It used to be that in order to set up an online store, you are required to be an experienced web developer. These days, however, you have lots of platforms at your control that enables you to set up complex eCommerce operations without moving a line of code.
Two of the top choices are PrestaShop and Shopify, and they both have plenty of offers for you.
In this article, we are going to introduce you to both platforms and compare PrestaShop VS Shopify so you can decide which one is best for your store. To do that, we will break them down using several criteria including:
- Easy of Use
- Site Management
- Customizability
- Performances
- Security
Armed with that information, picking the best eCommerce Platform should be simple.
An Introduction To Shopify VS PrestaShop
The first thing we need to talk about before we compare Shopify VS PrestaShop is the difference between self-hosted and hosted platforms.
PrestaShop theme is a self-hosted platform, which means that its software could be installed on every server you want. With this solution, you are not attached to a specific web hosting provider, so you can shop around until you find one that offers all the features you need.
On top of that, PrestaShop gives you all the eCommerce features you will need to run a successful online store. You can list as numerous products as you want, handle manage customers, payments and more.
While Shopify is a hosted platform. To use it, you want to buy a subscription directly from Shopify, and you can not set up your store on any server you want.
Despite that downside, Shopify offer a highly automatic eCommerce experience. Building an online store using this platform is very simple, so it can be a helpful option if you do not mind the limitations that come with:
Over the next several sections, we will explore what else sets Shopify VS PrestaShop apart. We will also talk more about the variations between hosted and self-hosted platforms since that is going to be one of the key parts that decide which one best suits your needs.
Shopify VS PrestaShop: Easy Of Use
For a number of people, setting up their first online store can be pretty daunting. That’s why we tend to favor platforms that prioritize ease of use and don’t need you to spend weeks trying to think out how every piece works.
The good news is that both Shopify and PrestaShop are very user-friendly. Shopify uses this as one of its main selling points. In our experience, it’s the easier platform to get started with, thanks to its drag-and-drop shop automatic and builder dashboard.
What’s more, designing a Shopify eCommerce store should not take you long at all. As soon as you sign up for Shopify, the platform will set up a default store for you, but you can begin making changes to it right away.
PrestaShop is a little more difficult to use, but only by comparison. The main difference is that PrestaShop offers plenty of options right off the bat, which you will notice once you log into your dashboard.
Shopify VS PrestaShop: Store Management
Whichever platform you pick requires to provide you with a wealth of opportunities to manage your store any way you want. For instance, you will require to be able to access multiple payment processes and shipping options, at the very least.
When it happens to features, Shopify provides you with all the basics you want to run an eCommerce store, even on its most simple plan. However, it’s necessary to understand that if you want access to more advanced functionality, you will need to pay for the platform’s more expensive tiers.
Some of the advanced features PrestaShop allows you to use include a coupon system, multiple discount options, and product recommendations.
In brief, Shopify offers a clear store management experience that’s perfect for small operations. However, if you’re serious about developing your eCommerce presence, you will probably enjoy all the settings PrestaShop allows you to customize.
With that in mind, we’re giving this round of Shopify VS PrestaShop to the above platform.
Shopify VS PrestaShop: Customizability
We have already discussed some of the features Shopify and PrestaShop offer you out of the box. But, it’s also essential to keep in mind that most platforms on certain days provide you with lots of new customization options.
In different words, you can regularly add new features to your online stores using addons or extensions. This is something both platforms permits you to do. Both platforms also encourage the use of themes, which let you alter your store’s style and layout very immediately.
With Shopify platform, you get access to an app store that gives you a lot of options to extend the platform’s functionality. Among these, you will find tools to combine Shopify with a lot of other services, including MailChimp and Sumo.
Shopify also gives you access to dozens of paid and free themes you can use with your store. Unlike some of the benefits you will find when using other platforms, all of Shopify’s themes feel rather new, which is a plus.
Finally, it’s deserving noting that Shopify involves one of the most intuitive drag-and-drop store builders we have had the comfort of using. This means that customizing your shop won’t feel like a burden, and you will be able to get things just the way you want without too much of a complaint.
Going on, PrestaShop provides you with a related experience when it comes to modules and themes. The difference is that there are a lot more options to pick from. At the time of this writing, for instance, there are over 3,000 modules you can install, as well as numbers of themes.
In practice, adding new features to PrestaShop is very easy, and you have a lot of choices. However, the themes are a different story. While PrestaShop gives you entrance to more options, most of them are not as elegant as what Shopify has to offer.
Likewise, customizing your store’s style is not as honest as it is when using PrestaShop. You can still achieve any attention you want, but it won’t be as simple as with Shopify’s drag-and-drop builder.
To summarize, PrestaShop enables you to add further features more easily, whereas Shopify lights when it comes to editing your store’s style. With that in mind, we are managing this round of Shopify VS PrestaShop a tie.
Shopify VS PrestaShop: Security
When you are running an online shop, security is of the highest importance. After all, you will be regularly dealing with private and financial information from your customers. If there are a crime and any of that data is compromised, you will probably lose a number of trust and possible sales.
When we are talking about online security, there are two primary factors that come into play.
- Which eCommerce platform you are using.
- What security measures your web host select to implement.
As with production, Shopify offers a more stable experience when it comes to security. Whichever plan you use, your store should be justly secure as long as you also follow safe practices, such as applying a strong password.
With PrestaShop, the platform itself is more secure out of the box. If you prefer a quality hosting provider, you should be more than safe. Plus, you also get access to a much larger collection of add-ons than you do with Shopify, lots of which are security-related.
That means you have more tools for defending your store, which may help you rest more comfortable at night.
Overall, both Shopify and PrestaShop are pretty powerful options when it comes to security. Still, since PrestaShop gives you more control over the ways you can defend your store, it gets our vote for this round of PrestaShop vs Shopify.
Shopify Advantages
Although Shopify is a platform designed for newcomers. It gives a lot of features even expert users can benefit from, including:
- Access to an automatic shop builder.
- A broad selection of modern themes and powerful add-ons.
- Top-notch production and security out of the box.
By now, you have a great idea of what Shopify can allow you. If you are preparing to set up a small online store, using a platform created for convenience can be a smart choice.
This way, you won’t have to bother about optimizing your store’s appearance or any complex settings. You can just concern yourself with inspiring sales.
PrestaShop Advantages
If you have decided on both PrestaShop and Shopify, you know that they offer very different experiences. Here is why we would suggest using PrestaShop over its competitors:
- You get access to a full range of store management options.
- There are thousands of modules and hundreds of themes you can use.
- You can tweak your store’s safety settings as much as you want.
- Since it is an open-source platform, you can configure it any way you like.
Customizability is PrestaShop’s primary selling point. If you are watching for a platform that provides you with more options than. Shopify does, this is clearly the choice for you.
Plus, you can set up a PrestaShop store for very cheap. If you use shared hosting at the start, and only upgrade. When it becomes necessary to keep up with your store’s majority.
Conclusion
The eCommerce platform you decide is going to set the tone for your online store. The right tool can provide you with access to features. You would not unless get or help you compare your store more easily.
To our knowledge, Shopify can be a valuable option for small stores. That do not require a lot of advanced functionality. But, PrestaShop is a better option for most users, particularly. If you want as many options as you can get your hands on.
Which do you think is the best platform when it comes to Shopify VS PrestaShop? Tell us why in the comments section under!