In this guide (12 sections)
- The quick answer: which app is best for you?
- Starting price compared
- What the product limit really counts
- Total monthly cost at three store sizes
- AutoDS vs DSers: the head-to-head
- Spocket vs Zendrop
- Which app is easiest for beginners?
- Each app in detail
- Feature comparison: what you get in one plan
- 5 questions to ask before you pay for any dropshipping app
- Switching from another app to ExiusCart
- Our verdict: AutoDS vs DSers vs Spocket vs Zendrop vs ExiusCart
Choosing between AutoDS vs DSers vs Spocket vs Zendrop (and ExiusCart) comes down to two questions: what does it really cost to start, and what does the product limit actually count? This guide compares all five side by side using each company's own public pricing page, checked in October 2026. We also show what you'd pay in total at three store sizes, and which app fits which kind of seller.
In short: DSers is great if you only need AliExpress order syncing on an existing Shopify store. Spocket suits sellers who want US and EU suppliers. AutoDS has lots of automation but counts variants. ExiusCart is the pick if you're starting from zero and want the store, research, page builder, auto-fulfilment and email in one plan, from $1 for 7 days.
The quick answer: which app is best for you?
| If you are… | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Starting from zero, no store yet | ExiusCart | Store, research, pages, fulfilment and email in one plan |
| On Shopify, only need AliExpress orders synced | DSers | Free plan does that one job well |
| Want US/EU suppliers and faster shipping | Spocket | Built around local suppliers |
| Want many automation tools and a huge catalogue | AutoDS | Broad features, but watch the variant limit |
| Want a free plan to explore products | Zendrop or DSers | Both have free plans with limits |
Starting price compared
| App | Trial | Paid plans from |
|---|---|---|
| ExiusCart | Launch free for 7 days (no card). Growth or Scale: $1 for 7 days | $14.99/mo |
| AutoDS | $1 for 3 days | about $26.90/mo |
| DSers | Free plan | $19.90/mo |
| Spocket | 7-day trial | $39.99/mo |
| Zendrop | Free plan | $49/mo for auto-fulfilment |
One thing the table doesn't show: DSers, AutoDS, Spocket and Zendrop are add-ons. They connect to a store you already pay for, usually Shopify. ExiusCart's price includes the store itself.
What the product limit really counts
This is where people get caught out. Some apps count every variant. A variant is one version of a product, such as a size or a colour. A T-shirt in 4 sizes and 3 colours is 12 variants, so it can use 12 of your slots.
| App | What the limit counts | That T-shirt uses |
|---|---|---|
| ExiusCart | Products (variants are free) | 1 slot |
| AutoDS | Product variations: 200 on the entry plan | 12 slots |
| DSers | Products: 3,000 free, 20,000 on Advanced | 1 slot |
| Spocket | Unique products: 25 on Starter, 250 on Pro | 1 slot |
| Zendrop | No product count stated | - |
With a 200-variation limit, a fashion store with 4 sizes and 3 colours per item fits only about 16 products. With a product-based limit, the same store fits 200.
Total monthly cost at three store sizes
The app price is only part of the bill. Here's what a typical setup costs once you add the tools each option still needs. The store platform is shown as a range because Shopify plans and regions vary.
| Setup | Just testing (first month) | First sales | Growing store |
|---|---|---|---|
| ExiusCart (all in one) | $1 for 7 days | $24.99 (Growth) | $39.99 (Scale) |
| Shopify + DSers | Shopify plan + $0 | Shopify plan + $19.90 | Shopify plan + higher DSers tier |
| Shopify + AutoDS | Shopify plan + $1 trial | Shopify plan + about $26.90 | Shopify plan + higher AutoDS tier |
| Shopify + Spocket | Shopify plan + trial | Shopify plan + $39.99 | Shopify plan + Pro tier |
| Shopify + Zendrop | Shopify plan + $0 | Shopify plan + $49 | Shopify plan + $49 or more |
Most stacks also add an email tool and a page builder app as they grow. Those are included in ExiusCart. Over a year, the difference between one plan and four separate subscriptions can easily reach several hundred dollars, which is money you could spend on product samples and ad tests instead.
AutoDS vs DSers: the head-to-head
AutoDS vs DSers is the comparison most beginners search for first, because both are popular with Shopify sellers. They solve slightly different problems.
| AutoDS | DSers | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Automation across many suppliers | Fast AliExpress order syncing |
| Start | $1 for 3 days | Free plan |
| Paid from | about $26.90/mo | $19.90/mo |
| Limit counts | Variations (200 on entry plan) | Products (3,000 free) |
| Best for | Sellers who want many automation tools | Shopify sellers focused on AliExpress |
In the AutoDS vs DSers choice, DSers usually wins on price for AliExpress-only stores, and AutoDS wins on breadth of features. Neither includes the store itself, so add your platform fee to both.
