Shopware vs PrestaShop
Both Shopware and PrestaShop are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the e-commerce space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Shopware
EU- Headquarters
- Schoeppingen, DE
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
PrestaShop
EU- Headquarters
- Paris, FR
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- Yes
Key Differences
- Shopware offers a free tier, while prestaShop offers a free tier. The different pricing models mean you should evaluate which approach better fits your usage pattern.
- PrestaShop is open source, giving you full code transparency and the option to self-host. Shopware is proprietary — typically offering a more streamlined setup and managed support, but without the ability to inspect or modify the source code.
- Data residency differs: Shopware hosts data in Germany, EU, while PrestaShop hosts in EU. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Shopware holds ISO 27001 certification, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. PrestaShop does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter if your organisation requires them for vendor approval.
- Shopware was founded in 2000, giving it a 7-year head start over PrestaShop (founded 2007). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: Shopware offers Visual Shopping Experiences editor and Rule-based pricing engine, while PrestaShop provides Product catalog management and Customizable checkout. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shopware | PrestaShop |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Shopware | PrestaShop |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Schoeppingen, DE | Paris, FR |
| Data Centers | DE, EU | EU |
| Visual Shopping Experiences editor | ||
| Rule-based pricing engine | ||
| Product management with variants | ||
| Flow Builder automation | ||
| B2B and B2C support | ||
| Multi-language and multi-currency | ||
| SEO tools | ||
| 1,500+ extensions marketplace | ||
| Headless commerce API | ||
| Self-hosting option | ||
| Product catalog management | ||
| Customizable checkout | ||
| Payment gateway integrations | ||
| Shipping carrier management | ||
| SEO optimization tools | ||
| Thousands of modules and themes | ||
| Customer and order management | ||
| Stock management |
Pricing Comparison
Shopware
Freefree community / commercial
PrestaShop
Freefree (open source)
Compliance Comparison
Shopware
GDPRISO 27001DPA
PrestaShop
GDPRDPA
Get Started
Categories
How to Choose
You need code transparency or self-hosting
Choose PrestaShop
You want a fully managed, turnkey solution
Choose Shopware
Your procurement requires ISO 27001 certification
Choose Shopware
Shopware vs PrestaShop — FAQ
What is the main difference between Shopware and PrestaShop?
Both Shopware and PrestaShop are European e-commerce solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: PrestaShop is open source while Shopware is proprietary, and Shopware uses free community / commercial pricing while PrestaShop uses free (open source). Shopware is headquartered in Schoeppingen, Germany, while PrestaShop is based in Paris, France. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Shopware or PrestaShop?
Both Shopware and PrestaShop offer free tiers, so you can try either without cost. Pricing models differ (free community / commercial vs. free (open source)), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Shopware and PrestaShop GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Shopware and PrestaShop are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. Additionally, Shopware holds ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.