Top Shipping Service
Expert Review Updated February 7, 2026

Shippo Review

Simple, developer-friendly shipping API with transparent per-label pricing

By Top Shipping Service Team
8.5
Very Good How we rate
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Score Breakdown

Pricing 9.0
Features 8.0
Ease of Use 9.2
Carriers 8.5
Support 7.5
Scalability 8.8

Pros

  • Free plan with pay-per-label pricing - no monthly minimum
  • Clean, intuitive interface that's easy to learn
  • Excellent API and developer documentation
  • Strong USPS discounted rates up to 90% off
  • No long-term contracts

Cons

  • Fewer marketplace integrations than competitors
  • Advanced automation features limited to paid plans
  • Customer support can be slow on free plan
  • Reporting and analytics less robust than ShipStation

Pricing

Pricing model: freemium Free plan available

Starter

Free

  • Pay $0.05/label
  • Up to 90% off USPS rates
  • Up to 77% off UPS rates
  • Basic tracking
  • Email support
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Most Popular

Professional

$19/mo

  • 500 labels/month included
  • Then $0.05/label
  • Automation rules
  • Branded tracking & emails
  • Priority email support
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Premier

$49/mo

  • 2,500 labels/month included
  • Then $0.05/label
  • Advanced automation
  • API access with higher limits
  • Phone & chat support
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Overview

Shippo is a shipping platform that stands out for its simplicity and developer-friendly approach. Unlike most competitors that charge monthly subscriptions regardless of volume, Shippo offers a genuinely free plan where you only pay $0.05 per shipping label. This makes it an excellent choice for small businesses, startups, and developers building custom shipping workflows.

Founded in 2013 and based in San Francisco, Shippo has processed over 100 million shipments and serves businesses of all sizes, from Etsy sellers to enterprise companies using its API.

Key Features

Per-Label Pricing Model

Shippo's most distinctive feature is its per-label pricing. The free Starter plan charges just $0.05 per label with no monthly minimum, making it ideal for businesses with variable or low shipping volumes. You still get access to discounted carrier rates - up to 90% off USPS retail prices and up to 77% off UPS rates.

Shipping API

Shippo's API is arguably the best in the shipping software industry. It's well-documented, supports multiple programming languages (Python, Ruby, Node.js, PHP, Java, Go), and provides endpoints for rate shopping, label generation, tracking, and address validation. Many e-commerce platforms and custom applications are built on Shippo's API.

Clean User Interface

The web dashboard is refreshingly simple compared to feature-heavy competitors. Creating a shipment takes just a few clicks: enter addresses, select a rate, and print a label. The learning curve is minimal - most users can start shipping within 5 minutes of creating an account.

Address Validation

Shippo includes built-in address validation that checks shipping addresses against USPS databases. This reduces failed deliveries, return-to-sender issues, and address correction surcharges from carriers.

Who Is Shippo Best For?

Shippo is ideal for:

  • Small businesses and startups with low or variable shipping volumes
  • Developers building custom shipping integrations via API
  • Budget-conscious sellers who want to avoid monthly subscription fees
  • Shopify and WooCommerce stores looking for a simple shipping solution

The Bottom Line

Shippo offers the best value proposition in shipping software thanks to its free plan and per-label pricing. While it lacks some advanced features found in ShipStation (like robust automation rules and extensive marketplace integrations), its simplicity, excellent API, and zero-commitment pricing make it a top choice for businesses that prioritize ease of use and cost efficiency.