PrestaShop is often seen as an appealing option for entrepreneurs looking to build an online store without the hefty price tag of commercial platforms. Its open-source nature means you can download and use it for free — no licensing fees, no subscription costs. But as many soon discover, “free” doesn’t mean no expenses.
Behind the zero-dollar software lies a variety of setup, operational, and optional costs that can vary depending on your business needs and technical skills.
In this article, we’ll break down the true cost of launching and running a PrestaShop store — from the basic necessities to the optional upgrades that can take your shop to the next level.
Is PrestaShop Really Free?
Let’s clear this up early: yes, PrestaShop is free — but only to a point.
What You Get for Free
The PrestaShop core software is completely free to download and install. You’ll get a basic store management system with tools to handle products, orders, payments, and shipping. That’s a strong start, especially for those comfortable working with web development or looking to DIY their store setup.
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What’s Not Included
What you don’t get is a hosted environment. PrestaShop isn’t a plug-and-play platform like Shopify or Wix. You’re responsible for sourcing and managing your own hosting, registering a domain, and handling updates and security.
That also means you may need to pay for design customizations, extra features, or professional support, which is where the real costs start adding up.
Essential PrestaShop Costs
You can’t run a store on free software alone. Here are the expenses most store owners can expect to face, regardless of their business size.
Hosting and Domain
First, you’ll need a reliable web host. Shared hosting is the most affordable option — great for small stores or those just starting out — and typically costs between $5 and $10 per month. But if your store grows, or if speed and uptime are priorities, you’ll likely need to upgrade to a VPS or cloud hosting solution, which can cost anywhere from $25 to $100+ per month.
Your domain name is a yearly purchase, usually between $10 and $20 USD, depending on your registrar and chosen extension (.com, .store, etc.).
SSL Certificate
Every online store needs an SSL certificate to secure customer data and enable HTTPS browsing. Many hosting plans now include one for free, but if yours doesn’t, expect to pay between $20 and $100 annually.
This isn’t something you can skip — browsers flag unsecured sites, and customers won’t stick around if they don’t feel safe.
Payment Processing Fees
Using PrestaShop doesn’t cost you anything when it comes to payment processing, but the processors themselves do. Services like Stripe, PayPal, and Square usually charge around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
These fees are unavoidable unless you handle offline payments, and they scale with your sales, so they’re important to factor into your margins.
Optional but Common Expenses
Even though these costs aren’t mandatory, most store owners eventually invest in a few of these to enhance their storefront and customer experience.
Premium Themes and Modules
Free themes exist, but many are dated or lack flexibility. Investing in a professionally designed theme can dramatically improve your store’s look and usability. Expect to pay $60 to $200 for a high-quality theme.
Modules — PrestaShop’s version of plugins — extend your store’s features. Whether you want a blog, product comparison tool, or advanced analytics, there’s a module for it. Prices range from $30 to $150, and it’s common to use multiple over time.
Professional Help
If you’re not technically inclined, PrestaShop’s learning curve can be steep. From installation to troubleshooting and customization, many store owners turn to experts for help.
Investing in PrestaShop development services can save hours of work and prevent costly errors.
Rates vary: freelance support might run $50–$100/hour, while a full store build or customization could cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity and scope of the project.
Maintenance and Marketing Tools
Your store won’t run itself once it’s live. From software updates to security patches and data backups, ongoing maintenance is essential. There are also marketing tools to consider — email campaigns, retargeting, SEO, and conversion tracking.
While some tools are free or freemium, others have monthly fees. You might spend $20 to $200+ per month if you’re actively using a marketing suite, analytics platform, or managed service.
Estimated Total Cost Ranges
Let’s put it all together. Depending on how you approach your store setup, your PrestaShop budget could fall into one of these categories:
Basic Store Setup (~$200–$500 USD)
- Shared hosting + domain: ~$100/year
- SSL certificate: Free or up to $100
- Free theme, minimal or no modules
- No paid help — completely DIY
Ideal for testing product ideas or starting a side project on a shoestring budget.
Growing Store (~$1,000–$2,500 USD)
- VPS or managed hosting: $300–$500/year
- Premium theme + several key modules
- Partial professional help (custom design, setup)
- Light use of marketing and analytics tools
Best for small businesses building a more serious online presence.
Enterprise-Level Store (~$5,000+ USD)
- Cloud or dedicated hosting: $1,000+/year
- Fully customized theme, advanced modules
- Professional development team
- Robust marketing stack and ongoing support
A smart route for established brands or fast-scaling eCommerce businesses.
Conclusion
PrestaShop gives you control and flexibility, but it doesn’t come without costs. The platform itself is free, yes — but a polished, reliable, and scalable store requires a combination of tools, services, and professional input.
The beauty of PrestaShop is that it grows with you. You can start lean and expand over time. Just be prepared: the more polished and powerful your store becomes, the more resources it will take to maintain.
Whether you’re building it yourself or partnering with developers, budgeting realistically is the first step toward long-term success in eCommerce.
