Managing logistics and order fulfillment is one of the most time-consuming aspects of running an eCommerce store. Many Shopify store owners feel overwhelmed by inventory management, shipping, and ensuring that customers receive their orders on time. So, what’s the best way to handle these challenges? The answer lies in using outsourced fulfillment apps that automate this entire process, helping store owners save time, cut costs, and scale their business effortlessly.
In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best Shopify fulfillment apps that can take over your shipping process, making life easier for both you and your customers. Whether you’re a small business looking for cost-effective solutions or a growing brand seeking to expand internationally, you’ll find an app tailored to your needs. We’ll cover each app’s unique features, pros, cons, and pricing so you can make an informed decision.
Shopify subscription solutions generated $525 million in Q4 2023, showing a 31% year-over-year growth. (source)
What is Outsourced Fulfillment and Why It’s Crucial for Shopify Stores?
Outsourced fulfillment is when an eCommerce business hires a third-party logistics (3PL) provider to handle its inventory storage, order processing, picking, packing, and shipping. Instead of managing your own warehouse, outsourced fulfillment allows you to focus on growing your business while leaving the logistical tasks to the experts.
For Shopify store owners, using a fulfillment app integrates these third-party services directly into your Shopify store, creating a seamless connection between customer orders and the fulfillment process. These apps automatically sync orders, update inventory, and track shipments in real time.
Here’s why outsourced fulfillment is important for Shopify stores:
Saves Time:
- Manual fulfillment is labor-intensive. Outsourced services take care of everything, from receiving inventory to shipping it out. You’ll have more time to focus on marketing, customer service, and scaling your business.
Cost-Effective:
- Managing your own warehouse can be expensive due to storage, staffing, and operational costs. Outsourcing helps reduce overhead by using external warehousing and shipping services that often offer better rates through bulk shipping discounts.
Scalability:
- As your business grows, handling fulfillment becomes more complicated. Outsourced fulfillment solutions scale with your business, allowing you to expand into new regions and manage larger order volumes without missing a beat.
Faster Shipping:
- Many fulfillment providers have warehouses in strategic locations, allowing you to ship from locations closest to your customers. This speeds up delivery times, which improves customer satisfaction and can even increase repeat purchases.
Focus on Core Business:
- With logistics handled by third-party experts, Shopify store owners can dedicate more time to strategic activities like product development, marketing, and customer engagement. This helps fuel growth and boosts profitability.
Global Expansion
- Want to sell internationally? Many fulfillment apps offer global shipping options, making it easy to ship orders around the world without having to navigate international logistics on your own.
How to Choose the Right Shopify Fulfillment App
With so many fulfillment apps available, finding the right one for your Shopify store can feel overwhelming. Each app comes with unique features, pricing, and capabilities, so it’s important to choose one that aligns with your business needs. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a fulfillment app:
Integration with Shopify
- The most important feature is seamless integration with your Shopify store. This ensures that orders, inventory, and shipping details sync automatically between the two systems, preventing fulfillment delays or errors. Look for apps with strong reviews on Shopify’s App Store that mention reliable integration.
Scalability
- Your business may be small now, but if you plan to grow, your fulfillment solution should be able to grow with you. Choose an app that offers flexible pricing and features that accommodate both small and large order volumes, whether you’re fulfilling dozens or thousands of orders per month.
Global Shipping Capabilities
- If you plan to expand your sales to international markets, make sure the fulfillment app supports global shipping. Look for apps that offer international warehouses or partnerships with global shipping carriers to streamline cross-border shipping and reduce delivery times.
Cost and Pricing Structure
- Each app has different pricing models, from subscription fees to per-order charges. Some may offer free installation with additional fees based on order volume, while others might offer tiered pricing based on usage. Make sure to calculate your fulfillment costs, including shipping fees, to ensure the app fits your budget.
Customer Support
- Fulfillment is a critical part of your business, so having reliable customer support is essential. Check user reviews for feedback on the responsiveness and helpfulness of the app’s support team. Some apps offer 24/7 live chat, email, or phone support, which can be crucial during high order volumes or if issues arise.
Custom Branding Options
- To create a great customer experience, you may want custom packaging options, branded inserts, or gift notes. Some fulfillment apps allow for customization to enhance the unboxing experience and strengthen your brand.
Return Management
- An app that simplifies the return process can make life easier for both you and your customers. Look for apps that offer easy returns, prepaid return labels, and automated return tracking to ensure a smooth and customer-friendly return process.
Automation Capabilities
- The best fulfillment apps provide automation for various processes, including real-time inventory updates, automatic order syncing, and shipping notifications. Automation helps reduce manual errors, making your operations more efficient.
