Streamlining Shipping: 5 Alternatives to Shippo

In the ever-evolving realm of e-commerce dynamics, the lifeline lies in sophisticated shipping software. Shippo, a renowned choice, serves its purpose well. However, the realm of business demands bespoke solutions. Here, within this expansive guide, I present five distinguished alternatives to Shippo. Each possesses unique prowess, poised to redefine and elevate your shipping methodologies.

Top 5 Shippo Alternatives

These alternatives encompass a spectrum of functionalities, tailored to diverse business requisites, encompassing automation, global shipping, integrated marketing, ease of use, and solutions oriented towards developers:

1. ShipStation: Advanced Automation for Streamlined Shipping

ShipStation, founded in 2011 by Byron Wier and Jason Hodges, has emerged as a powerhouse in the shipping software realm. The platform resolves complex shipping challenges by facilitating automation and streamlining shipping processes for online businesses. Nathan Jones currently spearheads ShipStation, leading a platform trusted by over 100,000 e-commerce businesses globally.

Key Features:

• ShipStation offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to simplify shipping operations;
• Multi-Carrier Shipping Options: ShipStation enables users to access and integrate with multiple shipping carriers, providing flexibility in choosing the most suitable shipping partner for each order;
• Label Printing and Order Tracking: The platform facilitates easy label printing and efficient order tracking, crucial for ensuring accurate and timely deliveries;
• Automation: ShipStation’s advanced automation capabilities empower businesses to automate various aspects of the shipping process, reducing manual efforts and streamlining workflows;
• Analytics and Reporting: ShipStation offers robust reporting tools, allowing users to generate detailed reports in various formats (CSV, PDF, Excel) for in-depth analysis of shipping costs, sales trends, and more;
• Branded Shipping and Return Label Printing: The platform supports branded shipping labels, enhancing brand visibility, and also facilitates hassle-free return label printing;
• Integration and API Support: ShipStation seamlessly integrates with e-commerce platforms and offers robust API support for custom integrations and third-party applications.

Pricing Plans:

ShipStation provides users with six pricing plans to cater to businesses of varying sizes and shipping volumes:

• Starter: $9.99/month for up to 50 shipments;
• Bronze: $29.99/month for up to 500 shipments;
• Silver: $59.99/month for up to 1000 shipments;
• Gold: $99.99/month for up to 2000 shipments;
• Platinum: $149.99/month for up to 5000 shipments;
• Enterprise: Custom pricing – Contact ShipStation for details.

All plans come with a 60-day free trial, allowing businesses to explore ShipStation’s functionalities before committing to a plan.

Advantages:

• Advanced Automation: ShipStation’s robust automation features streamline shipping processes, reducing manual tasks and enhancing efficiency;
• Comprehensive Reporting: Detailed analytics and reporting tools provide valuable insights for optimizing shipping strategies and cost management;
• Multi-Carrier Support: Integration with multiple carriers offers flexibility in choosing the best shipping options for different orders;
• Scalability: With multiple pricing tiers, ShipStation caters to businesses of all sizes, ensuring scalability as the business grows;
• Ease of Integration: Seamless integration with various e-commerce platforms and APIs facilitates smooth operations and customization.

Drawbacks:

• Learning Curve: The platform’s extensive features may have a steeper learning curve for new users or those unfamiliar with shipping software;
• Pricing: While offering scalability, the higher-tier plans might be relatively expensive for smaller businesses with lower shipping volumes.

ShipStation stands out as a top-tier shipping solution, offering a comprehensive suite of features that cater to businesses aiming to optimize their shipping operations. Its robust automation, multi-carrier support, and detailed analytics make it an ideal choice for businesses seeking efficient and scalable shipping management.

2. Easyship: Simplified International Shipping Solutions

Co-founded in 2014, Easyship serves over 100,000 e-commerce businesses across 27 countries. Its extensive reach covers shipping to over 220 countries and regions, providing access to 250+ shipping solutions and local postal services. Easyship’s pricing plans, from Plus to Scale, accommodate businesses with varying shipment volumes, offering a 14-day free trial to explore its features.

Key Features:

Easyship boasts a range of features designed to simplify the complexities of international shipping:

• Multi-Carrier Shipping Options: The platform provides access to over 250 shipping solutions and local postal services, enabling businesses to connect with customers worldwide;
• Integrated Shipping Solutions: Easyship streamlines shipping by automating tasks such as label generation, order tracking, and customs document preparation, reducing manual efforts;
• Transparent Shipping Rates: Users benefit from real-time shipping rates across various carriers, allowing them to make informed decisions based on cost and delivery timelines;
• Customs Support: Easyship assists in automating customs documentation, easing the complexities of international shipments and ensuring compliance;
• Integration and API Support: The platform integrates seamlessly with various e-commerce platforms and provides APIs for customized integrations and third-party applications.

Pricing Plans:

Easyship offers four pricing plans tailored to different business needs and shipment volumes:

• Free Plan: Up to 50 shipments per month with basic features;
• Plus Plan: $29/month for up to 500 shipments;
• Premier Plan: $69/month for up to 2500 shipments;
• Scale Plan: Custom pricing based on shipment volumes.

