10 Order Fulfillment Software Shortlist
Managing inventory and fulfilling orders is one of the most challenging parts of running an ecommerce store is. It’s time-consuming work and can require significant space that many people don’t have access to—especially if you’re growing fast. Inefficient fulfillment practices can cause you to lose customers. The best order fulfillment software solves this problem. Some of them help with fulfillment by streamlining order management and shipping.
This article will look at 24 of the best order fulfillment software tools available. I’ll highlight why I like each ecommerce fulfillment software so you can choose the best tool that best meets your needs.
What Is Order Fulfillment Software?
Order fulfillment software is a specialized software solution designed to streamline and automate the process of fulfilling customer orders for goods or services. It encompasses a range of functions, including order processing, inventory management, warehouse management, and shipping logistics. The software enables businesses to efficiently manage and track orders from the moment they are placed to the point of delivery, optimizing inventory levels, reducing errors, and improving overall customer satisfaction.
Overviews Of The 10 Best Order Fulfillment Software
Here’s a brief description of each order fulfillment tool to showcase each platform’s best use case, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give a snapshot of the user interface.
ShipBob
Best all-in-one order fulfillment software
ShipBob is a complete solution for ecommerce fulfillment that enables sellers to scale their businesses quickly. Ship your products to ShipBob, connect your store, and the company will take care of order fulfillment for you.
Why I Picked ShipBob: The key to the company is its network of warehouses—it currently has locations in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. The U.S. network means you can deliver products across the U.S. in just two days, while the non-U.S. centers shorten the times it takes to ship globally. The service is able to work with both on and offline channels. It connects with storefronts on Amazon, Walmart, Etsy, and eBay, so you have more chances to make sales. It even has options for B2B fulfillment, allowing you to offer wholesale orders to a large list of supported retailers.
Despite ShipBob taking care of the service, you can still add a personal touch to your deliveries. For example, you can use custom branded boxes, add customer notes, or include marketing materials with your packages.
Standout Features & Integrations
Key features include a network of strategically located fulfillment centers across the United States. Unlike some of its competitors that rely on centralized warehouses, ShipBob's distributed fulfillment center approach offers several unique advantages like faster shipping speeds and inventory optimization. Plus, it has a whole feature set for fulfilling B2B and wholesale shipment needs. This stood out to me because so many shipping solutions focus on the needs of B2C businesses.
Integrations include Amazon, NetSuite, Shopify, BigCommerce, eBay, Magento, Square, Squarespace, Walmart, Wix, WooCommerce, USPS, UPS, DHL, FedEx, and Shippo, among others.
Pros
- End-to-end fulfillment services
- Good for B2C and B2B businesses
- Ability to outsource fulfillment operations
Cons
- No free trial
- Takes time to get familiar with the system
Linnworks
Best for automating shipping workflows
Linnworks is an innovative cloud-based order management system that provides ecommerce businesses with a comprehensive solution for managing and automating the entire order process. The platform offers extensive features, including inventory management, shipping integrations, order processing, and reporting.
Why I Picked Linnworks: Linnworks allows users to manage orders from multiple sales channels, which streamlines order processing and reduces errors. It provides an advanced inventory management system that lets online sellers track stock levels across multiple sales channels and warehouses. Linnworks can set reorder points for products to ensure they never run out of stock. They can also track inventory costs and get real-time updates on stock levels and purchase orders. Users can create locations and bins, assign products to those locations, and manage inventory levels at each location.
Linnworks Standout Features & Integrations
Key features include the ability to automate shipping processes by setting up rules and workflows. You can assign shipping preferences for each channel, shipping destination, and order status. Linnworks provides users with robust reporting and analytics tools to help them understand their business performance. Online sellers can generate detailed sales, inventory, shipping, and customer data reports. The platform also provides advanced filters and customization options, such as date range, product categories, and sales channels, giving users more profound insights into their business and making informed decisions based on data.
Integrations include leading shipping carriers such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS, as well as online retailers and other software, like Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Shopify, QuickBooks, and ShipStation.
Pros
- Multilingual support
- Highly scalable
- Multi-channel support on more than 70 channels
Cons
- Some learning curve for new users
- No free trial
ShipStation
Best for streamlining Ecommerce shipping
ShipStation is an ecommerce shipping solution that offers a range of features to streamline the shipping process for online businesses. With ShipStation, businesses can automate actions, generate discounted shipping labels, and gain complete control and insight into their orders at every stage of the shipping process.
