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Logistics · head to head

Kuebix vs ShipStation

Kuebix logo

Kuebix

Logistics

Shipper TMS known for its free tier, acquired by Trimble in 2020 and now sold inside the Trimble portfolio

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ShipStation logo

ShipStation

Logistics

Multichannel order fulfillment software

From
$14.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Kuebix the free tier that made the product well known was the reason most buyers looked at it, and after the Trimble acquisition the entry level commercial terms are no longer what the widely circulated reviews describe, so any research older than the acquisition is misleading.; ShipStation pricing is banded by monthly shipment volume, so the headline rate covers only the lowest 50 shipment band
  • They diverge on capability: Kuebix covers Rate shopping, ShipStation covers Multichannel order management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kuebix and ShipStation actually diverge.

Attributes where Kuebix and ShipStation differ
AttributeKuebixShipStation
Starting priceOn request$14.99/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb
FoundedUnknown2011

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Logistics).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Kuebix

  • Rate shopping
  • Booking and tendering
  • Shipment tracking
  • Freight audit support
  • Community capacity
  • Reporting

Only in ShipStation

  • Multichannel order management
  • Batch label printing
  • Shipping automation
  • International shipping
  • Return management
  • Customer communication
  • Carrier integration
  • Real-time tracking

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Kuebix

  • A small shipper with negotiated LTL rates that currently compares carriers in a spreadsheetnot ShipStation
  • A distributor wanting to check carrier invoices against quoted rates without buying a freight audit servicenot ShipStation
  • A shipper already invested in Trimble transportation technology and wanting the shipper side from the same vendornot ShipStation
  • A logistics team needing basic lane and carrier spend reporting without an enterprise TMS implementationnot ShipStation

ShipStation

  • Printing shipping labels across multiple carriersnot Kuebix
  • Importing orders from marketplaces and stores for fulfilmentnot Kuebix
  • Automating shipping rules and batch label creationnot Kuebix

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Kuebix

  • The free tier that made the product well known was the reason most buyers looked at it, and after the Trimble acquisition the entry level commercial terms are no longer what the widely circulated reviews describe, so any research older than the acquisition is misleading.
  • Ownership by Trimble means the roadmap is set against a portfolio strategy centred on carrier and fleet technology, and shipper side investment competes internally with products that sell to a different customer.
  • It is a rating and booking tool rather than a full transportation management system, so shippers with multi leg, international or complex allocation requirements outgrow it quickly.
  • Rate accuracy depends on the shipper loading and maintaining its own carrier contracts, and stale rate tables produce confident quotes that the carrier invoice then contradicts.
  • Support and account management now run through a large diversified vendor, and small shippers on entry level arrangements report less direct access than they had with the original company.

ShipStation

  • Pricing is banded by monthly shipment volume, so the headline rate covers only the lowest 50 shipment band
  • The Starter plan includes 3 users and does not allow buying additional users
  • Bringing your own carrier accounts and unlimited automations require the Standard plan
  • Purchase orders, scan to receive, forecasting and pick to tote require the Premium plan at $349.99 per month
  • Custom analytics and dedicated implementation are Premium only
  • The advertised 20% saving requires annual billing

Pricing, plan by plan

Kuebix

On request
  • Kuebix (Trimble Transportation)$undefined/year
    • Shipper rating, booking and tracking
    • Carrier rate management
    • Reporting and freight audit support

ShipStation

$14.99/month
  • Starter$14.99/month
    • 3 users
    • basic automations
    • return labels
  • Standard$29.99/month
    • 10 users
    • unlimited automations
    • API access
  • Premium$349.99/month
    • 15 users
    • advanced inventory management
    • warehouse management

Which should you pick?

Choose Kuebix if

  • You need rate shopping.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want booking and tendering.
Kuebix review

Choose ShipStation if

  • You need multichannel order management.
  • You also want batch label printing.
ShipStation review

Questions people ask

Is Kuebix or ShipStation better?
Neither clearly leads. Kuebix starts at On request and ShipStation at $14.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kuebix or ShipStation?
Kuebix starts at On request and ShipStation at $14.99/month.
Does Kuebix or ShipStation run on more platforms?
Kuebix runs on Web, API. ShipStation runs on Web.
What is Kuebix best used for?
Kuebix is most often used for a small shipper with negotiated ltl rates that currently compares carriers in a spreadsheet, a distributor wanting to check carrier invoices against quoted rates without buying a freight audit service, a shipper already invested in trimble transportation technology and wanting the shipper side from the same vendor, a logistics team needing basic lane and carrier spend reporting without an enterprise tms implementation. Of those, a small shipper with negotiated ltl rates that currently compares carriers in a spreadsheet and a distributor wanting to check carrier invoices against quoted rates without buying a freight audit service are not what ShipStation is typically brought in for.
What can Kuebix do that ShipStation cannot?
Kuebix covers Rate shopping, Booking and tendering, Shipment tracking, Freight audit support. ShipStation covers Multichannel order management, Batch label printing, Shipping automation, International shipping.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Kuebix: Is Kuebix still free?

Do not assume so. The free community tier was central to the original company and the terms changed after Trimble acquired the business in 2020. Confirm current availability with Trimble.

ShipStation: How much does ShipStation cost?

ShipStation's Starter plan begins at $14.99/month, Standard at $29.99/month, and Premium at $349.99/month. All plans offer 20% savings with annual billing and include a 30-day free trial.

Source
Kuebix: Who owns Kuebix?

Trimble Inc., which acquired it in 2020.

ShipStation: Does ShipStation offer a free trial?

Yes, ShipStation includes a 30-day free trial requiring no credit card for all three pricing tiers.

Source
Kuebix: Is it a full TMS?

It is strongest at LTL rate shopping, booking and tracking. Complex multimodal planning is not its territory.

ShipStation: How does ShipStation pricing vary by shipment volume?

ShipStation pricing is volume-based within each tier, scaling from 50 shipments/month up to 100,000+ shipments/month, with higher volumes commanding proportionally higher monthly fees.

Source
Kuebix: Does it work with my own carrier contracts?

Yes, that is the core use case, but you are responsible for keeping the rate tables current.

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