Comparisons
5 Best Alternatives to ShippingEasy for Shipping Software
- Written by Jana Gentry Smith
Shipping can be a logistical nightmare—a Rubik's cube a few turns away from solving.
That’s why shipping software is a life preserver for ecommerce businesses like yours. And there are a lot of options out there. ShippingEasy is a popular choice in the market, but there are some solid alternatives out there.
We've lined up five of the best ShippingEasy alternatives that might just be the perfect fit for your needs. Ready to solve that Rubik's cube? Let’s figure it out.
What is ShippingEasy?
ShippingEasy is a shipping automation software that helps with printing postage labels and inventory management. It also comes with an extra suite of tools, including customer and email marketing.
ShippingEasy’s dashboard offers advanced analytics and reporting features that make it easy to glean insights into sales and customers, and boasts of "award-winning customer support," which has garnered positive user reviews.
ShippingEasy is flexible, scaling from low-volume needs to enterprise sellers shipping thousands of orders each month.
How does ShippingEasy work?
ShippingEasy syncs with your sales channels. It downloads orders and maps them to pre-set shipping preferences while factoring in rates and delivery options.
It simplifies sellers’ communication with buyers by automatically updating tracking details and delivery status in both the ShippingEasy dashboard and the seller's stores.
To get started with ShippingEasy, you’ll add your email, phone number, company name, primary store platform, and monthly shipping volume to a form. Once done, you can explore the ShippingEasy for free for 30 days.
Key features of ShippingEasy
Customer support via live chat, phone, and email
Major sales channel integrations
Reporting and analytics
API & EDI integration
Bar code scanning
Product and user management tools
Is ShippingEasy free?
As appealing as ShippingEasy sounds, it isn't a one-size-fits-all model. You’ll have to wade through seven pricing tiers, starting with a free plan for smaller sellers.
Each plan* comes with a 30-day free trial, so you can try before you buy. Here's the breakdown:
Starter: Free for up to 25 shipments per month
Growth: $19.99 per month for up to 200 shipments
Basic: $29.99 per month for up to 500 shipments
Plus: $49.99 per month for up to 1,500 shipments
Select: $69.99 per month for up to 3,000 shipments
Premium: $99.99 per month for up to 6,000 shipments
Enterprise: $159.99 per month for up to 10,000 shipments
Each tier has ongoing fees to cover the tier’s feature, and those feeds tend to increase with your shipping volume. Also, keep in mind that connecting your existing carrier accounts will cost you extra.
To quote one user, “Pricing is a bit high for a small shipper. The monthly charge is the same as other shippers, which I still find to be too much.”
*Pricing last accessed November 2023
Why look for ShippingEasy alternatives?
Yes, ShippingEasy's finer features come at a cost. And it could be a good fit if your budget can stretch that far.
But what if you need a more budget-friendly solution?
In this situation, ShippingEasy's free plan has limited services and the potential for price hikes.
Here are some obstacles ShippingEasy users have shared:
Not always user-friendly
While ShippingEasy aims to simplify shipping, some users find setting it up less than straightforward.
As one user pointed out, "The initial label printing setup is not as flexible or user-friendly as I'd like. Not every business is Windows-based, and the problem I have is the interface for my Dymo. Doesn't play nice with Mac." So, this could be a snag if you're a Mac user or like more flexibility.
Limited carrier options
Some users say ShippingEasy is missing some carrier options that other solutions on this list have, especially for free users.
As one user mentioned, "One feature that's lacking in the free plan is the ability to link carrier accounts other than USPS. It would be nice if I were able to link my FedEx account with ShippingEasy. This feature is included in the paid plans, however."
Another notable limitation is its geography—the software is only available to US-based sellers. So, if you're shipping from anywhere else in the world, you're out of luck.
Gated customer service
Help is on the way (but only if you pay). If you're on ShippingEasy’s paid plan, you can reach customer support via phone, email, and live chat. But if you're using the free starter plan, you're limited to seeking answers in an online community forum.
As one user shared, “I don't like when I have a question or problem; I am sent a link to fix the problem myself. When we first started with ShippingEasy, this wasn't the case.”
So, if you want someone to walk you through the solution to a problem instead of DIYing it, this might be something to consider.
5 Best Alternatives to ShippingEasy
Are you wondering what else is out there? If ShippingEasy isn’t a perfect fit for your shipping workflow, don't worry.
Here are five alternative business shipping software options that might align more with your needs:
1. Veeqo
Now that we've explored the ins and outs of ShippingEasy, let's dive into some alternatives. First up is Veeqo, a robust and powerful option for growing businesses.
