ShipBob vs ShipFusion (2023): How Do They Compare?

In this ShipBob vs ShipFusion comparison, we’ll look at how they work, their pros and cons, and endeavor to answer some FAQs about these platforms. 

That’s a lot, so let’s dive in. 

Your Guide to ShipBob

Having been around since 2014 and tried and tested by 7,000+ businesses, it’s safe to say that ShipBob is well-established. Its website boasts an impressive 99.95% order fulfillment rate across its 40+ fulfillment centers. These are based in:

• The US: 35 centers
• Canada: One center
• The UK: Three centers
• Europe: Two centers
• Australia: Two centers

ShipBob offers a warehouse management service (WMS). This software eliminates the need to process orders manually, resulting in delays, picking errors, and inventory discrepancies. The service also handles inventory management, warehousing, transportation, and order management. You’ll also benefit from a pick-and-pack service, reporting and analytics tools, and more. 

110 apps are also available, which are organized into the following categories:

• Returns management platforms
• Inventory and order management
• Ecommerce marketing, CRM, and customer support
• Ecommerce custom packaging and design solutions
• Accounting, tax, and financing
• Freight and shipping solutions
• Branding, marketing, and web development agencies

Among these apps, you’ll find shipping carriers such as FedEx, DHL, USPS, UPS, and many more. You’ll also find a range of eCommerce platform integrations, including Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce, and Wix.

It’s worth noting that although ShipBob’s website doesn’t mention it, some integrations have their own fees. For example, ecommerce platforms such as Shopify have various pricing plans, as does Klaviyo. 

Where shipping is concerned, you can offer shoppers 2-day express shipping across 100% of the US and 2-3-day shipping for 90% of the EU and the UK. 

Suppose you opt for ShipBob’s 2-day express shipping service and sell on Google Shopping, Facebook, Shopify, and/or Instagram. In that case, you can display ShipBob’s 2-day shipping badge. This is great for communicating to customers that you offer speedy shipping. 

Once you’ve signed up to ShipBob, there are a few things to do to hit the ground running: 

• Connect your store to ShipBob (this is as easy as a click of a button). 
• Send ShipBob your products (you can opt for fulfillment centers closest to your customers and split inventory across multiple centers).  
• ShipBob stores your products in its fulfillment centers.
• When a shopper places an order, ShipBob picks, packs, and sends the order to your customer.

Simple, right?

It’s also worth mentioning that ShipBob has a few standout features it promotes: 

• The Customization Suite: ShipBob offers a choice of plain or custom branded packaging, shipping labels with your business’s name, and custom marketing inserts – you can get all this for free! With the latter, you can offer customers discounts and other promotions, which is great for encouraging repeat purchases! However, extra charges exist for custom stickers, applying individual barcodes to products, customized gift notes, and more. 
• FreightBob: This is an end-to-end inventory distribution and freight program for businesses moving freight from China. It enables enterprises to lessen product time-in-transit, lower freight costs, and distribute inventory across ShipBob’s fulfillment centers. 
• Reporting and analytics tools: At a glance, you can see average order delivery times, order fulfillment numbers, stock levels, and more. 
• ShipBob’s dashboard: From here, you can access orders view order fulfillment data, inventory levels, and more. 

The Pros and Cons of Using ShipBob Fulfillment

Your Guide to ShipFusion

ShipFushion’s website states it is the ‘#1 Rated 3PL Company for eCommerce’. It has warehouses in Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Toronto, with more (in Atlanta, Dallas, and New Jersey) planned for 2024. 

Also founded in 2014, ShipFusion offers customers tailored inventory management, eCommerce fulfillment, and shipping solutions to suit different business models. Its website refers explicitly to working with retail companies, subscription services, and crowdfunding campaigns. 

Interestingly, all ShipFusion warehouses are managed solely by their employees, with no third-party involvement. 

