The top 10 Shopify fulfillment alternatives are ShipCalm, ShipBob, ShipMonk, ShipHero, Red Stag Fulfillment, Rakuten Super Logistics, Whiplash, Flexport, Ruby Has Fulfillment, and Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment. This post is for Shopify merchants who need a 3PL to store inventory and ship orders, since Shopify no longer operates fulfillment centers of its own. Shopify launched its Shopify Fulfillment Network in 2019, then shut it down in 2023 and sold the underlying logistics operations, including its Deliverr acquisition, to Flexport. Since then, Shopify’s own tools cover shipping labels, carrier rate discounts, and location management, but the actual storage and shipping has to come from a separate provider. The 10 providers below were selected for their direct Shopify integrations, order accuracy, and ability to scale with a growing store.
Why Shopify Merchants Need a 3PL
Shopify does not physically store or ship products on a merchant’s behalf. Shopify Shipping provides label printing and discounted carrier rates, and Shopify’s admin can manage multiple fulfillment locations, but the actual warehousing and pick-pack-ship work has to be done in-house or handed to a third-party logistics provider. For most growing stores, in-house fulfillment becomes a bottleneck well before it becomes cost-effective to fix, which is why the majority of scaling Shopify merchants move to a 3PL.
- No warehousing: Shopify does not own or operate fulfillment centers since discontinuing SFN in 2023
- Shipping tools only: Shopify Shipping handles labels and rate discounts, not storage or pick-pack-ship
- Integration-first selection: The strongest alternatives connect to Shopify’s admin directly for real-time inventory and order sync
- Scale matters: The right 3PL should support current volume and the next 12 to 24 months of growth without a re-platforming project
The Top 10 Shopify Fulfillment Alternatives
1. ShipCalm
ShipCalm is a direct Shopify integration partner and runs its fulfillment operation as an omnichannel platform rather than a Shopify-only add-on, which matters for merchants who also sell on Amazon, Walmart, or their own retail channels.
- Pros: Native Shopify integration, real-time inventory sync, support for custom packaging, kitting, and hazardous or oversized goods
- Cons: Requires a quarterly spend commitment, which favors established stores over pre-launch brands
- Pricing: Custom quote; get a quote
2. ShipBob
ShipBob is one of the most widely used Shopify fulfillment partners, with a global warehouse network and its own analytics dashboard for order and inventory tracking.
- Pros: Large U.S. and international warehouse footprint, strong Shopify app store presence
- Cons: Monthly minimum order commitments can be difficult for early-stage stores
- Pricing: Volume-tiered, with charges for receiving, storage, and returns
3. ShipMonk
ShipMonk supports more than 100 shopping cart and marketplace integrations and is a common choice for small to mid-sized Shopify stores that want flexibility as they grow.
- Pros: Broad integration library, free integration setup, strong for custom branding projects
- Cons: Less suited to large or heavy products
- Pricing: Tiered based on business size and needs
4. ShipHero
ShipHero pairs fulfillment with its own warehouse management software, giving Shopify merchants more visibility into inventory and order status than some competitors provide.
- Pros: Strong software and reporting layer, transparent pricing model
- Cons: Software-forward approach has a learning curve
- Pricing: Based on product size, weight, and storage time
5. Red Stag Fulfillment
Red Stag specializes in bulky, heavy, and high-value products, backed by a pick-and-pack accuracy guarantee.
- Pros: Strong fit for oversized or heavy Shopify products, accuracy guarantee
- Cons: Less focused on small, delicate items
- Pricing: Based on product size and weight
6. Rakuten Super Logistics
Rakuten Super Logistics operates multiple U.S. fulfillment centers, which helps Shopify merchants cut shipping zones and reduce transit times to customers.
- Pros: Multiple warehouse locations for zone skipping
- Cons: More limited kitting and custom packaging support
- Pricing: Custom quote based on volume and warehouse count
7. Whiplash
Whiplash handles more complex fulfillment needs, including multi-component kitting and light assembly work for Shopify brands with intricate product bundles.
- Pros: Strong assembly and kitting capabilities
- Cons: Longer onboarding given the customization involved
- Pricing: Custom quote based on complexity
8. Flexport
Flexport now owns the logistics operations Shopify originally built as its own Fulfillment Network, and offers fulfillment services that integrate with Shopify as a separate company, with Shopify holding a minority equity stake.
- Pros: Deep freight and customs expertise alongside fulfillment, useful for merchants importing internationally
- Cons: Historically oriented more toward freight forwarding than pure DTC fulfillment, so the fulfillment product is newer than its logistics pedigree
- Pricing: Custom quote
9. Ruby Has Fulfillment
Ruby Has works with a number of beauty, lifestyle, and apparel Shopify brands and is known for handling high-SKU-count catalogs.
- Pros: Experience with complex, high-SKU apparel and beauty catalogs
- Cons: Smaller facility footprint than national competitors
- Pricing: Custom quote
10. Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment
Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) lets Shopify merchants use Amazon’s own fulfillment network to ship non-Amazon orders, including Shopify orders, from the same inventory pool used for FBA.
- Pros: Extensive warehouse network, fast shipping speeds
- Cons: Less flexibility for custom packaging or branded unboxing experiences, and less suited to sellers who are not already using FBA
- Pricing: Based on Amazon’s standard MCF rate card
Comparing the Top Shopify Fulfillment Alternatives
- Best for omnichannel sellers: ShipCalm
- Best for large warehouse networks: ShipBob
- Best for smaller stores wanting broad integrations: ShipMonk
- Best for inventory visibility: ShipHero
- Best for bulky or heavy products: Red Stag Fulfillment
- Best for shipping speed via zone skipping: Rakuten Super Logistics
- Best for complex kitting: Whiplash
- Best for international freight and customs: Flexport
- Best for high-SKU apparel and beauty catalogs: Ruby Has Fulfillment
- Best for sellers already using FBA: Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment
FAQ
Does Shopify still have its own fulfillment network?
No. Shopify shut down its Shopify Fulfillment Network in 2023 and sold the underlying logistics operations, including its Deliverr acquisition, to Flexport. Shopify now provides shipping tools like label printing and carrier discounts, but merchants need a separate 3PL for storage and shipping.
What should Shopify merchants look for in a 3PL?
Look for a direct Shopify integration for real-time inventory and order sync, transparent pricing without hidden fees, and enough warehouse coverage to support your shipping speed goals. Merchants selling on multiple channels should also confirm the 3PL can manage Shopify alongside Amazon or other marketplaces from one inventory pool.
Is ShipBob or ShipCalm better for Shopify stores?
ShipBob offers a larger warehouse network, while ShipCalm is built as an omnichannel platform for merchants who sell on Shopify alongside Amazon, Walmart, or their own retail operations. The better fit depends on whether a merchant needs single-channel scale or cross-channel inventory management.
How much does Shopify fulfillment cost with a 3PL?
Pricing varies by provider and typically includes receiving, storage, pick-and-pack, and shipping fees. Getting a custom quote based on your order volume and product type is the most accurate way to compare costs across providers.
Conclusion
Shopify merchants need a third-party 3PL for fulfillment, since Shopify sold off its own fulfillment network in 2023. ShipCalm, ShipBob, ShipMonk, ShipHero, Red Stag Fulfillment, Rakuten Super Logistics, Whiplash, Flexport, Ruby Has Fulfillment, and Amazon MCF all integrate directly with Shopify, but ShipCalm’s omnichannel approach makes it the strongest option for merchants selling across Shopify and other channels at once. Talk to ShipCalm about fulfilling your Shopify orders today.
