10 Best Shopify Shipping Apps for Seamless Delivery in 2024

keyKey Takeaways:
  • Explore a variety of Shopify shipping apps like Upper, Shippo, ShipStation, Easyship, and many more to find a solution that suits your business needs.
  • When choosing a shipping app, prioritize factors such as shipping rates, carrier integration, international shipping capabilities, customer notifications, and flexible shipping rules.
  • Enhance the overall post-purchase experience by selecting apps that provide branded tracking pages, personalized recommendations, and timely notifications.

Imagine that you’ve carefully crafted your Shopify store, chosen the finest products, and optimized your website to perfection. Your customers are eager, your marketing is on point, and orders are pouring in. But then comes a pivotal moment—the shipping process. It’s the bridge between a successful sale and a satisfied customer.

In the vast world of e-commerce, where convenience is king, efficient shipping isn’t merely a choice—it’s an absolute necessity. Also, with Shopify becoming popular and powering over 4.36 million websites, the demand for reliable shipping solutions has surged. 

So, in this blog, we’ll explore the best Shopify shipping apps. We’ll showcase the options that can streamline your shipping processes, boost your efficiency, and ultimately deliver smiles to your customers’ doorsteps.

Forget Spaghetti Routes, Optimize Routes for Your Entire Team with Upper

Crew

1. Upper

Starting price: $119/month

Free trial: 7 days

Upper is the ultimate Shopify shipping app, designed to elevate your e-commerce logistics operations. If you’re searching for a streamlined, efficient solution to manage the entire order fulfillment and delivery process, Upper is your perfect ally. 

Say goodbye to the chaos of juggling spreadsheets and embrace a unified dashboard where you can run your show effortlessly. Upper empowers you with the efficiency of a single click, plan, and go approach, transforming your everyday deliveries into a seamless operation. 

With Upper, you can perform hours of route planning work in minutes, optimize routes, and keep every order fulfillment status updated in your Shopify store. Not only this, your customers will stay in the loop at every step with automated customer notifications.

Key features:

  • Effortless order fulfillment: The Shopify store integration with the route planner is seamless. It instantly sorts your orders in Upper’s Tasks tab, simplifying the entire fulfillment process.
  • Comprehensive Overview: Proof of delivery information is directly accessible in your Shopify store, removing the need to navigate between platforms.
  • Customer Engagement: Upper keeps your customers well-informed with automatic delivery status notifications. It ensures a seamless, transparent shopping experience.

Pros & Cons:

Pros
  • Allows you to allocate resources more effectively, ultimately saving time and money
  • Reduces the risk of data entry errors and mistakes
  • Automatic delivery status notifications create a transparent shopping experience
  • Eliminates the need to navigate between platforms as POD information is readily available on your Shopify store
Cons
  • Lacks voice-guided navigation functionality

2. Shippo

Starting price: $10/month

Free trial: 30 days

Shippo is a powerful and versatile Shopify shipping app. With its user-friendly interface and wide range of features, Shippo simplifies the complex world of shipping.

Shippo seamlessly integrates with Shopify to offer real-time shipping rate calculations, label printing, order tracking, and more. It empowers you to streamline your order fulfillment processes, offer discounted shipping rates, and manage your shipments with ease.

With Shippo, you can offer customers accurate shipping cost estimates during checkout, ensuring a transparent and satisfying shopping experience. 

Key features:

  • Multi-carrier support: Shippo integrates with multiple carriers, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and more. It gives you the flexibility to choose the best shipping options for your needs.
  • Label printing: Generate shipping labels and packing slips directly from your Shopify store, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.
  • Order tracking: Shippo allows you to track shipments in real-time, providing customers with visibility into the progress of their deliveries.
Pros
  • Support for international shipping, facilitating global e-commerce
  • Ability to compare shipping rates from different carriers ensures cost-effective shipping
  • Address validation helps reduce delivery errors
Cons
  • Certain automation options come with additional costs
  • Changes in pricing and terms of carriers affect the rates available through Shippo
  • Offers integration with multiple carriers, but does not cover every available carrier

3. ShipStation

Starting price: $9.99/month

Free trial: 30 days

When it comes to Shopify shipping apps, ShipStation stands out as a reliable, cost-effective, and efficient solution. Trusted by over 130,000 merchants, ShipStation simplifies the order fulfillment process. It offers features like rate shopping to find the lowest shipping rates and branding options to provide an outstanding customer experience.

