- Ecommerce shipping tools at a glance
- Ten shipping tools for online stores
- What your shipping software won't check for you
- Label printer, multi-carrier platform or API?
- A packing routine that scales
- Features worth paying attention to
- International orders
- Handling returns
- My plain advice on choosing shipping software
- Frequently asked questions
The best ecommerce shipping software brings in your orders, compares carriers and prints labels in a few clicks, so packing day takes less time. Some are free label tools, some cover inventory too and some are APIs for developers. Ten options follow in no particular order.
Shipping is where online stores quietly lose hours. Copying addresses, checking carrier sites and printing labels one by one adds up fast once you're sending more than a handful of parcels a day.
The ten tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, most of them from smaller, specialist providers. Each description comes from the tool's own site, read this week. Faster shipping also helps sales, as my guide to how to boost conversion on your ecommerce store explains.
Ecommerce shipping tools at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes free use or a free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated on the pages we read.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| EasyPost | Shipping API | Developers building shipping in | Yes |
| Easyship | Multi-carrier shipping | International shipping made simpler | Yes |
| Ordoro | Shipping and inventory | Shipping now, inventory later | Yes |
| Pirate Ship | Label software | Small US sellers printing labels | Yes |
| Sendcloud | Shipping platform | European stores and returns | Trial only |
| ShippingEasy | Shipping software | Automating repeat shipping rules | Trial only |
| Shippo | Multi-carrier shipping | Comparing carriers per order | No |
| ShipStation | Shipping software | High order volume across channels | Trial only |
| Shiptheory | Shipping automation | UK retailers with carrier rules | Trial only |
| Veeqo | Shipping and inventory | Amazon and multichannel sellers | Yes |
Ten shipping tools for online stores
EasyPost
Best for: Stores and platforms with developers who want to build multi-carrier label buying, tracking and insurance into their own systems.
Easyship
Best for: Online stores shipping to many countries that want to compare couriers and print labels from one multi-carrier dashboard.
Ordoro
Best for: Growing merchants who want to start with free shipping tools and add inventory and dropship management as they grow.
Pirate Ship
Best for: Small US sellers who mainly ship with USPS and UPS and want simple label printing without a monthly subscription.
Sendcloud
Best for: European online shops that want carrier choice and shipping handled in one platform without becoming logistics experts.
ShippingEasy
Best for: Online sellers who want easy label printing and discounted carrier rates in one tool, with a long trial to test it.
Shippo
Best for: Small and mid-size stores that want to compare carriers, print labels and track parcels from one place connected to their store.
ShipStation
Best for: Busy stores with high order volumes that want ecommerce fulfilment and shipping handled in one place with expert onboarding.
Shiptheory
Best for: UK retailers using several carriers who want shipping rules that pick the right service and print labels automatically.
Veeqo
Best for: Multichannel sellers who want free shipping software that also manages listings and inventory as the business grows.
What your shipping software won't check for you
Here's a rule every US seller should know. USPS says some items are prohibited, some are restricted and allowed only under certain conditions, and hazardous materials might be prohibited or restricted, and that customers are responsible for checking whether an item is mailable.
Shipping software prints the label, but it won't stop you posting something the carrier won't accept, so check the carrier's rules before you list anything unusual. USPS gives mercury as one example of a prohibited item.
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Label printer, multi-carrier platform or API?
Simple label tools suit small sellers who mostly use one or two carriers. Multi-carrier platforms suit stores selling on several channels that want rules, batch printing and tracking. Shipping APIs suit stores and platforms with developers who want shipping built into their own systems.
Count your daily orders and channels before you choose. A store sending ten parcels a day from one website needs very different software from one sending hundreds across several sales channels.
A packing routine that scales
- Connect your store so orders arrive automatically.
- Set default parcel sizes and weights for your best sellers.
- Create rules that pick a carrier service for each order type.
- Print labels in batches at the same time each day.
- Send tracking details to customers automatically.
- Review late or lost parcels weekly and adjust your rules.
Features worth paying attention to
- Carrier choice. The carriers and services you need, in the countries you ship to.
- Automation rules. Pick services and parcel sizes automatically.
- Batch labels. Print a whole day's labels at once.
- Tracking updates. Keep customers informed without extra emails from you.
International orders
Shipping abroad adds customs forms, duties and longer delivery times. If you sell internationally, choose software that fills in customs details for you and shows customers realistic delivery estimates, so you get fewer where-is-my-order emails.
Handling returns
Sending items back is part of shipping too. Decide how customers will send items back, who prints the label and how you'll track them before you need to. A clear returns process keeps customers happy even when an order doesn't work out.
Do you make ecommerce shipping software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing shipping software
Start with your carriers. Make sure the tool supports the carriers you already use and the ones your customers expect, then look at automation. A beautiful dashboard won't help if it can't print the labels you need.
Test with a real day of orders before you commit. Run the new tool alongside your current process for one busy day and time it. If packing finishes earlier with fewer mistakes, you've found your tool. For the numbers worth watching once orders flow, see my list of ecommerce metrics worth checking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ecommerce shipping software?
It depends on your order volume and carriers. Small sellers need simple label tools, while multichannel stores need automation and rules.
Is there free ecommerce shipping software?
Yes. Several tools on this list describe free use or a free plan. Check the table.
Can shipping software stop me sending restricted items?
No. USPS says customers are responsible for checking whether an item is mailable, so check carrier rules yourself.
Does shipping software connect to Shopify and other stores?
Most tools connect to the main store platforms and bring orders in automatically. Check the integration list before signing up.
What's a shipping API?
It's a way for developers to build label buying, rates and tracking directly into a store or app.
Do I need shipping software if I only send a few parcels?
Not always, but even a free label tool saves time copying addresses and comparing carriers.
