If you’re new to the world of dropshipping, you’ve probably noticed that automation is key for building a business that actually grows and lasts. The good news? There are platforms out there designed to simplify things and help you manage your store to make your journey much smoother.
But while some tools, like Oberlo, focused on doing one thing well (working with AliExpress and Shopify), others, like AutoDS, go a few steps further (to say the least). AutoDS offers an integral, all-in-one solution that attracts dropshippers eager to work across multiple platforms and suppliers.
But what actually makes one tool better than another? Choosing the right automation tool isn’t just a matter of preference; it can define the success of your dropshipping business. In this article, we’ll break down AutoDS vs. Oberlo, covering their key features, pros and cons, and why one of them clearly comes out on top.
While Oberlo focused on AliExpress + Shopify, AutoDS offers an all-in-one solution built for dropshippers who want to scale across multiple platforms and suppliers.
Oberlo offered basic automation, but users still had to handle key tasks themselves. AutoDS delivers full end-to-end automation, from product importing to dynamic pricing and order fulfillment.
AutoDS breaks the limits Oberlo imposed, supporting multi-platform selling (Shopify, eBay, Wix, and more).
AutoDS offers built-in research tools Oberlo didn’t provide, including AI-powered research features to help users find winning products.
Oberlo shut down in 2022 and offered limited support. AutoDS continues to grow, with regular updates, scalable features, and support for sellers who are serious about long-term success.
Overview of AutoDS
What is AutoDS?
AutoDS is the all-in-one automation platform built to simplify the dropshipping process by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions for every step of the way. It serves both beginner and expert dropshippers who need to smooth their workflow and manage their stores efficiently.
AutoDS solves the biggest pain point for all starting dropshipping businesses (time-consuming manual tasks) better than most tools out there. From product sourcing to order fulfillment, everything is streamlined into one platform.
How? By offering a powerful suite of integrated features that most other platforms simply lack. Let’s take a look at them!
Key Features of AutoDS
Automated Order Fulfillment: AutoDS implements full automation that processes product sourcing, order placement, and tracking updates faster than Oberlo ever could, cutting down on manual tasks and saving users hours of work.
Multi-Platform Compatibility: AutoDS delivers cross-platform functionality that exceeds industry standards, seamlessly integrating with a wide range of selling channels, such as:
- Shopify
- eBay
- TikTok Shop
- Wix
- Facebook Marketplace
- Amazon
- WooCommerce
Its centralized dashboard also makes it easy to manage multiple stores in one place, something Oberlo didn’t offer.
Price and Stock Monitoring: AutoDS constantly monitors supplier prices and stock levels in real time, automatically syncing changes to your store. This capability not only protects your margins but also prevents overselling, without costing extra like many third-party Oberlo add-ons did.
AI-Powered Product Research Tools: AutoDS’s AI-driven product finder helps you spot trending and in-demand products quickly by analyzing real-time data and social signals, delivering market insights and product recommendations that go far beyond other platforms’ capacities.
Print on Demand: Want to sell custom products without managing inventory? AutoDS includes an easy-to-use POD feature, letting you offer unique items while staying hands-off on fulfillment.
Additional Advantages:
- 24/7 Customer Support: Whether it’s a technical issue or just a quick question, AutoDS delivers dedicated assistance around the clock.
- Educational Resources: AutoDS offers educational content to help users master the business with access to an extensive dropshipping blog, a YouTube channel, a mentorship program, courses, and more.
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AutoDS Pricing and Plans
The AutoDS pricing model is transparent and scalable, offering better value than Oberlo ever did. There are no hidden fees, and you get full access to core features, no matter which plan you’re on. As your store grows, you can upgrade based on the number of products you manage (not based on limited tool access), which makes scaling predictable and cost-efficient.
The first-tier plan starts at $19.90/month (billed annually) or $26.90/month (billed monthly). That means AutoDS offers this entry-level plan with more features than Oberlo’s free or paid tiers ever included, making it a smarter option for dropshippers from day one.
