When in-house fulfillment starts limiting your small-business growth instead of supporting it, your business reaches a turning point. You need a third-party logistics provider (3PL) uniquely geared to meet your small-business needs without enterprise-level contracts, high order minimums, or hidden fees.
This guide makes that search easier. We’ve reviewed a host of logistics providers to identify those that work well with startups, niche sellers, and growing ecommerce brands—and offer clear pricing, flexible terms, and dependable service that supports lean operations. Leverage our research to explore the top 3PL options that meet the unique needs of startups and growing ecommerce brands.
NOTE: This list is organized alphabetically, not by performance or preference. The best 3PL provider for your small business depends on your specific needs—including what you sell, how much you ship, and how you plan to scale.
Top 3PL companies for small businesses
| 3PL Provider | Key Strengths |
|---|---|
| eFulfillment Service |
|
| Fulfillrite |
|
| Fulfyld |
|
| Red Stag Fulfillment |
|
| Renewal Logistics |
|
| Saltbox |
|
| ShipBob |
|
| ShipMonk |
|
PRO TIP: Running an ecommerce business that ships large and bulky packages? Red Stag Fulfillment can help—we specialize in big, bulky, and heavy fulfillment and offer comprehensive guarantees to protect your bottom line. Learn more about our 3PL services today.
eFulfillment Service
01
Core services:
Ecommerce and retail fulfillment
Freight management
Warehousing and storage
Kitting and light assembly
Returns processing and reverse logistics
Prep service for the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program
Standout characteristics and strengths:
No monthly minimums—This is ideal for small businesses that are just starting out or shipping sporadically.
Month-to-month service agreements available—No long-term contracts are required.
Transparent pricing with no setup fees—Costs are clearly stated up front, which allows small businesses to plan and control 3PL expenses.
Startup-friendly onboarding—The setup is simple, with clear pricing and low barriers to entry.
Strong customer service reputation—They provide responsive and helpful support, as reported by users.
Solid track record of working with many small businesses—The company has over 20 years of industry experience.
Why it’s a good fit for small businesses
eFulfillment Service is particularly well-suited for small or early-stage ecommerce businesses that want low-risk outsourcing without long-term commitments.
With month-to-month agreements and transparent pricing—and without setup fees or monthly minimums—they make it easy for startups to ramp up their operations and maintain control over their 3PL expenses.
Fulfillrite
02
Fulfillrite has earned its place on this list because of its strong reputation and high customer satisfaction for services shaped around the needs of small to mid-sized ecommerce brands.
Core services:
Ecommerce order fulfillment
Kitting, bundling, and light assembly
Crowdfunding campaigns
Freight management and customs/tariffs assistance
Repacking and refurbishing
Subscription-box fulfillment services
Standout characteristics and strengths:
High user satisfaction—Their Trustpilot ratings are 4.8 out of 5 stars across more than 120 reviews, and they’re praised for efficient support with a personal touch.
Transparent pricing—They offer free setup and clear rates without hidden fees.
Same-day shipping—Orders received by 2 p.m. EST (or noon Fridays) ship the same day.
Reliable and timely shipping—They claim 99.8% of orders are shipped on time.
Intuitive client dashboard—The platform provides real-time tracking and management of stock-keeping units (SKUs).
Why it’s a good fit for small businesses
Fulfillrite’s bi-coastal presence, fast shipping, competitive rates, and excellent customer support make them a good choice for small, focused brands.
However, because of the company’s $399/month minimum pick-and-pack fee, they might not be an ideal fit for startups shipping very low volumes.
Fulfyld
03
Fulfyld stands out for its straightforward, flat-rate pricing model, which helps growing direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands manage fulfillment and shipping costs and lower overheads.
The company also provides 24/7 human account support, dedicated account managers, and same-day pick-and-pack services for all orders placed by 1 p.m. local warehouse time.
Core services:
Ecommerce fulfillment with value-added services (kitting, bundling, etc.)
