Best Shipping Software
Looking for shipping software to ship a large number of orders at a faster rate? GoodFirms has listed the best shipping software that will help you achieve this goal cost-efficiently. Whether you are looking for a small business shipping management software solution or an enterprise-level shipping system, we have got everything covered for you. GoodFirms rankings and genuine client reviews will help you find the right shipping platforms for your business. So, just explore below our top software recommendations from the shipping industry to pick the best fit for your business:
List of the Top Shipping Software with Reviews
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The eModal Community Portal (eCP) provides a single, centralized information hub and execution platform that drives transparency, collaboration and increased efficiency to all port stakeholders. By integrating key data and process automation capabilities into a modern, secure SaaS solution, the eModal Community Portal delivers the information and services truckers, shippers, agents and other port ... read more about eModal
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus20% in Shipping Software -
Logistyx Technologies is the leader in transportation management for parcel shipping, providing an unmatched global multi-carrier network, predictive analytics and full visibility into customer deliveries. Our software boosts parcel shipping efficiencies and other business KPIs for the world’s top manufacturers, retailers and logistics providers. ... read more about Logistyx Technologies
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus33% in Shipping Software -
project44's ecosystem of intelligent web-service APIs eliminates the need for legacy communication tools like EDI and delivers the systems infrastructure required for IoT-based predictive analytics. With project44, retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, 3PLs and transportation providers are able to communicate critical data with the rest of their supply chain in an automated, real-time manner. ... read more about project44
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus33% in Shipping Software -
Intra is an ever-evolving platform built and continually engineered for the people tasked with the often-thankless work that makes campuses, facilities, and auxiliary services run. We talk to our users daily. It’s these conversations, equaling hundreds of man years of listening, that fuel Intra’s development, refinement, and continuous innovation. As we evaluate new platforms, devices, and way ... read more about Intra
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus25% in Shipping Software -
CargoWise is a powerful, deeply integrated global platform that makes trade easy. It helps logistics companies manage seismic changes in global trade, from increasing tariffs, regulation and taxes, to surging ecommerce volumes and margin pressures. An integral link in the global supply chain, CargoWise enables you to execute highly complex logistics transactions and manage your operations on ... read more about CargoWise
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus33% in Shipping Software -
Distributing more than 6 million parcels on its own carrier contracts every year, Parcelhub’s free multi-carrier shipping software grants hundreds of national and global businesses access to ‘pooled volume’ discounted rates from its carefully selected range of carrier partners, including Yodel, Hermes, DPD, DHL, UPS, DX, Parcelforce, CollectPlus, SkyNet, ArrowXL, Interpost, Panther Logist ... read more about Parcelhub
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus33% in Shipping Software -
Scurri provides software that connects and optimises the eCommerce ordering, shipping, and delivery process. We talk about ‘connecting commerce’ because Scurri adds value at multiple stages along the eCommerce journey. From selecting the most effective delivery option for each package to providing tracking from despatch to delivery, Scurri enables eCommerce merchants to confidently scale and r ... read more about Scurri
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus33% in Shipping Software -
Founded in Sydney, Australia during May 2014 Shippit launched in February 2015. From humble beginnings working with a handful of fashion and homeware boutiques in Sydney’s famous Surry Hills, Shippit now powers delivery for hundreds of retailers across Australia sending thousands of deliveries every single month. Our software is trusted by retailers of all sizes and formats. Find out more about ... read more about Shippit
Entry Level Price$19 Per MonthFree TrialN/ACategory Focus33% in Shipping Software -
Throughout our history, The Commercial Traffic Company has serviced clients with personalized audit and payment of freight bills. Today's services include AuditPay® (Pre and Post Audit), TranSaver®, FreitRater®, CTLion® and many other third party logistics services tailored to fit the unique needs of each client. Using the resources of our proprietary freight rating and pricing software, we of ... read more about FreitRater
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus50% in Shipping Software -
Small and medium-sized businesses have a unique set of requirements that we’ve designed our SME freight forwarding package around. It includes a base selection of modules that help you streamline your operations, manage processes and keep finances under firm control. In addition to the standard modules, you can add a variety of extra features with our range of add-ons. They include transport ... read more about ForwardOffice
