eCommerce is a tough industry, which is why many beginners start with a dropshipping business. In fact, 27% of online retailers have adopted dropshipping as their primary business model.
Dropshipping is easier than fulfilling everything yourself, but it still has challenges. One of these challenges is efficiency. As your business grows, you’ll spend more and more time at a computer fulfilling orders.
This is tedious and time-consuming, making it difficult to scale your dropshipping business. What happens when you have more orders than you can process?
Dropshipping automation software could be the solution. It allows you to:
✔️ Spend less time on manual tasks.
✔️ Increase your profitability.
✔️ Make fewer errors.
✔️ Scale your dropshipping business sustainably.
There are many automated dropshipping tools available; you can use one on its own or a combination of several. They handle repetitive tasks, making your business more profitable and efficient.
This article lists 18 of our favorite automated dropshipping apps by category to help you get started.
Here’s a quick overview of the different tools on our list:
|
# |
Tool |
Category |
Description / Key Use |
💸 Pricing |
⭐️ Ratings |
|
1 |
Mailchimp |
Email Marketing |
Beginner-friendly email automation with templates for welcome sequences, tracking info, and customer feedback. |
Free up to 2,000 subscribers; paid plans from $5/month |
Gartner: 4.3★ / TrustRadius: 8/10 |
|
2 |
Recapture |
Email Marketing |
Shopify app specializing in abandoned cart recovery with customizable templates. |
From $39/month (based on sales volume) |
Shopify: 5★ / G2: 4★ |
|
3 |
AfterShip |
Task Automation |
Shipment tracking and post-purchase automation platform with branded tracking pages. |
Free plan available; Essentials $11/month |
Capterra: 4.9★ / GetApp: 4.9★ / Shopify: 4.4★ / Sitejabber: 1.8★ |
|
4 |
IFTTT |
Task Automation |
Simple automation tool for connecting apps; best for beginners. |
Free (5 applets); Pro plans $2.92–$12.50/month |
TrustRadius: 6.7/10 / Gartner: 4★ |
|
5 |
Zapier |
Task Automation |
Advanced workflow automation connecting multiple apps and tools. |
Free (100 tasks); Starter $19.99/month |
G2: 4.5★ / Gartner: 4.6★ |
|
6 |
Shopify Flow |
Task Automation |
Shopify-exclusive automation tool with prebuilt eCommerce workflows. |
Free for Shopify users |
Shopify: 3.7★ / TrustRadius: 9.7/10 |
|
7 |
CJdropshipping |
Supplier Sourcing |
All-in-one platform for product sourcing, branding, fulfillment, and logistics. |
Free core platform; memberships $15.99–$59.99/month |
Trustpilot: 4.8★ / Capterra: 4★ / Shopify: 4.9★ |
|
8 |
SaleHoo |
Supplier Sourcing |
Directory of 8,000+ verified suppliers and 2.5M+ products with training for beginners. |
$27–$97/month |
Capterra: 4.7★ / G2: 4.4★ |
|
9 |
Spocket |
Supplier Sourcing |
Supplier marketplace focusing on U.S. and EU sellers for faster delivery. |
$39–$299/month |
Shopify: 4.7★ / Trustpilot: 4.8★ |
|
10 |
DSers |
Product Management |
AliExpress-integrated order and supplier management platform for bulk processing. |
Free plan; Enterprise up to $499/month |
Shopify: 5★ / G2: 5★ |
|
11 |
WooDropship |
Product Management |
Automates AliExpress orders and syncing for WooCommerce users. |
Free (10 orders); $14.99/month for 100 orders |
Trustpilot: 4.1★ / Sitejabber: 3.3★ |
|
12 |
Spark Shipping |
Product Management |
End-to-end dropshipping automation software. Integrates with any vendor, syncs inventory, orders, and tracking. |
$249–$999/month |
Shopify: 4.2★ / Capterra: 5★ |
|
13 |
LiveChat |
Customer Service |
AI chatbot and live chat solution for real-time customer support and lead capture. |
$20–$59/month |
G2: 4.5★ / Gartner: 4.8★ |
|
14 |
Tidio |
Customer Service |
AI chatbot with triggers for cart abandonment, return visits, and engagement tracking. |
$29–$2,999/month |
Shopify: 4.6★ / Trustpilot: 4.4★ |
|
15 |
Zendesk |
Customer Service |
Helpdesk software combining automated chat with live agent support. |
$55–$115/month (custom from $19) |
Gartner: 4.3★ / G2: 4.5★ |
|
16 |
Shopify |
Website Builder |
eCommerce platform with drag-and-drop editor, themes, and app integrations. |
Starts $19/month (first 3 months $1) |
Gartner: 4.5★ / Capterra: 4.5★ |
|
17 |
WooCommerce |
Website Builder |
Free, open-source WordPress plugin offering high customization and flexibility. |
Free plugin; hosting ≈ $120/year, domain ≈ $15/year |
WordPress: 4.8★ / TrustRadius: 7.6/10 |
Email is critical for you and your customers to communicate, and it’s an excellent method for marketing your business. In fact, 59% of consumers say marketing emails influence their purchase decisions, with over 50% saying they purchase from an email at least once a month.
