best shipping software for small online businesses

Posted 2025-06-19 10:10:37

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Running a small online business can be exciting, but managing orders, tracking packages, and ensuring timely delivery can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where shipping software comes in — it streamlines the process, saves you time, reduces errors, and helps improve customer satisfaction.

Whether you're shipping 10 orders a week or 1,000, choosing the right shipping software can make all the difference. In this post, we’ll break down some of the best shipping software options for small online businesses in 2025, based on features, ease of use, integrations, and price.

Why Use Shipping Software?

Before diving into the list, here are a few key reasons why investing in shipping software is worth it:

Save Time: Automate label creation and order fulfillment.
Lower Costs: Access discounted shipping rates.
Improve Accuracy: Minimize human errors with automated order syncing.
Track Orders: Provide real-time tracking updates to customers.
Grow Faster: Focus on scaling while the software handles the logistics.

1. ShipStation

Best for: Multi-channel sellers

ShipStation is one of the most popular shipping software platforms out there, especially for businesses selling on platforms like Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, and eBay. It’s known for its ease of use and powerful automation features.

Top Features:

Integrates with over 100 selling channels
Bulk label printing
Discounted USPS, UPS, and DHL rates
Branded tracking pages and packing slips

Pricing: Starts at $9/month (for 50 shipments)

2. Pirate Ship

Best for: Budget-conscious businesses

Pirate Ship offers completely free shipping software with access to the cheapest USPS rates available, including Commercial Pricing.

Top Features:

No monthly fees or hidden costs
Simple, clean interface
Great for USPS shipping (including international)
Easy CSV uploads or direct Shopify integration

Pricing: Free — just pay for postage!

3. Shippo

Best for: Flexible growth and scalability

Shippo is a great all-around solution, especially for businesses that need flexibility. You can start with pay-as-you-go and upgrade as your business grows.

Top Features:

Discounted rates with USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL
Connects with major eCommerce platforms
Branded tracking and return labels
Developer-friendly API for custom setups

Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans start at $10/month

4. Easyship

Best for: International shipping

Easyship is ideal for businesses that ship globally. It offers a powerful dashboard to compare rates, duties, and delivery times.

Top Features:

Pre-calculated taxes and duties for 250+ countries
Automated customs forms
Connects with Shopify, WooCommerce, and more
Delivery lead-time transparency

Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $29/month

5. ShippingEasy

Best for: Email marketing and shipping in one

ShippingEasy is unique because it combines powerful shipping tools with basic customer marketing features like email automation.

Top Features:

USPS Commercial Plus rates
Inventory management
Email marketing for customer retention
Useful analytics dashboard

Pricing: Starts at $5/month for 50 shipments

6. Ordoro

Best for: Inventory and shipping management combined

Ordoro is a fantastic choice if you need robust inventory control along with shipping features. It's a bit more advanced but can grow with your business.

Top Features:

Automatic dropshipping support
Multi-channel order management
Barcode scanning and kitting
Shipping discounts

Pricing: Starts at $59/month (great for scaling businesses)

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right shipping software depends on your needs — whether it's saving money, simplifying processes, or expanding internationally. For most small online businesses:

Use Pirate Ship if you want simple, free USPS shipping.
Try Shippo or ShipStation for multi-channel selling.
Choose Easyship for international orders.
Consider ShippingEasy if you want email tools too.

With the right tool, you can streamline fulfillment, keep customers happy, and focus more on growing your business instead of stressing over shipping labels.