With automation and batching capabilities, ShipStation reduces manual work and helps manage all aspects of your orders and shipments. From tracking in-transit shipments to creating end-of-day forms and scheduling carrier pickups, ShipStation keeps you in control. 

Key features:

  • Automation and batching: Streamline your order fulfillment workflow by automating shipping tasks, including order tagging, multi-package support, and bulk label printing.
  • Tracking and management: Keep track of all orders and shipments, from tracking in-transit shipments to managing products, inventory management, and product analytics.
  • Branding tools: Enhance the customer experience by customizing emails, tracking pages, and providing SMS tracking updates.
Pros
  • Facilitates integration with over 75 carriers, providing flexibility in selecting the best shipping options
  • The ability to create end-of-day forms and schedule carrier pickups adds convenience
  • Offers tools for managing returns that help improve overall delivery satisfaction
Cons
  • Requires manual input of product information which can be time-consuming
  • Having multiple users logged in at the same time sometimes causes label-printing glitches
  • Some users have experienced billing errors

4. Easyship

Starting Price: $29/month

Free trial: 14 days

Easyship is a comprehensive Shopify shipping solution for businesses with worldwide shipping needs. It offers a wide range of features to streamline your shipping operations. You can sync orders, automate workflows, batch print shipping labels, share tracking information, and even handle automatic tax and duty rates paperwork. 

The platform provides branded packing slips, optional prepaid returns, and the ability to connect your own carrier accounts. With a vast network of 250+ top shipping carriers worldwide, Easyship ensures you get the lowest possible rates.

Key features:

  • Instant shipping rates: Easyship provides instant access to shipping rates, print labels, tracking, and more, streamlining the shipping process for businesses.
  • Global network of carriers: You have access to a network of 250+ carriers worldwide, including major names like UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL.
  • Tax and duty handling: The platform automates tax and duty paperwork, ensuring that international shipping is straightforward and compliant.
Pros
  • Access to a variety of carriers and discounted rates can lead to significant cost savings
  • Offers flexible insurance coverage, ensuring safety when shipping valuable items
  • Easily generate return labels to simplify the return process for customers
Cons
  • There have been complaints about high charges, including hidden charges
  • Users have reported delays in addressing issues and resolving support tickets
  • Settings frequently have to be re-applied, which can be a time-consuming process

5. ShippingEasy

Starting price: 19.99/month

Free trial: 30 days

ShippingEasy is your all-in-one solution for streamlined shipping. It offers access to discounted USPS and UPS rates that can help you save significantly on your shipping expenses. 

This Shopify shipping app goes beyond shipping label generation by addressing order, shipping, and rate management needs. It provides automation features for tasks like abandoned cart recovery, product reviews, and recommendations, along with one-time promotional email campaigns.

With an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, ShippingEasy simplifies the entire shipping process, from order importation to label printing and shipment tracking.

Key features:

  • Discounted USPS and UPS rates: Access pre-negotiated discounted rates from USPS and UPS, helping you save on your shipping costs.
  • Customizable reporting: Create custom reports to gain insights into your shipping, customers, and tracking data.
  • Tracking and returns: Provide real-time tracking information to customers, and automate returns for a hassle-free experience.
Pros
  • Consolidates orders from multiple selling channels in one place
  • Benefit from real, live human support through multiple channels
  • Enhances the customer experience with branded tracking options
Cons
  • Has not been updated to support certain Shopify features, such as the new Edit Order function and Fulfillment APIs
  • Users mentioned challenges in obtaining refunds for overcharged postage
  • Does not support multiple fulfillment locations

6. AfterShip Order Tracking

Starting price: $11/month

Free trial: 7 days

AfterShip Order Tracking offers a proactive solution for order tracking within the Shopify ecosystem. It ensures customer satisfaction by providing a branded order tracking page with personalized product recommendations. It also reduces WISMO (Where Is My Order) queries and optimizes the delivery process. 

