ShipStation is the best shipping software for most online stores in 2026, and Pirate Ship is the best free pick for small sellers who ship with USPS and UPS. ShipStation connects to nearly every store and marketplace and automates the label work that eats up a shipping day.
Other tools win in specific cases. Shippo is a strong low-cost alternative with a free starter tier. Veeqo is free and built around Amazon sellers. Easyship is made for international shipping, and ShipBob fits brands ready to hand fulfillment to a warehouse partner.
Compare postage savings before software fees. On most plans, the discount you get on each label matters far more than the monthly subscription, so run a week of real orders through each tool’s rate calculator.
Our top pick
ShipStation
The broadest store and carrier coverage with automation that scales.
Quick picks
Best overall
Best low-cost alternative
Best free option
Best for Amazon sellers
Best outsourced fulfillment
How we ranked these tools
We scored each tool on five criteria: fit for ecommerce sellers, depth of shipping and automation features, pricing and value, ease of use, and support. We based the scores on vendor documentation, published pricing, and public user reviews. We did not accept payment for placement. Prices reflect published rates as of October 2026, so confirm the current price with the vendor.
The 6 best shipping software tools
1. ShipStation
Best for most online stores
Our rating4.7 / 5
Starting price$14.99 / month
Free planFree trial (30 days)
ShipStation is a web-based shipping platform that imports orders from stores and marketplaces, compares carrier rates, and prints labels in batches. Pricing is set by plan and monthly shipments: Starter begins at $14.99 for 50 shipments and three users, Standard at $29.99 with ten users, and Premium at $349.99. Every plan includes a 30-day free trial. Automation rules, branded tracking, and returns tools make it a strong fit as volume grows. Costs climb steadily as shipment counts rise.
Pros
- Connects to most stores and marketplaces
- Powerful automation rules and batch printing
- 30-day free trial
Cons
- Price rises with each shipment tier
- No ongoing free plan
Key features
- Multi-carrier rate shopping
- Automation rules
- Batch labels and packing slips
- Branded tracking and returns
2. Shippo
Best low-cost alternative to ShipStation
Our rating4.6 / 5
Starting priceFrom $17 / month
Free planYes (30 labels / month)
Shippo is a multi-carrier shipping platform with a clean interface and a useful free tier. The Starter plan is free for up to 30 labels a month with one user and discounted USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL Express rates. Pro starts at $17 a month for up to 10,000 labels and five users, and Premier is quoted. It covers store integrations, automations, returns, and tracking. Free-tier users pay 5 cents per label when using their own carrier accounts.
Pros
- Free tier with discounted rates
- Simple, modern interface
- Clear published pricing
Cons
- Free tier limited to 30 labels and one user
- Fewer advanced rules than ShipStation
Key features
- Discounted carrier rates
- Store and marketplace integrations
- Return labels
- Shipment tracking
3. Pirate Ship
Best free option for small sellers
Our rating4.5 / 5
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Pirate Ship is free shipping software for USPS and UPS. There is no subscription, markup, or minimum, and you pay only for the labels you buy. New accounts get USPS Commercial Pricing right away along with discounted UPS rates. It imports orders from popular stores and marketplaces and handles batch label creation well. The tradeoff is carrier coverage: sellers who need FedEx, DHL, or regional carriers will need another tool.
Pros
- Completely free to use
- Commercial USPS and discounted UPS rates
- Simple batch label workflow
Cons
- Only USPS and UPS
- Limited automation rules
- No inventory features
Key features
- USPS and UPS labels
- Batch label creation
- Store integrations
- Rate calculator
4. Veeqo
Best for Amazon and multichannel sellers
Our rating4.4 / 5
Starting priceFree (inventory from $19 / month)
Free planYes
Veeqo is a shipping and inventory platform owned by Amazon since 2021. Its shipping features are free for all users, because carriers pay Veeqo on each label. It supports USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, OnTrac, and Amazon Shipping, and connects to Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Walmart, TikTok, and more. Inventory sync and digital picking start at $19 a month. Veeqo Credits return up to 5% of shipment value toward future postage. Non-Amazon sellers get less benefit from its Amazon-specific perks.
