ShipStation
by ShipStation (Auctane) · Transportation Management (TMS)
Multi-carrier shipping and order fulfillment software for ecommerce sellers.
- Works with
- NetSuite, QuickBooks Online, Sage 100, Microsoft Dynamics 365
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Company size
- SMB, Mid-market, Enterprise
- Pricing
- Subscription, tiered by users and monthly shipment volume
- Founded
- 2010
- Headquarters
- Austin, Texas, United States
Overview
ShipStation is a cloud-based shipping and order fulfillment platform aimed at ecommerce retailers and the operations teams that run them. It aggregates orders from marketplaces, online stores, and ERP systems into a single dashboard, then lets users compare rates across more than 200 carriers, batch-print labels, and apply automation rules to route and process shipments. The product positions itself for small businesses through enterprise sellers, with tiered plans that scale by user count and monthly shipment volume.
Beyond label creation, ShipStation covers the surrounding fulfillment workflow: order consolidation and splitting, inventory tracking across locations, pick-and-pack warehouse tooling, branded customer tracking pages and notifications, and self-serve returns. International shipments are handled with customs documentation and duties/tax support. A REST shipping API and a marketplace of 400+ prebuilt integrations let teams extend the platform or connect it to systems it doesn't natively support.
For companies running an ERP, ShipStation typically sits downstream of the system of record. Orders flow from the ERP into ShipStation for fulfillment, and tracking and carrier data flow back once items ship. NetSuite is the ERP ShipStation names directly on its own site; connections to QuickBooks, Sage, and Microsoft Dynamics are commonly built through third-party connectors and iPaaS platforms rather than a first-party connector. ShipStation is owned by Auctane (formerly Stamps.com), which is backed by Thoma Bravo.
Screenshots & demo
Demo video from the vendor's YouTube channel. Screenshots sourced from ShipStation (Auctane).
Features & capabilities
Multi-carrier shipping & rates
Rate comparison and label generation across a large carrier network.
- Automated rate shopping across 200+ carriers
- Discounted carrier rates (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL and others)
- Bring-your-own carrier accounts and negotiated contracts
- Bulk and batch label printing
- Address validation
- International shipping with customs forms, duties and taxes
Order management
Centralized multi-channel order handling.
- Unified dashboard consolidating orders from multiple sales channels
- Order filtering, tagging and search
- Order combining and splitting
- Multi-channel and marketplace order import
- Order status and exception handling
Fulfillment automation
Rules-based workflows that reduce manual steps.
- Automation rules to select carrier service and apply presets
- Auto-routing of orders to fulfillment locations
- Automatic insurance application
- Batch processing of shipments
- Saved presets for repeated shipment types
Inventory & warehouse management
Stock visibility and warehouse pick/pack workflows.
- Real-time inventory tracking across locations
- Stock allocation by sales channel
- Pick lists aligned to warehouse layout
- Packing slip generation
- Scan-based workflows and scan-to-verify
- Purchase orders and demand forecasting (Premium plan)
Tracking, branding & returns
Post-purchase customer experience and reverse logistics.
- Branded tracking pages
- Proactive shipment status notifications
- Self-serve returns portal
- Prepaid and automated return labels
- Return rules by product type
Reporting, analytics & developer tools
Performance insight and extensibility.
- Carrier and delivery performance reporting
- Shipping cost and margin analysis
- Channel profitability reporting
- Custom analytics (Premium plan)
- REST shipping API (rate, label, tracking, address validation)
- Marketplace of 400+ prebuilt integrations
Common use cases
- Consolidating orders from multiple marketplaces and storefronts into one shipping queue
- Comparing carrier rates and auto-selecting the cheapest qualifying service
- Batch-printing shipping labels for high-volume order days
- Fulfilling ERP-originated orders and syncing tracking back to the ERP
- Running multi-location warehouse pick-and-pack workflows
- Offering branded tracking and self-serve returns to customers
- Managing international shipments with customs documentation
Strengths & considerations
Strengths
- Broad carrier network (200+) with rate shopping built in
- Large prebuilt integration marketplace (400+ connectors) spanning marketplaces, carts and ERPs
- Tiered plans scaling from single-user SMBs to enterprise sellers
- Native NetSuite integration with bi-directional order and fulfillment sync
- Combined shipping, inventory and warehouse tooling in one platform rather than label-only scope
Considerations
- Interface is frequently described by reviewers as dated with a learning curve
- Costs can rise quickly at higher shipment volumes and added users
- First-party ERP connector coverage is limited; most ERP/accounting links beyond NetSuite rely on third-party connectors or iPaaS
- Some reviewers report inconsistent customer support and occasional billing-transparency concerns
ERP integrations
Orders sync NetSuite to ShipStation; carrier, service and tracking data sync back. Supports partial fulfillments, multiple packages and order cancellations in both directions.
Commonly connected via third-party connectors/iPaaS (e.g. DBSync, Celigo) rather than a first-party ShipStation connector.
Connected through third-party connectors/iPaaS platforms; not a first-party ShipStation connector.
Connected through third-party connectors/iPaaS platforms; not a first-party ShipStation connector.
Pricing
Standard plan from $29.99/month, Premium from $349.99/month. 30-day free trial (no credit card required). ~20% discount on annual billing. Postage and insurance billed separately. Get an independent shortlist with pricing guidance below.
Technical & security
- Hosting
- Vendor-hosted SaaS
- Compliance
- GDPR, CCPA
- Mobile app
- Yes
- Languages
- English
About the vendor
- Founded
- 2010
- Headquarters
- Austin, Texas, United States
- Ownership
- Owned by Auctane (formerly Stamps.com); backed by Thoma Bravo
- Notable customers
- Spiceology, Rush Order Tees, People's Choice Beef Jerky, Selkirk
Alternatives to ShipStation in Transportation Management (TMS)
ShipStation — frequently asked questions
Does ShipStation integrate with NetSuite?
Yes. ShipStation offers a bi-directional NetSuite integration. Orders export from NetSuite into ShipStation (customer records, items, prices, taxes, discounts), and once items are fulfilled the carrier, service and tracking data export back into NetSuite. It supports partial fulfillments, multiple packages and order cancellations in both directions.
Can ShipStation connect to QuickBooks or other ERPs?
ShipStation names NetSuite as its first-party ERP integration. Connections to QuickBooks Online, Sage and Microsoft Dynamics are typically built through third-party connectors or iPaaS platforms such as DBSync or Celigo rather than a native ShipStation connector.
How much does ShipStation cost?
Plans start at $14.99/month (Starter), with Standard from $29.99/month and Premium from $349.99/month. Pricing scales with user count and monthly shipment volume. A 30-day free trial is available with no credit card required, and annual billing offers roughly a 20% discount. Postage and insurance are billed separately.
How many carriers does ShipStation support?
ShipStation provides automated rate shopping across 200+ carriers, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Canada Post, Royal Mail and Australia Post. Sellers can use ShipStation's discounted rates or bring their own negotiated carrier accounts.
Is ShipStation suitable for small businesses?
Yes. ShipStation targets sellers from single-user small businesses through enterprise, with entry-level plans designed for low shipment volumes and higher tiers adding warehouse, inventory and analytics capabilities as volume grows.
Evaluating Transportation Management (TMS)?
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