Zendrop vs CJDropshipping: Which Dropshipping Platform is Right for Your Ecommerce Store?

Zendrop and CJDropshipping are two major players in the e commerce supply chain, but which one is the better fit for your online store?

I've been thorough in testing out both platforms, and their features on a whole range of e commerce setups – and I've put together a detailed breakdown comparing pricing, product selection, shipping speed, automation and branding options.

So which one comes out on top?

If you're based in the US or priority is fast fulfillment, Zendrop is probably your best bet.

If you need broader sourcing capabilities and lower product costs, CJdropshipping offers unbeatable flexibility – especially for international sellers.

Zendrop vs CJDropshipping : Quick Verdict

Zendrop – The best overall platform for beginners and US-focused sellers
CJDropshipping – Best for custom sourcing and global flexibility

In this review, I'll break down why Zendrop edges out CJDropshipping in some areas – and where CJ wins hands down – based on real-world usage and supplier testing.

Quick Comparison: Zendrop vs CJDropshipping

Here's a side-by-side look at how each platform stacks up:

Feature	Zendrop	CJDropshipping
Best For	Fast US shipping, Shopify users	Custom product sourcing, low costs
Free Plan	Yes (limited features)	Yes (full access)
Product Catalog Size	~50,000 products	200,000+ SKUs
Sourcing Custom Products	No	Yes
Shipping Time (US)	2–5 days (US warehouse)	2–7 days (US warehouse)
International Fulfillment	Available, slower from China	Extensive, with global warehouses
Integrations	Shopify, WooCommerce	Shopify, Woo, eBay, Etsy, TikTok, API
Private Labeling	Paid plans only	Free with minimum order quantities
Automation Tools	Yes (on paid plans)	Yes
Support	Live chat, knowledge base	Personal sourcing agent, chat/email
Warehousing	US and global	China, US, EU, Thailand, others

Best for Pricing: CJDropshipping Wins Hands Down on Flexibility

If you're just starting out or want to test products without breaking the bank, CJDropshipping is your more budget friendly option.

Zendrop offers more automation and speed – but you've got to be willing to pay for it.

Zendrop Pricing Plans

Zendrop offers 3 pricing plans:

Free – $0/month
Limited products, no automation, no branding options
Pro – $49/month
Automation, order tracking, branded invoices, some private label
Plus – $79/month
Advanced features, full automation, priority support and better product selection

CJDropshipping Pricing

CJDropshipping is totally free to use – no monthly fees, just pay for:

The cost of products you source
Shipping costs
Any optional services (like custom packaging, warehousing)

But, the complexity of CJDropshipping can lead to some hidden costs – especially if you're scaling or sourcing custom products with higher MOQs.

Winner: CJDropshipping
CJ's pay as you go model makes it the better option for sellers on a tight budget, or anyone testing out new markets.

Best for Product Sourcing: CJDropshipping Offers a Much Wider Range

CJDropshipping has a massive catalog and the ability to source virtually any product from Chinese marketplaces like 1688, Alibaba or Taobao.

Zendrop on the other hand has a smaller curated catalog that's ideal for fast shipping and top selling products.

Zendrop Product Access

Around 50,000 products in curated categories
Trending and general store products
No custom sourcing
No access to 1688/Taobao/Alibaba

Zendrop's curated approach is perfect for sellers who want to move quickly with products that are already proven, especially in general or trending niches.

However, the lack of custom sourcing means you're stuck with what's already listed on the platform.

CJDropshipping Product Access

200,000+ listed products
Request custom sourcing from any link or platform
Create custom bundles
Print-on-demand and product customization

CJdropshipping gives you way more control over your product range – which makes it way easier to find unique or hard-to-source items.

This flexibility is a major advantage for niche stores or sellers looking to stand out with customized offerings.

Winner: CJDropshipping
If you want to test out unique products or offer bundles that no one else is selling, CJ is the better platform. Zendrop is simpler, but way more limited.

Best for Shipping Speed: Zendrop Takes the Lead in the US

Shipping speeds are one of the top factors that contribute to customer satisfaction – and in this regard – Zendrop consistently beats their competition in the US, thanks to their US warehouses.

Zendrop Shipping Speed Breakdown

US Warehouse: 2-5 business days
China to US: 7-12 business days
Tracking: Yes, for every single order
Fulfillment: Automated, which is part of the paid plans

CJDropshipping Shipping Speed Breakdown

US Warehouse: 2-7 business days
China to US: 8-15 business days, depending on which carrier they choose to use (CJPacket, YunExpress, DHL)
International Shipping: Available to over 100 countries worldwide
Tracking: Yes, you can always keep an eye on your packages

Zendrop's smaller product range allows it to put more focus on its logistics and build better relationships with its shipping partners – a real plus for trending products in the US market.

Zendrop Wins This Round – For US-based sellers or anyone who needs fast delivery, Zendrop comes out on top with consistently fast fulfillment times.

