ShipStation Review: Is It Right for Your Business in 2022?

ShipStation is a fulfillment and shipping platform that enables businesses to import and manage orders. It integrates with a large number of shopping carts, marketplaces, carrier accounts, and other ecommerce tools. It’s available on your browser or the ShipStation mobile app.

The software’s shipment management features allow users to rate-shop for the best shipping cost, and it provides discounted USPS rates. Other services include inventory management features and automation capabilities. ShipStation offers paid plans ranging from $9 to $159 a month.

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When to Use ShipStation

ShipStation works to streamline your order fulfillment by integrating with other tools, managing orders, comparing rates, and handling the details of shipping. It’s recommended for ecommerce businesses, and has features that appeal to mid- and high-volume shippers.

In particular, we recommend ShipStation for:

• Growing in-house ecommerce fulfillment operations: ShipStation offers more pre-built integrations than any other shipping software on the market, is one of the only software to offer on-the-go-use from a mobile app, and offers deeply discounted shipping rates. The software also integrates with a number of fulfillment centers, which creates the ability to scale business solutions as you grow and lends to a smooth migration process should you choose to outsource fulfilment in the future.
• International sellers: ShipStation is compatible with more freight companies and international carriers than any other shipping software we evaluated. This provides an advantage for merchants frequently shipping orders to various countries.
• Ecommerce sellers handling a high volume of returns: ShipStation has a sophisticated branded returns portal that allows customers to initiate and complete their own returns online according to your pre-set parameters. This hands-off approach saves time for retailers handing lots of returns and is user-friendly for customers.

When to Use an Alternative

• Dropshippers: It’s possible to manage dropshipped orders through ShipStation by granting your suppliers an account with modified user permissions. That being said, this workaround isn’t nearly as functional as a platform built for direct vendor connectivity, such as Ordoro.
• Users seeking a starter plan: ShipStation doesn’t offer a free plan, and the lowest-level paid plan is somewhat limited. We recommend using OrderCup’s free starter plan to ship a small number of parcels or test shipping software’s fit for your operation.
• Small-scale sellers and startups: For the price, ShipStation’s features and integrations benefit mid-level businesses more so than young ventures. If you’re looking for an affordable shipping solution for a startup or small business, we recommend ShippingEasy, which offers better discounts, pricing, and customer service—plus an advanced marketing add-on to build your customer base.

How ShipStation Compares to Other Shipping Solutions

ShipStation Overview

In our evaluation of the best shipping solutions, ShipStation scored 3.81 out of 5. It was awarded points for its functionality and impressive features—particularly its inventory and order management capabilities and available integrations.

The software was mainly docked for its ease of use, which has room for improvement. It’s customer support is highly criticized, and the platform experiences frequent technical issues.

Despite these drawbacks, ShipStation is a powerful shipping solution.

ShipStation Compatible Carriers

ShipStation’s carrier integrations are best-in-class. The software is compatible with the following carriers:

• UPS
• FedEx
• USPS
• LSO
• DHL eCommerce
• DCL Logistics
• Parcel Technology Solutions
• Rakuten Super Logistics
• Newsgistics
• Access Worldwide
• OnTrac
• IMEX Global Solutions
• FirstMile
• Globegistics
• APC
• Ascendia USA
• DHL Express UK
• DHL Express Australia
• DHL Express Canada
• UPS Canada
• UPS Australia
• DHL Express
• UPS UK
• RR Donnelley
• Fulfillment BY Amazon
• Australia Post
• Sendle
• Stamps.com
• Purolator
• Canada Post
• FedEx UK
• FedEx Canada
• DPD UK
• Parcelforce Worldwide
• Hermes UK
• Royal Mail

ShipStation Integrations

ShipStation offers more pre-built integrations than any other shipping software on the market, which comes in handy for midsize or expanding companies.

Here’s a complete list of ShipStation’s current direct integrations (note that some integrations are considered premium and will incur a charge):

Ecommerce platforms and carts

Marketplaces

Order and inventory management

Listing and multichannel management

Other ecommerce tools

Fulfillment and logistics

Accounting and ERP

Agencies and solutions providers

ShipStation Pricing

ShipStation offers six paid plans ranging from a minimal Starter plan to a high-volume Enterprise plan. The primary differences between each program are the number of monthly shipments, user account allowance, customer support accessibility, and branding options.

There’s no contract required to use ShipStation, so you can cancel or switch plans at any time.

All accounts have an unlimited store/sales channel allowance, and additional users can be added a la carte for $5/month.

Starter plan users can only contact customer support through email or a community forum—slightly better than ShippingEasy’s limited starter plan. Bronze, Silver, and Gold members have access to live chat, but phone support is only available to Platinum and Enterprise customers.

Another restriction on the software’s low-level plans is access to customized labels and packing slips. Starter and Bronze plan subscribers can apply their own branding to these deliverables in the form of a single logo—but Silver plan users and above have access to more comprehensive customization.

For high-volume shippers processing more than 10,000 shipments per month, custom pricing is available.

ShipStation promises to charge no additional fees outside of the subscription cost—except in the case of premium integrations, which includes Amazon SFP (Seller Fulfilled Prime).

Discounted Shipping Rates

All ShipStation users receive USPS Commercial Plus rates, discounted UPS rates, DHL Express Worldwide Shipping Discounts, and savings on shipping insurance.

ShipStation Features

ShipStation’s core features include order management, providing standard features such as batch processing, CSV entry, customizable grouping, split/combine functions, and more.

It also comes with inventory management capabilities—such as catalog support, stock allocation, inventory alerts, and syncing—as well as the ability to customize labels, packing slips, outbound emails, and tracking pages.

Here are some of the additional features that set ShipStation apart from its competitors:

Rate Comparison Tool

ShipStation’s shipping calculator also functions as a rate-shopping tool by comparing a wide variety of shipping options.

