PrestaShop Alternative for Small Stores Without a Contractor
PrestaShop is French open source e-commerce software, created in 2007. It is very complete and runs thousands of stores, including very large catalogues.That power comes at a price: you have to install it, host it, choose modules and, quite often, work with an agency. For a craftsperson or a small shopkeeper, that can be a lot.
This page compares PrestaShop and 123Ventes, with figures.
Why PrestaShop can be heavy for a small store
PrestaShop is designed to adapt to everything. That is its strength, and also what makes it demanding:
- two offers: the Classic version, free, to install and host yourself, and the Hosted offer, paid, hosted by PrestaShop;
- many features go through the PrestaShop Addons marketplace, with paid modules and themes;
- a purchased module includes 12 months of updates and support, to be renewed afterwards;
- software updates must be tested with your modules and theme: this is often a contractor’s job;
- the back office is rich, but takes a long time to learn.
PrestaShop is a factory machine tool: great for mass production, a bit bulky in a two-person workshop.
The real cost of PrestaShop over a year
Take a small craft store, with a few modules for payment and shipping.
| Item | PrestaShop Hosted | PrestaShop Classic | 123Ventes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subscription or licence | €24 excl. VAT per month paid yearly, i.e. about €290 excl. VAT per year (€348 incl. VAT); €29 excl. VAT per month with no commitment | Free | €319.90 incl. VAT per year (or €29.90 per month) |
| Hosting | Included | Around €5 to €30 per month, i.e. €60 to €360 per year | Included, in France |
| Modules and theme | Bought on Addons, from a few dozen to several hundred euros | Bought on Addons, from a few dozen to several hundred euros | No module to buy |
| Installation and updates | The software by PrestaShop, your modules still to follow | Up to you, or an agency | Done by us |
| Commission on sales | No | No | No |
| Total over a year (excluding card fees) | About €350 incl. VAT, plus modules | From €60 to several thousand euros with an agency | €319.90, or €336 with your own domain |
On the subscription alone, PrestaShop Hosted and 123Ventes are close. The difference comes from modules: with 123Ventes, payment, carriers, customer reviews and translation are already in the subscription.
With the Classic version, the software costs nothing, but the time spent installing and maintaining it, or the agency’s bill, quickly exceeds the price of a subscription.
PrestaShop Hosted prices observed in November 2026 (excl. VAT, 20% VAT on top). Module, hosting and service prices are estimates: they depend on your needs.
A simpler alternative for selling online
123Ventes is not software to adapt with modules. It is an online store that comes fully equipped:
- Nothing to install or update: we maintain the store, new features arrive on their own.
- Payment: card with Stripe or PayPlug, PayPal, bank transfer, and even cheque.
- Shipping: Mondial Relay, Colissimo, Chronopost, DHL, your own carrier, or in-store pickup.
- Products: sizes, colours, materials, and custom attributes for personalised pieces.
- The essentials included: hosting, SSL certificate, statistics, emails and newsletters, customer reviews, translation, unlimited products, support.
- A layout already designed: you choose your colours, logo, banner and images, with no theme to buy.
You set up your store with no time limit, and you only pay from your first order. And if you have no time, we can build it for you (€400, one-off) and enter your products.
What the admin looks like
PrestaShop and 123Ventes at a glance
| PrestaShop | 123Ventes | |
|---|---|---|
| Designed for | Large catalogues, with a contractor | Craftspeople, shopkeepers and freelancers |
| Installation | To do (Classic) or by PrestaShop (Hosted) | None |
| Selling features | Depending on Addons modules | All included |
| Learning curve | Rich back office, long to learn | Simple screens, with help |
| Help | Hosted offer support, community and agencies | A French team that supports you |
Other alternatives to PrestaShop
123Ventes is not the only solution. Here are the alternatives most often seen in France, with what you need to know before choosing.
| Solution | For whom | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Brands that want to grow fast | Hosted for you, very complete, but many features come through paid apps. See our alternative to Shopify. |
| WooCommerce | Those who already have a WordPress site, or a developer at hand | Free WordPress plugin. Hosting, extensions and updates remain your job. See our WooCommerce alternative. |
| Wix | Those who want to design their site themselves | A website builder, with an optional store and paid apps. See our alternative to Wix. |
| Etsy | Makers starting out, to get known | A marketplace, not your own store: Etsy takes a commission on every sale. See our Etsy alternative. |
| 123Ventes | Craftspeople, shopkeepers and freelancers | All-inclusive for €29.90 per month, no commission, no module to add, with support in French. |
Who is this alternative for?
123Ventes will suit you if:
- you have a few dozen or hundred products, not tens of thousands;
- you do not want to depend on an agency for every setting (everything is explained in our craft online store guide);
- you want a price known in advance, with no module to add;
- you want help in French from the team that builds the tool.
PrestaShop remains an excellent choice for a large catalogue, very specific needs, or an in-house technical team.
PrestaShop and 123Ventes: two French solutions
PrestaShop is French, and so is 123Ventes. The difference is not the origin, it is the approach: PrestaShop is software you adapt with modules, 123Ventes is a service ready to sell.
- Support in French, by email and phone, included in the subscription, with real people.
- Data hosted in France: your customer records and orders stay here.
- A price in euros, tax included, with no commission on your sales and no module to renew.
To go further: why choose a French e-commerce solution, and how much an online store costs.
Moving from PrestaShop to 123Ventes in 5 steps
Changing solutions is often scary. In practice, the move happens without interruption, at your own pace:
- Export your products from the PrestaShop back office (Catalog › Products › Export), to a CSV file.
- Create your 123Ventes store and import this file: names, prices, descriptions and references arrive in one go.
- Set up payment and shipping, then place a test order.
- Point your domain name to your new store.
- Tell your customers, and only then cancel the PrestaShop hosting or subscription.
Since the subscription only starts with your first order, you do not pay twice during the setup.
Frequently asked questions about PrestaShop alternatives
Is PrestaShop free?
The Classic version is free to download, but you have to host it and often buy modules. The Hosted offer, hosted by PrestaShop, is paid.
Does PrestaShop take a commission on sales?
No, neither Classic nor Hosted. Neither does 123Ventes: you only pay your payment provider’s fees, for example 1.5% + €0.25 with Stripe.
Do you need an agency to use PrestaShop?
It is not mandatory, but it is common for installation, theme and updates. With 123Ventes, you can do everything yourself, or let us set it up for €400, one-off.
Can I try 123Ventes before paying?
Yes. You set up your store for free, with no time limit, and you only pay from your first order.
Conclusion
PrestaShop is built for large catalogues and supported projects. For a craft or retail store, an all-inclusive solution spares you modules and agency bills.
The simplest way is still to try it: the demo is free, and so is setting up your store. The subscription only starts with your first order.
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