an OBJECTIVE Comparison of Aftership with its Alternatives

Top 10 AfterShip Competitors and Alternatives [2023 Updated List]

1. ClickPost

Overview: 

ClickPost is one of the world’s advanced shipping software that provides carrier aggregation and order fulfilment services for ecommerce businesses across the globe. It provides end-to-end logistics services, improves post-purchase customer experience, and helps generate added revenue through branding.

ClickPost can automatically allocate the best carriers for your shipment by evaluating key metrics like destination address, carrier performance, type of shipment, and more. It can also handle returns through its excellent self-serve returns management portal where customers can place return quests. The portal also asks for customer feedback. Want to know how ClickPost fares against AfterShip?

Features: 

• Integrations include 250+ global carriers, storefronts like Shopify, and marketplaces like Amazon. 

• ClickPost offers management of all orders from a single window through a unified dashboard.  

• Use a single API to create orders, generate waybills, print shipping labels, and prepare orders for shipping 

• ClickPost uses Push and Pull API integrations to send real-time tracking updates to customers through a branded tracking page and multiple communication channels. Customers only need to enter their tracking number to track their orders.

• Auto-resolve shipping exceptions with an intelligent workflow and NDR management.

Pros: ClickPost offers the fastest carrier integrations and an easy-to-navigate platform for order management. 

Cons: ClickPost is mostly suited for large and medium enterprises with higher order volumes  

2. Shippo 

Overview: 

Shippo was started in San Francisco, California, and provides shipping software solutions that automate certain aspects of the ecommerce shipping process using multicarrier integration. It helps ecommerce businesses, storefronts, and marketplaces to integrate with multiple sales channels. It can help firms with packaging, delivery, reverse logistics, etc. It also allows the printing of shipping labels in batches and can increase brand engagement through the branded tracking pages. Shippo renders its services in the United States, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, and Australia. 

It is one of the best alternatives to the AfterShip software. So, if it comes down to AfterShip Vs. Shippo, which one should you choose? AfterShip is most known for its excellent tracking features while Shippo is known for overall shipping optimisation. However, Aftership provides 900+ carrier integrations leaving Shippo far behind in that aspect. You will be able to determine the more suitable software for your business only after you carefully assess your shipping needs. 

Features:

• Integrations include 85+ carriers and storefronts.

• Shippo's unified platform enables carrier rate comparisons to be carried out before selection.   

• Create shipping labels enabled with the proper format for easier customs clearance for new and existing shipments.  

• Shippo displays ETA and pricing on product pages for users.

• Email updates with tracking notifications are shared with customers in addition to being displayed on a branded tracking page. 

Pros: Shippo gives excellent solutions for cheap shipping rates. 

Cons: Shippo may have hidden charges and offers limited customer support.   

3. ShipStation

Overview:

ShipStation operates largely in the US and works as a multicarrier integration platform that enables effective inventory management as well. It makes the process of shipping items to customers easier and helps businesses keep a tab on their packages and inventory. Plus, its integrations with top shopping platforms and marketplaces make it a powerful tool for online sellers. ShipStation can also hasten the order fulfilment process by automating several parts of the shipping process like product reports, data analytics, order management, and more. Looking for other options? You can check out the 10 best ShipStation alternatives for your online store. Want a thorough comparison between AfterShip and ShiptStation? Check out the Aftership Vs. ShipStation post now.

Features:

• Integrations include 70+ carriers and seller platforms 

• ShipStation enables multi-channel inventory synchronization for simple stock appraisal. 

• Allows shipping labels to be printed in bulk and at discounted shipping rates.  

• Branded tracking page provided to display order status and tracking updates to customers. It increases opportunities for cross-selling and upselling.

• Users can print labels and get access to a branded returns portal on ShipStation.   