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus50% in Shipping Software -
Whether you're a new client, new recruit, or someone who just Googled "what the heck is firebending," we're glad you landed here. As a proper introduction, our name is Firebend. We don't literally work with fire, but our team does have a wizard-like ability to harness technology and use their unflinching will to accomplish tasks. So, there's that. Firebend isn't a "digital agency" per se. We're ... read more about Freight Genius
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus50% in Shipping Software -
QAD Precision (Precision Software), a division of QAD Inc., (NASDAQ: QADA) (NASDAQ: QADB), provides industry-leading global trade management, transportation execution and multi carrier shipping software solutions from a single, integrated platform. Preeminent industry leaders in every region of the world rely on our global support centers, global carrier network and comprehensive trade compliant d ... read more about PRECISION
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus33% in Shipping Software -
Dispatch Science manages, optimizes and automates all the steps a delivery business needs to get the job done. It supports order-booking, CRM via a self-serve customer web portal, pricing, route optimization, manual and automated dispatching, real-time tracking with predictive ETA notifications, returns management, proof of deliveries, barcode scanning, billing, and driver management with a comple ... read more about Dispatch Science
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree Trial14 DaysCategory Focus20% in Shipping Software -
Profit Tools is an award-winning, #1 provider of Intermodal Transportation Management Solutions. Leading trucking companies rely on Profit Tools every day to run their drayage business, grow profitably and gain a competitive advantage. Transportation software is a tool that increases productivity, and reduces inefficiencies. Discover the money and time saving benefits that Profit Tools will bring ... read more about Profit Tools
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus50% in Shipping Software -
Our SaaS is trusted by the largest forwarders, manufacturers and airports. Use it for sea containers, road trailers, air containers, pallets and breakbulk. With our packlist reader, we are able to parse most Excel lists - no requirement on layout. Easily add cargo specific settings like stackability, allowed rotations, shipment groupings etc. Then, select what kind of equipment you have available. ... read more about Cargo Planner
Entry Level Price$59 Per MonthFree TrialAvailableCategory Focus50% in Shipping Software -
Epay Manager is a web based application that allows transportation companies to send invoices and pay bills electronically. Epay is being used by companies, both large and small, to reduce the cost and improve the efficiency of traditional invoice processing. Many users of Epay Manager take advantage of its innovate payment terms module which allows them to choose from a list of pre-approved early ... read more about Epay Manager
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus50% in Shipping Software -
AscendTMS is the world's most popular TMS because we are just better than everything else. Our number 1 overall ranking on all the major review websites gives you the confidence to know that your TMS software has all the features you need to perform like a rock star. Get LIVE loads from DAT, Truckstop, C.H. Robinson, Cargo Chief, NextLoad, Trucker Tools' Smart Capacity, and many other LIVE load so ... read more about AscendTMS
Entry Level PriceFree versionFree TrialAvailableCategory Focus16% in Shipping Software -
A leading developer of cutting-edge eCommerce software, WebShopApps, the team behind ShipperHQ, has produced a wide range of shipping applications used by tens of thousands of merchants worldwide. Proudly serving businesses of all sizes, our experience and track record has earned us recognition as a Magento Platinum Industry Partner. ... read more about ShipperHQ
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus100% in Shipping Software -
We are a group of geeks who build great automation tools for retailers and shoppers.Provide the best post-purchase experience to drive customer loyalty and additional sales.We are passionate about making eCommerce better. ... read more about AfterShip
Entry Level PriceFree versionFree TrialAvailableCategory Focus50% in Shipping Software -
Work less. Ship more. V-Technologies has been developing integrated multi-carrier shipping software for popular ERPs & accounting platforms since 1989!StarShip shipping software integrates tightly with a wide range of ERP, accounting and eCommerce platforms from QuickBooks to Sage 100 and Dynamics GP to Acumatica and Amazon. It makes the entire shipping process more fluid, plus, it helps your comp ... read more about StarShip
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus50% in Shipping Software -
Our software allows brands to engage with customers from the very first moment to the last, seamlessly.Managing shipments, re-assiging carriers and mitigating delays before they happen is just the begining.With CARRIYO, retailers can now understand how good their last mile really is and how to improve it through ready built reports and analytics. ... read more about CARRIYO
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus50% in Shipping Software -
Cloud-based shipping software for parcel shippers. It's simple, powerful, and scalable to your needs. Get free access to unbeatable rates and ship today!Looking for enterprise solutions? ShipCaddie’s custom API solutions are flexible to organizations of any size and includes WMS and order management integrations as well as custom web stores, marketplaces and shopping carts. Regardless of your ne ... read more about ShipCaddie
