# 5 Top-Rated Shipping Software for Small Business | Capterra > Searching for online solutions to automate tasks involved in the shipping process? Check out these five top-rated shipping software for small business. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/shipping-software-for-small-business --- # 5 Top-Rated Shipping Software for Small Business Written by: Shephalii Kapoor Shephalii KapoorAuthor Writer Experience I’ve been writing for Capterra since September 2021, providing expert insights to help small businesses find the right software solutions. ... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/skapoor/) Published May 20, 2024 13 min read Table of Contents - [1\. AfterShip](#1-aftership) - [2\. AscendTMS Logistics](#2-ascendtms-logistics) - [3\. Pirate Ship](#3-pirate-ship) - [4\. ShippingEasy](#4-shippingeasy) - [5\. XPS Ship](#5-xps-ship) - [What features do shipping tools offer?](#what-features-do-shipping-tools-offer) - [How to choose the right shipping software](#how-to-choose-the-right-shipping-software-for-small-businesses) - [Common questions to ask software vendors before purchasing](#common-questions-to-ask-software-vendors-before-purchasing-shipping-software-for-small-businesses) As a shipping manager, are you stuck with piles of paperwork, manual order processing, and inaccurate shipping calculations? If the answer is yes, consider investing in an [online shipping solution](https://www.capterra.com/shipping-software/) that can help you manage shipping processes, such as printing labels, tracking shipments, and processing returns with ease. To help you make the right decision, this article highlights, in alphabetical order, the five top-rated shipping software for small businesses based on user reviews. For each product, we include overall user ratings along with the highest-rated attribute, product benefits, review excerpts from industry professionals, and product pricing. _We selected products for this article based on their average ratings between January 2022 - January 2024, which may differ from their current overall average ratings._ ## 1\. [AfterShip](https://www.capterra.com/p/178663/AfterShip/) AfterShip is a multi-carrier shipping platform that offers real-time tracking and delivery estimation capabilities for shipping businesses. It supports multiple carriers, reducing the need for alternative tracking sources. The software offers an easy-to-use tracking page for customers, which can help reduce customer service workload. It also comes with automatic tracking features that alert customers about the progress and delivery of their orders.  ### Commonly discussed topics by AfterShip reviewers  Based on our analysis of AfterShip reviews on Capterra, the most commonly discussed topics are: - **Remarkable customer service**: 96.7% of users appreciate the responsiveness and efficiency of the customer service provided by the vendor. They commend the agents for their helpfulness in resolving issues promptly and providing step-by-step guidance on using the software functionalities.  - **Effective email notifications**: 90% of users liked that the software offers email notifications for tracking and communicating order statuses to customers. They also appreciate the convenience of uploading email lists to the system with pre-made templates. - **Convenient package tracking:** 81.8% of users appreciate that the software supports multiple carrier tracking and offers delivery estimation and a seamless tracking ecosystem. They liked the system's simplicity and its ability to send push notifications. Additionally, the software’s integration with online stores is also appreciated. ### Review excerpts from small business users who have used AfterShip for shipping: > _"Shoutout to all the customer service agents who helped me with all my inquiries including \[sensitive content hidden\] for showing me step by step how to use all the functionalities." (Omar Anwar, Logistics, 2023)_ > > _"Highly responsive Customer service, was able to fix my issue with zero delays" (Mohammed Adel, Backend, 2023)_ > > _"We love that Aftership can offer tracking for multiple carriers and we do not need to waste time to search for alternative sources to get tracking back." (Lukas Rokas, IT Project Manager, 2023)_ > > _"You don't need much to start tracking your inbound/outbound packages (it's as easy as it gets!) and you'll always be up to date with push notifications without having to manually open the app to check." (Davide Baraglia, Manager, 2022)_ > > _"Patient and effective with helping me to creating email and sms marketing newsletter setup........." (Krystal Warning, Owner, 2023)_ [Read all AfterShip reviews here.](https://www.capterra.com/p/178663/AfterShip/reviews/) #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Highest-rated attribute Customer support - 4.86 #### Commonly reviewed by\* Professionals who work in retail, apparel and fashion, and consumer goods, according to Capterra’s user reviews #### Starting price $9 per month (billed annually) #### Device Compatibilty ## 2\. [AscendTMS Logistics](https://www.capterra.com/p/122488/AscendTMS-Logistics-Software/) AscendTMS