Pros: Inventory management and stock appraisals are made easy with ShipStation  

Cons: ShipStation does not provide the support required for managing multiple glitches  

4. ParcelPerform 

Overview: 

ParcelPerform is based out of the US and offers inventory management software that provides data management and order tracking solutions to ecommerce businesses. It offers ecommerce businesses reliable and efficient logistics services. By working with ParcelPerform, online stores can reduce shipping costs, improve customer satisfaction, and increase overall productivity. With over 10 years of experience in the logistics industry, ParcelPerform or its alternatives can be a great partner for any ecommerce business looking to streamline its shipping process.

Features:

• Integrations include 600+ global carriers and supporting platforms

• Update customers on tracking notifications via Email, SMS, and a branded tracking page.

• With ParcelPerform, brands can respond to customer queries faster with the help of a customer service toolkit.    

• Track and receive analytics reports to improve shipping performance with ParcelPerform.

Pros: Reduce WISMO calls through increased responsiveness with ParcelPerform.  

Cons: Repeated glitches make ParcelPerform’s system tough to use.     

5. Narvar 

Overview: 

Narvar is an award-winning shipping software that operates in the US and helps online businesses improve the post-purchase customer experience. Narvar helps in the management of all your logistics needs. They streamline the process of automation and tracking orders by making it simpler and more efficient. As a business owner, you can rely on Narvar to keep your customers happy by making sure their orders arrive on time and as expected.

It initiates the order fulfilment process with the generation of the waybill, after which the order is picked, packed and sent over for delivery. Additionally, it offers valuable insights into order trends so you can make better purchase decisions. If you're looking for an experienced and reliable partner for your ecommerce logistics needs, Narvar or its competitors can make an excellent alternative to AfterShip.

 Features:

• Integration includes 350+ carriers, sales channels, and various ecommerce support partners

• Automated order tracking updates are sent to customers via email, SMS, and other channels including a branded tracking page.

• Narvar’s returns portal enables requests and exchange rules to be customized to automate the process.  

• Narvar provides a service that enables orders to be picked up by customers from Concierge stations. 

Pros: Narvar gives you more freedom to customize various features like the returns portal.  

Cons: Order tracking notifications with Narvar are not received in real time.    

6. WeSupplyLabs 

Overview: 

Philadelphia-based business WeSupplyLabs helps an online business manage its shipping operations with the help of automation and intelligence. Ecommerce businesses are always looking for new and innovative ways to improve their logistics operations. WeSupplyLabs provides its clients with the latest supply chain research, best practices, and technology solutions. Its team of experts can help you optimize your fulfilment process and reduce cost-to-serve. It mainly focuses on optimizing the post-shipping experience by providing live order tracking data and reliable EDDs for enhanced post-purchase customer experience. If WeSupplyLabs is not able to add value to your shipping operations, then the WesupplyLabs alternatives surely will!

Features:

• Get instant access to 100+ carriers, storefronts, and support platforms. 

• WeSupplyLabs sends tracking updates to customers automatically and the estimated delivery date is displayed before purchase.  

• Provides a branded tracking page and a branded returns portal on the ecommerce platform

• WeSupplyLabs offers options for customers to do store pickups or curbside pickups. 

Pros: WeSupplyLabs helps improve customer experience through post-purchase branded experience. 

Cons: Carrier integrations with WeSupplyLabs can be very slow. 

7. Easyship

Overview: 

Easyship provides a shipping platform that enables the best shipping rates to be selected and focuses on customer outreach and order management. It is a simple and easy-to-use platform where you can manage your shipping with ease, reducing the time and effort it takes to get your products out to your customers.

Easyship has a team of logistics experts who are always on hand to help you every step of the way. The shipping platform is well known for providing the cheapest international shipping rates when delivering via USPS, UPS, or FedEx. The Aftership Vs. Easyship debate is an ongoing one. We can say that both of these shipping platforms can work extraordinarily well for you depending on what your specific requirements are.

Features:

• Integrations include 250+ global carriers, storefronts, marketplaces, and other platforms

• Easyship conducts a comparison of various shipping rates to enable cost-effective carrier selection. 

• Dynamic checkout rates are offered to improve customer checkout conversion rates.  

• Easyship offers a unified platform to create, manage and track orders as well as print shipping labels. 

