New to the business, fellow dropshipper? I know that getting started in the e-commerce world can feel overwhelming. With so many platforms out there, figuring out which ones are actually worth your time isn’t always easy.
But don’t worry: here’s an expert hand to help you. If you’ve done even a bit of research, I’m pretty sure you came across names like AutoDS, CJDropshipping, and Oberlo. They all promise to simplify your workflow, but which one truly fits your needs?
Quick spoiler: while Oberlo is no longer available and CJDropshipping focuses more narrowly on sourcing and fulfillment, AutoDS offers one of the most complete automation solutions on the market. Want to understand why exactly? In this article, we’ll compare the three side by side, highlighting their top features, pros and cons, so you can choose based on a well-informed decision. Let’s dive in!
While Oberlo is no longer available and CJDropshipping focuses mainly on sourcing and fulfillment, AutoDS stands out with one of the most complete automation solutions available today.
From product sourcing to tracking updates, AutoDS automates it all faster and more reliably than Oberlo or CJDropshipping, so you can skip the manual work.
Unlike Oberlo and CJDropshipping, AutoDS includes key automation features in all plans, with transparent pricing that scales with you.
AutoDS combines vast supplier access with top-tier platform compatibility, something Oberlo and CJDropshipping can’t match.
Looking at automation, sourcing, support, and usability, AutoDS stands out as the most complete, scalable and future ready dropshipping solution in 2025.
Overview of AutoDS
What is AutoDS?
Tired of spending hours updating prices, processing orders, or searching for winning products? AutoDS is the all-in-one dropshipping platform designed to take those tasks off your plate, so you can focus on growing your business, not just managing it.
The platform serves new and experienced dropshippers who need a fast, automated way to run their store, covering every step of the process. AutoDS provides full store automation that outperforms Oberlo and CJDropshipping thanks to its wider supplier network, cross-platform compatibility, and built-in AI tools for product research.
In short: no manual tasks, more control, and a real chance to scale.
Key Features of AutoDS
- End-to-end automation: AutoDS implements full advanced automation that handles product sourcing, order placement, tracking updates, and even returns faster and more reliably than Oberlo or CJDropshipping. This saves you hours of repetitive work and lets you focus on scaling your business.
- Cross-platform compatibility: AutoDS delivers seamless integration with major marketplaces like Shopify, eBay, TikTok Shop, Wix, Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, and WooCommerce. Its centralized dashboard allows you to manage multiple stores in one place, something Oberlo never offered and CJDropshipping can’t match.
- Price and stock monitoring: AutoDS includes automatic price and inventory syncing that protects you from overselling or pricing errors. Unlike Oberlo’s reliance on paid third-party add-ons or CJDropshipping’s manual updates, this feature is built-in and ready to go.
- Print-on-Demand: Want to offer unique, personalized products? AutoDS allows you to sell custom designs through its built-in print-on-demand feature and even supports custom packaging.
- AI-powered product research: AutoDS delivers data-driven product discovery tools that exceed industry standards. With access to over 800 million products and AI that scans trends, social signals, and performance metrics, you can spot winning items faster than with either Oberlo or CJDropshipping.
These are some of the AutoDS’s main features. Want to see its full potential? Try the complete future set with our 14-day trial for just $1.
AutoDS Pricing and Plans
Now, let’s talk about costs. AutoDS’s pricing model offers better value than both Oberlo and CJDropshipping, thanks to its transparent, scalable approach. There are no hidden fees, and all plans include access to the same core automation features, so you’re not paying extra just to unlock essential tools.
Pricing is based on how many products you manage, not on restricted feature tiers. The entry-level plan starts at $19.90/month (billed annually) or $26.90/month (billed monthly) and already includes full automation, advanced branding services, and AI-powered product research; features that were missing or limited in Oberlo’s free version and CJDropshipping’s base plan.
For new dropshippers looking to scale without surprise costs, AutoDS offers a cleaner, more cost-efficient path right from the start.
