I've spent the past year working with ecommerce brands and one question always seems to come up:
ShipBob or ShipHero for fulfillment – Which One's the Best?
Both are top-notch 3PL providers for online brands, but they cater to different kinds of businesses.
In this review, I'll go through everything I've learned about how these two platforms compare – from pricing and features to shipping speed and user-friendliness – based on real data and hands-on experience with these platforms.
Quick Verdict: ShipBob vs ShipHero
ShipBob – Best for fast-growing Direct-to-Consumer brands that want a hassle-free, global fulfillment solution
ShipHero – Best for brands that want more control over their operations or run their own warehouse
In a nutshell:
- If you're looking for a 3PL that handles everything, from initial setup, through to ongoing management, ShipBob is the stronger option.
- If you want to build your own ops system, hook up to custom workflows, or even license a Warehouse Management System (WMS), go with ShipHero.
Both can deal with growth, but they're geared towards different operational mindsets. The type of fulfillment philosophy your brand has will play a big role in deciding which one will help you scale in the right way.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | ShipBob | ShipHero |
| Fulfillment Model | Fully managed 3PL | Fulfillment + WMS |
| Ideal For | DTC brands scaling fast | Ops-heavy brands or hybrid models |
| Global Warehouse Network | 50+ locations worldwide | 8 North American warehouses |
| International Fulfillment | Yes | Limited |
| Setup Time | 1–2 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| Customization | Moderate | High |
| WMS Software | No | Yes |
| Integrations | Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce, etc. | Shopify, Amazon, Magento, etc. |
| Support | Email, chat | Email, onboarding, technical support |
| Pricing Transparency | Moderate | High |
This table gives you a quick overview but its key decision points that depend on your fulfillment strategy and growth goals.
The Best Option for Pricing: ShipHero (But They're Not That Far Apart)
Both ShipBob and ShipHero offer custom pricing based on sales volume, product type and fulfillment requirements, but ShipHero offers a lot more transparency, especially if you use their WMS software.
ShipBob Pricing (Typical Ranges)
- Pick & Pack: Free for the first item, then $0.20 for each subsequent item
- Storage: $40 per pallet each month
- Shipping: USPS starts at $5.50 for a single item
- Returns: $3.00 for each item
- Setup Fees: Typically waived, however some clients do have to cover them
ShipHero Pricing (Typical Ranges)
- Pick & Pack: $2.25 for the first item, $0.25 for each additional
- Storage: $30-$50 per pallet each month
- Shipping: this varies but often lock-in lower rates
- WMS: starts at $1,995 per month if you decide to run it in-house
- Setup Fees: this is based on the type of implementation you settle on
While both platforms tailor their pricing to suit your business, ShipHero gives you way more visibility into the costs involved. That can be invaluable if you are running a complex operation.
Verdict:
ShipHero comes out on top for high-volume brands who want to have complete control over their operations. If you are a smaller store or just getting going, ShipBob offers a simpler, all-inclusive pricing structure, although costs can rise quickly if you start using storage or custom packaging services.
The Best Choice for Fulfillment Network: ShipBob
If you need fast shipping across the US (or globally), ShipBob is the way to go. With over 50 warehouses to pick from across North America, Europe, the UK, and Australia, they offer 2-day shipping to most parts of the US.
ShipHero operates 8 warehouses in the US and Canada, and also has some partner sites in the US. While this is more than enough for many US-based brands, it's limited if you are planning to take your business international.
ShipBob Fulfillment Locations
- USA
- Canada
- UK
- Australia
- EU (France, Ireland, Netherlands)
ShipHero Fulfillment Locations
- USA (8 warehouses)
- Partnered options (only available in the US)
The more warehouse locations you have at your disposal the more competitive your delivery promises can be. This is especially important during peak season when carrier delays can really tank customer satisfaction.
Verdict:
ShipBob takes the prize for global distribution and having multiple warehouses in place. ShipHero is more regional, but still more than capable for US-only brands.
The Best Option for Features and Flexibility: ShipHero
This is where ShipHero really stands out. If you need to do custom fulfillment workflows, or print branded packing slips, or even build out internal processes – ShipHero has more options.
Their Warehouse Management System (WMS) is especially useful if you want to manage your own fulfillment center with high-end tools.
ShipHero Highlights
- They have a WMS available as a standalone software – not reliant on their platform
- Custom shipping workflow options to suit your business
- White label fulfillment – integrate your branding throughout
- More control over packaging, processes and staffing – you're in the driver's seat
- Real time picking and packing analytics to help you make data driven decisions
ShipBob Highlights
- Their order and inventory tracking is simple and easy to use
- They automate 2 day shipping routing for you
- Easy integrations with Shopify, Amazon, and BigCommerce – plus lots more
- A pretty snazzy analytics dashboard to help you keep track of your fulfillment KPIs
- A built in return management system to keep things tidy
If you're on the hunt for a 3PL that just fits in with your systems – rather than the other way around – ShipHero will do the trick. They're a good fit for businesses that are heavily operations-led, or have complex product lines.
Verdict:
ShipHero takes the win for operational control and flexibility.
ShipBob is the better choice if you don't want to have to think about logistics at all.
Best for Integrations: A Tie
Both ShipHero and ShipBob have integrations in place with most ecommerce platforms – you can get connected in no time. In particular, Shopify, Amazon and WooCommerce users will love how easy it is to set up.
ShipHero does offer a bit more flexibility for businesses with bigger tech stacks, but ShipBob is definitely the easier option for new store owners to get started with.
