Are you looking to start dropshipping but don’t know which platform to build your store on?
To help you out, we've curated a list of the ten best dropshipping platforms, each with unique features and benefits.
This guide will also help you pinpoint which one aligns best with your business goals.
Let’s get started!
The Best Dropshipping Platforms: An Overview
Before diving into the article, here's a quick overview of all the best dropshipping platforms we'll be discussing:
Platform | Best for | Pricing |
Shopify | Dropshippers without coding skills who want a user-friendly, comprehensive ecommerce solution. | $39 / $105 / $399 per month. Custom pricing for the Shopify Plus plan |
WooCommerce | Dropshippers who want flexibility and control over their online store. | Free and open source |
Magento | Tech-savvy dropshippers who want a highly customizable and scalable platform. | Free and open source |
BigCommerce | Dropshippers looking to scale rapidly and want a complete ecommerce solution with robust features. | $29 / $79 / $299 a month. Custom pricing for Enterprise plan |
Ecwid | Dropshippers who want to add ecommerce functionality to an existing website. | Free / $19 / $39 / $99 |
Shift4Shop | Businesses of small to medium size in the US looking for a Shopify alternative to save costs. | Free |
OpenCart | Dropshippers who want a lightweight open-source platform. | Free |
Facebook Marketplace | Dropshippers who want to sell locally (US sellers can sell nationally). | 5% transaction fee or $0.40 for orders below $8 |
eBay | Dropshippers who want to sell new and used items across multiple categories. | Free / $5 / $22 / $60 / $300 / $3,000 |
Etsy | Dropshippers who want to sell handmade arts and crafts. | 6.5% transaction fee |
7 Best platforms for creating your own dropshipping store
Whether you're on a budget, not too techy, or just super busy and can't spend all day managing a store, there's a platform out there that's just right for you.
1. Shopify Review
Best for: Dropshippers without coding skills who want a user-friendly, comprehensive ecommerce solution.

Shopify is an all-in-one ecommerce solution for building and hosting your online store.
You get to build a website using a drag-and-drop builder and don't even have to worry about hosting, which can be a real pain if you're new to dropshipping.
Shopify is also the most popular fully hosted shopping platform in the world, which powers more than 2.9 million online stores in the US alone.
Just take a look at this screenshot from BuiltWith:

On top of that, many famous brands use Shopify, like Kylie Cosmetics, Allbirds, and Red Bull.
It offers various customizable themes and styles, allowing you to give your store a unique look, differentiating it from other online shops and marketplaces.
For more information, check out our guide on how to start a Shopify store.
Pros
- User-friendly. You can easily create an online store without any coding skills.
- Extensive app store. You can choose from 4,000+ free and 3,000+ paid apps from the App Store.
- Highly scalable. Shopify is designed for small business owners and large enterprises.
- Beautiful themes. Shopify's range of free and premium themes are not only visually appealing but also responsive and customizable.
Cons
- Limited built-in features. A paid platform like Shopify should have more ecommerce features out of the box. You end up installing multiple apps to get the necessary functionalities.
- High upfront costs. For a basic dropshipping store, you need to invest a minimum of $39 monthly to purchase their basic plan. Plus, you’ll need to install third-party apps and themes, which can increase your monthly expenses by a few hundred dollars.
- Low trial period. Shopify has reduced their trial period from 14 days to only 3 days. However, you can get started by paying $1 monthly for three months using our link.
Pricing

Shopify has five subscription plans: Starter, Basic, Shopify, Advanced, and Shopify Plus.
A fully operational ecommerce store is available starting from the Basic plan, which is priced at $39 per month.
For a detailed breakdown of Shopify's pricing plans, check out our article here!
Tip: Have you already created your Shopify account? If not, sign up by clicking this link here to get a free 3-day trial + 3 months for $1 each!