ShipFusion integrates with a range of eCommerce platforms and online marketplaces. Its full integration list is as follows:

• Shopify
• BigCommerce
• WooCommerce
• Amazon
• eBay
• Walmart
• Etsy
• Volusion
• 3dcart
• Magento
• Squarespace
• Backerkit
• Ecwid
• PayPal
• Stripe
• Celery
• Prestashop
• SPS Commerce

ShipFusion’s eCommerce fulfillment features are categorized as follows:

• Piece picking: Each product for each order is handpicked
• Batch picking: Orders can be processed in batches or separately
• Zone picking: ShipFusion employees are allocated to one warehouse area and only pick one order at a time.
• Order processing: Once you’ve integrated ShipFusion with your sales channel, orders are automatically received and processed. 
• Inventory storage: Add SKUs to ShipFusion’s portal to track inventory location in real time.
• Shipping: Where shipping is concerned, ShipFusion doesn’t have a particular carrier preference. Instead, it depends on what you’re shipping; for example, if an item needs insurance because it’s fragile, ShipFusion may recommend a carrier that provides this service. ShipFusion’s website states it has relationships with all major shipping carriers to ensure the best rates possible. On ShipFusion’s blog, we found references to USPS and Canada Post. FedEx, DHL, and UPS, with average ground shipping times between one to eight days, depending on the carrier. 

Other features include:

• Reporting: I.e., you can quickly review inventory levels, shipping costs, product catalog reports, and shipped orders.
• Returns: This includes advanced reporting on returns to help with restocking inventory, customer experience, the financial impact returns are having on your bottom line, and so on. 
• Freight: ShipFusion has its own freight management system (I.e., the transportation of goods via road, air, or both). Customers can book, track, and manage imported, exported, and bulk freight goods. ShipFusion has freight affiliates located in 98% of the world.

You can manage all aspects of your ShipFusion account via your dashboard. This includes inventory levels, order numbers, fee breakdowns for each shipment, and when an order is delivered.

The Pros and Cons of Using ShipFusion Fulfillment

ShipBob vs Shipfusion: FAQs

Do ShipBob and ShipFusion have apps? 

ShipBob is accessible via its website and iOS and Android apps. However, we could find no evidence that ShipFusion offers an app.

What do ShipFusion customers say on review sites? 

We referenced ShipBob’s customer reviews above, so what do ShipFusion users have to say?

ShipFusion reviewers on Trustpilot give it an overall 4.5 stars out of five, with reviewers praising its order fulfillment accuracy and customer service. However, there were only 29 reviews on Trustpilot (at the time of writing), and the most recent review was published in January 2022. 

Elsewhere, Capterra reviewers give it 4.7 stars out of five, but some say the software has a learning curve. Again, it’s worth noting that there were only 20 reviews on Capterra at the time of writing, and the most recent review was published three years ago!

What types of businesses use ShipBob and ShipFusion? 

ShipBob and ShipFusion are used by all kinds of businesses. Both their websites showcase a variety of use cases. For example, ShipBob lists companies operating in the following industries:

• Healthcare supplements
• Merchandise business
• Nutraceutical and wellness brands

ShipFusion lists the following niches:

• Razors
• Eco-friendly footwear
• Bidets

Overall, there are 25+ example customers on ShipBob’s website, whereas with ShipFusion, there are just five.

ShipBob vs ShipFusion: My Final Verdict

Hopefully, my side-by-side ShipBob vs ShipFusion comparison has given you enough information about both platforms to consider exploring either (or both) in more detail. 

Regrettably, neither offers much in the way of pricing transparency. However, It’s good news that both integrate with popular eCommerce solutions (but ShipBob offers the greatest choice). Similarly, it’s ShipBob with fulfillment centers outside of North America – unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be something ShipFusion offers. 

That’s all from me! Are you ready to give ShipBob and/or ShipFusion a try? Or are you considering an alternative like Shiphero, Shipmonk, Shipstation, or Red Stag Fulfillment? Either way, let us know in the comments below.