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Software · head to head

ShipBob vs ShipStation

ShipBob logo

ShipBob

Software

E-commerce fulfillment and logistics platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ShipStation logo

ShipStation

Software

Multichannel order fulfillment software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ShipStation has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ShipBob pricing not published and sold by custom quote only, requires sales contact; ShipStation pricing is banded by monthly shipment volume, so the headline rate covers only the lowest 50 shipment band
  • They diverge on capability: ShipBob covers Fulfillment services, ShipStation covers Multichannel order management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ShipBob and ShipStation actually diverge.

Attributes where ShipBob and ShipStation differ
AttributeShipBobShipStation
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb
Founded20142011

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 ShipBob

  • Fulfillment services
  • Inventory management
  • Distributed warehousing
  • 2-day shipping
  • Shopify
  • Amazon
  • WooCommerce
  • BigCommerce

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.

ShipBob

  • E-commerce order fulfillment and logisticsnot ShipStation
  • Multi-location inventory managementnot ShipStation
  • 2-day shipping across continental United Statesnot ShipStation
  • Global shipping to 250+ destinationsnot ShipStation
  • B2B and marketplace order fulfillmentnot ShipStation
  • Branded packaging and unboxing experiencesnot ShipStation
  • Returns managementnot ShipStation

ShipStation

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

Where each one falls short

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

ShipBob

  • Pricing not published and sold by custom quote only, requires sales contact

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

ShipBob

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the ShipBob review.

ShipStation

Free
  • StarterFree
    • Up to 50 shipments/month
    • 1 user account
    • Basic reporting
  • Professional$49.95/month
    • Unlimited shipments
    • Up to 10 user accounts
    • Advanced automation

Which should you pick?

Choose ShipBob if

  • You need fulfillment services.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want inventory management.
ShipBob review

Choose ShipStation if

  • You need multichannel order management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want batch label printing.
ShipStation review

Questions people ask

Is ShipBob or ShipStation better?
Neither clearly leads. ShipBob starts at On request and ShipStation at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ShipBob or ShipStation?
ShipStation has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for ShipBob and Free for ShipStation.
Does ShipBob or ShipStation run on more platforms?
ShipBob runs on Web, API. ShipStation runs on Web.
Can I use ShipStation for free?
Yes. ShipStation has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ShipBob starts at On request.
What is ShipBob best used for?
ShipBob is most often used for e-commerce order fulfillment and logistics, multi-location inventory management, 2-day shipping across continental united states, global shipping to 250+ destinations. Of those, e-commerce order fulfillment and logistics and multi-location inventory management are not what ShipStation is typically brought in for.
What can ShipBob do that ShipStation cannot?
ShipBob covers Fulfillment services, Inventory management, Distributed warehousing, 2-day shipping. ShipStation covers Multichannel order management, Batch label printing, Shipping automation, International shipping.
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