2. WooCommerce Review
Best for: Dropshippers who want flexibility and control over their online store.

WooCommerce is a free plugin for WordPress that adds ecommerce functionality to WordPress sites.
Its key features include:
- Easy online shop setup.
- On-the-go order management.
- Multichannel sales.
- Multilingual options.
- Endlessly customizable themes.
Because WooCommerce is open-source software, you can customize the store however you want!
And the best part is you can start a dropshipping store for free! The only thing you’ll need to pay for is hosting, which can be as low as $3 a month.
Plus, if you find WooCommerce missing a feature you need, you can add a plugin from the WordPress plugin store, which has over 59,000+ plugins.
However, keep in mind that WooCommerce has a longer learning curve than Shopify.
So, your choice between the two will depend on your technical skills, the level of support you need, and your business requirements.
Learn more: For a detailed comparison, take a look at our comprehensive article comparing WooCommerce and Shopify.
Pros
- Completely free. If you’re on a budget and don’t mind putting in time to create and maintain a website, you can get started with WooCommerce for free!
- Product types. You can sell various product types, including physical, virtual, grouped, downloadable, and affiliate products.
- Large community. WordPress has a community of users, developers, merchants, and contributors. If you have any technical issues, you will get help from a large community of active users.
- Diverse design options. There are thousands of WooCommerce themes, both free and premium, to style your online store.
Cons
- Steep learning curve. Although you can start with a preinstalled version via your hosting provider, the setup process can be challenging for inexperienced dropshippers.
- You’re on your own. If you run into issues, you need to fix them yourself. There’s no central support like Shopify. Every theme, plugin, and hosting comes with different support channels.
- Security. Managing security measures and backups for your WooCommerce store falls entirely on you.
Pricing
The WooCommerce plugin is 100% free; you just pay for hosting!
3. Magento Review
Best for: Tech-savvy dropshippers who want a highly customizable and scalable platform.

Magento Open Source, now part of Adobe Commerce, is a robust and scalable shopping cart used by 150,000 businesses.
High-profile users of Magento include major brands like Ford, Coca-Cola, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Magento is available in two versions:
- Magento Open Source. A free version with essential ecommerce features.
- Adobe Commerce. A premium enterprise edition offering advanced functionalities like AI-powered product recommendations and customer segmentation. It's similar to the Shopify Plus plan but more powerful.
Magento is the top choice for being the most customizable ecommerce platform, making it ideal for large dropshipping stores!
However, Magento's popularity is declining, as you can see in this BuiltWith report:

This is because setting up and managing a Magento store requires a significant level of technical expertise.
That's why merchants are moving to more user-friendly platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, which offer easier setup and maintenance.
Pros
- Highly scalable. Magento can handle hundreds of thousands of product variations. It's the perfect solution if you're a growing dropshipping store looking to switch to private labeling.
- Built-in features. Magento had ready-to-use ecommerce features like global selling and advanced SEO tools.
- Codeless content management. Magento’s page builder tool allows you to manage content and layout customization without coding skills, much like SaaS platforms such as Shopify and BigCommerce.
- Detailed reporting. You can keep track of your store’s performance across marketing, sales, reviews, customer interactions, and products with Magento’s integrated reporting features.
Cons
- Complex for beginners. Magento is not user-friendly for newcomers and requires familiarity with command-line interfaces for tasks like installing extensions and themes.
- Expensive. While the Magento Open Source edition is free, expenses for extensions and themes can add up.
- Limited community support. Magento's community, though dedicated, is smaller and predominantly developer-focused, which might pose challenges for dropshippers who are not skilled at coding.
Pricing
Magento is open-source and free to use, but the total cost of ownership can be high. For a basic store, expect to invest at least $350 upfront in extensions, a theme, hosting, and maintenance.
4. BigCommerce Review
Best for: Dropshippers looking to scale rapidly and want a complete ecommerce solution with robust features.

BigCommerce is a software as a solution (SaaS) for dropshippers that want a drag-and-drop builder with advanced built-in features.
It offers two main types:
- BigCommerce Essentials for small to medium-sized businesses.
- BigCommerce Enterprise for large, high-volume companies.
We're focusing on BigCommerce Essentials here, which is tailored to meet the needs of a dropshipping store.
For an affordable monthly fee, BigCommerce hosts your website and manages all the technical stuff.
You also don't need to be a web design pro. BigCommerce provides a range of themes, both free and paid, along with a full suite of ecommerce tools to boost your online sales.
Some well-known users of BigCommerce include Procter & Gamble (P&G), Ben & Jerry’s, and Skullcandy.
Note: Confused between Shopify and BigCommerce? Check out our in-depth comparison to know more!
Pros
- Product variants. You can upload up to 600 variations per product. For example, a t-shirt in five sizes and 20 colors has 100 variants.
- Excellent SEO features. BigCommerce has better SEO features than Shopify. It lets you tweak titles, meta descriptions, and URLs for better search engine visibility.
- Competitive transaction fees. Enjoy lower transaction fees compared to platforms like Shopify.
- Scalable. With BigCommerce, you don't have to worry about hosting or infrastructure as your business grows. Your site will run smoothly regardless of scale.
- Built-in multi-currency. All free themes on BigCommerce automatically support currency conversion.
Cons
- Revenue-based pricing. As your store's sales increase, so do your fees, which can be challenging for dropshippers selling low-margin items.
- Fewer third-party apps. BigCommerce doesn't have as many cutting-edge apps as Shopify, and new apps tend to arrive later.
- Costly tools. Premium reporting tools, such as 'Ecommerce Insights,' come at a higher price.
Pricing

BigCommerce offers three plans: Standard at $29.95/month, Plus at $79.95/month, and Pro at $299.95/month.
Also, don't forget that BigCommerce has a trial available, which you can learn more about here.
5. Ecwid Review
Best for: Adding ecommerce functionality to an existing website.