Ecommerce sellers rave about Veeqo’s warehouse, inventory, and shipping management capabilities.
For example, customers have access to the Veeqo Scanner, which is the same scanner used in Amazon fulfilment centers. It’s designed to speed up the order-picking process by helping your team pick faster and more accurately, reducing mispicks and misshipments.
As part of the Amazon family, Veeqo provides protection against negative reviews and late deliveries on Amazon (as long as you ship on time!), with full A to Z protections if you buy your labels through Veeqo.
It’s a one-stop shop for monitoring your inventory, and Veeqo's ecommerce shipping software is chock-full of powerful features to streamline and automate your shipping needs.
Shopify loves Veeqo, too. So much so that Veeqo’s high-quality features and services earned it a spot on the Shopify Plus Certified App Program, making it a trusted choice for managing the complex postage and inventory needs of Shopify Plus merchants.
Key features of Veeqo:
Range of integrations
Up to 5% back in Veeqo Credits
Multichannel inventory control
Labels with automatic rate shopping
Easy setup for automated shipping rules
Scan, pick, pack, and ship processes via mobile device
Bulk shipping capabilities across any sales channel
Analytics, reporting, and forecasting features
Single-software management for all sales channel orders
Veeqo pricing
Here's a refreshing twist: Veeqo is completely free for everyone, no matter what size your business and how many shipments per month.
We earn money from the shipping volume that goes through our partner carriers, the same way other shipping software businesses earn money. Only Veeqo doesn't then also charge you a usage fee on top of that. So, it's a win-win-win situation for both you and us.
Here's what you get with Veeqo:
Unlimited users
Unlimited orders
Zero monthly fees
No cap on shipping labels
No hidden costs lurking in the fine print
No fee to connect your own carrier rates
No cost access to inventory, warehouse, and shipping management tools
Plus, you'll get access to the lowest commercially available rates, based on our pre-negotiated pricing from UPS, USPS, FedEx, and DHL, and up to 5% back with Veeqo Credits.
Further reading:
2. SendCloud
After considering Veeqo, you might also want to look into SendCloud. It's a heavyweight in the European market, but let's see how it stacks up.
SendCloud is a European shipping software heavyweight that is a popular choice among businesses of all sizes, particularly those shipping large volumes of parcels.
Sounds great, right? It is—as long as you’re in Europe.
SendCloud's support is limited to these eight European nations:
UK
Austria
Belgium
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
Netherlands
Thanks to a custom API, SendCloud offers rapid syncing with its shop and carrier integrations. You can also customize your workflow to speed up picking, packing, and shipping. This is a time saver for high-volume senders.
SendCloud automatically selects the most popular carriers in your country. This means users can use their own carrier contracts, use Sendcloud’s, or some combination of both.
While SendCloud's dashboard for order monitoring is a hit with users, some users report issues with customer service and integrating the platform with their sales channels.
Key features of SendCloud:
Barcode scanner support
One-click label printing
Delivery tracking
50 integrations
Custom API
SendCloud pricing
SendCloud* offers a free basic tier and a 14-day free trial so users can get a feel for its more advanced features. If everything aligns for you to try SendCloud, here's the pricing rundown:
Free: Basic features, 2 integrations, and shipping fewer than 50 parcels a month
Lite: €23 per month for up to 400 parcels. Note: €0.09 charge for each label printout
Growth: €70 per month and €0.08 per parcel for up to 1,000 parcels
Premium: €138 per month and €0.07 per parcel for up to 10,000 parcels
If your shipping volume exceeds 10,000 parcels a month (high five!), you'll need to contact the SendCloud team for a custom quote.
*Pricing last accessed November 2023
3. ShipStation
Moving on from SendCloud, there's always ShipStation. It brings a blend of simplicity and integration to the table, but let's unpack it a bit.
ShipStation allows you to import orders from your sales channels, print postage labels, and track delivery progress to help streamline your workflow.
Many customers like the convenience of shipping from their computers. Along with that, ShipStation can integrate with many tools they already use. While some claim it saves time, other users report the software can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
To make matters worse, they also say the wait for tech help and efficient customer service is draining when they’re already frustrated by the amount of time they put into the problem.
While ShipStation casts itself as a fit for businesses of all sizes, the pricing and extra charges hint that it may be best suited for sellers shipping large volumes. They’re more likely to comfortably afford monthly fees and upcharges.