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus100% in Shipping Software -
Ritzy Solutions is a software solution provider registered in Victoria, Australia.Ritzy Solutions Pty. Ltd. (ABN 78 146 172 705) is deeply ingrained in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia) and acknowledged for rendering tried-and-true solutions for logistics & freight forwarding system, inventory control & accounting, and real-estate management. We are supported by a team of proficient personnel, who a ... read more about Ritzy Shipping
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree Trial14 DaysCategory Focus100% in Shipping Software -
The world of commerce is changing every day. Today, the buying and selling of goods and services takes place in a borderless, hyper-connected world. To navigate and succeed in this complex world – a world with billions of transactions and zero tolerance for error – you need precision and accuracy. These are the skills of a craftsman, and the proven skills of Pitney Bowes, the Craftsmen of C ... read more about SendPro
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus33% in Shipping Software -
This holiday season, online shopping and shipping numbers are expected to be record-breaking, leaving previous years in the dust. But we're in this together and we're in great shape to deliver for you. Sign up for FedEx Delivery Manager to receive notifications when a package is on its way, tell your FedEx driver where to leave packages at your home, or even submit a request to pickup at a conveni ... read more about FedEx Ship Manager
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus100% in Shipping Software -
ConnectShip brings you top of the line #multicarrier compliance and a comprehensive partner and carrier community. We make #shippingmanagement easy.As we reach this 40-year milestone, we would like to thank everyone who is and has been part of ConnectShip's continued service and success. We hope you have experienced a positive difference because of our work. Enjoy our 40th anniversary video and ce ... read more about ConnectShip ToolKit
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus100% in Shipping Software -
For more than 38 years we have conquered all challenges and provided solutions to many businesses both large and small.Shiptec Systems, Inc. has specialized in the business of developing and selling Shipping Systems since 1980. We are recognized by our customers and competitors as the most innovative producer of Multi Carrier Shipping Systems (UPS, FedEx, USPS, LTL and more) and Warehouse Order Ma ... read more about Shiptec
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus100% in Shipping Software -
Shipping boxes moving on different conveyor beltsShipERP is dedicated to fostering digital supply chain transformation for various companies, from privately held businesses to large, globally located enterprises.What we find common to all our clients is the need to automate and increase efficiencies in business processes. By effectively integrating with enterprise systems to provide real-time info ... read more about ShipERP
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus100% in Shipping Software -
Shipmate Carrier Integration Software and Shipping API is a single point of integration that gives you access to multiple carriers and their delivery services. Shipmate is designed to make multi-carrier integration quick and easy and all under a unified, beautifully designed platform. ... read more about Shipmate
Entry Level PriceContact vendorFree TrialN/ACategory Focus33% in Shipping Software
Buyer’s Guide
Introduction To Buyer’s Guide For Shipping Software
For any business enterprise, delivering products in a cost-effective manner, on-time, and in compliance to local and international regulations is a challenging task. However, by picking up the right shipping software, the organization can mitigate all their shipping related issues and leverage the advantage of smart features like shipment tracking, drop-shipping, intelligent routing, automated print labeling, etc. With the emerging trend of e-commerce business, the modern-day shipping software are also getting advanced in its operation and ensures that they ship efficiently now and well into the future.
Different businesses have different requirements, and filtering out the best shipping software from the pool of shipping software demands a lot of time and research. To save enterprises valuable time behind software selection here is the buyer's guide for shipping software.
This buyer's guide for shipping software is created to help business owners, shippers and third-party logistics understand the important aspects of shipping software, and things to consider while choosing the best shipping software for their business.
What Is Shipping Software?
Shipping Software is a tool that helps businesses to automate and streamline the shipping related activities that includes right from product shipment, generate and print labels, shipment tracking, claiming insurance, till billing and payment.
The advanced shipping software monitors the entire process of goods delivery and ensures it is completed at a scheduled time. Shipping software can immensely help in maintaining a high standard of customer service and operational efficiency. The shipping software can be deployed either as an on-premise solution or as a cloud service; some even prefer using a hybrid version.
Who Needs Shipping Software?
