13 Best Order Fulfillment Services for Ecommerce Startups 2024

For ecommerce startups, ensuring products are delivered to customers quickly and seamlessly is crucial to a business’s success. However, that can be difficult to do without the help of third-party logistics (3PL) providers, otherwise known as order fulfillment services. 

When utilizing a service like this, business owners store their products at a fulfillment or distribution center. Then, when an order is placed, the business will communicate with the fulfillment center, typically through an integrated software platform, to pull, pack, and deliver the order. 

Put simply, an order fulfillment service receives, processes, and delivers orders to customers. 

Fortunately, many of these fulfillment companies are providing even more value to entrepreneurs in addition to these steps, including robust tracking and analytics, returns processing, and branded packing. 

Keep reading to find the best order fulfillment service for your ecommerce startup.

1. ShipBob – Best Fulfillment Service Overall
2. Shopify Fulfillment Network – Best for Shopify Merchants
3. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) – Best for Amazon Sellers
4. ShipHero – Best for Brand-Focused Startups
5. Red Stag Fulfillment – Best for Small Businesses 
6. eFulfillment Service – Best for Side Hustles
7. FedEx Ecommerce Fulfillment – Best for Medium-Sized Businesses 
8. ShipNetwork – Best for High-Volume Startups
9. ShipMonk – Best for Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Startups 
10. Simpl Fulfillment – Best for Domestic Startups
11. ShipStation – Best for Fast-Scaling Businesses
12. Flowspace – Best for Abundant Storage Needs 
13. Saltbox – Best for Early-Stage Entrepreneurs 

ShipBob offers startup fulfillment services designed to provide effective order fulfillment and inventory management for ecommerce startups just getting started and established companies looking to scale. This fulfillment provider boasts 35 US-based warehouses and 8 more globally, making it ideal for growing businesses. 

ShipBob has a simple pricing model that only charges for storing inventory, shipping orders, and receiving inventory in their warehouses. Everything else, like software, packing supplies, and support, is free. ShipBob aims to make startup fulfillment accessible by simplifying the shipping process so small businesses can better compete with major retailers. 

Pricing & Features

ShipBob provides startups and small businesses with features like two-day shipping through their distributed warehouse locations to store inventory closer to customers for quicker shipping times and lower costs. Businesses are also provided with a variety of free features, including white label service, custom packing supplies, and software that integrates easily with major ecommerce platforms. 

To learn more about pricing for your business fulfillment needs, you’ll need to contact Shipbob directly. However, if you’re still on the fence, the service does provide a free trial. 

Pros

• Quick 2-day shipping
• Distributed warehouse locations 
• Suite of free services included 
• Easy ecommerce return processing
• Bulk shipping rates without high volume requirements

Cons

• Monthly minimums
• No compatible with Amazon sellers

The Shopify Fulfillment Network is a fulfillment and shipping service offered by Shopify. It is designed to help Shopify merchants grow their businesses by making fulfillment and delivery easier.

With the Shopify Fulfillment Network, merchants can store their inventory in Shopify's fulfillment centers across the United States. When an order comes in, Shopify will pack and ship the order quickly, usually within one to three days. Shopify handles the storage, packing, shipping, and returns, saving merchants time and money. Shopify also provides inventory and order tracking. There are no upfront costs, just simple monthly pricing based on inventory storage and shipping volume. 

Pricing and Features

The Shopify Fulfillment Network offers end-to-end fulfillment services to help merchants grow their business. Inventory is stored in nationwide fulfillment centers for quick delivery across the US. Shopify handles storage, packing, shipping, returns, and tracking so merchants can focus on sales. The service also offers features such as same-day packing, data-driven inventory distribution, and easy returns processing. 

The cost of utilizing Shopify Fulfillment Network is dependent on the volume and storage expenses. However, to utilize this service, you will need to be a Shopify merchant, which requires a monthly cost of between $39 and $399, depending on the plan you choose. 

