7 Best Shipping Apps for Shopify to Save Time & Money
Shipping apps are game-changers for Shopify businesses. They automate tasks like order importing, label making, and customs forms for international sales. These apps also negotiate lower rates with carriers, saving you money. With a shipping app, you can focus on your products and business, ensuring a stress-free shipping experience that delights your customers.
In eCommerce, smooth shipping is crucial. Customers expect fast, affordable, and clear delivery. A complicated shipping process with delays and extra costs can drive them away.
This article will introduce to you the 7 best shipping apps for Shopify. Each was designed to streamline your shipping operations and enhance your customer’s shopping experience.
Contents
1. What is the best shipping app for Shopify?
🔶 What are shipping apps?
Shipping apps integrate with your store and make shipping easier and faster. You can manage orders, print labels, see how much shipping costs, and track packages – all in one place.
🔶 How do they work?
Shipping apps connect your store with various carriers. They take your order details from Shopify, figure out the best shipping options and prices, and even let you print labels for all your packages. Plus, they keep track of where your packages are so you and your customers can see when they’ll arrive.
🔶 Types of shipping apps
- Discounted Rates: Negotiate better deals with carriers like USPS, DHL, and FedEx.
- Rate Calculators: Show real-time shipping rates at checkout, boosting customer confidence.
- Label Printing: Print shipping labels in bulk, saving you valuable time at the post office.
- Fulfillment: Outsource order packing and shipping to a pro, freeing up your time.
- International Shipping: Simplify complex international shipping processes.
- Order Tracking: Keep customers informed with real-time updates on their order status from dispatch to delivery.
- Estimated Delivery Time: Provide accurate delivery estimates at checkout to set clear expectations and enhance customer satisfaction.
🔶 Why should I use a shipping app?
- Save time: Automate tasks and print labels in seconds.
- Save money: Access discounted shipping rates.
- Boost sales: Offer transparent shipping options at checkout.
- Reduce errors: Eliminate manual input mistakes.
- Increase conversion rate: By showing estimated delivery time.
🔶 How to choose the right shipping app for my store?
Consider your store’s size, shipping needs, and budget.
- High Volume? Look for a fulfillment app.
- International Focus? Prioritize apps with global expertise.
- Tight Budget? Free or freemium options might be ideal.
>>> Learn more: The best Shopify apps for your business in 2024
2. Overview of the best Shopify apps for shipping
No. | Apps | Review | Pricing | Link download |
1 | Shippo ‑ Simplified Shipping | 4.1 ⭐(547 reviews) | – Free plan – Professional: USD 19/month – Premier: Custom pricing | Get app |
2 | ShippingEasy | 4.5 ⭐(602 reviews) | – Starter: FREE- Growth: $19.99/month – Basic: $29.99/month – Plus: $49.99/month | Get app |
3 | ShippyPro ‑ Shipping made easy | 4.1 ⭐(78 reviews) | – Professional: $215/month – Enterprise: Custom price | Get app |
4 | ShipperHQ: All‑In‑One Solution | 4.9 ⭐(60 reviews) | – Essential: $75/month – Starter: $200/month – Standard: $350/month – Advance: $600/month | Get app |
5 | Omega Estimated Delivery Date | 4.8 ⭐(272 review) | – Free Plan – Standard: $4.99/month – Pro: $8.99/month | Get app |
6 | AfterShip Order Tracking | 4.8 ⭐(4,610 reviews) | – Essentials: $9/month – Pro: $99/month – Premium: $199/month – Enterprise: Custom price | Get app |
7 | Packlink PRO Shipping Platform | 4.6 ⭐(947 reviews) | – Free to install | Get app |
>>> Discover more: Top free Shopify apps for every business
3. Top 7 best shipping apps for Shopify you need now
3.1. Shippo ‑ Simplified Shipping
Shippo is a one-stop shipping app for Shopify stores. It helps you get the best rates from major carriers (UPS, USPS, DHL) and automates tasks like printing labels and tracking orders.
