The 10 Best Dropshipping Suppliers for 2024
This post was last updated on September 12, 2023.
Did you know that 84% of eCommerce merchants say that finding a dropshipping supplier for their eCommerce website is the most significant roadblock to starting their dropshipping business?
84% of tens of millions of online sellers is a lot of people. Specifically, online entrepreneurs who traditionally are super resourceful and embrace a good challenge.
All of that is to say that finding dropshipping suppliers for your business is not easy.
First, many well-established dropshipping companies don’t have a strong marketing presence on the internet. If they have a presence at all, it is sometimes buried in the backpages of Google Search results, making it almost impossible to find. Secondly, some dropshipping companies pose as reputable suppliers, when, in fact, they are not professionally managed - or even scams.
The good news is that there are technology-based solutions to this problem. In the interest of chipping away at that 84% figure, here are 10 of the best dropshipping websites and dropshipping suppliers to get your business started.
What is dropshipping?
Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn't keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when a customer places an order, the store purchases the item from a third-party supplier and has it shipped directly to the customer.
Dropshipping can be a great way to start an online business and sell online with little upfront investment. You don't need to worry about storing inventory or shipping products, which can save you a lot of time and money.
Best dropshipping suppliers
Online dropship and wholesale supplier directories can make it easier and quicker to find suppliers for your business. These research tools are encyclopedic, listing and categorizing thousands of dropshipping suppliers and their product offerings. Some of these directories are free, but the paid ones tend to vet and research their suppliers thoroughly before publishing them to their sites.
Vetting suppliers takes quite a bit of time. For those with limited resources, I believe this is a premium worth paying for.
01. SaleHoo
New Zealand-based Salehoo was founded in 2005 and has served over 137,000 merchants since then. Salehoo is a search directory that features more than 8,000 suppliers and gives you access to more than 2.5 million different types of products, across a variety of types of businesses.
Pros: It's difficult to find legitimate dropshipping suppliers offering brand name companies. SaleHoo verifies every supplier and guarantees that its products are legal and authentic. They also have exceptional customer service and a robust resources center.
Cons: SaleHoo is a directory, not an integrated technology solution for your store. You cannot sync products directly from suppliers on their database. Furthermore, while the database has 1000s of pre-vetted suppliers, it needs to be refreshed and updated with newer vendors.
Pricing: Starts at $67/year.
02. Worldwide Brands
Worldwide Brands is a U.S.-based company that was founded in 1999 by power eBay seller Chris Malta. Worldwide Brands is one of the oldest incumbents in this space, with over 20 years of experience since its founding. Like SaleHoo, Worldwide Brands helps you find and learn about wholesalers and distributors from around the globe. Worldwide Brands boast of more than 16+ million certified products.
Pros: One of the advantages of being a veteran in the industry is that you can build up an impressive menu of options. That is precisely what Worldwide Brands has done well.
Cons: Suppliers on their platform will require that you have a tax I.D. before they do business with you. This can add friction when starting new relationships through the platform. Beyond this, their customer service is limited. They do not offer live chat, and their email support takes almost two business days to get back to you.
Pricing: Starts at $299/year.
03. Modalyst
Modalyst is dropshipping automation software for online businesses. It offers automation tools to streamline starting a dropshipping business and a large marketplace of high-quality suppliers and products.
Modalyst also has an official partnership with AliExpress. Through this partnership, eCommerce store owners (see our guide on what is eCommerce) get access to the AliExpress Dropshipping Center, analytics on trending products, and a suite of tools to import and sell AliExpress products directly on their storefronts.
The site also offers integrations with the Wix eCommerce platform.
Through AliExpress, Modalyst connects you directly to:
100+ million dropshipping products
4,000+ product categories
Analytics on best selling AliExpress products
Chrome Extension to import products and sync customer orders in a single click
Pros: Modalyst has a curated Marketplace of its own with US and EU-based suppliers and they thoroughly vet them to ensure that they’re willing to meet their high standards. Further, all dropshipping suppliers on its Marketplace must meet strict return, shipping and pricing requirements, all of which are pre-negotiated by Modalyst. This means that, as a merchant, there is no need to hammer out separate deals with each supplier you work with.
Cons: You must upgrade to the Pro plan to add premium, brand name products to your store.
Pricing: A free plan with limited features is available, while the paid plans start at $35/month.
04. Inventory Source
Inventory Source is a US-based dropshipping provider that has been in business since 2002. Inventory Source is both an inventory management tool and catalog of suppliers, with integrations to eCommerce platforms and online marketplaces.
Their inventory management module manages price markup, low stock limits, custom categories, and product filters. Merchants can integrate their own existing suppliers as well as use the supplier directory.
