Why Should I Go with PrestaShop and Not Magento?

Introduction

When starting or scaling your eCommerce business, choosing the right platform is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Many store owners often find themselves comparing Magento vs PrestaShop. This blog will help you understand the differences and decide: Which is better, PrestaShop or Magento? We’ll walk through features, usability, performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, ultimately explaining why PrestaShop might be the smarter choice in 2025.

Magento vs PrestaShop: An Overview

Magento and PrestaShop are both powerful open-source eCommerce platforms. They give business owners full control over design, functionality, and user experience. But while they serve similar purposes, they differ significantly in usability, flexibility, cost, and performance.

So let’s get into the big question: Do people still use Magento? Yes, Magento is still used, especially by large enterprises with access to skilled developers. However, Magento has a steeper learning curve and higher costs compared to PrestaShop.

On the other hand, is PrestaShop still used? Absolutely. PrestaShop is actively maintained, easy to use, and widely adopted by small and mid-sized businesses globally.

What is PrestaShop Used For?

PrestaShop is used to build fully functional online stores without the need for advanced technical knowledge. From fashion and electronics to B2B services and dropshipping, PrestaShop supports diverse industries with tools like:

• Product and inventory management
• Marketing and SEO modules
• Multi-language and multi-currency options
• Advanced analytics and reporting

Why Is Magento Better? (And Why That Might Not Matter for You)

Magento is a powerful platform for enterprise-level businesses. It offers high scalability and can handle complex product catalogs and high traffic volumes. Magento has strong support for:

• Enterprise integrations (ERP, CRM)
• Advanced customization
• Strong performance under load

BUT- these benefits come at a cost. Magento requires significant investment in development, hosting, and maintenance. You’ll likely need a dedicated tech team or agency.

If you’re not a large enterprise, these features may be overkill. For many small to medium-sized businesses, Magento’s power becomes a burden rather than a benefit.

Top Reasons to Choose PrestaShop Over Magento

1. Ease of Use

PrestaShop is beginner-friendly. The interface is simple and intuitive. Magento, by contrast, requires extensive training even for simple tasks.

2. Lower Cost

PrestaShop is open-source and cheaper to set up and maintain. Magento requires powerful hosting and professional development support, making it costlier.

3. Customization & Modules

PrestaShop has thousands of modules and themes. Customizing your site doesn’t require deep coding knowledge. Magento’s extensions are powerful, but using them often demands technical expertise.

4. Performance

PrestaShop is lightweight and performs well on shared or VPS hosting. Magento needs a robust hosting environment to avoid speed issues.

5. Community & Support

Both platforms have large communities, but PrestaShop’s is more accessible to non-developers. You’ll find helpful forums, guides, and direct support.

Security and PrestaShop

Security is critical in eCommerce. PrestaShop offers frequent updates and follows best practices for site protection. One essential tool is the PrestaShop Vulnerability Scanner. It helps store owners:

• Identify weak points
• Monitor security threats
• Patch known issues quickly

This tool is vital for any store owner who wants to stay ahead of hackers and protect their customers.

Magento vs PrestaShop: Feature Comparison

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

When evaluating total cost of ownership (TCO), PrestaShop wins for most startups and growing businesses. With Magento, costs quickly add up:

• Development
• Hosting
• Maintenance
• Module licenses

PrestaShop offers a budget-friendly alternative with professional-grade performance.

Ideal Use Cases

PrestaShop is ideal for:

• Startups and SMBs
• Global businesses (multi-currency/language)
• Dropshipping and B2B sellers
• Store owners with limited tech support

Magento is ideal for:

• Enterprise-grade businesses
• Companies with dedicated IT/development teams
• Very large catalogs with complex workflows

Final Thoughts

So, which is better, PrestaShop or Magento? The answer depends on your business size, budget, and technical resources. But for most eCommerce entrepreneurs, PrestaShop is a better platform.

It’s easier to use, more affordable, and highly customizable. It supports PrestaShop multistore, PrestaShop B2B, and integrates well with SEO and marketing tools.

If you're worried about site security, don't forget to scan regularly with tools like the PrestaShop Vulnerability Scanner. Your store’s health and safety are non-negotiable. At Upkepr, we offer essential tools to keep your PrestaShop store fast, safe, and performing at its best.