Pros and Cons of AutoDS
✅ Pros:
- AutoDS excels at automating the entire dropshipping workflow, from product research to fulfillment, which matters most to sellers who want to save time and scale efficiently.
- AutoDS lets you manage multiple stores and sales channels from one dashboard.
- AutoDS provides smart automation features, such as AI product research and one-click imports, that make it easier to run and scale your store.
❌ Cons:
- With so many features and plans, AutoDS can feel a little overwhelming at first. Still, once you get the hang of it, the learning curve pays off fast.
🆕Beginner’s Tip: Download our free dropshipping eBooks on eCommerce and marketing to speed up the learning curve and grow your store quickly.
Overview of CJDropshipping
What is CJDropshipping?
Another big player in the dropshipping world is CJDropshipping, which is known for being one of the leading global suppliers in the market. It is built for sellers who value direct product sourcing, low upfront costs, and access to international warehouses.
CJDropshipping targets sellers who prioritize broad product catalogs and in-house fulfillment, offering features that appeal to those starting out or managing niche stores. Still, it lacks the full automation that AutoDS provides seamlessly (like dynamic pricing updates and real-time inventory syncing), resulting in a more hands-on workflow that can slow down operations as your business scales.
So, while it’s a strong entry point for budget-conscious sellers, it may require extra manual effort as your store grows.
Key Features of CJDropshipping
- Global warehousing and supplier access: CJDropshipping offers access to a large in-house catalog and the ability to store products in warehouses worldwide. However, this level of control attracts a narrower segment than AutoDS, which appeals to sellers looking for speed, flexibility, and broader supplier variety.
- Integration support: CJDropshipping supports fewer integrations than AutoDS’s comprehensive platform. While it works well with Shopify, it lacks the built-in cross-platform syncing that AutoDS offers for stores on eBay, WooCommerce, Facebook Marketplace, and more.
- Sourcing and fulfillment: Although it provides sourcing and fulfillment features, CJDropshipping requires manual processing that AutoDS fully automates. From product sourcing to order placement and supplier communication, many tasks need human intervention, making the workflow slower and more susceptible to error compared to AutoDS.
- Product catalog: With thousands of items available across dozens of categories, CJDropshipping provides ample product variety, though browsing and selecting still require manual steps.
🆕Beginner’s Tip: One way to optimize CJdropshipping is by using their international warehouses. Storing products near your customers can significantly improve delivery speed and reduce expenses.
CJDropshipping Pricing and Plans
One of CJDropshipping’s biggest advantages? There’s no subscription fee, great news for beginners testing the waters without upfront costs.
However, CJDropshipping uses a pay-as-you-go pricing approach that becomes more expensive than AutoDS for scaling businesses. Services like shipping, storage, and fulfillment have added fees that vary by order size, weight, and destination, making long-term cost tracking tricky.
Plus, CJDropshipping restricts essential features like branded packaging, faster shipping, and warehouse access to premium tiers that AutoDS includes in all plans from the start.
Pros and Cons of CJDropshipping
✅ Pros:
- CJDropshipping provides access to a vast product catalog and global warehouses that appeal to beginner sellers who want low upfront costs and flexible fulfillment options.
❌ Cons:
- CJDropshipping lacks the full automation and cross-platform efficiency that AutoDS delivers effortlessly, making it harder to scale or run high-volume operations smoothly.
- Shipping and warehouse costs may reduce profit margins. Plus, hidden service-based fees can add up over time.
Want a closer look? This graphic shows exactly why AutoDS is the best alternative to CJdropshipping.
Overview of Oberlo
What was Oberlo?
If you’ve come across the Oberlo website recently, you might think that it’s still active. In reality, the platform shut down in 2022, and the site now redirects to Shopify.
Before it closed its doors, Oberlo was a dropshipping app that worked exclusively with Shopify, acting as a direct bridge between the platform and AliExpress. With just a few clicks, users could import products from AliExpress to their store, making it a popular first step for many getting into the dropshipping game.
