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The 10 best dropshipping suppliers and how to pick the right one for your eCommerce business

September 30, 2023 14 minutes
The 15 Best Dropshipping Suppliers and How to Pick the Right One for Your eCommerce Business (2023)

Dropshipping is a powerful way to grow your eCommerce business without major upfront investments. By partnering with the right dropshipping companies or dropshipping wholesalers, you can connect with worldwide suppliers and streamline your operations. 

We’ve analyzed the best dropshipping suppliers and supplier directories for 2024, along with their associated costs and advantages. Continue reading, as we’ll cover inventory management, where to find wholesale suppliers, and how to make branded products to sell online.

What is dropshipping?

What Is Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a low-investment eCommerce business model where online stores sell products without holding inventory. You act as the middleman, connecting customers to the best dropshipping suppliers.

How does a successful dropshipping business work? When a customer places an order on your online store, you send the order to your supplier, who ships it directly to the customer. Your profit is the difference between your retail price and the supplier’s wholesale price.

Key benefits:

  • No need to buy inventory upfront.
  • Set up your online store and connect with dropshipping suppliers.
  • Offer a variety of products without the hassle of managing inventory.
  • Run your business from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Dropship suppliers handle returns.

Top 10 dropshipping suppliers for starting an online business

Choosing the best dropshipping supplier and partner is like finding the perfect employee. Here’s our list of the top ten best suppliers for dropshipping and supplier directories in 2024. 

Compare their offerings to find the perfect match for your business, whether you’re selling custom clothing or other products.

1. Printify (Print on Demand)

Top 15 Dropshipping Suppliers for Starting an Online Business - Printify

Printify is ideal for solo entrepreneurs, businesses, and brands looking to sell custom print-on-demand products with low upfront costs. Choose from hundreds of customizable blanks – from t-shirts to mugs – with fast delivery and high-quality prints. 

Printify integrates seamlessly with platforms like Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, TikTok Shop, and more, making adding products to your store easy. They offer no order minimums and continuously vet suppliers worldwide. It’s the ultimate all-in-one print-on-demand solution for designing, publishing, and dropshipping products in minutes.

  • Products: Over 900 unique custom products with high-quality print techniques. Top-selling product categories include clothing and apparel (t-shirt dropshipping being the most popular), accessories, home decor, pet supplies, stickers, and more.
  • Location: Works with international suppliers in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
  • Costs: Joining Printify is free with no upfront costs. Get production discounts with a Printify Premium subscription at $24.99/month and reduced shipping fees for bulk orders.

2. AliExpress (dropshipping)

Top 15 Dropshipping Suppliers for Starting an Online Business - AliExpress

AliExpress is a massive global eCommerce platform offering millions of products and a vast network of dropshipping partners. While its suppliers may lack a competitive edge, AliExpress excels in product variety, making it ideal for exploring niches and researching competitors. 

However, managing your business can be tricky, as you need to dedicate time to finding dropshipping suppliers that offer great quality and fast shipping. How to find dropshipping suppliers? It can involve initial costs, as you may want to check out the products before selling online, which means ordering samples of everything you plan to sell.

  • Products: Over 100 million retail and wholesale products, including clothing and accessories, consumer electronics, home and kitchen goods, and anything else you can imagine.
  • Location: Global suppliers; however, most items are shipped from China, which increases delivery times and costs for the US and Europe.
  • Costs: Entirely free. Find third-party platform subscriptions that offer AliExpress dropshipping services and eCommerce integrations separately.

3. Worldwide Brands (dropshipping)

Top 15 Dropshipping Suppliers for Starting an Online Business - Worldwide Brands

Worldwide Brands is a wholesale sourcing platform with a vast directory of verified dropshipping suppliers. It allows direct contact with wholesalers without extra transaction fees. This platform is especially useful for online retailers selling on platforms like Amazon and eBay, plus wholesale prices mean more profit for you.

While its website may feel outdated, its extensive directory of suppliers remains a key advantage, particularly for US-based sellers.

