Dropship Software Comparison: Spocket vs Oberlo

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spocket vs oberlo

During the pandemic, I expanded my dropshipping business to what are now 4 stores across 4 different niches.

I have enjoyed the challenge. I have also managed to get a good insight into some of the leading dropship software services currently available.

Anyway, upon launching my latest store I decided to check out the differences between Oberlo and Spocket to see what might be the best fit.

I am already using Spocket on a UK-based dropship store, but it had been a while since I had used Oberlo, (not since one of my earlier ventures back in 2017).

It was time to see how Oberlo held up to a newer kid on the block, and whether I might use them again going forward.

What follows is my experience with both services for my latest store.

Table of Contents

Spocket vs Oberlo: Bottom Line Summary

I have been very happy with Spocket for my European-based enterprise, so it was interesting to use it now for a US-based dropship store.

In fact, the experience has been even better due to having access to more suppliers. I opted for the pro plan at $49 per month, with the 250 product limit being okay for me at this stage.

The comparative plan on Oberlo costs $29.90 a month but provides far greater product access, (10,000 in total). Oberlo definitely wins from a value for money perspective; their free plan also allows you to ship products whereas on Spocket you can only view them.

However, the majority of Oberlo’s suppliers are based in China, and despite the inbuilt tools they provide to measure the quality of the suppliers (seller feedback, etc); it definitely felt more of a lottery when compared to Spocket.

Both services have great user interfaces, and the back office administration (order processing, etc) is very smooth. Customer support is good on both too.

One issue that will always be the case with Oberlo is that you are restricted to Shopify. Spocket provides far greater integration (see below for more on that). If you want to use a platform outside of Shopify, Oberlo is not for you from the start.

Essentially, if you are looking to ship from China and will only use Shopify, Oberlo is a great option. If you want a more polished user experience, along with US and European-based suppliers and aim to integrate with different platforms, Spocket is the better choice.

What is Spocket

Spocket_logo

Spocket is a dropshipping app that can be integrated with a number of eCommerce platforms, (Shopify, WooCommerce, and more).

An easy-to-use interface, enables users to connect with suppliers from the U.S and Europe. The latter being very useful for those that are looking to dropship products with fast delivery times within the EU.
Furthermore, the fact they have a more stringent supplier sign-up process has helped maintain a high level of product and supplier quality.

The software also helps to automate the entire drop ship pipeline, taking care of order processing, tracking while helping to facilitate communication with the customer.

What is Oberlo?

oberlo logo

Oberlo is also a drop-ship software service that integrates directly with Shopify.

It works in a similar way to Spocket in that it connects users with dropship suppliers, although in this case they are based mainly in Asia via AliExpress.

Due to the reliance on Chinese-based suppliers, delivery times can be longer. Users also need to do their due diligence when it comes to product and supplier quality.

The company was launched in 2015 and can now boast of assisting in the sale of over 85 million items online.

Main Differences Between Spocket and Oberlo?

Before we dive into the features of each of the services in turn, let’s take a quick look at the main differences between the two.

SPOCKET

OBERLO

Spocket has suppliers from both the US and the EU

Oberlo has suppliers mainly from China

Spocket’s shipping times are generally faster due to the suppliers being located in the same regions as the customer

Oberlo’s shipping times are longer as products are mainly from the far east

Spocket’s range of products and suppliers is relatively small compared to Oberlo

Oberlo has a vast catalog of suppliers and products

Spocket provides access to certain trending/premium products via higher price plans

Oberlo provides access to all products no matter the subscribed plan

Spocket’s suppliers create personalised, branded invoices

Oberlo’s suppliers provide standard invoices

Spocket has a free plan, but this is only to view products. 

Oberlo has a free plan where you can start shipping. It also has lower price point plans

Spocket’s interface is modern and very easy to use

Oberlo’s interface is more clunky

Spocket vs Oberlo – Main Features

Integration with your webstore

Oberlo-Dashboard
Oberlo only integrates with Shopify. However, the process is nice and easy from within the Oberlo Dashboard.

Linking Oberlo with Shopify is very easy, just download the Oberlo app from the Shopify app store, follow the onscreen prompts and Oberlo will be connected to your store.

However, the trade-off for this simplicity is that Oberlo only works with Shopify.

Spocket on the other hand can be linked to several eCommerce platforms, (Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Ecwid, and more). Because of this, installation is platform-specific, however, as much as possible Spocket has attempted to make the process simple for all levels of user.

