PrestaShop 1.7.8 to 9.0 Upgrade: Is It Worth the Leap?

To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade: PrestaShop 1.7.8 to 9.0

A PrestaShop forum thread discusses the merits of upgrading from version 1.7.8.8 to 9.0. The original poster (FS47) raises concerns about theme and module compatibility, potential downtime, and the increasing difficulty of staying up-to-date with future releases. The discussion highlights the trade-offs involved in upgrading a live e-commerce store.

Key Discussion Points:

• Compatibility Concerns: The primary concern revolves around the compatibility of existing themes and modules with PrestaShop 9.0. Customizations made via CSS are also a factor.
• Downtime: The potential for downtime during the upgrade process is a significant consideration for a live store.
• Future-Proofing: The poster acknowledges the increasing difficulty of upgrading as time passes.
• Module Availability and Costs: Upgrading can mean losing access to older modules, requiring replacements or updates, often at additional cost.

Solutions and Recommendations:

The replies offer several perspectives:

1. Version 8.2.3 Recommendation: ComGrafPL suggests that version 8.2.3 is currently the most stable and optimal choice for a production store, citing bugs in version 9.0. They suggest that versions 1.6 and 1.7 are still viable options for online stores.
2. Staying on 1.7.8: Prestashop Addict advises staying on the 1.7.8 branch and upgrading to the latest version (1.7.8.11) if the new features in version 8 are not required.
3. Positive Experience with 9.0: Manu-41 shares a positive experience upgrading from 1.7.8.2 to 9.0.1, noting improved performance (Insight scores of 99/100), built-in features that previously required modules, and support for AVIF and WebP images. They mention that some module modifications were necessary due to changes in the core.
4. Migration Challenges and Workarounds: BenoitAdam details a migration from 1.7 to 9.0.1, highlighting the loss of theme compatibility (requiring a temporary theme like Hummingbird) and the need to replace or update paid modules. They suggest using a pre-production environment for custom theme development. The upgrade allowed for the use of the latest PHP version (8.4).

Key Takeaways:

The forum thread illustrates the complexities of PrestaShop upgrades. While version 9.0 offers performance improvements and new features, compatibility issues with themes and modules are a major concern. A thorough assessment of existing modules, theme compatibility, and the potential for downtime is crucial before undertaking an upgrade. Testing in a development environment is highly recommended. Merchants should carefully weigh the benefits of upgrading against the potential costs and risks.

Consider these points before upgrading:

• Theme Compatibility: Check if your theme is compatible with the target PrestaShop version.
• Module Compatibility: Verify the compatibility of all installed modules.
• Custom Code: Review any custom code for potential conflicts.
• Backup: Always create a full backup of your store before starting the upgrade process.
• Testing: Test the upgrade in a staging environment before applying it to your live store.