Ship orders

Pirate Ship suits you if you ship mostly with USPS or UPS, because the software is free and postage carries no markup. Shippo makes sense when you want to compare more carriers, since it adds FedEx and DHL to the list. Shippo's free plan stops at 30 labels a month, then you pay as volume grows. Try both with a week of real orders and compare the label totals.

Free tools cover most shops that ship from one store and print a few dozen labels a week. Pirate Ship has no paid tier at all, and Shippo charges only once you pass 30 labels a month. ShipStation has paid plans only, from $14.99 a month. The jump makes sense when you sell on several marketplaces and want rules to pick the carrier for you.

Your store's built-in labels may be fine if you sell on one channel and like its rates. Separate software pays off when orders arrive from several stores and marketplaces at once. ShipStation gathers them into one queue and prints labels in batches across carriers. Compare a month of postage costs before and after to see whether the switch saves money.

Pirate Ship imports orders from your online store or a spreadsheet and prints labels in bulk. ShipStation applies the shipping rules you set as orders arrive, then batches the labels across carriers. Shippo connects to your store or marketplace, so orders land ready to ship. Use a thermal printer and 4 × 6 in labels to avoid cutting sheets by hand.

ShipStation is the only pick here that works for UK sellers, alongside the US. Shippo and Pirate Ship sell discounted labels for US sellers only. If you ship from the EU, start with your national post office's business account and compare it with the tools your shop platform offers. Check customs paperwork too, since parcels from the UK to the EU need a customs declaration.