Stop! Why You Should Never Use Free (or Even Paid) Modules from the PrestaShop Forum Without Caution

If you’re running a PrestaShop store, you’ve probably searched the forums for advice—or for that magic module (free or paid) that promises to solve your problem in one click.

I’ve been in your shoes. In fact, I’ve served as a global moderator on the official PrestaShop forum several times over the last decade. Each time, I did my best to protect store owners from real risks. The last time, I was removed for what some called “radical moderation”: I removed dangerous, unvetted, and even hacked modules that had no business being posted in a professional ecommerce community.

Here’s the harsh truth PrestaShop won’t tell you:
All free modules posted on the forum are not vetted, not maintained, and can break your shop, expose you to security risks—or worse. And many paid modules and themes in the official marketplace aren’t much better—riddled with bugs, compatibility issues, and little or no support.

Why Are Free and Paid Modules So Dangerous?

  • No Real Review Process: Anyone can upload a module to the forum, and even paid modules on the Addons marketplace often slip through with little vetting for quality, compatibility, or security.
  • Malware & Backdoors: I’ve seen both free and paid modules that quietly send your customer data to third parties or open up hidden access to your site.
  • Abandoned Code: Many modules—free or paid—are rarely updated for new PrestaShop versions, PHP updates, or security issues. You’ll be stuck if something breaks—or if your shop gets hacked.

Even Paid Modules and Themes Aren’t Immune

It’s not just the free modules you need to be wary of. The official Addons marketplace is full of paid modules and themes that are often poorly maintained, incompatible, or unsupported.
Always test any paid or free module or theme on a development copy of your shop before installing it on your live store.
This simple habit can save you from unexpected downtime, broken functionality, or conflicts that can bring your business to a halt.

PrestaShop’s Conflict of Interest

You might think PrestaShop would crack down on this—after all, their main revenue comes from the Addons marketplace (selling modules and themes). But the forum remains full of risky freebies, while the Addons marketplace itself is notorious for high prices and low-quality, poorly maintained “premium” modules.

If PrestaShop can’t guarantee the safety or quality of its paid modules and themes, what does that say about the free ones on the forum?
And really, why would any serious developer invest in building best-in-class solutions for a platform where users have learned not to trust paid modules in the first place? The ecosystem becomes a race to the bottom—more risky free modules, unreliable paid modules, fewer professional solutions, and ever-declining confidence from store owners.

Real Business Risk

Every time you install a random free or paid module or theme, you gamble with:

  • Your site’s uptime (and reputation)
  • Your customers’ privacy
  • Your revenue

I’ve seen stores go offline for days, lose SEO ranking, or have customer data exposed—all because of a dodgy module or theme, whether free or purchased.

What Should You Do?

  • Avoid any module or theme that isn’t from a reputable developer with an active support channel.
  • Always test any paid or free module or theme on a development copy of your store before touching your live site.
  • If you absolutely need a new feature, invest in a developer or agency who stands behind their work.
  • Never install modules found only on forums, GitHub gists, or file sharing sites—no matter how tempting.

The Shopify Alternative

If you’re tired of playing Russian roulette with modules and themes, Shopify offers a curated app store with real security reviews and support. No more hunting for a “fix”—features work out of the box, or you can get reputable, fully supported apps.

Final Word

Free or paid, a risky module or theme can destroy your business overnight. In ecommerce, you get what you pay for—or sometimes, even what you pay for isn’t enough. Your business, your reputation, and your customers deserve better.

If you’re looking to migrate to Shopify—or just want a sanity check on your PrestaShop setup—let’s talk.
I’ve spent years cleaning up the mess left by bad modules and themes so you don’t have to.