Did you know that 80% of supply chain leaders believe it’s essential to provide clients with real-time updates on inventory, orders, and shipments? Plus, by optimizing routes and your team’s workload, you could save up to 8% on costs!
If you run a 3PL business, you know how challenging it can be to juggle inventory, transportation, and keeping your customers updated with tracking notifications. The right 3PL software is a game changer: it keeps your operations running smoothly and your clients happy.
This guide will make things simple. We’ll break down what 3PL software is, the main options available, and how to choose the best one for your logistics needs.
How is 3PL shipping and returns software different from a WMS for 3PL?
A WMS for 3PLs is designed to streamline warehouse operations, including inventory management, storage, and internal processes. Its primary goal is to ensure efficient management of warehouse activities.
In contrast, 3PL shipping and returns software oversees the complete customer logistics journey, covering shipping automation, order tracking, branded notifications, and returns handling. Its focus is on enhancing client service, improving the post-purchase experience, and integrating seamlessly with e-commerce platforms.
One of the key advantages of these solutions is their advanced multi-client capability. This feature enables a 3PL to establish custom shipping rules, connect with various carriers, and create personalized tracking and notification campaigns for each client account.t.
Benefits of using 3PL for transportation and returns
- Increased operational efficiency: Automating shipping and returns processes eliminates repetitive manual work, accelerates order processing, and reduces human error. Automation can boost operational efficiency by more than 60%, leading to faster fulfillment and fewer costly mistakes
- Enhanced customer experience: Real-time tracking and proactive notifications keep clients and customers informed about their orders and expected delivery times. 80% of consumers consider real-time tracking and updates essential for satisfaction. Branded tracking pages and smooth returns create a seamless post-purchase journey, increasing loyalty and repeat business
- Reduced costs: Smart shipping software allows for easy comparison of carrier rates, automated returns, and optimized delivery routes, significantly reducing operational expenses. Companies using advanced logistics platforms often see up to an 8% reduction in logistics costs through improved resource utilization and fewer manual interventions.
- Improved data visibility and decision-making: Centralized dashboards and robust analytics provide actionable insights into shipping performance, return rates, and customer satisfaction. Businesses using data-driven logistics solutions are 23% more likely to achieve above-average profitability by quickly identifying bottlenecks and optimizing operations
- Stronger client retention: Tailored workflows, branded communication, and fast, hassle-free returns help exceed client expectations and differentiate from competitors. 70% of businesses report that delivering a superior post-purchase experience is key to driving client retention and long-term growth
The 7 Best 3PL Software for shipping and returns
1. Outvio
Outvio stands out as a comprehensive platform that goes beyond basic shipping management. It enables 3PLs to handle everything from order processing and shipping label creation to advanced tracking, returns, and branded post-purchase experiences—all from a single dashboard. In addition to managing shipments, Outvio streamlines inventory control, automates routine tasks, and integrates seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms.
Outvio’s multi-client architecture makes it easy to tailor workflows, notifications, and carrier rules for each client, ensuring a truly customized service. This flexibility allows 3PLs to efficiently manage multiple clients with unique requirements, improving client satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Key advantages:
- End-to-end automation: Automate every step of order management, including order processing, shipping, returns, and customer communications, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the risk of human error.
- Automated invoice checking: Outvio automatically verifies invoices against orders and fulfillment data, reducing billing errors, saving time on manual checks, and ensuring accurate, transparent client billing.
- AI-driven analytics: Gain access to comprehensive, data-driven insights into carrier performance, delivery times, and customer experience, allowing you to make well-informed, strategic decisions that improve your business operations.
- Branded client portals: Provide your clients with personalized, real-time tracking and communication portals that feature their own branding, helping to strengthen customer loyalty and increase overall satisfaction.
- Proactive problem resolution: Monitor shipments in real time to quickly identify and address potential delivery issues before they affect the end customer, ensuring a smooth and reliable delivery experience.
2. Extensiv
Extensiv offers notable flexibility and comprehensive workflow automation. It enables third-party logistics providers (3PLs) to set up tailored rules for each client, such as choosing specific carriers, assigning unique shipping methods, or establishing custom notification triggers. The platform emphasizes effective multi-client data separation, ensuring that each business’s information remains distinct and secure.