Why I chose ShipStation: I chose ShipStation because it offers a comprehensive set of features that make it easy to manage and streamline ecommerce shipping. It allows you to automate order processing, generate shipping labels, and track shipments all in one place, saving time and improving efficiency and saving time.
Additionally, you can set inventory alerts to keep you on top of changes, you can view stock levels, and allocate stock all while picking and packing and fulfilling orders more efficiently. And to make sure your customers don't get anxious leaving your website, the platform offers branded portals at no additional cost.
ShipStation Standout Features & Integrations
Features include its dashboards which let you view all of your orders at every stage of the fulfillment process, easily sort and filter through them, and combine or split orders as you see fit.
Integrations include over 300 options, including Squarespace, Ebay, Walmart, Shopify, Etsy, Wix, Klaviyo, Square, bigcartel, Quickbooks, and Morecommerce.
Pros
- Manage inventory levels across multiple warehouses.
- Customize shipping labels and packing slips
- Automate shipping processes
Cons
- Update delays can cause interruptions with some integrations
- Mobile app needs improvement
Zoho Inventory
Best for small businesses
Zoho Inventory is order fulfillment software from Zoho. It helps ecommerce businesses manage and fulfill orders faster. The dashboard shows the overall status of all your orders. You can see how many are pending, shipped, and to be delivered. And you can also see information like low-stock and top-selling items.
Why I Picked Zoho Inventory: Zoho Inventory stands out with its exceptional multichannel support, allowing businesses to manage inventory and sales across various sales channels, including ecommerce platforms, marketplaces, and brick-and-mortar stores. This feature provides several advantages, like centralized inventory control, channel-specific pricing/product descriptions, and efficient order routing.
Zoho Inventory Standout Features & Integrations
Key features include the automatic packing slips feature. It’s easy to turn a confirmed order into a packing slip—the tool will import all relevant data, including the address and order details. You can then choose from over 40 shipping carriers and generate a shipping slip. Once your package is out, you and your customer can track its location with the AfterShip integration. Another cool feature is the ability to drop ship products straight from your vendor to your customer. You never actually have to see your inventory.
Integrations include Shopify, AfterShip, USPS, Amazon Services, Canada Post, Bond, eBay, Etsy, Google Shopping, Mailchimp, and dozens of others.
Pros
- All-in-one business management
- Meets everyday needs and long-term goals
- Nearly endless list of possible integrations
Cons
- Must buy integrations separately
- Reporting data is basic
Fishbowl
Best for manufacturing companies
Fishbowl is inventory management software with powerful features designed to help manage your supply chain and warehouses. One of the tool highlights is the mobile picking feature. Just download the app and use it to quickly find products in your warehouse. It will also highlight if you have enough inventory to fulfill the order. It’s an easy way to streamline warehouse management.
Why I Picked Fishbowl: Fishbowl excels as an order fulfillment software due to its robust inventory management and order processing capabilities, making it an ideal choice for businesses seeking to optimize their order fulfillment operations. It stands out for its seamless integration with QuickBooks, providing a powerful combination of accounting and inventory management in one system. This integration ensures accurate financial data and inventory tracking. Fishbowl also offers advanced inventory management features, such as multi-location tracking, barcode scanning, and customizable reporting.
Fishbowl Standout Features & Integrations
Key features include robust manufacturing and BOM capabilities. This feature allows businesses to create and manage complex product assemblies and track the components required for manufacturing. It's particularly useful for companies involved in light manufacturing or assembling products from various parts. Fishbowl's manufacturing tools enable businesses to plan production schedules, track work orders, and efficiently manage the entire manufacturing process, all within the same platform.
Integrations are available when implementing Fishbowl in your ecommerce business, including dozens of options such as Avalara, BigCommerce, Endicia, HubSpot, QuickBooks, Salesforce, ShipWorks, WaspBarcode, WooCommerce, Zoho CRM, and other software options.
Pros
- Real-time inventory visibility
- Easy to use
- Robust, detailed inventory control
Cons
- Needs more customizability
- Steep pricing for smaller businesses
ShipMonk
Best for US/Canada-based businesses
Shipmonk is an order fulfillment company for ecommerce businesses. It streamlines sales across all channels, including your site and third parties like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. Just connect all your stores to the Shipmonk platform, and it will sync your customer orders. Once set up, you can see detailed information about orders, including how many you have at each stage of the order process. This can highlight potential problems such as late deliveries.
