Best Shipping Software for Ecommerce: How to Choose by Order Volume
Still copying addresses by hand or checking three dashboards to find one order? Here's what good shipping software does and how we'd pick one.
The best shipping software for ecommerce is the one that fits how many orders you ship today and won't charge you more as you grow. It should print labels in bulk, compare carriers on every order, and pull in orders from your stores on its own.
We ship our own brands' orders and run a 3PL. Here's how we'd choose.
Step 1: Start with your volume
- Under ~50 labels/month: you need discounted rates and fast labels. You don't need a monthly subscription.
- 50–500/month: you need rate shopping, bulk labels and store sync. You don't need warehouse tools.
- 500+/month, SKUs to manage: you need order management, packout checks and rules. You don't need separate tools for each step.
- Multiple clients: you need 3PL tools: per-client rules, billing and a portal. You don't need middleware. Score vendors with our 3PL tracking software checklist.
Not sure? Run the 400-label audit.
Step 2: Check the five must-haves
- Rate shopping on every order. Compare all connected carriers before you buy the label.
- Bulk labels and rules. Carrier picked by weight, destination and cost.
- Store sync. Orders in, tracking back out. (ShipGenius: Infoplus live; Shopify and Squarespace coming soon.)
- Tracking customers can see. Fewer "where's my order?" emails.
- Spend reporting by carrier. See where you're overpaying.
Step 3: Pick a pricing model that matches your volume
- Pay per label: best when volume swings. ShipGenius Core and Plus: no monthly fee. You pay for labels, not software. No minimum, no contract.
- Monthly subscription: fine if volume is steady and high enough to spread the fee.
- Enterprise contract: custom needs at high volume.
Step 4: Ask these before you commit
- Any setup fee, minimum or contract?
- Are carrier discounts passed through, or marked up?
- What happens to my bill in a slow month? In Q4?
- Shipping software or TMS? (A TMS is for large freight volumes; most stores need shipping software.)
Watch for box size
Carriers price by size as well as weight (DIM weight). A box that's too big can cost more than the item weighs. Software with packout checks catches the wrong box before the label prints. ShipGenius OMS checks weight and dimensions in packout.
Where ShipGenius fits
Core: discounted UPS and USPS labels, no monthly fee. Plus: your own carrier accounts and API, no monthly fee. You pay for labels, not software. OMS, Warehouse and 3PL on the same account when you need them. See pricing.
FAQs
What is ecommerce shipping software?
Ecommerce shipping software prints your labels, finds the cheapest carrier, tracks your packages and pulls orders from all your stores into one place. It saves you from typing addresses and doing the same steps over and over.
Is shipping software difficult to set up?
Most modern shipping software isn't hard to set up. Many tools connect to your store in a few clicks. On ShipGenius, most new accounts print their first label within about five minutes of signing up.
What's the difference between basic and advanced shipping software?
Basic shipping software makes labels and tracks packages. Advanced tools add rules that pick the carrier for you, support for more than one warehouse, bulk printing, deeper reports, custom workflows and an API (a way for your own code to connect). Most small shops don't need all that on day one. Pick based on how many orders you ship and how complex your setup is.
Does shipping software handle international shipping?
Most shipping software handles international shipping, including customs forms and duties (import taxes). ShipGenius supports international shipping from US addresses, with customs forms built in. If you ship a lot overseas, check the exact features while you try it out.
What's the difference between shipping software and a TMS?
Shipping software makes labels and compares rates for parcels. A TMS plans freight across a large supply chain.