Their supplier directory includes product details, images, pricing, and current stock levels and gives you access to 200+ suppliers across the USA and China. Their dropshipping suppliers have extensive catalogs, with some containing tens of thousands of products. Overall, these products span 30 different categories, including clothing, electronics, books, outdoor items, and pet supplies.
Pros: Inventory Source updates your product inventory and virtual storefront with the latest data from your suppliers. They also route orders to your suppliers and sync the shipment details with customers automatically.
Cons: Their starter plan only lets you connect with one supplier. If you intend to source from multiple suppliers, you'll need to pay additional monthly fees.
Pricing: Inventory Automation starts at $99/month and Full Automation at $150/month.
05. DSM Tool
DSM Tool is an automation solution designed to streamline your dropshipping business on eBay. Their tools allow you to add products to your eBay store from various vendors, including Walmart, Sears, Aliexpress and Amazon U.S., UK, France, Germany, and Canada.
Pros: DSM Tool allows over 50 listings for free subscribers and up to 150,000 listings for paid subscribers. Furthermore, beyond AliExpress, DSM tool connects you to other catalogs such as Walmart and Amazon. You can choose any of the suppliers and start selling immediately.
Cons: DSM Tool only has 50 dropshipping suppliers in its database, which is relatively limited when compared to the competition.
Pricing: Free plan available, with paid plans ranging from $24.97/month to $499.97/month
06. Printful
Printful is an on-demand order fulfillment platform that fulfills and ships products, including clothing, accessories and lifestyle items for eCommerce entrepreneurs.
Printful offers a variety of features, including direct integrations, design and photo services, and fulfillment arms in both North America and Europe. If you are an entrepreneur or small business owner who wants to start selling online, Printful can help you jumpstart your online business.
To get started, link your store with Printful. Once you are connected, you can design products and see how they’ll look in real life with their online mockup generator. You can add as many products as you want to your storefront, and no inventory will be printed until an order is placed. That means you do not have to store any inventory.
You can then promote your dropshipping store to start making sales. When you make a sale, Printful will print it, pack the item and ship it directly to your customer for you.
Printful was founded in 2013 and is the industry leader in print-on-demand dropshipping.
Pros: Printful is located in both the United States and Europe, meaning delivery to customers is fast and localized. You will face no problems selling to a global audience. Printful's ship times, on average, takes three to four business days.
Further, with Printful, you can add your brand logo to a shipping label and also create a packing slip.
Plus it’s easy to integrate Printful with eCommerce platforms like Wix.
Cons: Their product catalog focuses mostly on clothing. Likewise, shipping fees can add up so you'll need to make sure to incorporate the costs into how much you charge.
Pricing: No setup fees or ongoing membership costs.
07. Printify
Printify is a dropshipping and print on demand service for small businesses. They provide custom printing solutions on a wide range of items including clothing, gift and novelty items and accessories.
Pros: Printify has a strategic partnership with multiple print providers around the world. These providers are located in major regions, including the U.K., the USA, Canada, China, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Printify has integrations with various eCommerce solutions, including Etsy, eBay, and Wix. Beyond this, they offer a merchant protection policy that covers image quality control, reprints, and refunds.
Cons: Printify, compared to Printful, has fewer customization and branding options and integrations with fewer sales channels and third-party marketplaces.
Pricing: For those who are just starting, they offer a free plan. Printify also has paid membership options, starting at $29/month.
08. AliExpress
AliExpress, a subsidiary of Alibaba, is a global eCommerce catalog headquartered in China. While their DNA is direct-to-consumer, they have an enormous market of online businesses sourcing products directly from the vendors listed on their platform. One of its most compelling features is the high profit potential of their products.
09. ChinaBrands.com
If you're interested in dropshipping products made in China, you will find a vast assortment of items on Chinabrands, ranging from toys and electronics to apparel and small accessories. Chinabrands offers direct access to hundreds of thousands of products. Plus, they regularly add new and exciting arrivals at the very lowest prices.
10. BigBuy
BigBuy is one of the leading dropshipping providers in Europe. Headquartered in Spain, it’s a B2B eCommerce company that sells thousands of items to businesses of all kinds. It specializes in merchants who resell their products through the online channel.
The list above is not exhaustive, but it is meant to highlight the solutions that deliver the most value for online merchants. This list will likely evolve as new trends emerge, and companies enter the b2b eCommerce arena. Nonetheless, I hope you find it useful when you are figuring out how to start your business.
Ready to start selling? Create your dropshipping business today.
How to spot bad dropshipping suppliers
We've talked about the best dropshipping suppliers out there, but you also need to make sure you know what to avoid. Here are the top 5 tips for how to spot (and avoid) bad dropshipping suppliers:
Check for negative reviews: Read reviews from other businesses that have used the supplier. If there are a lot of negative reviews or the supplier has a poor reputation, it's a red flag.
