When running an eCommerce business, one of the most important factors for success is getting orders to customers quickly and efficiently. Shipping and fulfillment play a major role in this process. As someone who has worked with various eCommerce platforms, I understand how overwhelming it can be to manage inventory, fulfill orders, and coordinate shipping. The right shipping and fulfillment software can streamline these processes, saving time and money while improving the customer experience. In this guide, I’ll take you through the top shipping and fulfillment software available for eCommerce stores. I’ll compare these tools, discuss their features, and explain why they might be the right fit for your business.
Why Shipping and Fulfillment Software Matter for eCommerce
Before diving into the tools, let’s briefly talk about why shipping and fulfillment software are crucial. As eCommerce businesses grow, managing orders and shipments manually can become a nightmare. Mistakes, delays, and inventory discrepancies can lead to unhappy customers, which can ultimately hurt your business.
Shipping and fulfillment software solves these problems by automating and streamlining the logistics behind getting orders from your store to your customers. It manages inventory, tracks shipments, integrates with your eCommerce platform, and often even provides customer notifications about their orders. Some solutions also offer features like returns management, international shipping, and custom packaging. In short, shipping and fulfillment software are essential for any eCommerce business aiming for growth and efficiency.
What to Look for in Shipping and Fulfillment Software
When choosing the best software for your store, there are several key features you should consider. The following points will help guide you through the decision-making process:
- Ease of Use: The software should have an intuitive interface that makes managing orders and shipments easy.
- Integration: It should integrate with your eCommerce platform and other tools you use, such as accounting software, CRMs, or email marketing tools.
- Shipping Carrier Support: The software should support multiple carriers, including UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL, so you can offer your customers a variety of shipping options.
- Automation: The best software automates as much of the process as possible, from inventory tracking to shipping label generation.
- Customer Support: Make sure the software provides solid customer support in case issues arise with your shipments or orders.
- Pricing: Cost is always a factor. Be sure the software provides value relative to the features it offers.
Top Shipping and Fulfillment Software
Below are some of the top shipping and fulfillment software solutions for eCommerce stores. I’ll explain what each one offers, its strengths, and any potential drawbacks.
1. ShipBob
ShipBob is a full-service fulfillment solution that caters to eCommerce businesses of all sizes. It handles inventory, picks and packs orders, and ships them directly to your customers. ShipBob operates a network of fulfillment centers across the U.S. and offers international shipping options as well.
Key Features:
- Multi-channel fulfillment (supports stores like Shopify, Amazon, and Walmart)
- Real-time inventory tracking
- 2-day express shipping options
- Integrated returns management
- Custom packaging options
Pros:
- Excellent customer service
- Multiple warehouse locations for faster delivery
- Integrates with popular eCommerce platforms
- Easy to use interface
Cons:
- Can get expensive for small businesses
- Storage fees can add up
| Feature | ShipBob |
|---|---|
| Multi-Channel Support | Yes |
| International Shipping | Yes |
| Pricing Transparency | Moderate |
| Return Management | Yes |
| Integration with eCommerce Platforms | Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Amazon, and more |
2. ShipStation
ShipStation is a versatile shipping and fulfillment software solution that supports a wide range of carriers, including FedEx, UPS, USPS, and DHL. It’s designed to streamline the order fulfillment process, providing features like automated shipping label generation, real-time tracking, and batch processing.
Key Features:
- Customizable shipping rules
- Automated label creation
- Multi-carrier support
- Integrates with over 100 eCommerce platforms
- Detailed reporting and analytics
Pros:
- Affordable pricing plans for small businesses
- Easy-to-use dashboard for managing shipments
- Supports international shipping
- Automation features help save time
Cons:
- Some features may be more complex for beginners
- Limited to a handful of fulfillment centers (third-party options available)
| Feature | ShipStation |
|---|---|
| Multi-Carrier Support | Yes |
| Shipping Label Automation | Yes |
| International Shipping | Yes |
| Pricing Transparency | Clear |
| Integration with eCommerce Platforms | Over 100 platforms supported |
3. EasyShip
EasyShip is a cloud-based shipping solution designed for global eCommerce businesses. It integrates with a variety of eCommerce platforms and offers a range of shipping options to suit different needs. EasyShip focuses on offering transparency in shipping costs and customs fees, making it easier to calculate final prices for customers.
Key Features:
- Real-time shipping rate comparison
- Global shipping capabilities
- Customs documentation generation
- Multi-channel integration
- Return management
Pros:
- Wide range of international shipping options
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Integration with major eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce
- Supports cross-border sales
Cons:
- Can be complex to set up for beginners
- Not as many fulfillment center options as other software
| Feature | EasyShip |
|---|---|
| Multi-Carrier Support | Yes |
| Shipping Rate Comparison | Yes |
| International Shipping | Yes |
| Pricing Transparency | High |
| Integration with eCommerce Platforms | Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, and more |
4. Ordoro
Ordoro is a shipping and inventory management platform that focuses on automation and efficiency. It supports multi-channel selling, integrates with popular eCommerce platforms, and offers a variety of shipping carriers for your business.
Key Features:
- Automated order routing
- Inventory management
- Shipping label creation for multiple carriers
- Dropshipping support
- Returns management
Pros:
- Affordable pricing, especially for small businesses
- Simple to use and intuitive interface
- Great for businesses with diverse sales channels
Cons:
- Limited to fewer fulfillment centers
- Doesn’t have as many advanced analytics features as other tools
| Feature | Ordoro |
|---|---|
| Multi-Carrier Support | Yes |
| Inventory Management | Yes |
| Automated Order Routing | Yes |
| Pricing Transparency | Clear |
| Integration with eCommerce Platforms | Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce |
5. AfterShip
AfterShip is a leading solution for tracking shipments and ensuring customers stay informed throughout the shipping process. It offers multi-carrier tracking and an advanced notification system, keeping customers updated about their orders in real-time.
Key Features:
- Multi-carrier tracking
- Real-time notifications for customers
- Custom branding for customer notifications
- International shipping support
- Returns management
Pros:
- Excellent for businesses focused on customer communication
- Supports a wide range of carriers
- Free plan available for small businesses
Cons:
- Does not offer fulfillment center support (focuses on tracking)
- Limited shipping label generation capabilities
| Feature | AfterShip |
|---|---|
| Multi-Carrier Support | Yes |
| Real-Time Notifications | Yes |
| International Shipping | Yes |
| Returns Management | Yes |
| Pricing Transparency | Clear |
Comparison of the Best Shipping and Fulfillment Software
To make it easier for you to compare these software solutions, I’ve created the table below:
| Feature/Software | ShipBob | ShipStation | EasyShip | Ordoro | AfterShip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Carrier Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| International Shipping | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Real-Time Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Packaging | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Inventory Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Pricing Transparency | Moderate | Clear | High | Clear | Clear |
| Return Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion
Choosing the right shipping and fulfillment software depends on your business’s specific needs. If you’re looking for a comprehensive solution that handles everything from inventory to packaging and shipping, ShipBob may be the right choice. For businesses focused on shipping label automation and shipping rate comparisons, ShipStation and EasyShip are great options. If you’re looking for something that emphasizes customer communication, AfterShip stands out with its advanced tracking and notifications.
In my experience, the key is understanding your priorities—whether that’s global shipping, inventory management, or customer notifications—and choosing a software that aligns with those goals. All of the platforms mentioned in this guide offer solid support for eCommerce stores, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.
