10 Best Shipping Software for Small Businesses | A Comprehensive Guide | TechHarry

For efficient business workflows, shipping and logistic management are very important. Getting new orders is good but more important is how efficiently you deliver your products in order to succeed in your small business. Non-stop and flawless shipping is crucial for entrepreneurs, local retailers, or service providers. Bad shipping service can impact their business and leads to failure.

There are many shipping software that can help you manage your resources, track your deliveries, automate tasks, enhance visibility, and ultimately deliver a never-forgetting experience to customers. From creating labels to manage inventory, and calculating shipping rates to providing real-time tracking information, small business shipping softwares is designed to make these complex tasks simpler.

In this detailed article, we'll discuss every aspect of shipping software designed for small businesses and entrepreneurs. We'll explore the key features, advantages, disadvantages, and capabilities of the best shipping software options available.

So, let's get started.

What is Shipping Software?

Shipping software is an application software, which is designed to streamline and improve various aspects of the shipping and logistics process. It empowers businesses, more likely small businesses, to efficiently manage and supervise the movement of products from one location to another.

These softwares for shipping products mainly focus on simplifying the complex tasks of shipping processes such as processing, labeling, carrier selection, tracking, and managing inventories. It is a centralized platform where business professionals take care of the entire process by making it more organized, cost-effective, and customer-friendly.

What Features Should We Expect From The Best Shipping Software?

Key features of shipping software often include:

• Label Generation: The advanced shipping software should offer businesses to create shipping labels that include sender and recipient addresses, package weight, and tracking numbers.

• Carrier Integration: By using a feature-full shipping software for their businesses allows them to compare different shipping carriers, and allow them to compare different shipping rates so that they can choose the best cost-effective option for the shipping of their products.

• Rate Calculations: The best shipping softwares are expected to calculate shipping costs based on different factors such as package dimensions, weight, destination, and speed of shipping, and thus provide accurate pricing to customers.

• Order Processing: Processing order is to manage and fulfill orders in a specific time. It is very important for shipping softwares to automate the processing of orders directly from e-commerce platforms and marketplaces, especially in this modern age.

• Real-Time Tracking: Customers want real-time information about the tracking of their goods. Businesses should prefer those softwares that can provide the real-time status and location of products. It enhances transparency and customer satisfaction with the company.

• Inventory Management: Inventory management is as important as running a business online. If you don't know what products are missing in your inventory and what needs to be checked, believe me, your business will hardly survive a few months. These days, shipping softwares are developed with inventory management features to keep track of stock levels, reorder points, and manage product availability.

• Return Management: Shipping includes not only sending products. It also means managing process returns, making the reverse logistics smoother, and more efficient. As per the survey, within 30 days, online customers expect retailers to offer returns. If your software can't manage returns, your customers will not come back for another order.

• Reporting and Analytics: Detailed reporting features are needed to get informed about your sales, transactions, returns, and performances. Reporting and analytics help businesses to know their customers' needs better.

• Integration with E-commerce Platforms: Many shipping softwares offer integration with e-commerce platforms for automating shipping processes, and reducing manual data entry. It decreases the waste time, which can rather be used for other important tasks.

In short, shipping software is an important tool to optimize different shipping operations. These softwares are expected to provide features like automating tasks, enhancing accuracy, providing valuable insights, improving customer satisfaction, and overall business efficiency.

THE BEST SHIPPING SOFTWARE RECOMMENDATIONS

Now, you know what features you should be looking for when choosing the best shipping software. Following are some of the best shipping softwares to simplify your work of selecting the best software option:

1. ShippingEasy

ShippingEasy is a popular option for shipping businesses. It offers multiple features such as online shipping labels, managing orders, automated shipping, tracking shipments, and notifying recipients. It offers the cheapest USPS and UPS rates through its ShipStation integration. It also offers discounted rates for FedEx and DHL.

ImageSoure: ShippingEasy

KEY FEATURES:

1. Multi-Carrier Integration

2. Order Management

3. Batch Processing

4. Customizable Shipping Rules

5. Shipping Rates Comparison

6. Branded Shipping

7. Inventory Management

PROS:

1. User-Friendly

2. Multi-Carrier Integration

3. Automated Order Processing

4. Real-Time Tracking

5. Customizable Email Notifications

6. Batch Label Printing

7. Integration with E-commerce Platforms

8. Analytics and Reporting

CONS:

1. Pricing Tiers

2. Learning Curve for Advanced Features

3. Customer Support Response Time

4. Limited Offline Access

5. Complex Setup for Large Inventories

6. Possible Integration Glitches

7, Limited Customization of Tracking Pages

2. PirateShip

PirateShip is the best alternative to ShippingEasy that helps small businesses and entrepreneurs to manage orders, shipments, print shipping labels and more. It also offers reduced USPS and UPS rates as well as discounted international shipping rates for specific countries. PirateShip is free to use for up to 50 shipments per month without any hidden fees or markups of shipping rates.

