When you first get started with ecommerce, it’s fairly easy to manage fulfillment. As a business grows, though, it’s difficult to scale your efforts.
If you’re looking for shipping software to manage your ecommerce business shipments, ShipStation could be what you need.
In this ShipStation review, we look closely at software features, pricing, shipping features, integrations, and customer support.
We provide a few alternatives, in case ShipStation isn’t the right fit for your business.
What is Shipstation?
ShipStation is a user-friendly web-based shipping software that works with multiple carriers. The platform streamlines order processing.
Company
You can import orders from multiple selling channels, such as your own store and third-party marketplaces, then choose the carrier and shipping method.
The cloud-based system makes it possible to use ShipStation on any internet-connected device. You don’t have to install software on your computer.
ShipStation also offers Android and iOS apps for smartphones and tablets. You can use the app to manage orders, generate labels and bar codes, track shipments, and more.
ShipStation Pricing
ShipStation customers can choose between six packages with monthly billing. Each plan includes unlimited stores. All plans include branded packing slips and shipping labels.
The higher-tier plans offer customizable shipping labels and packing slips.
Every plan comes with a 30-day free trial so you can try it before committing to it.
Pricing
ShipStation plans include:
- Starter: $9.99/month: This plan includes up to 50 monthly shipments and one user account. It includes a community forum and email support.
- Bronze: $29.99/month: This plan includes up to 500 shipments across all channels and one user account.
- Silver: $59.99/month: With this plan, you get up to 1,000 shipments across all sales channels. It includes support for two users and adds live chat to the list of support options.
- Gold: $99.99/month: Under this plan, you’ll get up to 2,000 shipments per month across all sales channels. You’ll also get an additional user account for three users.
- Platinum: $149.99/month: This plan includes 5,000 shipments per month across all sales channels. You’ll get five user accounts, with branded labels and customized packing slips.
- Enterprise: $229.99/month: This plan offers 7,500 shipments, support for up to 10 users, customized packing slips, and custom branding on your shipping labels.
You can upgrade or downgrade your plan as needed if you find that order volume drastically changes from one month to the next.
Shipstation Software Features
ShipStation features include:
Software Features
Multi-Carrier Support
ShipStation integrates with multiple shipping carriers for flexibility, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and others.
It includes discounted shipping rates (up to 86% off UPS and USPS rates) to help you save. You can pass the savings on to your customers if you choose.
Automation Rules
With ShipStation’s automation rules, you can dictate how ShipStation processes orders. You can use the Rate Calculator to view the estimated shipping rates across carriers and service types to determine the best option for different shipments.
You can also use the Rate Calculator inside the Configure Shipment widget to view rates specific to one shipment.
Though it takes time to set up the shipping rules, it will be much faster to setup future shipments. For example, you can create rules to select a particular shipping provider for all orders received from a certain country.
That said, ShipStation lacks support for recurring order automation so customers will have to place new orders every month for items they’d like to receive that often.
Muli-Channel Sync
This feature makes it easy to automatically import orders from your ecommerce website and third-party marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.
Inventory Management
Monitor real-time stock and set low stock alerts so you know when to place orders with suppliers. You’ll avoid missed sales because of stock-outs, but also keep your inventory from getting stale.
Order Management
Save time and print hundreds of labels and packing slips at a time with batch printing. Automatically generate a pick list that sorts orders for easier order fulfillment. SCAN forms are included for batch shipping, to make it easier for carrier pickups.
Shipping Features
ShipStation offers many of the top features you’d expect from shipping software today, including:
Shipping Features
USB Scale Support
With ShipStation Connect, you can easily connect printers to USB scales for an easy shipping label printing solution. Create shipping labels online, or anywhere you are with the mobile app.
Dropshipping
ShipStation is a good choice for drop shippers. It supports both sides – the dropship seller and the dropship supplier. You can export your order data to a CSV to email or upload to your fulfillment provider, then mark the orders as shipped when you hear from the fulfillment provider.
Alternatively, you can create a restricted login to your ShipStation account that your fulfillment provider can use to see only their assigned orders.
Shipment Tracking
You can send automatic shipping confirmation emails to your customers. You’ll also have access to live shipment tracking updates. Some carriers provide a branded shipment tracking page for customers.
International Shipping
In the past, ShipStation did not support international shipping. Recently, they’ve partnered with the Stamps.com Global Advantage Program, so users can offer international shipping through USPS. All users are automatically enrolled to make international shipping simpler.
Ecommerce Integrations
ShipStation integrates with most major ecommerce platforms, including:
- Shopify
- BigCommerce
- WooCommerce
- Wix
- Squarespace
Ecommerce Integrations
To connect ShipStation to your ecommerce platform, log in to your ShipStation account. Go to Account Settings > Selling Channels > Store Setup.
Click “Connect a Store or Marketplace” and follow the on-screen instructions for each platform you want to connect.
Marketplace Integrations
ShipStation integrates with many of the most popular marketplaces, including:
- Amazon (with support for Seller Fulfilled Prime)
- eBay
- Etsy
- Walmart
Marketplace Integrations
To connect ShipStation to a marketplace account, log in to your ShipStation account. Go to Account Settings > Selling Channels > Store Setup.
Click “Connect a Store or Marketplace” and follow the on-screen instructions for each marketplace you want to connect.
Customer Support
ShipStation offers a variety of customer support options. For the lower tier plans, the only support channels are the community forum and email.
Pricing
All other plans include live chat as a support option. No plans offer phone support.
Many users say they provide good customer support across all channels.
Alternatives
ShipStation is a great shipping solution, but it’s not for every ecommerce business.
Here are a few alternatives to consider:
Shippo
Shippo offers real-time shipping rates from a variety of carriers and offers discount shipping rates. It supports multiple shipping carriers and sales channels. It’s better suited for online retailers looking for a pay-as-you-go approach.
EasyShip
Easyship is a similar platform that offers both pay-as-you-go and subscription-based pricing. It includes automation tools that help boost processing speeds.
It’s a great option for ecommerce businesses with a lot of international orders since it auto-generates tax and customs documents.
ShipWorks
ShipWorks is one of the oldest shipping software solutions on the market today. It makes it easy to ship orders from multiple channels, with multiple carriers. It’s a better option for high-volume ecommerce merchants or warehouses.
Leave Your ShipStation Review
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