Adobe Commerce vs PrestaShop
Adobe Commerce and PrestaShop are eCommerce platforms for very different budgets. Adobe Commerce is the powerful enterprise solution for global scale. PrestaShop offers a hosted turnkey solution for quick launches. Choosing depends entirely on your existing size and technical needs.
Pros
Cons
High customization, reliability risks.
We find PrestaShop excels in offering a complete, highly customizable open-source core, particularly valuable when using the simplified Hosted Offer. However, many users report technical instability, frequent bugs, and notable financial risks associated with the third-party module marketplace. Overall, PrestaShop is a powerful tool best suited for users who possess substantial development resources or are prepared for high ongoing maintenance costs.
Pros
- Simplified launch and hosting is included via the new Hosted Offer plan.
- Strong legal compliance features built-in (GDPR, automatic VAT calculation).
- Highly flexible and customizable open-source core platform.
- Integrated toolkit covering marketing, payments, and shipping solutions.
Cons
- High risk associated with low-quality or obsolete third-party modules.
- Frequent reports of technical bugs and software instability in later versions.
- Requires substantial existing technical knowledge or high ongoing spending.
- Support team sometimes lacks specialized technical advisory skills.
AboutAdobe Commerce
Adobe Commerce is a composable, cloud-native solution designed for modern ecommerce. It unifies operations, letting you manage global, multi-brand B2C and B2B experiences from one platform. You deliver seamless experiences powered by AI and real-time data.
The platform supports quick deployment. You can launch your website rapidly using a prebuilt storefront that includes essential commerce functionality like cart and checkout. 💡
AboutPrestaShop
The PrestaShop Hosted Offer is a complete, turnkey solution designed to get your ecommerce business running quickly. It’s built on PrestaShop version 8 and simplifies the entire setup process. This package includes efficient store hosting, providing 50GB of space thanks to our partner Gandi. It’s ideal for entrepreneurs who want a powerful, modular tool but need the technical aspects handled for them. Your store is set up and ready to go in just 30 minutes, guided by our experts. 💡
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
System Scalability
Adobe Commerce handles massive traffic and millions of SKUs easily. PrestaShop volume limits are not clearly defined for high scale.
Adobe Commerce is built for limitless scale and cloud delivery. It handles millions of SKUs and processes over 200,000 orders per hour. This massive throughput ensures reliability during major peak sales events. PrestaShop's Hosted Offer includes 50GB of dedicated hosted space via Gandi. Specific high-volume or peak traffic guarantees are not explicitly stated for PrestaShop. Adobe Commerce is engineered for global enterprises requiring predictable performance under extreme load. If you anticipate huge flash sales, Adobe Commerce provides proven enterprise resilience and reliability.
Pricing Model
PrestaShop's annual cost is fixed and very low. Adobe Commerce requires complex custom quotes for every client.
The PrestaShop Hosted Offer has a clear annual cost of €290 (excl. VAT). This predictable price includes hosting and all bundled tools. Adobe Commerce uses a custom, quote-based pricing approach for all its packages. Pricing depends heavily on your specific technical needs and transactional volume. PrestaShop offers immediate price clarity, perfect for budget-conscious entrepreneurs and SMBs. Adobe Commerce is geared toward companies with large enterprise IT operating budgets. You must contact the sales team at Adobe Commerce for any firm cost estimation.
B2B Commerce Tools
Adobe Commerce provides specialized, native B2B functionality. PrestaShop relies on marketplace modules for comparable features.
Adobe Commerce accelerates complex B2B sales with native tools like quick ordering and automated approvals. It fully supports company accounts with multiple buyers and roles. Sellers can negotiate complex quotes entirely online using self-service management within Adobe Commerce. PrestaShop's core Hosted Offer does not include integrated B2B features like customer-specific catalogs. These complex tools would require installing and maintaining external extensions on PrestaShop. Adobe Commerce is specifically designed to manage complex B2B buyer workflows, making it superior for combined B2C/B2B models.
Launch Speed
PrestaShop guarantees a fully installed store in 30 minutes. Adobe Commerce requires significant time for custom enterprise setup.
The PrestaShop Hosted Offer is a turnkey solution with expert-guided installation included upon subscription. Your store will be ready and usable in approximately 30 minutes. Adobe Commerce requires substantial setup and lengthy development time due to its enterprise scope. It integrates deeply with complex existing systems like ERP and CRM. PrestaShop is designed to minimize technical hassle, letting users focus on selling immediately. Adobe Commerce focuses on architectural alignment and bespoke integration. If speed to market is your top priority for a new store, PrestaShop offers an unbeatably fast and simple gateway.
