Finding the right fulfillment software for your ecommerce business is an important step. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. It’s important to know your must haves for the software as well as having a price point in mind. Starting the search with an idea in mind is the best way to ensure that you don’t get distracted by all the shiny features some software may boast on. Below you find a list of some of the best ecommerce fulfillment software available.
The Top 7 Ecommerce Fulfillment Software
- ShipMonk – Best for Startups
- Fishbowl – Best for Larger Companies
- NetSuite ERP – Best for Inventory Management
- Zoho – Best for Ease of Use
- Biz Automation – Best for Features
- Boxzooka – Best for Sustainable Focused Companies
- ShipBob – Best for Analytic Tools
1. ShipMonk – Best for Startups
PRICING: Custom quote
While ShipMonk does not have an outright price, they provide a price estimation tool to help better plan for your business. ShipMonk states that they only charge for what you use, so if you don’t have as many orders one month, you’ll only pay for the orders that go through. They also provide each company with a personalized assistant that assists on behalf of ShipMonk to personally help your business flourish. This is best for new small businesses to help them learn the ropes on how to best run the shipping. Though well versed businesses can also benefit from a personalized ShipMonk associate to help with any issues or questions that may come up.
KEY FEATURES:
- Automatic bundling
- Automated order system
- API integrations
- Security features
- Return assistance
- Customized packaging
- Delivery protection
REASONS TO BUY:
- Lower shipping fees
- Optimized storage centers
- Personal assistance
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Not great for large products
- Not compliant with FDA regulated goods
- Not the best for international shipping
2. Fishbowl – Best for Larger Companies
PRICING: Custom quote
Fishbowl is great for those who need lots of different integration capabilities. They offer several integrations such as Amazon, Apple, Quickbooks, Salesforce, and more. Fishbowl has a feature that allows access to the software capabilities from any Android or iOS device. Fishbowl truly believes in their product and the success that you will have with it. They back this belief by guaranteeing a full refund if you are not completely satisfied after 60 days.
KEY FEATURES:
- Quickbooks integrations
- Order management
- Serial and lot number
- EDI integrations
- CRM integrations
- Reporting
- On the go capabilities
- Automation tools
- ROI tool
REASONS TO BUY:
- They offer a demonstration
- They offer tools to integrate employee time tracking
- Virtual or on-site training
- guaranteed full refund within 60 days
REASONS TO AVOID:
- No free trial
- Reporting feature isn’t very customizable
3. NetSuite ERP – Best for Inventory Management
PRICING: Custom quote
NetSuite does great allowing users to customize almost everything to best suit your business needs. It is important to note that with these customizations you will need to keep a close watch on their functionality as there are no alerts or notifications when it is not running effectively. Their reporting features provide real-time updates, which can be integral for knowing exactly where your business stands at any given time. Thanks to NetSuites robust set of features, many companies trust them with their company, making NetSuite ERP a top contender on this list.
KEY FEATURES:
- Automation capabilities
- Order management
- Financial reports
- Multiple currencies
- Invoicing
- Supply optimization
REASONS TO BUY:
- Inventory count updates in real-time
- Transaction records
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Known to be pricey
- Better features cost extra
4. Zoho – Best for Ease of Use
PRICING: Free for one warehouse and 2 users
Zoho focuses on making your established business run better. While newcomers can also benefit from the software, they truly put a focus on improving upon whatever you have already started. Zoho offers different subscription tiers based on how much inventory your business uses. This is great for businesses that are just starting out and need software that will grow with them. It is important to note that there is a cap for each tier, so once you outgrow your current subscription you will need to upgrade to fulfill more orders.
KEY FEATURES:
- Client portal
- Dropshipping
- Inventory reports
- Language options
- Currency options for some tiers
- Vendor credits and payments
- Serial and batch number tracking for some tiers
- Multi store options
- CRM software
- API integrations
- Alerts and notifications for some tiers
- Scheduling
- Related lists
REASONS TO BUY:
- Mobile app for Android and iOS
- They help you setup with paid subscription
- Tons of integration options
- Most features are available on the free plan
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Not a lot of customization
- Customer service isn’t available 24/7
5. Biz Automation – Best for Features
PRICING: $79.95 a user per year
Biz Automations key selling point is that they offer only one version of software. To make it exactly what you need, they offer tons of add-on options to customize the software to your business needs. Keep in mind that each add-on is an additional cost though. But it could be worth it to build the perfect software and not have to pay for any additional features that you have no interest in using.
KEY FEATURES:
- Lots of add-ons to choose from
- Automation capabilities
- Dropshipping
- Serial and lot number
- Quote proposal PDF
- Accounting integrations
- Customizable invoice forms
- Minimum order control
- Price history tool
- Tracking numbers
- Scheduled reporting
- KPI reporting
REASONS TO BUY:
- Order change tracking abilities
- Frequent updates
- Easy to use for anyone
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Not ideal for larger businesses
- Customer service isn’t available 24/7
- No mobile app
6. Boxzooka – Best for Sustainable Focused Companies
PRICING: Custom quoting
One thing to note about Boxzooka is they have an environmental sustainability mindset. It’s great to see a company with a focus on maintaining a healthy relationship with the planet while also working to keep their users satisfied. Though their name is quite unique, their business strategy is strong. They use third party logistics to ensure your orders are filled quickly and efficiently. Using 3PL keeps their focus of environmental sustainability in mind while also ensuring the best service to you and your customers.
KEY FEATURES:
- Reporting and analytics
- Order tracking
- Scheduling capabilities
- Inventory management
- Packaging customization available
- API integrations
- International shipping
- 3PL fulfillment
REASONS TO BUY:
- Sustainability mindset
- Subscription box options
- Cost calculation to assist with planning
- They are focused on customer satisfaction
REASONS TO AVOID:
- They are a small company
- Not as popular as other options
7. ShipBob – Best for Analytic Tools
PRICING: Software is free. Inventory requires a custom quote
While ShipBob doesn’t have their pricing listed, they do provide a cost estimator based on your needs to help you get a general idea of what you’ll be paying for inventory management. ShipBob is also happy to help curate the best features and options for you for an additional charge. This could be great if you have a niche business need that you can’t find a solution to elsewhere. ShipBob offers their software free, which can help save on costs. They also offer a start up plan to help new businesses get on their feet. It’s important to note that there have been several reports over incorrect billing when it comes to ShipBob. If you decide to go with this software, ensure that you double check all billing statements.
KEY FEATURES:
- Customizable shipping boxes
- Free base shipping supply options
- Kitting options
- Return management
- Start up plan option
- API integrations
REASONS TO BUY:
- They will customize the software to your needs
- 24/7 customer support
REASONS TO AVOID:
- API integrations aren’t the best
- Overbilling has been reported by several users
References and Links
- https://www.smallbizgenius.net/order-fulfillment-software/
- https://www.thesmbguide.com/order-fulfillment-software
- https://www.shipmonk.com/
- https://www.fishbowlinventory.com/
- https://www.zoho.com/
- https://www.netsuite.com/
- https://bizautomation.com/
- https://www.boxzooka.com/
- https://product.shipbob.com/