Best for: Businesses that want to save money and time on shipping, especially those with high volume or international sales.
Why it helps: Shippo simplifies shipping, reduces costs, and improves the customer experience with features like branded tracking and easy returns.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.1 ⭐(547 reviews)
🔶 Key features:
- Sync orders with Shopify and manage everything in one place.
- Quickly compare rates, print labels, batch print, and more.
- Track orders in real-time.
- Create branded tracking pages, notification emails, and packing slips.
- Easily generate return labels to improve customer experience.
- Get competitive prices from 40+ carriers like UPS, USPS, DHL, etc.
- Automate workflows across the entire fulfillment journey to support your growing needs.
🔶 Pricing plans:
- Free plan
- Professional: USD 19/month
- Premier: Custom pricing
🔶 Pros and cons:
Pros | Cons |
– Easy to install and use – Competitive rates – Wide range of carriers – Integrates with multiple platforms | – Occasional glitches – Limited label printing options (e.g., quarter-sheet labels, flat-rate envelopes) |
>>> Related post: Top 7 Best Dropshipping Apps to Streamline Your Shopify Store
3.2. ShippingEasy
ShippingEasy is a cloud-based shipping app that simplifies and streamlines the shipping process for online sellers, especially those selling on Shopify. This is the best shipping app for Shopify that helps you compare prices from different shipping carriers, automate tasks like printing labels, and even manage order fulfillment.
Best for: Busy online sellers who want to save time and money on shipping, particularly those using Shopify.
Why it helps: ShippingEasy automates workflows, reduces shipping costs, and integrates with email marketing for a smoother customer experience.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.5 ⭐(602 reviews)
🔶 Key features:
- Organize shipments: Sort, filter, split, and batch
- Compare rates: Easily compare carriers and services
- Automate shipping with shipping rules and presets
- Add branding to the entire shipping page from order to delivery
- Automate email campaigns abandoned carts and product reviews
- Easy return with automation and low rates
- Discounted USPS and UPS rates
- Easily automate your shipping
- Inventory management
- Marketing tools
- Automatic label creation
🔶 Pricing plans:
- Starter: FREE
- Growth: $19.99/month
- Basic: $29.99/month
- Plus: $49.99/month
🔶 Pros and cons:
Pros | Cons |
– Save time and money – Multi-channel management in one place – Compare shipping rates from different carriers – Track inventory levels and help avoid stockouts – Offer marketing tools like abandoned cart emails and review requests – Provide helpful customer support through various channels | – Occasional syncing issues between ShippingEasy and Shopify store – Accessing data for reports might incur additional fees |
3.3. ShippyPro ‑ Shipping made easy
ShippyPro is a powerful shipping app designed for eCommerce businesses on Shopify. It acts as a central hub for all your shipping needs, providing deep carrier integrations, simplifying returns, and offering branded tracking pages to impress your customers.
Best for: Growing eCommerce businesses that want to streamline shipping, save on costs, and improve the customer experience.
Why it helps: ShippyPro helps businesses save time and money on shipping by automating tasks and negotiating better rates. It also enhances the customer experience with features like branded tracking and easy returns.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.1 ⭐ (78 reviews)
🔶 Key features:
- Discounted rates from major carriers (UPS, DHL, USPS)
- Label printing and multi-carrier management
- Automated workflows (e.g., label creation, tracking updates)
- Branded tracking pages and return portals
- International shipping capabilities
🔶 Pricing plans:
- Professional: $215/month
- Enterprise: Custom price
🔶 Pros and cons:
Pros | Cons |
– Saves time and money – Manages shipping needs from one platform – Multi-carrier management – Offer branded tracking pages and return portals for a professional look – Simplify complex international shipping processes – Helpful and responsive customer support | – Limited free trial – Have a bit of a learning curve to set up initially – Occasional errors with the software or API connections |
3.4. ShipperHQ: All‑In‑One Solution
ShipperHQ is the best shipping app for Shopify, focused on providing accurate and transparent shipping options to your customers. It integrates with various shipping carriers to display real-time shipping rates at checkout, enhancing customer trust and potentially increasing conversions.