Amazon services—Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) and FBA prep, including branded packaging
Returns processing and reverse logistics
Business-to-business (B2B) distribution
Crowdfunding and subscription box services
Contract manufacturing and custom packaging
Standout characteristics and strengths:
Straightforward flat-rate pricing—Some of their services bundle pick and pack, standard packaging, and shipping labels into a single rate.
Scalability—They offer tiered pricing and volume-based carrier pricing to support growth.
High level of personal support—They provide around-the-clock access to account managers, which is essential for small businesses that need to solve problems fast.
High customer satisfaction—Fulfyld holds a 4.5-star average rating on Trustpilot (based on more than 78 reviews), with consistent praise for reliable shipping and responsive service.
Fast receiving cycle—Inventory is typically received and shelved within two business days of arrival, which allows you to restock quickly.
Why it’s a good fit for small businesses
Fulfyld is well-suited to small and growing brands because the company’s flat-rate structure makes budgeting predictable and eliminates unexpected fees. Plus, the hands-on support and same-day turnaround are invaluable for growing businesses that need quick inventory turnover.
However, the company has a monthly minimum. If your shipping costs are less than $499 in any given month, you’ll have to pay the difference, which may increase the per-order cost for small businesses shipping low volumes.
Red Stag Fulfillment
04
Red Stag Fulfillment is one of the best 3PL companies for small businesses that handle large, heavy, and complex shipments.
Although we’re reviewing ourselves here, we’ll aim to analyze our services objectively. To that end, it’s important to note that we’re not compatible with every small business. But we’re the best fit for a select few—specifically, ecommerce brands that ship large and heavy items or fragile products. In fact, we carefully assess each prospect’s needs and refer them to one of our partners if they seem like a better fit.
We’re selective. But our selectivity is a win for us, our clients, and our former prospects.
Core services:
Ecommerce, retail, and D2C fulfillment
Big, heavy, and bulky fulfillment
Amazon fulfillment, including FBA prep, Seller Fulfilled Prime, and Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM)
Standout characteristics and strengths:
Two core specializations—We have extensive experience in fulfilling both large, bulky, and heavy items, as well as high-volume, lightweight items.
U.S.-based customer support—We provide hands-on service from experienced team members who understand your business.
Industry-leading accuracy—We maintain 99.99% overall accuracy in 2024, covering inbound, inventory, and order processing.
Comprehensive guarantees—We back our services with guarantees, from 100% order accuracy to 0% shrinkage to two-day receiving, with compensation for any mistakes.
Flexible integration capabilities—We connect with most online stores and build custom APIs for unsupported platforms.
Strategic two-location coverage—We reach 96% of the United States with two-day shipping and offer same-day fulfillment
Why it’s a good fit for small businesses
Red Stag Fulfillment is an ideal fit for small ecommerce brands shipping large, heavy, or fragile items because we’re small enough to care and big enough to scale. We tackle shipments that other 3PLs avoid, and we do it with a high-touch, personal approach.
Most importantly for small businesses, we offer guarantees that protect you from damage, loss, or delays—because we understand what a single mistake means for your bottom line.
Renewal Logistics
05
Renewal Logistics is a good fit for brands selling apparel and consumer packaged goods (CPGs). Their operations combine hands-on garment care with the capacity to support growing operations, especially for businesses dealing with high return volumes or complex clothing SKUs.
Core services:
Ecommerce, retail, and subscription box fulfillment
Refurbishment, restoration, quality inspections, reticketing, and repackaging
Amazon FBA, labeling, and returns management
Transportation and distribution
Inventory management
Standout characteristics and strengths:
Specialized in apparel logistics—With roots in textile restorations, Renewal Logistics brings deep, hands-on experience in handling fabric and garment-specific challenges.
Proficient at returns management—They don’t just process returns. If needed, they can clean, inspect, repair, and repackage each item to get it back into sellable condition.
