Pirate Ship vs. ShipStation: Feature and Pricing Comparison
Pirate Ship and ShipStation are placed head to head to find out which is better for your needs.
Are you looking for a new shipping software platform and are trying to decide between Pirate Ship nd ShipStation? We’ve gathered all the information about both in one place, including features, pricing, and carrier options.
Let’s take a closer look at these two platforms.
Pirate Ship vs. ShipStation Compared
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Just Starting Out
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Established E-Commerce Businesses
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Free
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Starts at $9.99/month after Free Trial
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Features:
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Features:
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Supported Carriers:
USPS, UPS
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Supported Carriers:
USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, GLS, GlobalPost, CanadaPost, DPD, Sendle, Australia Post, NZPost, and more
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Integrations:
Etsy, Ebay, Shopify
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Integrations:
Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Magento, Square, Big Cartel, Amazon, eBay, and more
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Free Plan:
Yes
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Free Plan:
No
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Promotion:
none
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Promotion:
Get an extended 60-day free trial when you use code SELLER60 at signup.
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- Free service, great for those just starting out
- Easy to use and set up
- Interface is clean and minimal
- Integrates with eBay and Shopify
- Access to the best carrier discounts available
- Limited integrations
- No branded tracking or lookups
- Cannot create custom emails or templates for shipment notifications
- Only supports two carriers
- No international shipping support
- Offers USPS discounts below commercial and advertising pricing and a unique international shipping option at a heavily discounted price.)
- Reporting features allow you to see your shipping costs, top destinations, and more.
- Create pre-defined package types and ship-from locations for quicker label generation.
- Generate end-of-day SCAN forms for quicker pickups.
- Schedule a free pickup of your packages from the same dashboard.
- Bulk import addresses to generate dozens of labels at once.
- The interface makes sense if you've ever used a shipping platform before.
- Easy to create quotes and shipments.
- Integrates with just about every other selling and inventory platform.
- Branded tracking pages
- An extra 30-days on the free trial for Seller Journal readers
- No free plan
- The lowest-price plan isn't a great value
- $60/month to have customizable packing slips
- Powerful shipping platform built for e-commerce businesses.
- Integrates with just about every major e-commerce platform and marketplace with over 400 integrations.
- Supports dozens of carriers from around the world.
- Custom branding for email notifcations and tracking pages.
- 60-day free trial for Seller Journal readers.
Starting Out or Seasoned Veteran
Finding a platform to create shipping labels can be a daunting task on its own, and it’s easy to end up with a solution that’s too expensive for your needs. If you’re just starting out or only need to create occasional labels, I recommend choosing Pirate Ship.
For those who have operated their e-commerce empire for a bit or are finding growth to be a problem (it’s always a good problem to have, in my opinion), ShipStation is my recommendation. ShipStation has all the features you’ll need as your business expands, and allows you to create a unique, branded experience that your customers will love.
Capability and Flexibility
When it comes to capability and flexibility, Pirate Ship and ShipStation offer distinct advantages. Pirate Ship provides a straightforward and user-friendly interface, making it ideal for beginners or those with occasional shipping needs. On the other hand, ShipStation excels in providing a comprehensive set of features and customization options, catering to established businesses and those experiencing rapid growth. Whether you prioritize simplicity or advanced functionality, both platforms have their strengths to support your shipping requirements effectively.
Conclusion
Based on the capability, flexibility, and overall features offered, ShipStation emerges as the top choice for businesses looking to streamline their shipping operations and provide a seamless customer experience. With its comprehensive set of features and customization options, ShipStation is well-suited for established businesses and those experiencing rapid growth. That said, Pirate Ship still has its place on the charts if you’re only an occasional shipper or just want to save a few bucks when sending packages to friends and family.
Get started with ShipStation today with their free trial and get an extra 30 days on the house when sining up.
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