Logistics is an online transportation management system that is designed to manage various aspects of the logistics industry, including load management, accounting, and finance management. The software offers a load financial feature that allows shippers to add their income/budget and expenses to a load, helping them monitor their profit and losses over the course of time. Additionally, the tool offers integration with load boards and real-time tracking systems to simplify the process of finding loads, managing shipments, and tracking cargo locations. ### Commonly discussed topics by AscendTMS Logistics reviewers  Based on our analysis of AscendTMS Logistics reviews on Capterra, the most commonly discussed topics are: - **Enhanced user experience in accounting management**: 100% of users appreciate that the tool integrates with accounting software, which facilitates accounting management for them. They also value the quarterly updates that add value to the software suite.  - **Outstanding customer service:** 93.3% of users appreciate the software’s customer support team for swift responses and patience in educating users. Despite a slight learning curve, the software is recommended for its user-friendly interface and commitment to continuous improvement. - **Efficient learning and adaptation process:** 83.3% of users appreciate the support provided to customers through live training, walkthrough videos, and specialized training sessions. They found the system simple to use after a few minutes of training, indicating a swift adaptation process. ### Review excerpts from small business users who have used AscendTMS Logistics for shipping: > _"I have called support a few times and they were kind enough to set aside time for specialized training so I could cater Ascend to my business." (Tommy Gallant, Account Executive, 2022)_ > > _"Seamless integration with load boards, real-time tracking, and stellar customer support make this software a must-have for anyone in the industry." (Jarell Abrams, Freight Broker, 2023)_ > > _"It has most of the things you want in your TMS and customer support is exceptional." (Viplab Bansal, Account Manager, 2023)_ > > _"They are updating features quarterly that add more value to the suite without making implementation a massive capital undertaking on day 1." (Anthony Roti, CEO, 2023)_ > > _"I am an accounting manager, and we do know this is not an accounting software, but more features to help utilize the accounting aspect of the software would be incredibly helpful." (Aaron Maldonado, Accounting Manager, 2022)_ [Read all AscendTMS Logistics reviews here.](https://www.capterra.com/p/122488/AscendTMS-Logistics-Software/reviews/) #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Highest-rated attribute Customer support - 4.92 #### Commonly reviewed by\* Professionals who work in transportation/trucking/railroad, logistics and supply chain, and import and export, according to Capterra’s user reviews #### Starting price $99 per user, per month (billed monthly) #### Device Compatibilty ## 3\. [Pirate Ship](https://www.capterra.com/p/172133/Pirate-Ship/) Pirate Ship is a shipping tool that provides an easy-to-use interface for creating and printing labels, tracking packages, and maintaining shipment records. The software allows users to create return labels for customers. It utilizes a pay-on-use model for return labels on outbound shipments. Unlike traditional return labels where users need to pay upfront regardless of usage, Pirate Ship’s system charges users when a customer actually uses the return label to send an item back. ### Commonly discussed topics by Pirate Ship reviewers Based on our analysis of Pirate Ship reviews on Capterra, the most commonly discussed topics are: - **Cost-effective prices:** 92.3% of users highlight the convenience of using the software for their shipping needs. They also appreciate the discounted rates of the tool, even for low-volume shippers, and the ability of the software to compare prices across different shipping options. - **Efficient shipment management:** 84.1% of users appreciate that the software enables easy tracking and management of shipments. They also like the software’s ability to handle both single and bulk shipments, as well as the transparency it provides in tracking customer deliveries.  - **Affordable label printing:** 75.9% of users appreciate the software’s label printing capabilities, emphasizing its ease of use, affordability, and integration with eCommerce platforms. They also like the convenience of creating, purchasing, and printing labels from home, while also appreciating the cost savings factor as compared to traditional couriers. ### Review excerpts from small business users who have used Pirate Ship for shipping: > _"Pirate Ship makes it easy for shipping a package by giving you the label to print, providing tracking and keeping your records accessible to export or keep in your online account." (Rachel Kubena, Operations and Marketing , 2023)_ > > _"I can integrate my Etsy shop so I can actually process the shipping labels for each order form Pirate Ship, which is no questions one of the most convenient features they have." (Maria Ferrer, Designer, 2022)_ > > _"Not only is it free but it syncs with shopify, easy to navigate to find shipments, reports, file a dispute, add features & more." (Samantha Tarter, Owner, 2022)_ > > _"Easy to print them all up at the same time if you're purchasing multiple, and has an easily viewable display where you can see the status of your shipment." (Cori Mehnert, Bookkeeper, 2022)_ > > _"This product allows me to put together parcels and ship weekly at a discounted price very quickly and without any setup on my end." (Caitlin Caitlin, Home Health Occupational Therapist, 2022)_ [Read all Pirate Ship reviews here**.