Oberlo gets the axe: here are your alternatives
If you run a dropshipping business on Shopify, then you’re well aware of the news.
June 15th marked Oberlo’s last day as an available dropshipping solution. The app, which Shopify acquired in 2017, is officially shut down, and merchants are responsible for finding an alternative.
Below are two of our top recommendations for Oberlo alternatives. Discover how they compare to Oberlo and tips for picking the right dropshipping platform for your type of business.
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Hold up. Why did Shopify pull the plug on Oberlo?
News of Oberlo’s shutdown had some of us scratching our heads. After all, Oberlo ranked as a Top 10 Shopify app, receiving over 115 thousand installs, according to Store Leads.
Upon delisting the app in May 2022, Shopify wrote on Oberlo's blog that “this product deprecation, which is a routine occurrence, is in pursuit of providing merchants with the best solutions to reach their customers wherever they are.”
“Shopify’s top priority is doing what is in the best interest of merchants,” the company added. “We are sunsetting Oberlo….and transitioning how we enable dropshipping to a more optimal solution developed by a trusted Shopify partner, DSers.”
Shopify merchants were directed to switch from Oberlo to DSers prior to July 15, 2022.
While the reason for the shutdown is unclear, YouTuber and entrepreneur Arie Scherson offers his opinion:
“Apparently, [Shopify] no longer [wants] to pursue this dropshipping app and instead they’re working on a partnership with DSers…The way that Shopify is framing this is that there is basically a better app to do this and all they want is for the merchants to do the best that they possibly can, so they’re now gonna be endorsing a different app that can do what Oberlo does but better.”
Two of the best Oberlo alternatives
So, what options do you have as a dropshipper? Whether you’re expanding an existing business or starting a dropshipping business for the first time, here are some Oberlo alternatives to consider.
01. Modalyst
Modalyst is “one of the longest standing incumbents in the dropshipping universe,” according to co-founder Alain Miguel.
Though Oberlo and Modalyst have that in common, there are key differences separating the two. Most notably, while Oberlo has singularly focused on connecting merchants to AliExpress, Modalyst has recruited a wider range of products and suppliers, with a focus on high-quality inventory and fast shipping. In addition to dropshipping, Modalyst now offers its own Print on Demand (POD) solution to help merchants customize products to sell under their own brand and with their own designs and packaging.
Modalyst is additionally able to accommodate fast domestic shipping as a result of working with mostly U.S. and E.U. suppliers, some of whom offer free shipping.
Today, Modalyst serves over 350,000 eCommerce stores. It integrates with Shopify and Wix, which acquired the platform in 2021. Its services span print on demand (POD), global shipping, and custom branding.
Rated as a top dropshipping software by Fast Company, Forbes, and others, Modalyst is a top alternative for dropshippers seeking a greater variety of products and services to scale their brands.
Similarities to Oberlo
A marketplace of tens of thousands of dropshipping products
A marketplace of thousands of suppliers and wholesalers
Integration with AliExpress and AliExpress Dropshipping Center
Extensive search and filtering functionality to find the products you want to sell
Free plan is available
Modaylst’s advantages
Access to both “ready to sell” and print-on-demand dropshipping products on the same platform
Customization of products, designs, and packaging through its print-on-demand services
Connection to high quality products (including brand name products) and U.S. dropship suppliers
Advanced services like print on demand, branded invoices, and direct communication with select suppliers in the marketplace
Free plan includes unlimited orders and access to all of Modalyst's core platform features
Integration with Wix eCommerce, Shopify, and BigCommerce (not just Shopify)
Plans and pricing*
Hobby - free for up to 25 products
Start up - $35/month
Pro - $90/month
* Current pricing as of the date that this blog was published
02. DSers
DSers app (aka Shopify’s recommendation) is the official stand-in for Oberlo with tools for simplifying AliExpress dropshipping. Oberlo and DSers, in fact, partnered up to create the migration tool allowing merchants to move their Oberlo data to DSers when Shopify first broke the news.
DSers is also the official dropshipping partner for AliExpress. It has therefore had the advantage of working directly with AliExpress to build out a robust solution. Its top features include bulk orders (“Select up to 100 orders and place them all, together, in just a few seconds,” according to DSers), automated order tracking, instant import of products, and more.
DSers is trusted by more than 150,000 merchants. Unlike Oberlo—which is limited to Shopify—DSers is compatible with multiple eCommerce platforms (see our guide on what is eCommerce). It includes many more features with its free forever plan and has more features overall compared to Oberlo.
That said, you’ll likely want to move to a paid plan to access tools like cost change management, variants mapping, and more. While Oberlo has long served as a simple solution for those just getting their start with dropshipping, DSers flaunts a wider range of features and automations to support more advanced sellers.
Similarities to Oberlo
Integration with AliExpress
Chrome extensions for managing your store on the go
Features for product customizations, inventory management, and more
Free plan is available
DSers' advantages
Integration with Wix eCommerce, Shopify, and Woocommerce (not just Shopify)
Advanced automations like Supplier Optimizer, which finds the best-rated and profit-friendly suppliers for a product
Free plan includes bulk orders, shipment tracking, and ability to manage multiple stores
Plans and pricing*
Basic - free for up to 3,000 products
Advanced - starting at $19.90/month
Pro - starting at $49.90/month
Enterprise - starting at $499/month
* Current pricing as of the date that this blog was published
What to look for in your dropshipping platform
Aside from DSers and Modalyst, there are other dropshipping suppliers to choose from. The platform you select will ultimately come down to several considerations. If you’re in the market for an Oberlo alternative, take the time to evaluate these factors.
Integration with your eCommerce platform
It goes without saying that your dropshipping solution needs to work with your eCommerce platform. Fortunately, both options listed above work with Shopify, plus other popular platforms like Wix eCommerce. Each allows you to automatically import product photos, descriptions, and inventory levels from your supplier’s catalog to your eCommerce store.
Features to support current and future growth
Being able to sync products from your supplier to your website is just the bare minimum. Beyond this, you’ll want to make sure that your dropshipping solution can help you to optimize and scale your operations. What automations does the platform offer to help you efficiently manage your store? What services—like fast shipping, branding, digital POs, and product customizations—are necessary for growth?
Fast, trustworthy suppliers
Dropshipping platforms can connect you to millions of suppliers and items. And while it may be easy to get excited by the sheer volume of products that they have to offer, make sure that you’re working with suppliers you can actually trust. Check what precautions your platform takes to monitor quality and connect you with the best dropshipping products. Modalyst, for instance, thoroughly vets its suppliers. All suppliers must meet Modalyst’s criteria for shipping and product quality, with the exception of AliExpress. Modalyst additionally pre-negotiates all terms with its suppliers and works mostly with U.S. and E.U.-based suppliers to ensure fast shipping.
The right price
Each dropshipping platform comes with its own prices, fees, and tiered plans. Some will base their pricing on the number of products that you import to your site. Others will base it on the number of features you have access to or the volume of orders you process. In any case, you’ll want to make sure you understand your platform’s pricing and how it may change as your business grows. Note: avoid simply looking at the total dollar amount. Closely compare what services, features, and other benefits you earn for that cost.
What’s your next move?
Oberlo may no longer be an option for your dropshipping business, but fortunately there are other options at your disposal. Take this opportunity to find the right platform for your fast-growing business. Learn more about dropshipping with Wix and Modalyst.
Other dropshipping ideas and products to consider
Allison Lee
Editor, Wix eCommerce
Allison is the editor for the Wix eCommerce blog, with several years of experience reporting on eCommerce news, strategies, and founder stories.