Shared Integrations
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
- BigCommerce
- Amazon
- Walmart
- eBay
- And yes, even custom API connections are on the table
It's worth noting that both providers are super reliable when it comes to tech compatibility, even with custom work thrown into the mix. That said, ShipHero is slightly easier to work with if you're building something bespoke.
Verdict:
It’s a dead heat. ShipBob is the winner for ease of setup, but ShipHero's the way to go if you need to get fancy with your tech stack.
Best for Shipping Speed and Accuracy: ShipBob Takes It
In my testing and with a number of other brands I work with, ShipBob consistently hits the 2-3 day delivery window across the US.
That's down to their clever inventory placement strategy, which distributes stock across multiple warehouses based on order history and the customer's location.
ShipHero is still plenty fast and reliable, but with fewer warehouses, delivery times can vary depending where your customers are based.
| Metric | ShipBob | ShipHero |
| Average US Delivery | 2.3 days | 2.9 days |
| Order Accuracy Rate | 99.95% | 99.9% |
| Global Shipping | Yes | Limited |
| Overnight Options | Yes | Yes (select locations) |
When it comes to shipping speed, that's often the difference between a happy customer and a potentially costly chargeback. So if fast delivery is top of your list, don't count on ShipBob's clever warehouse strategy.
Verdict:
ShipBob comes out on top for shipping performance. More warehouses means faster deliveries, especially on the coasts.
Best for Branding and Customisation: ShipHero Takes The Win
If you want total control over your packaging, branding, workflows or even white labelling your shipping, ShipHero's your best bet. Y
ou can customise pretty much every element of the fulfillment process if need be.
ShipBob does offer branded packaging options, but it's a bit more rigid. You send over your packaging and they slap on your branding.
ShipHero Customisation Options
- Custom workflows to suit your business
- White labelling for your shipping
- Fully branded packing slips to match your brand identity
- Multi channel SKU rules to keep things neat and tidy
ShipBob Customisation Options
- Branded boxes (you just need to send them over)
- Insertion of marketing materials (coupons, cards etc)
- Branded tracking links for your customers to use
For businesses that invest heavily in packaging as a brand-building tool, ShipHero will give you that extra level of control to get it just right.
Verdict:
ShipHero's the winner if your brand experience is super important to you. ShipBob works but feels a bit more templated.
Best for Returns and Reverse Logistics: A Tie
Both providers offer return management tools, including return shipping labels, tracking and refund tracking, but they go about it slightly differently.
ShipBob automates a lot of the return flow for you, and gives you a central dashboard to view all your return data in one place
ShipHero on the other hand offers more customisation options for how you handle returns on your end, including RMA controls and restocking rules.
Getting returns sorted is key to keeping that profit margin from slipping through your fingers. Your decision here will depend whether you want ShipBob's automation or ShipHero's control.
Verdict:
It’s a tie, again! ShipBob's the way to go if you want automation, but ShipHero if you need a bit more control over the return process.
Best for Support: ShipBob Takes It
When I was setting up with both providers, I found ShipBob's onboarding team and customer support to be super proactive and responsive.
They helped me set up my store, sync my inventory and get to grips with the dashboard – and they even assigned me a dedicated rep as my business scaled.
ShipHero's support team, on the other hand is more technical – it's fine if you're a whiz, but it's not as hand-holding as ShipBob.
| Support Feature | ShipBob | ShipHero |
| Onboarding Help | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Rep | Yes (with volume) | Yes (WMS clients) |
| Email/Chat Support | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | No | Yes (WMS plans) |
| API Tech Support | No | Yes |
Support is most important when things start going wrong – delayed inventory, system crashes, or messed up orders. ShipBob has a big edge when it comes to keeping the communication lines open and steady.
The Verdict
ShipBob gets the nod for customer support – they respond fast. ShipHero is the way to go for the tech-heads though.
The Real Skinny on ShipBob vs ShipHero
When you're on the hunt for a third-party fulfillment partner, the best one for you will depend on the ins-and-outs of your business.
ShipBob: The Better Choice If:
- You want a 3PL partner to take care of everything from start to finish and deliver fast – 2 days at the latest.
- You really don't want to have to think about warehouses and logistics – just leave it to them.
- You sell direct to customers and you want them to be able to get their hands on your products internationally.
- You're growing fast and need to get on boarding fast – ShipBob makes it happen.
ShipHero: The Better Choice If:
- You want to be in full control of how you do fulfillment.
- You already run your own warehouse, or you're planning to. ShipHero is great for that.
- You're looking for super detailed customization and some pretty wild white-label features.
- You're all about optimizing every single step of your supply chain and you don't want to miss out on any opportunity to save money or time.
Choosing the right 3PL is all about getting a good fit for your business. You should be thinking about whether you want fulfillment to be totally invisible or if you're going to be actively working on it.
Real-Life Examples that Back it Up
- A wellness brand moved to ShipBob and after turning on the 2-day delivery badges on their website saw a 40% drop in people deciding not to buy stuff after they put it in their basket.
- A tech brand using ShipHero shaved off over 20% on shipping costs per order by tweaking how they do pick, pack and shipping, and then getting better deals on shipping rates.
- A beauty brand licensed ShipHero's warehousing software to run their own warehouse and were able to ship 15,000 orders a month to an almost 100% accuracy rate – just 0.05% of orders got messed up.
The right partner for you is all about the level of maturity your business is at. Startups in their infancy go with ShipBob. The more experienced you are the more likely you are to go with ShipHero.
Comments 0 Responses