We Found 5 Dollar Store Nail Polish Dupes To Spice Up Your Fall 2025 Mani For Less

It's finally time to retire those summer nail color trends and warm-weather manicures and dress your fingertips in something moodier. Autumn's arrival means that fall nail colors (I love Essie's neutral coffee shade) will soon be ready to play, but such luxurious lacquers can carry a hefty price tag — and that's doubly true if you're visiting the nail salon. Still, there's no reason you should break your budget to sport the season's hottest nail colors for fall 2025. While top-shelf polishes can set you back anywhere from $10 to upwards of $30 per bottle — I'm looking at you, Chanel — there are plenty of stunning shades available at a fraction of their prices.

Don't underestimate your local dollar store's beauty department, especially when it comes to trending fall nail colors. Though several dollar-store chains have hiked up their prices storewide, nail polish is one category that remains largely unaffected. That means you can find incredible dupes for fall's hottest nail colors for as little as $1 to $2 per bottle. If you're wondering whether they can compete with pricier polishes, you're in for a treat. I vetted five of the best autumn polishes from Dollar Tree and Dollar General just in time for you to kick off hot girl fall.

First up is Candy Moyo nail polish in the shade 952, available for the cool price of $1.25 at Dollar Tree. Though it may not have the most memorable name, this creamy terra-cotta color is an absolute gem for fall. It applies evenly and smoothly, and its fine brush makes it easy to achieve perfect coverage. By the first coat, it's readily apparent that this is not your average dollar store polish — its pigmentation is easily on par with higher-priced nail products. And despite its opacity, Candy Moyo's 952 is forgiving enough to correct any mistakes before they dry. 

In terms of color, 952 is a warm, medium-toned brown that's the perfect shade for picking up pumpkin-spice lattes or apple cider donuts. It's a decent dupe for OPI's Slip Dressed Up, a brick red from the brand's Fall 2025 collection that's nearly 10 times the price. For just a few bucks, Candy Moyo's version definitely gets you in the mood for fall without being overly flashy. It looks stellar on its own, but it could work well for a fall French manicure. Just pair it with tips in fun, seasonal shades like orange, cream, or light green for an unexpected pop of color.

Another contender from Dollar Tree is Believe's For the Win, a grayish-green color with an ultra-glossy finish. Out of all the fall polishes tested, it has the thinnest formula by far, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Furthermore, this shade is something of a chameleon. The first coat of For the Win fills the nails with a wash of translucent taupe, while additional coats build a darker, jade-tinged hue. Its lighter consistency allows it to dry quite quickly, and it's easy to keep this color from flooding the cuticles. 

Three coats of For the Win offers ideal coverage, resulting in a rock-solid manicure resembling polished river stones. In certain lighting, this ultra-shine nail polish can appear almost black, though elegant undertones of olive green peek through. A close comparison shade is Apres' Camo-Ver Here!, a rich, army-green gel that retails for $14.99. However you choose to wear it, you can't go wrong with For the Win. It's a refreshingly chic fit for any fall manicure, and a bottle of Believe will only set you back $1.25. 

Next up is L.A. Colors Dynasty, and this sparkling crimson red is among the best of the dollar store bunch for fall. At $2 per bottle from Family Dollar, it's slightly more expensive than its Dollar Tree counterparts, but it's worth the extra investment. L.A. Colors is a champion of dollar-store beauty shelves, offering fun effects, finishes, and colors for nail-art fans on a budget. Dynasty is no different, a member of the brand's Metal Nail Polish collection with ruby slipper-like sparkle. In the bottle, it appears to be a deep garnet shade, but it's a slightly different story when applied to one's nails.

Dynasty's formula is a bit thinner than you might expect, resembling a translucent berry-pink at first swipe. By the third coat of polish, it takes on a rich cranberry color that's right on target for fall. It may not be quite as bold as its packaging suggests, but you can certainly achieve a richer red by painting on a few more layers. Plus, it's a dead ringer for China Glaze Ruby Pumps, a candy-apple red that runs for $8.50 a bottle. 

Everyone knows that burgundy nails are a defining look for fall, but Candy Moyo adds an unexpected twist by adding sparkling silver glitter in the mix. Shade 967 is an eye-catching eggplant with starry flecks throughout, giving it an edge over the competition this spooky season. Retailing for $1.25 at Dollar Tree, it's one of the most affordable nail polishes for fall 2025. Candy Moyo's 967 is a pretty decent dupe for Madam Glam's Spiced Up, a red glitter gel that typically retails for $21.95. Best of all, it can keep up with higher-priced polish offerings. Glitter often poses a problem, from application to the removal process, but Candy Moyo surpasses expectations with 967.

This raisin color piqued my interest from the second I spotted its bottle on the shelf, and it's even prettier painted on. One coat is quite sheer, while two doesn't do its lush color justice. Therefore, I opted for three coats of polish to truly let 967 shine. This formula dries quickly, though its texture leaves something to be desired. To counteract the scratchy feel of the glitter, you'll definitely want to add a clear top coat after it sets.

Last but not least, L.A. Colors has done it again with its Color Craze Gel collection in the shade Exposed. Just $2 at Family Dollar, this is one fall nail color that's not to be missed. Many lacquer lines boast the benefits of gel polish without the use of a curing lamp, but L.A. Colors actually delivers on its promise. This captivating bronze is exceptionally easy to work with, dries in no time, and provides a tough, mirror-like finish. In fact, it's so glossy you can easily skip the top coat. That said, you can enhance its finish with a clear coat for maximum shine. If you're torn between L.A. Colors' Exposed and the brand's aforementioned Dynasty, Exposed is my top pick for fall. It delivers professional-looking results in an instant, and its silky formula is perfect for beginners and nail experts alike. 

Of all the dollar-store polishes I tested, Exposed might be my favorite. This shade is a perfect representation of a clean copper penny, sure to flatter anyone who swipes it on. The shimmery, warm hue is also a fine dupe for Morgan Taylor's Sunset My Heart, though it leans more metallic than iridescent. Either way, it's a must-have in your polish collection if you're into fun neutrals. Wear Exposed on its own for no-fuss fall nails, or grab your dotting tool to craft an amazing autumnal floral manicure with fall-inspired nail art – the possibilities are endless with this beauty!