PrestaShop Requirements: PHP, MySQL and Server Compatibility

PrestaShop requirements in 2026 are no longer the same as old PrestaShop 1.6 or 1.7 hosting checklists. PrestaShop 9 requires a modern PHP 8.x stack, while PrestaShop 8 and 1.7 stores still need version-specific PHP and database choices.

This guide summarizes the recommended PHP versions, MySQL/MariaDB database options, web server requirements, PHP extensions and hosting checklist before installing or upgrading a PrestaShop store.

PrestaShop 9 requirements

PrestaShop 9 is the most important requirements change in years. It requires PHP 8.1 or newer, supports modern PHP 8.x versions, and runs on a Symfony 6.4 based architecture. This matters for hosting, module compatibility and upgrade planning.

• PHP: PHP 8.1 minimum for PrestaShop 9.0, with PHP 8.4 recommended for the best modern stack.
• Database: use a maintained MySQL or MariaDB version from your hosting provider.
• Web server: Apache or Nginx both work. Nginx is usually faster, while Apache remains easier for shops relying on .htaccess rules.
• Memory: use at least 256 MB PHP memory limit for a real production shop; larger catalogs and imports need more.
• Required PHP extensions: cURL, DOM, Fileinfo, GD, Iconv, Intl, JSON, Mbstring, OpenSSL, PDO/MySQL, SimpleXML and ZIP should be enabled.

PrestaShop 8 requirements

PrestaShop 8 is still common in production. Do not blindly switch a PrestaShop 8 store to the newest PHP version without checking your exact PrestaShop minor version and installed modules. Many payment, invoice, SEO and checkout modules depend on PHP compatibility.

PrestaShop 1.7 requirements

PrestaShop 1.7 stores should normally stay on a PHP 7.2-7.4 environment until they are migrated. Moving an old store to PHP 8 can create fatal errors in legacy modules and overrides.

Required PHP configuration

• memory_limit: 256M or higher for production.
• upload_max_filesize: 16M minimum; 64M+ is safer for themes, images and module packages.
• post_max_size: equal to or larger than upload_max_filesize.
• max_execution_time: 120 seconds or more for imports, upgrades and large module operations.
• max_input_vars: 5000+ for stores with many combinations, translations or form fields.

Before upgrading PHP or PrestaShop

1. Clone the shop to a staging environment.
2. Check the current PrestaShop version, PHP version and database version.
3. Update modules that touch checkout, payments, invoices, SEO, URLs and email.
4. Run the store on the target PHP version before touching production.
5. Clear cache and test product pages, cart, checkout, order confirmation, invoices and back office forms.

Useful next steps

After checking server requirements, review the PrestaShop PHP version compatibility chart, the PrestaShop 9 migration guide, and the PrestaShop 9 module compatibility checklist. If you need modules already updated for modern stores, see our PrestaShop addons marketplace.