Pros

• Quick one- to three-day shipping
• Monthly pricing, no upfront costs
• Storing, packing, and shipping are included
• Returns are processed by the fulfillment center

Cons

• Users must be Shopify merchants
• Large-scale shippers may pay more based on volume

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) helps businesses store, pack, and ship their products to customers on a global scale. Geared toward Amazon sellers, FBA packs in a lot of value specifically for sellers on the platform who are looking to scale their distribution of easy-to-ship goods in the US and beyond. 

Another huge benefit of utilizing FBA is the access to Amazon Prime customer base as well as their free two-day shipping — a major selling point for customers. Plus, Amazon staff processes all returns and exchanges for you, allowing you to focus on growing your business. 

Pricing and Features

Fulfillment by Amazon offers a myriad of features to help scale your business, including subscription discounts for repeat customers, global expansion assistance, and export help from China to the US, UK, and Europe. FBA also gives sellers access to Amazon Prime customers, and FBA orders are eligible for Prime's free two-day shipping. 

Rates for fulfillment with FBA are dependent on the volume of your orders as well as the amount of storage required. However, Amazon Sellers can anticipate spending $39.99 a month plus selling fees to start. Plus, there are a variety of fees that can accrue through the sale cycle. 

Pros

• Products are eligible for Amazon Prime free 2-day shipping
• Priority rank in Amazon search 
• No extra charge for expedited shipping on qualifying orders 
• Global expansion options are available at no additional charge 

Cons

• Geared toward Amazon sellers 
• Many fees required to use the service 

ShipHero is a top-tier order fulfillment service built to support and scale ecommerce brands. With an emphasis on brand representation, customers can dictate the exact packing preferences to ensure the unboxing experience is ideal for customers. 

This service boasts integration capabilities with major ecommerce platforms such as Shopify and Amazon, as well as shipping services and carriers. Plus, ShipHero owns and operates all of their warehouses, giving them end-to-end control over the quality of their service. 

Pricing & Features

ShipHero aims to provide an exceptional experience for customers, including custom packaging with a focus on brand representation, white glove account management, and award-winning warehouse management software (WSM). 

To determine pricing for your fulfillment needs, you must contact ShipHero directly.

Pros

• Integrates with major ecommerce platforms
• White glove account management 
• Award-winning technology 
• Custom packing and branding 

Cons

• No pricing information included 
• Warehouses located solely in North America

Red Stag Fulfillment is an ecommerce fulfillment company built by ecommerce professionals. Because of this, Red Stag offers a robust suite of features as well as a money-back guarantee should there be any issues with fulfillment. 

Red Stag has warehouses across the United States. This allows them to offer same-day shipping on many orders. They also use advanced technology to track inventory and orders in real time giving merchants visibility into the fulfillment process. They also have a no inventory shrinkage policy, meaning merchants won't lose products due to damage or loss.

Pricing & Features

Red Stag Fulfillment’s most impactful feature by far is its order accuracy guarantee, which ensures packages are packed, shipped, and delivered correctly or you are compensated. This service also offers tracking technology and same-day shipping. 

Unfortunately, Red Stag doesn’t offer a comprehensive list of their pricing options on their website. However, you can receive a free quote if you contact the company directly. 

Pros

• Ecommerce-centric 
• Money-back guarantee for shipping or packing mishaps
• Same-day order fulfillment 
• No inventory shrinkage policy 

Cons

• Higher cost than competitors
• Integrates with fewer ecommerce marketplaces than competitors

eFulfillment Service offers fulfillment services for small- to medium-sized businesses with a handful of included features to enhance the experience for merchants and their customers. While some competitors advertise a 99.6% accuracy rate, eFulfillment Service boasts 99.9%. 

This provider offers tailored services for different types of businesses, such as Etsy stores, subscription boxes, and apparel sellers, making it an ideal choice for side hustles and small businesses. 

Pricing and Features

eFulfillment Service customers can expect several included features with their fulfillment services, including fitting, which tailors packaging to meet your unboxing needs and keep your brand at the forefront. Plus, an easy-to-integrate inventory management system and returns management service. 

While there isn’t pricing information listed, you can contact eFulfillment Service for a free quote directly through the website. 

