Shiprush vs ShipStation: Which is Best?

Last Updated on April 22, 2023 by Ewen Finser

In the United States alone, the eCommerce sale of physical products was over 300 billion dollars in 2019.

By 2024, sales are expected to increase to nearly 500 billion dollars. While it’s true starting an online business can be profitable, there are many links in the chain to generate real wealth.

One of the most critical is shipping. You have to successfully get the product and send it out to the correct buyer. While small businesses may take a more manual approach to ensure accuracy, once your business begins to grow you will need automation software to meet demand.

Shipping platforms can print labels, compare prices, and seamlessly integrate into existing eCommerce software. Two popular platforms ShipRush vs ShipStation both have free trials, mobile apps, and hundreds of integrations.

However, there are key differences that can easily cancel out one over the other. Check out our in-depth comparison to see which one has the right features, pricing, and customer service for your shipping needs.

Bottom Line Up Front Summary: Overall, we prefer the interface and features of ShipStation here. But if you need LTL and quick customer service, ShipRush shipping software is a worthy competitor.

The‌ ‌Main‌ ‌Differences‌ ‌Between‌ ShipRush vs ShipStation

The Main Differences Between ShipRush vs ShipStation are:

• ShipRush offers unlimited shipping labels on all plans, whereas ShipStation caps shipping labels on each tier plan.
• ShipRush caps its users at 3 for its main plans, whereas ShipStation allows up to 10 users.
• ShipRush has an LTL Freight add-on, whereas ShipStation does not.
• ShipRush features all carrier rates on a single screen, whereas ShipStation does not.
• ShipStation only offers phone support on its Enterprise tier, whereas ShipRush offers phone, email, and chat support with all of its plans.
• ShipRush supports Square as a payment processor, whereas ShipStation does not.

Shipping Software ‌Similarities‌ ‌

• Free trial
• Email support (all plans)
• Branded labels and packing slips
• Mobile app
• Shipping discounts
• PayPal and Stripe
• Custom API
• International shipping
• Automation rules

ShipRush vs ShipStation: What is ShipRush?

ShipRush is primarily a web-based (desktop version available until the end of 2020) shipping software that helps businesses streamline orders and get the cheapest shipping rate.

Founded in 1992, it has grown to connect with over 100 integrations including business services, carriers, eCommerce, and payment processors. The platform offers a less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping add-on, FedEx Advantage Program (FedEx One Rate), and print unlimited shipping labels.

ShipRush vs ShipStation: What is ShipStation Software?

Founded in 2011, ShipStation software is an industry-leading shipping solution for eCommerce retailers.

With a paid plan as low as $9, popular features available on all plans, inventory management and order management, and 10 automation rules, ShipStation can scale as quickly as your business does (e.g. adapting to supply chain and carrier account changes).

The Main Features of ShipRush

Customization

With ShipRush, you can customize packing lists for inventory management depending on your integration and aesthetics. Here are some of the default options you have to choose from:

• Modern Packing Lists
• ClosedClassic Packing Lists
• ClosedGroupon Packing List
• ClosedIntegrated – Web Shipping
• ClosedSimple – Web Shipping
• ClosedThermal Packing Lists
• ClosedDoc-Tab Packing Lists

You can also add a custom logo to your packing list. Upload multiple logos to professional personalize each packing list template.

Automation Rules

ShipRush software has the following pre-set automation rules in place.

• Set shipment weight
• Set shipment service
• Set shipment packaging
• Set shipment SKU
• Pick the cheapest shipping carrier
• Pick the fastest shipping carrier
• Apply templates

Automation rules can be used to define any unshipped orders, whether those orders are entered manually, from an eCommerce shop, or Excel.

If you are a large business, ShipRush may not be for you. You are required to manually create shipping rules for each product that has a different dimension and weight. Depending on the scope of your product line, this could be a deal-breaker.

Reporting

Easily view or download detailed reports containing shipments and orders. Choose from PDF, Excel or XML formats.

You can access the report module within settings. Reports are segmented in the following options:

• Order date range
• Shipment date range
• Web Store(s)
• Shipping account

Discount Postage

USPS: Up to 60% off the base rate
FedEx: Up to 21% off

ShipRush features a rate dashboard that compares rates from multiple carriers on one screen. ShipRush claims they are the only shipping software to provide this service.