The app goes beyond basic tracking, offering timely email and SMS notifications to keep customers informed. With an AI-powered estimated delivery dates widget, AfterShip aims to alleviate customer anxiety and enhance buyer confidence. The app supports various carriers, including major ones like Post, DHL, UPS, FedEx, USPS, and more, making it a comprehensive package tracker for Shopify merchants.

Key features:

  • Centralized shipment dashboard: Merchants can utilize a centralized dashboard to track shipment statuses and identify exceptions easily. 
  • Analytics and insights: The app offers built-in analytics to provide insights into shipment status and on-time shipping performance. 
  • Free shipment tracking: AfterShip provides free shipment tracking for orders, making it accessible for businesses of varying sizes.
Pros
  • Enhances customer experience by providing branded tracking pages, personalized recommendations, and timely notifications
  • With support for over 700 carriers, AfterShip ensures that merchants can track shipments efficiently
  • The app offers essential tracking features for free
Cons
  • Users report issues with shipment notifications not being timely delivered
  • Users have faced difficulties in canceling their AfterShip subscriptions
  • Customers report challenges in obtaining refunds, citing poor customer service

7. Parcelify

Starting price: 19.99/month

Free trial: 14 days

Parcelify is your solution for creating tailored shipping rates that cater to every aspect of your business. This Shopify shipping app empowers merchants to set up custom rates based on product attributes, vendors, collections, and more. With a user-friendly shipping rates calculator displayed on the cart page, customers can easily view shipping costs, promoting transparency. 

The app even offers interactive features such as the UK Postcode map, allowing businesses to customize shipping rates based on geographic regions. Additionally, the app supports local business initiatives by allowing merchants to offer in-store pickup or local delivery.

Key features:

  • Flexible rate builder: Whether charging per item, implementing weight tiers, or considering order prices, Parcelify offers flexibility to meet diverse business needs.
  • Shipping promotion: Encourage customer purchases by strategically offering free shipping for specific products or when customers reach predefined order values.
  • UK shipping customization: Tailor shipping rates specifically for the UK using Parcelify’s interactive postcode map.
Pros
  • Clear display of shipping rates on the cart page enhances transparency
  • The inclusion of an interactive UK Postcode map adds a level of geographical customization
  • Offers options for in-store pickup and local delivery
Cons
  • While certain shipping rates work as intended, others fail to apply even when using identical rule configurations
  • Users have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of responsiveness to user queries
  • Some users find Parcelify challenging to navigate and configure

8. Pirate Ship

Starting price: Pay-as-you-go

Free trial: N/A

Pirate Ship offers the lowest USPS pricing tier, even below commercial pricing for priority mail, and pre-negotiated UPS rates. The user-friendly interface allows for swift installation and immediate use, making shipping a breeze.

From batch shipping for identical orders to international shipping with ease, Pirate Ship offers a streamlined experience. With automatic address completion, batch shipping, and compatibility with various printers, Pirate Ship ensures you navigate the seas of shipping effortlessly. 

Pirate Ship is the ultimate companion for Shopify sellers seeking cost-effective and efficient shipping solutions on their entrepreneurial voyage.

Key features:

  • Pay-as-you-go: Pirate Ship allows users to pay only the actual cost of postage with any credit or debit card, or PayPal, without additional fees or markups.
  • Automatic order fulfillment: Pirate Ship automatically marks Shopify orders as “Fulfilled” and adds tracking numbers, streamlining the order fulfillment process.
  • International shipments: Pirate Ship facilitates international shipping with easy-to-fill electronic customs forms and a variety of affordable shipping options.
Pros
  • Offers deep exclusive discounts, allowing users to access significant savings on shipping costs
  • The app’s simple and intuitive shipping interface makes it easy for users to use and navigate
  • Merchants can print shipping labels with any type of desktop or label printer
Cons
  • Users have reported that Pirate Ship is slow to generate labels and import orders
  • Some users find it challenging to get reimbursement for insurance claims

9. Parcel Panel Order Tracking

Starting price: $9/month

Free trial: 7 days

Parcel Panel Order Tracking is the ultimate solution for a branded and multilingual post-purchase tracking experience. This app goes beyond mere tracking by providing a smart dashboard. The dashboard allows you to monitor orders seamlessly, pushing parcel tracking information directly to PayPal. 

