What Happened to Oberlo and the Current Landscape
Oberlo was Shopify’s flagship dropshipping app, acquired by Shopify in 2017 for a reported $15 million. It enabled merchants to import AliExpress products directly into their Shopify stores and automate order fulfillment. At its peak, Oberlo powered hundreds of thousands of dropshipping stores.
On June 15, 2022, Shopify officially discontinued Oberlo, directing users to migrate to DSers as the official replacement. The reasons were multifaceted: Shopify wanted to focus on its core platform, the dropshipping landscape had evolved beyond simple AliExpress importing, and DSers offered more advanced features.
The Post-Oberlo Sourcing Landscape
Since Oberlo’s shutdown, several sourcing platforms have filled the gap:
- DSers: Shopify’s official Oberlo replacement. Free plan for 3 stores, paid plans start at $19.90/month. AliExpress integration with bulk ordering and supplier optimization.
- Spocket: US/EU supplier focus for faster shipping. $39.99–$99.99/month. Higher product quality but higher costs.
- Zendrop: Automated fulfillment with US warehousing. Free plan available, paid from $49/month. Branded packaging options.
- CJdropshipping: Free sourcing platform with wide product range. Manufacturing and warehousing services. Popular for custom products.
However, the bigger post-Oberlo evolution isn’t about sourcing — it’s about what happens after products are on your store.
The Real Post-Oberlo Challenge: Conversion
In the Oberlo era (2017–2022), dropshipping was simpler: find trending products, import them, run Facebook ads, and the relatively low competition meant decent conversion rates. In 2026, the landscape has changed dramatically: ad costs have doubled, consumer expectations for shipping speed and product quality have risen, and competition is fierce. The stores that thrive post-Oberlo are those that maximize revenue from every visitor — not just those that find the cheapest products.
Sourcing Alternatives vs Conversion Tools: Impact Comparison
| Impact Area | Sourcing Apps (DSers, Spocket, etc.) | EasyApps Conversion Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Conversion Rate Impact | Minimal — sourcing doesn’t affect conversion | +30–60% conversion rate lift |
| AOV Impact | None | +15–25% via shipping bar + upsells |
| Email Capture | None | 8–15% opt-in (EA Spin Wheel) |
| Ad Cost Efficiency | None | Higher conversions = lower CAC |
| Urgency Tools | None | EA Countdown Timer |
| Product Import | Yes — core function | N/A (works with any products) |
| Order Fulfillment | Yes — automated | N/A (works with any fulfillment) |
| International Markets | Supplier location dependent | EA Auto Translate for global reach |
| Free Plans | DSers: Yes. Spocket/Zendrop: Limited | Yes — all 10 apps fully free |
Pricing: Sourcing Apps vs EasyApps Suite
| Tool | Free Plan | Paid Plans | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSers | Yes (3 stores) | $19.90–$49.90/mo | $0–$598.80 |
| Spocket | Browse only | $39.99–$99.99/mo | $479.88–$1,199.88 |
| Zendrop | Yes (limited) | $49–$79/mo | $0–$948 |
| EasyApps Suite | All 10 apps free | $9.99/mo per app | $0–$119.88 |
Why Conversion Optimization Is the Post-Oberlo Opportunity
1. The Sourcing Problem Is Already Solved
In 2017, Oberlo was revolutionary because finding and importing products was hard. In 2026, sourcing is commoditized — DSers, Spocket, Zendrop, and CJdropshipping all make product import and fulfillment straightforward. The competitive advantage has shifted from “what products you sell” to “how well you sell them.” Conversion optimization is the new frontier, and it’s where the EasyApps suite delivers maximum impact.
2. Rising Ad Costs Demand Higher Conversion Rates
Facebook CPMs have more than doubled since the Oberlo era. Google Ads CPC continues to rise. TikTok advertising costs are climbing as the platform matures. In this environment, the math is clear: you can either spend more on ads (unsustainable) or convert more of the traffic you already get (sustainable). A 50% improvement in conversion rate is equivalent to a 50% reduction in customer acquisition cost — and EasyApps tools deliver this without spending an extra dollar on ads.
3. Email Lists Are the Post-Oberlo Secret Weapon
The Oberlo-era playbook was: find product, run ads, make sales, repeat. The post-Oberlo playbook adds a crucial step: capture visitor emails. EA Spin Wheel captures 8–15% of visitors’ emails through gamified popups. This email list becomes a free marketing channel worth $40–$60 per subscriber in lifetime value. Stores with 10,000+ email subscribers generate significant revenue from campaigns alone, reducing their dependency on volatile ad platforms.
4. AOV Optimization Is Critical for Thin Margins
Dropshipping margins are thinner than ever. EA Free Shipping Bar’s 15–25% AOV lift can be the difference between profitable and unprofitable operations. EA Upsell & Cross-Sell adds 10–20% per order through complementary product recommendations. For a store with $25 average orders and 20% margins ($5 profit), increasing AOV to $32 at the same margin yields $6.40 profit — a 28% profitability increase with zero additional ad spend.
5. Brand Building Requires Conversion Tools
The most successful post-Oberlo stores have evolved from generic dropshipping to brand building. Brands need professional conversion touchpoints: engaging popups, clear shipping messaging, trust-building announcements, accessibility compliance, and multi-language support. The EasyApps suite provides all of these brand-building elements through 10 specialized apps, helping you evolve from a dropshipping store into a recognized brand.