ShipRush even provides a shipping savings calculator to show you how much your online business can save annually by utilizing ShipRush shipping discounts.

Integrations

ShipRush has over 100 integrations so no matter what software you are currently using or need to add in the future, it will work seamlessly with its web platform.

Business Services

• QuickBooks
• Salesforce
• NetSuite
• Oracle

Carriers

• USPS
• UPS
• FedEx
• DHL

eCommerce Platforms

• Amazon
• Shopify
• BigCommerce
• 3dcart

Payment Processors

• Stripe
• PayPal
• Square

The Main Features of ShipStation

Customization

The following custom branding options are available with ShipStation:

• Branded email notifications
• Branded packing slips
• Branded shipping label
• Branded tracking page (with tracking number views)
• Branded returns portal
• eCom labels

Branded fields

• Company Name
• Phone
• Email
• Store Logo
• Website
• Social Links
• Branded Tracking Page

Automation Rules

ShipStation has over 40 pre-built automation rules. Notable options include Enable Saturday Delivery, Include a Return Label with the Outbound Label, Use a specific Packing Slip, and Email Notifications.

You can also customize your own rules by following the steps here.

Reporting

Insight Pages

View visual business trend reports, charts, and graphs. Helps you keep up to date with shipping volume.

Insights Reports

Customize your report by sell date, selling channel, carrier, account, SKU, and more. Then view the report in the app or export the data to PDF, CSV, Excel, or text.

Other reports include Static Reports, Custom Orders, Custom Shipments, and Data Archives (compiled monthly).

Discount Postage

USPS discounts

• 40% off Priority Mail
• 18% off First Class Mail Package
• 13% off Priority Mail Express
• 5% off International First Class, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express
• 40% off USPS Package Insurance Rate
• Plus free PC Postage account (Stamps.com) with the ShipStation Pro Plan

UPS discounts

• UPS discounts up to 62% off Daily Rates (48% off UPS Ground)
• No minimum shipping volume requirements
• Avoid certain surcharges and have others discounted, saving you even more money
• Guaranteed delivery services
• Updated UPS tracking and delivery alerts
• Domestic and international delivery services

FedEx discounts (through the FedEx Advantage Program)

• Express US services – Up to 29% off
• Express international services – Up to 25% off
• Ground services – Up to 20% off
• Office services – Up to 20% off

DHL

• Up to 66% on DHL Express postage with ShipStation Carrier Services

Integrations

Like ShipRush, ShipStation has a wide variety of integrations to link existing business software for a seamless logistics experience.

Business Services

• QuickBooks
• Oracle
• SAP Business One and SAP Business ByDesign
• VATGlobal

Carriers

• USPS
• UPS
• FedEx
• DHL
• Amazon FBA

ShipStation has a larger variety of international mail integrations than ShipRush. Partners include Royal Mail, Hermes UK, DPD UK, Canada Post, RR Donnelley, and Landmark Global just to name a few.

eCommerce

• Amazon
• eBay
• Walmart
• Etsy

Payment Processors

• PayPal
• Stripe

ShipRush vs ShipStation – Pricing

ShipRush

ShipRush has three main plans for its Web plans, Speedy, Turbo, and Warehouse. You can also add LTL Freight starting at $100, or use the desktop version starting at $195 and up for a 1-year license.

ShipRush offers a 60-day free trial. A credit card is needed to sign up. While there are no monthly fees for the first 60 days, you will need a credit card on file to pay for shipping, insurance, postage, etc.

Speedy

$29.95 per month

• 3 users
• Multi-Carrier
• Discount Postage
• UPS
• FedEx
• OnTrac
• Amazon
• DHL Express
• Ecommerce Integrations (eBay, Amazon, …)

Turbo

$59.95 per month

• Everything in Speedy, Plus
• DHL eCommerce
• FedEx LTL Freight (rate and tender/dispatch)

Warehouse

$99.95 per month

• Everything in Turbo, Plus
• NetSuite – Connector
• Netsuite – Button
• SQL web store

LTL Freight add-on

(3 tiers, starting at $100 per month)

ShipRush Desktop

• (1-year license)
• Available with FedEx, UPS, and UPS Pro
• Pricing starts at $195 and up
• New customers will be steered toward a web-based plan, desktop is set to discontinue at the end of this year.

ShipStation Account Plan Options

ShipStation offers 6 main plans, Starter, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Enterprise. The platform also offers a 30-day free trial.