**](https://www.capterra.com/p/172133/Pirate-Ship/reviews/) #### Trial/Free Version ## 4\. [ShippingEasy](https://www.capterra.com/p/128334/ShippingEasy/) ShippingEasy is an online shipping tool that simplifies and optimizes shipping processes for transportation businesses. The software offers features, such as batch shipping and order routing that facilitate bulk processing and automated carrier selection. It also generates shipping labels for each shipment, eliminating the need to manually create labels individually for each order. Users can also leverage the tool to run comprehensive shipping reports or segment reports by destination or service. ### Commonly discussed topics by ShippingEasy reviewers Based on our analysis of ShippingEasy reviews on Capterra, the most commonly discussed topics are: - **Efficient label printing:** 84.6% of users highlight the system’s ability to create customized shipping labels and invoices, which enhances the customer experience. They also appreciate the software’s ease of use, the ability to save addresses, and the quick speed of the labeling process. - **Effective order management**: 80% of users highlight the ability of the tool to optimize shipping operations, including batch shipping and order routing. They also appreciate that the system simplifies the process of uploading multiple orders via CSV forms and allows for order filtering by stock-keeping units (SKUs).  - **Enhanced shipment management:** 75% of users appreciate the tool for its wide range of shipping and customizable options, which significantly enhance efficiency and shipment tracking. They also like the post-shipment tracking updates that can be sent to customers, which are particularly beneficial for shippers with consistent and established shipping needs. ### Review excerpts from small business users who have used ShippingEasy for shipping: > _"It allows businesses to customize shipping labels and invoices, creating a professional and personalized experience for customers." (Debbie Nicholson, Manager, 2023)_ > > _"Its wide range of shipping options and customizable features make it a valuable tool for improving shipping efficiency and tracking shipments." (Kavindu Githsara Kiriarachchi, System Specialist, 2022)_ > > _"Works for me! And the new tracking that gets sent post shipment to customers is a terrific feature that muy customers love." (Kristine Lewis, Owner, 2022)_ > > _"It connects beautifully and seamlessly with our Shopify platform and we're able to notify our customers of every step of their order!" (Claire Teo, Marketing Director, 2022)_ > > _"From website order integration, to order management, to package tracking, everything works seamlessly and simply." (Coree Casinger, Blogger/Owner, 2022)_ [Read all ShippingEasy reviews here**.**](https://www.capterra.com/p/128334/ShippingEasy/reviews/) #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Highest-rated attribute Value-for-money - 4.67 #### Commonly reviewed by\* Professionals who work in wholesale, retail, and arts and crafts, according to Capterra’s user reviews #### Starting price $19.99 per month (billed monthly) #### Device Compatibilty ## 5\. [XPS Ship](https://www.capterra.com/p/207521/XPS-Ship/) XPS Ship is a shipping tool that integrates with various eCommerce platforms to automate order processing and fulfillment for shipping businesses. The software also offers integration with major carriers, allowing users to compare shipping rates across different carriers and select the most affordable option as per their needs. It features an address book for saving customer information, enabling users to select a recipient from the address book instead of manually entering details while creating new shipments. Users can also use the tool to generate and print labels, track packages, and schedule pickups from the post office, saving time and effort. ### Commonly discussed topics by XPS Ship reviewers Based on our analysis of XPS Ship reviews on Capterra, the most commonly discussed topics are: - **Efficient customer service:** 91.5% of users appreciate the customer service team for its ability to resolve issues efficiently, provide real-time assistance, and offer personalized guidance for unique shipping circumstances. They also like the user-friendly interface of the software and its ability to save customer data for repeat buyers. - **User-friendly label printing**: 80% of users express satisfaction with the system’s ability to easily print labels, track shipments, and compare