ShipBob vs ShipStation: a 3PL and shipping software, not like for like
ShipBob stores and ships your inventory. ShipStation prints labels for inventory you store and pack yourself. Here is how each works with Shopify, how each is priced, and how to decide for your store.
- 100+Shopify stores built
- Shopify-onlyD2C agency
- 2–3 weeksStandard launch
- 30 daysPost-launch support
ShipBob and ShipStation side by side
Short answer: ShipBob replaces your warehouse and packing. ShipStation makes your own shipping faster and cheaper to run. They solve different problems, so compare them only after you know which problem you have.
| Factor | ShipBob | ShipStation |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A 3PL. It stores your inventory in its fulfillment centers, then picks, packs and ships your orders. | Shipping software. It imports your orders, compares carrier rates and prints labels, and you store and pack the products. |
| Who holds the inventory | ShipBob, in its fulfillment centers. | You, in your own space, or a 3PL you hire separately. |
| Software fee | ShipBob says its software is free for all customers. | Monthly plans, from $14.99 a month for the Starter plan at 50 shipments a month. |
| Other fees | Implementation, receiving, storage, and pick, pack and ship fees per order. Amounts come in a quote. | Your carrier rates and your own packing costs. ShipStation lists no per-label fee. |
| Shipping rates | Variable, based on weight, dimensions, destination and service. | Rate comparison across USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL Express and more, and you can use your own carrier accounts. |
| Network | ShipBob says it has 60+ fulfillment centers across the US, Canada, the UK, the EU and Australia. | None. You ship from wherever you store the products. |
| Delivery speed | A 2-Day Express program that merchants can turn on from the dashboard, according to ShipBob. | Depends on your location, your carriers and the service you choose. |
| On Shopify | Connect your store, import products and orders, and sync orders and inventory. Tracking events show in Shopify. | Imports Shopify orders with physical products. Tracking flows back to Shopify when you create a label. |
From ShipBob's pricing page, ShipBob's Shopify page, ShipBob's 2-Day Express page, ShipStation's pricing page and ShipStation's Shopify page, checked 14 October 2026. These are the providers' own claims, so confirm current terms with each before you decide.
How each works with Shopify
Short answer: Both connect to Shopify and pull in your orders. The difference is what happens next: ShipStation prints a label for you to ship, while ShipBob receives the order and ships it from a fulfillment center.
- ShipBob: you connect your store, import products and orders, and orders sync in as fast as real time. Order and inventory quantities sync back to your store, and extra tracking events appear in Shopify
- ShipStation: it imports Shopify orders with physical products, applies automation rules for carrier, service and package, and sends tracking back to Shopify when you create a label. Pick one sender for shipping emails, so customers do not get duplicates
- Shopify itself: Shopify says you can buy and print shipping labels from your Shopify admin. See Shopify's shipping labels page. If labels are your only problem, check that first
Whichever you choose, the setup on the Shopify side still matters: shipping rates at checkout, delivery promises and tracking emails. Our checkout optimization guide covers checkout, and our page for US D2C brands covers the rest of the US setup.
What each costs
Short answer: ShipStation publishes its plan prices. ShipBob publishes its fee categories but no amounts, so you need a quote. Compare the total monthly cost of each, including your own time.
ShipStation plans
| Shipments a month | Starter | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $14.99 | $29.99 | $349.99 |
| 500 | $39.99 | $89.99 | $449.99 |
| 1,000 | $79.99 | $149.99 | $599.99 |
| 5,000 | $174.99 | $249.99 | $799.99 |
Monthly prices in US dollars from ShipStation's pricing page, checked 14 October 2026. The page also shows larger tiers, a 30-day free trial and a saving for annual billing. Starter includes 3 users, Standard 10 and Premium 15. Carrier rates are extra.
ShipBob fees
- Software: ShipBob says its software is completely free for all customers
- Fees: implementation, receiving inventory, warehousing, and picking, packing and shipping each order. The pricing page lists no amounts
- Shipping: variable, based on weight, dimensions, destination and service
- Extras: kitting, wholesale and EDI orders cost more. Plain boxes and mailers are free, and branded packaging has to be stored
- Returns: a flat fee per return when it arrives at the fulfillment center
ShipBob's own comparison page says ShipBob is not the cheapest fulfillment option on the market, so price it against your real volumes. See ShipBob's pricing page.
Using both together
Short answer: Yes, it is possible. ShipBob says it partners with ShipStation for brands that cannot connect directly to ShipBob's dashboard, and it describes orders from all channels syncing into one portal and on to ShipBob.
