Sendcloud and Shipcloud are two established shipping platforms used by ecommerce teams to run daily multi-carrier operations at scale. While both solve the same operational problem, they approach shipping automation from different angles, which affects how teams integrate, automate, and grow over time.
This article compares Shipcloud and Sendcloud to help you choose between them—and explains why, for some ecommerce businesses, Outvio may be the best option.
Sendcloud vs Shipcloud vs Outvio: At a glance
| Feature / Capability | Sendcloud | Shipcloud | Outvio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-carrier shipping labels | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| EU carrier coverage | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Use own carrier contracts | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Shipping automation rules (GUI) | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| API-first architecture | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ecommerce plug-and-play setup | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| ERP / WMS-friendly integrations | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Branded tracking pages | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Customer delivery notifications | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Returns portal | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Returns with exchanges / credit | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Post-purchase experience layer | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Revenue recovery from returns | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Integrated help desk (shipping + CX) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Unified shipping + returns + support | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Built for scaling operations | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ |
What Shipcloud and Sendcloud have in common
At their core, Sendcloud and Shipcloud aim to simplify multi-carrier shipping for European ecommerce brands. Both centralize label creation, shipment management, tracking, and returns, support major ecommerce platforms, and offer API access for automation. They are designed specifically for the EU market, cover key regional carriers, and use subscription-based pricing linked to shipping volume.
Sendcloud focuses on plug-and-play shipping; Shipcloud on API-first execution
Sendcloud leans into out-of-the-box automation. Its built-in rules engine lets teams define shipping logic directly in the platform—carrier selection, service levels, insurance, or methods—based on order data like destination or weight. Once configured, those rules run automatically across all shipments, without relying on external systems.
Shipcloud takes a different path. Automation lives outside the product, typically in an ERP, OMS, or custom logic, with Shipcloud executing instructions via API. The interface stays lean, and the platform shines as a reliable, API-first shipping layer that technical teams can embed deeply into an existing logistics stack.
In practice, Sendcloud suits teams that want visual, operations-owned automation that works fast, while Shipcloud fits teams that treat shipping as infrastructure—programmatic, code-driven, and controlled upstream.
Sendcloud vs Shipcloud — pricing by plan level
Sendcloud publishes its pricing directly on its website. Merchants can clearly see plan tiers, monthly fees, included shipment volumes, and how pricing scales as volume increases. This transparency makes it easy to estimate costs upfront and compare plans without entering a sales process.
Shipcloud follows a different pricing approach. Full pricing is not displayed publicly and is typically shared on request, with quotes tailored to factors such as shipment volume, carrier mix, and commercial setup.
| Plan level | Sendcloud | Shipcloud |
|---|---|---|
| Free / Entry | €0 (Free plan) | Requires contacting sales |
| Small volume | ~€33 – €99 / month | Requires contacting sales |
| Mid volume | ~€195 / month | Requires contacting sales |
| High volume | ~€799 / month | Requires contacting sales |
| Enterprise | Custom | Requires contacting sales |
Carrier coverage and integrations: where each one really shines
Carrier coverage: pan-European reach vs focused depth
European shipping changes by country, and this is where the two platforms diverge. Sendcloud follows a broad, pan-European model built for ecommerce teams selling across multiple EU markets. It offers quick access to carriers, supports using built-in rates or your own contracts, and prioritizes consistency across borders.
Shipcloud takes a more focused approach, with strong coverage in Central Europe. It’s designed for teams that already work with specific carriers and negotiated rates, acting as a stable execution layer rather than a marketplace of options.
Integrations: ecommerce-first vs logistics-driven
Sendcloud is clearly ecommerce-first. You connect your store, sync orders, and start shipping with minimal setup, making it a good fit for teams that want shipping to work out of the box.
Shipcloud is more logistics- and ERP-friendly. It integrates cleanly with European ERP and warehouse systems and assumes shipping is part of a broader, code-driven operational stack.
Final thoughts: where Outvio fits
Sendcloud and Shipcloud are strong tools for managing shipping operations in Europe. They focus on carrier management, label creation, and logistics execution.
Outvio operates at a different level.
Outvio is an end-to-end post-purchase platform designed to automate the entire order lifecycle after checkout. That includes fulfillment workflows, shipment tracking, returns, exchanges, and customer support—all connected in a single system.
Where traditional shipping platforms stop at delivery, Outvio continues. Its returns and exchanges system is built specifically for revenue retention, with automated product exchanges, store credit logic, and policies designed for DTC ecommerce. This makes it especially relevant for brands where returns are not just a cost, but a growth lever.
