For years, PrestaShop has been one of the most widely used options in Spain for setting up an online store, mainly due to it being open source and very widespread. Odoo also includes e-commerce, but within a system that manages the entire business. If you're looking to sell online and are torn between the two, this comparison explains what truly sets them apart and when each one makes sense. We are an official Odoo partner, so we know that side inside out; even so, here you'll find a balanced comparison, because the platform you choose will shape your business for years to come.
En 30 segundos. Odoo vs PrestaShop: real differences, integrated management vs. just a shop, cost & maintenance, and when to choose each. An honest comparison from
What each one is
PrestaShop is an open-source e-commerce platform, very popular in Spain with a huge community. It's centred on the online store: catalogue, payment gateways, templates, and a broad marketplace for modules to extend functionality. As it is self-hosted, you (or your provider) are responsible for hosting, updates, and maintenance. Its key strength is flexibility and control over the store.
Odoo is an open-source ERP that includes an e-commerce module integrated with the rest: the store shares its catalogue, stock, and invoicing with internal management. An online order deducts stock and generates an invoice in compliance with regulations without re-entering data. You can find the details in Odoo Ecommerce and the framework in Odoo implementation.
How they differ
The fundamental difference is specialised store versus integrated store. PrestaShop focuses on being a good online store, with all its flexibility and modules. Odoo integrates the store within a system that manages the entire business, so e-commerce is a piece connected to stock, invoicing, and accounting.
Key differences that often decide:
- Scope. PrestaShop is the store; management (actual stock, Spanish invoicing, accounting) is
handled separately or with modules. Odoo integrates everything as standard.
- Maintenance. PrestaShop, being self-hosted, requires managing hosting, updates, and
security. Odoo can be on a managed cloud or a private server.
- Spanish Taxation. Odoo includes localisation and VeriFactu as standard; in PrestaShop the tax aspect
is covered with modules and configuration.
- Modules. PrestaShop has a huge marketplace of modules, but adding many can complicate
maintenance. In Odoo, many functions come integrated.
Comparison: Odoo vs PrestaShop
Indicative summary by approach; each business weighs things differently based on its operations.
| Odoo | PrestaShop | |
|---|---|---|
| Tipo | Store integrated into an ERP, open source | Open-source e-commerce platform |
| Strength | Integration with stock, invoicing, and accounting | Store flexibility and community |
| Ideal for | Businesses that want a store + unified management | Projects focused on the online store |
| Maintenance | Managed cloud or private server | Self-hosted (hosting + updates) |
| Spanish Taxation | Localisation + VeriFactu as standard | Via modules and configuration |
| Scope | Complete ERP | Store (management separate) |
Indicative comparison. Specific functions depend on the version, modules, and configuration; confirm this on the official websites.
Integrated management or just a store
Here lies the key to the decision. With PrestaShop, you have a powerful and flexible store, but business management —the actual stock you share with your physical store, Spanish invoicing, accounting— is often external and needs to be connected or handled separately. With Odoo, that management is integrated: an online order deducts from the same stock as your physical store and generates an invoice in compliance with VeriFactu without transferring data between systems. For a project focused on the online store, PrestaShop's flexibility is a strong point. For a business looking to unify store, warehouse, and invoicing, Odoo's integration avoids duplication of work and the discrepancies that arise when multiple systems need to communicate.
Cost and maintenance
The cost of PrestaShop isn't just the software (which is open source): you need to factor in hosting, store development, paid modules, and, crucially, ongoing maintenance (updates, security, module compatibility). It's flexible, but requires you to handle that aspect. Odoo, depending on the option, can reduce that burden by integrating the store into a managed system and avoiding the need to maintain separate components. As always, the important thing is the total cost in the medium term: you have an honest guide in how much Odoo costs, and it's advisable to choose the right partner, because in e-commerce, poorly managed maintenance is a common source of problems.
When to choose Odoo and when to choose PrestaShop
PrestaShop is a good choice if your project focuses on the online store, if you value flexibility and control over it, and if you have someone to handle the hosting and maintenance for you. For purely digital stores with specific needs, it's a solid and widely used platform.
Odoo is a better fit if you want the store to be part of your business management: the same stock as the physical store, integrated Spanish invoicing, accounting, and CRM in the same system. It's the natural choice for businesses that combine channels or want to avoid maintaining several separate tools. The useful question is: do you primarily want a flexible store, or a store integrated with your entire business?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Odoo better than PrestaShop?
Not inherently: it depends on your business. PrestaShop excels in flexibility and community for the store; Odoo, in integrating the store with stock, invoicing, and accounting. If you want unified management, Odoo usually fits better.
Is PrestaShop free?
The software is open source, but you need to factor in hosting, development, paid modules, and maintenance. The real cost lies in setting up and maintaining the store, not in the licence.
Is Odoo's store as flexible as PrestaShop?
PrestaShop can offer more pure flexibility in the store and its module ecosystem. Odoo provides integration with management, which for many businesses outweighs extreme customisation.
Can I invoice in Spain with PrestaShop?
Spanish invoicing in compliance with VeriFactu can be handled with modules or another system. In Odoo, that invoicing is already integrated with the store.
Can I migrate from PrestaShop to Odoo?
Yes. A well-planned migration transfers products, customers, and orders, and protects SEO with redirects. It's advisable to do it with a partner to avoid losing SEO or historical data.
PrestaShop or Odoo if I have a physical store?
If you combine a physical and online store, Odoo offers a clear advantage: they share stock and management in the same system. With PrestaShop, that unification requires connecting separate management.
Which requires more maintenance?
PrestaShop, being self-hosted, requires you to manage hosting, updates, and module compatibility. Odoo can reduce that burden depending on the option, by integrating the store into a managed system.
Is PrestaShop widely used in Spain?
Yes, it's one of the most widely used online store platforms in Spain, with a large community and professionals who know it. That makes it easier to find someone to maintain it, though it doesn't change the fact that business management remains separate.
Does PrestaShop need a developer?
To set it up and maintain it well, it's usually advisable to have a technical person, especially for updates and module compatibility. It's part of the real cost that needs to be anticipated from the outset.
Can Odoo completely replace PrestaShop?
For many businesses, yes: it covers the online store and, in addition, integrated management. If your priority is a highly customised store with specific modules, it's advisable to assess the fit during the analysis phase.
Can I keep my design when moving from PrestaShop to Odoo?
Yes, the store's design can be recreated in Odoo while preserving brand identity; the important thing is to retain the catalogue, orders, and SEO during the migration.
Are you comparing Odoo and PrestaShop for your store?
At Nextdoo, an official Odoo partner, we analyse your case candidly and tell you if an integrated store with your management is right for you. Start by Odoo Ecommerce or request a project diagnosis.
Sources: official Odoo documentation and the electronic headquarters of the Agencia Tributaria (Spanish Tax Agency). Indicative comparison; the features and prices of each platform change, confirm them on their official websites.
Sources
Official sources consulted: official Odoo documentation y electronic headquarters of the Agencia Tributaria (Spanish Tax Agency) (VeriFactu). Cost and timeline figures are indicative and non-binding, subject to variations depending on the project.