- When it helps: you sell on several channels or stores and want one place for orders before they go to the 3PL
- What to confirm: third-party connector listings describe the data flow in different directions, so ask both providers which orders, inventory and tracking data move, and which way
- What not to do: do not pay for software that duplicates what the 3PL already does for the same orders
See ShipBob's own comparison for how it describes the pairing.
How to choose
Short answer: If you have the space and time to pack orders yourself, start with shipping software. If packing is taking too much time, or you need to ship from more than one location, look at a 3PL.
Software fits when
ShipStation
- You store and pack orders yourself, or with a small team
- You want to compare carrier rates and print labels in batches
- You want fewer manual steps, with rules for carrier, service and package
- You want to keep control of packaging and the unboxing
A 3PL fits when
ShipBob
- Picking and packing is taking time from you or your team
- You want to hold stock closer to customers in more than one region
- You want a delivery speed program you do not run yourself
- Your volume justifies per-order fees and a quote
Work out the monthly cost of each option with your real order volume, order weights and destinations, and include the hours your team spends packing. Our Shopify fees guide shows how to cost out the Shopify side.
Before you commit
Short answer: Get every fee in writing, test the Shopify connection, and run a small batch before you move all your inventory or orders.
Pre-launch checklist
- Ask ShipBob for a written quote covering implementation, receiving, storage, pick, pack and ship, returns and any minimums
- Compare ShipStation's plan for your monthly shipments, plus carrier rates and your own packing costs
- Check whether Shopify's own labels already solve your problem
- Connect a test store or a few products first and place test orders
- Check that tracking and inventory reach Shopify correctly
- Decide which system sends shipping emails, so customers receive one
- Test a return and a refund end to end
- Review your shipping rates and delivery promises at checkout
Frequently asked questions
Is ShipBob the same as ShipStation?
No. ShipBob is a 3PL and ShipStation is shipping software. ShipBob stores your inventory and picks, packs and ships your orders. ShipStation imports your orders, compares carrier rates and prints labels, but you still store and pack the products yourself.
Can I use ShipBob and ShipStation together?
Yes. ShipBob says it partners with ShipStation for brands that cannot connect directly to ShipBob's dashboard. ShipBob describes ShipStation as a way to bring orders from several stores into one portal that then sends them to ShipBob. Third-party connector listings describe the data flow differently, so confirm the direction and the objects it covers with both providers before you set it up.
Which is cheaper, ShipBob or ShipStation?
It depends on your volume and your packing costs, because the cost structures differ. ShipStation charges a monthly software plan plus your carrier rates, and you cover storage and packing yourself. ShipBob charges for receiving, storage and pick, pack and ship, and publishes no amounts, so you need a quote. Compare the full monthly cost of each, including your own time.
Does ShipBob charge a software fee?
ShipBob says its software is free for all customers. Its costs come from implementation, receiving inventory, warehousing, picking, packing and shipping each order, plus extras such as kitting and wholesale orders. Plain boxes and mailers are free, and custom branded packaging has to be stored.
How much does ShipStation cost?
ShipStation's listed plans start at $14.99 a month for the Starter plan at 50 shipments a month. Prices rise with the plan and the number of shipments, for example $39.99 for Starter at 500 shipments and $89.99 for Standard at 500 shipments. ShipStation offers a 30-day free trial, and its pricing page shows a saving for annual billing.
Do ShipBob and ShipStation work with Shopify?
Yes. Both connect to Shopify and bring in your orders. ShipStation prints labels for you to ship yourself and sends tracking back to Shopify. ShipBob receives the order and its fulfillment centers ship it, with order and inventory counts synced to your store.
Do I need either one if Shopify already prints labels?
Not always. Shopify says you can buy and print shipping labels from your Shopify admin. Shipping software such as ShipStation adds multi-carrier rate comparison, batch printing and automation rules. A 3PL such as ShipBob adds storage and packing. Decide which of those problems you actually have before you pay for a tool.
Should I choose a 3PL or shipping software?
Choose a 3PL if packing is taking too much of your time or you need to ship from more than one location. Choose shipping software if you are happy to store and pack your own orders and want better rates and less manual work. If you already use a 3PL, shipping software can still help with orders from other channels.
Sources
Checked on 14 October 2026. Providers change their pricing and features, so confirm the current terms before you decide. We build only on Shopify, we are not affiliated with ShipBob or ShipStation, and we do not run fulfillment.
- ShipBob: pricing: fee categories, free software, packaging, returns
- ShipBob: Shopify integration: order and inventory sync, tracking, network
- ShipBob: 2-Day Express and ShipBob vs ShipStation
- ShipStation: pricing: plans, shipments, users, trial
- ShipStation: Shopify integration: orders, labels, tracking, carriers
- Shopify Help Center: shipping labels
