Best Shipping Software Comparison: Find the Right Solution for Your Business

Choosing the right shipping software can make or break your e-commerce operations. This comprehensive comparison helps you evaluate the top shipping platforms and find the best fit for your business needs.

Why Shipping Software Matters

Benefits of Dedicated Shipping Software

Operational improvements:

• Save 60-80% on shipping label creation time
• Access discounted carrier rates (up to 89% off)
• Reduce shipping errors and costs
• Automate repetitive tasks
• Centralize multi-carrier management

Business impact:

• Lower shipping costs
• Faster order fulfillment
• Better customer experience
• Accurate tracking and visibility
• Scalable operations

Top Shipping Software Platforms

ShipStation

Overview: Industry leader for small to mid-size e-commerce businesses.

Strengths:

• Excellent marketplace integrations (Amazon, eBay, Etsy, etc.)
• Robust automation rules
• Good reporting and analytics
• Mobile apps available
• Branded tracking pages

Weaknesses:

• Learning curve for beginners
• Rate shopping limited on lower plans
• Customer support varies
• Can be slow with high volume

Best for: Multi-channel sellers, marketplace businesses, mid-size operations

Pricing: Starting at $9.99/month (50 shipments)

• Basic: $9.99/month (50 shipments)
• Starter: $29.99/month (500 shipments)
• Growth: $99.99/month (3,000 shipments)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Shippo

Overview: Developer-friendly platform with strong API and competitive rates.

Strengths:

• Pay-as-you-go option (5 cents per label)
• Excellent API documentation
• Good discounted rates
• Simple, clean interface
• Strong international shipping

Weaknesses:

• Fewer integrations than competitors
• Limited automation on free plan
• Basic reporting
• Some features require professional plan

Best for: Startups, developers, API-first businesses, low-volume sellers

Pricing:

• Starter: Free (pay per label)
• Professional: $10/month + 5 cents per label
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

EasyPost

Overview: API-focused shipping infrastructure for developers and enterprises.

Strengths:

• Powerful API capabilities
• 100+ carrier integrations
• Excellent address verification
• Insurance options built-in
• Highly scalable

Weaknesses:

• No traditional UI (API-only)
• Requires development resources
• Learning curve for non-developers
• Limited out-of-box e-commerce integrations

Best for: Developers, custom implementations, enterprises, high-volume

Pricing: Usage-based (varies by volume)

Pirate Ship

Overview: Free shipping software focused on USPS and UPS discounts.

Strengths:

• Completely free (no subscription)
• Deep USPS discounts (up to 89%)
• UPS discounts included
• Simple interface
• Great for beginners

Weaknesses:

• Limited to USPS and UPS
• Basic automation
• Few integrations
• Limited reporting
• No multi-channel focus

Best for: Small sellers, USPS-focused businesses, beginners, budget-conscious

Pricing: Free (pay only for postage)

ShipBob

Overview: Full fulfillment provider with software platform.

Strengths:

• 2-day shipping network
• Inventory management included
• Warehouse fulfillment services
• Good analytics
• Distributed fulfillment

Weaknesses:

• Requires using their fulfillment
• Higher costs than self-ship
• Minimum volume requirements
• Less control over process

Best for: Brands wanting outsourced fulfillment, 2-day shipping needs

Pricing: Custom (fulfillment fees + software)

Ordoro

Overview: All-in-one platform for shipping, inventory, and dropshipping.

Strengths:

• Strong inventory management
• Dropshipping features
• Multi-channel support
• Good automation
• Purchase order management

Weaknesses:

• Higher price point
• Complex for simple needs
• Smaller customer base
• Some features still maturing

Best for: Businesses needing inventory management + shipping, dropshippers

Pricing: Starting at $59/month

Easyship

Overview: International shipping specialist with global reach.

