emerging trends and tech innovations in the eCommerce world. The easiest and most efficient way to do this is to add modules or add-ons that enhance your store's functionality in response to your growing business needs. These modules may include CRM tools, marketplace synchronization solutions, design themes or templates, user experience personalization add-ons, etc.
3. Ensure It Has Built-in SEO Capabilities
SEO should be a top priority for any online store owner. Statistics indicate that organic searches are responsible for more than 56% of all traffic to eCommerce sites. To reap the full benefits of SEO and get the most value from your PrestaShop subscription, it would be in your business's best interest to adopt best practices like:
- Creating a clear and relevant site structure based on customer queries and keyword-driven searches
- Enhancing your web pages with expert content
- Optimizing internal linking within your store
- Optimizing your metadata and using canonicals as and when needed
- Using structured markup language to optimize the indexing of your web pages
- Etc.
4. Leverage Efficient Measuring Tools
Websites, especially eCommerce sites, generate a lot of data. Ensure you utilize tools like Google Analytics and other modules to measure sales and marketing performance indicators. The tools you choose should be able to monitor:
- Average abandoned shopping cart rate
- Bounce rate
- Conversion rate
- Page views
- Time spent by site visitors on a web page
- Traffic to your site, particularly the number of unique visitors
- Etc.
In the long run, this data will help you measure the customer retention rate, lifetime value (LTV) of a customer, purchase frequency, and more, which you can then use to optimize your store to generate more sales.
5. Choose a Plan With Integrated Marketing Tools
The PrestaShop plan you pick should make it easy and intuitive to:
- Create targeted, audience-specific campaigns
- Automatically sync your product catalog with web listings
- Test and adjust your campaigns in real time
These tools will not only save you time and resources, but they'll also make it easy to grow your business without jumping to and from different advertising platform interfaces.
See also: The Complete PrestaShop Tutorial.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – everything you need to know about PrestaShop pricing. Ultimately, your choice between the Classic plan and the Hosted option comes down to the scale of your project, your budget, the level of customization you desire, and your technical knowledge as far as coding goes.
The cost of setting up and running a PrestaShop store could set you back anywhere from $29 to upwards of $3,000, depending on the plan you choose and other variables like the cost of web development, purchasing a server, and the modules you require to enhance your store's functionality.
All in all, the Classic plan is likely to be more expensive upfront and in the long run compared to the fixed monthly subscription fee of $29 attached to PrestaShop Hosted.
Are you looking to transfer your online store from your current eCommerce provider to a different platform? Cart2Cart can help. In a few easy clicks, our automated shopping cart migration tool will move your store to your desired platform with no downtime or risk of data loss.
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FAQs
Do you have to pay for PrestaShop?
PrestaShop Classic is free. All you have to do is download the source code and set up your store. However, you will need to purchase a hosting plan and domain separately and pay for the modules you'll need to make your online store functional. On the other hand, the PrestaShop Hosted plan costs $29 per month, excluding tax.
Does PrestaShop cost money?
While PrestaShop Classic is free to use, there are other expenses you'll need to factor in to make your online store fully functional. You'll need to pay for a domain name, hosting, security modules, payment integrations, and several other add-ons required to run your online store effectively.
PrestaShop Hosted runs on a monthly subscription model where merchants pay $29 per month and includes everything you need to launch and run your eCommerce store without concerning yourself with backend tasks.
Is PrestaShop free to use?
It depends on the PrestaShop plan you pick. The Classic plan allows users to download and install the open-source version of PrestaShop for free. However, keep in mind that you will still need to pay for a domain, hosting, and the add-ons required to make your store functional.
How much does PrestaShop eCommerce website builder cost?
The cost varies widely depending on the scale of your project, the level of customization required, and the PrestaShop plan you opt for. If you're building a basic store using the Hosted plan, it's going to cost you $29 per month, excluding tax.
If you're using the Classic plan, you'll need to factor in the cost of hosting and purchasing a domain, add-ons, themes/templates, an SSL/TLS certificate, a server for large-scale enterprises, and the cost of hiring a web developer. These could set you back upward of $1,000, depending on the size of your store.
April 25, 2024 