Spocket Dropshipping-Apps-Software-Integrations-Spocket
Spocket can be integrated with several different e-commerce platforms.

With Shopify, (which is what I used for this review), it was just a case of hitting install from with the app store inside my Shopify Dashboard.

Within a few clicks, I had signed into Spocket and was ready to start finding suppliers.

WINNER: Spocket (based on the number of integrations).

Interface and ease of use

laptop

As a newer piece of software, Spocket benefits from a modern, easy-to-use dashboard that is very intuitive to use.

Product categories are shown with images as well as text and can be navigated in a simple point and click way. Searching for specific items is made easy too.

Menu items are clearly displayed on the left and access to all the main features, (import lists, order management, etc) can be carried out with ease.

Oberlo is also relatively easy to use but lacks the refinement of the Spocket interface.

Searching for products can be completed with the Oberlo app, or the AliExpress Chrome Extension, a system that is slightly more convoluted compared to the search process in Spocket.

General dropship management is beginner-friendly however. You can look at your import list, manage product details and descriptions, review orders all from within the dashboard.

WINNER: Overall, it is really close between the two apps. For me though, Spocket just gets it for the more modern, simplified design.

Supplier & Product Search & Selection

As I have already touched upon, searching for products is easy using Spocket.

Large product category images dominant the dashboard and you can spend hours enjoyably searching through looking for relevant suppliers.

You can filter results by relevance, price, newest, and shipping time, (the latter being a really great feature).

You can also look for suppliers via location (the US or Europe), to help find country-specific dropship relationships.

The fact these are high-quality vetted suppliers is also very positive. As a direct result, the product descriptions are normally of an extremely high standard, with superior photographs and images. Delivery times are better too.

On the negative side, there is a significantly smaller pool of suppliers when compared to Oberlo. The fact some products are hidden unless you are on a higher price plan can also be frustrating.

The Oberlo search function is simple to use, and that too has great filtering options.

The ‘view product statistics’ is more powerful than what is on offer with Spocket, it will even tell you how many other Oberlo stores are currently listing a product, (giving you an idea of popularity and competition).

Seller’s feedback percentage and other important ratings are also provided, all of which help you determine whether to start listing a product.

In many ways, due to the larger amount of suppliers, it is important that these due-diligence tools are available.

These are all features I would like to see improved and added to Spocket.

WINNER: DRAW – The supplier/product debate and who is best between Spocket and Oberlo, really is dependant on what you are looking for. Essentially, if you are looking for more Chinese-based suppliers Oberlo is the software to go for. If you are happy with a smaller pool of (arguably higher quality) suppliers based in the US and EU, Spocket is the better choice.

Importing & Editing Products

Oberlo-Source-homepage-AliExpress

Again, due to the intuitive interface, importing products using Spocket is nice and easy.

After you have created your import list you can easily edit any or all of the product photos, descriptions, and other important details.

The cost to you, along with recommended retail prices and potential profits are also made very clear.

Once you are happy with all the relevant variables, simply press “push to store’ and the software will take care of the rest.

The Oberlo product editing function is slightly more clunky, however, it is still easy to use.

A simple text editor allows you to adjust the product details and images. The same area provides an opportunity to adjust pricing and other variants.

The cost to you and the customer, as well as profits, are also calculated.

Similarly, clicking ‘import to store’ will send the finished product list to your Shopify store.

As mentioned earlier, you can also import products into your store via the AliExpress add-on.

This comes in the form of an Oberlo extension to Google Chrome. Simply browse the AliExpress website and add products to your import list as you go.

Due diligence is more difficult this way, however, as the product and supplier feedback ratings are not as easily accessible from outside the Oberlo dashboard.

In other words, it will take longer to check whether the products meet appropriate standards.

WINNER: Spocket, for simplicity and ease of use.

Order Management

dropshipping product guide

Now we come to the all-important order management. Just how much control do you have, and what level of automation is offered?

Both Spocket and Oberlo automate the order processing, informing your supplier directly once a sale has been made.

Spocket has great order management tools and you access and can search orders via order numbers s well as filter by status, (e.g unpaid, paid, processing, or shipped).

Due to Spocket’s suppliers being located in the region of the buyer, processing times are faster. This is great for the customer, it also makes returns a lot simpler.

Oberlo provides an overview of each order along with the fulfillment status. You can also search orders by keyword.

The processing of Oberlo products is generally longer because of the delivery times involved when shipping from China. Taxes and duties may also be an issue too.