Why I Picked Shipmonk: ShipMonk is exceptional as an order fulfillment software due to its focus on providing ecommerce businesses with a scalable, end-to-end fulfillment solution. It stands out by seamlessly integrating inventory management, order processing, and shipping logistics in a user-friendly platform. ShipMonk's state-of-the-art technology and strategically located fulfillment centers enable businesses to deliver orders with exceptional speed and accuracy. Moreover, its real-time data and analytics empower companies with valuable insights into their operations, helping them make data-driven decisions for growth and customer satisfaction.
Shipmonk Standout Features & Integrations
Key features include warehouses across the U.S. and Canada. It also has one in the U.K. This enables fast shipping to people in any of these locations. It also gives customers a variety of shipping options, including fast 2-day delivery. The tool has powerful inventory management features. You can see levels at each location and selling trends so you can distribute stock more effectively.
Integrations include over 75 ecommerce shopping carts, marketplaces, and solution providers; for example, Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, BigCommerce, Extensiv, Cratejoy, Shift4Shop, PayPal, Ecwid, and other tools.
Pros
- Dedicated customer support team
- Predictive inventory management with real-time data visibility
- Strategically located fulfillment centers
Cons
- Limited international presence (US focused)
- Minimum volume requirements not good for small biz
NetSuite SuiteCommerce
Best enterprise order fulfillment software
NetSuite Commerce is a complete solution for retail businesses that includes software to manage fulfillment. Both ecommerce retailers and retailers with physical locations can use the tool. It connects all your locations and lets you manage inventory, finance, and support. Use the mobile PoS to integrate your in-store itinerary with your online system.
Why I Picked NetSuite Commerce: NetSuite Commerce excels as an enterprise order fulfillment software due to its comprehensive suite of features designed to streamline and optimize complex order fulfillment operations. Its strengths lie in its ability to seamlessly integrate order management, inventory control, and customer relationship management within a single platform, offering a unified view of all business processes. This integrated approach enables enterprises to efficiently manage large volumes of orders, maintain accurate inventory levels, and provide exceptional customer service.
NetSuite Commerce Standout Features & Integrations
Key features include fulfillment capabilities that provide visibility into all the places where you manage stock. You can manage inventory more effectively and ensure that customers always have access to the products they need. And you can fulfill orders from anywhere in the system to reduce costs and speed up service.
Integrations include Oracle, JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, Sage Business, Affirm, NetSuite CRM, Lightyear, ZoneBilling, Neuron ESB, and Pacejet.
Pros
- Outstanding customer support
- Custom reporting features
- Commerce website builder + inventory in one
Cons
- Not easy for new users
- Costly implementation
Fulfillment by Amazon
Best for businesses who sell on Amazon
Fulfillment by Amazon is a service for Amazon sellers that allows businesses to let the ecommerce giant take care of order processing. You send your products to Amazon warehouses, and the company fulfills any orders. If you’re a small business, it’s a great place to start, while larger companies also benefit.
Why I Picked Fulfillment by Amazon: The service’s big advantage is that you get access to Amazon’s leading logistics infrastructure. You can offer quick shipping to anywhere in the U.S., and listed products are eligible for Prime delivery, which could increase your chances of making sales. Amazon handles all parts of the delivery, including returns and customer service, making it an incredibly hands-off experience. You can even connect the service with third-party ecommerce sites such as your own website.
Fulfillment by Amazon Standout Features & Integrations
Key features include is its integration with Amazon Prime. FBA products are eligible for Amazon Prime's two-day shipping, making them highly attractive to Prime members who value fast and reliable delivery. This feature not only enhances the visibility of FBA products on Amazon's marketplace but also improves the customer experience by providing rapid delivery options. It's an unusual and highly effective offering that can significantly boost sales for businesses using FBA. While FBA is known for fulfilling orders made on Amazon's platform, it also offers a unique multi-channel fulfillment service.
Integrations include over 100 connections from software titans such as Shopify, BigCommerce, Adobe Commerce, and Wix. They also offer custom, developer-friendly APIs if you want to build your own integrations.
Pros
- Robust inventory storage and management services
- Amazon Prime integration (fast, free delivery)
- Extensive network of fulfillment centers worldwide
Cons
- Competition with Amazon's own products/pricing strategies
- Fees for storage and fulfillment can add up fast
OWD
Best for product personalization
OneWorldDirect is a fulfillment service that enables two-day ground shipping to 99% of the U.S. from its fulfillment centers. OWD also takes care of international shipping. The service uses a calculator that shows customers exactly how much they will have to pay for shipping and import fees, so there are no surprises.