Many emails require a unique personal response, including questions, complaints, and positive feedback.
However, other, more transactional emails are perfect for automation if you have the right tools. Examples include order confirmations, follow-up requests for feedback, and delivery notices.
Here are our favorite email marketing tools:
If you’re new to email automation, start small with Mailchimp. It’s free for your first 2,000 subscribers, so it’s a perfect solution for scaling your dropshipping business. Mailchimp can help you write automated emails for:
Best of all, it includes pre-built templates that save you time. Mailchimp might be a beginner’s tool, but it does have powerful automation for dates, product retargeting, customer journeys, and more.
But Mailchimp isn’t designed specifically for dropshipping or an eCommerce business. If you want email automation software designed for abandoned carts, we recommend Recapture Abandoned Carts, which we will discuss in more detail below.
Mailchimp has a free plan for you to start with, and then their prices start at as little as $5 for their paid packages.
Gartner: 4.3
TrustRadius: 8/10
Recapture is designed to prevent abandoned carts in Shopify stores. It’s easy to use, has a non-cluttered user interface (UI), and is out-of-the-box ready to go with high-quality default content.
Most importantly, it works well—the tool has recovered over a hundred million dollars worth of sales.
Its templates are automatically generated, meet industry best practices, and are flexible. There’s plenty of room to add your brand’s logos, colors, and other customizations.
We also like Recapture because it stops sending abandoned cart emails once a customer makes a purchase, preventing you from harassing customers with unnecessary messages.
Recapture’s specialist features mean we recommend you use it for your abandoned carts rather than a generic email marketing tool.
Recapture’s pricing depends on your monthly sales volume. For a sales volume of $1,000, their plans start from $39 per month.
Shopify App Store: 5 stars
G2: 4/5
Did you know that automation has improved jobs for 90% of workers and productivity for 66%?
Using dropship automation software is excellent, but your process isn’t truly automated if you have to send information between these tools manually.
Task automation software allows you to make complex multi-app processes happen automatically.
Do you want a fully automated dropshipping business? Here are our favorite task automation tools to get you started:
AfterShip is a shipment tracking and post-purchase automation platform. It enables eCommerce stores to send branded tracking pages, automated delivery notifications, and streamline returns management. It integrates with many carriers and eCommerce platforms to centralize visibility for orders after dispatch.
AfterShip offers a Free plan with basic tracking features, branded tracking pages, and access to many carriers.
Their Essentials plan starts at $11/month and adds features like CSV import/export, email notifications, and support.
Capterra: 4.9
GetApp: 4.9
Shopify App Store: 4.4
Sitejabber: 1.8
If This, Then That (IFTTT) allows you to make up to five app connections for free, so it’s a great place to start.
You can also sign up for a free seven-day pro trial, which allows you to make up to 20 connections. IFTTT is a good free tool for simple connections.
IFTTT has a free plan, and pro plans range from $2.92 to $12.50 per month.
TrustRadius:6.7/10
Gartner: 4/5
If you want something more advanced and reliable, try Zapier, as its advanced features mean it can easily connect two or more applications.
For example, if you want to get a text every time a customer places an order, Zapier handles this for you. It can even automate dropshipping tasks, like email marketing list segmentation and customer feedback collection.
Zapier has a free version, but this is limited to 100 monthly tasks, not connections. This means your automation could cut out on you if you have a busy month. The starter package starts at $19.99 per month and includes 750 tasks per month.
G2: 4.5/5
Gartner: 4.6/5
Shopify Flow helps Shopify online store owners manage their apps and to-do lists. It can access almost any data point in Shopify and create connections between the apps that online store owners use.
For example, it can automatically create a customer support ticket if you get a negative review, organize customers by lifetime value, or send out a win-back email sequence for at-risk customers.