WINNER: Spocket. Both apps have high-quality order management features along with some great automation. However, the dropship pipeline from purchase to delivery is generally faster with Spocket.

Branding

branding

When you dropship products you often don’t want the manufacturer/supplier putting their own promotional materials or flyers into the package.

Thankfully both Spocket and Oberlo guarantee that suppliers won’t do this.

However, Spocket does provide the ability to put your own personalized invoice to each order. This can contain your store’s name and logo and other brand details, (you do have to be on the Pro or Empire plan in order to access this).

Branding really helps provide a level of legitimacy as well as enhances your overall image. These details can encourage repeat customers.

Oberlo, on the other hand, does not provide the opportunity for a branded approach. This really is a negative in my book.

WINNER: Spocket not only restricts suppliers from putting their own promotional material into the package, but they also provide the merchant (as in you) with the opportunity to create your own.

Spocket Vs Oberlo Support

support

Both Spocket and Oberlo offer good levels of customer support.

Spocket has a chat system that enables you to talk to someone during office hours, (this is accessible 24/7 on the Pro plan). Phone support is also provided on the top-level plan.

There is also a regularly updated blog with case studies and guides, along with a resource center for merchants.

Oberlo’s has a lot of free content for sellers and is superior to Spocket due to the 101 courses, videos, and podcasts.

An email ticket query system is the way you access to support from Oberlo. This is fast and responsive too.

WINNER: Draw. Spocket has a great level of immediate support channels on the paid plans, but less in the way of free online resources. Even free users have access to the support ticket system on Oberlo which is adequately responsive.

Spocket vs Oberlo – Pricing Structure

Both Spocket and Oberlo offer different pricing plans to cater to the varying needs of dropship merchants.

Let’s take a look at each in turn

Spocket Pricing

Free

The Spocket free plan is designed to enable merchants to browse all the supplier products in order to determine whether the service is for them. You can integrate your store, and see a preview of the back-ordering process.

Starter Package

The starter package has everything you need to get started and costs $24 per month. You have access to all the Spocket integrations and can import 25 unique products to your webstore platform of choice.

The product price automatic currency conversion add-on (which displays the currency of the product based on the visitor’s region) and email support are also included.

Pro Package

The pro plan costs $49 per month and it is this plan that I trialed in order to conduct this review. It offers everything from the Starter Package with the opportunity to import 250 products to your webstore. 25 pre-selected premium products are also made available.

The real benefit of the pro package, however, is the branded packaging options and live chat support (rather than just email).

Empire Package

The Empire package is for large e-commerce store owners. It costs $99 per month and allows for 10,000 product imports (including all available premium products). Branding and chat support are included too.

Oberlo Pricing

Starter Package

This is a free package that includes everything you need to start dropshipping on Shopify. It also includes the Oberlo Chrome extension and allows for unlimited monthly orders. You are restricted to just 500 products, however.

Basic Package

The Oberlo Basic package costs $29.90 a month. Extras above the free package include real-time order tracking, a captcha solver, fulfillment monitoring, bulk orders, sales reports, and automated product pricing. Up to 10,000 products can be added to your Shopify store on this plan.

Pro Package

The pro package costs $79.90 a month and a host of extras plus up to 30,000 products.

Spocket vs Oberlo – Final Verdict

In my opinion, Spocket is the dropship software package to go for. Its pro plan is a great way to get started with a small store, knowing that the quality of the suppliers will be top-notch and generally based on the location you will be selling to (e.g USA or Europe).

Yes, you will be paying more from the outset (The pro plan costs $49), however, to ensure your enterprise gets off to the best possible start, Spocket really will deliver.

It also provides the option to integrate with a lot more platforms than just Shopify. For many customers, this will be a huge benefit when compared to Oberlo.

Oberlo is a suitable option for the complete beginner building a dropshipping store on Shopify. It is a great way to test the waters so to speak. You will have access to thousands of Chinese suppliers at a very affordable price.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. If you are looking to experiment with a Shopify dropship store, Oberlo works great.

If your aim is to build a successful eCommerce dropship store with the option to scale, Spocket is my recommended choice.

About V50

The editorial team here at Vault50.com is made up of a number of writers based all over the world. Our interests and experience cover the full range of what we talk about here. Clare Turner is one of our key contributers writing about the home. David Lachance is our resident e-commerce and business guru, if it's anything to do with that, he's your man. Kevin Simpson takes care of the website layout and publishing and also heads up our education section, with in-depth reviews and articles on courses and training. Find out more about all of us here.

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