Pros and Cons of AutoDS
✅ AutoDS excels at end-to-end automation that matters most to dropshippers who value efficiency and are ready to take their store to the next level.
✅ AutoDS provides multi-platform support and a broader supplier network than Oberlo ever offered, allowing users to manage them all from one dashboard.
✅ AutoDS stands out for its smart automation, offering AI-powered product research, one-click imports, and real-time analytics that make store management easier and more effective for dropshippers.
❌ AutoDS comes with a multitude of features and plans, which might be a bit overwhelming at first. However, if you take the time to learn, you’ll become an expert in no time.
So, what are you waiting for? Try our 14-day trial for $1 and become a master dropshipper.
Overview of Oberlo
What was Oberlo?
Oberlo was a Shopify exclusive dropshipping app that targeted e-commerce entrepreneurs who prioritized simplicity and quick setup. It allowed users to import products directly from AliExpress into their Shopify stores and manage orders with just a few clicks.
However, Oberlo lacked the advanced automation and multi-platform functionality that AutoDS provides seamlessly. While its user-friendly design helped many get started, its limited scope and eventual shutdown in 2022 left users needing more flexible, long-term solutions.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the series of features that were offered until its closing.
Key Features of Oberlo (before shutdown)
Automated Order Fulfillment: Oberlo allowed users to fulfill orders from AliExpress directly through Shopify, with tracking numbers updated automatically. However, Oberlo required manual processing that AutoDS fully automates, like working with multiple suppliers or handling dynamic pricing.
Product Importing: Users could import AliExpress products into their Shopify store in just a few clicks, simplifying catalog creation. But Oberlo attracted a narrower segment than AutoDS, which supports multiple sources beyond AliExpress.
Inventory and Price Syncing: Oberlo kept store inventory and prices synced with AliExpress in real time, helping reduce order errors. Still, it supported fewer integrations than AutoDS’s comprehensive platform.
Sales and Profit Reports: Oberlo included basic analytics to track sales performance and profit margins, though it lacked the deeper insights and dashboards that AutoDS provides.
Chrome Extension: Oberlo’s browser extension made it easy to import products while browsing AliExpress. A useful tool at the time, though now outpaced by AutoDS’s built-in research and importing features.
Oberlo Pricing and Plans (when available)
One of Oberlo’s biggest draws? Its free plan, which was a strong starting point for beginners. It included essentials like product importing, order monitoring, and inventory sync, but only for up to 500 products per billing cycle. After that, users were bumped to a $29.90/month plan.
Still, Oberlo restricted advanced automation tools to its higher tiers, which AutoDS includes in every plan. Even then, Oberlo’s features lacked the depth and flexibility that come standard with AutoDS, making it a more expensive and less scalable option in the long run.
Pros and Cons of Oberlo
✅ Oberlo provided a simple, beginner-friendly experience that was appealing to new dropshippers testing the waters, with seamless AliExpress and Shopify integration and a free plan for up to 500 products.
❌ Oberlo lacks critical automation features and multi-platform support that AutoDS delivers effortlessly.
❌ By being tied exclusively to AliExpress, Oberlo didn’t deliver a wide range of supplier options (something guaranteed with AutoDS), which often led to inconsistent product quality, unreliable shipping, and limited scalability.
❌ Finally, the most important (and obvious) one: Oberlo SHUT DOWN in 2022 and doesn’t function anymore!
AutoDS vs. Oberlo Comparison
Got the facts. Now, what’s the better choice? It might seem obvious, but choosing between AutoDS and Oberlo always came down to how far users wanted to take their business. Oberlo offered a simple, Shopify-only setup that was good for getting started, but AutoDS brings a lot more to the table.
So, how do they compare in terms of features, flexibility, and long-term value? Let’s break it down side by side.
