E-Commerce Shipping
Best ShipStation Alternatives for WooCommerce shipping in 2025
ShipStation has long been a favourite for high-volume ecommerce stores due to its extensive carrier options (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and more), advanced automation features, and a centralized dashboard for managing multiple sales channels.
A recent change to ShipStation’s API policy has left many e-commerce store owners scrambling for an alternative shipping solution. What was once an affordable, budget-friendly tool with API access included in the $9.99/month Starter plan has now shifted to a premium-only offering. API access is now locked behind the Gold/Scale plans, starting at $99.99/month and requiring a minimum of 2,000 shipments.
For many small and mid-sized eCommerce businesses, this significant price hike and high shipment threshold make it difficult to justify the cost.
Without affordable API access, many have lost important features like a live shipping rates calculator and automated order handling, essential for running an efficient e-commerce store. As a result, many store owners are now looking for a better alternative and more affordable multi-carrier shipping solutions.
Fortunately, alternatives like Shippo and EasyPost offer budget-friendly, reliable, and developer-friendly alternatives with API access across all plans, making them a perfect fit for small to mid-sized ecommerce businesses looking to keep operations streamlined without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll explore why many small businesses are moving away from ShipStation, what makes Shippo and EasyPost stand out as the best alternative multi-carrier shipping solutions, and how to choose the shipping solution to meet your business needs.
ShipStation vs. Shippo vs. EasyPost: A Comparison
| Features | ShipStation | Shippo | EasyPost |
| API Access | Gold/Scale or higher plan only | All plans (including free) | All users (free tier available) |
| Starting Price | $99.99/month (2,000 shipments) | Free plan available | Free up to 3,000 USPS labels/month |
| Carrier Support | USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, others | USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, others | USPS, UPS, FedEx |
| Ease of Integration | Feature-rich, complex | Simple, fast, WooCommerce setup | Developer-friendly, technical |
| Best For | High-volume shippers | small-mid sized business | Budget-conscious, USPS-focused |
Based on recent policy changes and user feedback, Shippo and EasyPost are now the best alternatives for small WooCommerce businesses needing API access without the high cost of ShipStation’s new plans.
Shippo: Pros, Cons, and Hidden Costs
Pros:
- API Access: Available on all plans, including the free tier.
- Carrier Support: Broad coverage including USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
- Pricing: Transparent pricing and pay-as-you-go options.
- Integration: simple, intuitive interface and quick integration with eCommerce platforms.
- Key Features: live shipping rates through API, batch label printing, and branded tracking.
Cons:
- Some advanced features require higher-tier plans.
- Limited integration with certain platforms (e.g., Etsy).
- The starter plan has label limits and fewer branding options.
Hidden Costs:
- Premier pricing may require a custom quote for high-volume users.
- Additional fees for advanced features or integrations may apply.
While some advanced features require higher-tier plans, Shippo’s transparent pricing and generous API access make it a great choice for businesses that want to keep costs low without compromising functionality.
EasyPost: Pros, Cons, and Hidden Costs
Pros:
- API Access: Available to all users with a generous free tier (up to 3,000 USPS labels/month)
- Carrier Support: Major carriers, including USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
- Pricing: Free tier available; pricing beyond that requires contacting sales for detailed quotes.
- Features: Address validation, customs declarations, and flexible shipping logic for developers.
- Ease of Use: Slightly more technical setup compared to Shippo, but highly flexible.
Cons:
- Less intuitive than Shippo; some technical setup required.
- Fewer carrier integrations compared to Shippo and ShipStation.
- Some users report slow customer support and billing issues.
- No fulfillment support or shipping delay management tools.
Hidden Costs:
- Pricing structure can be less transparent; contacting sales may be necessary for accurate quotes.
- Additional service fees may apply, especially for higher volumes or premium support.
EasyPost is a great option if you’re looking for a mult-carrier shipping API that’s both powerful and easy to use, especially for businesses that primarily ship with USPS. With its free shipping label allowance and easy-to-use integration, EasyPost has become a favourite among budget-conscious e-commerce store owners who want to keep key shipping features like shipping label printing and live shipping rates through API without the high costs of ShipStation’s new premium plans.
Why Shippo and EasyPost Are the Best Alternatives
- Shippo is ideal for small to mid-sized ecommerce stores looking for affordable, reliable API access, wide carrier options, and an easy-to-use platform. If you want to get your shipping sorted without diving into complex tech, Shippo is definitely worth a look.
- EasyPost is a great fit for businesses primarily shipping via USPS and integrates with the EasyPost API. Its free tier and flexible API make it attractive for those who want to keep costs low and don’t need a wide range of carriers.
Both multi-carrier platforms offer free plans or generous free shipping label allowances, making them much more affordable than ShipStation’s new $99.99/month API minimum.
📍Before switching to a new platform, we recommend reaching out to Shippo and EasyPost directly to better understand their billing systems, service fees, and API limits. Each platform offers different advantages depending on your specific business needs.
Conclusion
ShipStation remains a powerhouse for high-volume shippers, but its recent API policy changes have priced out many small businesses. For those looking for affordable, reliable, and API-accessible WooCommerce multi-carrier shipping solutions, Shippo and EasyPost are the best alternatives.
How to Transition Smoothly
If you’ve been affected by ShipStation’s new API restrictions, we’ve got you covered. We offer WooCommerce integration shipping plugins for both Shippo and EasyPost, and the best part? You can try out free versions of these WooCommerce shipping plugins to test live shipping rates and carrier support before committing to the PRO version.
Shippo Shipping PRO:
https://1teamsoftware.com/product/woocommerce-shippo-shipping-pro/
EasyPost Shipping PRO:
https://1teamsoftware.com/product/woocommerce-easypost-shipping-pro/
Our 1TeamSoftware support team is here to help ensure a smooth transition and keep your business running without disruption.
📖 Related article:
- Shippo vs Shippo vs Easypost
- Shippo Pros and Cons
- EasyPost Pros and Cons
