Our Review Methodology
Every shipping software platform on Top Shipping Service undergoes a rigorous evaluation process. Our editorial team spends weeks testing each platform, analyzing its features, pricing, and user experience before publishing a review.
Scoring Categories
We evaluate each platform across six key categories, each scored on a 0-10 scale:
Pricing (Weight: 20%)
We assess the value proposition, including monthly costs, per-label fees, free plan availability, and the discounted carrier rates offered. A platform that offers competitive pricing relative to its feature set scores higher.
Features (Weight: 25%)
We evaluate the breadth and depth of shipping features, including multi-carrier support, rate comparison, batch shipping, returns management, branded tracking, and inventory management capabilities.
Ease of Use (Weight: 15%)
We consider the learning curve, interface design, onboarding process, and how quickly a new user can start creating shipping labels. We test with users of varying technical skill levels.
Carrier Integrations (Weight: 15%)
We count the number of supported carriers and evaluate the depth of each integration. We check for features like real-time rate shopping, automated carrier selection, and international shipping support.
Customer Support (Weight: 10%)
We test support channels (email, chat, phone), measure response times, and evaluate the quality and helpfulness of responses. We also consider the availability of self-service resources like documentation and knowledge bases.
Scalability (Weight: 15%)
We assess how well the platform handles growth - from 10 shipments per month to 10,000+. We consider pricing tiers, API capabilities, enterprise features, and multi-warehouse support.
Overall Score
The overall score is a weighted average of all six category scores, reflecting the relative importance of each factor for typical e-commerce businesses. Scores are updated whenever we re-evaluate a platform or when significant changes occur.
Our Commitment
We are committed to providing accurate, up-to-date, and unbiased reviews. If you notice any inaccuracies or have additional information about a platform we've reviewed, please contact us.