The tool is well-developed and intuitive, and allows users to toggle between different carriers and methods for each parcel. All rates displayed are up-to-date and accurate—meaning the rate you choose is exactly what you’ll be charged. If available, delivery estimates will also be shown.

An example of shipping rate comparison using ShipStation’s calculator tool
(Source: ShipStation)

The software will only display rates from carriers you’ve integrated and connected to your account. But, as explained above, ShipStation integrates with more carriers than any other shipping solution available.

Returns Management

ShipStation’s advanced returns management features create a significant edge over other shipping solutions.

It’s main offering is a branded returns portal, which saves time by allowing your customers to perform self-service returns on your site.

• Order retrieval
• Return reason
• Authorization

From the customer’s perspective, ShipStation’s returns portal begins with an order lookup field. This feature, as well as the rest of the portal, can be customized.
(Source: ShipStation)

The customer’s order appears with the option to select quantity and reason for return.
(Source: ShipStation)

The return is authorized by preset configurations defined by you. The customer is given confirmation and instructions on how to proceed with the return.
(Source: ShipStation)

ShipStation allows users to generate return labels through USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL ecommerce. The action can be automated—so customers can complete a return without having to contact you—or done on-demand.

ShipStation supports scan-based labels (also known as pay-on-use returns, or POUR labels), so you can provide customers with convenient shipping without the risk of paying for unused labels.

Automation

Mobile App

ShipStation is one of the only shipping software providers that offers on-the-go use from a mobile app.

Users report that the platform is easier to manage on a computer screen, but ShipStation Mobile allows you to quickly check inventory levels, manage orders, and make shipments from your phone.

The app also delivers push notifications for urgent events (such as low inventory alerts) and functions as a barcode scanner.

ShipStation’s mobile app retrieving an order from a scanned barcode
(Source: ShipStation)

Reporting

ShipStation Ease of Use

ShipStation is easy to use—as long as you’re on a high-tier subscription plan.

Its customizable user interface and device connectivity make the platform practical and accessible to all subscribers. But the customer service limitations on the Starter plan create substantial difficulty.

Here are the factors that play into ShipStation’s ease of use:

• Customer Support
• Peripheral Hardware
• Online Resources
• Customization

ShipStation’s support staff is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Central time.

Phone support is only available to top-tier Enterprise plan users, and chat support is available with Bronze plans and higher. Service from these contact methods is highly rated by users, but email and forum responses are much less satisfactory.

Starter plan users are limited to receiving support through forum and email communication only. The ShipStation website states, “Email response times may exceed one business day,” and online reviews claim that this service is very poor.

Starter-level subscribers describe ShipStation’s customer service as being difficult, robotic, and impossible to reach an actual human.

Like ShippingEasy, ShipStation has its own proprietary app for connecting peripheral devices.

ShipStation Connect is a downloaded application that serves as a bridge between your ShipStation account and the following devices:

• Thermal printers
• Laser printers
• HID-compliant USB scales
• Barcode scanners

The app is accessible from mobile devices and can be used in conjunction with automation rules.

To aid new users in conquering its learning curve, ShipStation has a supply of online resources available:

• Integrations help guide
• Workflow guide library
• Troubleshooting guide
• Mobile help guide
• FAQ hub
• Community forum
• YouTube tutorials
• Webinar collection

The software interface allows a number of customization options to meet each user’s workflow needs. This feature is especially helpful for ecommerce beginners or users migrating from a different software.

Once configured, multiple customization presets can be saved to your account and accessed at any time.

ShipStation’s sidebar can be toggled to match your shipping workflow.
(Source: ShipStation)

These elements of the web app can be customized:

• Grid columns: These elements can be rearranged to configure custom Orders, Shipments, Products, and Customers dashboards.
• Shipping sidebar sections: The sections in your shipping sidebar—such as Items, Notes, Recipient, and Summary—can be rearranged into any sequence you prefer.
• Hotkeys: Assign shipping presets to hotkeys of your choosing.
• Time, date, and measurement options: Users can change the format for time and date, as well as switch between imperial or metric units.

Additionally, ShipStation will soon allow users to change the user interface language from English to French or Spanish.

ShipStation Alternatives

What ShipStation Users Think

ShipStation’s overall ratings are high across most app stores and software review sites. The company’s mobile app has a positive score as well, with over 50,000 downloads on Google Play.

Many favorable reviews mention ShipStation’s functional interface and plentiful integrations. Reviewers frequently cite using the software to ship 200+ orders per day—making it clear that ShipStation is highly effective for midsize companies.

Multiple reviews state that the platform is “great when it works and support isn’t needed;” customer service is a consistent pain point across neutral and negative reviews from starter-level subscribers.

While the software has an abundance of positive ratings, the negative feedback is deeply opinionated—and much of it has been left within the past 12 months. Dissatisfied users report the web app being glitchy and slow with frequent bugs, and technical support maintaining a dismissive attitude toward the issues.

Other negative reviews describe the platform as a “nightmare” for accountants. These users report missing functionality from certain key accounting integrations, like the ability to work freely with order data points and enable automations.

• Capterra: 4.7/5 from about 750 reviews
• Shopify App Store: 4.3/5 from ‎530+ reviews
• G2: 4.4/5 from more than 140 reviews

Bottom Line

Shipping software is a must-have for ecommerce businesses, especially those performing fulfillment in-house.

ShipStation is a powerful tool for managing shipments, orders, and inventory—but it’s a better choice for mid- to high-volume shippers than small-scale sellers and startups.

For sellers with low sales volume, we recommend ShippingEasy. But if you’re shipping at least 500+ orders per month, ShipStation’s Bronze plan (or higher) is a worthy investment.

Visit ShipStation

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