Key features of Shipstation:
Ecommerce and shipping tool integrations
Inventory management
Order management
Branded labels
Discounted shipping rates from USPS, UPS, DHL, and GlobalPost
ShipStation pricing
New users can try ShipStation free for 30 days. After the trial, you can choose one of their tiered paid plans or go with another option. Here's how their pricing* stacks up:
Starter: $9.99 per month for 1 user for up to 50 shipments
Bronze: $29.99 per month for 1 user making up to 500 shipments
Silver: $59.99 per month for 1 user making up to 1,000 shipments
Gold: $99.99 per month for 3 users making up to 2,000 shipments
Platinum: $149.99 per month for 5 users making up to 5,000 shipments
Enterprise: $229.99 per month for 10 users making up to 7,500 shipments
Shipping volume beyond these limits? You’ll need to reach out to the ShipStation team for a custom plan.
*Pricing last accesses November 2023
Further reading:
4. Stamps.com
Next on our list is Stamps.com. A shipping software that, along with ShippingEasy and ShipStation, is owned by Auctane—a big player in the ecommerce space that has recently increased prices.
Stamps.com might have a heftier price tag, but some users swear by its convenience, despite it not having inventory or warehouse capabilities. Let's see why.
Some users like Stamps.com’s desktop app because it has convenient label printing. But not everyone's a fan of its somewhat dated user interface.
While Stamps.com supports multiple users, there's a hitch—you can only be logged in on one computer at a time. Also, you might be disappointed if you need a wide range of shipping options. It only supports UPS and USPS.
Some Stamps.com users report lengthy wait times for customer service resolutions or difficulty canceling services. So, it's worth keeping this in mind when considering if Stamps.com is the right fit for your business.
Key features of Stamps.com:
Shipment tracking
Delivery notifications
Presets for frequently shipped items
Domestic and international USPS postage
Integration with ecommerce sites like Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, and eBay
Stamps.com pricing*
Unlike other options, Stamps.com has a monthly cost with no free option*. So users can expect to choose from one of the following tiered pricing plans:
Core: $19.99 per month for 1 user to access services and discounted rates
Office: $29.99 per month for up to 3 users to access services and discounted rates
E-commerce: $39.99 per month for up to 5 users to access services and discounted rates
For those with multi-location needs, it's best to reach out directly to Stamps.com for a custom quote.
*Pricing last accessed November 2023
5. Pirate Ship
Last but not least, let’s look at Pirate Ship. It's a popular pick among small businesses, but does it hold water for your needs? Let's find out.
Many small businesses trust Pirate Ship for purchasing postage and printing shipping labels for USPS domestic and international packages.
Pirate Ship customers can also purchase and print labels in ZPL or PDF format and share them with customers via a private link.
Entrepreneurs, non-profits, and small businesses alike are drawn to Pirate Ship for its pirate-y humor, user-friendly interface, and promise of affordable shipping rates.
Once you sign up, you'll have access to features like carrier and rate comparisons, a simple interface, and friendly customer service. Plus, they offer pre-negotiated discounts, which can lead to significant savings compared to standard retail pricing.
However, Pirate Ship might not be the best fit if you need more shipping options, broader ecommerce integrations, or a more efficient bulk order setup.
Users have noted the lack of tagging, batching capabilities, and limited marketplace integration. And if you need real-time inventory monitoring or your shipping needs extend beyond UPS or USPS, you might want to consider other options.
Key features of Pirate Ship:
Order management
Alerts and notifications
Status and delivery tracking
Shipping and dispatch management
Pirate Ship pricing
With Pirate Ship, you get access to their ecommerce shipping software at absolutely no cost*. That means no monthly fees, no markup, and no hidden costs.
Even the signup process is free and doesn't require a commitment.
Pirate Ship makes its revenue through partnerships with USPS and UPS instead of per-label charges or monthly subscriptions. If you choose to sign up, be ready to provide your payment details to purchase your labels.
*Pricing last accessed November 2023
Further reading:
Which of these ShippingEasy alternatives is right for your business?
Just like tackling a Rubik's cube, choosing shipping software can seem daunting. The trick is finding the one that fits your business's unique needs.
That's where Veeqo shines. Its robust capabilities, seamless integration, and cost-effectiveness make it more than just a tool—it becomes a partner, a key player in your ecommerce success story.
It merges inventory, warehouse, and shipping management capabilities into one easy-to-navigate dashboard, streamlining your operations and saving you time as you scale your business.
Plus, it syncs smoothly with major platforms like Amazon and Shopify Plus.
And with no hidden costs, you can focus resources on growth, not logistics.
So, ready to make your move? Try Veeqo today, and turn that shipping puzzle into a well-sorted Rubik's cube.