Ecwid, a SaaS tool for creating online stores, was established in 2009 and recently acquired by Lightspeed. It now supports over 939,500 online stores.
However, Ecwid is quite different from Shopify and BigCommerce.
Ecwid, short for 'Ecommerce Widget,' is not primarily built to let you create a standalone dropshipping store.
It’s basically designed to allow you to add a shopping cart and online payment features to an existing website or blog, social media, and online marketplaces.
For example, you can add the Ecwid plugin to a WordPress website. If your site isn’t compatible with the Ecwid plugin, Ecwid provides a code snippet to embed directly into your site's backend.
Moreover, Ecwid has recently launched a free feature called 'Instant Site' for users without a website. This tool offers a basic, one-page website that's mobile-friendly and maintained by Ecwid.
However, it’s not enough to run a proper dropshipping store.
Pros
- Free plan. A totally free Ecwid plan is available, which is fairly generous in terms of features.
- No technical skills required. Thanks to their variety of free templates, there is no need for technical or design expertise to use Ecwid.
- Affordable. The Venture and Business plans are reasonably priced and packed with useful features.
- Automatic tax calculation. Taxes are applied automatically, simplifying state tax and VAT setups.
Cons
- Limited ecommerce features. Ecwid falls short on the advanced ecommerce functionalities offered by other top platforms.
- Product cap. Only the Unlimited plan allows you to sell an unlimited number of products.
- Basic SEO tools. Ecwid's SEO features are limited, lacking options for editing Alt text, URLs, or setting up 301 redirects.
- Difficult to scale. Ecwid is not made for dropshipping stores with thousands of product variants.
Pricing

Ecwid has four plans with product limits on each:
- Free. $0 per month, up to five products.
- Venture. $19 per month, up to 100 products.
- Business. $39 per month, up to 2,500 products.
- Unlimited. $99 per month, unlimited products.
6. Shift4Shop Review
Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses based in the US looking for a Shopify alternative to save costs.

Shift4Shop is a free, fully hosted ecommerce platform that is perfect for creating an online store effortlessly.
The catch? To enjoy Shift4Shop's free offering, you must qualify for their payment processing plan.
Otherwise, you need to pay a monthly fee, similar to BigCommerce's pricing structure.
Shift4Shop doesn't skimp on features, either.
It has a drag-and-drop website builder, inventory management tools, secure payment processing, and shipping integrations with popular carriers like FedEx and USPS.
Plus, its built-in SEO tools and analytics help elevate your site's visibility in search engines and track store performance.
Note: If you’re confused between Shopify and Shift4Shop, check out our in-depth comparison to know more!
Pros
- Easy to use. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, creating a bespoke online store is a breeze. There's a wide selection of themes and templates to make your store visually align with your brand.
- Free forever plan. Shift4Shop offers a no-cost plan, provided you use their payment gateway and maintain a minimum of $500 monthly sales.
- SEO tools. The platform includes SEO tools for tweaking meta tags, URL structures, internal pages, and product listing keywords.
Cons
- Free plan limitations. The free plan is an exclusive offer for US residents, even though Shift4Shop serves merchants worldwide.
- Limited apps. Although Shift4Shop has several built-in features and integrations, it falls short in the variety of third-party apps and plugins compared to platforms like Shopify.
- Customer support issues. Some users have reported slow responses and limited assistance for technical issues with Shift4Shop.
Pricing

For US merchants, Shift4Shop is free as long as you use their payment processing system and hit a monthly sales minimum of $500.
If you don't meet these criteria or prefer different payment processing options, check out their pricing plans here.
7. Opencart Review
Best for: Dropshippers who want a user-friendly, lightweight open-source platform.

