Shopify vs PrestaShop: which one for your store in Alsace?

Two different philosophies for e-commerce

Shopify and PrestaShop are two of the most widely used e-commerce platforms in France. Shopify is a hosted solution (SaaS) that manages the technical infrastructure for you. PrestaShop is open-source software that you install on your own server. This fundamental choice impacts costs, maintenance and flexibility of your online store.

Total cost of ownership

Shopify displays clear pricing: starting at €36 per month for the Basic plan, all inclusive. Hosting, SSL certificate, security updates and technical support are included in the subscription. Free themes cover most needs and App Store applications complement functionality.

PrestaShop is free to download, but costs add up quickly. Performant hosting costs between 20 and 100 euros per month. Essential modules (payment, shipping, SEO) are often paid, between 50 and 300 euros each. Security updates require developer intervention. Over three years, PrestaShop’s total cost of ownership frequently exceeds Shopify’s for an SMB.

Ease of use

Shopify is designed to be used by merchants without technical skills. The admin interface is intuitive and guides users step by step. Adding a product, changing a price or launching a promotion takes just a few clicks. Full onboarding takes a few hours.

PrestaShop offers a more complex admin interface with more configuration options. This functional richness is an advantage for technical users but a barrier for merchants who want to focus on their business. The learning curve is significantly longer.

Maintenance and security

Shopify handles all technical maintenance. Security updates are applied automatically. Hosting is optimized for e-commerce with a guaranteed 99.99% uptime. You never have to worry about the technical side.

PrestaShop requires active maintenance. CMS and module updates must be tested and applied manually. Unpatched security vulnerabilities expose your store to attacks. This maintenance requires either internal skills or an external provider, adding a recurring cost.

Scalability

Shopify adapts to all business sizes, from solo merchants to companies processing thousands of orders per day. Switching plans requires no technical migration. Shopify Plus, the enterprise version, handles very high traffic and transaction volumes.

PrestaShop can also scale, but each growth milestone requires technical adjustments: hosting changes, database optimization, caching. These changes require developer skills and can cause service interruptions.

Our recommendation

For most merchants in Alsace, Shopify offers the best balance of simplicity, cost and performance. The platform lets you focus on selling rather than on technology. PrestaShop remains relevant for very specific projects that require full control over the source code.

A certified Shopify partner can help you choose the right platform and set up your online store. LCMH is a Shopify partner in Mulhouse, supporting merchants in Alsace with their e-commerce projects.

If you are considering a migration, read our guide to successfully migrating to Shopify.

Sources

1. Shopify, Pricing Plans. shopify.com/pricing
2. PrestaShop, Addons Marketplace. addons.prestashop.com
3. Shopify, Shopify vs Other Platforms. shopify.com/compare