Key advantages:
- Configurable shipping and fulfillment workflows that allow businesses to tailor processes to their unique operational needs.
- Multi-client data separation for privacy and compliance, ensuring each client's information is securely managed and meets regulatory standards.
- Batch order routing and intelligent carrier selection, which streamlines logistics by efficiently grouping orders and choosing the best shipping partners based on cost, speed, and reliability.
- Real-time shipment tracking and analytics, providing up-to-date visibility into order status and valuable insights to optimize performance.
- Integration with major e-commerce and carrier platforms, enabling seamless connectivity and automation across various sales channels and shipping providers.
3. ShipBob
ShipBob is recognized for its extensive network of fulfillment centers and advanced shipping automation. The software directs orders to the nearest facility to speed up delivery, compares shipping rates instantly, and offers clients clear tracking information. Its compatibility with major e-commerce platforms makes it a strong choice for 3PLs working with online brands.
Key advantages:
- Automated order routing to the closest fulfillment center, ensuring faster delivery times and reduced shipping costs for your customers.
- Clear, real-time shipping rate comparison, allowing you to choose the most cost-effective and efficient shipping options for each order.
- Easy integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, and more, streamlining your operations and enabling you to manage multiple sales channels from a single platform.
- Scalable to accommodate business growth, so the system can easily handle increased order volume and new locations as your business expands.
- Real-time visibility into inventory and shipments, providing you with up-to-date information to better manage stock levels and track orders throughout the fulfillment process.
4. Infoplus
Infoplus offers customizable dashboards and workflows for each client, making it easy to adapt to different business models and requirements. Its strengths include robust reporting, automated alerts, and the ability to handle complex billing scenarios—perfect for 3PLs who want transparency and flexibility.
Key advantages:
- Customizable order and shipping workflows by client, allowing businesses to tailor processes to each customer’s unique requirements.
- Automated low-stock and exception alerts that notify you immediately when inventory levels drop or issues arise, helping prevent stockouts and delays.
- Multi-client portals with real-time stats, giving clients instant access to their order status, inventory levels, and shipment tracking information.
- Detailed reporting and analytics for operational insights, enabling data-driven decisions and identifying trends to improve efficiency and performance.
- Advanced billing and invoicing features that streamline financial processes, reduce manual work, and ensure accurate, timely payments.
5. Logiwa
Logiwa is a cloud-based platform designed for efficient and scalable operations. It leverages AI to enhance shipping, packing, and demand forecasting, enabling 3PLs to minimize mistakes and boost productivity. With features supporting multiple sales channels and carriers, it is a practical solution for logistics companies managing high-volume and complex operations.
Key advantages:
- AI-powered shipping and demand forecasting, allowing businesses to accurately predict shipping needs and optimize inventory levels.
- Automated packing and carrier selection, which streamlines order fulfillment and ensures the most efficient and cost-effective delivery options are chosen.
- Management of multiple channels and clients, enabling seamless coordination across various sales platforms and customer accounts from a single dashboard.
- Fast onboarding and user-friendly interface, making it easy for new users to get started quickly with minimal training required.
- Real-time tracking and analytics, providing up-to-date information on shipments and performance metrics to support data-driven decision making.
6. ShipHero
ShipHero is designed to support large-scale fulfillment operations by improving efficiency. Features such as batch-picking, mobile scanning, and real-time rate comparison help process high volumes of orders with accuracy and cost-effectiveness. The platform's real-time tools assist teams in maintaining productivity and responsiveness.
Key advantages:
- Batch-picking and mobile scanning to streamline warehouse operations, helping teams quickly locate, pick, and pack items efficiently, reducing errors and saving time.
- Real-time comparison of shipping rates from different carriers, allowing businesses to choose the most cost-effective and timely shipping options for every order.
- Management of multiple clients and warehouses, making it easy to organize inventory, track shipments, and handle logistics for different customers or locations from a single platform.
- Live order tracking and status updates, providing customers and staff with up-to-date information on order progress and delivery, improving transparency and customer satisfaction.
- Automated workflows for shipping and returns, reducing manual tasks and ensuring consistency in processing orders and handling returns for greater operational efficiency.