Beware of low prices: If the prices are too good to be true, they probably are. Be wary of suppliers who offer prices that are significantly lower than their competitors.
Ask about shipping times: Make sure the supplier can ship the products you want to sell to your customers in a timely manner. If the shipping times are too long, it could lead to customer dissatisfaction. This is also a good way to make sure the supplier is easy to communicate with. If they're slow to respond to emails or phone calls, or they're not responsive to your questions, then it won't be a good fit for you.
Get quotes from multiple dropshipping suppliers: Compare prices and shipping rates from multiple suppliers before you make a decision. This will help you ensure that you're getting the best deal. Pay attention to how transparent the supplier is about pricing, too. If they don't disclose all of the fees involved in shipping and handling, or they use hidden charges, then look elsewhere.
Be clear about your expectations: Make sure the supplier understands what you need and what you expect from them. This will help to avoid any misunderstandings down the road. If they're not willing to customize their products or services to meet your needs, it's a bad sign.
If you see any of these red flags, it's best to avoid working with that supplier. There are many other reputable dropshipping suppliers out there, so it's worth taking the time to find one that is a good fit for your business.
How to approach a dropshipping supplier
Before you reach out to a supplier, take some time to research them online. Read reviews from other businesses that have used them, and check their website for information about their policies and procedures. This will help you to avoid wasting your time with suppliers who are not a good fit for your business.
Once you get in contact with suppliers, be clear about what you're looking for. This includes the products you want to sell, the quantities you need and the shipping times you require. The more specific you can be, the better.
Here are some specific things to include in your initial contact with a dropshipping supplier:
Your name and contact information
The products you are interested in dropshipping
The quantities you need
The shipping times you require
Your budget
Any other relevant information
It's also a good idea to attach a product catalog or other information about your business to your initial contact. This will help the supplier understand your needs and see how they can help you.
Once you have found a dropshipping supplier that you're interested in working with, it's important to build a good relationship with them. This means being responsive to their inquiries, communicating clearly and being honest about your expectations. By building a good relationship with your supplier, you can ensure that they're willing to go the extra mile to help you succeed.
Best dropshipping suppliers FAQ
How do I find dropshipping suppliers?
There are a few ways to find dropshipping suppliers. One way is to use a dropshipping directory. There are many different dropshipping directories available, such as SaleHoo and Worldwide Brands. These directories allow you to search for suppliers by product category, price, and shipping terms.
Another way to find dropshipping suppliers is to contact manufacturers directly. Many manufacturers offer dropshipping programs, which allow you to sell their products without having to carry any inventory. You can find manufacturers by searching online or attending trade shows.
Is dropshipping legal in the USA?
Yes, dropshipping is legal in the USA. Dropshipping is a legitimate method of order fulfillment. However, it is important to be aware of the laws and regulations that govern dropshipping in the USA. For example, you must collect sales tax on all sales made.
Is dropshipping still profitable?
Dropshipping can be a profitable business model, but it is important to do your research and find a profitable niche. You also need to be able to market your business effectively. If you can do these things, dropshipping can be a great way to make money.
Is dropshipping good for beginners?
Yes, dropshipping is a good option for beginners because it’s relatively easy to set up and it's low-risk. Inventory storage and management is outsourced to the supplier, which means you can start small.
It's also easy to research products and competitors, so you have a well-informed starting point. After launch, you can test different products, categories, and strategies (all with limited investment) to find a formula that works for you.
How does the dropshipping supply chain work?
The dropshipping supply chain is a relatively simple process. When a customer places an order on your dropshipping store, you send the order information to your supplier. The supplier then ships the product directly to the customer. You don't need to handle any inventory or shipping.
The dropshipping supply chain can be broken down into the following steps:
The customer places an order on your dropshipping store.
You receive the order information and send it to your supplier.
The supplier ships the product directly to the customer.
The customer receives the product.
How do dropship suppliers handle returns?
The way that dropship suppliers handle returns varies from supplier to supplier. Some suppliers will allow you to return products for a refund, while others won't. It's important to check with your supplier's return policy before you start dropshipping.
What is a good supplier for dropshipping?
A good supplier for dropshipping is one that offers the products you need, at a good price, with fast shipping times and a good return policy. It's important to do your research and find a supplier that you can trust.
Alain Miguel Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer of Modalyst
Alain is a Forbes 30 u 30 in eCommerce and co-founder of Modalyst. Alain co-founded Modalyst in 2012 as a graduate student at MIT. Over the last eight years, Alain has worked with over 300,000 eCommerce merchants and entrepreneurs. He’s dedicated to educating and inspiring entrepreneurs everywhere on how to build successful dropshipping businesses. You can find him on Linkedin.
