PrestaShop

The PrestaShop open source software is free to download and use. You self-host it, which means you pay for web hosting separately. Hosting for a PrestaShop store typically costs $5 to $30/mo per month depending on your server requirements and traffic.

PrestaShop itself does not charge transaction fees. Fees depend on the payment gateway you install: the platform connects to Stripe, PayPal, and 100+ other providers, each with their own processing rates.

PrestaShop requires at least developer-level familiarity. You need to install and configure the software on your own server, manage updates and security patches, and customise the store via themes and modules. It is not recommended for merchants without a technical background or access to a developer.

PrestaShop suits budget-conscious businesses and developers who want full control over a self-hosted store without the licensing cost of enterprise platforms. It is particularly popular in Europe and suits merchants comfortable managing their own server environment.

PrestaShop has a marketplace of over 5,000 modules and themes covering payments, shipping, marketing, analytics, and more. Some modules are free; others carry one-off or subscription costs that can add up over time.

Both are free, self-hosted, open-source platforms. WooCommerce sits on top of WordPress and benefits from a larger plugin ecosystem and greater community support in Australia. PrestaShop is a purpose-built e-commerce system that does not depend on WordPress, which some developers prefer for dedicated stores. WooCommerce has broader name recognition and more local agency support in the Australian market.