  • Products: Over 16 million certified wholesale products in every major category: pet supplies, toys, clothing and jewelry, home supplies, consumer electronics, and more.
  • Location: The vast majority of dropshipping suppliers are US-based.
  • Costs: Lifetime access for $299 (possible discount options).

4. DSers (Aliexpress dropshipping)

DSers is a dropshipping business app that connects your store with AliExpress suppliers. Its Supplier Optimizer lets you compare dropshipping suppliers based on price and performance. With DSers, efficiently manage orders and import millions of AliExpress products to your store. 

It supports global shipping through AliExpress and offers various pricing plans for your dropshipping venture.

  • Products: Access AliExpress’s extensive catalog and benefit from enhanced supplier data.
  • Location: Worldwide via AliExpress.
  • Costs: Free Basic plan; the other plans start at $19.90/month.

5. Spocket (dropshipping and Print on Demand)

Top 15 Dropshipping Suppliers for Starting an Online Business - Spocket

Spocket is a user-friendly dropshipping platform that offers quick setup and access to a curated selection of products. It integrates with major eCommerce platforms and features trending items with high profit potential. The platform provides comprehensive support, including guides and a community of entrepreneurs.

  • Products: Thousands of items in fashion, beauty, tech, and more.
  • Location: Focused on US and EU markets.
  • Costs: Free browsing; paid plans start at $39.99/month with a 14-day free trial.

6. Modalyst (dropshipping and Print on Demand)

Top 15 Dropshipping Suppliers for Starting an Online Business - Modalyst

Modalyst is a dropshipping and print-on-demand platform that connects eCommerce retailers with a variety of dropshipping suppliers, offering everyday and specialty products. It integrates seamlessly with platforms like Shopify, Wix, and BigCommerce, simplifying the management of inventory and product updates. 

Additionally, add products from multiple suppliers.

  • Products: Millions of products, including print-on-demand and specialty items.
  • Location: Suppliers from the US and worldwide.
  • Costs: Free Hobby plan for up to 25 products; Startup plan at $35/month for 250 products; Pro plan at $90/month for unlimited products and access to premium suppliers.

7. Wholesale Central (dropshipping)

Top 15 Dropshipping Suppliers for Starting an Online Business - Wholesale Central

Wholesale Central is a long-established B2B supplier directory that connects online sellers with a wide range of US-based wholesale dropshipping suppliers. The platform is easy to navigate and allows users to search for products without needing to register.

It provides access to over 700,000 products across various categories, all sourced from verified dropshipping wholesalers. 

  • Products: More than 700,000 items, spanning categories like clothing, health and beauty, electronics, and craft supplies.
  • Location: All suppliers are US-based.
  • Costs: Free to use, but manual integration or third-party tools are required for product imports.

8. Doba (dropshipping)

Top 15 Dropshipping Suppliers for Starting an Online Business - Doba

Doba is a solid platform for sourcing dropshipping suppliers – sell products across virtually any category. It frequently offers discounts on wholesale prices for bulk orders and seasonal deals. 

Doba seamlessly integrates with major eCommerce platforms like Shopify, eBay, and Amazon, making it easy for merchants to manage their stores.

  • Products: Over 300,000 products in various categories, with thousands of new products added monthly.
  • Location: Ships directly from China and US-based warehouses for faster fulfillment.
  • Costs: Free membership includes up to 100 monthly product exports. Paid plans start at $24.99/month for additional listings and order synchronization.

9. Inventory Source (dropshipping)

Top 15 Dropshipping Suppliers for Starting an Online Business - Inventory Source

Inventory Source is a powerful dropshipping directory and inventory management tool, featuring its own automation software for managing product listings and inventory syncing. It automates the entire process, including pricing updates and order tracking, and ensures dropshipping suppliers go through a rigorous approval process for quality.