ImageSource: PirateShip

KEY FEATURES:

• Simple Interface
• USPS Integration
• Batch Label Printing
• Address Validation
• Discounted Rates
• Delivery Tracking
• Returns Management

PROS:

1. Cost-Effective Shipping Rates

2. User-Friendly Interface

3. Integration with Multiple Carriers

4. Batch Label Printing

5. Real-Time Tracking

6. Address Validation

7. Shipping Analytics and Reports

CONS:

1. Limited Customer Support Channels

2. Basic Customer Service Features

3. Some Learning Curves for Advanced Options

4. Interface Customization Limitations

5. Limited International Shipping Features

6. Possible Glitches in Software Updates

7. Occasional User Interface Lag

3. Stamps

Stamps is a cloud-based shipping software with the functionalities of printing USPS shipping labels, managing orders, and tracking shipments. Like other softwares, it also offers low shipping rates from USPS along with integrations with lots of e-commerce platforms such as 3dCart, Amazon, Acumatica, ADSI, Acclux, Ebay, Etsy, and more big platforms.

ImageSource: Stamps

KEY FEATURES:

1. Multi-Carrier Integration
2. USPS Discounts
3. Label Printing
4. Address Validation
5. International Shipping
6. Returns Solutions
7. eCommerce Integrations

PROS:

1. Extensive Carrier Integration

2. Time-Saving Automation

3. Batch Label Printing

4. Address Validation

5. Multi-Platform Compatibility

6. Customizable Shipping Options

7. Shipping Cost Tracking

CONS:

1. Subscription Costs

2. Learning Curve for Advanced Features

3. Customer Support Response Time

4. Possible Technical Glitches

5. Limited Offline Access

6. Integration Complexity for Some E-commerce Platforms

7. Price Comparison with Competitors

4. ShipStation

ShipStation is an online shipping software for e-commerce fulfillment. It helps sellers print shipping labels, manage, track & automate shipments as well as notify recipients. ShipStation helps you save time & money and instantly saves up to 84% from popular carriers such as UPS, DHL Express, USPS, and more!

ImageSource: ShipStation

KEY FEATURES:

1. Multi-Carrier Support
2. Order Importing
3. Automated Workflows
4. Customizable Branding
5. Reporting and Analytics
6. Multi-Channel Selling
7. Customer Communication

PROS:

1. Multi-Carrier Integration

2. User-Friendly Interface

3. Batch Processing

4. Real-Time Tracking

5. Customizable Shipping Options

6. Reporting and Analytics

7. Integration with E-commerce Platforms

CONS:

1. Subscription Costs

2. Learning Curve for Advanced Features

3. Customer Support Response Time

4. Limited Offline Access

5. Interface Customization Limitations

6. Integration Complexity for Some Platforms

7. Possible Glitches in Software Updates

5. Shippo

Shippo is a cloud-based, multi-carrier shipping software for e-commerce businesses. It helps you find the best shipping rates from top carriers such as USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Shopify, Wix, Magento, and more. You can connect your online store, sync your sales, manage your orders, and track your shipments, everything in one place.

ImageSoure: Shippo

KEY FEATURES:

1. Carrier Integration
2. Label Generation
3. Real-time Rates
4. Address Validation
5. Tracking and Notifications
6. API Integration
7. Returns Management

PROS:

1. Multi-Carrier Integration

2. User-Friendly Interface

3. Real-Time Tracking

4. Batch Label Printing

5. Address Validation

6. Integration with E-commerce Platforms

7. Shipping Analytics and Reports

CONS:

1. Subscription Costs

2. Learning Curve for Advanced Features

3. Customer Support Response Time

4. Limited Offline Access

5. Possible Integration Glitches

6. International Shipping Complexity

7. Interface Customization Limitations

6. ShipTime

ShipTime is another option if you need robust shipping software for your business. It is suitable for all sizes of businesses from startups to large firms. It offers affordable shipping rates from top carriers like FedEx, UPS, Purolator, DHL, and Canada Post. It offers real-time shipment tracking features as well as integration with popular eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Like the top shipping softwares, ShipTime allows you to print shipping labels directly from your computer. It has many other features such as:

ImageSource: ShipTime

KEY FEATURES:

1. Multi-Carrier Integration

2. Real-Time Shipment Tracking

3. Shipping Rate Comparison

4. Address Validation

5. Batch Shipping

6. Customized Shipping Labels

7. Automated Notifications

8. Returns Management

PROS:

1. Streamlined Multi-Carrier Integration

2. Real-Time Shipment Tracking

3. Comprehensive Shipping Rate Comparison

4. Accurate Address Validation

5. Efficient Batch Shipping Capabilities

6. Customizable Shipping Labels

7. Automated Notification System

8. Effective Returns Management

9. Detailed Analytics and Reporting

User-Friendly Customer Portal Access

CONS:

1. Learning Curve for New Users

2. Potential Technical Glitches

3. Limited Offline Functionality

4. International Shipping Complexities

5. Additional Costs for Premium Features

6. Dependent on Carrier Services

7. Compatibility Issues with Legacy Systems

8. Customer Support Response Time

9. Data Security Concerns

10. Continuous Updates Required

8. OrderHive

Similar to Stamps.com, OrderHive is a cloud-based order management software. It helps businesses manage orders, inventory, and product shipping along with many other features. OrderHive also helps companies run their business operations seamlessly and also improves customer experience. Finally, OrderHive also offers customer relationship management (CRM) and reporting & analytics features for improving performance and personalized customer service.