AutoDS vs. Oberlo: Automation & Efficiency
AutoDS offers full end-to-end automation that Oberlo simply didn’t provide.
While Oberlo’s process was reliable for core e-commerce tasks and offered basic automation for Shopify-based stores, users still had to handle many tasks themselves. From dynamic pricing to order processing and customer communication, AutoDS delivers a robust, efficient, and hands-free solution that helps dropshippers scale faster and smarter.
AutoDS vs. Oberlo: Marketplace & Supplier Access
AutoDS maintains a level of supplier variety and multi-channel selling that exceeds Oberlo’s capabilities.
With Oberlo, users were limited to sourcing from AliExpress and selling exclusively on Shopify, which reduced suppliers’ variety, pricing flexibility, and shipping options. Meanwhile, AutoDS supports platforms like eBay, Wix, Amazon, and Facebook Marketplace, plus private suppliers and brand customization, creating better customer experiences and more competitive advantages.
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AutoDS vs. Oberlo: Product Research
AutoDS excels at data-driven product discovery, while Oberlo struggled with limited search options. The platform lacked built-in analytics or advanced filtering, so many users had to rely on third-party tools to find winning products with more precision.
Features like the AI Product Finder and Ads Spy give AutoDS users a real edge in spotting top items, especially helpful for those who want to minimize guesswork and maximize selling potential.
AutoDS vs. Oberlo: Platform Support and Updates
AutoDS delivers more long-term value than Oberlo for businesses focused on growth.
While Oberlo was discontinued in 2022 and exclusively supported Shopify, AutoDS is continuously updated with new features, supplier integrations, and improvements that keep pace with e-commerce trends. And, of course, it supports a broad ecosystem, making it the better choice for dropshippers prioritizing multi-channel scalability and future-proofing.
Feature AutoDS (2025) Oberlo (before shutdown)
Automation Level End-to-end, full automation (importing, pricing, stock updates, order fulfillment) Limited to basic tasks
Supplier flexibility Multiple sources, not limited to one platform AliExpress and select Shopify suppliers
Product Research AI-powered research tools, hand-picked products, Ads Spy tools, and trend analytics Manual, basic filtering
Platform Support and Updates Shopify only, discontinued Shopify, eBay, Wix, WooCommerce, Facebook Marketplace, TikTok Shop, Etsy, ongoing, constantly updated
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oberlo still available in 2025?
No. Oberlo is no longer available in 2025. It was officially discontinued by Shopify, with the tool being removed from the Shopify App Store in 2022 and all remaining accounts deactivated by the same year.
Which is better for beginners: AutoDS or Oberlo?
AutoDS serves beginners better than Oberlo ever could because of its advanced automation tools, broader supplier network, 24/7 customer support, and educational resources. These features create a user-friendly experience for starters, allowing them to manage and scale their dropshipping business more efficiently.
Can AutoDS replace Oberlo for Shopify users?
Absolutely! AutoDS can replace Oberlo for Shopify users, offering seamless integration with Shopify, but also with multiple other platforms. Plus, it includes more key features than Oberlo ever did, offering a more complete and integrated solution for users.
Conclusion: Which Platform Wins in 2025?
Well, I think you already know the answer. Ultimately, dropshipping isn’t just about getting started; it’s about building something that can grow with you. And in that sense, only one of these platforms goes beyond the basics.
Oberlo was a solid entry point for dropshippers, but it’s no longer around. And even when it was, it limited users to a single supplier and a single marketplace. AutoDS provides a broader supplier network, cross-platform flexibility, and built-in product research tools; a combination that makes it superior to what Oberlo ever offered.
At the bottom line, it all comes down to how far you want to take your business. And in that case, end-to-end automation, marketplace reach, and ongoing platform development are factors that show why AutoDS offers a better overall value than Oberlo.
So, if you’re serious about scaling with less guesswork and more control, AutoDS isn’t just the better option: it’s the right one.
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