Navigating the PrestaShop Universe: Discovering the Friends of Presta Community
Reading time: 5 min
Last updated: March 26, 2026
For anyone deeply involved in the PrestaShop ecosystem — be it an agency, an independent developer, or a module creator — finding reliable resources and a supportive community is paramount. Enter Friends of Presta, a pivotal non-profit organization that has rapidly become the go-to independent body for PrestaShop professionals across France and Europe.
What is Friends of Presta?
Established in 2021, Friends of Presta is a dynamic French non-profit association. It unites a diverse group of stakeholders, including specialized agencies, freelance professionals, and innovative module publishers, all dedicated to the PrestaShop e-commerce platform.
In a short span, it has solidified its position as the definitive independent authority within the PrestaShop sphere. Its core objectives are clear and impactful:
- Professional Directory — Curating a verified list of certified experts: agencies, freelancers, and publishers.
- Community Events — Orchestrating engaging gatherings and conferences, such as the evolution from FOP Days to the comprehensive EO2S.
- Ecosystem Security — Managing the PrestaShop Hall of Fame, a crucial initiative for security alerts and patch management.
The vibrancy of this collective is evident in its active Slack workspace, boasting over 1,000 members and consistently expanding its reach.
The Essential Directory: Your Gateway to PrestaShop Experts
At the very heart of the Friends of Presta association lies its invaluable expert directory. This meticulously curated resource categorizes professionals into three distinct profiles, making it easy to pinpoint the right support for any project:
| Profile | Expertise Examples |
|---|---|
| Agencies | Web agencies focusing on PrestaShop setup, migrations, and redesigns |
| Freelancers | Independent developers, integrators, and PHP/Symfony consultants |
| Publishers | Innovators creating essential PrestaShop modules (e.g., for payments, SEO, logistics) |
A distinguishing feature of this directory is its commitment to transparency: every listed provider undergoes a community review process, offering a rare level of assurance within the e-commerce landscape.
💡 When seeking a PrestaShop service provider, this directory stands out as the primary and most trustworthy resource, surpassing typical marketplaces or forums.
Distinctive Pillars of Friends of Presta
Several key attributes elevate Friends of Presta beyond a simple association:
Genuine Independence. Crucially, Friends of Presta operates entirely free from the influence of PrestaShop SA. As a neutral body governed by its members, it ensures:
- Unbiased recommendations, free from conflicts of interest.
- A truly open and democratic community governance model.
- Impartial event organization, contrasting sharply with vendor-sponsored alternatives.
Robust Security Initiatives. The association actively maintains the Hall of Fame security, a vital platform for disseminating security alerts and crucial patches to safeguard the entire ecosystem.
Vibrant Event Calendar. From intimate local meetups to large-scale, structured conferences like EO2S, Friends of Presta consistently enriches the PrestaShop community calendar, fostering connection and knowledge exchange.
Exploring the friendsofpresta.org Hub
The official website, friendsofpresta.org, is thoughtfully organized into six key sections, each serving a distinct purpose for the community:
- Directory — Connect with certified PrestaShop professionals.
- News — Stay updated with the latest in e-commerce and PrestaShop developments.
- Modules — Explore the thriving PrestaShop module ecosystem.
- Projects — Engage in calls for tender and collaborative opportunities among members.
- Job Board — Discover or post recruitment opportunities within the PrestaShop talent pool.
- Events — Access the comprehensive schedule of community gatherings and conferences.
Leadership and Governance: A Voice for the Ecosystem
Friends of Presta is democratically steered by its elected members. Prominent figures like Christophe Vidal (President) and Thomas Rayrat (Vice President) frequently co-author significant association statements, including the groundbreaking first-ever French CMS E-commerce Barometer.
This unique associative governance model empowers the PrestaShop ecosystem with an authentic, independent voice, particularly crucial in shaping discussions around PrestaShop's ongoing evolution and its ownership changes.
Becoming Part of the Friends of Presta Movement
Membership with Friends of Presta is readily accessible to all professionals engaged with the PrestaShop ecosystem. The path to joining this vibrant community is straightforward:
- Register online at friendsofpresta.org.
- Gain access to the Slack workspace, home to over 1,000 active members ready to connect.
- Participate in a variety of events, including local meetups, major summits like EO2S, and hands-on workshops.
- Contribute actively to initiatives spanning security, module development, content creation, and governance.
Whether you're a freelance developer, a web agency, or a merchant managing a technical team, Friends of Presta offers a welcoming and enriching environment for collaboration and growth.
EO2S 2026: A Landmark E-commerce Open Source Summit
Mark your calendars! The EO2S — Ecommerce Open Source Summit is taking place today at Le Nida, Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris. This pioneering European summit for open-source e-commerce is proudly hosted by Friends of Presta.
Attendees can look forward to a packed agenda, featuring the first joint public appearance of PrestaShop and Sylius, the much-anticipated unveiling of the inaugural French CMS E-commerce Barometer, and insightful roundtables on critical topics like e-invoicing and artificial intelligence.
For a complete overview of the program, refer to my dedicated article.
In Summary
Friends of Presta transcends the typical definition of a mere directory. It stands as the vital, throbbing heart of the PrestaShop ecosystem throughout France and Europe: a truly neutral, community-driven, and meticulously structured organization.
If your professional journey involves PrestaShop — whether as a developer, an agency, or a merchant — this platform is an indispensable resource that you should definitely bookmark.
👉 Explore more at friendsofpresta.org
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