The 8 Best Shipping Apps for E-commerce: Streamline Your Shipping Process

Efficient shipping is vital to the success of any e-commerce business. Choosing the right shipping app can reduce costs, improve customer satisfaction, and streamline logistics. Here’s a look at some of the best shipping apps for e-commerce, each offering unique features tailored to different business needs.

The 8 Best Shipping Apps for E-commerce

1. ShipStation – Best for Integration and Automation

ShipStation is a leading shipping solution due to its robust integration with major e-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon) and over 50 carriers globally. ShipStation automates order processing, batch label printing, and tracking. With customizable branding options for shipping labels and packing slips, businesses can deliver a seamless experience from purchase to delivery.

• Key Features: Automation, multi-channel integration, customizable branding.
• Best For: Medium to large businesses with multiple sales channels.

2. Shippo – Best Shipping Software for Small Businesses

For small businesses looking for an affordable yet powerful option, Shippo is an excellent choice. Shippo’s free plan includes discounted shipping rates, order tracking, and basic label printing. The app also integrates with major carriers and e-commerce platforms, offering a cost-effective way to access essential shipping features.

• Key Features: Discounted shipping rates, easy integration, flexible pricing.
• Best For: Small businesses with moderate shipping needs.

3. Easyship – Best for International Shipping

Easyship is designed for global e-commerce, providing a wide selection of international shipping options. It offers real-time tax and duty calculations, allowing businesses to inform customers about all fees upfront. With over 250 shipping solutions worldwide, Easyship provides transparency and convenience for cross-border businesses.

• Key Features: Global shipping options, real-time tax calculations, in-app tracking.
• Best For: E-commerce stores with a global customer base.

4. AfterShip – Best for Tracking and Customer Experience

AfterShip excels in customer satisfaction, offering real-time order tracking and notifications. Customers can receive proactive updates, creating a smooth post-purchase experience. AfterShip integrates with various carriers, providing branded tracking pages that keep customers informed.

• Key Features: Branded tracking, proactive notifications, multi-carrier support
• Best For: Businesses that prioritize customer satisfaction

5. Ordoro – Best for Inventory and Fulfillment Management

Ordoro combines shipping with inventory and fulfillment management, making it ideal for businesses looking to streamline operations. It offers automated dropshipping, barcode scanning, and real-time inventory updates. Ordoro’s advanced features help businesses maintain control over their supply chain and optimize fulfillment.

• Key Features: Inventory management, automated dropshipping, barcode scanning.
• Best For: Businesses with complex inventory needs.

6. Pirate Ship – Best for USPS Shipping

Pirate Ship is dedicated to providing the best rates for USPS shipping, perfect for U.S.-based businesses. With its simple interface and 100% free pricing model, Pirate Ship allows users to access USPS discounts without monthly fees, making it ideal for startups.

• Key Features: USPS discounts, simple interface, no monthly fees.
• Best For: Small U.S.-based e-commerce businesse.

7. ShippingEasy – Best for Marketing and Customer Retention

ShippingEasy is a comprehensive solution combining shipping, email marketing, and customer management tools. This app not only simplifies the shipping process but also includes tools for post-purchase engagement, which can help increase customer retention and sales.

• Key Features: Shipping automation, integrated email marketing, customer insights.
• Best For: Businesses focused on customer retention and marketing.

8. ShipHero – Best for Fulfillment Centers and Larger Operations

ShipHero is a powerful solution for businesses running their own fulfillment operations or large warehouses. It features inventory management, order fulfillment, and batch processing, making it ideal for high-volume sellers. ShipHero’s app enables businesses to track every step of the process, from order to delivery.

• Key Features: Warehouse management, batch processing, fulfillment tracking
• Best For: Large e-commerce businesses with warehouse operations.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Shipping Software

1. Platform Integration: Ensure the app integrates seamlessly with your e-commerce platforms and any additional sales channels for efficient order management.
2. Shipping Rates and Discounts: Look for apps offering discounted rates with major carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx) and a rate comparison feature to help you choose the most cost-effective shipping options.
3. Automation: Select an app that automates key tasks, such as label printing, order processing, and tracking updates, to save time and reduce manual work.
4. International Shipping Support: For businesses with global customers, choose an app with multiple international carriers, customs, and duties calculators to ensure a smooth, transparent international shipping experience.
5. Customer Experience Tools: Look for features like branded tracking pages, proactive notifications, and easy return options to enhance the customer’s post-purchase experience and build loyalty.
6. Inventory and Fulfillment Integration: For businesses with inventory management or dropshipping needs, ensure the app syncs well with your systems and supports warehouse management if needed.
7. Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface, mobile accessibility, and helpful customer support can make managing your shipping operations much easier and more efficient.

Focusing on these factors helps you choose a shipping software for ecommerce that simplifies logistics, optimizes costs, and improves overall customer satisfaction.

Which Shipping Company is Best for E-commerce?

The best shipping company for e-commerce varies based on factors like shipping volume, delivery time expectations, and geographic reach:

• UPS: Known for reliability and robust tracking, UPS is ideal for businesses needing expedited shipping and reliable international options.
• FedEx: Offers a range of options for fast and overnight shipping, especially useful for businesses with time-sensitive products.
• USPS: For U.S.-based businesses, USPS offers affordable shipping rates, especially for small parcels and domestic shipping, making it popular among small to medium-sized businesses.
• DHL: Known for international shipping, DHL is a great choice for businesses with a global customer base due to its expansive global network and fast shipping times for international orders.

What is the Best Way to Calculate Shipping for E-commerce?

Calculating shipping effectively for e-commerce involves balancing accuracy with simplicity. Here are some common approaches:

• Weight and Size-Based Pricing: This method calculates shipping costs based on the weight and dimensions of each package, factoring in the destination and shipping carrier. Many apps, like ShipStation and Easyship, provide tools to automate this calculation.
• Flat-Rate Shipping: Offering flat-rate shipping can be beneficial for businesses selling similar-sized products. For example, if most products weigh under a certain amount, using USPS’s flat-rate boxes provides predictable costs and simplifies the checkout process for customers.
• Real-Time Carrier Rates: Some shipping softwares offer real-time carrier rate calculations at checkout, ensuring customers pay exact shipping fees based on their location and the package details. This method provides transparency and aligns with actual costs but may require advanced integration with carriers like FedEx, UPS, or USPS.
• Free Shipping: Offering free shipping can increase conversion rates, but it requires pricing adjustments to absorb shipping costs. Some businesses set a minimum order amount to qualify for free shipping, balancing profit margins and customer appeal.

Conclusion

Selecting the right shipping app depends on your business size, budget, and shipping needs. ShipStation and Easyship are great for multi-channel businesses and international shipping, while Shippo and Pirate Ship are budget-friendly for small operations. With these top shipping apps, e-commerce businesses can streamline logistics, cut costs, and deliver a better customer experience.

FAQs

1. What’s the best shipping app for international e-commerce?

• Easyship is ideal for global shipping, with real-time tax calculations and over 250 international carrier options.

2. Are there free shipping apps for e-commerce?

• Shippo and Pirate Ship offer free or low-cost plans, suitable for small businesses with basic needs.

3. Which shipping app integrates well with Shopify?

• ShipStation and AfterShip offer seamless integration with Shopify, along with automation and tracking tools.

4. How can I improve customer satisfaction with shipping?

• Using an app like AfterShip provides branded tracking and proactive notifications, enhancing the customer experience.

5. Which app is best for high-volume fulfillment?

• ShipHero is designed for larger operations and offers tools for managing warehouse and fulfillment centers efficiently.