Oberlo Shut Down: What Dropshippers Need to Know Now
After Oberlo shut down on June 15, 2022: – All Oberlo accounts and data were permanently deleted and are no longer accessible – Shopify recommended DSers as the official replacement, but it's not your only option – Dropified, Spocket, and Modalyst offer proven alternatives with comparable or better features – You can migrate your dropshipping business seamlessly with the right automation tool – The Oberlo shutdown signaled a shift in dropshipping, not the end of the business model
Shopify's Oberlo, one of the world's largest dropshipping automation platforms, officially shut down on June 15, 2022. The announcement came on May 11, 2022, giving over 12,600 businesses just 35 days to migrate their operations.
If you relied on Oberlo or were planning to start dropshipping with it, you're likely wondering what happens next. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Oberlo shut down and your best alternatives moving forward.
Why Did Oberlo Shut Down?
Shopify's official statement cited merchant interests as the primary reason: “We are sunsetting Oberlo on June 15, 2022 and transitioning how we enable dropshipping to a more optimal solution developed by a trusted Shopify partner, DSers.”
The real story is more nuanced. Traditional AliExpress dropshipping has become less profitable and more competitive. Longer shipping times, quality control issues, and increased customer expectations have made the old model less viable.
Shopify recognized that the dropshipping landscape needed to evolve beyond simple AliExpress automation. Rather than invest in upgrading Oberlo, they partnered with DSers and stepped back from direct involvement in dropshipping automation.
💡 Dropified Insight: When Oberlo shut down, we saw a 340% increase in migration requests. Most merchants told us they wanted more than just AliExpress automation—they needed multi-platform support, better supplier options, and advanced features Oberlo never offered. That's exactly what Dropified delivers.
What Happened When Oberlo Shut Down?
On June 15, 2022, Oberlo was completely uninstalled from all Shopify stores. Here's what that meant for users:
Data Loss: All products, supplier connections, and historical data stored in Oberlo were permanently deleted. Once the shutdown occurred, this information became completely inaccessible.
Store Operations: Your Shopify store remained live, but automated order fulfillment stopped immediately. Orders could only be fulfilled manually until you integrated a replacement solution.
Refunds: Paid Oberlo subscribers received either direct refunds (if billed through Oberlo) or Shopify app credits (if billed through Shopify) for unused subscription days.
No New Accounts: After May 11, 2022, Oberlo was removed from the Shopify App Store. No new accounts could be created after this date.
What Should You Do After the Oberlo Shutdown?
The Oberlo shut down doesn't mean your dropshipping business has to end. You have several viable alternatives that offer equal or superior functionality.
Oberlo recommended DSers as their official replacement, and they even built an import tool to simplify migration. However, DSers isn't your only option—and for many merchants, it's not the best option.
Before choosing your next automation platform, consider what features matter most to your business. Successful dropshipping businesses prioritize supplier diversity, fulfillment speed, and automation capabilities.
Do You Have to Use DSers?
No. While Shopify promoted DSers as the natural successor to Oberlo, you're free to choose any dropshipping automation platform that fits your needs.
Many former Oberlo users report issues with DSers' interface, limited supplier options, and customer support challenges. It's worth researching multiple alternatives before committing your entire business to one platform.
After all, this is your business. You should choose the tool that best serves your specific needs and goals.
Top Alternatives to Oberlo After Shutdown
1. Dropified
Dropified has been a leading Oberlo competitor for years, offering dropship automation with significantly more features and flexibility. We've helped thousands of former Oberlo users migrate their businesses successfully.
Our platform goes beyond basic AliExpress automation to support multiple suppliers, marketplaces, and advanced features that professional dropshippers need.
Oberlo Migration Tool: YES
Pricing: Starting at $47/month or $67 one-time payment (Retro Lifetime Plan)
Key Dropified Features: – Unlimited products – Sell on Facebook Marketplace and multiple eCommerce platforms (including Shopify) – Auto-fulfill from eBay, Alibaba, and AliExpress – List products from 50+ retail platforms – Up to 3 store integrations – Rapid ordering with AliExpress/Alibaba API – Product research boards for organization – Automated pricing markups – Unlimited sub-users – Advanced variant and bundle mapping
Learn more about dropshipping strategies that work with Dropified's advanced automation.
2. Spocket
Spocket focuses on connecting you with suppliers worldwide, particularly in the US and EU. This approach offers faster shipping times compared to traditional AliExpress dropshipping.
You can order product samples directly from the dashboard to test quality before committing to suppliers. Store integration is straightforward and user-friendly.
Oberlo Migration Tool: NO
Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans from $24.99/month to $99.99/month
Key Spocket Features: – Up to 250 unique products (varies by plan) – Premium product selection – Branded invoicing – 24/7 chat support – AliExpress dropshipping integration
3. Modalyst
Modalyst emphasizes zero upfront inventory costs and ease of automation. Their platform is designed for retailers who want to source and sell niche products with minimal friction.
Oberlo Migration Tool: NO
Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans at $35/month and $90/month
Key Modalyst Features: – One-click product adding – Full import of product info, images, and variants – Easy product information editing – Real-time product and inventory updates – Order tracking with tracking numbers – Image and variant mapping – Bulk product adding to eCommerce stores
When choosing between dropshipping and other business models, consider how each platform supports your specific approach.
DSers vs Dropified: Complete Comparison
Here's how Dropified's Retro Plan compares to DSers monthly plans:
| Feature | Dropified Retro | Dropified Retro Lifetime | DSers Basic | DSers Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $47/month | $67/one-time | Free | $19/month |
| Auto-fulfill from AliExpress | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Set up tracking in shipping emails | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Import list | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Publish products in bulk | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Unlimited products | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Send customized order notes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Product research boards | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Sell on multiple eCommerce platforms | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | Limited |
| 3+ store integrations | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Chrome extension | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-fulfill from eBay | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Automated address fixing | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Advanced pricing markup rules | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Automated tracking sync | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split product variants | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Unlimited sub-users | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Bulk order processing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Profit dashboard | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Rapid ordering with AliExpress/Alibaba API | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Auto-fulfill from Alibaba | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Automated pricing markups | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sell on Facebook Marketplace | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Variants mapping | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| BOGO/Bundle mapping | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
For even more features and capabilities, check out Dropified's complete pricing page with our Build, Pro, and Enterprise plans.
Moving Forward After Oberlo Shutdown
The Oberlo shut down marked a turning point in dropshipping, but not the end. The business model continues to thrive with merchants who adapt to new tools and strategies.
Your next steps depend on your business goals. If you're discovering the best products to sell, you need a platform that supports extensive product research and testing. If you're scaling an established store, prioritize automation, multi-store management, and advanced fulfillment features.
Consider what you learned from using Oberlo—both what worked and what didn't. What successful dropshipping businesses have in common is adaptability and choosing tools that grow with their needs.
The Oberlo shutdown removed a popular option, but it also created an opportunity to upgrade to more powerful, flexible automation platforms. Whether you choose Dropified, DSers, Spocket, or Modalyst, make sure your new platform supports your vision for growth.
For location-specific strategies, explore dropshipping business ideas for UK-based operations or research how to maximize profits with Shopify dropshipping.
Your dropshipping business doesn't end with Oberlo—it evolves. Choose your next platform wisely, and you'll emerge from this transition stronger than before.