7. Magaya
Magaya is recognized for its robust compliance and returns management capabilities. It is well-suited for 3PL providers working in industries with strict regulatory requirements, such as pharmaceuticals or perishables. The platform includes features for tracking expiration dates, maintaining audit trails, and supporting flexible billing.
Main benefits:
- Automated tools for compliance and audits, reducing manual work and ensuring regulatory requirements are consistently met
- Tracking of expiration dates and lot/batch numbers to help prevent errors, improve inventory accuracy, and ensure product safety
- Flexible billing options for complex client needs, allowing customization for various business models and unique customer requirements
- Real-time tracking and monitoring of environmental conditions, providing immediate alerts and historical data to maintain product quality and safety
- Streamlined returns management, making it easier to process returns efficiently and enhance customer satisfaction
3PL software pricing: What to expect
The price of 3PL software can vary dramatically, and understanding what drives those costs is essential for making a smart investment. Most solutions are priced based on your company’s size, the number of locations or warehouses you operate, your average order volume, and the specific features or integrations you require.
- Entry-level solutions typically range from $6,000 to $25,000 per year. These are best for small businesses or startups and generally include the basics: order management, simple shipping automation, and standard reporting tools
- Mid-tier platforms are designed for growing businesses that need more advanced features—such as multi-client management, automation, and deeper analytics. Expect to pay between $25,000 and $100,000 per year. These platforms usually support multiple locations and higher order volumes, and they offer integrations with popular e-commerce, ERP, and shipping systems.
- Enterprise-level systems start at $200,000 per year and are built for large, complex logistics operations. These solutions deliver advanced automation, custom integrations, robust security, and scalability for thousands of orders per day. They often offer on-premise deployment options for businesses with strict compliance or data requirements.
It’s important to look beyond the subscription fee. Many providers charge additional setup fees, training costs, or ongoing support charges.
How to choose the right logistics 3PL software
Tips
- Define your business size and complexity: Evaluate your warehouse size, order volume, and number of clients. Select software that meets your current needs and can scale with your business growth
- Prioritize true multi-client capability: Make sure the software enables you to manage multiple clients separately, securely, and efficiently. This is crucial for any professional 3PL provider
- Check integration needs: Verify that the software integrates smoothly with your e-commerce platforms, ERP, accounting systems, and carriers. Reliable integrations save time and reduce errors
- Evaluate scalability: Choose a platform that can expand with your business, allowing you to add features, users, or warehouses easily
- Consider compliance and security: If you work in regulated industries (such as pharmaceutical or food), opt for solutions that offer compliance tools and robust data security
Common mistakes
- Focusing only on price: Selecting software solely based on cost can result in limited features and inadequate support that fail to meet your business requirements
- Assuming all “multi-client” features are equal: Not all multi-client modules provide the same functionality. Some may lack strong data separation, customization, or reporting, which can cause challenges as you grow
- Ignoring reporting and analytics capabilities: Platforms with only basic dashboards restrict your ability to analyze trends, measure performance, and deliver valuable insights to your clients
- Choosing software without enough customization: Using a platform that doesn’t offer flexible workflows, branding, or client-specific settings can make it hard to address unique client needs, risking satisfaction and retention
- Selecting software without the right transport integrations: Failing to ensure the software supports your preferred carriers or shipping methods can create operational delays, limit shipping choices, and lead to dissatisfied clients
How to maximize 3PL software ROI and recover your investment
Today, logistics operators (3PLs) must go beyond simply managing shipments and focus on transforming the order phase into a marketing experience that truly drives sales and customer loyalty. This involves personalizing communication, offering real-time tracking, and providing exceptional after-sales service.
With Outvio, the post-purchase stage becomes a powerful branding tool: by optimizing the shopping experience and strengthening brand presence, 3PL clients not only achieve higher sales but also improve the satisfaction and loyalty of their own customers. This increase in sales means the 3PL prints more labels, processes a higher volume of orders, and as a result, increases its revenue, creating a continuous and sustainable growth cycle.
Ultimately, the post-purchase stage represents a key opportunity to stand out from the competition and add real value to the service offered: by implementing Outvio, your clients will be able to boost their sales, while your company will experience sustained growth and a faster recovery of the investment made in the software.