Warehouse Locations
- If faster shipping is your goal, check where the app’s fulfillment centers are located. Having warehouses close to your target markets can reduce shipping costs and delivery times, making for a better customer experience.
Reviews and Reliability
- Always read reviews from other Shopify merchants to gauge the reliability of the app. Positive reviews for reliability, ease of use, and fast support are good indicators that an app is trusted and effective.
By considering these factors, you can choose a Shopify fulfillment app that meets your business needs today and as you grow.
Read More:11 Best Inventory optimization Apps for Shopify
Top 10 Shopify Outsourced Fulfillment Apps
1. ShipBob
ShipBob is one of the most popular outsourced fulfillment services, known for its global reach and scalability. It integrates seamlessly with Shopify and offers end-to-end fulfillment services.
- Key Features:
- 50+ warehouses globally for fast delivery.
- Same-day and 2-day shipping options.
- Customizable packaging and branding.
- Real-time inventory management.
- Pricing: Free to install. Pricing depends on the volume of orders and storage used.
- Rating: 4.3/5
- Pros:
- Excellent for scaling businesses with international reach.
- Custom branding options.
- User-friendly integration with Shopify.
- Cons:
- Can be expensive for small businesses.
- Setup complexity for smaller brands.
- User Review: “ShipBob helped us scale our fulfillment internationally without the hassle of managing warehouses. Their platform is easy to use, and their customer service is excellent.”
2. Amazon MCF by ByteStand
This app lets Shopify store owners fulfill orders through Amazon’s vast network, making it a good option for stores that already use Amazon FBA.
- Key Features:
- Multi-channel fulfillment via Amazon’s network.
- Syncs inventory with Amazon FBA.
- Automatic shipping updates and rate calculation.
- Pricing: Starts at $25/month, with a free trial.
- Rating: 4.9/5
- Pros:
- Leverages Amazon’s robust fulfillment network.
- Excellent for multi-channel sellers.
- Cons:
- Limited customization options.
- Higher shipping rates for non-Amazon orders.
- User Review: “We’ve seen quicker deliveries and smoother operations by using Amazon MCF. The integration with Shopify is seamless and easy to set up.”
Read More:Top 7 Wishlist Apps for Shopify – Shopify App Store Guide
3. Easyship
Easyship offers an all-in-one shipping solution, helping businesses manage domestic and international orders with multiple carrier options.
- Key Features:
- 250+ shipping carriers available.
- Automated tax and duty calculations for international orders.
- Branded tracking and packing slips.
- Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans start at $29/month.
- Rating: 4.1/5
- Pros:
- Excellent for international shipping.
- Automated shipping workflows save time.
- Cons:
- Learning curve for small businesses.
- Limited support for smaller regions.
- User Review: “We’ve saved a lot on international shipping using Easyship, and the integration with Shopify makes things easy.”
4. ShipHero
ShipHero is a robust fulfillment service that offers inventory management, order fulfillment, and shipping for eCommerce businesses.
- Key Features:
- Fulfillment network across the U.S.
- Inventory management and load balancing.
- All-inclusive pricing model with no hidden fees.
- Pricing: Free to install, fulfillment pricing based on shipped orders.
- Rating: 4.0/5
- Pros:
- No hidden fees.
- Great for large volumes.
- Cons:
- Setup complexity.
- Lack of international support.
- User Review: “ShipHero’s inventory management tools have been a game changer for us. Their fulfillment is fast, and pricing is transparent.”
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5. Cahoot Fulfillment
Cahoot focuses on cost-effective and fast shipping with a peer-to-peer fulfillment network.
- Key Features:
- 1-2 day delivery options.
- Real-time inventory management.
- 99.95% on-time shipping rate.
- Pricing: Free to install, custom pricing based on order volume.
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Pros:
- Cost-effective for large orders.
- Fast shipping speeds.
- Cons:
- Limited warehouse locations.
- Not ideal for small stores.
- User Review: “Cahoot has been fantastic in helping us offer 1-2 day delivery. It’s a must for businesses focused on fast shipping.”
6. PostShip
PostShip offers an affordable and easy-to-use fulfillment solution, perfect for small businesses.
- Key Features:
- Real-time order syncing.
- Customizable shipping options.
- Integration with multiple carriers.
- Pricing: Free to install, pricing based on shipping volume.
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Pros:
- Affordable pricing.
- Simple setup.
- Cons:
- Limited features for larger businesses.
- User Review: “PostShip has been a great solution for our small store. It’s affordable, and the setup was incredibly easy.”
