Spocket and Shopify serve very different purposes in ecommerce, but they’re often mentioned in the same breath — especially when dropshipping is involved.
After testing and analyzing both platforms extensively, I can say this: if you want to build and grow your own store, Shopify is the better choice.
If you’re looking to source products to sell through that store, Spocket is where it fits in.
In this detailed comparison, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Spocket and Shopify — including pricing, ease of use, product sourcing, and features — to help you decide how each tool fits your business needs.
Spocket vs Shopify: Quick Verdict
Shopify – Best for building and growing a scalable ecommerce business
Spocket – Best for sourcing high-quality dropshipping products
If you’re trying to choose between them, you’re actually asking the wrong question.
These tools aren’t direct competitors — they’re complementary. Use Shopify to create and run your store, and Spocket to source and fulfill products.
Still, let’s compare them side by side across the most important areas.
Quick Comparison: Spocket vs Shopify
| Feature | Spocket | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Tool | Dropshipping supplier app | Ecommerce platform |
| Core Function | Product sourcing and order automation | Store builder, checkout system, and full ecommerce backend |
| Product Catalog | Yes (pre-loaded) | No (requires apps like Spocket) |
| Hosting Included | No | Yes |
| Sells Products? | No (you source from others) | Yes (you sell your own or dropshipped items) |
| Shipping Managed? | Yes (by suppliers) | Only if you manage or integrate suppliers |
| Price Range | $39.99 to $99.99/month | $39 to $399/month |
| Ideal For | Product sourcing for dropshipping | Running and scaling an ecommerce store |
Best for Product Sourcing: Spocket
Spocket exists to make product sourcing easier — especially for entrepreneurs who want to offer faster shipping and better quality than you’d typically get from AliExpress.
Once you connect it to your store (via Shopify, WooCommerce, or another platform), you can browse and import products with a few clicks.
All items come from vetted suppliers, mostly located in the US and Europe, which means faster delivery and better chances of positive customer reviews.
What I Liked
- Fast shipping: US and EU suppliers deliver in 2–7 days
- Higher quality control: Many products are branded or white-label ready
- Easy setup: Connects to Shopify in minutes
- Automated fulfillment: Orders are processed directly to suppliers
- Branded invoicing: Available on Pro plans and above
What Could Be Better
- Monthly cost adds up: You’ll need a paid plan to access most features
- Limited product variety compared to AliExpress
- No store-building features — you must already have a store on another platform
Spocket Plans and Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Product Access | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited | Basic catalog only |
| Starter | $39.99 | 25 products | Email support |
| Pro | $59.99 | 250 products + branded invoicing | Access to premium products |
| Empire | $99.99 | Unlimited | Priority support, branded invoicing |
The Free plan lets you explore Spocket’s catalog and platform at no cost, making it a simple way to understand how the system works before committing to a paid plan. However, you’re limited to a small number of suppliers and basic products.
The Starter plan is best for beginners who want to test a small dropshipping setup with up to 25 products. It includes essential tools for importing and managing items, along with access to basic email support.
The Pro plan suits growing stores that want to expand their inventory and improve brand presentation. You’ll get access to premium suppliers and the ability to add branded invoicing, which helps create a more professional image.
The Empire plan is tailored for experienced sellers who manage high volumes or large catalogs. It provides unlimited product imports, premium supplier access, and priority support, making it a strong choice for scaling ecommerce businesses.
If your main concern is finding reliable products with reasonable shipping times, Spocket is a solid tool — but only when paired with a store platform like Shopify.
Best for Store Building: Shopify
Shopify is a full-service ecommerce platform that powers over a million businesses worldwide. It helps you create an online store, manage inventory, accept payments, handle customer accounts, and automate much of your backend.
While it doesn’t offer products itself, Shopify allows you to integrate apps like Spocket to add that layer of functionality.
Key Strengths
- Intuitive store builder: Choose from 100+ themes, customize easily
- Supports multiple business models: Dropshipping, physical inventory, print-on-demand, subscriptions
- Robust checkout system: Includes cart, payment options, tax settings
- Large app ecosystem: 8,000+ apps to extend features
- Scales with your business: From side hustle to global brand
Weak Spots
- Monthly costs can rise with apps and add-ons
- No built-in product sourcing — you’ll need tools like Spocket
- Some learning curve if you’re new to ecommerce platforms
Shopify Plans and Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39 | Full store setup, 2 staff accounts, standard reports |
| Shopify | $105 | 5 staff accounts, pro reports |
| Advanced | $399 | Custom reporting, up to 15 staff accounts |
The Basic plan is designed for new store owners who need all the essentials to launch, including full access to Shopify’s core features and support for two staff accounts. It also includes standard reporting tools to help monitor early performance.