ImageSoure: OrderHive

KEY FEATURES:

1. Multi-Channel Order Management

2. Inventory Tracking and Control

3. Order Fulfillment Automation

4. Real-Time Shipping Integration

5. Reporting and Analytics

6. Supplier Management

7. Warehouse Management

8. Returns Management

9. Multi-Currency Support

10. Integration with E-commerce Platforms

PROS:

1. Streamlined Multi-Channel Management

2. Accurate Inventory Tracking

3. Efficient Order Fulfillment

4. Seamless Shipping Integration

5. Data-Driven Reporting Insights

6. Improved Supplier Collaboration

7. Effective Warehouse Management

8. Hassle-Free Returns Handling

CONS:

1. Initial Learning Curve

2. Possible Technical Glitches

3. Integration Complexity

4. Customization Limitations

5. Subscription Costs

6. Support Response Time

7. Limited Offline Access

9. AfterShip

AfterShip is a popular shipment tracking platform, that helps eCommerce businesses track their shipments. It also offers its customers real-time tracking along with integrations with popular eCommerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and over 600 shipping carriers worldwide. From customizing tracking pages and automated notifications to real-time reporting & analytics, AfterShip is capable of all.

ImageSource: AfterShip

KEY FEATURES:

1. Multi-Carrier Tracking

2. Real-Time Shipment Updates

3. Branded Tracking Page

4. Notifications and Alerts

5. Delivery Time Estimations

6. Order and Tracking Import

7. Analytics and Insights

8. Returns Management

9. E-commerce Platform Integration

10. API Access

PROS:

1. Centralized Multi-Carrier Tracking

2. Timely Shipment Status Updates

3. Customizable Branded Tracking Page

4. Notification and Alert System

5. Accurate Delivery Time Predictions

6. Efficient Order and Tracking Import

7. Valuable Analytics and Insights

8. Effective Returns Handling

9. Seamless E-commerce Integration

10. API Flexibility for Development

CONS:

1. Learning Curve for New Users

2. Limited Offline Functionality

3. Advanced Features Require Payment

4. Dependency on Carrier Data

5. Integration Challenges for Some Platforms

6. Customer Support Response Time

7. Privacy and Data Security Concerns

10. XPS Ship

XPS Ship is a shipping and logistics software designed for businesses to seamlessly manage shipping processes. It has features from shipping operations, comparing shipping rates, generating shipping labels, and tracking shipments to reporting and analytics. XPS Ship also offers various integrations with carriers and e-commerce platforms.

KEY FEATURES:

1. Multi-Carrier Integration

2. Shipping Rate Comparison

3. Shipping Label Generation

4. Real-Time Shipment Tracking

5. Address Validation

6. Batch Shipping

7. Analytics and Reporting

8. E-commerce Platform Integration

9. Returns Management

10. User-Friendly Interface

PROS:

1. Streamlined Multi-Carrier Integration

2. Comprehensive Shipping Rate Comparison

3. Efficient Shipping Label Generation

4. Real-Time Shipment Tracking

5. Accurate Address Validation

6. Batch Shipping Capabilities

7. Detailed Analytics and Reporting

8. Seamless E-commerce Integration

9. Effective Returns Management

10. Intuitive User Interface

CONS:

1. Learning Curve for New Users

2. Potential Technical Glitches

3. Subscription Costs for Premium Features

4. Dependence on Carrier Services

5. Compatibility Challenges with Some Platforms

6. Data Security and Privacy Concerns

7. Updates and Maintenance Requirements

8. Limited Offline Functionality

9. Complexities for High-Volume Shipping

CONCLUSION

Finally, choosing the correct shipping software is important for small businesses seeking simple and effective shipping processes. Each platform -ShippingEasy, PirateShip, Stamps.com, ShipStation, and Shippo – provides a specific set of features geared to individual requirements. As described in this complete guide, the decision is ultimately determined by the company's goals, budget, and number of shipments.

ShippingEasy distinguishes itself with its robust multi-carrier integration and complete order management features.

The user-friendly interface of PirateShip and its USPS-focused services serve businesses seeking simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Stamps offer a wide range of carrier alternatives and savings, making it ideal for customers with a variety of shipping needs.

ShipStation excels in managing orders from different sales channels while also providing automation and brand customization for a more professional delivery experience.

Shippo's API connectivity and real-time pricing are especially useful for enterprises with specialized tech needs and a need for precise shipping cost estimations.

Small businesses must examine their individual shipping demands, growth possibilities, and integration requirements while selecting these applications. Small businesses can confidently select a choice that improves their shipping operations and adds to overall success by matching the features of this shipping software with their operational goals. These platforms will likely play an important part in helping small companies to succeed in the competitive world of eCommerce and logistics as the shipping environment evolves.