The best shipping plugins for WooCommerce

If you're operating an online shop with WooCommerce, one of the critical decisions you'll face is selecting your shipping plugin. Shipping stands out as one of the most costly logistical considerations, constituting 88% of the total distribution operation costs, as reported by Statista. Opting for a reliable shipping integration for WooCommerce can significantly enhance your productivity and cost efficiency.

Now, which shipping plugins are optimal for WooCommerce? Below, we'll explore several of the most popular options, both free and paid, and provide some helpful tips to kickstart your selection process.

What is a shipping plugin for WooCommerce and why you should use it

WooCommerce shipping plugins offer significant advantages over the built-in shipping features. These plugins provide a wider range of shipping options, including real-time carrier rates and location-based costs. 

This gives you more control over your shipping strategy and builds trust with customers by providing transparent pricing at checkout. Additionally, many plugins can streamline order fulfillment through features like bulk label printing, ultimately saving you time and effort.

How to distinguish the best shipping plugin in WooCommerce

The post-sale phase of an online store can be decisive for the health of your business. A shopping experience that does not meet the buyer's expectations will make you lose customers and increase your logistics costs.

How do we know if we are investing in a good shipping plugin in WooCommerce?

• The tool has the necessary features to scale in case your orders increase.
• The plugin is fully customizable, which allows you to segment each service according to the type of customer or your current needs.
• It has a well-developed and intuitive API to make integration as simple and quick as possible.
• It is not limited to shipping management, but also helps you with returns, carrier invoices, customer communication, etc.
• The plugin gives you access to marketing widgets to add banners or promote items during the shopping experience to increase sales.

Best WooCommerce shipping plugin: comparison

11 Best shipping plugins and integrations for WooCommerce

1. Outvio

Outvio is a comprehensive shipping plugin for WooCommerce, encompassing all the functionality needed to automate shipping logistics, returns, order tracking, and customer service. It integrates with over 90 international carriers and allows you to create postpaid marketing campaigns for indirect revenue. Outvio stands out for being an all-in-one plugin, centralizing all your shop's operations. Additionally, it features an additional customer service module with chat, AI automations, and a ticketing system. It provides everything your eCommerce needs in a single platform.

Features include:

• Centralization of any national or international carrier
• Intelligent automation of most post-payment processes
• Customizable email, WhatsApp, or SMS notifications
• Tracking portal with banners and product promotion
• Automatic transport incident resolution system
• Fully automated return and exchange process
• Automated exchange for any other product in the catalog
• Complete dashboard with business analytics
• Advanced features to optimize your shop's performance

Shipping prices range from 125 to 250 dollars per month. Additionally, it charges a fee per order processed within the platform.

2. Shipping tracking plugin for WooCommerce

The advanced shipping tracking plugin for WooCommerce allows you to keep your customers informed about the status of their purchases. You'll be able to integrate information from over 100 carriers and send email notifications to follow up.

Features

• Ability to add various transportation providers
• Seamless integration with other plugins

This WooCommerce shipping plugin costs $129 per year.

3. AfterShip

AfterShip is a shipping tracking plugin with WooCommerce integration. It is a comprehensive tool divided into several modules. Additionally, it offers a wide range of integrations, widely used in the Asian continent. You can send notifications and integrate a tracking portal. Both the price and capabilities increase according to the modules you add.

Features 

• Large library of integrations
• Tracking portal
• Various modules
• Tracking notifications
• Also be connected to TikTok

AfterShip offers a multitude of fees and modules. Depending on your needs, you may pay tens or thousands of dollars per month.

4. EasyShip

Easyship is a WooCommerce shop integration plugin specializing in shipping label printing. It allows you to process orders with multiple carriers simultaneously and from multiple warehouses. It also offers a tracking system, albeit with basic features and limited customization capabilities.

Features

•  Label printing
• Carrier integration
• Shipping insurance 

Easyship offers three subscription plans: Plus ($29/month), Premier ($69/month), and Scale ($99/month), each with a 14-day trial period.

5. ELEX EasyPost

This integration, developed by JEM Plugins, allows you to set custom and conditional shipping rates on your WooCommerce shop. You can adjust shipping rates based on weight and total order price, setting minimum and maximum shipping rates. Additionally, you can create additional shipping rates using the standard WooCommerce shipping options.

Features:

• Seamless integration with WooCommerce
• Ability to include or exclude taxes
• Very easy to use

The Basic plan offers support and upgrades for $79 per year or $8.99 per month for a single site. The 5 Sites License for $149 per year covers up to 5 sites, while the Lifetime 100 Sites License for $249 offers lifetime support for 100 sites with a single payment.

