Printful vs Oberlo: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Printful and Oberlo comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Printful
Print-on-demand and dropshipping
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.1/10 vs 7.8/10)
- • You need print on demand features specifically
- • Printful is a print-on-demand dropshipping service for custom products
- • It prints and ships products directly to customers with your branding
Oberlo
Dropshipping app for Shopify
Best for you if:
- • You need dropshipping features specifically
- • Oberlo was a dropshipping app for Shopify that has been discontinued
- • It helped merchants find and import products from suppliers
| At a Glance |  Oberlo | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Print on Demand | Dropshipping |
Rating | 81/100 | 78/100 |
| Feature | Printful | Oberlo |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 81 | 78 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Print on DemandDropshipping | DropshippingE-commerce Platforms |
Understanding the Differences
Both Printful and Oberlo solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Printful positions itself as "print-on-demand and dropshipping" while Oberlofocuses on "dropshipping app for shopify". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Printful
Printful makes sense if you're looking for a budget-friendly option with a free tier solution. With a score of 81/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose Oberlo
Oberlo is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
When every dollar counts, Printful lets you get started without pulling out your credit card.
We'd pick: Printful
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Printful handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Printful
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Both have enterprise tiers—compare their security features.
We'd pick: Printful
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Tight budget? Start free with Printful, upgrade when you're ready.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Printful higher (81/100). But the community has upvoted Oberlo more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Printful Does Better
- Higher overall score (81/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Oberlo If
- You want to start free and scale later
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Printful (81/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Printful scores higher in our analysis, but Oberlo might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Printful or Oberlo better?
Based on our analysis, Printful scores higher with 81/100. Printful isfreemium while Oberlo is freemium. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Printful to Oberlo easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Printful and Oberlo offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Printful is freemium with a free tier.Oberlo is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.