Pros

• No order minimums 
• Long-term contracts are not required 
• No set-up fees 
• 99.9% accuracy rate 

Cons

• Not ideal for fast-scaling startups
• No pricing information included

FedEx Ecommerce Fulfillment offers delivery seven days a week through the FedEx network for businesses. Due to this network, fulfillment customers receive discounted shipping rates. Unfortunately, this also means FedEx is the only carrier that can be used if you choose to utilize their fulfillment services. 

Best for medium- to large-sized businesses, FedEx has a large order minimum of 6,000 orders per month. However, with their robust network and list of features, businesses looking to scale can depend on their services to support a large number of orders. 

Pricing & Features

FedEx Ecommerce Fulfillment includes a range of features such as fulfillment software for managing inventory, processing, distribution, and more – all from one place. Plus, FedEx offers climate-controlled storage of all inventory, keeping your products safe. 

FedEx doesn’t include information about pricing on their site; however, you can reach out to the company directly to speak with an account representative. 

Pros

• International ecommerce fulfillment options 
• Easy package tracking 
• Two-day delivery nationwide 
• Discounted delivery

Cons

• High minimums 
• Only compatible with FedEx 

ShipNetwork is a fulfillment company that has been helping businesses with 3PL logistics for 20 years. Not only does ShipNetwork offer storage, fulfillment, and returns processing, but it also ensures packages are temperature-controlled, tracked, and branded using kitting and customization services. 

Since ShipNetwork offers an established network, startups with high volumes (or looking to scale to high volumes) can receive the support they need to succeed. However, businesses looking to expand globally may not find what they are looking for with ShipNetwork as their warehouses are US-based.

Pricing & Features

ShipNetwork’s features include subscription boxes, returns management, kitting service, freight options, temperature control, and more. Plus, access to Xparcel, a network of shipping partners including UPS, DHL, and USPS, means each package will be delivered by the carrier that can do it the fastest. 

ShipNetwork offers an average savings for every type of business with 16% savings on low-volume (500-5,000 orders per month), 14% savings on medium-volume (5,000-15,000 orders per month), and 10% on high-volume (15,000-30,000). For more in-depth pricing information, you will need to request a quote directly from the provider.

Pros

• One-day fulfillment, one- to two-day delivery
• Guaranteed order accuracy 
• Integration with major ecommerce platforms 
• Discounts on low-volume shipping

Cons

• 250 order minimum 
• US-based only

ShipMonk is an order fulfillment company dedicated to helping ecommerce businesses scale. Not only can companies fulfill orders in the United States, ShipMonk makes it easier for customers to expand their reach globally, making the service ideal for scaling startups. 

Additionally, this provider offers streamlined services for both direct-to-consumer (DTC) and business-to-business (B2B) companies. With their easy integrations, most ecommerce businesses will be able to connect their sales channels to ShipMonk’s platform to fulfill orders easily. 

Pricing & Features

ShipMonk offers the standard fulfillment features of its competitors. However, their easy-to-use software and international shipping capabilities, including customer and duties assistance, are what separates them from their competitors. 

Pricing varies depending on shipping volume; however, ShipMonk offers a helpful pricing calculator on their website to help you determine costs with ease. 

Pros

• Integration with major ecommerce platforms 
• Included customs broker 
• Cloud-based software encompasses every step of the process
• Two-day shipping

Cons

• $250 minimum usage fee 
• No temperature control

Simpl Fulfillment is one of the smaller fulfillment companies on this list, with only a single warehouse. However, for startups and small businesses looking for a hands-on approach and personalized account management, Simpl is ideal.

Plus, while Simpl Fulfillment’s one warehouse is based in Austin, Texas, the company leverages an extensive carrier network, making international distribution possible for customers.

Pricing & Features

Simpl Fulfillment offers a variety of different features, from two-way inventory management to helpful reporting. In addition to this, customers looking to ship subscription boxes or create customized packaging will find what they need. The biggest stand-out feature Simpl offers, however, is their Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) prep, making it simple for customers to meet strict FBA packing requirements.

Simpl Fulfillment charges a flat fee per order based on weight, you can get a better idea of your exact cost by requesting a quote. 