Pros
- Free shipping software with major carriers
- Strong Amazon tools and protections
- Optional inventory and picking features
Cons
- Most perks favor Amazon sellers
- Inventory features cost extra
Key features
- Rate shopping and bulk labels
- Amazon account health protection
- Digital picking
- Multichannel inventory sync
5. Easyship
Best for international shipping
Our rating4.2 / 5
Starting priceFree plan; paid tiers vary
Free planYes
Easyship is a shipping platform focused on cross-border ecommerce. It compares couriers worldwide, calculates import taxes and duties at checkout, and suggests box sizes to cut costs. The free plan suits new and small businesses, and paid plans add higher shipment limits and features, with annual billing saving 20%. Easyship does not publish its paid plan prices in a form we could verify, so check the current tiers in your account. Domestic-only sellers may find simpler tools cheaper.
Pros
- Strong duties and taxes calculation
- Wide global courier selection
- Free plan for small shippers
Cons
- Paid prices not clearly published
- More than domestic sellers need
Key features
- Duties and taxes calculator
- Global courier comparison
- Smart box selection
- Store integrations
6. ShipBob
Best for brands ready to outsource fulfillment
Our rating4.1 / 5
Starting priceCustom pricing
Free planNo
ShipBob is a third-party logistics provider that stores your inventory in its fulfillment centers and picks, packs, and ships each order. It integrates with major ecommerce platforms and gives you a dashboard for stock and orders. Pricing is quote-based, covering implementation, receiving, storage, pick and pack, and shipping, with extra charges for kitting, B2B orders, and returns. It suits brands that have outgrown packing in-house. Smaller sellers pay more than they would shipping themselves.
Pros
- Takes packing and shipping off your plate
- Inventory spread across fulfillment centers
- Dashboard for stock and orders
Cons
- Quote-based pricing
- Extra fees for kitting, B2B, and returns
- Costly for low order volume
Key features
- Outsourced pick, pack, and ship
- Inventory storage
- Returns processing
- Ecommerce platform integrations
Compare the top shipping software
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ShipStation | Most online stores | $14.99 / month | Free trial (30 days) | 4.7 |
| Shippo | Best low-cost alternative to ShipStation | From $17 / month | Yes (30 labels / month) | 4.6 |
| Pirate Ship | Best free option for small sellers | Free | Yes | 4.5 |
| Veeqo | Amazon and multichannel sellers | Free (inventory from $19 / month) | Yes | 4.4 |
| Easyship | International shipping | Free plan; paid tiers vary | Yes | 4.2 |
| ShipBob | Brands ready to outsource fulfillment | Custom pricing | No | 4.1 |
How to choose shipping software
Count your monthly shipments
Most paid plans are priced by shipments or labels per month. ShipStation Starter covers 50 shipments for $14.99, while Shippo’s free tier covers 30 labels. If you ship a handful of orders a week, a free tool is enough. Past a few hundred a month, automation saves more than it costs.
List the carriers and channels you need
Pirate Ship works only with USPS and UPS. If you ship FedEx, DHL, or regional carriers, or sell on Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, you need broader coverage. Check that every store and marketplace you use imports orders automatically and receives tracking back.
Look at automation and batch tools
Shipping rules that assign carrier, service, and package by weight or destination save the most time. Batch label printing, packing slips, and scan-to-print matter once you ship dozens of orders a day. Test these during the free trial with real orders.
Know when to outsource
Software helps you ship from your own space. When packing takes more hours than selling, or you need faster delivery across the country, compare the cost of a 3PL such as ShipBob. Get a written quote covering receiving, storage, pick and pack, and returns.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free shipping software?
Pirate Ship is the best free shipping software for most small sellers. It has no subscription or label fees and gives USPS Commercial Pricing and discounted UPS rates. Veeqo is also free for shipping and suits Amazon sellers, while Shippo and Easyship offer free tiers with monthly label limits.
How much does shipping software cost?
Shipping software ranges from free to several hundred dollars a month. Pirate Ship and Veeqo shipping are free. ShipStation starts at $14.99 a month for 50 shipments, and Shippo Pro starts at $17 a month. Fulfillment services such as ShipBob quote custom pricing based on your orders and storage.
Does shipping software get cheaper postage?
Yes. Most shipping tools give you discounted carrier rates compared with retail counter prices, especially for USPS and UPS. The size of the discount varies by carrier, service, and package. You can also connect your own negotiated carrier accounts to tools like ShipStation and Shippo.
What is the difference between shipping software and a 3PL?
Shipping software helps you buy labels, print packing slips, and send tracking while you pack orders yourself. A 3PL, or third-party logistics provider, such as ShipBob, stores your inventory in its warehouses and picks, packs, and ships orders for you, charging fees per order and for storage.
Related lists
Ecommerce
Best Inventory Management Software in 2026
Stock control that keeps every channel in sync.
Ecommerce
Best Customer Support Software for Ecommerce in 2026
Help desks that answer order questions fast.