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7. Fulfillment Hero
Fulfillment Hero is a comprehensive fulfillment solution offering barcode scanning, real-time inventory updates, and multi-location fulfillment management.
- Key Features:
- Barcode and shelf scanning for accurate order processing.
- Multi-location management.
- Real-time inventory updates.
- Pricing: Starts at $19.99/month.
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Pros:
- Great for complex fulfillment operations.
- High accuracy with barcode scanning.
- Cons:
- May be overkill for smaller stores.
- User Review: “Fulfillment Hero has significantly reduced our order errors. The barcode scanning system is a life-saver.”
8. KerryESG Global Fulfillment
KerryESG focuses on European fulfillment, offering seamless integration with Shopify for real-time order tracking and fast deliveries.
- Key Features:
- Fast European delivery.
- Real-time inventory and order tracking.
- Integration with Shopify for automatic updates.
- Pricing: Free to install, additional charges apply for fulfillment services.
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Pros:
- Excellent for European businesses.
- Real-time tracking and inventory sync.
- Cons:
- Limited to Europe.
- User Review: “We’ve expanded our European sales thanks to KerryESG. Their platform is easy to use and integrates perfectly with Shopify.”
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9. Shiprocket
Shiprocket is one of the leading fulfillment services in India, offering fast and cost-effective shipping solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.
- Key Features:
- Domestic and international shipping.
- Discounts on shipping through multiple carriers.
- Automated order tracking and notifications.
- Pricing: Free to install, pricing based on shipping volume.
- Rating: 4.2/5
- Pros:
- Affordable for small businesses.
- Multiple carrier options.
- Cons:
- Limited global reach.
- User Review: “Shiprocket has helped us manage our domestic shipping at a fraction of the cost. Their discounts on shipping rates are a huge plus.”
10. DPD Fulfillment UK
DPD Fulfillment is ideal for UK-based businesses, offering fast, reliable shipping with late cutoff times for next-day delivery.
- Key Features:
- Real-time order syncing.
- Next-day UK delivery.
- Automated shipping updates and tracking.
- Pricing: Free to install, custom pricing based on fulfillment needs.
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Pros:
- Fast UK delivery.
- Great for businesses targeting the UK market.
- Cons:
- Limited to UK and EU.
- User Review: “DPD Fulfillment has allowed us to offer next-day delivery, which has improved customer satisfaction dramatically.”
FAQs
What is an outsourced fulfillment app, and how does it work with Shopify?
An outsourced fulfillment app integrates with your Shopify store to automate order fulfillment. It handles inventory management, picking, packing, shipping, and even returns. These apps sync orders automatically from your store, allowing fulfillment providers to process and ship them without manual input.
Which app is best for global shipping?
Apps like Easyship and ShipBob are ideal for global shipping due to their extensive network of international warehouses and partnerships with global carriers.
Can I use multiple fulfillment apps at once?
Yes, Shopify allows for multiple fulfillment locations and apps to manage orders. For instance, you can use Amazon MCF for certain products and ShipHero for others.
What are the benefits of using a fulfillment app over handling fulfillment in-house?
Using a fulfillment app saves time, reduces operational costs, improves shipping speed, and allows for scalability. It also provides more flexibility for international shipping and custom branding, which may be difficult to manage in-house.
What are the potential downsides to outsourced fulfillment?
Outsourced fulfillment can be expensive for smaller businesses, and you may lose some control over the shipping and packaging process. Additionally, relying on third-party providers may lead to occasional delays or errors outside of your control.
Are there any free Shopify fulfillment apps?
Yes, some apps like Shiprocket and PostShip offer free plans with basic features, while others provide free trials before requiring a subscription or usage-based fee.
Conclusion
Outsourced fulfillment apps are a game-changer for Shopify store owners looking to streamline operations, cut costs, and improve customer satisfaction. Whether you’re running a small store or scaling a large business, the right fulfillment app can take the stress out of order management, allowing you to focus on growing your brand.
From apps like ShipBob that offer global reach and scalability, to PostShip and Shiprocket, which provide cost-effective solutions for small businesses, there’s a fulfillment solution for every type of store. By choosing the right app, you can reduce shipping times, automate inventory management, and even provide customized packaging for a better customer experience.
Before deciding on the best fulfillment app for your Shopify store, be sure to:
- Identify your current and future business needs.
- Consider scalability, pricing, and integration.
- Test out apps during free trials to see which best meets your needs.
Efficient fulfillment is critical to customer satisfaction and long-term growth. By outsourcing this crucial task, you free up time to focus on what you do best—building your eCommerce empire.
