Shopify vs PrestaShop for an Eyewear Brand (B2B and B2C): A Real-World Cost Analysis
In the eyewear industry—covering prescription frames, sunglasses, and mixed B2C/B2B sales—the choice of e-commerce platform directly impacts margins and operating costs.
Analysis Table of Contents (Click to expand)
In this article, we analyze the real-world case of an eyewear manufacturing and distribution brand evaluating a migration from PrestaShop to Shopify (Basic Plan), examining sales history over the last three years (09/24/2023 – 09/24/2026), the impact of currently active gateways, and the future introduction of Credit Card payments.
1. Strategic Framework and Client Data
Overall metrics recorded by the store over the last three years of operation:
Current Payment Method Breakdown: The store currently does not accept credit cards and works exclusively with individual modules for PayPal, Klarna, Bank Transfer, and Cash on Delivery.
| Payment Method | Orders | Avg. Order Value | Total Collected | Active Module |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | 11 | €144.42 | €1,588.63 | PayPal Standard Module |
| Bank Transfer | 9 | €141.27 | €1,271.40 | Native PrestaShop Module |
| Cash on Delivery (incl. fee) | 8 | €96.60 | €772.82 | COD Module |
| Klarna | 1 | €133.00 | €133.00 | Official Klarna Module |
2. Fixed Fees and Server Infrastructure
Comparison between the Shopify Basic Plan and the current management on PrestaShop:
Shopify (Basic Plan)
• Monthly fee: €19.00/month billed annually (€228.00/year).
• Managed Cloud infrastructure, SSL security, compliance, and platform updates 100% included.
PrestaShop (Current Management)
• Current Cloud Hosting Server: €349.00 + VAT/year (~€425.78/year incl. VAT).
• Major Version and Module updates via Agency: €3,000.00 every 3 years (~€1,000.00/year amortized) to ensure database and catalog stability.
3. Calculation of Payment Processing Fees (3 Years)
Effective deductions applied to the actual transaction volume of the three-year period (€3,261.82):
-
PayPal (€1,588.63 across 11 orders):
PrestaShop (Standard Module 3.4% + €0.35): €57.86
Shopify Basic (3.49% + €0.49): €60.83 -
Klarna (€133.00 on 1 order):
PrestaShop (Standard Klarna Module 4.99% + €0.40): €7.04
Shopify Basic (Shopify Payments 2.99% + €0.30): €4.28 -
Bank Transfer and Cash on Delivery (€2,044.22 across 17 orders):
€0.00 in fees on both platforms.
• PrestaShop: €64.90
• Shopify Basic: €65.11
4. Comprehensive Economic Outlook (3-Year Basis)
Summing up transactional collections, server management, and extraordinary agency interventions:
| Cost Item | Shopify (Basic Plan) | PrestaShop (Server + Agency) |
|---|---|---|
| Transactional Fees (3 Years) | €65.11 | €64.90 |
| Hosting / Platform Fee (3 Years) | €684.00 (€228/year) | €1,277.34 (€425.78/year incl. VAT) |
| Agency Updates and Modules (3 Years) | €0.00 (Included) | €3,000.00 (Agency intervention) |
| TOTAL 3-YEAR COST | €749.11 | €4,342.24 |
5. The Advantage of Switching to Shopify: Credit Card Activation
The client's main current limitation on PrestaShop is the lack of direct credit card collection, which causes checkout cart abandonment.
With the switch to Shopify Basic, credit card activation (via Shopify Payments) occurs without setup costs or third-party modules:
• EU Credit Card rate on Shopify Basic: 1.9% + €0.25 per transaction.
• Apple Pay, Google Pay, and 3D Secure protocol already active and ready to use.
Conclusions: €3,593.13 in Actual Savings over 3 Years
For an eyewear brand with this operating model, migrating to Shopify (Basic Plan) unlocks two strategic advantages:
1. Sales Incentive: The introduction of Credit Cards and Digital Wallets will allow for an increased conversion rate (CR).
2. Reduction of Operating Costs: A net saving of €3,593.13 every three years by eliminating the dedicated server and agency interventions for PrestaShop updates.
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