Why Small Businesses Need Shipping Software
If you're still manually creating shipping labels through carrier websites, you're wasting valuable time and money. Modern shipping software can save small businesses 20-50% on shipping costs through discounted carrier rates, while automating the entire label creation and tracking process.
In this guide, we'll compare the top shipping software platforms specifically from a small business perspective, focusing on ease of use, affordability, and the features that matter most when you're shipping under 1,000 packages per month.
Our Top 5 Picks
1. Pirate Ship - Best Free Option
Pirate Ship is the clear winner for small businesses on a tight budget. It's 100% free with no monthly fees, no per-label charges, and no markup on carrier rates. You get the cheapest possible USPS and UPS rates with zero overhead.
Best for: Businesses shipping under 200 packages/month who primarily use USPS and UPS.
2. Shippo - Best Pay-Per-Label
Shippo's free plan charges just $0.05 per label with no monthly minimum. This makes it perfect for businesses with variable shipping volumes. You also get access to up to 90% off USPS rates and a clean, intuitive interface.
Best for: Startups and businesses with variable or growing shipping volumes.
3. ShipStation - Best for Growth
ShipStation's Starter plan at $9.99/month provides 50 shipments and access to their powerful platform. As your business grows, you can seamlessly upgrade to handle thousands of shipments with automation and multi-channel support.
Best for: Businesses planning to scale and needing advanced features like automation rules.
4. Easyship - Best for International
If you ship internationally, Easyship is worth considering. They pre-calculate duties and taxes, offer 250+ courier solutions, and provide transparent landed cost calculations.
Best for: Businesses with significant international shipping needs.
5. ShipBob - Best for Outsourced Fulfillment
If you'd rather not handle shipping at all, ShipBob provides full third-party fulfillment. They store your inventory and handle the entire pick, pack, and ship process.
Best for: Businesses shipping 200+ orders/month who want to outsource logistics.
How to Choose
Consider these factors when selecting shipping software:
- Volume: How many packages do you ship per month?
- Budget: Can you afford a monthly subscription, or do you need free/pay-per-use?
- Carriers: Do you need just USPS/UPS, or also FedEx and DHL?
- Sales Channels: Do you sell on multiple platforms (Shopify, Amazon, eBay)?
- Automation: Do you need rules to automate carrier selection and label printing?
The Bottom Line
For most small businesses just getting started, Pirate Ship is the best choice - it's free, simple, and offers the cheapest rates. As your business grows past 200-500 shipments per month and you need more features, consider upgrading to Shippo or ShipStation.