Plus, add a user for only $5 a month (each) to any plan.

Starter Plan

$9 per month

• 50 shipments per month
• 1 User
• Branded Labels & Packing Slips
• E-mail & Community Forum Support

Bronze Plan

$29 per month

• 500 shipments per month
• 1 User
• Branded Labels & Packing Slips
• E-mail & Community Forum Support

Silver Plan

$49 per month

• 1,500 shipments per month
• 2 Users
• Customized Print Shipping Labels & Packing Slips
• Live Chat, E-mail & Community Forum Support

Gold Plan

$69 per month

• 3,000 shipments per month
• 3 Users
• Customized Labels & Packing Slips
• Live Chat, E-mail & Community Forum Support

Platinum Plan

$99 per month

• 6,000 shipments per month
• 5 Users
• Customized Labels & Packing Slips
• Live Chat, E-mail & Community Forum Support

Enterprise Plan

$159 per month

• 10,000 shipments per month
• 10 Users
• Customized Labels & Packing Slips
• Live Chat, Phone Support, E-mail & Community Forum Support

ShipRush vs ShipStation – Support

ShipRush

ShipRush provides email, phone, and chat support on all tier plans. All modes of communication are answered during specific business hours.

• Phone support – M-F 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (Pacific Time)
• Email support – M-F (typical response time is 2 hours during business hours)
• Chat support – M-F 5:00 am – 5:00 pm (Pacific Time)

Additional support includes an FAQ knowledge base, documentation to cover the advanced features of ShipRush, and a support forum manned by ShipRush product specialists.

ShipStation

ShipStation offers an online help center (for product, features, integrations, and troubleshooting), community forum, and email support on all plans. Email response time is typically four to twenty-four hours M-F.

Chat support is for the Bronze plan or higher. Live chat is available for logged-in users only.

Phone support is exclusive to Enterprise plans. Support by phone is available between 8 am and 8 pm CST. This is a significant difference compared to ShipRush which offers phone support to all tiers during business hours.

ShipRush vs ShipStation – Pros and Cons

ShipRush

Pros

• Easy to set up and use (and ship)
• Over 100 integrations
• Affordable monthly shipping cost
• Unlimited shipping labels
• Shipping rate comparisons on one screen
• Can print labels on the go
• Free trial
• Phone, email, and chat support available on all plans
• Mobile app
• PayPal, Stripe, and Square payment processors

Cons

• Cater to small and medium businesses, doesn’t scale well for large businesses
• Support is only available during business hours

ShipStation

Pros

• Nearly 100 integrations
• Easy to set up and use
• Free trial
• Mobile app
• Add a user for only $5 per month, regardless of the plan tier

Cons

• Phone support is only offered with Enterprise plan
• Customer support can be slow to respond

ShipRush vs ShipStation – FAQs

ShipRush vs ShipStation – Which One is Best?

If you are just starting, ShipStation makes more sense in terms of monthly payment and features. With a $9 a month plan that supports 50 shipments, this should be sufficient for most new eCommerce.

ShipStation also allows you to easily scale as your shipments increase and add users for only $5 per user per month.

However, if customer service is important to you, ShipStation offers very limited support and only provides a phone option if you are on their highest tier at $159+ per month.

If you are already over the 500 shipment label limit, ShipRush offers a $29.95 plan (ShipStation is $29) that features unlimited shipping labels, 3 users (ShipStation supports 1), discount postage, DHL support, and over 100 integrations.

ShipRush also has a 60-day trial (twice as long as ShipStation) and affordable LTL support (not offered with ShipStation). Plus, ShipRush has phone, email, and chat support on ALL of its plans.

Bottom Line Summary: Overall, we prefer the interface and features of ShipStation here. But if you need LTL and quick customer service, ShipRush is a worthy competitor.

Further Reading on Shipping Integration & Shipping Options for the Online Retailer:

• Shipworks vs ShipStation: Which is Best?
• Shipstation vs Ordoro Shipping Carrier Integrators
• Shipstation vs Shipwire for Growing Ecommerce Businesses
• Shippo vs Shipstation: What are the Differences?
• ShippingEasy vs ShipStation: Which is Right for your Business?
• Shippo Review: Is it the Best Shipping Software?
• Best Shipping Apps for Shopify to Increase Sales