If you’re running an ecommerce store, chances are you’ve heard of Gelato.
It’s a well-known print on demand (POD) platform that allows you to produce and ship products globally using a local fulfillment network.
But Gelato isn’t the perfect fit for everyone.
Whether you’re seeking lower prices, more customization, faster turnaround times, or better product variety, it’s worth comparing alternatives to find the best platform for your business.
I’ve tested multiple POD providers as part of running and growing ecommerce stores. Based on that experience, here are my top picks for the best Gelato alternatives right now:
4 Best Gelato Alternatives
- Printify – For lower product costs and better margin control
- Printful – For all-in-one fulfillment with deep integration options
- SPOD – For lightning-fast order turnaround
- Apliiq – For building fashion-forward, branded clothing lines
Key Takeaways
- Printify is ideal if you’re looking to boost your profit margin by accessing multiple low-cost suppliers
- Printful offers the most seamless integration experience, with premium branding and warehouse services
- SPOD ships 95% of orders within 48 hours, making it a great choice if fulfillment speed is your priority
- Apliiq is best if you want custom fashion products and private label features like woven tags
To find the right POD platform, consider your margin goals, preferred product types, shipping regions, customization needs, and storefront integration options.
Gelato Alternatives: At a Glance
Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of the best Gelato alternatives for POD sellers in 2025:
| Platform | Best For | Shipping Speed | Branding Options | Product Variety | Starting Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Printify | Low-cost products | 3–7 days | Basic | High | From $4.63 + shipping |
| Printful | All-in-one solution | 3–7 days | Advanced | High | From $7.50 + shipping |
| SPOD | Fastest fulfillment | 48 hours | Basic | Medium | From $6.49 + shipping |
| Apliiq | Fashion-focused branding | 7–10 days | Private label | Apparel-focused | From $16.00 + shipping |
1. Printify – For Lower Product Costs
Overall rating: 4.6/5 (excellent)
Pricing: Free to use, or $29/month for Printify Premium
If keeping costs down is a key part of your strategy, Printify is one of the strongest alternatives to Gelato.
The platform connects you with a network of global print providers so you can compare product pricing and fulfillment times before choosing the best partner.
What Printify Does Well
- Lower base prices than most competitors
- Lets you compare suppliers for the same product
- Integrates with Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce
- Printify Premium gives up to 20% off product costs
Where Printify Could Improve
- Print quality varies between suppliers
- No in-house printing or centralized support
- Branding options are basic (no custom packaging)
Pricing Snapshot
| Product | Supplier | Base Price (USD) | US Shipping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gildan 5000 Unisex Tee | Monster Digital | $8.10 | $4.00 |
| Classic Mug 11oz | SPOKE Custom | $4.63 | $5.00 |
| Women’s Crop Tee | Drive Fulfillment | $12.00 | $3.99 |
These prices are what make Printify especially appealing for sellers trying to maximize their margins without compromising too much on product quality.
With the added flexibility of choosing between suppliers, you can test different providers to find the best combination of price, speed, and reliability for your audience.
Best for: Sellers optimizing for profit margin and scale
2. Printful – For a Fully Integrated POD Experience
Overall rating: 4.5/5 (very good)
Pricing: Free to use, optional upgrades like Printful Pro at $24.99/month
Printful is one of the most established names in POD, known for its deep integration stack and branding options.
Unlike Printify, Printful handles printing in-house, which gives you better quality control and a smoother experience overall.
What Printful Does Well
- In-house fulfillment ensures consistent quality
- Offers pack-ins, logo inserts, embroidery, and inside labels
- Includes product mockup generator and warehousing services
- Seamlessly integrates with Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, and more
Where Printful Could Improve
- Base prices are higher than other platforms
- Limited supplier choice (no bidding or price comparison)
- Shipping can get expensive for international orders
Pricing Snapshot
| Product | Base Price (USD) | US Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| Bella + Canvas 3001 T-Shirt | $12.95 | $3.99 |
| Embroidered Hat | $15.50 | $3.99 |
| 11oz Ceramic Mug | $7.50 | $4.99 |
While Printful’s base prices are higher than some competitors, the consistent product quality and in-house production often justify the cost.
