Shipping
5 Alternatives to Shippo for Shipping Software
- Written by Jana Gentry Smith
You're not a cookie-cutter ecommerce business, so why settle for a cookie-cutter software solution?
With the rise in ecommerce, a wide variety of options could be a better fit for you. Whether you're fresh on the shipping scene or a seasoned pro after advanced features, there's a tool out there.
If Shippo's not cutting it, you're not short on alternatives. Let's explore five top contenders that could be the magic ingredient your business needs.
Table of Contents
What is Shippo?
How does Shippo work?
Is Shippo free? *
Why look for Shippo alternatives?
5 best alternatives to Shippo
Which of these Shippo alternatives is right for your business?
What is Shippo?
While the name conjures an image of a hippo sailing the high seas, Shippo is a multi-carrier shipping management tool built to fit businesses of all sizes. And its logo does feature a hippo.
Shippo works well for smaller ecommerce businesses that are okay with shelling out monthly fees but aren’t quite ready for advanced automation, analytics, or inventory control.
The big draw? Shippo connects users to over 85 global carriers, cutting standard shipping rates by 80%. Not too shabby, right? But it doesn’t hurt to see what else is out there.
How does Shippo work?
Shippo syncs with many popular ecommerce apps and marketplaces like Walmart, Wix, eBay, and Shopify. As a result, you can access all your orders from one dashboard.
You can print shipping labels from the dashboard and track the journeys of your packages from dispatch to delivery.
Getting started with Shippo is straightforward, and you can try it with a free demo. If you already have your mind made up, you can dive right in and sign up for free with your name, email, and password.
Key features of Shippo
Parcel tracking
API access
Carrier discounts
Global address validation
Email, phone, and chat support
Custom branding for emails and packing slips
Is Shippo free? *
Alright, let's talk dollars and cents. Shippo has three tiers:
Starter: Free with all the basics and a 5-cent fee per label
Professional: Starting at $10 per month for 5 users and up to 10,000 labels
Premier: Contact for a custom quote for a minimum of 15 users and 10,000+ labels
There might be extra charges for features like global address validation and API tracking validation, no matter which plan you choose.
Why look for Shippo alternatives?
While Shippo might seem like it ticks all the boxes, try not to get too attached to the little hippo just yet. Shippo does deliver on its promise of multi-carrier connectivity and easy label printing, but it might not be the one-size-fits-all solution it appears to be.
Large businesses that need advanced analytics, automation, or inventory control may find Shippo's offerings lacking. And for small businesses pinching pennies, Shippo's per-label fees could be a wallet-squeezer.
Some folks using Shippo have hit snags with customer service and have found integrating the business shipping software with specific ecommerce sites a tad tricky. And keep in mind those advanced feature costs can pile up fast, leaving you scrambling for more affordable solutions. Here are some other obstacles Shippo users might experience:
Steep learning curve
When your ecommerce business is just a baby, your to-do list is already longer than a CVS receipt. The last thing you need is another full-time job, but that’s precisely what some Shippo customers say setting up their account feels like.
While Shippo can work well, it will only pay off if you've got the time to invest in setting up and learning to use all of its features.
Slow-to-respond customer support
User feedback also hints that getting a response from Shippo's email and chat support is frustrating. As one user puts it, “Customer service is not capable of handling basic problems…It's clear they don't know what to do…My emails don't get a response.”
Another reviewer said, “Support is nowhere to be seen—like a hippo underwater. They really don't understand businesses that need to keep things on time.” Unless you enjoy playing hide and seek with customer support, you might want to scout out a shipping software option with more optimistic customer support reviews.
Shipping rates are not always the best deal
There's also some chatter among customers that Shippo's promise of potential 90% savings on shipping labels didn't quite deliver.
One user pointed out that “the Shippo charge made the total cost higher than the cost to use the US Post Office,” while another noted that “the rates were not as good as some other companies I deal with.”