Still, Oberlo lacked the end-to-end automation, supplier variety, and multi-platform support that AutoDS provides seamlessly today. Now, let’s take a closer look at what Oberlo used to offer before it stopped operating
Key Features of Oberlo (before shutdown)
- Order fulfillment: With automatic tracking updates, the platform made it possible to fulfill AliExpress orders directly through Shopify. Still, Oberlo required several manual steps that AutoDS fully automates today, like managing pricing changes or sourcing from multiple suppliers.
- Inventory and price syncing: The app helped keep product availability and pricing aligned with AliExpress listings in real time. However, Oberlo supported fewer integrations than AutoDS’s comprehensive platform, limiting users to Shopify and reducing multichannel growth potential.
- Sales analytics: Oberlo included basic profit tracking and sales stats, useful for getting an overview of store performance.
- AliExpress import tool: Oberlo’s Chrome extension lets users import products while browsing AliExpress. While effective at the time, it lacked the built-in research tools and one-click automation standard in AutoDS.
Oberlo Pricing and Plans (When Available)
Regarding pricing, one of Oberlo’s main selling points was its free plan. It covered the basics like product importing, order tracking, and inventory sync, but only for up to 500 products per billing cycle. After that, users were bumped to a $29.90/month plan.
To sum up, Oberlo used a tiered pricing approach that became more expensive than AutoDS for scaling businesses. It restricted advanced automation features to premium tiers that AutoDS includes in all plans by default. That meant growing stores often had to pay more just to unlock essential tools that come standard with AutoDS, making Oberlo less efficient and harder to scale over time.
Pros and Cons of Oberlo
✅ Pros:
- Oberlo provided an easy-to-use experience that appealed to beginners who wanted a simple, low-commitment way to test dropshipping, with seamless AliExpress and Shopify integration.
❌ Cons:
- Oberlo lacked critical automation features and multi-channel support that AutoDS delivers effortlessly, making it harder to scale efficiently.
- It was limited to AliExpress as a supplier, which meant users had fewer options and were often exposed to inconsistent shipping times and product quality problems, issues that AutoDS addresses with its broader supplier network.
Leaving aside the balance between the pros and cons, Oberlo shut down in 2022 and is no longer accessible, pushing users to migrate to more sustainable, scalable tools.
AutoDS vs. CJ Dropshipping vs. Oberlo
So, now that we’ve unpacked the essentials, how do these platforms really stack up? All three have their strengths, but when it comes to automation, flexibility, and long-term growth, not all of them keep up.
Let’s break down how they compare, side by side.
AutoDS vs. CJDropshipping vs. Oberlo: Automation and Efficiency
AutoDS excels at full end-to-end automation, handling everything from product imports to pricing, stock syncing, order fulfillment, and tracking updates. Meanwhile, CJDropshipping supports some automation but still relies heavily on manual processes like sourcing or branding. Oberlo, now discontinued, only offered basic syncing tied to AliExpress.
👉 AutoDS maintains an automation standard that exceeds both CJDropshipping’s partial workflows and Oberlo’s outdated tools, giving users a clear advantage in speed and scalability.
AutoDS vs. CJDropshipping vs. Oberlo: Product Sourcing and Supplier Access
While Oberlo was limited to AliExpress and Shopify-compatible suppliers, CJDropshipping stands out as a stronger contender in this category. The platform gives access to over 900,000 products and offers custom sourcing, private labeling, and global warehousing, making it a solid choice for sellers exploring niche markets without a large upfront investment.
AutoDS, however, goes a step beyond. It provides greater diversity and flexibility, with access to more than 500 million products from over 30 suppliers (including CJdropshipping itself).
👉 AutoDS offers a level of supplier variety that neither CJDropshipping nor Oberlo can match, enabling dropshippers to build broader branded experiences and achieve better margins.