Flexible workforce—Supported by a seasonal workforce of over 2,500 people across three facilities, they have the ability to move around 1 million units per week at peak periods.
Vendor-managed inventory (VMI)—They help brands manage supplier inventory and restocking workflows, removing friction between fulfillment and procurement.
Adaptable to different business sizes—They serve everyone from emerging fashion startups to household-name retailers, with flexibility to scale as brands grow.
Why it’s a good fit for small businesses
Renewal Logistics is a solid fit for fashion brands of all sizes because they offer one-stop shop services. They’re especially valuable for apparel brands that need restoration and face complex returns scenarios.
The company typically evaluates your operational specs and builds a rate proposal based on order volume, SKUs, and service needs, which is generally a good thing. However, small non-apparel brands with straightforward fulfillment and low return rates may find better value through general 3PLs with simpler, publicly-listed rates.
Saltbox
06
Saltbox is a unique hybrid third-party logistics provider that offers private warehouse/workspace rentals with on-site logistics support. You can rent an office space and stay close to your inventory, which is ideal for lean startups and hands-on entrepreneurs.
When you need additional support, you can access their logistics services on demand. It’s a flexible and affordable model that allows you to pay only for the services you actually use.
Core services:
Ecommerce fulfillment
Warehouse and office suite rentals
On-demand labor for special projects
Overflow storage
Equipment rentals
Mailing services
Standout characteristics and strengths:
Hands-on stock control—You can run your own fulfillment operation while leveraging Saltbox’s on-site staff for receiving, packing, and carrier pickups.
Transparent pricing—Their rates and membership fees are clear, with no hidden costs.
Scalable warehouse space—They offer space rental with month-to-month flexibility to upgrade or downsize.
Shared community amenities—You get access to meeting rooms, photo studios, cafes, kitchens, and high-speed Wi-Fi.
Affordable overflow storage—You can store extra inventory for $10 per pallet per day during peak periods.
On-demand labor support—Their eForce team is available for FBA prep, kitting, and inventory checks.
Why it’s a good fit for small businesses
Saltbox is ideal for ecommerce entrepreneurs who want to stay hands-on with their operations while having the option to use professional logistics support. This makes it one of the best 3PLs for small businesses that value control and flexibility, but have plans to scale gradually.
However, companies seeking completely hands-off fulfillment would be better served by a traditional 3PL provider.
ShipBob
07
ShipBob’s Growth Plan is tailored to startups and small companies that ship under 400 orders a month, but their extensive infrastructure (more than 20 U.S. fulfillment centers and more than 60 globally) supports higher volumes and international growth.
This structure allows ShipBob to offer small-business benefits immediately without requiring you to switch providers when scaling.
Core services:
Omnichannel (D2C and B2B) fulfillment
Inventory and supply chain management, with automatic distribution and replenishment
Subscription box fulfillment
Custom packaging and kitting
Reverse logistics—handling and processing returned orders
WMS software for in-house fulfillment
Amazon FBA prep
Standout characteristics and strengths:
Clear pricing—Their rates are transparent and easy to understand, which allows for better cost control and management.
Top-tier analytics—Their platform offers advanced analytics, from real-time tracking to granular stock reports that make planning easier.
High automation—They use advanced technology for automated fulfillment and effective inventory management.
International presence—They have fulfillment centers in Canada, Europe, and Australia, which is ideal for small businesses that ship (or plan to ship) internationally.
Why it’s a good fit for small businesses
ShipBob is a solid choice for established small businesses that are ready to scale.
The company’s technology is advanced, their pricing is customized but clear, their operations are highly automated, and their analytics are second to none. These qualities make ShipBob one of the best 3PLs for small businesses in the growth phase.
However, they do have setup fees and minimum monthly orders, which might increase per-order fulfillment costs for startups and businesses shipping low volumes.
ShipMonk
08
ShipMonk is a flexible 3PL that caters especially well to early-stage ecommerce brands.