Additionally, the app keeps your customers engaged with proactive shipping notifications, ensuring they are always in the loop about their order status. With Parcel Panel, you can also experience the added advantage of a smart upsell system, powerful analytics, and round-the-clock customer support.

Key features:

  • All-in-one tracking: Enjoy real-time synchronization and tracking across various carriers, saving time and providing a comprehensive overview of your shipments.
  • Smart analytics: Gain valuable insights into your shipping and upsell performance, empowering data-driven decisions to optimize your shipping solutions.
  • Seamless integrations: Streamline your operations with 42+ integrations, ensuring compatibility with leading eCommerce platforms and apps.
Pros
  • Tracking page functionality enhances the overall post-purchase experience
  • ISO 27001 certification and GDPR compliance ensure enterprise-grade security
  • Supports a vast array of carriers globally, catering to diverse shipping needs
Cons
  • Several users have complained about email notifications ending up in their customers’ spam folders
  • There are concerns about the app’s accuracy in tracking order statuses, leading to disputes
  • The app’s costs are perceived as high, and there are complaints about the lack of affordability

10. ShipperHQ

Starting price: $75/month

Free trial: 15 days

ShipperHQ stands out as an all-in-one shipping solution designed to elevate the checkout and shipping experience for Shopify merchants. With support for over 50 carriers worldwide, including LTL freight, merchants can access real-time rates, enabling accurate delivery times and dates. 

This app is a strategic investment in checkout success. It aims to capture more sales by providing accurate delivery dates, expedited options, and same-day shipping capabilities. The ability to turn shipping into a profit center is highlighted. It emphasizes the importance of transparent shipping costs to keep customers satisfied and preserve profit margins. 

Key features:

  • Real-time rates: Access real-time rates from a diverse selection of over 50 carriers worldwide, including support for LTL freight.
  • Accurate delivery dates and transit times: Display precise delivery dates and transit times to provide customers with clear expectations.
  • In-store pickup and local delivery: Enhance customer convenience by offering options such as in-store pickup, curbside pickup, and local delivery.
Pros
  • Provides merchants with unparalleled control over shipping rates and options
  • Streamlines shipping processes through features like automated box packing and real-time LTL freight rating
  • Allows access to essential package details facilitating post-purchase tracking and management
Cons
  • Several users highlight a steep learning curve associated with ShipperHQ
  • Merchants report instances where ShipperHQ suddenly stopped working
  • Poor customer support is a recurring concern, including unhelpful responses

What are the Key Factors to Consider When Choosing the Shopify Shipping App?

When choosing a Shopify shipping app, several key factors should be considered. It is to ensure that the app aligns with your business needs and provides an optimal shipping experience for both you and your customers. 

Here are the key factors to consider:

  • Shipping rates and options: Evaluate whether the app allows you to set up custom shipping rates and options based on your business requirements. Check if the app supports real-time carrier rates to provide accurate shipping rates to customers.
  • Ease of use: Consider the user interface and overall ease of use. An intuitive interface can save time and reduce the learning curve for you and your team.
  • Integration with carriers: Ensure that the app integrates seamlessly with the shipping carriers you plan to use. Popular carriers include USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
  • International shipping: If you deal with international customers, check if the app supports international shipping and provides tools for handling customs documentation.
  • Cart abandonment reduction: Look for features that can help reduce cart abandonment, such as displaying estimated delivery dates and offering free shipping promotions.
  • Customer notifications and tracking: Consider whether the app provides automated shipping notifications to keep customers informed. Real-time tracking features are also essential for a positive customer experience.
  • Flexible shipping rules: Evaluate the app’s ability to create flexible and advanced shipping rules based on various criteria, such as product type, weight, or destination.
  • Reviews and ratings: Research reviews and ratings from other users to get insights into the app’s performance, reliability, and customer support.
  • Cost and pricing structure: Understand the app’s pricing structure, including any hidden fees. Consider the cost in relation to the features and benefits it offers.
  • Customer support: Evaluate the quality and availability of the customer service team. A responsive and knowledgeable support team can be crucial, especially during setup and issue resolution.

