Overview
ShipStation is the industry-leading multi-carrier shipping platform, trusted by over 130,000 e-commerce businesses worldwide. It connects to more than 100 selling channels and provides access to deeply discounted shipping rates from major carriers including USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
Founded in 2011 and acquired by Auctane (formerly Stamps.com) in 2014, ShipStation has consistently been the go-to solution for businesses that need a powerful, flexible shipping workflow. Whether you're shipping 50 or 50,000 packages per month, ShipStation scales with your business.
Key Features
Multi-Carrier Rate Comparison
ShipStation's Rate Browser lets you compare rates across all connected carriers in real-time. Simply enter the package dimensions and destination, and you'll see the cheapest and fastest options from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and more. This feature alone can save businesses 20-40% on shipping costs.
Automation Rules Engine
One of ShipStation's standout features is its automation rules engine. You can create rules that automatically:
- Assign shipping carriers based on package weight or destination
- Apply insurance to orders over a certain value
- Tag and prioritize orders from specific channels
- Set default package dimensions by product type
This eliminates repetitive manual work and reduces human error significantly.
Batch Shipping
ShipStation excels at batch processing. You can select hundreds or thousands of orders, apply shipping settings, and generate labels in bulk. The batch processing engine is remarkably fast, handling thousands of labels in minutes rather than hours.
Branded Tracking
Every ShipStation plan includes a branded tracking page. Customers can track their shipments on a page customized with your logo, colors, and marketing messages. This creates a more professional experience and reduces "Where is my order?" support tickets.
Inventory Management
While not a full warehouse management system, ShipStation provides solid inventory tracking capabilities. You can set low-stock alerts, sync inventory across channels, and track stock levels by warehouse location.
Who Is ShipStation Best For?
ShipStation is ideal for:
- Mid-size e-commerce businesses shipping 100-10,000+ orders per month
- Multi-channel sellers on Shopify, Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and more
- Businesses using multiple carriers who want to optimize shipping costs
- Teams that need collaborative shipping workflows with multiple users
The Bottom Line
ShipStation remains our top pick for shipping software in 2026. Its unmatched integration ecosystem, powerful automation capabilities, and competitive carrier rates make it the best all-around choice for e-commerce businesses. While the lack of a free plan may deter very small sellers, the platform's efficiency gains and shipping discounts typically pay for themselves within the first month.