Why I Picked OneWorldDirect: OneWorldDirect offers custom packaging and kitting services, allowing businesses to create unique and branded packaging for their products. This feature is particularly valuable for companies looking to enhance their branding and customer experience. Whether it's creating custom gift boxes, assembling product bundles, or personalizing packaging materials, OneWorldDirect's focus on customization sets it apart as a fulfillment provider that goes the extra mile to help businesses create personalized product experiences with their customers.
OWD Standout Features & Integrations
Key features include that they handle your customer’s calls, e-mails, and web chats. This enables a more hands-off experience for sellers who don’t want to focus on this part of their business. The company also processes returns. It adds a pre-addressed label to each order, so customers only have to repackage the parcel and mail it back to the warehouse. You can also choose from add-ons such as apparel steaming or cleaning if relevant to your product.
Integrations include over 200 ecommerce tools, including Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento.
Pros
- Custom packaging and kitting
- Specialize in personalized product experiences
- Global fulfillment network
Cons
- May involve a learning curve for new users
- Pricing structure complexity
Kibo Commerce
Best for omnichannel fulfillment
Kibo Commerce is order management software for retailers. The tool helps sellers implement omnichannel fulfillment strategies across both online and offline channels. The platform also enables dropshipping, so you can take orders and have vendors send them directly to customers. Setting this up reduces storage costs while allowing you to offer a wider variety of items without having to stock each one.
Why I Picked Kibo Commerce: Omnichannel fulfillment enables you to ship online orders directly from in-store inventory. You’ll make better use of your existing stock and fulfill orders from the place closest to the customer. Alternatively, you can offer in-store pick up, whereby consumers shop online and pick up the item in-store. As well as being a useful option for customers, in-store pickup drives traffic which can result in more sales.
Kibo Commerce Standout Features & Integrations
Key features include a truly unified commerce platform that seamlessly integrates both online and offline sales channels. This feature allows businesses to create a unified customer experience, whether customers are shopping online, in-store, via mobile, or through other channels. It's particularly valuable for businesses with both brick-and-mortar and online operations, as it enables features like buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) and enables a consistent customer experience across all touchpoints.
Integrations include Apple Pay, Avalara, Bazaarvoice, Borderfree, ChannelAdvisor, Constant Contact, CyberSource Decision Manager, Google Pay, Kount, Lightspeed Retail, MailChimp, Pay with Amazon, PayPal, PowerReviews, Salesforce Sales Cloud, ShipWorks, Vertex, and Monetate.
Pros
- Highly customizable
- Strong integration capabilities
- Robust feature set
Cons
- Limited reporting
- Steep learning curve
The Best Order Fulfillment Software Summary
Tool | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ShipBob Best all-in-one order fulfillment software | Free demo | Pricing upon request | Website |
2 | Linnworks Best for automating shipping workflows | Free demo | Pricing upon request | Website |
3 | ShipStation Best for streamlining Ecommerce shipping | 30-day free trial | From $9.99/month | Website |
4 | Zoho Inventory Best for small businesses | 14-day free trial + free plan available | From $79/month. | Website |
5 | Fishbowl Best for manufacturing companies | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website |
6 | ShipMonk Best for US/Canada-based businesses | Free demo | Pricing upon request | Website |
7 | NetSuite SuiteCommerce Best enterprise order fulfillment software | Free demo | $999/month + $99/month/user | Website |
8 | Fulfillment by Amazon Best for businesses who sell on Amazon | Free demo | From $39.99/month | Website |
9 | OWD Best for product personalization | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website |
10 | Kibo Commerce Best for omnichannel fulfillment | Free demo | Pricing upon request | Website |
Other Order Fulfillment Options
Here are a few more that didn’t make the top list.