6. ShipStation

ShipStation is a carrier aggregator that can be integrated with WooCommerce online shops. You can import your orders directly into the tool and print custom shipping labels or delivery notes. It integrates with the most important shipping companies in the United States.

Features

• Printing custom packing slips
• Integration with other technology software

Pricing starts at $9 per month for 50 shipments per month and increases to $69 per month for up to 3000 shipments. However, it cannot process returns.

7. USPS shipping plugin for WooCommerce

This could be one of the best shipping plugins for WooCommerce if you are a small shop and only ship with USPS. It is an integration with the American shipping company. You will be able to connect with them to schedule orders more efficiently. If you want to ship with other carriers in WooCommerce, this shipping plugin won't work for you.

Features

• Import USPS orders
• Allows domestic and international shipping

The price of this WooCommerce shipping plugin is subject to USPS shipping rates.

8. Table shipping plugin for WooCommerce

This integration, developed by JEM Plugins, allows you to set custom and conditional shipping rates on your WooCommerce shop. You can adjust shipping rates based on weight and total order price, setting minimum and maximum shipping rates. Additionally, you can create additional shipping rates using the standard WooCommerce shipping options.

Features

• Seamless integration with WooCommerce
• Option to include or exclude taxes
• Very easy to use

The basic plan offers support and upgrades for $79 per year or $8.99 per month for a single site. The 5 Sites License for $149 per year covers up to 5 sites, while the Lifetime 100 Sites License for $249 offers lifetime support for 100 sites with a single payment.

9. Sendcloud

Sendcloud is shipping and returns management software with direct integration with WooCommerce. You can use it to print labels, track shipments, integrate a returns portal, or send notifications. Additionally, it integrates with a good number of transport companies. It offers a very interesting free plan for smaller online shops.

Features

• Free plan
• Shipping and returns management
• Label printing

The Sendcloud subscription plans range from Lite (€23/month + €0.09 per label, up to 400 labels/month) to Premium (€138/month + €0.07 per label, up to 10,000 labels/month).

10. Packlink Pro

Packlink Pro is a shipping rate comparison platform with a pickup assignment and label printing service exclusively for businesses. The main feature of Packlink Pro is that you can use it to schedule pickups without having to have pre-negotiated rates. Simply use the comparison tool and select the rate that best suits your needs.

Features

• Compares different prices
• Prints labels
• No need to integrate your own rates

The Packlink Pro price is subject to the type of shipment you contract at the time.

11. WooCommerce weight-based shipping integration

This plugin adds weight-based calculation rules for your shipping within WooCommerce. It allows you to add multiple rules based on different conditions to apply different shipping prices according to the cost-weight ratio of your packages.

Features

• Unlimited number of rules
• Flexible price calculation
• You can set a threshold for free shipping

You can integrate this shipping plugin into WooCommerce for $19 per month.

3 additional softwares for your WooCommerce shipments

1. Outvio Desk

Outvio Desk is an integration of Outvio designed to enhance customer service for WooCommerce shops. Easily connect your logistics operations with this platform and ensure a unique shopping experience for your customers. Outvio Desk takes care of the main issues related to ordering, purchasing, and carrier management.

Features

• Chat for eCommerce
• Dynamic response automation
• Omni-channel conversation centralization
• Ticket routing and allocation system

If you're already an Outvio user, you can add Outvio Desk without incurring monthly subscription costs, paying only a fee for each order processed.

2. Conditional shipping plugin for WooCommerce

With this shipping plugin for WooCommerce, you can control the shipping methods that appear in your shop's checkout. You can set specific conditions according to your business strategy. Please note that this plugin is not used to manage shipments with your carriers; it is only oriented toward checkout control. Considering its features, it can be expensive.

Features

• Customization of shipping methods
• Ability to restrict methods according to your criteria
• No carrier integration

The price ranges from $6.67 USD monthly or $25.00 USD per year for a 4-pack of plugins.

3. Shipping box packaging plugin for WooCommerce

Octolize is a plugin that automates the allocation of boxes according to the requirements of each shipment. It assists you with your packaging and packing processes. You can establish your own rules involving cost calculations or measurements to which you want to adjust the boxes for your shipments. It's an intriguing integration for your shipping plugin within WooCommerce.