  • Products: Access over 10,000 brand-name items from more than 230 dropshipping suppliers, including apparel, electronics, and pet supplies.
  • Location: Works primarily with US-based suppliers through its US Direct program, but also partners with international suppliers.
  • Costs: Free access to the directory. Automation plans start at $99/month for one marketplace integration or $199/month for fully automated order processing.

10. CJDropshipping (dropshipping and Print on Demand)

Top 15 Dropshipping Suppliers for Starting an Online Business - CJDropshipping

CJDropshipping is a comprehensive dropshipping supplier directory with a vast range of products and seamless integrations. Looking for a wholesale supplier? CJDropshipping has you covered. It also supports automated listings, order routing, and offers global fulfillment options. In addition to product sourcing, it features print-on-demand services, browser extensions, and API integration.

  • Products: Over 400,000 items in 13 categories, including clothing, electronics, and home decor.
  • Location: Fulfillment centers worldwide, including the US, China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Germany.
  • Costs: Fees for product shipping and warehousing vary by location, weight, and additional services.

How to pick the right dropshipping supplier for your online store

How to Pick the Right Dropshipping Supplier

Now that you’ve explored dropshipping suppliers and their offerings, it’s time to choose the right one. In dropshipping, online stores need to create a storefront and marketable wholesale product listings that can scale their business. To do so, choose a print-on-demand or dropshipping supplier that excels in your market niche.

We’ll review some key factors eCommerce entrepreneurs should consider when choosing the best dropshipping supplier.

1. Location of the dropshipping supplier

If you’re looking to sell locally, you’ll need to find a supplier with local warehousing. Local suppliers will limit delivery times and drastically reduce any applicable shipping costs. You should also note whether the supplier is certified and reliable under local regulations.

For international dropshipping, you need a service that holds inventory in multiple regions, has low shipping times and rates, or provides localized fulfillment centers. Printify, for instance, has a wide network of global Print Providers that fulfill orders as close to the end customer as possible. Customer satisfaction equals repeat business.

2. Supplier’s minimum purchase requirement

Next on our quest on how to find suppliers for dropshipping is their minimum order policy. In the list above, we often mention wholesale, which means a specific minimum amount to qualify for a wholesale discount. 

A high order minimum will make it extremely difficult to dropship without purchasing bulk inventory. Look for reliable suppliers with small or no order minimums – like Printify – to pass orders without worrying about increased expenses.

Additional listing fees can quickly accumulate and inflate your overheads, so check the policies of different dropshipping suppliers to find the right choice.

3. Product variety

Product variety is another crucial piece of supplier information if you want to expand your market niche and have diverse product categories to grow your business. 

When you find suppliers you want to work with, be sure to browse their product offerings – even if the service offers thousands or millions of items, to ensure you don’t have to outsource from multiple platforms. 

Be careful not to source copies of products from well-known global brands (such as consumer electronics and footwear) to avoid potential legal action related to dropshipping.

Additionally, note the number of products your account is allowed to list. The standard free dropshipping option usually offers 25 free listings, which is a good place to start but can quickly become too small of a selection for your store.

4. eCommerce platform integrations

One of the defining features you should look out for in a dropshipping app or directory is eCommerce platform integrations. 

While some dropshipping companies and wholesale suppliers have dedicated software that automatically integrates with your favorite marketplace, this isn’t a fixed ruling. Many platforms only act as repositories for dropshipping suppliers; you would still have to integrate your product manually.

Look for your specific platform integrations to centralize your operation and limit additional platform fees. There is no escaping additional transactional and listing fees or hosting platform membership subscriptions, but synchronized integrations will drastically limit your workload.

5. Avoid fake dropshipping wholesalers

Don’t trust every banner slogan or promotional newsletter. The dropshipping business is full of schemes that promise easy money but often deliver fraudulent products or leave you empty-handed.

Always contact the product manufacturer or supplier to assess whether you’re communicating with a legitimate business. 

Research using search engines, look for testimonials, competitor products, verified reviewers, scam detectors, and other resources that can help you pinpoint whether a website or wholesaler is legitimate. 