Best for: Businesses that want to provide a seamless checkout experience with clear shipping costs.
Why it’s useful: ShipperHQ helps eliminate confusion around shipping costs by displaying real-time quotes. This transparency can lead to higher customer satisfaction and potentially increase sales.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.9 ⭐ (60 reviews)
🔶 Key features:
- Shows accurate shipping costs directly at checkout
- Set custom shipping options and discounts based on product weight, dimensions, order value, or other criteria
- Connects with various carriers
- Allow customers to choose specific delivery windows during checkout
- Ensures accurate shipping rates by factoring in product dimensions
- Set a backup carrier in case your primary carrier encounters issues
- Automatically compare rates from different carriers to find the best option
- Display estimated shipping costs on product pages
🔶 Pricing plans:
- Essential: $75/month
- Starter: $200/month
- Standard: $350/month
- Advance: $600/month
🔶 Pros and cons:
Pros | Cons |
– Accurate real-time shipping rates – Increased conversions – Advanced shipping rules to set custom rates and discounts – Multiple carrier support – Backup carrier option – Easy to use and set up | – Limited free plan – Can be pricey – Occasional difficulties reaching customer support |
3.5. Omega Estimated Delivery Date
Omega Estimated Delivery Date is a Shopify shipping app that provides accurate delivery date estimates to your customers at checkout.
Best for: Shopify businesses that want to improve customer experience by providing clear delivery expectations.
Why it helps: Reduces customer inquiries about delivery times, boosts sales conversions, and builds trust by setting clear expectations.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.8 ⭐ (272 review)
🔶 Key features:
- DShow estimated delivery dates based on product, collection, vendor, shipping method, zip code, or country.
- Tailor the display of estimated shipping dates on product, cart, and checkout pages.
- Configure cut-off times, holidays, and countdown timers.
- Display dates in visitors’ local time zones.
- Create general and specific rules for products, collections, or vendors.
- Ensure optimal display on mobile devices.
- Compatible with various shipping methods and platforms.
🔶 Pricing plans:
- Free Plan
- Standard: $4.99/month
- Pro: $8.99/month
🔶 Pros and cons:
Pros | Cons |
– Affordable – User-friendly interface – Increase conversion rates thank to clear delivery expectations displayed upfront – Responsive and helpful support team – Allows customization of tracking notifications, emails, and tracking pages – Compatible with various eCommerce platforms and carriers – Provides customers with real-time order tracking – Decreases “Where is my order?” inquiries – Enhances post-purchase experience | – Some users find the app complicated to work with initially – A few users mentioned that the dashboard can be confusing at times – Limited default icons, and users expressed a desire for the ability to upload custom icons |
3.6. AfterShip Order Tracking
AfterShip is the best shipping tracking app for Shopify. This tool helps you keep tabs on all your online deliveries, bringing various couriers and order details into one place.
Best for: Online sellers who want to streamline order fulfillment and improve customer experience.
Why it helps: Provides real-time tracking, reduces “where is my order” inquiries, and offers branded tracking pages to boost customer satisfaction.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.8 ⭐ (4,610 reviews)
🔶 Key features:
- Track all shipments in one place
- Send automated email, SMS, and Facebook messenger notifications
- Branded tracking page with product recommendations & social links
- Monitor courier performance, delivery time, and marketing efforts
- Protect your packages with AfterShip® Protection
- Customizable AI-powered delivery estimate widget throughout product detail (PDP) and checkout page
- Branded tracking pages with products recommended personally to boost sales
- Automated email and SMS to diminish complaints and inquiries
- All-in-one shipment dashboard to track order situations and recognize exceptions
- Built-in analytics to get insights into order status and performance
- Multilingual tracking pages & emails
- API and webhooks
- AI product recommendation
- Product/Checkout page EDD
- Advanced analytic reports
- Custom domain for tracking page
🔶 Pricing plans:
- Essentials: $9/month
- Pro: $99/month
- Premium: $199/month
- Enterprise: Custom price
🔶 Pros and cons:
Pros | Cons |
– Robust tracking capabilities – Seamless integration with Shopify – Real-time tracking – Instant notifications – User-friendly interface – Affordable – Customization options – Valuable insights from analytics dashboard – Responsive and helpful customer support team | Expensive (though some users believe it to be worth the money) |
3.7. Packlink PRO Shipping Platform
Packlink PRO is the best shipping app for Shopify with an all-in-one shipping solution for eCommerce businesses.