OpenCart is a user-friendly, open-source ecommerce platform that offers essential features like inventory, product, and order management.
If you're a dropshipper with some tech skills and looking for an affordable way to start your online store, OpenCart could be your solution.
It's packed with handy features like affiliate management, reward points, and supports multiple currencies.
When it comes to customization, OpenCart holds its own against platforms like Magento. They offer managed cloud hosting options starting at $59 per month.
And the best part? There's no transaction fee, unlike other hosted ecommerce platforms.
Pros
- No-code store management. Like WooCommerce, OpenCart lets you add and manage extensions straight from the admin panel. It's linked with the OpenCart marketplace, making it easy to find and install what you need.
- Extensive marketplace. The OpenCart marketplace is home to over 13,000 extensions and themes, with additional options available on third-party marketplaces.
- Multiple support channels. OpenCart offers a range of support options, including free online resources and community forums. Dedicated support starts at $50 per month.
Cons
- Poor documentation. OpenCart could do better with its guides. They're a bit thin on details for setting up your store or tackling security issues.
- Basic product management. The platform does not support grouped or bundled products (unlike WooCommerce) and lacks features like low stock alerts.
Pricing
OpenCart is open-source, which means it’s free to use!
3 Best dropshipping marketplaces
Building an online store can be costly. What if you're on a tight budget or new to online selling?
An excellent and budget-friendly alternative is to start your journey on online marketplaces.
This way, you can reduce your initial investment and get a unique opportunity to understand customer preferences and market trends in real time.
Let’s explore the best marketplaces for dropshipping!
1. Facebook Marketplace Review
Best for: Selling home goods, books, equipment, furniture, toys, and baby products.

Facebook Marketplace is a marketplace owned by Meta where anyone can buy and sell goods online.
With Facebook Marketplace, you're reaching a massive audience 一 over three billion people across more than 220 countries.
And listing your products? It's as simple as making a Facebook post.
Plus, there are no fees for listing your items. Just list goods for free and ship them out when a buyer purchases the product.
Originally, the Facebook Marketplace started out as a place to sell items locally. But now, you can ship products across the whole US with their checkout feature.
It enables buyers to finalize their purchases right on Facebook, which in turn expands your customer reach and ensures secure payments.
However, this feature is available only in the US, but Meta is looking to roll it out to other countries soon.
Interested in boosting your sales on Facebook? We've got a great guide on how to sell on Facebook.
Tip: For more details on selling on Facebook Marketplace, click here to read our detailed guide.
Pros
- Huge audience. Over three billion people use the Facebook Marketplace actively each month. That’s around 35% of the world's population.
- Low selling fee. Facebook charges a 5% commission fee or $0.40 for orders below $8.
- No listing fee. Unlike most other marketplaces, Facebook Marketplace charges no listing fee.
- Easy to use. Snap some good photos, write a description, and you're set.
- Build customer relationships. Customers can message you with questions on Facebook Messenger.
Cons
- Hard to stand out. With lots of secondhand items and individual sellers, it can be tricky to make your brand shine.
- No seller vetting. Facebook does not conduct background checks on buyers and sellers, nor does it verify the products listed. This lack of vetting can make the platform vulnerable to scammers.
- New processing fee. Facebook has added a new payment processing fee of 2.9% to 3.4% for Facebook Marketplace sales. If your Shopify account is linked to Facebook, Shopify will handle this fee for your Meta orders.
Pricing
Facebook takes a 5% cut per shipment or $0.40 for items priced at $8 or less if you use the Marketplace checkout.
2. eBay Review
Best for: Selling electronics, baby items, clothes, jewelry, antiques, and more.

eBay is the go-to marketplace for selling everything from new to used items.
With a presence in 180 countries and over 180 million active users each month, it's the third-largest online marketplace in the US!
You’ve got two ways to list your products on eBay:
- Fixed price. You list a product at a pre-decided amount.
- Auction. You set a starting price, and buyers bid on the item. As a dropshipper, you won’t be using this listing type unless you have a unique product to sell.
You can list up to 250 items a month for free, and you'll be charged 3% to 15% per sale, depending on the category.
eBay has some specific rules for dropshipping. For example, eBay requires you to purchase stock from your supplier and then ship it to a separate fulfillment warehouse.
Tip: For more information, check out our free guide on eBay Dropshipping.
Pros
- Sell anything. From collectibles to everyday items, if it's legal, you can sell it.
- Easy shipping. In the US, shipping is a breeze with discounts up to 70% on carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
- Massive audience. Tap into a vast market of 135 million active users, predominantly from the US.
- Worldwide selling. eBay is global, and their Global Shipping Program helps US sellers ship internationally with ease, plus a money-back guarantee if anything goes wrong in transit.
Cons
- Bargain hunters. eBay is known for deals, so expect to encounter shoppers looking for low prices.
- Complex fees. They've got various fees like insertion, final value fees, and reserve fees, which can be confusing, especially for new dropshippers.
- Buyer protection. eBay money back guarantee policy favors buyers over sellers. So, sellers need to be cautious of false claims like empty boxes and faulty goods.
Pricing

eBay offers five subscription plans as follows:
- Starter Store. $4.95 a month
- Basic Store. $21.95 a month
- Premium Store. $59.95 a month
- Anchor Store. $299.95 a month
- Enterprise Store. $2,999.95 a month
Each plan comes with its own set of listing limits, fees, and tools.
Just starting out? No need for a subscription. Create a free eBay account and start selling without a store. However, there’s a 250 product listing limit.
3. Etsy Review
Best for: Selling handmade arts and crafts.