One huge tell on the legitimacy of the business is whether the dropshipping wholesaler has customer support (not just an AI chatbot).

Dropshipping vs Print on Demand

Start Your Dropshipping Business With Printify

Print on Demand and dropshipping are two sides of the same coin – a business relationship between a store and a product supplier. Both services offer automatic order fulfillment and shipping, but Print on Demand takes it a step further.

With POD, you create products with custom designs and visual features, while dropshipping is limited to only what the wholesale manufacturer produces.

Print-on-demand stores need a more hands-on approach with specialized print providers. Still, with a few clicks, you’ll have the potential to establish a vibrant brand identity with custom products for a niche you’re passionate about.

Dropshipping:

  • Faster order fulfillment
  • Higher profit margins
  • Zero involvement in the production process

Print on Demand:

  • Less competition
  • Unique branding possibilities
  • More control in the production process

Why choose a POD dropshipping supplier?

The print-on demand business model adds a way to bring more value to your business and customers. Instead of selling factory blanks, use POD suppliers to emphasize your creative input, producing custom item designs that build a legitimate business brand.

If you’re looking to create branded merchandise or designs for an existing niche, a dropshipping store won’t fulfill your needs. The increased demand for customization has long since made personalized online shopping the norm among customers.

Start your print-on-demand business with Printify

Create an account with Printify and enjoy a completely free and fully compatible print-on-demand dropshipping service that aims to get you selling without the hassle of contacting, locating, and managing dropshipping suppliers from different parts of the world. And more predictable shipping times for dropshipping businesses.

1. Pick your product

Go to the Printify Catalog, select a product category, and filter your selection based on print fulfillment location, product type, and printing technique.

Choose a product to view all its production and manufacturing details, printing locations, design features, pricing rates, and shipping costs.

Select from the available Print Providers in your target location and note the Printify merchant rankings to select based on high product quality and a competitive production price range.

2. Customize

On the product screen, click Start designing on your selected dropshipping supplier (Print Provider) and go straight to the design phase. You’ll be directed to Printify’s state-of-the-art Product Creator.

Upload your design with the suggested image resolutions and file extension. Drag and drop the image to your preferred print location and use the preview tool to double-check how the final product will look. 

If you don’t have a ready-made design, create one from scratch using many handy tools and features the Product Creator offers.

When ready, click Save product to place the creation on your My Products page.

3. Preview and order a sample

After you’ve created a product, go to My Products. Click to preview or edit any necessary product details – description, price, size variants, tags, etc.

Once satisfied with the listing preview, go right ahead and order a sample on the same page to ensure that the product quality matches your standards.

4. Publish to your store

To publish your products, you need to integrate your Printify account with your eCommerce store. On your profile at the top dashboard of the screen, click Add new store, and select an option from our list of platform integrations.

It can take a second or a few minutes for the listing to be processed, and you should be able to see a fully detailed product listing – preview photos included – in your store catalog. 

Contact the Printify Merchant Support Team or go to the Help Center for advice during your dropshipping journey.

5. Profit

Start making sales and promoting your business – once a customer places an order, it’s sent to production and packaging, and our supplier ships straight to them without you needing to lift a finger. 

Sell as many print-on-demand products as you like with zero order minimums and consistent updates for new product releases just around the corner.

Ready to open your dropshipping store?

Pick the best wholesale and dropshipping platform or supplier directory that meets your needs and expectations. Start with a free plan to test the waters and expand your business as you see fit.

  • Thoroughly research your options, starting with supplier location, available integrations, inventory source, product variety, shipping times, customer support, automation tools, and minimum purchase requirements. Free dropshipping suppliers may require more work to start out.
  • Browse multiple dropshipping suppliers and eCommerce store owners for competitive rates, and never trust a promising deal without checking if the supplier is legitimate.

Consider starting a print-on-demand store with Printify for a fully automated and creative approach to dropshipping. Create a memorable brand that adds value to your customers and outshines even the smartest dropshipping companies with a completely free subscription.

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