Pros: Easyship is easy to integrate with and the dashboard is user-friendly and easy to navigate. 

Cons: Easyship has numerous technical limitations for larger order volumes.   

8. Convey 

Overview: 

Convey is a US-based shipping management software that improves the customer experience using integrations and predictive analysis. Convey can help reduce operational costs by providing in-depth analytics on shipping performance and any areas of business you need information on through customer feedback and delivery data. Convey and its competitors are a great alternative to AfterShip because they can predict delivery issues and alert customers accordingly. It can improve brand impressions through its white labelled tracking page and branded post-purchase experience. 

Features: 

• Integrations include a wide range of shipping carriers and ecommerce partners  

• Estimated delivery dates to be displayed to customers on your ecommerce platform 

• Automation of shipment tracking update notifications to customers

• Predictive analytics are provided regularly to improve shipping operations  

Pros: Increase response times to customer inquiries with Convey

Cons: Limited services related to shipping exception management and brand promotion offered.

9. Stamps

Overview:

Stamps is a  UK-based postage service company that helps small businesses, online retailers and large firms print postages for their orders from the comfort of their homes or offices. Through their partnership with USPS, Stamps also offers comprehensive warehouse management services to online stores. Storeowners can completely systematise the shipping process by customizing APIs, ERP management tools, and WMS accessories. It is one of the top Aftership competitors and is a leading provider of logistics services and postal services.

Features:

• With Stamps, entrepreneurs can directly import all their order data from various marketplaces onto a single platform.

• It can select the best carrier for you based on shipping rates and performance. Stamps are known for providing excellent discounts (up to 86% for both domestic and international packages) on USPS and UPS shipping.

• The Online Reporting Dashboard enables customers to track their orders in real-time.

• The simple workflow allows for easier shipping. This AfterShip alternative can also handle bulk orders.

Pros: Stamps has a free trial that allows you to test out its services.

Cons: Customer service can seem patchy at times.

10. ShipRocket

Overview:

ShipRocket is an ecommerce shipping and logistics software solution that helps businesses of all sizes ship their products quickly and efficiently. With ShipRocket, you can easily get your products to your customers anywhere in the world. The competitive pricing allows you to save money while growing your business. It delivers to over 29000 pin codes in India and 220+ countries globally. It provides security coverage on all domestic as well as cross-border shipments. It can help manage ecommerce fulfilment at competitive prices. If you want to simplify and optimise shipping operations, ShipRocket or its competitors can help.

Features:

• Anticipate order delays, reduce processing times of failed orders and manage customer grievances with ShipRocket’s NDR Management (Non-Delivery Report) feature.

• Boost business operations with COD (Cash on Delivery) remittance cycle of only 2 working days!

• ShipRocket gives you access to connect with the biggest selling channels like Amazon and eBay to streamline your operations. Integrate with multiple shopping carts like WooCommerce, and Magento and deliver across the globe.

• It provides pricing plans for both small/medium businesses and enterprises. It also features a shipping rate calculator on its website.

Pros: ShipRocket does not require any minimum number of orders and offers Cash on Delivery.

Cons: ShipRocket is not equipped to handle a large number of orders, and can often lead to shipping delays. 

How to Choose the Best AfterShip Competitors and Alternatives for Your Ecommerce Business

As an ecommerce business, you're likely familiar with AfterShip. It's a great tool for tracking orders and providing delivery notification updates to customers. But what if you need to switch to a different shipping software? In the section below, we'll discuss the features that set our list of Aftership competitors apart and how they can be of service to your business. By the end of this post, you'll have a clear idea of which shipping software is right for your business.​

1) Areas Served or Serviceability

The first step to finding the best alternative to Aftership is by figuring out whether the software platform works in the required locations and can manage your order volume. Some companies or shipping software are better able to handle bulk orders while others have weight restrictions on delivery. Similarly, some Aftership alternatives may not deliver to or accept returns from areas your targeted audience is located in. Therefore, it's important to figure out whether the software business you choose has the tools to ultimately help you scale up.