Strengths:

• Excellent international shipping
• 250+ shipping solutions
• Duties/taxes calculator
• Global fulfillment network
• Pre-paid duties option

Weaknesses:

• Domestic shipping less competitive
• Interface can be complex
• Some features require higher plans
• Customer support inconsistent

Best for: International sellers, global e-commerce, cross-border shipping

Pricing:

• Free: Limited features
• Plus: $29/month
• Premier: $69/month

Feature Comparison Matrix

Integration Comparison

E-commerce Platforms

Marketplaces

Pricing Comparison

Monthly Cost by Volume

*Shippo costs based on $0.05 per label

Hidden Costs to Consider

Watch out for:

• Per-label fees (some platforms)
• Insurance markups
• Return label fees
• Premium support costs
• Integration fees
• Additional user costs

Use Case Recommendations

For Beginners/Low Volume (<100 orders/month)

Recommended: Pirate Ship or Shippo (free)

Why:

• No monthly fees
• Simple to use
• Good carrier rates
• Minimal learning curve

For Growing Businesses (100-1,000 orders/month)

Recommended: ShipStation or Shippo Pro

Why:

• Automation saves time
• Rate shopping finds best prices
• Good integration support
• Scalable as you grow

For Multi-Channel Sellers

Recommended: ShipStation

Why:

• Best marketplace integrations
• Centralized order management
• Strong automation rules
• Inventory sync options

For International Sellers

Recommended: Easyship

Why:

• Global carrier network
• Duties/taxes handling
• International expertise
• Multi-currency support

For Developers/Custom Needs

Recommended: EasyPost or Shippo API

Why:

• Powerful API capabilities
• Flexible implementation
• Carrier abstraction
• Custom workflow support

For Inventory + Shipping

Recommended: Ordoro

Why:

• Combined solution
• Inventory management
• Purchase orders
• Dropshipping support

Making the Right Choice

Assessment Checklist

Consider these factors:

Volume: How many shipments per month?

Carriers: Which carriers do you need?

Channels: Where do you sell?

Complexity: How complex are your shipping rules?

Budget: What can you spend monthly?

Growth: How fast are you growing?

Technical: Do you need API access?

International: Do you ship globally?

Trial Period Strategy

Before committing:

List your must-have features

Sign up for free trials

Import actual orders

Test your common scenarios

Evaluate rate savings

Check integration quality

Assess customer support

Compare total costs

Migration Considerations

When switching platforms:

• Historical data export
• Integration reconnection
• Team retraining
• Customer notification updates
• Automation recreation
• Testing period needed

Platform-Specific Tips

Getting the Most from ShipStation

Optimization tips:

• Set up automation rules for carriers
• Use product presets
• Configure branded emails
• Enable batch processing
• Utilize reporting dashboards

Getting the Most from Shippo

Optimization tips:

• Use API for custom workflows
• Set up rate shopping
• Configure address validation
• Leverage batch shipping
• Track analytics

Getting the Most from Pirate Ship

Optimization tips:

• Enable Simple Export for CSV
• Use Ship Now bookmarklet
• Connect marketplace accounts
• Learn cubic pricing
• Utilize USPS options

Future-Proofing Your Decision

Scalability Considerations

Think ahead about:

• Volume growth trajectory
• Channel expansion plans
• International ambitions
• Automation needs
• API requirements
• Team growth

Technology Trends

Watch for:

• AI-powered rate optimization
• Enhanced tracking capabilities
• Sustainability features
• Mobile-first experiences
• Deeper marketplace integration
• Same-day/rapid delivery support

Key Takeaways

No one-size-fits-all: Best choice depends on your specific needs

Start with volume: Pick based on current and projected volume

Free options exist: Pirate Ship and Shippo free tier are viable

Integrations matter: Ensure your channels are supported

Try before buying: Use free trials extensively

Consider total cost: Monthly fees + per-label + features

Plan for growth: Choose platforms that scale with you

Support matters: Test customer service responsiveness

The best shipping software is the one that fits your current needs while supporting your growth. Start with the platforms that match your volume and channels, use free trials to validate, and don't be afraid to switch if your needs change.