When you’re in the e-commerce game, shipping is a big deal. Not just the act of shipping, but the whole process behind it. So, I thought I’d give a little rundown of some of the top shipping software platforms out there, all based on what they’re best at, and some things to think about when choosing. 

The main features of the following platforms are that they allow businesses to integrate multiple selling platforms and manage multiple carriers from a singular platform. This not only streamlines the shipping process but also facilitates rate comparisons, potentially reducing shipping costs. Another notable feature is their ability to generate shipping labels effortlessly. 

Things you might need to consider when choosing the right software for you are: price, integration options (including marketplace, website or shipping companies), expected volume of sales, features, add ons and customer service. 

Shipstation (Best for Custom Branding/Personalisation)

Shipstation is probably the most well known of the shipping programs and offers everything you could ask of a software platform. They offer branded tracking and shipping notifications alongside inventory management. Unfortunately they are based in the US and don’t offer phone support unless you are on one of their highest pricing tiers (£175/mth +)

Trial available? Yes – 30 days

Cloud based? Yes

Pricing From £25 per month (plus the price of shipping labels)

Contract No

Veeqo (Best for Inventory Management)

Veeqo is renowned for its capability to synchronise inventory across all sales channels in real time. This functionality ensures that sellers avoid the pitfalls of overselling. On larger plans you also get a free scanner for pick and packing. A common misconception of Veeqo is that you need it to qualify for Amazon Buy Box, but this is not the case. In fact you can sell your products on Amazon and use any of the other shipping software programs by connecting them to Amazon directly. The downside of Veeqo is that it can be overly complicated and the setup process is lengthy. 

Trial available? N/A

Cloud based? Yes

Pricing Free (you only pay for what you send)

Contract No

Shipmate (Best for brick and mortar stores)

Shipmate offers personalised shipping notifications and tracking. It’s great for businesses with low shipping volumes, Unfortunately Shipmate doesn’t integrate with marketplaces such as Etsy, Amazon or eBay and only works with WooCommerce, Facebook and Shopify Stores. It is designed for deliveries to originate at one or a small number of source locations, such as warehouses or bricks and mortar stores using your own carrier accounts

Trial available? Only on request to check functionality

Cloud based? Yes

Pricing Starts at £49 per month

Contract 12 months

Scurri (Best for Analytics)

One of Scurri’s standout features is its analytics capability, providing businesses with valuable insights into shipping performance and associated costs. The downside is that you have to have your own accounts with the shipping providers you want to use, so this eliminates some of the time and money saving benefits. Another thing to note is that the website is pretty slow to load and the user interface feels outdated. Their onboarding process can take 1-2 months so if you’re in a hurry to get started, this one’s not for you. 

Trial available? No

Cloud based? Yes

Pricing Only available on request 

Contract 12 months

Despatch Cloud (Best for Returns)

Despatch Cloud boasts a Returns Portal, designed to streamline the returns process for customers, thereby enhancing their overall experience. It is suitable for larger scale businesses needing an advanced warehouse management service. The downside of Despatch Cloud is you have to use ‘credits’ to use their address finder (putting the postcode in first to bring up the rest of the address) so if you don’t want to pay for this then manual input can be time consuming. Their pricing structure is also complicated as you have to pay for each individual element of the service. £175 extra for returns portal and £350 for Inventory Management 

Trial available? Yes

Cloud based? Yes

Pricing Free without tracking or £49 with tracking 

Contract 12 months

Mintsoft (Best for offering the most Integration Options)

Mintsoft offers more integrations than any other software platform so this would be suitable for anyone using lesser known shipping or shopping cart providers. There is no free trial but you can book a free demo before you decide to go ahead. Unfortunately, more recent reviews suggest that their customer service is lacking. That aside, they offer a pretty comprehensive solution that would cover most business needs. 

Trial available? No 

Cloud based? Yes

Pricing From £159 per month

Contract? 12 months 

My Boost Portal (Best for Small Business based on price and ease of use)

Boost offers a free platform where you only pay for what you send. In addition to this, you don’t need to have your own accounts with the shipping companies you want to use. You can access discounted shipping rates through their partnerships with the main UK carriers or you can plug in your own. This is a no frills approach to shipping software and offers integrations with the big players like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shopify, Royal Mail & Parcelforce. The cons of this service is that it might not be suitable for delivering certain products, such as perishable (food) items. They also don’t offer a full inventory management solution, although this is in the pipeline. 

Trial available? N/A (free)

Cloud based? Yes

Pricing Free (with no limitations)

Contract No

In conclusion, while each of these platforms offers a unique set of tools designed to streamline shipping for multi-channel sellers, the choice largely depends on a business’s specific needs, scale, and preferred integrations. Taking the time to assess these factors, perhaps through a trial or demo and by considering user reviews, will provide valuable insights and ensure the chosen platform aligns perfectly with a business’s objectives.