AutoDS vs. CJDropshipping vs. Oberlo: Platform Integration and Compatibility
When it comes to platform compatibility, Oberlo falls short. Having been built exclusively for Shopify, it limited sellers looking to expand across other sales channels. CJDropshipping improves on this with integrations for Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Magento, and TikTok Shop, though most features are still Shopify-focused.
By contrast, AutoDS stands out as the most versatile option. It integrates with Shopify, eBay, Amazon, WooCommerce, Wix, Etsy, and even Facebook Marketplace, and lets users manage multiple stores from one dashboard, a feature neither Oberlo nor CJDropshipping offers.
👉 AutoDS supports a wider ecosystem of platforms, creating better customer experiences and more growth opportunities.
AutoDS vs. CJDropshipping vs. Oberlo: Product Research Tools
Oberlo and CJDropshipping fall behind in product research tools, relying mostly on basic filters and manual browsing. While that may work for beginners, it limits both the speed and accuracy needed to identify trending products.
AutoDS, on the other hand, stands out with AI-powered tools like Ads Spy and real-time trend analytics, enabling data-backed decisions and faster product launches.
👉 AutoDS offers research capabilities that CJDropshipping and Oberlo simply don’t provide.
AutoDS vs. CJDropshipping vs. Oberlo: Pricing and Value for Money
At first glance, CJDropshipping’s pay-as-you-go model and Oberlo’s free plan seemed ideal for beginners testing the waters, but additional fees for branding, warehousing, or premium tools can eat into profits quickly.
That said, AutoDS starts at $19.90/month with clear, scalable tiers that include automation, AI tools, and 24/7 support, all without hidden fees.
👉 AutoDS delivers more long-term value than CJDropshipping and Oberlo for businesses focused on growth, offering key features that others reserve for premium users.
AutoDS vs. CJDropshipping vs. Oberlo: Usability and Beginner-Friendliness
Oberlo was once praised for its simplicity before it shut down, but it’s no longer available. CJdropshipping, for its part, offers onboarding support through dedicated agents, though its manual workflows and less intuitive interface can make it more challenging to navigate.
AutoDS, meanwhile, rewards users with a clean, modern layout and smart automation that simplifies even complex tasks. Bulk edits, automation rules, and store-wide settings are all accessible from a unified dashboard.
👉 AutoDS maintains a professional user experience standard that exceeds CJDropshipping’s, striking a stronger balance between functionality and ease of use.
AutoDS vs. CJDropshipping vs. Oberlo: Support and Updates
Support matters, especially when scaling fast. Oberlo no longer provides updates or assistance, making it an outdated option. CJDropshipping does offer 24/7 agent support, which is helpful, but can fall short when handling complex or time-sensitive issues.
AutoDS once again goes a step further, presenting 24/7 live chat, email support, learning resources and frequent feature updates.
👉 AutoDS provides a better support system than CJdropshipping and Oberlo for users who need tools and guidance to grow confidently.
Feature | AutoDS | CJDropshipping | Oberlo (before shutdown) |
---|---|---|---|
Automation and Efficiency | Full end-to-end automation. Advanced tools like dynamic pricing and customer communication automation. | Partial automation for order fulfillment and inventory syncing. Requires manual input for custom sourcing and branding. | Basic automation for AliExpress orders and inventory syncing. Limited to Shopify and manual tasks like supplier vetting. |
Product Sourcing and Supplier Access | More than 30 suppliers (AliExpress, Amazon, Walmart, CJ Dropshipping). Access to more than 500M products and private suppliers. | Access to more than 900,000 products, custom sourcing, and 25+ global suppliers. Offers print-on-demand and warehousing. | Exclusively AliExpress and select Shopify suppliers. Limited product variety and supplier quality. |
Platform Integration and Compatibility | Shopify, eBay, Amazon, Wix, WooCommerce, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace and more. Multi-store management from a single dashboard. | Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Magento, TikTok Shop. Focused on Shopify integration. | Shopify-only. |
Product Research Tools | AI-powered marketplace, Ads Spy, trend analytics, and auto-optimization. | Limited research tools. Relies on manual browsing and custom sourcing requests. | Basic AliExpress filtering and Oberlo recommendations. No AI tools. |
Pricing and Value for Money | Starts at $19.90/month (annual billing). Transparent tiers with bulk tools, AI features, and 24/7 support. | No monthly fees. Pay-as-you-go for products plus shipping. Custom branding and warehousing incur extra costs. | Free plan (500 products), paid tiers up to $29.90/month. |
Usability and Beginner-Friendliness | Intuitive, clear and modern interface for bulk actions and automation. | Less intuitive interface. Dedicated agent support eases onboarding. | Beginner-friendly with simple Shopify integration. |
Support and Updates | 24/7 live chat, email, AutoDS educational resources, and community. Constant platform updates. | 24/7 dedicated agent support. Limited response for complex issues. | Limited support. No updates since 2022 shutdown. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best dropshipping platform in 2025: AutoDS, CJDropshipping, or Oberlo?