Etsy is a unique marketplace for anything handcrafted, vintage, or craft supplies.
It's where sellers can set up their own shopfronts, offering a secure transaction platform that's a favorite among small businesses and indie creators.
You'll find a variety of popular categories on Etsy, including jewelry, home and living items, wedding and party essentials, and personalized gifts.
The platform's appeal lies in its focus on the unique and personal, which has significantly boosted its popularity.
Pros
- Ready-made customer base. Etsy's already got a crowd looking for one-of-a-kind items, making it simpler to get your products noticed.
- Built-in analytics. Track your store's performance with Etsy's robust analytics, covering abandoned carts, sales, and more.
- Easy to use. Setting up a shop on Etsy is a breeze. It's free and takes less than five minutes.
Cons
- Fiercely competitive. The marketplace is crowded with over 4.4 million sellers, so standing out can be a challenge.
- Advertising fee. You're automatically opted into Offsite Ads, which is around 15% of your sales in the last 365 days. You'll need to manually opt-out if your sales are less than $10,000. If it's above $10,000, the fee drops to 12%, but it becomes mandatory.
Pricing
There's a $0.20 listing fee for each item. And when you make a sale, there's a 6.5% transaction fee plus a 3% + $0.30 payment processing fee.
Which platform should I use for dropshipping?

Choosing the right platform for dropshipping depends on your niche, goals, and needs.
Online marketplaces like eBay and Facebook Marketplace are good places to start for dropshippers who are new to online selling.
These platforms can significantly lower your initial costs and time investment in marketing, web design, and SEO while reducing the risks associated with setting up a new business.
On the other hand, creating your own dropshipping store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce would be the perfect choice if:
- You have an already established and recognizable brand.
- You're interested in using automated dropshipping solutions like Spocket or Syncee.
- You want more control over your brand's image and the management of your store.
Here's a quick overview comparing the two:
Marketplaces | Dropshipping Platforms | |
Traffic | Attract traffic organically due to the platform's existing popularity | You are responsible for marketing to draw in visitors |
Time-to-launch | Quick setup process | You set up the entire site yourself; it can be time-consuming upfront. |
Costs | Charge commissions (usually between 6.5% to 15%); some charge for membership. Low or no costs upon setup. | No commission; the seller pays for hosting and maintaining the site online. |
Dropshipping platform automation

In business, time is invaluable, and automation is the secret to saving it while increasing profits.
Those who embrace dropshipping platform automation early will likely see more success!
Now, let's look at parts of your business that can benefit from automation.
- Product, inventory, and order management. Imagine importing products, updating details, and placing bulk orders with just a click. Tools like DSers and Spocket make this a reality.
- Emails. Send welcome messages, cart reminders, and feedback emails using Mailchimp and Klaviyo.
- Workflow. Streamline your processes by linking various applications. Tools like Zapier, Mesa, or Shopify Flow automate tasks, letting you focus on growth while the work gets done behind the scenes.
These are just a few examples, for more details, read the following free guides:
- 17 Best Dropshipping AI Tools in 2025 (Free & Paid)
- 14 Best AI Copywriting Tools for Dropshipping (Free & Paid)
- Dropshipping With ChatGPT: 18 Ways It Can Help Your Store
Summary
Before we go, we've created a quick summary of this article for you, so you can easily remember it:
- Where to start your online store using a fully hosted platform: Shopify, BigCommerce, or Shift4Shop.
- Where to start your online store using an open-source platform: Magento, WooCommerce, or Opencart.
- Where to sell handmade items or craft supplies: Etsy
- Where to sell new and second-hand items in all categories: Facebook Marketplace or eBay.
Final thoughts
No matter what you plan to sell or how you want to sell, there's a suitable online platform out there for you.
However, be wary of suggestions to use big online marketplaces like Walmart or Amazon for dropshipping. They have complicated rules that can make dropshipping tricky.
For more info, take a look at our article on Amazon dropshipping.
You might also hear about using ecommerce platforms like Wix. But remember, Wix isn't really made for ecommerce and struggles with the unique needs of dropshipping.
We hope our list has given you a clearer idea of which platform is right for you.
Got questions? Just ask below, and we'll help you find the answer!
Want to learn more about dropshipping?
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