Best for: Businesses that want to save time and money on shipping.
Why it helps: Streamlines the entire shipping process, from importing orders to printing labels and offering competitive rates from various carriers. This reduces costs, saves time, and improves customer experience.
🔶 Shopify rating: 4.6 ⭐ (947 reviews)
🔶 Key features:
- Automatically syncs and updates Shopify and marketplace orders
- Access exclusive national and international shipping rates from over 30 carriers
- Automate order import, label printing, and picking & packing processes
- Offer a variety of carriers and delivery options to customers at checkout
- Manage all shipments from a single control panel
- Options for home delivery, same-day delivery, and evening delivery
🔶 Pricing plans: Free to install
🔶 Pros and cons:
Pros | Cons |
– Competitive shipping prices – Variety of courier options – Time-saving automation features – Responsive customer service, including dedicated account managers – Easy to use | – Shopify integration limitations – Occasional errors in package weights with Mondial Relay – Packlink has been known to debit accounts and then reimburse users, causing a waste of time |
4. Conclusion
eComStart has walked you through the 7 best shipping apps for Shopify, which can boost your Shopify business in many ways. They streamline workflows, cut costs, and ensure transparent delivery for happy customers.
So, take charge of your shipping now! Explore different shipping apps to find the perfect fit for your needs and budget. The right app can boost efficiency, increase profits, and keep customers satisfied. Invest in a shipping app today and you will see your business thrive.
5. FAQs
Yes, in many cases, shipping apps can offer discounted rates with carriers. They negotiate bulk discounts based on the high volume of shipments they manage. These discounts can range from a small percentage to significant savings depending on the app, your shipping volume, and the carrier.
Shipping apps can simplify international shipping by:
– Integrating with multiple international carriers: They allow you to compare rates and services from different carriers for international destinations.
– Automating customs forms: Some apps can pre-populate customs forms based on your order information, saving you time and reducing errors.
– Providing landed cost estimates: They can estimate the total cost of shipping, including duties and taxes, so you can set accurate shipping prices.
Some shipping apps offer features to help manage returns and exchanges. These may include:
– Generating return labels: You can easily create pre-paid return labels for your customers.
– Tracking returns: You can track the progress of returned shipments.
– Return portal: Some apps offer a return portal where customers can initiate returns and print labels on their own.
Many shipping apps integrate with multiple sales channels, such as Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon. This allows you to manage your shipping from one centralized location, regardless of where the order originated. The app will pull your order information from each channel and use it to calculate shipping rates and generate labels.
Shipping apps can automate many tedious tasks involved in shipping, such as:
– Order importing: Automatically import orders from your sales channels.
– Rate calculation: Automatically calculate shipping rates for each order based on weight, dimensions, and destination.
– Label generation: Automatically generate shipping labels once you’ve selected a shipping option.
– Packing slips and invoices: Automatically generate packing slips and invoices to include with your shipments.
There are a few ways to ensure accurate shipping rates at checkout:
– Live carrier rates: Some apps integrate with carriers to display live shipping rates during checkout.
– Weight and dimension rules: Set up rules in the app that adjust shipping rates based on the weight and dimensions of your products.
– Free shipping thresholds: Offer free shipping above a certain order value and set shipping rules accordingly in the app.