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January 10, 2025

Best Shipping and Fulfillment Apps in 2025

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Shipping in today's eCommerce industry is much more than delivering a product from point A to point B. It forms an essential element of the customer experience strategy for a brand. Efficient, effective, and on-time shipping helps distinguish a Shopify store from competitors, increases satisfaction for customers, and leads to repeated sales. Many business owners are overwhelmed, though, in dealing with the intricacies of shipping, particularly in international orders.

Shipping apps for Shopify help bridge that gap. Such apps simplify logistics, provide sophisticated features like real-time tracking, automated documentation, and discounted carrier rates, and give merchants more time to grow their business. For domestic or international shipping, the right shipping app will dramatically improve efficiency and bottom line.

In this blog, we'll be reviewing the best shipping apps for Shopify, starting with OpenBorder and Passport, and then some other top-rated solutions. We will dive deep into their key features, pricing, user ratings, and how they can help you build a successful Shopify business.

Why Shipping Apps Are Essential for Shopify Businesses

Running a successful Shopify store is not just about having great products or a well-designed website—it’s about ensuring a smooth post-purchase experience. Here’s why shipping apps are critical to achieving that goal:

1. Time Savings through Automation

Some people find manual control of orders time-consuming, since managing their shipping cost also requires computation before affixing labels. Such tasks may cost a merchant their precious time away from the sale and product research and marketing sides of their venture.

2. Cost Optimization

Shipping rates vary greatly with the carrier, destination, and size of the package. Most shipping apps provide discounted rates from major carriers like USPS, FedEx, and DHL, thereby reducing shipping costs for merchants. Apps like OpenBorder and Passport also make cross-border shipping easy by providing pre-negotiated rates and upfront duties and taxes.

3. Enhanced Customer Experience

The best shipping experience will play a major role in retaining customers. Merchants will have a superior experience through apps offering branded tracking pages, real-time updates, and hassle-free returns. Customer inquiries are reduced, and satisfaction increases.

4. Scaling International Sales

Cross-border commerce will prove a huge growth opportunity for Shopify stores. On the other hand, there are customs duties, documentation work, and dealing with currency conversions. Apps like OpenBorder and Passport specialize in international shipping, making it easier to sell globally without the headaches of cross-border logistics.

5. Data-Driven Insights

Many shipping apps offer analytics tools that provide insights into shipping performance, carrier reliability, and customer satisfaction. By leveraging these insights, merchants can make informed decisions, optimize shipping strategies, and ultimately improve profitability.

Best Shipping and Fulfillment apps in 2025

1. OpenBorder

OpenBorder specializes in cross-border shipping solutions, enabling Shopify merchants to expand their global reach with ease.

Key Features:

  • Competitive Cross-Border Rates: Leverages volume-based rates from specialized carriers, offering 5-12 business day shipping worldwide.
  • Seamless Integration: Integrates effortlessly with platforms like ShipStation and Shopify, ensuring smooth operations.
  • Localized Services: Provides end-to-end tracking and branded tracking pages, enhancing customer trust and satisfaction.

Benefits:

  • Global Expansion: Facilitates international sales by simplifying complex cross-border logistics.
  • Enhanced Customer Experience: Offers transparent tracking and localized returns, building customer trust.
  • Operational Efficiency: Automates tax and duty classifications, reducing manual workload.

Pricing:

Pricing details for OpenBorder are not publicly available. Interested merchants should contact OpenBorder directly for a customized quote.

2. Passport

Passport is an international shipping carrier tailored for e-commerce businesses, focusing on affordability and transparency.

Key Features:

  • Inclusive Shipping Costs: Provides international shipping with duties and taxes included, eliminating unexpected fees for customers.
  • Automated Documentation: Generates export and import documents automatically, streamlining the shipping process.
  • Real-Time Tracking: Allows customers to monitor their packages from warehouse to doorstep.

Benefits:

  • Cost Transparency: Prevents surprise charges, enhancing customer satisfaction.
  • Simplified International Shipping: Automates paperwork, reducing administrative burdens.
  • Improved Customer Experience: Real-time tracking keeps customers informed, building trust.

Pricing:

Passport offers customized pricing based on shipping volume and business needs. Merchants should contact Passport for detailed pricing information.

Ratings:

User ratings for Passport are 4.5 out of 5 on G2 and people love it for their reliant and international shipping services. 

3. AfterShip Order Tracking

AfterShip offers robust shipment tracking capabilities, supporting over 1,100 carriers worldwide.

Key Features:

  • Automated Tracking: Monitors shipments and provides real-time updates to customers.
  • Branded Tracking Pages: Allows customization to reflect brand identity.
  • Analytics: Offers insights into shipping performance and customer engagement.

Benefits:

  • Enhanced Customer Communication: Keeps customers informed, reducing support inquiries.
  • Brand Consistency: Maintains brand presence throughout the shipping process.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizes analytics to optimize shipping strategies.

Pricing:

AfterShip offers a free plan with basic features. Paid plans start at $11 per month, scaling with additional features and higher shipment volumes.

Ratings:

AfterShip holds a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on the Shopify App Store, based on over 4,600 reviews, indicating high user satisfaction.

4. ShipStation

ShipStation is a comprehensive shipping solution that integrates with multiple carriers and sales channels.

Key Features:

  • Multi-Carrier Support: Connects with USPS, FedEx, and UPS and more.
  • Automation Rules: Automates shipping tasks based on predefined criteria.
  • Batch Processing: Enables printing of multiple labels simultaneously.

Benefits:

  • Operational Efficiency: Reduces manual entry and errors through automation.
  • Cost Savings: Accesses discounted shipping rates.
  • Scalability: Supports businesses of varying sizes with high order volumes.

Pricing:

ShipStation's pricing starts at $9.99 per month for the Starter plan, which includes up to 50 shipments per month. Higher-tier plans accommodate greater shipment volumes and additional features.

Ratings:

ShipStation has 4.1 rating out of 5 on the shopify app store, with users praising its functionality and integration capabilities.

5. Easyship

Easyship simplifies international shipping by offering a range of features designed for cross-border commerce.

Key Features:

  • Automated Shipping Rates: Calculates rates, taxes, and duties for international shipments.
  • Global Carrier Integration: Partners with multiple carriers to offer diverse shipping options.
  • Centralized Dashboard: Manages all shipping activities from a single interface.

Benefits:

  • Global Reach: Facilitates international expansion with ease.
  • Cost Optimization: Provides transparent cost calculations to avoid unexpected fees.
  • Streamlined Operations: Centralizes shipping management for efficiency.

Pricing:

Easyship offers a free plan with access to basic features. Premium plans start at $29.

Ratings: EasyShip has 4.1 out of 5 ratings with over 400+ reviews. 

Summary

Selecting the right shipping app can significantly enhance the operational efficiency of a Shopify business. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale globally, shipping apps are indispensable tools that automate logistics, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction.

We have covered here two of the best apps for international shipping: OpenBorder and Passport, among others such as AfterShip, ShipStation, Easyship, and more. Each app offers unique features and benefits tailored to different business needs, from automation and real-time tracking to cost savings and enhanced customer experience.

By using these shipping apps, Shopify merchants can simplify their logistics operations, scale their business, and deliver the best shopping experience to their customers. As e-commerce continues to grow, efficient shipping is one of the keys to staying ahead in the game, and these apps are here to help merchants achieve just that.

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Written by
Emma Johnson
Head of Marketing

Emma Johnson is celebrated for her strategic brilliance and innovative flair. By seamlessly blending creativity with data-driven insights, she has propelled Loop’s brand to new heights, establishing it as a formidable force in the Shopify Subscriptions space.