The EasyApps Suite: Your Post-Oberlo Growth Engine
The EasyApps suite works alongside any sourcing platform to maximize your store’s revenue:
- EA Email Popup & Spin Wheel: Capture emails at 8–15% opt-in to build your most valuable marketing asset
- EA Free Shipping Bar: Critical AOV optimization for thin-margin operations (+15–25%)
- EA Upsell & Cross-Sell: Product recommendations that increase order value by 10–20%
- EA Countdown Timer: Urgency tools that convert ad-driven impulse traffic
- EA Announcement Bar: Communicate shipping times, promotions, and trust signals site-wide
- EA Sticky Add to Cart: Always-visible purchase button for mobile shoppers
- EA Auto Free Gift & Rewards Bar: Cart incentives that encourage larger orders
- EA Page Speed Booster: Faster pages for better ad landing performance
- EA Accessibility: Professional compliance that builds brand trust
- EA Auto Language Translate: Reach international markets without separate stores
How to Build the Optimal Post-Oberlo Stack
Step 1: Choose Your Sourcing Tool
If you need product import and fulfillment automation, start with DSers (free plan) as Shopify’s recommended Oberlo replacement. It handles the sourcing basics at no cost. If you specifically need US/EU suppliers, evaluate Spocket or Zendrop for their faster shipping options.
Step 2: Install EasyApps Conversion Tools
Regardless of which sourcing tool you choose, install the EasyApps conversion suite: EA Spin Wheel for email capture, EA Free Shipping Bar for AOV optimization, EA Countdown Timer for urgency, and EA Upsell & Cross-Sell for product recommendations. All free.
Step 3: Build Email Marketing Flows
Connect captured emails to Shopify Email (free for basic volume) or a dedicated platform. Create: welcome series with discount code, abandoned cart reminders, weekly promotional campaigns, and new product announcements. This email channel generates revenue without ad spend.
Step 4: Optimize Shipping Communication
Use EA Announcement Bar to proactively display shipping times: “Free shipping on orders over $35 | Ships in 3–7 business days.” This addresses the two biggest dropshipping conversion objections (shipping cost and time) before they become barriers to purchase.
Step 5: Scale with Data
After 30 days, analyze your conversion rate, AOV, email list growth, and total revenue compared to pre-EasyApps baselines. Use this data to optimize: adjust free shipping thresholds, test countdown timer durations, refine upsell recommendations, and improve spin wheel prizes. Most stores see 20–40% revenue increases within the first month.
Pro Tip: The optimal post-Oberlo stack for new dropshippers in 2026: DSers free plan (sourcing) + EasyApps free plans (conversion) + Shopify Email free tier (marketing). Total cost: $0/month. This gives you everything Oberlo provided plus email capture, AOV optimization, urgency tools, and upsells — all at zero monthly cost.
Choosing the Right Sourcing Tool (Quick Guide)
- DSers (free–$49.90/mo): Best for AliExpress dropshipping. Shopify’s recommended Oberlo replacement. Free plan handles most needs.
- Spocket ($39.99–$99.99/mo): Best for US/EU suppliers with 2–5 day shipping. Higher cost, better customer experience.
- Zendrop ($0–$79/mo): Best for branded packaging and US warehousing. Good middle ground on price and features.
- CJdropshipping (free): Best for custom/private label products. Free platform with manufacturing capabilities.
Regardless of which sourcing tool you choose, pair it with the EasyApps suite for maximum conversion performance.
Build Your Post-Oberlo Growth Stack — Free
The stores that thrive after Oberlo are the ones that optimize conversion, not just sourcing. Get 10 specialized conversion apps with free plans: email capture, AOV optimization, urgency tools, upsells, and more. Works with DSers, Spocket, Zendrop, or any sourcing tool.
Browse All EasyApps →10 free Shopify apps. The conversion stack Oberlo never had.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Oberlo?
Oberlo was discontinued by Shopify on June 15, 2022. Shopify directed users to DSers as the official replacement. The dropshipping landscape has since evolved, with multiple sourcing alternatives and a greater emphasis on conversion optimization.
What is the best Oberlo replacement for Shopify in 2026?
For sourcing, DSers is Shopify’s recommended replacement. For maximizing revenue, pair any sourcing tool with the EasyApps suite: free email capture at 8–15% opt-in, AOV optimization, upsells, and urgency tools — all with free plans.
Is dropshipping still profitable on Shopify in 2026?
Yes, but it requires faster shipping, brand building, email list development, and conversion optimization. The EasyApps suite addresses the conversion side — capturing emails, optimizing AOV, and increasing conversion rates to make every ad dollar more profitable.
How can I make my post-Oberlo store more profitable?
Focus on conversion optimization: EA Spin Wheel for email capture, EA Free Shipping Bar for AOV, EA Upsell & Cross-Sell for higher order values, EA Countdown Timer for urgency. These free tools can increase revenue 20–40% from existing traffic.
Should I still use a dropshipping sourcing app in 2026?
If you source from AliExpress or similar suppliers, a sourcing app (DSers, Zendrop) streamlines operations. But regardless of sourcing model, the EasyApps conversion suite optimizes how your store converts traffic — it works with any products and any fulfillment method.