Shipping software spans a wide range of industries, but industries that have a huge demand for shipping software includes;
- E-commerce business
- Manufacturing industry
- Retail Industry
- Third-party logistics and distribution
- Health care sector
Each of these sectors has different shipping needs and they could pick one of the below mentioned shipping software types.
Types Of Shipping Software
- Multi-carrier shipping software: Multi-carrier shipping software enables users to select carriers and prepare documents from a single system. It helps shippers to switch between carriers easily as well as compare carriers to secure the best rates, transit times, and arrival dates. The software is used separately, or it comes bundled with regular shipping software.
- e-Commerce Shipping Software: e-Commerce shipping software is one of the popular shipping software types. It is specially designed for ecommerce business. Most of the ecommerce shipping software has an API that integrates easily with e-Commerce Platforms.
- Shipping Label Software: Shipping label software allows users to create and print shipping labels right from their desktops. Based on the unique details of each shipment, the labels are printed in a specific format. It may sound simple, but export shipping cartons and containers have to follow the strict markings and labelling rules. A small error in printing can block the delivery process. The modern and advanced shipping system software comes with inbuilt labeling features and does not require buying this software separately.
- Freight Management System Software: Freight management is a subset of supply chain management. It allows to rate, book, and track shipments; it is generally used by wholesalers, retailers, distributors, ecommerce organizations, shippers and logistics service providers.
- Shipment Tracking Software: Shipment tracking software tracks customer’s goods continuously and allows customers to view their current status at any time of the day. Besides shipment tracking, the parcel shipping software allows shippers to book containers, manage ocean freight rates, find a specific voyage, submit shipping instructions, compare container rates, etc.
- Freight Broker Software: Freight Broker Software allows brokers to manage customers' freight, invoicing, and paying the carriers.
- Freight Forwarding Software: A freight forwarding software assists freight companies manage cargo and create documentation to move shipments from point A to point Z via a single or multiple carriers. On top of that, it manages CRM, quotes, accounting, etc.
Why Use Shipping Software?
The globalization of the market has bolted the consumers' purchasing power, which results in the growing demand for products and the necessity to fulfill those demands on time. This revolutionary transformation of the business has brought the shipping software trends into action. A shipping management system can easily gel with the current business trend and can meet modern-day consumers' expectations.
- Choice of best carriers: The logistics are no more about delivering an object from point A to B but delivering the goods quickly in a cost-effective way. The shipping software programs give users the flexibility to choose the choice of their carriers that provide faster service at a lower rate.
- Easy documentation: Documentation is the biggest challenge in the traditional shipping techniques; it invariably adds unnecessary cost besides delaying the shipping process. With shipping software programs, most documents are converted to e-copies, and it is easy to store and process. Even small business shipping solutions can facilitate e-documentation and help users to cut costs on paper documents.
- Examining the bottlenecks: Shipping software programs can provide users with the data that point out the existing bottlenecks in the shipping process.
- Laser-sharp accuracy: The parcel shipping software ensures the customer receives the right product at the right location.
- Customer management: The shipping management system enables users to manage customer details and use them for building a long-term relationship. A well-managed customer data helps users identify purchasing trends, categorize customers, and target them with more relevant campaigns.
- Improve product with continuous feedback: The shipping system software can collect continuous feedback from the customers and identify the area for improvements.
- Customization: Some shipping software gives the customization option, and users can configure the features to add more carriers, generate custom reports, and additional tools to streamline the checkout and delivery processes.
Key Integrations To Consider For Shipping Software
- E-commerce platform: Shipping software trends have become quite evident in almost all sectors, especially in the e-commerce business. Shipping software systems that support e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Woocommerce, Magento can make multi-courier shipping effortless and easy. The best shipping software for ecommerce syncs orders from e-commerce platforms to automatically create labels and send the shipment tracking information. To deliver the best customer experience, every online business should be interlaced with the best shipping software for ecommerce.
- Sales Channel: Integrate all your sales channels with shipping software to import your orders and ship them out efficiently.
- Multiple shipping carriers: By integrating multiple shipping carriers with the shipping software, the business owners can ship orders efficiently and effectively. The shipping software for small businesses often comes with the facility to integrate with multiple shipping carriers.
- 3PL tool: The shipping software integrated with the 3PL tool can save time for users chasing down quotes for shipping carriers.