AutoDS is considered the best dropshipping platform in 2025. It offers the most complete and scalable solution, with full automation, multi-supplier support, and integrations with various channels. CJDropshipping remains a solid choice for in-house fulfillment and print-on-demand, while Oberlo is no longer available, having been discontinued by Shopify in 2022.
Is Oberlo still available for Shopify users?
No, Oberlo is not currently available for Shopify users. The platform was officially shut down in 2022 and has since been removed from the Shopify App Store. Shopify now recommends alternatives like AutoDS for users seeking AliExpress integration and store automation.
How does AutoDS compare to CJDropshipping in terms of product automation?
AutoDS prioritizes full advanced product automation that saves more time than CJDropshipping. It handles everything, from product imports and price updates to inventory sync and automatic order fulfillment. Meanwhile, CJDropshipping provides semi-automated services and requires more manual effort throughout the process.
Which platform is more beginner-friendly: AutoDS or CJDropshipping?
Both platforms are beginner-friendly, but AutoDS serves starters better than CJDropshipping because of its intuitive dashboard, guided onboarding, and integrated product research tool. CJDropshipping may involve more manual setup for things like product customization or shipping rules.
Can AutoDS be used for platforms other than Shopify, unlike Oberlo?
Yes! Unlike Oberlo, AutoDS supports multiple eCommerce platforms, including Shopify, eBay, Wix, WooCommerce, and Facebook Marketplace. In contrast, Oberlo was only compatible with Shopify, which made it less flexible for multichannel sellers.
What are the key differences in supplier access between AutoDS and CJDropshipping?
AutoDS prioritizes variety and flexibility by connecting sellers with a wide network of suppliers across AliExpress, Amazon, Walmart, and more, offering broader sourcing opportunities than CJDropshipping’s in-house model. In contrast, CJDropshipping focuses on products sourced directly from manufacturers and its own global warehouses, but limits access to third-party retail suppliers.
Conclusion: So, Which One Is Best?
By now, the answer probably feels obvious. In this business, it all comes down to asking yourself what your goals are and which platform is best equipped to help you reach them.
Oberlo is out of the picture, and even at its peak, it lacked the flexibility, automation, and supplier variety that dropshippers need. CJDropshipping is still a solid option, especially for those exploring custom sourcing or targeting international markets on a budget. However, it also leans on manual processes and extra fees that can slow growth.
AutoDS, on the other hand, offers a seamless mix of automation, platform compatibility, advanced research tools, and reliable support; all designed to help you launch faster, work smarter, and scale with confidence. That balance of power, ease, and long-term perspective shows why it deliversbetter overall value than any other platform in 2025.
So if your goal is to grow a serious dropshipping business with fewer bottlenecks and more control, stop looking: AutoDS is the one.
Don’t waste another minute! Try our 14-day trial for $1 and start your dropshipping adventure today.
Want to keep learning? Check out these guides and dig deeper into dropshipping: