You might be here because you’re strongly considering ShipHero and want to do your due diligence on other providers. Or, you may have already tried ShipHero and want something a bit different—it can be painful to change fulfillment partners, but if you need a new arrangement, worth it.
Let’s get straight into ShipHero and some of its alternatives to help you choose the best option for your business.
Update: In August of 2024, ShipHero has spun out their 3PL services from the ShipHero brand into a subsidiary company called LVK. The content in this round-up article is still relevant, but you may see the name LVK used synonymously to represent ShipHero’s 3PL services.
What is ShipHero (aka LVK)?
ShipHero is a supply chain and logistics provider for D2C eCommerce businesses. While ShipHero primarily focuses on warehouse management software (WMS) they sell to brands and 3PLs that run warehouses, eCommerce brands also use it for fulfillment services.
According to its website, ShipHero claims to provide up to 35% cost reduction (compared to other providers at its level) and a 99% shipping accuracy rate, positioning it as one of the best 3PL options.
Beyond that, ShipHero has a user-friendly dashboard that’s convenient for those looking for an easy-to-use solution. It also provides over 50 integrations with eCommerce marketplaces and shopping platforms, allowing you to automate data transfer across your systems.
3PL alternatives to ShipHero (LVK)
Whether it’s your first time exploring 3PL providers or you’ve tried ShipHero in the past and want to consider other options, we’ve got you covered with the ShipHero alternatives below.
Red Stag Fulfillment
Red Stag Fulfillment is an end-to-end service provider that caters to various businesses, including retail and eCommerce brands.
Created by former eCommerce entrepreneurs, Red Stag understands the unique pain points of eCommerce business owners—like shipping inefficiencies that impact the customer experience. This is why we strive to offer 100% order accuracy, and if mistakes do happen, we’ll cover all costs and even pay you for the inconvenience.
Whether you want 3PL services for small items or bulky ones that other providers may be unable to handle, we can help. Why consider us?
- We offer two strategically-located warehouses (in Knoxville, Tennessee and Salt Lake City, Utah) designed to reach 96% of the U.S. population within two days using ground shipping while keeping inventory management simple. You can locate inventory in either or both locations.
- We offer personalized services customized to your business’s unique needs.
- Our team is well-equipped to guide you through supply chain and warehouse operations. Most of our customer support staff have worked in our warehouses and understand the ins and outs of our operations.
- We integrate with leading eCommerce marketplaces, including BigCommerce, Shopify, and WooCommerce, and we can even create custom APIs for your store for seamless order fulfillment.
ShipBob
ShipBob offers a wide range of 3PL services, including inventory management, order packing, warehousing, and retailer dropshipping. It caters to businesses looking for B2B fulfillment as well as D2C brands.
This provider has over 50 global fulfillment centers and ships both locally and internationally across over 200 locations, which makes it a suitable option for enterprises in many markets, especially brands wanting inventory to be located in close proximity to their customers. It is worth noting that some of ShipBob’s warehouses are not owned by ShipBob, rather they use a 4PL model. It also integrates with global marketplaces like TikTok Shop and Shopify.
The 3PL provider is on our list of alternatives because it offers various benefits:
- Provides access to expedited shipping globally
- Gives you access to a web-based software solution that provides visibility into your fulfillment processes
- Guarantees two-day shipping across the U.S. regardless of the number of fulfillment centers a business uses
ShipMonk
ShipMonk is a B2B and D2C 3PL provider that streamlines omnichannel fulfillment by providing a single solution that encompasses warehouse management, inventory management, and shipping software solutions.
It has 14 fulfillment centers across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, which allow ShipMonk to ship to over 200 countries globally. If you operate internationally, it may be one of the best 3PL companies for you.
Beyond streamlining omnichannel fulfillment and offering global shipping, ShipMonk offers:
- Integrates with over 75 shopping carts and marketplaces for stress-free fulfillment
- Provides real-time data across the supply chain to enhance visibility
- Customizes pricing to every brand’s needs and provides a Virtual Carrier Network to give you added control over shipping rates
- Handles 321 fulfillment to help save money on imported inventory
Shipfusion
Shipfusion offers fulfillment and freight services for B2B enterprises, D2C brands, and retailers across the U.S. and Canada. It has advanced technology that allows it to handle every step of the fulfillment process, from order processing to returns management.
Because of its cold chain shipping solutions and FDA- and SQF-certified warehousing, Shipfusion can cater to the needs of businesses in regulated industries, such as food and beverage and health and wellness.
Shipfusion also provides an end-to-end lot tracking system that shows you exactly where products are—from the moment they reach its warehouses to when customers receive them.