- Accounting: By integrating accounting tools with shipping software, the business owner can eliminate the need to enter manual journal entries. The users can manage everything from revenue and expenses to sales tax right through their shipping software.
- Online Payment: The shipping software supporting various payments API can make it easy for shippers to release payments while bypassing the traditional banking system.
- Marketplaces: The growing trend of e-commerce business and drop-shipping demands to connect the users with some leading online marketplace like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, etc.
How Does Shipping Software Supplement Other Needs?
Holistic shipping software embedded with other tools like warehouse management or inventory management increases the efficiency of the shipping process, and users do not have to buy that software separately. Such software can supplement actions like;
- Email Marketing: The shipping software with an email marketing tool can overcome the hassle of managing extra tools and remembering the payment date. Besides that, syncing and managing customer contact through a marketing tool becomes relatively easy.
- Inventory management: Top shipping software comes with an inbuilt inventory management system. Inventory management involves three main components - product management, supplier management, and purchase order management. The best shipping platform allows users to track all the inventory behind the scenes, fulfill the orders and restock products. It also automatically updates and syncs product quantities across each of its sales and suppliers channels.
- Shipping Insurance: The shipping industry is well aware of the risk associated with freight transportation, and therefore it is necessary to ensure they have proper insurance coverage. The shipping software solutions partner with insurance companies to provide the best and discounted insurance coverage to their customers.
- Warehouse management: There is a direct correlation between inventory, warehouse, and shipping. The warehouse system embedded with parcel shipping software can lead to an improved shipping process.
- Drop-shipping: Drop-shipping features with shipping software enable users to process drop-ship orders from multiple channels.
- Barcode scanning: A shipping app with barcode scanners enables workers to scan product barcodes through mobile phones. It can document damaged or absent shipments in real-time.
- Lead Management: Some online shipping software solutions allow storing customer and customer interactions, which can be accessed by different departments within the company. It can be used to categorize the potential customer based on their shipment history.
Benefits Of Shipping Software
- Fast shipping and fulfillment process: Efficient shipping software solutions can move orders in less time with high accuracy. It helps to speed-up the shipping process.
- Reduce inbound queries Real-time shipment confirmation sent to customers keeps them informed and reduces the customer queries.
- Automating repetitive tasks: Automation can take away a lot of burden from the business of performing repetitive tasks.
- Compare rates: The shipping management software integrated with multiple carriers allow users to compare the rates and services and choose as per need. Besides that, the customers have more flexibility in delivery options like pick-up/drop-off options.
- Reporting: The shipping solution with detailed analytics and reporting options can help business owners to make better decisions as they can analyze important metrics on products, customers, geographies, carriers, etc.
- Intelligent routing and reduce freight cost: A multi-carrier shipping solution can help in smart routing, which helps to reduce transportation costs. It also reduces the labor cost invested in managing the warehouse system.
- Integration with third-party tools: The shipping management software supporting third-party software widens the scope of software usability. The business owners can manage their accounts, tax, sales, and various other processes with their shipping solution.
- Bulk printing options: The shipping software gives the flexibility to print hundreds of packing slips and shipping labels with one click.
- Return management: Whether returning a single product or a bulk order, the process is a tedious task. It involves a lot of documentation, and sometimes, it can take weeks or months to settle the number of return goods. The best shipping platform with simple return policies can pace up the goods returning process and settle the amount quickly.
- Integrated Audit Trail: Shipping software with an integrated audit trail is useful in analyzing all the transactions in detail like Shipment carrier, origin, past and present order, etc.
What Are The Essential Features One Must Look For In Shipping Software?
- Bulk printing options
- Customizable labels ( reprint shipping labels)
- Easy return management process
- Reporting tools
- Robust data security
- Automated billing and payment
- Auto-updates and notifications
- Search shipments by shipping carrier
- Compare rates across shipping carrier
- User-level permissions and restrictions
- Multi-channel orders shipping
- Scan signature
All the above-mentioned features of shipping software can give shippers a bird eye view over the software selection, but there are few tips that further help users to filter the best shipping software. Read the following segments for the same.
Tips To Choose The Right Shipping Software
- List the requirements: Listing the requirements is a pre-requisite step to choose the right shipping software. As a shipping solution seeker, you need to prepare a checklist of all the business requirements and then analyze which shipping management software is relevant to the requirements. They can also opt for shipping software comparison.