2) Shipment Tracking 

As an ecommerce business, it is critical that you know where your parcels and packages are in real-time. This allows you to stay up to date on where they are when they will be delivered, and how long the delivery process will take. 

In addition, real-time tracking allows you to make better shipping decisions based on what is happening with your parcels. For example, if there is a delay in transit, you can decide to send a replacement order instead of waiting for the original package. 

3) Price of the Shipping Software

As an ecommerce company, it is important to get the order to your customer as soon as possible at an affordable rate. That's why it's important to partner with an AfterShip competitor that can offer you the best price possible. To find out the best deals, always compare the services offered by a logistics platform against the individual carrier pricing. 

You must also critically analyze how many of those services are valuable for your online store before making a decision. Pricing is key because the goal of any online business is to stay profitable. For starters, software that provides a free trial or has affordable pricing plans, are good options You can also get platforms that have like flat shipping rates based on the weight of your order. 

4) Use of Logistics Technology and Inventory Management

If ecommerce businesses want to be successful and thrive in the current global market, they must make use of advanced logistics technology. By doing so, they will be able to manage their inventory more efficiently, manage packages and shipments more accurately, and optimize their delivery processes. Using advanced logistics technology can help ecommerce businesses save time and money while improving customer satisfaction levels. Look for features like route mapping or route optimization, GPS-tracking, AI and ML-driven software, and automation.

5) Availability of Customer Care

If you're an ecommerce business, it's important to remember that your customers are the lifeblood of your company. Without them, you'd have no one to sell to! For customers to keep coming back, providing excellent customer support is essential. 

This means responding quickly and effectively to inquiries, addressing any problems or complaints immediately, and going above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction. Therefore, when looking for AfterShip alternatives, prioritize one that offers excellent customer service. It can help you significantly reduce WISMO calls.

6) Delivery Methods

When it comes to ecommerce, shipping and delivery options are critical for success. Consumers today expect fast and convenient delivery, whether they're ordering a new shirt or groceries. But what are the best delivery options for ecommerce businesses? 

That answer lies in the kind of business you are and the type of delivery service your customers expect. Food and grocery delivery businesses demand scheduled delivery, hyperlocal delivery, and 1-hour delivery services from their logistics providers. Others may not be in urgent need of such expedited services. However, it goes without saying that faster delivery is always better. Hence, enquiring about delivery methods and options is extremely important when choosing a delivery management service like AfterShip. Do keep in mind that some of these specialised services can cost extra.

You may also want to simplify product returns for your customers and yourself by using a returns management platform like ClickPost, Aftership or WeSupplyLabs.

7) Modes of Payment

In the world of ecommerce, it's important to offer customers a variety of payment options. This allows them to choose the one that is most convenient for them. Different modes of payment also have different pricing and benefits for businesses. It's important to weigh the pros and cons of each before deciding which ones to offer your customers. We suggest going for an alternative of AfterShip that accommodates various payment gateways. 

8) Customer Reviews

Customer reviews are a valuable source of information for ecommerce businesses and logistics experts. By reading and analysing customer reviews, you can gain insights into what customers like and don't like about your product or service. This information can help you choose shipping management software to improve your business and keep your customers happy. If you come across mostly negative reviews around pricing, services, delivery accuracy, etc., then it's better to look for another AfterShip alternative for your business.

Final Conclusion

While there is a multitude of companies that provide logistics services, there are only a few that provide high-end software-based shipping solutions. The AfterShip alternatives that are most favoured by eCommerce enterprises are ClickPost, Narvar, Shippo, WeSupplyLabs, and ParcelPerform. 

Each of these companies makes use of various tech-enabled platforms to provide a different range of services. These may enable you to choose more cost-effective shipping options, actively promote your brand during the post-purchase customer experience, or even optimize your end-to-end shipping operations.

We hope our detailed discussion about the top 10 AfterShip alternatives and competitors and how to choose the best one among them will help you find the perfect solution for yourself!

Want to know how ClickPost fares against AfterShip? The AfterShip Vs. ClickPost read can be a great starting point!