Other reasons that make Shipfusion one of the best fulfillment service companies include:
- Provides a rate finder that lets you shop for the most cost-effective shipping solutions
- Automates fulfillment thanks to its integrations with leading sales channels
- Minimizes your risk of losing inventory due to spoilage by adhering to FEFO/FIFO warehouse management rules
Cold Chain 3PL
Cold Chain 3PL provides nationwide cold chain management for eCommerce businesses. They have three conveniently located U.S. locations in central Chicago, Pacoima CA, and Baltimore, MD.
Specializing in transporting perishable goods, Cold Chain 3PL offers end-to-end solutions for the agricultural, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and construction industries.
Cold Chain 3PL has plenty to offer businesses needing temperature-controlled fulfillment, storage, and distribution:
- Advanced technology for real-time tracking and temperature monitoring
- Manufacturing solutions like order execution, product repackaging, and inventory handling included as standard rather than an add-on
- Made-to-order logistic strategies customized on a client-by-client basis
Top features to look for in a ShipHero alternative
Every business owner wants a 3PL partner that makes order fulfillment easier and offers reliable services. To find such a partner, you need to consider several factors before settling on any ShipHero alternative:
Integration capabilities
Integration capabilities are non-negotiable for eCommerce businesses looking to streamline inventory control, order management, shipment tracking, and customer experiences.
Integrating your 3PL provider’s system with customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and shopping carts lets you automatically send order information across the systems. This can result in quicker order fulfillment and fewer errors.
Find a ShipHero alternative that integrates with existing systems and leading eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, and Magento.
Scalability
For long-term success (and minimal headache), you need a 3PL provider that can scale with your business. This will help avoid the hassle of switching to a new one when your business grows or your orders increase.
You can determine a provider’s scalability by looking at factors like their labor and square footage. Typically, businesses with high labor availability and sizable square footage can scale with you. Another way is to look at the provider’s current client base. If they cater to businesses of different sizes or ones with fluctuating demand, they may be able to grow with you.
When you find a scalable partner, confirm how costs change as your orders increase and during peak demand times when there’s limited warehouse capacity. This way, you can shop around for the best deals for your growing business.
Customer support
Reliable customer support can promote timely order fulfillment, helping you maintain operational efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction.
That said, not all providers are equal on this front.
Some 3PLs offer 24/7 support, while others are only available during regular business hours. Some respond as quickly as within hours of you reaching out, while others may take a few days to get back to you. Some provide dedicated account managers for each client, while others employ a shared account manager model.
It’s best to work with providers with quick response times and 24/7 availability to streamline logistics processes. If you can find one that provides dedicated account managers, it’s even better. This means you’ll have someone who understands your business’s logistics needs inside and out and offers personalized support.
Two more things to look for in 3PL support:
- How well does their support team understand fulfillment? Look for a provider where the support team has worked in the warehouse and understands the nuances of fulfillment. Beware of companies where support is disconnected from the floor or, even worse, outsourced.
- Ask how the client success team is connected to the operations team—ensuring a tight communication loop is critical—the best client success rep can’t help you if they can’t quickly get in touch with and effect change on the warehouse floor.
However, simply looking at the support options a 3PL offers may not be enough. To get a clear picture of just how effective a provider’s support is, ask whether they’re willing to offer service guarantees and look up some of their reviews.
Dependability
The last thing you want is to settle on a 3PL partner only to deal with constant delivery delays and wrong order fulfillment. Issues like this can impact customer experiences and result in additional costs for your business, as you’ll likely have to deal with regular returns.
Choose an alternative with proven high order accuracy rates and short delivery times to enhance your customers’ experiences. The ShipHero alternatives highlighted above are some of the most dependable on the market—and their performance metrics back that up:
- Red Stag Fulfillment offers 0% inventory shrinkage, two-day delivery, and 100% order accuracy guarantees, even for businesses that handle large and heavy items, like Homestead Brands.
- ShipBob claims to provide a 99.95% accuracy rate and two-day shipping across the U.S.
- ShipMonk claims a less than 2% shrinkage rate and a 99.99% order accuracy rate.
- Shipfusion claims 99.9% accuracy and on-time rates.
Find out what Red Stag Fulfillment can do for your business
While ShipHero has plenty to offer, it may not be the perfect fit for every eCommerce business. When looking for a ShipHero alternative, consider factors like support, integration capabilities, scalability, and reliability. The right 3PL partner can help you focus on your core business activities by handling all your supply chain and logistics operations. It can also enhance customer satisfaction and overall experiences through timely and accurate deliveries.
If you need personalized services and help handling the logistics of bulky, heavy, or oversized products, or have lightweight products with a small number of SKUs, Red Stag Fulfillment is one of the best ShipHero alternatives out there. While we may not cater to all niches, we strive to be the most reliable option for our clients by providing hands-on support, 100% order accuracy, and on-time delivery.
Have questions on what we can do for your business? Reach out today.