- Pricing: Shipping software gives many options on the pricing based on the features and shipping capacity. However, the users have to ensure while buying shipping software that there are no hidden charges for the software. The shippers can also ask for an additional discount based on the volume and frequency of the shipments.
- API access: If a business has specific shipping requirements, then the business owner can use shipping software with API access. Many shipping software offers access to the shipping API to customize the software as per the business needs.
- Real-time rates: The shipping software should allow business owners to calculate shipping rates by integrating directly with the shipping companies. Shipping carriers can also offer a real-time rate.
- Carrier stability: While choosing the carrier for shipping, users should ensure that it integrates well with the shipping software and consistent in its services.
- Integrations: Top shipping software supports seamless integration of 3rd party tools. It is essential that the shipping software integrates well with leading accounting software, e-commerce store, payment software, and shipping carriers for its smooth functioning.
- Handling international shipping: If the business is operating worldwide, the business owners should ensure that the shipping management system is capable of calculating all the duties and taxes for international shipments, including generating customs forms and other required documents.
- User-friendly interface: A user-friendly interface is one of the key traits of the best shipping platform. It allows users to quickly move around various functions and use them effortlessly. A complicated interface can put off users easily, no matter how much effort it took to build the software, especially when it is e-commerce shipping software.
- Plugin-support: If the user is using online shipping software, then it is critical to identify the plugin-support too. For instance, certain online shipping software supports a plug-in that displays the calculated rates at the store checkout. It helps customers to see the cost of the shipment without having to contact shippers for a quote.
- Automation: Make sure the shipping software allows setting up automatic rules for various shipping related works like printing labels or automatically emailing customers about the product delivery. The small business shipping solutions may not come with full automation features.
- Security and data recovery: Top shipping software comes with an automatic data backup and recovery facility. Also, make sure the software has robust security features and data access on a permission basis.
- Manipulate order data: Efficient shipping system software should allow the users to make changes to the order data right from the selling platform. Besides that, it should route orders to the preferred fulfillment process and shipping selections.
- Fulfillment from multiple locations: If the business owner is dealing with multiple fulfillment locations, then it is favorable to choose the best shipping software that automatically routes the order to the right location. Not just route the order, but it should also enable real-time tracking of orders throughout the fulfillment process.
Future Trends That Can Enhance The Shipping Processes
- Voice assistant: Some of the shipping software has already integrated the voice assistant like Alexa in their software to get order information, pick lists, and batch print labels. So far, its applications have minimal use, but this can be used on a large scale in the future.
- Blockchain technology: Due to the open ledger system, blockchain technology promises complete transparency of the transaction. It also makes it the most secure place to store confidential data. In the coming days, blockchain technology could be used for drafting third party contracts and compliances involved in the shipping process.
- Autonomous vehicle: The future of shipping will include large autonomous trucks, ships, and drones. These vehicles are linked with powerful sensors (IoT) and AI technology that will further improve the business supply efficiency and provide the data set that was previously hard to fetch. The autonomous vehicle can save time and cost on shipping by calculating the fastest route to the delivery place.
- Digital Twins: Digital twins allow companies to create a virtual replica of the products or processes, which in turn, helps to anticipate errors based on past data and optimize operations. In the shipment sector, the digital twin can be used to replicate the existing process and identify potential weaknesses in it. For instance, the business owner can learn how different packaging can affect a particular product and steps to minimize the damage to the product.
- Augmented Intelligence: Augmented intelligence can be used in various ways to optimize shipping functions. It can handle complex processes such as optimal carrier selection or helping shipping companies calculate fuel consumption on the trip. It may completely change the shipping software trends.
- Enhanced GPS technology: GPS technology is already used by logistics services to track goods delivery and route delivery. In the future, this technology will be equipped with a live feed of the traffic data and accurate geo-positioning.
What Is The Average Cost Of Shipping Software?
The average cost of shipping software lies anywhere in between $9/month - $349/month or more. The huge variation in the shipping software pricing may be because the software comes either as standalone software or as an enterprise solution bundled with Inventory Management Solution, Warehouse Management Solution, or Logistic solutions.