Best for Automation: Zendrop Delivers Simplicity

If you want a hassle-free experience with minimal manual input, Zendrop's automation tools are the way to go.

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Zendrop's Automation Tools

Auto-fulfill orders
Real-time order tracking
Branded invoicing
One-click product import
Sync inventory with Shopify – no extra work needed

These features are only available on paid plans, but they do make a huge difference and save you loads of time.

CJDropshipping Automation

Auto-sync orders
Inventory management tools
Personal sourcing agent helps with manual fulfillment
Can be a bit of a hassle to set up and track everything manually

While CJ does support automation, the dashboard can feel a bit clunky and you often need to get in touch with a rep to get things sorted out.

Zendrop Takes the Cake – Zendrop's automation and dashboard are much smoother, especially for Shopify users who just want to focus on marketing and not get bogged down in logistics.

Best for Branding: CJ Offers More Options

Both platforms do support private labeling and branded packaging, but the real difference is in the fine print.

CJ offers free white labeling if you meet the minimum order quantity, and Zendrop only does it on paid plans.

Zendrop's Branding Options

Available on Pro and Plus plans only
Does offer private labeling on certain products
Branded invoicing and packaging available
Requires some setup with the Zendrop team

Zendrop's branding options are streamlined, but they come with paywalls and setup requirements.

It's a good fit if you don't mind paying for branded packaging and don't want to handle it yourself, but not so great if you're on a tight budget or just starting out.

CJDropshipping Branding Options

Branding available for free (just have to meet the MOQ)
Can customize logos, inserts, and packaging to your heart's content
Print-on-demand available on a wide range of products
Really flexible and easy to use

CJdropshipping gives you more options for branding, and does it without forcing a subscription – which is a real plus for sellers who want a branded experience without breaking the bank.

CJDropshipping Wins This Round – If branding is part of your growth strategy, CJ gives you more bang for your buck without requiring a subscription.

Best for Ecommerce Integrations: CJ Supports More Platforms

Zendrop is built around Shopify, and integrates with it really well. But what if you sell on other platforms?

CJdropshipping connects with:

Shopify
WooCommerce
BigCommerce
eBay
Etsy
TikTok Shop
Amazon (manual setup a bit of a pain)
Any custom store via API

Zendrop keeps things simple, but only really works well if you're using Shopify.

CJdropshipping on the other hand supports a wide range of platforms, which is really handy if you're selling across multiple channels or planning to scale up.

CJDropshipping Takes the Lead – If you're selling across multiple channels or building a brand that spans multiple platforms, CJ gives you more room to grow.

Best for Customer Support: Zendrop Offers Faster Help

Both platforms do offer some good support options, but Zendrop's live chat (on paid plans) gives you quicker answers to any questions you may have.

Zendrop's Support Options

Knowledge base to help you find what you need
Email support available on the free plan
Live chat on paid plans (Pro and Plus)
Shopify-focused help that's really helpful for dropshipping workflows

Zendrop's support is really well-structured and easy to access, especially on paid plans where live chat really speeds things up.

CJDropshipping Support

Free personal sourcing agent to help you out
Chat, email, and Skype support available
Loads of tutorials and documentation to help you get started
Can be a bit hit-or-miss depending on the agent you get

CJdropshipping's support can feel a bit more personal, thanks to the dedicated agent model. But it's not always consistent, and can be a bit of a hassle if you're just starting out.

Winner: Zendrop. Honestly, if you need a quick resolution and some guidance on the platform, Zendrop is probably your best bet – though if you play your cards right, CJ’s agent system can be a real lifesaver.

How I Did This Comparison

To put this comparison together, I did the following:

Signed up to both platforms (because free and paid plans are worth a shot) and got my accounts set up
Placed over 30 test orders in the US, UK and Europe – just to get a feel for how they'd handle different types of orders
Bothered customer support multiple times with the kinds of problems that sellers normally have
Tested how well each platform integrates with Shopify and WooCommerce
Had chats with some store owners who've used both platforms at scale – I wanted to get a genuine feel for what real-life sellers experience, not just what the marketing hype says.

Final Thoughts: Zendrop vs CJDropshipping

At the end of the day, both these platforms can be great fits, but they really suit different types of ecommerce businesses.

Use Case	Best Platform
Fast US shipping	Zendrop
Beginners on Shopify	Zendrop
Selling on TikTok, Etsy, eBay	CJDropshipping
Testing niche or custom products	CJDropshipping
Private labeling with no monthly fee	CJDropshipping
Automation and ease of use	Zendrop
Large catalog and sourcing power	CJDropshipping

If you're starting from scratch or just want to focus on selling in the US, Zendrop really is the simpler, more straightforward option – it's built for you to scale without getting bogged down in the nitty-gritty.

But if you're experimenting with weird products, selling globally, or need super control over your inventory and suppliers, CJDropshipping lets you do all that with low costs and flexibility that really makes global dropshipping possible.