pricing. They also appreciate the software's batch processing feature and the ability to upload spreadsheets for multiple labels. - **Enhanced shipping management:** 76.2% of users appreciate the customization abilities of the tool that allows them to customize their shipment management processes. They also like the software's integration with eCommerce platforms and the ability to ship via multiple carriers. ### Review excerpts from small business users who have used XPS Ship for shipping: > _"Its great that I can offer our customers different shipping methods to fit their budget and needs." (Joann Butler, owner, 2022)_ > > _"The software interface is clean and intuitive and the best part is the live customer support when I need help!" (Diane Allen, Ownet, 2022)_ > > _"I need the ability to ship USPS, FEDEX, and UPS and this makes it very easy for me to choose based on customer needs." (Gregg Haensgen, Owner, 2022)_ > > _"XPS offers a great solution for printing labels, tracking delivery status, and integrates with many website platforms. Since the integration with Wix, it has made my life much simpler!" (Brian Ewald, Owner, 2022)_ > > _"Integrates well with our other software, makes it easy to get labels, track shipments and compare pricing across all our accounts." (Sean Carroll, President, 2022)_ [Read all XPS Ship reviews here**.**](https://www.capterra.com/p/207521/XPS-Ship/reviews/) #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Highest-rated attribute Customer support - 4.75 #### Commonly reviewed by\* Professionals who work in retail, food and beverages, and food production, according to Capterra’s user reviews #### Starting price Available upon request from vendor #### Device Compatibilty ## What features do shipping tools offer? Shipping management software offers core features such as: - **Order management:** Organize, track, and process customer orders. The feature enables users to input orders into the system, either manually or by importing them from various sales channels, such as websites and social media platforms. Users can also view, edit, and manage orders by updating order statuses, adding notes, and assigning orders to specific team members. Additionally, they can monitor the status of orders throughout the fulfillment process. - **Shipment price calculation:** Calculate shipping price based on various factors, such as dimensions of the package, weight, and packaging type. Users can also select their preferred shipping method, such as ground and express shipping options, and add additional services to the shipment, such as insurance and same-day delivery. The software calculates the shipment price based on all these factors and services. Additionally, it enables price comparison from major carriers. - **Shipment tracking:** Monitor the status and location of packages in transit using a tracking number associated with the order. The software integrates with different carriers to retrieve real-time tracking information for the parcel. It also offers customizable notifications to inform customers about the changes in their package status. Users can receive notifications via email, text message, or within the software dashboard. All products listed in this report include the features mentioned above. Besides these core features, a shipping platform commonly tends to offer: - Activity dashboard - Air shipping - Alerts/notifications - Ground shipping - Import/export management - [Inventory management](https://www.capterra.com/inventory-management-software/) - Invoice management - Order tracking - Reporting and analytics - Shipping label - Shipping management - eCommerce management ## How to choose the right shipping software for small businesses Here are some factors to consider while you look for the best shipping software for small business:  - **Assess carrier integration:** Carrier integration in shipping software directly impacts the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of shipping operations. A shipping solution with robust carrier integration allows users to connect with a wide range of carrier services, including regional and specialized carriers. This offers them more options to select the most suitable carrier for each shipment based on factors, such as speed, cost, and delivery requirements.  - **Look for custom shipping label printing:** Custom label printing in the shipping app allows for greater flexibility in including important information, such as return instructions and special handling requirements. Before investing in a shipping tool, make sure that the software allows users to create custom shipping labels by including their own elements, such as business logos, barcodes, promotional messages, and delivery details. Some software solutions also offer pre-designed label templates, allowing users to upload their own designs for a professional look. - **Consider reporting and analytics capabilities:** The best shipping app offers users real-time insights into shipping analytics, which may include metrics, such as delivery time, delivery costs, total shipments delivered, and delayed shipments. This data helps a business owner analyze the