For stores aiming to position themselves as premium brands, these pricing levels can still deliver solid margins with the right retail strategy.
Best for: Brands that prioritize quality, reliability, and customization
3. SPOD – For the Fastest Shipping
Overall rating: 4.3/5 (very good)
Pricing: Free to use
SPOD, operated by Spreadshirt, is known for its speed. With 95% of orders shipping within 48 hours, SPOD is ideal for sellers who want to keep customer satisfaction high and refund rates low.
What SPOD Does Well
- Fastest turnaround times in the POD market
- Built-in product customization tool for shoppers
- Easy integration with Shopify and WooCommerce
- Transparent pricing and shipping rates
Where SPOD Could Improve
- Product catalog is smaller than competitors
- Limited branding options (only pack-ins available)
- Fewer integrations compared to Printful or Printify
Pricing Snapshot
| Product | Base Price (USD) | US Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Premium Tee | $10.50 | $4.50 |
| Tote Bag | $8.99 | $4.99 |
| Ceramic Mug | $6.49 | $4.99 |
SPOD’s pricing is competitive, especially when you factor in how quickly orders are fulfilled.
For sellers who value speed and reliability over deep customization, this makes SPOD a practical and efficient choice.
Best for: Stores prioritizing speed and fulfillment reliability
4. Apliiq – For Fashion Brands and Custom Labels
Overall rating: 4.2/5 (excellent for fashion niche)
Pricing: Free to use, custom branding adds cost
If you’re building a brand around fashion or apparel, Apliiq is worth a serious look. It offers branding services that go far beyond simple logos — including woven labels, private labeling, and cut-and-sew options.
What Apliiq Does Well
- Private label clothing with woven tags
- Great for streetwear and lifestyle brands
- Small MOQ (as low as 10 pieces for labels)
- High-quality embroidery and fabric selection
Where Apliiq Could Improve
- Not beginner-friendly — better for brands that have traction
- Slower turnaround times (7–10 business days)
- Focused exclusively on apparel
Pricing Snapshot
| Product | Base Price (USD) | US Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Pullover Hoodie | $26.00 | $6.00 |
| Embroidered Dad Hat | $16.00 | $4.99 |
| Woven Label (add-on) | +$2.50 | — |
While Apliiq’s pricing is higher, the ability to add unique branding elements like woven labels gives your products a more professional, retail-ready look.
This makes it a strong fit for sellers building a long-term fashion brand rather than a generic print-on-demand store.
Best for: Fashion-focused ecommerce brands with long-term branding goals
Comparison Table: Gelato vs Its Alternatives
| Feature | Gelato | Printify | Printful | SPOD | Apliiq |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Catalog | Medium | High | High | Medium | Apparel only |
| Fulfillment Speed | Medium | Medium | Medium | Fastest | Slow |
| Branding Options | Basic | Basic | Advanced | Basic | Private Label |
| Global Shipping | Strong | Strong | Strong | Medium | US-focused |
| Custom Packaging | Limited | Limited | Available | Limited | Advanced |
| Base Prices (avg.) | Medium | Low | High | Low | Medium |
| Integrations | Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce | Shopify, Etsy, more | Shopify, Etsy, Amazon | Shopify, WooCommerce | Shopify, WooCommerce |
| Best For | Global basics | Margin control | End-to-end solution | Speed | Branded fashion |
Final Thoughts
Gelato is a great starting point for POD businesses — especially if you’re shipping globally and want local fulfillment. But as you grow, it might fall short in areas like branding, pricing flexibility, or product variety.
If you’re looking for:
- Better margins → Try Printify
- Full-service integration → Go with Printful
- Faster delivery → SPOD is your best bet
- Private label fashion → Apliiq is made for you
Before switching platforms, test a few sample orders, compare product quality, and calculate shipping times to your most common destinations.
Most of these platforms are free to use, so there’s no risk in experimenting before fully committing.