The Shopify plan is ideal for growing businesses that need more team members and deeper analytics. With up to five staff accounts and professional reporting, it supports more complex operations and decision-making.
The Advanced plan is built for scaling brands that rely on data-driven growth and custom workflows. It unlocks custom reporting, supports up to 15 staff accounts, and includes lower transaction fees through Shopify Payments.
You’ll also find Shopify’s $1/month for 3 months deal for new users, and a 3-day free trial — though it’s not as generous as Spocket’s forever-free plan.
Best for Shipping: Spocket
One of the biggest pain points in dropshipping is shipping times. Customers expect fast, trackable delivery — and AliExpress isn’t cutting it anymore.
This is where Spocket really shines. Since most suppliers are based in the US or Europe, delivery times are dramatically shorter.
Spocket Shipping Highlights
- 2–7 day delivery on most items
- Tracking included
- No customs delays (for domestic orders)
- Local suppliers reduce refund and dispute rates
- Sample ordering is available if you want to test products before selling
Shopify itself doesn’t manage shipping — unless you’re fulfilling your own inventory or integrating with an app like Spocket or ShipBob.
So while Shopify can support logistics, it doesn’t offer direct control unless you’re using third-party tools.
Best for Customization and Apps: Shopify
Spocket is focused on one thing — dropshipping products.
Shopify, by contrast, is a platform built to support the full ecommerce journey. That means you’ll find far more flexibility and options through its app ecosystem.
App Market Comparison
| Platform | Number of Apps | Custom Features |
|---|---|---|
| Spocket | 1 core app + AliScraper | Product sourcing only |
| Shopify | 8,000+ apps | SEO, shipping, upsells, analytics, customer support, and more |
You can extend Shopify in just about any direction:
- Use Klaviyo or Mailchimp for email
- Add SEO apps for rankings
- Run upsells and cross-sells with OneClick Upsell
- Use ReConvert to improve post-purchase flows
- Analyze with Google Analytics or Triple Whale
Spocket doesn’t offer these features — it expects you to handle branding, marketing, and CRO within your storefront platform (like Shopify).
Best for Ease of Use: Shopify
Both tools are easy to use, but Shopify takes the edge in user experience. The onboarding process is clean and tailored to your experience level.
It also walks you through each step — from choosing a theme to adding products and setting up payments.
Spocket is straightforward too, but it assumes you already have a store ready to go. You won’t find design tools, storefront settings, or payment options inside Spocket — that’s not its job.
Shopify’s User Experience Includes:
- Guided onboarding
- Drag-and-drop theme customization
- Built-in help content
- 24/7 support via chat and phone
- Clear menus and dashboard for orders, products, and customers
For first-time entrepreneurs or non-technical users, Shopify makes the setup process far more accessible.
Best for Support: Shopify
Customer support can make or break your ecommerce setup — especially during early growth or technical hiccups.
Both Spocket and Shopify offer solid support options, but Shopify takes the lead with more comprehensive coverage.
Support Comparison
| Platform | Support Options |
|---|---|
| Spocket | Live chat (paid plans), email, help center |
| Shopify | 24/7 chat, phone (for Plus), knowledge base, community forum, social support |
If you need frequent help or fast answers, Shopify’s support network is stronger — especially with the number of third-party resources and tutorials available online.
Final Verdict: Should You Use Spocket or Shopify?
It’s not a matter of choosing one — they’re designed to work together.
- Use Shopify to build your store.
- Use Spocket to stock it with quality products.
Shopify handles your customer-facing experience — the design, checkout, marketing, analytics, and payments. Spocket handles the backend product sourcing and fulfillment.
When used as a pair, they create a powerful stack for starting and scaling a dropshipping business.
Here's My Recommendation:
Just getting started? Start with Shopify’s $1/month trial and test out Spocket’s free plan to explore products.
Already have a store? Add Spocket to quickly expand your product catalog without inventory risk.
Want to scale? Upgrade to Shopify’s mid-tier or advanced plan and combine it with Spocket Pro or Empire for branded fulfillment.
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