AI Personalization
Adobe Commerce delivers advanced, AI-driven merchandising. PrestaShop provides fundamental marketing automation via Klaviyo integration.
Adobe Commerce leverages AI to provide highly relevant product discovery and enhanced search results. It offers 13 types of AI-powered product recommendations natively. These recommendations increase conversion rates by leveraging customer history and trending data. PrestaShop includes integration with Klaviyo for basic marketing automation services. It lacks specific deep, built-in AI product intelligence and merchandising tools. For optimizing Average Order Value (AOV) through precise, real-time product suggestions, Adobe Commerce is the clear leader.
Core Customization
PrestaShop’s open-source core allows extreme customization flexibility. Adobe Commerce is composable but governed by its API structure.
PrestaShop is built on a highly flexible, open-source core for maximum developer control. Users can endlessly customize and extend the design and functionality using modules. The flexibility of PrestaShop is often essential for unique local or specialized requirements. Adobe Commerce uses an API-first, composable architecture for powerful modular innovation. It allows developers to innovate quickly using low-code environments. While both are extensible, PrestaShop provides true open-source freedom at its foundation.
Security & Compliance
Adobe Commerce provides required security for large B2B operations. PrestaShop excels in specific EU compliance features.
Adobe Commerce is a certified PCI Level 1 Solution Provider; it is also SOC 2 compliant for enterprise needs. Advanced components like WAF and DDoS protection are included in Adobe Commerce. PrestaShop focuses on European requirements, offering automatic VAT calculation and GDPR compliance tools. A dedicated HIPAA-ready option is available for Adobe Commerce on its dedicated PaaS infrastructure. For safeguarding sensitive payment data and requiring high-level security audits, Adobe Commerce is superior.
Our Verdict
Adobe Commerce and PrestaShop sit at opposite ends of the eCommerce spectrum. This comparison isn't about features; it's entirely about scale and budget. If you’re a startup or small business, PrestaShop is the clear choice. Adobe Commerce is an enterprise powerhouse built for reliability. It manages millions of products and 200,000+ orders per hour during peak events. Adobe Commerce also provides best-in-class security like PCI Level 1 compliance. Its use of AI delivers superior personalization and merchandising tools instantly. PrestaShop is designed for simple, affordable execution right out of the box. The Hosted Offer gets your store running in 30 minutes for just €290 per year. PrestaShop bundles crucial EU compliance features like automatic VAT calculation. It maintains maximum flexibility due to its underlying open-source core. The deciding factor is infrastructure cost and technical requirement. Adobe Commerce requires expensive custom quotes and lengthy, complex implementation time. PrestaShop offers a fixed, transparent cost starting with a 14-day free trial. Do not choose Adobe Commerce unless you already have a full enterprise IT budget. For entrepreneurs, start easily with the quick launch of PrestaShop. Adobe Commerce is best reserved for vast operations tackling global, complex B2B commerce needs. Choose the tool precisely tailored to your business stage and growth capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is more affordable: Adobe Commerce or PrestaShop?
PrestaShop is significantly more affordable, offering a complete hosted plan for €290 annually. Adobe Commerce requires custom quotes based on traffic and feature usage. Adobe Commerce is tailored for large enterprise budgets.
Can PrestaShop handle large-scale enterprise traffic like Adobe Commerce?
Adobe Commerce guarantees handling 200,000+ orders per hour during peak events. PrestaShop does not provide explicit volume guarantees in the Hosted Offer. Adobe Commerce is built specifically for dealing with huge, enterprise traffic volumes.
Does Adobe Commerce offer a free trial period?
No, Adobe Commerce does not advertise any free trials for its enterprise services. PrestaShop offers a generous 14-day free trial on its Hosted Offer. You must contact Adobe sales directly for any cost details.
Which software is better for businesses requiring strong legal compliance?
Adobe Commerce provides superior security compliance (PCI Level 1, HIPAA option). PrestaShop excels in specific EU consumer laws, including automatic VAT calculation and GDPR compliance tools.
Is PrestaShop a self-hosted platform, or is hosting included?
The standard PrestaShop Hosted Offer includes managed hosting (50GB) and expert installation. This removes the technical burden for new users. Adobe Commerce clients get managed SaaS or dedicated PaaS hosting options.
Which platform provides better customer support options?
Adobe Commerce provides dedicated 24/7 technical support, aligned with enterprise expectations. PrestaShop offers expert support six days a week via phone, chat, and email for its Hosted Offer.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.