Shopify Flow is great for dropshippers because it has several pre-built templates designed to automate common eCommerce tasks. Alternatively, users can develop their own custom workflows by setting up triggers, conditions, and actions.
Shopify Flow also has an easy interface that makes managing dropshipping a breeze.
Shopify Flow is free to Shopify users.
Shopify App Store: 3.7/5
TrustRadius: 9.7/10
Starting a dropshipping store is easy; however, finding reputable and reliable suppliers isn’t. More often than not, products are of inferior quality with low profit margins.
In fact, 84% of eCommerce store owners say that finding a dropshipping supplier is the most significant challenge in starting their business.
Finding a dropshipping supplier that can provide high-quality service and products is crucial to keep your customers coming back for more.
Below are our two favorite apps for sourcing dropshipping suppliers:
CJdropshipping is an all-in-one dropshipping platform that combines product sourcing, fulfillment, branding services, and logistics. Sellers can import products, store inventory in global warehouses, use custom packaging, and automate order fulfillment.
The core CJ platform has no mandatory monthly fee; you only pay for the products, shipping, and optional add-ons.
Optional membership tiers give you perks like extra sourcing requests, coupons, and priority listing:
Trustpilot: 4.8/ 5
Capterra: 4.0/5
Shopify: 4.9/5
SaleHoo is a dropshipping solution that helps merchants find trusted suppliers. With a network of over 8,000 pre-vetted suppliers and access to over 2.5 million products, you can easily find the perfect items to add to your dropshipping store, all while saving time and money.
With SaleHoo’s easy-to-use directory, you'll save time on market research, and with no minimum orders, you can start small and grow at your own pace.
Also, sellers can choose between domestic or international shipping and take advantage of SaleHoo's customer support. And for those new to dropshipping, SaleHoo even offers step-by-step training to help you get started.
SaleHoo’s dropshipping solution prices range from $27 to $97 per month.
Capterra: 4.7/5
G2: 4.4/5
Spocket is another dropshipping solution that helps merchants find suppliers. Users can search for profitable products by searching through thousands of suppliers worldwide.
With Spocket, you can set your dropshipping business apart by partnering with multiple suppliers in the U.S. and EU to offer your customers high-quality products and speedy delivery.
Spocket integrates seamlessly with your Shopify store, allowing you to connect your dropshipping store and orders to the Spocket app with a single click for easy inventory management.
Additionally, the Spocket app includes:
Spocket’s pricing ranges from $39 to $299 per month.
Shopify App Store: 4.7/5
Trustpilot: 4.8/5
From order fulfillment to manufacturer relationships and tracking, product management takes up a considerable amount of your time as a dropshipper.
You probably wouldn’t want to automate every part of your product management—this is one area that requires a human touch. However, there are several examples of automated dropshipping tools that help you save time with this critical part of your business.
Here are three of our favorites:
DSers is dropshipping software that was initially only for AliExpress but has now expanded to cover Shopify and WooCommerce, too.
It makes it quick and easy for an eCommerce business to source dropshipping products and manage their suppliers. They can also process their orders and make payments in bulk, allowing them to place hundreds of orders in just a few seconds.
It also sends order tracking updates you can share with your customers so they know precisely when they will receive their package.
DSers has a free account option, but most of the automation is disabled. You can pay up to $499 monthly for their enterprise package.
Shopify App Store: 5/5
G2: 5/5
If you’re using WooCommerce or WordPress, WooDropship is another great product management automation tool.
In fact, you can control your entire WooCommerce online store directly from the WooDropship dashboard or via its Google Chrome extension.
However, you’ll need to work exclusively with AliExpress to use WooDropship. This tool automatically populates product details and customer orders on AliExpress. Simply pay for the order, and you’re done—there is no need to enter any manual data.
Unlike DSers, WooDropship’s free plan includes some automation. However, you can only fulfill up to 10 customer orders per month. For $14.99 per month, you can increase this to 100.
Trustpilot: 4.1/5
Sitejabber: 3.3/5
What happens if you don’t only use AliExpress, Shopify, or other dropshipping platforms? In this situation, it’s best to work with a tool designed to work with any vendor, supplier, or dropshipping platform.
Spark Shipping gives you more freedom and saves you from committing to a solution because of your eCommerce platform.
Spark Shipping is an end-to-end automation platform for dropshipping, providing support with product management, inventory, order fulfillment, and tracking updates from UPS or FedEx.