Pros

• Dedicated account manager for business with over 500 orders per month
• Two-day shipping, same-day processing
• Fulfillment by Amazon Prep services 
• No setup or receiving fees 

Cons

• Not ideal for high-volume customers 
• No free trial offered

ShipStation is a 3PL logistics company leveraging 53 shipping carriers and over 180 integration partners. This provider offers a variety of plans for each stage of your business, from starter to enterprise, with six plans available. 

Overall, discounted shipping rates are this provider’s calling card. With ShipStation, you can find your lowest rate and shop discounts by comparing different carriers to ensure the lowest shipping rate possible. 

Pricing & Features

Depending on the type of plan you select, the features offered by ShipStation will vary for branding customization, user account usability, and shipment volumes. However, all plans include integrations, customer support, and discounted shipping rates. 

ShipStation offers more transparent pricing than its competitors. Packages begin at $9.99 for the Starter plan (Up to 50 shipments per month) and cap at $229.99 for the Enterprise plan (Up to 7,500 shipments per month). For unlimited shipments, you will need to contact ShipStation for a pricing quote. 

Pros

• Extensive partnership network 
• Returns processing 
• Transparent pricing 
• Free trial 

Cons

• Plan restrictions 
• Negative reviews

Flowspace bills itself as fulfillment for omnichannel companies, whether you’re DTC, B2B, online, or brick-and-mortar. Their OmniFlow software allows customers to track analytics, manage orders and inventory, and more. 

With access to over 130 fulfillment centers in the US, Flowspace boasts a wide range of storage space across the country and fast delivery rates. Plus, Amazon sellers can utilize their FBA Prep services to avoid navigating strict packing requirements. 

Pricing & Features

Flowspace’s features include kitting, container unloading and cross-docking, and Amazon FBA Prep. Plus, robust inventory and order visibility technology and customer support teams based in the US. 

Unfortunately, Flowspace doesn’t disclose pricing information on their website, but you can request a demo on the website. 

Pros

• Sizeable warehouse network 
• High-quality customer service 
• 99.9% accuracy rate 
• Advanced software and technology features 

Cons

• No pricing information available
• No free trial

Saltbox is a great fulfillment service for business owners looking for a hands-on approach to logistics. Unlike competitors, Saltbox is set up to give entrepreneurs full control over the fulfillment process from start to finish through their rentable office and warehouse spaces, product photography studios, and logistic consultants. 

While this may not be ideal for larger enterprises looking to hand off their fulfillment needs to another company, it is ideal for smaller businesses that are seeking control over the process. 

Pricing & Features

With unique features built to keep you at the forefront of your logistics efforts, Saltbox offers all of the standard fulfillment services plus discounted shipping rates and optional experts to help complete your projects at $45/hour. 

Saltbox offers two packages, both $500 per month. The growth package is best suited for smaller businesses with under $500 monthly spending that includes up to 128 cubic feet in storage and up to 200 SKUs. Their higher volume Scale plan costs $3.25 per order, $0.033 cubic feet per day for storage, and has a varied SKU limit. 

Pros

• Hands-on approach to fulfillment 
• Rentable warehouses and offices 
• Set monthly cost, no hidden fees 
• Locations in major cities across the country 

Cons

• Limited volume 
• Requires more involvement from business owners

To determine the best order fulfillment services for startups, we follow a comprehensive, systematic, and balanced approach to assessing the pros and cons of each service in order to bring the best services to entrepreneurs. 

While many ecommerce fulfillment companies don’t disclose their pricing, we value transparency. Therefore, we are ranking services based on information disclosed, hidden fees, and the amount of features provided based on cost. 

Outside of the standard fulfillment necessities such as storage, packing, and shipping, we seek third-party logistics providers that offer additional services such as returns processing, customized packaging, and temperature monitoring.

As a business owner, we know time is valuable. An easy-to-use platform, integrated technology, and thoughtful user interface means more time spent dedicated to your business. Therefore, the best order fulfillment services should be easy to use. 

In many cases, fulfillment companies will be the point of contact for the merchant and customer. This means customer support is one of the most important considerations when choosing an order fulfillment service provider. 

Finally, if previous customers have had less-than-stellar experiences with a provider, it is crucial to take into consideration when recommending a service for startups. We do our best to consider user reviews to provide a comprehensive look at the service’s performance.