5 best alternatives to Shippo
With all that in mind, it might be good to shop around to see what business shipping software options are out there. Let’s explore five solid Shippo alternatives that might make your shipping process a lot more pleasant:
1. Veeqo
Out-of-stock items can be a real bummer, right? With Veeqo’s seamless warehouse, inventory, and shipping management capabilities, you’ll be able to monitor your inventory, so your customers will never have to experience the heartbreak of delayed gratification because they can’t buy that cool item they’ve been hunting for.
Veeqo’s ecommerce shipping software is packed with features that simplify and automate your shipping processes. If racing to ship orders gives you the jitters or spreadsheets feel like a nightmare, Veeqo's toolkit could be the antidote.
As its owned by Amazon, Veeqo even protects your Amazon account against negative reviews and late deliveries (just make sure you ship on time!) through A to Z protections. Veeqo also syncs super smoothly with Amazon's Buy Shipping.
Veeqo was chosen for the Shopify Plus Certified App Program because of its top-notch features and services. And because it takes the sting out of navigating the complex postage and inventory needs of Shopify Plus merchants.
Key features of Veeqo:
Range of integrations
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 *
Veeqo is completely free for everyone.
Why?
Veeqo earns money from the shipping volume that goes through partner carriers. It's a win-win. Every shipping software earns money this way, but other shipping software companies usually pass extra cost onto you through monthly fees in order to turn a higher profit.
What does that mean for you?
Unlimited users
Unlimited orders
Zero monthly fees
No cap on shipping labels
No hidden costs lurking in the fine print
No cost access to inventory, warehouse, and shipping management tools
Plus, access 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. AND you can connect your existing carrier account to Veeqo at no extra charge.
Further reading: Veeqo vs ShipStation
2. SendCloud
SendCloud is a big name in Europe’s shipping software landscape. Businesses large and small use SendCloud because of its focus on shipping large volumes of parcels.
Nice, right?
Except there’s a catch if you want to ship from the United States. Right now, SendCloud only supports shipping from eight European nations:
UK
Austria
Belgium
France
Germany
Italy
Spain
Netherlands
The US is missing from that list (because it’s not in Europe).
On the bright side, if you are shipping from Europe, SendCloud offers fast syncing with any of its shop and carrier integrations. Need something different? It has a custom API for that. Plus, workflows can be tailored for faster picking, packing, and shipping, a time-saver for those sending at scale.
Just like other alternatives to Shippo, SendCloud can take the reins and automatically choose the most popular carriers in your country for you. This means you can use your own carrier contracts or strike a balance between the two.
Customers find SendCloud user-friendly and handy for monitoring orders across all their stores from one dashboard. On the flip side, some users report hiccups with customer service and with integrating SendCloud with their sales channels.
Key features of SendCloud:
Custom API
50 integrations
Delivery tracking
One-click label printing
Barcode scanner support
SendCloud pricing*
SendCloud offers a free basic tier and a 14-day free trial for those who want to dip their toes into the more advanced features. Here's how it breaks down:
Free: Basic features, two shop 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 (well done, by the way), contact the SendCloud team for a custom quote.
*Pricing sourced from SendCloud, last accessed November 2023.
3. ShipStation
ShipStation is another shipping software option. To streamline workflows for online retailers, ShipStation makes it easy for users to import orders from their sales channels, whip up postage labels, and track delivery progress.
Customers like the convenience of picking, packing, and shipping right from their computer, not to mention the ability to integrate with many tools they already use.
But it's not all sunshine and daisies. Some users reported the software can be cumbersome and time-consuming. Also, getting tech help and efficient customer service has been a snag when the chips are down.
Compared to Shippo, ShipStation has more to offer—like inventory management tools—but the extra oomph doesn’t come cheap.
While ShipStation casts itself as a fit for businesses of all sizes, the plan pricing and extra charges reveal that it may be best suited for sellers shipping large volumes because they can comfortably afford the monthly fees and upcharges. Which is why a lot of sellers often look for ShipStation alternatives.