With no minimum volume requirements and strong customization options, the company often serves as the first 3PL partner for small ecommerce brands and crowdfunding campaigns.
Core services:
B2B, retail, and ecommerce fulfillment
Custom kitting, bundling, and branded packaging
Warehousing and shipping
Crowdfunding fulfillment
Returns management
Shipping and handling dangerous goods
Amazon FBA prep services
Standout characteristics and strengths:
Responsive customer service—Dedicated account managers and an online ticket portal ensure swift issue resolution.
High accuracy—ShipMonk claims a pick-and-pack accuracy of 99.9%.
Range of customization options—They offer flexible value-added 3PL services, including handwritten notes.
Low cost of entry—They have no minimum order volume, and the monthly minimum pick-and-pack fee is $250.
Strong reverse logistics—Returns processing is competitively priced, with fast turnaround times.
Seamless integrations—Their platform easily syncs with all major sales channels.
Affordable receiving—The service is often included in plans without hourly surcharges.
Why it’s a good fit for small businesses
ShipMonk is a smart choice for small brands seeking flexibility and transparency—especially for those shipping custom bundles, managing subscription services, or running Kickstarter campaigns.
Moreover, their pay-as-you-go plans give growing brands room to experiment without long-term upfront commitments or expensive onboarding.
Choosing a 3PL provider for your small business
Choosing the right 3PL partner involves understanding how different providers align with your business needs—from specialized expertise and pricing models to technology, guarantees, and geographic coverage. Evaluating these core services and capabilities will help you avoid costly mistakes and set a solid foundation for your small business’s growth.
Core services and specialization
01
The 3PL industry splits into two distinct camps: specialists who’ve mastered their niche and generalists who offer comprehensive services, often including end-to-end logistics. The right choice can save you money and headaches, while the wrong one can create costly problems.
The specialist advantage
These providers focus exclusively on their area of expertise. They’ve encountered every challenge, developed proven solutions, and refined their processes through years of dedicated experience. When issues arise—and they will—specialists already have the knowledge and systems to address them effectively.
Let’s consider selling on Amazon as an example. A 3PL that specializes in Amazon services doesn’t just understand the platform’s requirements; they’ve built their entire operation to serve Amazon sellers. Their staff stays current with Amazon’s policies, and their systems integrate seamlessly with Seller Central.
Just as importantly, their client testimonials come from sellers who have faced the same challenges you’re navigating—whether it’s timely fulfillment or preparing products for Amazon FBA.
The generalist advantage
If your small business requires end-to-end logistics—from port to consumer—a full-service 3PL offers undeniable benefits. Centralized accountability eliminates finger-pointing between vendors, streamlines communication, and often reduces overall costs through bundled services.
PRO TIP: The principles described above also apply to big, heavy, & bulky 3PL fulfillment services. While general 3PLs may promise they can handle your oversized products, without specialized equipment, trained staff, and optimized processes, they’re essentially learning at your expense. Each mistake impacts your bottom line and potentially damages your reputation.
Niche expertise
02
Some niches (e.g., apparel, food/alcohol, and dangerous goods) are more sensitive to the lack of specialized industry expertise.
Take apparel for example. With numerous product variants (e.g., sizes and colors), a 3PL provider that hasn’t operated in a high-SKU environment might struggle with large catalogs.
Moreover, the more professional 3PL providers will be transparent about their limitations—perhaps even explicitly declining to fulfill items with high SKU counts.
Beyond niche expertise, consider the total range of services and compare that to what you need now and might need in the future. If you only need transportation services, you might need a second-party logistics (2PL) provider instead of a 3PL. Learn more in our comparison guide on 2PL vs. 3PL.
PRO TIP: If you’re selling items with a high SKU count, there are two commonly overlooked considerations to discuss with potential partners:
SKU fees and limits: Ask whether they charge extra for additional SKUs and what limits or fees apply for SKU management.