overall performance of their shipping operations and identify issues leading to inefficiencies or increased costs. Users can also leverage shipping analytics to forecast future shopping needs and costs. ## Common questions to ask software vendors before purchasing shipping software for small businesses Consider asking your vendor the following questions so that you find the best shipping software for small business: What are the label and documentation types that the software can generate? Shipping management software solutions can typically generate a variety of labels and documentation, including shipping labels, return labels, packing slips, custom forms, and commercial invoices. Some tools also enable the customization of labels and documents with your brand logo, font type, and colors that match your brand and style. Understanding the types of labels and documents generated by the tool can help users prepare necessary documents in advance and ensure compliance with legal requirements since different shipments may require specific documentation to comply with regulations. How does the software handle returns and refunds? Shipping software usually offers features, such as return label generation, automated returns workflow, and refund processing to help shippers process returns and refunds with ease. Before finalizing the best shipping software, make sure that the tool allows users to set specific rules for product conditions, restocking fees, and timeframes for accepting refunds. Also look for tools for sending automated notifications to customers regarding the status of their returns, including confirmations and refund processing updates. Does the software support multi-channel order management? While evaluating potential solutions, make sure that the software allows users to handle orders from multiple sales channels, such as their own websites, eCommerce platforms, physical stores, and social media channels. Users should be able to view and process orders, manage customer information, and track inventory across all sales channels from a single dashboard, which eventually helps businesses simplify the order fulfillment process. Also ensure that the software offers comprehensive reporting capabilities to provide insights into sales performance, order trends, and inventory levels across all sales channels. * * * Looking for Shipping software?Check out Capterra's list of the [best Shipping software](https://www.capterra.com/shipping-software/) solutions. ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### Shephalii Kapoor](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/skapoor/) Shephalii Kapoor is a writer at Capterra. She provides insights to help small businesses identify the right software for their needs by analyzing over 550,000 Capterra user reviews and nearly 48,000 interactions between Capterra software advisors and buyers. ### RELATED READING - [XLAs: How Experience‑Level Agreements Improve Help Desk Performance](https://www.capterra.com/resources/xlas/) - [Marketing ROI: Prioritizing Your Next Sales and Marketing CRM Investment](https://www.capterra.com/resources/marketing-roi-strategies/) - [How Integrating Email Automation With CRM Systems Boosts Customer Engagement](https://www.capterra.com/resources/integrating-email-automation-with-crm-systems/) - [ERP for Small Businesses: Do You Need It and What to Look For](https://www.capterra.com/resources/does-your-small-business-need-erp/) - To be considered for this list, products had to: - Have at least 40 unique product reviews, for use cases related to the shipping, published on Capterra between January 2022-2024. - Have at least 20 unique product reviews from software users in small businesses during the same time period. We selected the five products with the highest ratings to feature in this article.  - Offer the following core shipping features: order management, shipment price calculation, and shipment tracking. For products that met the first three criteria, we selected five products with the highest ratings to feature in this article. \*To determine which industries each product is “commonly reviewed by,” we check if at least 2% of reviewers come from a particular industry, and only then classify the product as having customers from that industry. Small businesses are defined as those with fewer than 200 employees. We use proprietary data science algorithms to identify common topics discussed in user reviews, along with user sentiment. Some text summarizing those proprietary insights was generated with assistance from artificial intelligence tools. Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers that pertain to the most commonly identified topics. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, topic coverage, and thematic relevance.  Excerpts represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Capterra or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar. **Editorial independence** We select and rank products based on an objective methodology developed by our research team. While some vendors may pay us when they receive web traffic or leads, this has no influence on our methodology.