Starting point: open source vs hosted platform
PrestaShop is open-source ecommerce software. You download it, install it on a server and adapt it however you like: you have access to the code, the database and the server configuration. That freedom is its big advantage and also the source of much of its maintenance work.
Shopify is a hosted platform paid for with a subscription. Shopify manages servers, updates, platform security and the SSL certificate. You customize the theme, configure the store and extend features with apps, but you do not run infrastructure.
Why PrestaShop is so widespread in Spain
PrestaShop was born in France and has a very strong community in Europe, especially in France and Spain. That translates into many agencies and freelancers who know it, modules built for the Spanish market (local carriers, invoicing, Spanish bank gateways) and documentation in Spanish.
It is a point in its favor that should not be ignored: if you already have a stable PrestaShop store and a technical provider you trust, the switch needs to be justified by something concrete, not by trends.
The reasons that come up most often for making the move are the cost and risk of updates, dependence on a single developer who knows the installation, performance problems during traffic spikes and the difficulty of the team editing content without help.
Modules vs apps
In PrestaShop, extra features are added with modules, usually bought once from PrestaShop Addons or independent developers and installed on your server. Each module changes how the store behaves, and the more you have, the more likely you are to see conflicts between them or when updating the PrestaShop version.
On Shopify, extra features come from the Shopify App Store. Many apps are billed as a monthly subscription rather than a one-time payment, so the cost is recurring; in return, the app developer maintains and updates it, and the app does not touch the platform core.
- PrestaShop: usually a one-time payment, installed on your server, updates are on you.
- Shopify: usually a subscription, the app is maintained by its developer.
- In both cases: every extension is one more dependency to keep an eye on.
Maintenance, updates and security
Maintaining a PrestaShop store means updating the core, modules and theme, keeping the server and PHP version current and watching for security patches. Jumps between major PrestaShop versions can take considerable work, especially if there are modules or custom changes that are no longer compatible.
On Shopify the platform updates without you doing anything, and Shopify is PCI DSS compliant for card payments. Theme and app updates still exist, but they do not affect the core operation of the store or require touching servers.
If your store has gone years without a PrestaShop update because everyone is afraid of breaking something, that is a clear sign the maintenance cost is piling up.
Payments and checkout
PrestaShop lets you integrate almost any gateway through modules, including Spanish bank card terminals (TPV), Bizum (Spain's mobile payment system) through compatible providers and buy now, pay later services. The checkout can be changed completely because you have access to the code.
Shopify offers Shopify Payments, available in Spain, with cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay and no external gateway, and lets you add PayPal and other compatible providers. The Shopify checkout is shared by all stores, which brings reliability and an experience shoppers already know; you can customize its appearance and, on Shopify Plus, go deeper with extensions. If you use an external gateway instead of Shopify Payments, Shopify may charge an additional fee; check the current terms at shopify.com/pricing.
Multistore and international selling
PrestaShop includes a multistore feature that lets you manage several stores from one installation, with a shared or separate catalog. It is one of its most valued features for businesses with several brands or countries.
On Shopify, international selling is handled with Shopify Markets, which lets you configure languages, currencies, prices and domains or subfolders per market from a single store. If you need truly separate stores, each one is a different Shopify store, and with Shopify Plus they are managed more centrally.
Total cost and when each option fits
For a fair comparison, add up everything each platform needs over several years: for PrestaShop, hosting, modules, theme, updates and technical hours; for Shopify, the monthly plan, apps, theme and payment fees. The Shopify fee is often offset by the maintenance hours you no longer pay for, but it depends on your case.
PrestaShop may be the best option if you need to deeply change the store logic, have your own technical team, want to host the data on your own server or already have a stable installation that does the job. Shopify usually fits better if you want to reduce maintenance, your team is not technical and you would rather invest in design, content and marketing than in servers.
At Weblineo we have worked only with Shopify since 2016 and have migrated many stores from PrestaShop; our migration service explains how we move the catalog, customers, orders and redirects.
Frequently asked questions
Can I migrate from PrestaShop to Shopify without losing orders or customers?
Yes. Products, variants, customers and historical orders can be migrated. Customer passwords cannot be transferred, so customers are invited to activate their account on the new store.
Does Shopify work well for selling only in Spain?
Yes. You can configure Spanish taxes, shipping with local carriers, Shopify Payments and the store language in Spanish, plus Spain's other co-official languages if you need them.
Is PrestaShop cheaper than Shopify?
The software is free, but the store is not. Once you add hosting, modules, updates and technical hours, the real cost can be the same or higher. It depends on how much maintenance your installation needs.
What happens to my PrestaShop URLs if I switch?
Shopify uses a fixed URL structure for products and collections, so they will change. That is why you need to create 301 redirects from each old URL to its new equivalent before launch.