PrestaShop 9: What’s New, Why to Wait, and How to Prepare for the Upgrade

What’s New in PrestaShop 9?

  • Modernized Back Office: Now built on Symfony 6.4 for faster navigation and a streamlined, future-proof interface.
  • PHP 8.1–8.4 Support: Leverages the latest PHP versions for better speed and security.
  • Performance Upgrades: Faster page loads, optimized queries, and smarter caching.
  • All-New Hummingbird Theme: A responsive, mobile-first theme built with Bootstrap 5, SCSS, and TypeScript.
  • WebP/AVIF Image Support: Native support for modern, fast-loading image formats.
  • Powerful Admin API: Enables integrations and automation with external tools.
  • Security Enhancements: Stronger password hashing, optional two-factor authentication, and legacy dependency cleanup.
  • Developer Improvements: Refactored codebase and new CLI tools make building and maintaining features easier.

Why You Should Wait Before Upgrading

  1. Module and Theme Compatibility: Most third-party modules and themes are not yet ready for PS9.
  2. Stability in Real-World Shops: Initial releases may contain bugs only found after broader use.
  3. Migration Complexity: Custom code or integrations may require updates for the new architecture.
  4. Documentation and Community Support: Guides and troubleshooting info are still being updated for PS9.

Waiting allows time for essential updates and protects your business from avoidable downtime or lost sales.

Why Plan for a Future Upgrade?
How PrestaShop 9 Helps Your Business Grow

  • Faster Store, More Sales: Improved performance and modern image formats mean a quicker shop and better conversion rates.
  • Modern Mobile Experience: Hummingbird ensures your store looks great and loads fast on every device, boosting SEO and engagement.
  • Easier Integrations: The new Admin API unlocks connections with ERPs, CRMs, POS systems, and marketing tools.
  • Stronger Security: Up-to-date frameworks and features keep your store and customer data safer.
  • Future-Ready Platform: The new codebase and roadmap mean innovative features will arrive first for PS9.

Now is the perfect time to audit your modules and start planning your upgrade path, so you’re ready to take advantage of everything PS9 offers when the ecosystem is ready.

Our Agency Recommendation

Wait for the first subversion update (such as 9.0.1 or 9.0.2) before upgrading to PrestaShop 9.

  • Audit your modules and themes for PS9 compatibility.
  • Test your upgrade on a staging or development environment first.
  • Let module and theme developers release their updates for a smoother, safer transition.

Get Help Planning Your PrestaShop 9 Upgrade

Want help evaluating your store or building a step-by-step migration plan?
Contact our team at PrestaHeroes—we’ll guide you every step of the way!

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