Bundle handling: If you sell product bundles, the 3PL provider should be able to assemble those from individual SKUs without confusion or errors.
Pricing structures and fee policies
03
From onboarding to storage, pricing structures vary significantly across 3PLs. And for small businesses, these variations can be the difference between healthy profit margins and drowning under the weight of shipping and fulfillment costs.
Let’s unpack the key aspects of 3PL pricing and what they mean for your small business.
Initial fees–onboarding, integration, account configuration
If you’re running a small business on a shoestring budget, you’ll naturally want to minimize initial fees, such as onboarding and integration costs. While important, these one-time expenses shouldn’t be the decisive factor when evaluating the overall long-term value of a 3PL partner.
For example, if you’re comparing two providers and one offers free setup but charges higher storage and shipping costs, the initial price advantage will quickly diminish as ongoing expenses accumulate over time.
Here are a few examples of initial costs for reference:
ShipMonk: Free onboarding for small businesses; monthly minimums determined on a per-client basis—depending on pick fees and projected order volume.
ShipBob: Waives the onboarding fee only for small merchants under the Growth Plan (self-service, under 400 orders per month, $275 fulfillment spend minimum per month), with full-service premium guided onboarding costing up to $2,500.
eFulfillmentService: No setup fees, no minimum orders.
PRO TIP: Some 3PLs charge additional initial fees, such as an integration fee (the cost of connecting your sales channels to the company’s WMS) and account configuration fees (the cost of custom account setups). Ask your potential provider of 3PL services about these fees and consider them when choosing a partner.
Monthly minimums
If your small business has a predictably low shipping volume, a 3PL provider with low or nonexistent minimum monthly costs will be the best fit.
On the other hand, small but growing businesses often benefit from tiered pricing structures, even when minimums apply.
Receiving fees
Receiving fees are either time-based or charged per unit or pallet, which means they vary by product type.
For example, ShipBob charges $35 for the first two hours and $45 per hour for each subsequent hour. This might result in lower receiving fees for small businesses that sell products with the following characteristics:
Simple packaging: no barcodes to apply, no inspection needed
Palletized shipments with consistent labeling: easy forklift unload and storage for fast processing
Bulk-packed products: typically single-SKU boxes
Example: One pallet of 200 identical yoga mats might take 10 minutes to receive. Under time-based billing, the receiving fee will typically be less than $10. But under per-unit billing (say $0.10 each), the receiving fee for the same pallet would be $20.
On the other hand, the receiving fees for high-volume products with mixed SKUs that require sorting and inspection will typically be lower if charged on a per-unit basis.
Storage fees
Storage fees are typically charged per pallet, per bin (or shelf), or per cubic foot. Each of these models offers unique advantages for different types of products, sales volumes, and business types.
Here’s how they work and who they’re a good fit for.
Per-pallet
Charged as a flat fee, typically per month, per-pallet storage fees are a good fit for businesses with stackable, boxed inventory that moves quickly in uniform shipments (e.g., 60 units per box, 10 boxes per pallet).
However, if you’re running a small business selling items that don’t stack well, don’t fill a pallet, or sell slowly, per-pallet storage will often mean you’re paying for unused space.
Per-bin or per-shelf
Charged per bin or shelf, this fee model is more granular than the per-pallet storage model. That means it’s a better fit for small D2C businesses shipping smaller products with high SKU counts and low per-SKU volumes (e.g., makeup that comes in shades, cosmetics, accessories).
Even if you’re only storing a small quantity of each SKU, you still need separate slots. In this scenario, pallet-based storage would be more expensive, with most of the cost covering the unused space occupied by the pallet.
Per cubic foot
Charged based on the exact volume your inventory occupies, the per-cubic model is often the most practical option for small businesses looking to establish precise cost control and avoid paying for unused space.
However, per-cubic-foot billing can become complicated for high-turnover products with fast inbound and outbound flow (e.g., products featured in viral TikTok content, seasonal promotions, event merchandise), especially if the 3PL provider lacks clear inventory visibility.