Shipping software for small business or start-ups: The low range software is usually standalone shipping software, and it is ideal for small organizations dealing with limited numbers of shipments and does not have advanced features requirement like support for automatic label generation, fulfillment & drop shipping, or e-commerce integration. Shipping software for a small business like ShipStation and StorePep with a starting price of $9/month could be a good choice for start-ups or beginners. However, the price may rise as users add more features to it. ShipStation offers a 30-day free trial, whereas Storepep offers a 14 days free trial option. These tools may get through the user’s expectation looking for the best shipping company for small business.
Shipping Software for mid-sized and large enterprises: The medium-range shipping software with the full range of functionality is ideal for mid-size and large enterprises. The users can scale up their software features as per their requirements. It enables users to take complete control over their freight delivery and all other tasks related to it. Tools like Orderhive with a starting price of $44.99/month is an all-purpose tool for managing inventory, ordering, and shipping goods. The tool stands-out well as the best shipping software for ecommerce with its advanced features like shipping workflow automation and multi-channel order shipping. The tool offers a 15 days free trial on all its variants; however, Shopify users can have the leverage of using the tool for completely free. The other tools like Multiorders with a starting price of €45/month and Ordero with $59/month equally equip users with a comprehensive shipping solution.
If you are looking for a shipping software that can offer a comprehensive insight about their shipments on a granular level, then a premium range of shipping software is perfect. The premium range tools offer advanced features like automated order splitting, smart replenishment reports, and geo-routing. Tools like Freightview come with a starting price of $99/month and go up to $599/month as per user requirements, whereas iLobby Delivers is available at a starting price of $199/month. Both tools offer free trial options.
Apart from the above-mentioned options, the best free and open source shipping software can help business owners to tap on the evolving shipping software trends and explore its true capabilities without any investment.
Why refer to GoodFirms' list of best Shipping Software?
GoodFirms is a popular review and rating platform for IT solutions. It has been listing various software products to help the organization improve its efficiency and fine-tune its existing process. The products listed by GoodFirms are reliable and are specifically prepared by the experts with several years of experience. The software products are listed based on the pricing, features, and usability. The transparent rating system followed by GoodFirms allows consumers to analyze and pick a reliable product all under one roof.
Conclusion
The evolving trend of businesses from traditional brick and mortar to an online store has forced business owners to administer fast product delivery and better customer service. Holistic shipping software could be the answer to all their worries. Before finalizing the shipping software for your business, do not fail to check the comprehensive list of the best shipping software.
Comparison of Shipping Software: ShipStation vs. PostalMate vs. QuickBooks Shipping Manager vs. Starshipit vs. ShipWorks
Feature | ShipStation | PostalMate | QuickBooks Shipping Manager | Starshipit | ShipWorks |
Target Audience | Small & medium businesses, high-volume shippers | Small businesses, individual sellers | Small businesses | Small & medium businesses, high-volume shippers | Small & medium businesses, enterprises |
Pricing | Subscription-based (starts at $29/month) | Subscription-based (starts at $19/month) | Included in QuickBooks Desktop or Enterprise | Subscription-based (starts at $29/month) | Subscription-based (starts at $49/month) |
Ease of Use | Easy to use, intuitive interface | Moderately complex | Easy to use, integrates with QuickBooks | Moderately complex | Moderate learning curve, powerful features |
Scalability | Highly scalable | Moderately scalable | Limited scalability | Highly scalable | Highly scalable |
Features | Multi-carrier shipping, label printing, order fulfillment, inventory management | Discounted USPS rates, international shipping, insurance | Multi-carrier shipping, discounted rates, label printing, basic inventory management | Multi-carrier shipping, automated workflows, international shipping, inventory management | Multi-carrier shipping, advanced fulfillment features, EDI integration, reporting |
Integrations | Hundreds of marketplaces, shopping carts, and other business systems | Limited integrations | Integrates with other QuickBooks products | Wide range of integrations, including marketplaces, shopping carts, and accounting software | Extensive integrations with marketplaces, shopping carts, accounting software, and other business systems |
Cost of Ownership | Low to moderate | Moderate | Free with QuickBooks subscription | Moderate | Moderate to high |
Free Trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Support and Training | Provides comprehensive support options including phone, email, and live chat support, as well as training resources and webinars. | Offers basic customer support via phone or email, with limited training resources. | Basic customer support included with QuickBooks subscription plans, with limited training resources. | Provides dedicated support teams, training programs, and online resources. | Offers phone, email, and live chat support, as well as training resources and webinars. |