- Bolt
Best sustainability options
- ShipHero
Best for managing multiple warehouses
- Extensiv Order Manager
Best for a modular ecommerce solution
- ShipEngine
Best APIs for multi-carrier shipment and order management
- Falcon Fulfillment
Best for health & wellness brands
- Red Stag Fulfillment
Best protection against shrinkage & mispicks
- Whiplash
Best for scalability
- Shipfusion
Best for FDA compliant supply chain processes
- Deliverr
Best for Shopify stores
- Fulfillment.com
Best for non-technical users
- eShipper
Best for crowdfunded product logistics
- Shipwire
Best for dropship channels
- Fulfillment Bridge
Best for ease of implementation
- Simpl Fulfillment
Best user-friendly software
- Saltbox
Best for growing teams
Selection Criteria For Order Fulfillment Software
Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best order fulfillment software for this article:
Core Functionality
The two core functionalities of ecommerce fulfillment software are:
- Manages the entire order processing cycle, from the moment a customer places an order to the final shipment of the product. This includes order capture, order verification, inventory allocation, picking and packing, shipping label generation, and order tracking.
- Inventory management is a central function of order fulfillment software. It involves tracking and controlling the availability and movement of products in a warehouse or distribution center.
Key Features
Order fulfillment software typically includes a range of key features designed to streamline and optimize the order processing and inventory management process. Some of the key features of order fulfillment software include:
- Order Processing:
- Order capture and entry.
- Order verification and validation.
- Order routing to appropriate fulfillment centers.
- Real-time order tracking and status updates.
- Inventory Management:
- Real-time inventory tracking.
- Stock level monitoring.
- Multi-location inventory management.
- Inventory forecasting and demand planning.
- Batch and serial number tracking.
- Warehouse Management:
- Picking and packing optimization.
- Wave picking and batch picking.
- Bin and location management.
- Automated replenishment.
- Shipping and Carrier Integration:
- Shipping label generation.
- Rate shopping for cost-effective shipping options.
- Integration with multiple carriers (e.g., USPS, UPS, FedEx).
- Address validation and correction.
- Returns Management:
- Returns processing and authorization.
- Return merchandise authorization (RMA) management.
- Restocking and inventory updates for returned items.
- Reporting and Analytics:
- Performance analytics and reporting.
- Sales and order analytics.
- Inventory turnover and aging reports.
- Multi-Channel Support:
- Integration with various ecommerce platforms and marketplaces.
- Centralized order management across multiple sales channels.
- Customer and Vendor Management:
- Customer order history and profiles.
- Vendor management and communication for restocking.
- Automation and Workflow Customization:
- Rule-based automation of repetitive tasks.
- Customizable workflows to align with business processes.
- Barcode Scanning and RFID:
- Barcode scanning for accurate inventory management and order processing.
- Support for RFID technology in advanced systems.
- Integration Capabilities:
- APIs and connectors for integrating with other business systems like ERP, CRM, and accounting software.
- Third-party integrations for additional functionality (e.g., payment gateways, tax calculation, marketing automation).
- User Access Control:
- Role-based access control for security and privacy.
- User permissions and authentication.
- Customer Communication:
- Automated order confirmation and shipping notification emails.
- Tracking information provided to customers.
Usability
Usability is paramount in order fulfillment software because it directly impacts the efficiency and accuracy of the order fulfillment process. User-friendly interfaces and intuitive workflows enable warehouse staff to navigate the system swiftly, reducing the likelihood of errors, missed steps, or delays in processing orders. With usability, businesses can onboard new team members quickly to the new ecommerce fulfillment software and/or updates, minimizing training time, costs, and human error.
Software Integrations
Software integrations are crucial for order fulfillment software because they enable seamless communication and data exchange between various systems and tools within a business's technology ecosystem. Integration allows order fulfillment software to connect with ecommerce platforms, marketplaces, accounting software, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and other essential business applications. This connectivity streamlines operations by automating data transfer and synchronization, reducing manual data entry and the risk of errors.
People Also Ask
Here are a few questions I wanted to address about order fulfillment software, processes, and workflows.
How much does order fulfillment software cost?
What order fulfillment software offers 2-day delivery?
What are the six steps of the order fulfillment process?
What are the benefits of order fulfillment software?
Other Fulfillment Tool Reviews
With order fulfillment software comes myriad other tools, services, and software to build out your ecommerce "bigger picture." Here are some additional review lists that you might be interested in:
- Sustainable Packaging Manufacturers
- Fulfillment Services (outsourcing)
- Ecommerce Shipping Software
- Shipping Solutions (outsourcing)
- Warehouse Management Software
- Pick and Pack Software
- Order Management Software
What do you think about this list?
This list contains some of our favorite order fulfillment tools. The biggest decision you’ll have to make is whether you just want software or you also want the company to handle orders for you. Once you know the answer to this question, you can narrow down what ecommerce order fulfillment solution works best for you.
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