PRO TIP: Total cost analysis is just the starting point. Factor in service quality, delivery speed, guarantees, and the provider’s reputation, especially among other small businesses. Then, choose the 3PL that delivers the best overall value for your specific needs.
Technology and integrations
04
Choose a 3PL with technology solutions that are compatible with your sales channels and internal systems, especially when it comes to the WMS and reporting.
This way, the transition will be seamless. The provider’s systems will sync with yours and start offering features like real-time stock insights, order tracking, inventory and sales analytics, and low-stock alerts.
If the WMS is a good fit for your business, it should be helpful in ways beyond fulfillment—including planning and forecasting demand, identifying slow-moving products or bottlenecks, and avoiding overstocking.
Guarantees
05
Unlike larger companies that can absorb occasional mistakes, small businesses often operate on thin margins where a single fulfillment error can mean the difference between profit and loss.
For this reason, choose a 3PL partner that backs up their marketing promises with concrete guarantees on critical areas like order accuracy, processing speed, delivery times, and inventory shrinkage.
When a 3PL provider offers guarantees, they’re willing to pay for their mistakes, which demonstrates accountability—a critical quality that all small businesses should be looking for in a 3PL partner.
Geo coverage
06
Choose a 3PL provider with strategic presence in your target markets. It’s not just about the exact locations of their warehouses, but also about proximity to major logistics hubs—such as ports, highways, and rail networks.
When warehouse locations aren’t disclosed, delivery speed guarantees reveal how strategically the provider has positioned their network. If you’re running a small ecommerce business, look for 3PL companies that can reach most of the United States within two days via ground shipping and offer same-day fulfillment.
PRO TIP: If your business has seasonal rushes or promotional spikes, ask each potentail 3PL they handle sudden volume increases to keep delivery speeds consistent during your busiest periods.
If the West Coast and California are an important market for you, see our guide on the best 3PL companies in California.
Infrastructure and assets
07
For a small business, partnering with a 3PL provider that owns its warehouses and trucks (asset-based) can offer several meaningful advantages over 3PLs that rely heavily on a subcontracted network.
These advantages include:
Better reliability: Direct operational control can mean fewer delays, better communication, and faster problem resolution.
Better scalability and flexibility: Demand surges or growth cause fewer problems.
More predictable pricing: An in-house fleet typically means fewer cost variables, which translates to stable prices.
Further reading: 2PL vs. 3PL: What’s the difference?
08
Unforeseen expenses can be the downfall of small businesses, especially ecommerce startups. When partnering with a 3PL, these fees might come in the form of monthly account or storage fees, additional handling, fuel surcharges, administrative fees, and more.
PRO TIP: To manage this risk, describe your operation to the potential 3PL partners and ask directly what non-obvious fees might apply to your business. Better yet, ask them to walk you through a sample invoice.
Contract and cancellation terms
09
If you’re testing the waters in search of a 3PL partner, avoid getting locked into long-term contracts.
Specifically, the termination clause should be flexible and allow you to move on without paying steep termination fees. Also, be on the lookout for auto-renewal clauses that limit cancellation windows. All these can inflate your expenses or make it difficult to exit a partnership that’s not working.
To avoid these pitfalls, start with a 3PL that offers month-to-month plans and has a clear, written exit policy.
Level up your ecommerce business with a specialized partner
Finding the right 3PL partner can transform your small business operations—but only if you choose a provider that truly understands your unique needs.
If your ecommerce business ships large and heavy items, Red Stag Fulfillment can help. We’ve built our operation to handle big and bulky products, which means fewer mistakes, lower rates, and unmatched fulfillment guarantees that protect your business.
Our internal motto is: “We get it right, or we make it right.”
Ready to see the difference specialized fulfillment makes?
Get a custom quote today and experience fulfillment tailored to your business needs.
Talk With Us