All paid plans come with a 14-day free trial, allowing users to explore Easyship’s features before committing to a plan.

Advantages:

• International Shipping Solutions: Easyship excels in simplifying the complexities of international shipping, offering a wide range of shipping solutions and comprehensive coverage;
• Transparent Pricing: Real-time shipping rates from multiple carriers enable users to make cost-effective shipping decisions;
• Automation and Integration: Streamlined label generation, order tracking, and integration with various e-commerce platforms enhance operational efficiency;
• Customs Assistance: Simplified customs document preparation aids in navigating international shipping regulations;
• Scalability: Easyship’s pricing plans cater to businesses of varying sizes, allowing scalability as businesses grow.

Drawbacks:

• Learning Curve: New users might find the platform initially overwhelming due to the multitude of features and options;
• Pricing for Smaller Businesses: The pricing might be relatively higher for smaller businesses with lower shipment volumes, especially compared to the free plan offered by some competitors.

Easyship stands as a robust solution, particularly suited for businesses dealing with international shipping complexities. Its extensive network of carriers, transparent pricing, automation capabilities, and customs support make it an excellent choice for businesses aiming to expand their global reach.

3. ShippingEasy: Integrated Marketing Tools and Streamlined Shipping

Founded in 2011, ShippingEasy offers streamlined shipping solutions paired with built-in marketing tools. Serving over 10,000 e-commerce businesses, ShippingEasy’s plans, including a free Starter plan and a Growth plan, cater to different business needs. The platform empowers businesses with email marketing, social media integration, customer segmentation, and more, enhancing customer engagement alongside shipping efficiency.

ShippingEasy is a robust shipping management software that offers a blend of shipping solutions and integrated marketing tools. Founded in 2011 by Katie May, the platform serves over 10,000 e-commerce businesses globally, streamlining shipping processes and enhancing customer engagement. Here’s a detailed review:

Key Features of ShippingEasy:

• Order and Inventory Management: Simplifies order tracking, synchronization across multiple sales channels, and efficient inventory management;
• Multi-Carrier Integrations: Seamlessly integrates with multiple shipping carriers, allowing businesses to choose the best shipping partner for each order;
• Batch Shipping Label Printing: Enables users to generate shipping labels in bulk, saving time and streamlining the printing process;
• Order Tracking and Workflow Automation: Automates order tracking and workflows, reducing manual efforts and enhancing operational efficiency;
• Branded Shipping and Analytics: Supports branded shipping labels and provides comprehensive analytics tools for data-driven decision-making;
• Integrated Marketing Tools: Offers built-in customer marketing features such as email marketing, social media integration, customer segmentation, and feedback requests.

Pricing Plans:

• Starter Plan: Free for up to 25 shipments per month with basic features;
• Growth Plan: $19.99/month for up to 200 shipments, offering additional features and scalability options.

Both plans include a free trial period, allowing users to explore ShippingEasy’s functionalities before committing to a subscription.

Advantages:

• Holistic Approach: Integration of shipping and marketing tools provides a comprehensive solution for businesses aiming to streamline shipping and engage customers;
• User-Friendly Interface: Offers a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it accessible even to users new to shipping software;
• Automation and Reporting: Workflow automation and detailed reporting tools enhance efficiency and provide insights for business optimization;
• Flexible Pricing: Availability of a free plan and an affordable Growth plan caters to businesses of different sizes and budgets;
• Customer Support: Reliable customer support assists users with queries or issues encountered while using the platform.

Drawbacks:

• Limited Free Plan: Restrictions of the free plan might be limiting for businesses with higher shipping volumes or requiring advanced features;
• Feature Set: Some users might find the feature set lacking compared to more robust shipping solutions available in the market.

ShippingEasy excels in providing a unified platform for shipping management and integrated marketing tools. Its user-friendly interface, integrated marketing capabilities, automation features, and reasonable pricing plans make it an appealing choice for businesses seeking streamlined shipping operations while engaging customers through targeted marketing strategies. However, businesses with specific advanced feature requirements might find other platforms more suitable for their needs.

4. Pirate Ship: Free and Efficient Shipping Platform

Pirate Ship is a popular shipping platform renowned for its seamless integration with carrier services, enabling online businesses to fulfill customer orders without subscription fees. Founded in 2014 by Bjorn Borstelmann and Jameson Morris, the platform, under CEO Bjorn Borstelmann, caters to millions of online sellers globally. Here’s a comprehensive review:

Key Features of Pirate Ship:

• Order Management: Facilitates efficient order management, ensuring a smooth shipping process for businesses of all sizes;
• Multi-Carrier Integrations: Connects with various shipping carriers, offering flexibility in choosing the most suitable carrier service for shipping;
• Batch Shipping Label Generation: Enables users to generate multiple shipping labels in bulk, saving time and streamlining label creation;
• Shipment Tracking: Provides reliable shipment tracking to keep both businesses and customers informed about the status of deliveries;
• Analytics and Reporting: Offers insights into shipping-related analytics, aiding businesses in optimizing shipping strategies;
• International Shipping: Provides international shipping options, catering to businesses with global clientele.