Key features of ShipStation:
Branded labels
Order management
Inventory management
Ecommerce and shipping tool integrations
Discounted shipping rates from USPS, UPS, DHL, and GlobalPost
ShipStation pricing *
ShipStation offers a free 30-day trial for new users. After that, you'll transition to one of their many paid plans. Here's how it breaks down:
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
If your shipping volume goes beyond these limits, reach out to the ShipStation team to discuss a custom plan.
*Pricing sourced from ShipStation, last accessed November 2023.
Further reading:
4. ShippingEasy
Another reliable Shippo alternative, ShippingEasy, is designed with ecommerce stores in mind. It takes care of a bunch of behind-the-scenes tasks like whipping up postage labels, setting up shipping rules for common orders, keeping customers in the loop with tracking updates, and keeping tabs on inventory.
Plus, the dashboard includes customer marketing and email marketing tools. Like Veeqo, ShippingEasy offers advanced analytics and reporting functions so users can get deeper insights into your sales and customers at a glance.
With its “award-winning customer support,” ShippingEasy has positive user feedback. Even though it offers more features and integrations than Shippo, ShippingEasy has a slightly steeper learning curve.
Like the others, ShippingEasy comes with its own set of challenges. Some customers report that it has limited carrier options and fewer features compared to other shipping management solutions in this list.
Key features of ShippingEasy:
Discounted UPS and USPS shipping rates
Major sales channel integrations
Reporting and analytics
Automatic order imports
Workflow automation
CSV uploads
ShippingEasy pricing*
Brace yourself. ShippingEasy offers a staggering seven pricing tiers, including a free plan with basic features and up to 25 monthly shipments. Want to know what it’s like before you commit? All paid plans also offer a 30-day free trial.
Here's how the rates pan out:
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
Keep in mind that ShippingEasy charges extra for connecting your own existing carrier accounts. Also, each pricing tier comes with its own set of features, but also ongoing fees that increase as you send higher volumes of packages.
*Pricing sourced from ShippingEasy last accessed November 2023.
Further reading: Veeqo vs ShippingEasy
5. EasyShip
EasyShip is another good alternative to Shippo, and folks who want to streamline their fulfillment operations tend to like it. With its worldwide fulfillment services and warehouses, it caters to ecommerce businesses that ship internationally.
Because of this, EasyShip auto-calculates all the import duties, taxes, and landed costs, so you're not left in the lurch.
If your business has a lot of international shipping, EasyShip could be helpful. But heads up—some users have found EasyShip’s billing a bit puzzling, and its customer service could do with a speed boost because, at times, it’s unresponsive or slow.
Key features of EasyShip:
API access
Offers real-time rates at checkout
Integrates with major ecommerce sites
Access network of international warehouses
Branded shipping communications and packing slips
EasyShip pricing*
With four pricing tiers, EasyShip can cater to different business needs. Here's a quick look at what it has to offer:
Free: At no cost, 1 user can send 50 shipments per month
Plus: $29 per month for 3 users and up to 500 shipments
Premier: $69 per month for 5 users and up to 2,500 shipments
Scale: Starting at $99 per month for 8 users to send up to 5,000 shipments
Each plan is tailored to different business sizes, and you can kickstart with the free version or test out the upgraded plans with a 14-day free trial.
*Pricing sourced from EasyShip last accessed November 2023.
Which of these Shippo alternatives is right for your business?
Choosing the right online shipping software is about finding the one that vibes with your business's needs. If a free tool that also sorts out your inventory and warehouse feels like hitting the jackpot, Veeqo could be your winning ticket.
Veeqo packs everything from order management to handling shipping and customer returns—all aimed at making your ecommerce operations effortless.
The cherry on top? You can use Veeqo to simplify your ecommerce operations without costing you a penny.
What's stopping you? Sign up for Veeqo today and experience the ease it brings to managing your ecommerce business as you scale up.