FAQs

A Shopify shipping app is a tool that integrates with the Shopify platform to streamline shipping processes. It offers features like real-time rate calculations, label printing, and order tracking to enhance the overall shipping experience for merchants and customers.

Some popular free Shopify shipping apps include “Advanced Shipping Rules,” “Better Shipping,” and “Parcelify.” These apps allow businesses to manage unexpected shipping costs, create custom rates, and optimize the shipping process without incurring additional fees.

To choose the best Shopify shipping app, consider factors like your business size, shipping volume, specific requirements, and desired features. Evaluate app reviews, trial versions, and compatibility with your existing processes to make an informed decision.

Common challenges when implementing Shopify shipping apps include integration issues, complex configurations, and occasional technical glitches. Users can also face difficulties in setting up accurate shipping rules and dealing with unexpected changes in shipping rates.

Yes, some shipping apps cater specifically to dropshipping businesses. Apps like “Parcelify” and “ShipStation” offer features that align with the needs of dropshippers, providing flexibility in managing suppliers, shipping rates, and order fulfillment.

Popular choices for the best shipping app to use with Shopify include Upper, Shippo, ShipStation, and Easyship. They are known for their comprehensive features, carrier integrations, and positive user reviews.

The best way to ship with Shopify involves selecting a shipping app that aligns with your business needs. Choose an app that leverages carrier integrations, offers multiple shipping options, and provides accurate delivery estimates. Balancing cost, speed, and reliability is key.

Shipping costs through Shopify can be competitive, especially when utilizing discounted rates from integrated carriers. By leveraging Shopify Shipping or third-party shipping software, businesses can often access discounted shipping prices, potentially reducing overall shipping expenses.

Yes, Shopify has built-in shipping features, commonly referred to as Shopify Shipping. It includes integrations with major carriers, label printing, and real-time shipping rates. While suitable for many businesses, some may opt for third-party shipping apps for additional features and customization.

Shopify integrates with various shipping carriers, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL. The available carriers may vary depending on your location and the Shopify plan you choose.

Different types of shipping apps on Shopify include shipping rates calculator, label generators, tracking tools, and order management solutions. Some apps specialize in specific functionalities, such as international shipping or freight management.

Shopify provides tools to calculate shipping costs based on factors like product weight, destination, and shipping options. Shipping apps also offer advanced features for cost calculation, rate adjustments, and real-time shipping quotes.

Shipping on Shopify involves creating shipping zones, setting up shipping rates, and integrating carriers. When a customer places an order, Shopify calculates shipping costs based on predefined rules. Then, the business can generate shipping labels, track shipments, and notify customers.

Shipping apps for Shopify offer numerous benefits, including streamlined order fulfillment, access to discounted shipping rates, real-time tracking, and improved customer communication. These apps enhance the overall shipping experience, reduce cart abandonment, and contribute to business efficiency.

Wrapping Up

In this blog, we’ve explored a diverse range of popular Shopify shipping app options, each catering to different business needs. From the streamlined logistics operations offered by Upper to the versatile shipping rate calculations of Shippo, ShipStation, Easyship, and ShippingEasy—each app brings unique features to the table.

As you navigate the seas of e-commerce, consider the key factors outlined in our guide when choosing a Shopify shipping app. Remember, the right shipping app can transform your shipping experience into a strategic advantage. 

So, make an informed choice and set sail for e-commerce success with a reliable Shopify shipping solution.

Author Bio
Rakesh Patel
Rakesh Patel

Rakesh Patel, author of two defining books on reverse geotagging, is a trusted authority in routing and logistics. His innovative solutions at Upper Route Planner have simplified logistics for businesses across the board. A thought leader in the field, Rakesh's insights are shaping the future of modern-day logistics, making him your go-to expert for all things route optimization. Read more.