We allow online store owners who use multiple platforms or dropshipping suppliers to place an order at the touch of a button—no more repeatedly filling out your details.
Spark Shipping minimizes inconsistencies by normalizing your order information and sending it in the correct format to each of your suppliers.
It is ideal if you’re on big platforms like Amazon or Magento and need access to a diverse number of dropshipping suppliers.
Our pricing for our packages ranges from $249 to $999 per month.
Shopify App Store: 4.2/5
Capterra: 5/5
As a dropshipper, you’re probably selling the same products as some of your competitors, so how can you differentiate your business?
Providing amazing customer service is one way to make your business stand out. Your competitors can’t copy your approach to customer service. Plus, great customer service helps ensure continued brand loyalty and reorders.
In fact, 93% of customers are likely to make repeat purchases with companies that offer excellent customer service.
Good customer service tools may be costly, but you’ll quickly recoup the cost in repeat orders, word-of-mouth marketing, and brand loyalty.
Here are three of our favorite customer service tools:
ChatBot’s LiveChat is a customer service platform that lets people send instant messages to your business.
It offers an AI chatbot that gives shoppers immediate answers as if they were speaking to a human. This not only increases your response rate but will also reduce the number of support tickets you have to handle.
The chatbot can welcome customers, filter out spam messages, respond to messages sent after hours, and guide customers through an FAQ. It can even capture leads and automatically segment and qualify them.
LiveChat’s pricing starts at $20 to $59 per month.
LiveChat has a 4.5-star rating on G2 and a 4.8-star rating on Gartner.
Tidio is another powerful AI chatbot that gives visitors an automated welcome message and pre-chat survey. It provides a broader range of chat tools than LiveChat, which may be more suited to dropshipping sites.
Messages can be triggered by various visitor actions, including cart abandonment, leaving the website, returning to the website, time on page, and form abandonment.
Users can also monitor who is visiting their website in real-time and how Tidio has contributed to sales and track user behavior on their site.
Tidio’s pricing starts at $29 but custom pricing plans can reach as high as $2,999 per month.
Shopify App Store: 4.6/5
Trustpilot: 4.4/5
Chatbots are great for answering basic customer questions. However, great customer service requires a human touch. Depending on your product, you might need helpdesk software to give customers the support they need.
Zendesk is an automation tool that connects each customer’s support ticket with a live representative. Putting them in touch with a real customer service agent improves the customer experience and decreases the number of emails in your inbox.
You pay by the agent, too, which means the cost scales with your dropshipping business.
Zendesk’s pricing ranges from $55 to $115 per month. You can also build your own plan starting at $19 per month.
Gartner: 4.3/5
G2: 4.5/5
Building a website is an essential part of setting up your dropshipping business. Using a website builder is a quick and efficient way to create a high-performing website.
However, the software you choose to build your site must develop a mobile-friendly, search-engine-optimized solution to remain competitive.
Over 18 million websites are built using web builders, and over 24 million stores are made using an eCommerce platform. This goes to show how powerful website builders can be.
Below are two website builders that you can use to create your online store:
Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform known for its comprehensive features that are tailored to online stores.
It offers seamless integration with numerous dropshipping apps, allowing for efficient product sourcing and order fulfillment.
Key features include:
Shopify's pricing starts at $19 per month. Regardless of your chosen plan, your first three months will cost you only $1 monthly.
Gartner: 4.5/5
Capterra: 4.5/5
WooCommerce is a free eCommerce plugin for WordPress that offers extensive customization options. It supports various dropshipping extensions and provides flexibility for those familiar with WordPress
The plugin offers nearly unlimited customization as a result of it being open-sourced and you can choose from thousands of free and premium themes to create a unique storefront.
If you have more advanced knowledge, you can also modify the code to tailor features to your specific needs.
WooCommerce is a free plugin, but you’ll have to pay for hosting and domain fees. Hosting typically costs $120 per year, and domain registration averages $15 annually.
WordPress: 4.8/ 5
TrustRadius: 7.6/10
The dropshipping process has many different stages, and successful business owners understand each in detail.
The right dropshipping software can mean the difference between profitable, pain-free dropshipping and an operation with poor margins.
Make the most of your free time and save money using automated dropshipping software.
Spark Shipping is the essential dropshipping automation software you need to make your business a success. Our platform helps you connect with thousands of vendors and automate millions of orders, making running your business effortless.
Book a free Spark Shipping demo to learn just how simple a dropshipping business can be. We’re excited to show you how automation can save you time, money, and effort from the start.