Aug 20, 2025
Save time and cut shipping costs on Shopify in 2025
Table of contents
Why you need a shipping app
Managing shipping in Shopify can quickly become a bottleneck. Manual rate calculations lead to billing errors; choosing the most affordable carrier for each order takes time; printing labels one by one delays fulfillment, and the lack of real‑time tracking makes customers anxious. Shipping apps automate these tasks and provide up‑to‑date rates, allowing you to offer competitive and reliable shipping options.
Modern shipping solutions integrate with multiple carriers, calculate duties and taxes automatically and generate ready‑to‑print labels and documents. This reduces manual work and improves customer satisfaction.
Benefits of using shipping apps
Cost savings
A shipping app can compare rates from different carriers in real time. By always choosing the cheapest option, merchants avoid overpaying. Some apps offer pre‑negotiated discounts, further reducing the cost per label.
Greater efficiency and automation
Tools automate packing, print labels in bulk and synchronize orders in a single dashboard, dramatically reducing processing time. Many also sync inventory and offer customizable rules for any shipping scenario.
Better shopping experience
Displaying accurate rates and shipping options directly on the product page reduces cart abandonment. Customers receive live tracking notifications and can choose flexible payment or in‑store pickup, increasing trust and satisfaction.
Scalability
As your store grows, a shipping app lets you manage domestic and international shipments from a single panel. Some even support local carriers such as Blue Dart or Correos Express.
What to look for in a shipping app
Real‑time rates and discounts: Compare costs and delivery times and select the cheapest carrier.
Label automation: Batch label printing, tracking dashboards and automatic notifications.
Multi‑carrier integration: Support for multiple couriers (UPS, DHL, USPS, FedEx, etc.).
Tax and duty calculation: For international shipments.
Custom shipping rules: For complex scenarios such as LTL freight or oversized products.
Real‑time tracking: For you and your customers.
How to integrate a shipping app with Shopify
Assess your needs: Consider order volume, destination countries and product types.
Choose the right app: See the recommended apps section below.
Installation: Visit the Shopify App Store, click Install and follow the instructions.
Configure your carriers: Connect your UPS, DHL, FedEx or other accounts and adjust rates or activate discounts if the app offers them.
Define packing rules: Decide whether to use carrier flat‑rate boxes or your own packaging.
Automate notifications: Enable email and SMS tracking updates so customers know the status of their shipment.
Test the workflow: Place test orders to ensure rates are accurate, labels print correctly and tracking functions as expected.
Recommended shipping apps
PluginHive simplifies shipping management in Shopify by connecting multiple carriers and automating every step of the process. It displays live rates at checkout, prints labels inside Shopify and marks orders as fulfilled automatically. It's ideal for stores that ship both locally and internationally.
Key features
Automatically select the cheapest carrier and service to ship your orders.
Pack into carrier flat‑rate boxes or use your own packaging for shipping.
Get a tracking dashboard for merchants and live tracking notifications for customers.
Ship your Indian domestic orders with Blue Dart, Delhivery & XPRESSBEES.
Support DHL Paket, TNT Express, Parcelforce, Purolator, Sendle, Aramex & Canpar.
ShipperHQ is a powerful platform that optimizes checkout and shipping with custom rules. Designed for businesses with advanced requirements, it allows you to define rates by package dimensions and get live quotes from more than 50 carriers. It also shows accurate delivery dates and pickup options.
Key features
Stop losing money on shipping with precise rates based on package dimensions.
Get live rates from more than 50 carriers (including LTL freight) or use custom table rates.
Show real delivery dates with preparation/cut‑off times and blocked dates.
Handle any shipping scenario with highly customizable rules.
Conquer cart abandonment by displaying shipping options directly on the product page.
Easyship centralizes your shipping needs and provides access to discounted rates. You can compare costs and transit times for each order, offer dynamic rates at checkout and automate customs documentation. Its intuitive interface and mobile app make it attractive for small and medium‑sized stores.
Key features
Access pre‑negotiated shipping discounts and link your own courier accounts.
Increase conversions with dynamic shipping rates at checkout.
Use automatic tax calculation and simplified customs documentation.
