A dollar is a low-risk way to test something — but “low risk” only holds up if you know exactly what happens after the trial ends. Here's precisely what SaleHoo's $1 trial includes, what happens on day 7, and the one real complaint pattern worth knowing about before you enter your card details.
What You Actually Get for the Dollar
The 7-day, $1 trial gives you full access to the Starter plan — not a stripped-down preview. That means the complete supplier directory (8,000+ vetted suppliers, up to 100 supplier contacts per month), the Market Research Lab covering 2.5 million+ products, one-click Shopify integration for up to 200 products on one store, and access to the 137,000-member community forum. You're genuinely using the real product, not a limited demo.
| Included in the $1 Trial | Detail |
|---|---|
| Supplier directory access | 8,000+ suppliers, up to 100 contacts/month |
| Market Research Lab | Data across 2.5M+ products |
| Shopify integration | Up to 200 product imports, 1 store |
| Community forum | Full access to 137,000+ members |
| Duration | 7 days from signup |
What Happens After Day 7
This is the part worth reading carefully: unless you cancel before the 7 days end, your card is automatically charged for the ongoing Starter plan at $9/month, billed annually (roughly $108 for the year). A credit card is required upfront to start the trial at all — there's no way to test it without providing payment details.
The Real Complaint Worth Knowing About
Some users have reported being charged unexpectedly after the trial ended, apparently forgetting the auto-renewal was coming. SaleHoo has publicly addressed these cases and processed refunds under its stated policy, and the broader 60-day money-back guarantee applies as a backup even if you miss the initial cancellation window. Still, the honest fix is simpler: set a calendar reminder for day 5 or 6, not day 7, so you have a buffer to decide and cancel if you're not continuing.
Is 7 Days Actually Enough to Evaluate It?
Realistically, a week is enough time to explore the directory, message a few suppliers, and get a feel for the research tools — but not enough to fully vet a supplier relationship or make a real purchasing decision. Treat the trial as a chance to evaluate the platform's usability and supplier quality, not as enough time to complete your actual sourcing research. If you need more time, remember the 60-day money-back guarantee gives you a longer real safety net once you're on the paid plan.
How to Use the Trial Well
Go in with a specific product category already in mind, search the directory for it immediately, message 2–3 suppliers on day 1 so you have replies to review before the trial ends, and check the Market Research Lab data for that category. This gets you a genuine sense of supplier quality and research depth within the window, rather than spending the week just browsing.
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Where to Go From Here
Once you're in, our step-by-step SaleHoo beginner's guide walks through exactly what to click first, and our cost-benefit breakdown covers whether the ongoing subscription is worth it beyond the trial.