Pricing Model:

• Free Platform: Doesn’t charge subscription fees; earns commissions from carriers. Users pay the shipping costs directly to selected carriers, varying based on destination and product type.

Advantages:

• Cost-Effective Shipping: No subscription fees allow businesses to save on overhead costs, especially advantageous for smaller enterprises;
• User-Friendly Interface: Known for its beginner-friendly interface, making it accessible to users new to shipping platforms;
• International Shipping Options: Offers international shipping services, although with less flexibility compared to some competitors;
• Simplified Label Printing: Streamlines the label printing process, enhancing efficiency in handling shipping labels;
• Customer Support: Provides excellent customer support, assisting users with queries or issues they may encounter.

Drawbacks:

• Limited International Options: While it supports international shipping, the platform’s options and flexibility might not match other competitors’ offerings;
• Feature Limitations: Lacks some advanced features found in more comprehensive shipping solutions.

Pirate Ship emerges as a valuable solution for businesses seeking a straightforward and cost-effective shipping platform. Its no-fee model, user-friendly interface, and simplified label generation make it an attractive choice, particularly for smaller enterprises looking to streamline their shipping operations without the burden of subscription costs. However, businesses with extensive international shipping needs or those requiring advanced features might find other platforms more suitable for their requirements.

5. EasyPost: Developer-Centric Shipping Solutions

Founded in 2012 by CEO Jarrett Streebin, EasyPost offers shipping features and APIs for businesses of all sizes. With over one billion shipments facilitated using 100+ carriers, EasyPost offers a free plan for developers with essential features. Its reliability, robust API integration, address verification, and carbon offset options cater to businesses seeking developer-focused shipping solutions.

EasyPost is a robust shipping platform designed to streamline shipping operations for businesses of all sizes. Founded in 2012 by CEO Jarrett Streebin, EasyPost aims to simplify shipping processes through a user-friendly interface and powerful shipping APIs. Here’s an in-depth review:

Key Features of EasyPost:

• Order Management: Offers efficient order management tools, enabling businesses to handle orders seamlessly;
• Multi-Carrier Integrations: Connects with over 100 carriers, providing a wide array of shipping options and carrier choices;
• Batch Shipping Label Generation: Allows users to generate multiple shipping labels simultaneously, saving time and effort;
• Shipment Tracking: Provides real-time tracking updates, ensuring transparency and reliability in the shipping process;
• Analytics and Reporting: Offers detailed analytics and reporting tools, aiding businesses in making data-driven decisions;
• International Shipping: Facilitates international shipping with a wide reach, catering to businesses targeting global markets.

Pricing Model:

• Developer Plan: Offers a free plan for developers with up to 120,000 shipments per year, including essential features like order tracking and address verification;
• Custom Plan: Tailored plans with more features and shipment volumes are available upon discussion with the EasyPost support team.

Advantages:

• Robust API Integration: EasyPost provides a powerful API with a 99.99% uptime, allowing developers to seamlessly integrate shipping functionalities into their platforms;
• Reliable Shipping Solutions: With over 100 carrier integrations, EasyPost ensures a diverse range of shipping options to suit various business needs;
• Address Verification: Offers a robust address verification API covering over 240 countries, minimizing address-related shipment issues;
• Cost-Effective Shipping: The free developer plan allows businesses to test and integrate shipping functionalities without immediate financial commitments;
• Carbon Offset API: Supports environmental consciousness by offering a Carbon Offset API for reporting and offsetting carbon emissions.

Drawbacks:

• Complex Pricing for Advanced Plans: Lack of clarity in advanced pricing plans might require direct communication with EasyPost, potentially leading to a longer decision-making process;
• Learning Curve for Non-Technical Users: The platform’s API-centric approach might be complex for non-technical users, requiring some learning curve.

EasyPost emerges as a powerful shipping solution, especially for businesses seeking robust API integration and a wide range of carrier options. Its developer-friendly approach with a free plan for testing purposes, extensive carrier integrations, and address verification tools make it an attractive option for businesses looking to optimize their shipping operations. 

These alternatives present a range of features, catering to diverse business needs such as automation, international shipping, marketing integration, simplicity, and developer-centric solutions. Evaluating these alternatives based on specific business requirements will guide businesses in selecting the optimal shipping software to replace Shippo and enhance their shipping processes.

Conclusions

Selecting the ideal shipping software hinges on a thorough understanding of your business requirements. While Shippo presents a solid foundation with its user-friendly interface and flexible pricing, the alternatives explored in this guide offer specialized features catering to diverse operational needs.

Whether it’s the advanced automation capabilities of ShipStation, Easyship’s prowess in international shipping, ShippingEasy’s integrated marketing tools, Pirate Ship’s cost-effective simplicity, or EasyPost’s developer-focused API, each alternative presents a unique value proposition.

Ultimately, your choice depends on the scale, complexity, and specific needs of your business. Embrace this guide as a compass, guiding you towards a shipping solution that not only replaces Shippo but propels your shipping strategies to new heights of efficiency and success.