Personalize tracking emails and packing slips with your brand.
Add insurance at checkout to build customer trust.
ShipStation is designed for high‑volume merchants who need to automate and scale their logistics. It integrates with multiple marketplaces, bulk‑prints labels and includes warehouse tools. It also synchronizes inventory and calculates shipping rates during checkout.
Key features
Ship with UPS, USPS, Canada Post, Royal Mail, Australia Post, DHL Express and more.
Synchronize orders from Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart, NetSuite and other platforms.
Automation of shipments, bulk printing and warehouse tools to streamline fulfillment.
Shipping rates at checkout, returns options, insurance and electronic customs forms.
NEW: Inventory sync for orders and delivery date filters for Shop Promise.
Packlink PRO is a European platform that connects more than 30 domestic and international carriers and automates label creation. Ideal for businesses seeking flexibility without fixed fees, it offers real‑time synchronization with Shopify and access to negotiated rates.
Key features
Automation and real‑time synchronization of Shopify orders.
Exclusive access to our negotiated rates to save on shipments.
Real‑time tracking of all your shipments.
No fixed fees: you pay only for the shipments you send.
Send with your own rates (Correos Express, SEUR) with our subscription plan.
Shopify Australia Post Shipping App lets Shopify merchants automate Australia Post and StarTrack shipping end-to-end. From displaying live shipping rates at checkout to printing labels and tracking orders, the app streamlines fulfillment for domestic and international shipping.
Key Features:
Show real-time Australia Post & StarTrack shipping rates at checkout
Instantly generate and print Australia Post shipping labels
Automatically update Australia Post tracking numbers for every order
Schedule pickups and manage shipments directly within Shopify
Supports bulk shipment creation and return labels for hassle-free returns
Shopify Ship, Rate, and Track for FedEx is a complete FedEx shipping solution for Shopify that automates everything from live rates at checkout to label printing and tracking. It supports domestic, international, and freight services, helping merchants streamline fulfillment and deliver a superior shipping experience.
Key Features:
Show real-time FedEx shipping rates directly on the Shopify checkout page
Automatically generate and print FedEx shipping labels for every order
Update FedEx tracking numbers and send shipment notifications to customers
Offer FedEx pickups, freight services, and Hold at Location delivery options
Support bulk label printing, flexible packing, and delivery estimates across 220+ countries
Best practices to save time and money
Review your rates regularly. Carrier prices change; use real‑time comparison to take advantage of discounts.
Adjust your packaging. Use carrier flat‑rate boxes when appropriate or choose your own packaging to avoid unnecessary costs.
Automate your notifications. Set up automatic email or SMS alerts so customers know when their order has shipped and been delivered.
Test different carriers. Some apps allow you to use your own courier accounts; leverage this to negotiate better rates.
Insurance and protection. Adding insurance or deposits can protect your business from losses and improve customer trust.
FAQ
How can I reduce shipping costs on Shopify?
Use apps that compare rates from multiple carriers and automatically choose the cheapest option. Negotiate rates with your own carriers and use flat‑rate boxes when possible.
What are dynamic shipping rates at checkout?
These are rates calculated in real time based on weight, dimensions and destination. Apps like Easyship display these costs automatically on the payment page.
Can I synchronize orders from different marketplaces in a single app?
Yes. ShipStation allows you to import orders from Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart and other marketplaces into a single panel.
Which app is best for international shipping?
PluginHive and Easyship offer support for international couriers (UPS, DHL, FedEx) and handle customs documentation. Packlink PRO also supports sending to various European countries with negotiated rates.
Are there shipping apps without fixed fees?
Yes. Packlink PRO offers a pay‑as‑you‑go model where you only pay when you generate labels. Easyship also has a free plan with pay‑as‑you‑go options.
Conclusion
Choosing the right shipping app on Shopify not only helps you save money; it also improves customer satisfaction and frees up time to focus on growing your business. In 2025, the competition to offer fast and affordable shipping is stronger than ever, and PluginHive stands out as the all‑in‑one option thanks to its automatic carrier selection and complete tracking dashboard
If you’re ready to optimize your logistics and cut costs, take the next step and install PluginHive today. Your time and your bottom line will thank you.
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