Spocket vs Zendrop
Spocket and Zendrop are often compared because both promise better shipping than standard marketplace suppliers.
| Spocket | Zendrop | |
|---|---|---|
| Start | 7-day trial | Free plan |
| Paid from | $39.99/mo | $49/mo for auto-fulfilment |
| Strength | US and EU suppliers | Free plan to explore products |
| Limit | 25 unique products on Starter | No product count stated |
Which app is easiest for beginners?
For a complete beginner, the easiest app is the one that needs the fewest other tools. Every extra app is one more login, one more bill and one more thing that can break between your store and your supplier.
- Fewest moving parts: ExiusCart, because the store, pages, supplier connection and email are in one place.
- Easiest if you already use Shopify: DSers for AliExpress orders.
- Easiest for fast local delivery: Spocket.
Whichever you pick, the bigger factor is your product. Read how to start dropshipping in 2026 before you spend on any tool.
Each app in detail
ExiusCart
An all-in-one commerce platform with 20+ apps: online store, POS, inventory, invoicing, email marketing, supplier connections and Eevo Page Builder. On Growth and Scale you also get Eevo, an AI agent that researches products, checks your margin and can launch a product to your store in a click.
| Good | Keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Store included, no separate platform fee | Newer than the big names |
| Product limit counts products, not variants | Eevo is on Growth and Scale, not Launch |
| $1 for 7 days on Growth and Scale, reminder 2 days before full price | |
| Email flows, page builder and fulfilment built in |
AutoDS
A popular automation tool that connects to stores like Shopify. Known for a large product catalogue and many automation features such as price and stock monitoring.
| Good | Keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Lots of automation options | Entry plan limit counts variations (200) |
| $1 trial for 3 days | You still pay for a store platform |
DSers
The official AliExpress dropshipping partner app. Its strength is placing many AliExpress orders quickly from your Shopify store.
| Good | Keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Free plan with up to 3,000 products | Focused on AliExpress order syncing |
| Paid plans from $19.90/mo | Needs a separate store, page builder and email tool |
Spocket
Built around suppliers in the US and Europe, which usually means faster delivery for customers in those regions.
| Good | Keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Local suppliers and faster shipping | Starts at $39.99/mo |
| 7-day trial | 25 unique products on Starter |
Zendrop
Offers a free plan to explore products, with automatic fulfilment on paid plans.
| Good | Keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Free plan to start exploring | Auto-fulfilment from $49/mo |
| No product count stated | Still needs a store platform |
Feature comparison: what you get in one plan
Most dropshippers end up stacking apps: a store platform, an import app, a page builder and an email tool. Here's what's included without extra subscriptions.
| Feature | ExiusCart | Typical app stack |
|---|---|---|
| Online store | Included | Separate platform fee |
| Product research with profit check | Included (Eevo on Growth/Scale) | Separate tool |
| Product page from a supplier link | Included | Separate page builder |
| Auto-fulfilment to suppliers | Included | Import/fulfilment app |
| Email marketing and flows | Included | Separate email tool |
| AI agent that takes actions | Eevo, also usable from ChatGPT and Claude | Rare |
5 questions to ask before you pay for any dropshipping app
- Does the limit count products or variants? This decides how many items you can really sell.
- Do I still need a separate store? Add that monthly fee to the app price.
- Is auto-fulfilment on the plan I'm buying, or only on a higher one?
- What happens when the trial ends? Will I get a reminder before the first full charge?
- Which suppliers does it connect to, and how long do they take to deliver to my customers?
Switching from another app to ExiusCart
- Start Growth or Scale for $1 for 7 days.
- Connect your supplier, or paste a supplier link into Eevo Page Builder to rebuild your best product page.
- Already on Shopify? ExiusCart can work alongside it. See the Shopify store builder.
- Turn on the ready-made email flows (welcome, abandoned checkout, thank you).
- Run both side by side for a week, then cancel what you no longer need.
Our verdict: AutoDS vs DSers vs Spocket vs Zendrop vs ExiusCart
If you already have a Shopify store and only want AliExpress orders synced, DSers' free plan is hard to beat. If fast US/EU shipping matters most, look at Spocket. If you're starting from zero, or you're tired of paying for five tools, ExiusCart gives you the full setup in one plan, and you can try it for $1. New to all this? Start with our guide on how to start dropshipping in 2026, and see what agentic commerce means for your store.
Competitor prices are from each company's public pricing page as of October 2026. If you spot something out of date, tell us and we'll fix it.
Ready to put this into practice?
Try ExiusCart for $1