PrestaShop 9: New Features, Requirements and Migration Guide

PrestaShop 9, released in June 2025, is the biggest update in the platform history. Built on Symfony 6.4 LTS and requiring PHP 8.1 to 8.4, it brings a completely modernized architecture, a new default theme called Hummingbird, and a brand-new Admin API for headless commerce.

Whether you are planning to upgrade from PrestaShop 8 or starting fresh, this guide covers everything you need to know about PrestaShop 9.

What is New in PrestaShop 9?

PrestaShop 9 represents a major architectural shift. Here are the key changes:

Symfony 6.4 LTS Framework

The entire back office has been migrated to Symfony 6.4 LTS, which will receive security updates until 2027. This means better performance, modern PHP patterns, and a more maintainable codebase.

PHP 8.1 to 8.4 Support

PrestaShop 9 requires a minimum of PHP 8.1 and fully supports PHP 8.4. Legacy PHP 7.x versions are no longer supported. PHP 8.x is up to 30% faster than PHP 7.4.

Hummingbird Theme

The new default theme Hummingbird replaces the Classic theme. Built with Bootstrap 5, TypeScript and BEM methodology:

• Native WebP and AVIF image format support
• Deferred jQuery loading for faster page speed
• Modern, mobile-first responsive design
• Improved checkout flow for better conversion rates

Admin API for Headless Commerce

PrestaShop 9 introduces a brand-new Admin API built on API Platform with OAuth authentication. This opens the door to headless commerce setups.

Back Office Overhaul

The admin panel has been extensively refreshed with improved mobile responsiveness, better navigation, and modernized UI components.

PrestaShop 9 System Requirements

How to Migrate from PrestaShop 8 to 9

1. Backup everything — database, files, and configurations
2. Set up a staging environment — never upgrade on a live store
3. Audit your modules — check that all critical modules are PS9-compatible
4. Update PHP — ensure your server runs PHP 8.1+. Check our PHP compatibility chart
5. Use the Update Assistant — the official PrestaShop upgrade tool
6. Test thoroughly — checkout, payments, shipping, and all critical flows
7. Monitor for 72 hours after going live

PrestaShop 9.1 Update (April 2026)

• Refined shipping with multiple carriers and split shipments
• Simplified discount rules management
• Performance and security hardening

PrestaShop 9 Compatible Modules from PrestaSOO

• DocumenThemix — Invoice and document customizer
• Age Restriction 18+ — Age verification popup
• PrestaSEO AI++ — AI-powered SEO automation

Check our full modules catalog for the complete list.

PrestaShop 9 for Developers

Beyond merchant-facing features, PrestaShop 9 introduces significant changes for developers and agencies:

• CQRS Architecture — Commands and Queries are separated for cleaner, testable code. Back office actions now use Command Bus pattern.
• Symfony Dependency Injection — Services are defined via YAML/XML, reducing global state and improving testability
• Twig templates in back office — Admin pages use Twig instead of Smarty, enabling better component reuse
• New hook system — Additional hooks in the order flow, product page, and checkout for more granular customization
• TypeScript in front office — The Hummingbird theme introduces TypeScript, encouraging type-safe front-end development

PrestaShop 9 Performance Benchmarks

Early benchmarks comparing identical stores on PrestaShop 8 and PrestaShop 9 show measurable improvements:

Note: Results vary by server configuration, theme, number of products, and active modules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What PHP version does PrestaShop 9 require?

PrestaShop 9 requires PHP 8.1 minimum and supports up to PHP 8.4. PHP 8.3 is the recommended version for production in 2026. See our PHP compatibility chart for full details.

Can I keep my existing theme when upgrading to PS9?

Themes built for PrestaShop 1.7 or 8 using the Classic theme as a parent will generally still work on PS9 with minor adjustments. However, they will not benefit from Hummingbird theme improvements (WebP/AVIF, Bootstrap 5). Custom themes with heavy back office template overrides may require more work.

How long does a PrestaShop 8 to 9 migration take?

It depends on store complexity. A simple store with few modules: 3-5 days. A medium store with custom theme and 10-20 modules: 2-4 weeks. A large, complex store: 1-3 months. Always plan for buffer time for unexpected module incompatibilities.

Is PrestaShop 9 faster than PrestaShop 8?

Yes, measurably so. The combination of PHP 8.x JIT compilation, Symfony 6.4 optimizations, and the new Hummingbird theme typically delivers 20-30% better response times compared to the same store on PrestaShop 8.

Will there be a PrestaShop 10?

No official roadmap has been published for PS10 yet. PrestaShop 9 is currently the stable long-term release, with PS 9.x minor updates planned throughout 2026 and 2027. The focus is on maturing the PS9 ecosystem rather than rushing to a new major version.

Ready to Migrate?

Before starting your migration, make sure to read our module compatibility guide to identify which of your modules are ready, and check our PS9 vs PS8 comparison to confirm upgrading makes sense for your specific situation.