AliDropship First & Alidropship Woo Plugin - PHP v7.1, 7.2+ & 8.1 1.9.2.7

When working with AliDropship, you have to choose between two distinct versions of the plugin depending on your technical experience and desired store setup.

Both plugins generally require a one-time payment of $89 and include free lifelong updates and support.

## 1. AliDropship "Original" (Standard Version)

This is a standalone solution designed for those who want a simple, "all-in-one" experience. It essentially turns a basic WordPress site into a complete dropshipping store.

Ease of Use: Very high. Built for beginners.

Theme Compatibility: Only works with built-in AliDropship themes (like DaVinci, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo). It cannot be used with standard WooCommerce themes.

Functionality: Includes built-in marketing tools (abandoned cart, reviews import, etc.) that would otherwise require extra plugins.

Capacity: Optimized for larger inventories (up to 10,000 products).

## 2. AliDropship Woo (WooCommerce Version)

This version is for users who want to use the WooCommerce ecosystem. It is a plugin that bridges AliExpress with your existing WooCommerce store.

Flexibility: Extremely high. You can use almost any WooCommerce-compatible theme (from ThemeForest, etc.) and any other WooCommerce extensions.

Marketing Tools: Unlike the Original version, "Woo" is more minimalist. You are expected to use separate WooCommerce plugins for marketing, analytics, and SEO.

Shipping: You manage shipping through standard WooCommerce "Shipping Zones."

Capacity: Best for stores with fewer than 500–1,000 products to avoid heavy server load.

### PHP Version Compatibility

AliDropship plugins are IonCube encoded, which means the plugin file you download must match your server's PHP version exactly.

PHP Version

Compatibility Status

Notes

PHP 7.1 / 7.2

Legacy

Supported by older versions of the plugin. Many hosting providers have phased these out for security reasons.

PHP 7.4

Stable

The most common version for AliDropship stores for several years.

PHP 8.1 / 8.2

Modern Standard

Recommended. As of late 2024/2025, AliDropship's latest updates are fully optimized for PHP 8.1 and 8.2.

Crucial Requirement: To run AliDropship on any PHP version, your hosting provider must have the IonCube Loader extension enabled in your PHP settings.

### Which one should you choose?

Choose the Original Plugin if: You are new to WordPress, want a "set it and forget it" setup, and don't want to deal with the complexities of WooCommerce.

Choose AliDropship Woo if: You are an experienced WordPress user, already have a WooCommerce store, or want a highly customized design using a premium theme like Flatsome or Astra.

Would you like me to help you find the correct IonCube Loader settings for your specific hosting provider (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround, or Hostinger)?