Features:

• Custom packaging
• Optimization of packaging processes
• Algorithm for assigning products to be shipped

Octolize offers two pricing models. The first option costs £3.25 per month and includes upgrades, support, and a money-back guarantee. The second option is the all-inclusive package for £16.52 per month.

How to set up a shipping plugin in WooCommerce, step by step

Step 1: Choosing the best shipping plugin for WooCommerce

• Thorough research: Before choosing a plugin, analyze the options available on the market and compare their features.
• Prioritize your needs: Define which functionalities are essential for your shop (carrier integrations, flexible rates, shipment tracking, etc.).
• Additional considerations: Take into account the plugin's ease of use, compatibility with your version of WooCommerce, and the technical support offered by the developer.

Step 2: Installing and activating the plugin

• Access the administration panel: Go to "Plugins" > "Add new" in your WooCommerce shop
• Search for the plugin: Enter the name of the chosen plugin in the search bar
• Installation and activation: Click "Install now" and then "Activate."
• If the plugin is not available in the official WordPress repository, you can integrate it directly from the plugin developer's website

Step 3: General plugin configuration

• Access settings: Locate the plugin's settings section within the WooCommerce menu.
• General information: Fill in the basic details of your shop, such as address, units of measure, default shipping options, etc.
• Additional settings: Explore the options available to customize the plugin's behavior (rate visibility, tax calculation, label management, etc.)

Step 4: Create shipping methods

• Defining methods: Decide which shipping methods you will offer your customers (standard, express, free, based on weight or volume, etc.).
• Setting rates: Set the price for each shipping method, using flat rates, by weight, by distance, or any other criteria you consider relevant.
• Additional options: Define estimated delivery time, packaging requirements, and shipping restrictions for each shipping method.

Step 5: Definition of shipping zones

• Zone creation: Divides the world into geographical zones (local, national, international, by continent, etc.).
• Method assignment: Assigns the available shipping methods to each defined shipping zone.
• Rate customization: Adjusts shipping rates and options according to the specific needs of each region.

Step 6: Integration with carriers

• Import rates: If possible, import carrier rates into the plugin to offer more accurate pricing to your customers.
• Compatibility check: Ensure that the chosen plugin allows integration with the carriers you use.
• Integration setup: Follow the plugin's instructions to connect to the carriers' systems.

Step 7: Order notifications

• Template creation: Customize email templates to inform your customers about the status of their orders (order confirmation, processing, shipping, delivery).
• Scheduling notifications: Define when notification emails will be sent at each stage of the shipping process.
• Personalized information: Include relevant information in the emails, such as order number, estimated delivery date, and tracking code (if available).

Step 8: Returns and exchanges

• If the shipping plugin allows it, set up returns management so that customers can generate return labels directly from their account.
• Define how shipping refunds are handled in the event of a return. Consider adding a returns portal to your shop to automate the entire process.

Tips for saving money with shipping integration in WooCommerce

Cross-selling

 when choosing a shipping plugin, look for one that offers the ability to incorporate cross-selling strategies. This will allow you to increase sales by showing customers related products during the checkout process, meaning you can earn more without having to invest in additional advertising.

Third-party integrations

Avoid shipping plugins that require numerous integrations with other services or applications. Each integration can add to additional costs and unnecessary complications. Look for a shipping solution that is as comprehensive as possible to minimize the need for external integrations.

Automation methods

Iit is quite common in this industry to promote automation in e-commerce through rules or smart algorithms. If the program you are researching says it has automation, but it does not have algorithms, you should know that it does not have everything it offers, so be careful!

Automatic product exchanges

Make sure the plugin allows you to set up automatic exchanges for any other product in your catalog. This way, when the buyer goes to request a refund, there is a possibility that they will opt to exchange it, even for products of a higher value than the refund itself!

Solving transportation issues

good shipping plugin should include tools to help you resolve shipping problems efficiently, which can prevent costly returns or reshipments. The ability to manage exceptions and shipping problems effectively can save you money and improve customer satisfaction.

Single shipping charge

opt for a plugin that allows you to apply a single shipping charge instead of charging for each product individually. This will simplify the cost structure and can reduce payment processing fees, which can result in significant savings over the long term.

Conclusion

The quality of your post-purchase experience can be decisive for the profitability of your business. By integrating a good shipping plugin for WooCommerce, you can ensure that your customer enjoys a satisfactory shopping experience, increasing the chances of customer loyalty and repurchase. In addition, a shipping plugin and integrations for WooCommerce that is really comprehensive in terms of features will help you reduce your logistics costs, save time, and improve your business strategies.