Faire: Buy Wholesale vs Podbase: Print on Demandfor Shopify (2026)
Faire: Buy Wholesale and Podbase: Print on Demand both offer sourcing options for Shopify merchants but cater to fundamentally different business models. Faire connects retailers with independent brands, allowing them to buy wholesale inventory for resale, emphasizing unique and high-quality products. Podbase, on the other hand, is a print-on-demand service, enabling merchants to sell custom-designed products without holding any inventory. Faire targets established retailers looking to diversify their product offerings and gain access to exclusive brands, while Podbase focuses on entrepreneurs seeking to create their own brands and sell customized items with minimal upfront investment. A key differentiator is that Faire requires upfront investment in wholesale inventory and doesn't support dropshipping, whereas Podbase embraces a dropshipping model and requires no upfront inventory investment.
At a Glance
Faire: Buy Wholesale
604 reviews
Podbase: Print on Demand
71 reviews
Detailed Overview
Faire: Buy Wholesale
Buy wholesale from independent brands worldwide
Key Features
- Discover unique, high-quality products from brands around the world
- Eligible retailers get 60-day payment terms
- Free returns on all opening orders
- Faire does not support dropshipping
- Sync your orders and inventory to Shopify automatically
Podbase: Print on Demand
Create high-quality print-on-demand products. Custom designs will help you target customer niches.
Key Features
- Easy-to-use product designer and catalog builder
- Fast 24-hour printing with quick delivery to the USA and EU
- Fully automated fulfilment, shipping, and profit tracking
- Maximize earnings with one of the highest profit margins in the market
- 24/7 live chat support to help you anytime
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 4.8/5 | 5/5 |
Rating Faire: Buy Wholesale4.8/5 Podbase: Print on Demand5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 604 | 71 |
Reviews Faire: Buy Wholesale604 Podbase: Print on Demand71 | ||
| Business Model | Wholesale | Print on Demand |
Business Model Faire: Buy WholesaleWholesale Podbase: Print on DemandPrint on Demand | ||
| Inventory Management | Requires inventory purchase | No inventory required (dropshipping) |
Inventory Management Faire: Buy WholesaleRequires inventory purchase Podbase: Print on DemandNo inventory required (dropshipping) | ||
| Product Focus | Existing brand products | Custom-designed products |
Product Focus Faire: Buy WholesaleExisting brand products Podbase: Print on DemandCustom-designed products | ||
| Target Merchant | Established retailers | New entrepreneurs/brands |
Target Merchant Faire: Buy WholesaleEstablished retailers Podbase: Print on DemandNew entrepreneurs/brands | ||
| Payment Terms | Eligible retailers get 60-day payment terms | Pay per order (profit margins dictate costs) |
Payment Terms Faire: Buy WholesaleEligible retailers get 60-day payment terms Podbase: Print on DemandPay per order (profit margins dictate costs) | ||
| Fulfillment | Merchant responsible after wholesale purchase | Fully automated fulfillment and shipping |
Fulfillment Faire: Buy WholesaleMerchant responsible after wholesale purchase Podbase: Print on DemandFully automated fulfillment and shipping | ||
| Returns | Free returns on opening orders | Dependent on POD service policy |
Returns Faire: Buy WholesaleFree returns on opening orders Podbase: Print on DemandDependent on POD service policy | ||
Our Verdict
The choice between Faire and Podbase hinges entirely on the merchant's business strategy. Faire is ideal for established brick-and-mortar retailers or online stores seeking to curate a unique product selection by sourcing from independent brands. The 60-day payment terms and free returns on opening orders mitigate some of the risk associated with purchasing wholesale inventory. Podbase is a better fit for individuals or businesses seeking to launch a brand quickly and affordably by selling custom-designed print-on-demand products. Its lack of inventory requirements and automated fulfillment make it a low-risk option, though potentially with lower profit margins per item. If the goal is to curate and resell established brands, Faire is the better option. If the goal is to create and sell unique designs with minimal overhead, Podbase is preferable.
Common Questions
Which app is better for a new Shopify store owner with a limited budget?
Podbase is the better option for a new Shopify store owner with a limited budget. It requires no upfront inventory investment, allowing you to start selling custom-designed products immediately. Faire, on the other hand, requires purchasing wholesale inventory, which can be a significant financial barrier for a new business.
Which app offers more control over product quality?
Faire offers more indirect control over product quality through careful selection of the independent brands you choose to partner with. You can sample products and assess their quality before committing to larger orders. Podbase's product quality is dependent on the print-on-demand service's standards, though you can order samples to verify quality beforehand.
Which app is better for scaling a business quickly?
Podbase can facilitate rapid scaling due to its automated fulfillment and lack of inventory constraints. As sales increase, Podbase handles the production and shipping. Faire's scaling depends on managing inventory effectively and potentially sourcing from multiple brands to meet demand.
Does Faire offer dropshipping?
No, Faire explicitly states that it does not support dropshipping. Retailers are expected to purchase inventory upfront and manage their own fulfillment.
What are the typical profit margins for each app?
Faire's profit margins depend on the wholesale prices offered by the independent brands and the retail prices you set. Podbase claims to offer some of the highest profit margins in the print-on-demand market, but the actual margin will vary based on product and design costs.
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