Best 3PL companies in 2024

In today’s ecommerce world your supply chain is make or break for your business. Even the most innovative products need seamless logistics to build customer loyalty and drive growth. But navigating the 3PL landscape can be a minefield.

This guide cuts through the noise to give you the top 3PL companies for 2024. We’ll look at their strengths, specialisms and limitations so you can make an informed decision that matches your business goals. Whether you’re a startup looking to scale fast or an established brand looking to optimise operations you’ll find insights to turn your logistics into a competitive advantage.

Ready to revolutionize your ecommerce fulfillment? Let’s dive in and discover the perfect 3PL partner for your unique needs. Here’s a quick summary of each of the top 3PL recommendations:

• Red Stag Fulfillment
  Specializes in large, heavy, and high-value items with industry-leading accuracy guarantees (backed by a money guarantee).
• ShipBob
  Ideal for small to mid-sized eCommerce businesses, offering robust integrations with various platforms.
• ShipMonk
  Excellent choice for international sellers and subscription box management services.
• LVK Logistics (formerly ShipHero)
  Best suited for enterprise-level eCommerce companies with high order volumes.
• Saddle Creek Logistics
  Great for large omnichannel enterprises with extensive inventory distribution needs.
• Speed Commerce
  A flexible D2C logistics provider with high warehouse capacity and U.S.-based customer service.
• 3PL Guys
  Tailored for Amazon sellers requiring FBA preparation and alternatives.
• ZonPrep
  Offers high shipment accuracy and quick packing timelines with customizable plans.
• Cold Chain 3PL
  Specialized in temperature-controlled logistics, perfect for perishable goods.
• Trinity Logistics
  Focuses on flexibility with a broad network of multiple U.S. locations.
• Ottawa Logistics: Ideal for businesses needing USA-Canada cross-border logistics expertise.

Ready to get your search for 3PL fulfillment companies headed in the right direction? Check out this list of the best 3PL companies and specific criteria to look for based on specialization. This list may be a little subjective (we’re only human, after all), so refer back to the questions below this list to solidify your own thoughts and opinions. 

Top 3PL companies for 2024

Maybe we’re biased, but we feel good about putting our name at the top of this list because we work hard to become a trusted partner in your business. Red Stag was founded by former ecommerce business owners, so you get a partner that understands your pain points firsthand (think high shrinkage rates and costly shipping errors).That’s why we offer 100% order accuracy and 0% inventory shrinkage guarantees. If we make a mistake, we’ll cover the cost and pay you an additional fee. No other ecommerce 3PL companies guarantee anything like that. 

Red Stag’s strategically placed warehouses make it easy for you to meet customer expectations for fast shipping services. With warehouses located inland, where it’s cheaper and less congested, you can reach 96% of the U.S. within two days, including both East Coast and West Coast addresses. Most companies move inventory inland at some point in the order-to-cash cycle anyway. Doing it earlier limits risks like high coastal inflation and congestion bottlenecks.

You have customer service and success teams ready to help you at every stage. Most members of our customer teams start their careers in a Red Stag warehouse, so they know supply chain operations inside and out. They’re well-equipped to provide the support you need and are proactive about keeping in touch with you.

Red Stag works with a wide range of products across many industries, but you might have heard about our reputation for handling large and oversized items, which can be a challenge for other 3PL companies. You can also work with Red Stag to prepare for the approval process for Amazon’s Seller-Fulfilled Prime (SFP) or for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).

There are no worries about monthly minimums or an order-to-SKU ratio, but you’ll get the best value if your company handles hundreds to thousands of orders per month. A typical package at Red Stag weighs 20 pounds or more, but there’s no upper limit—at least not one we’ve found yet.

You can also take advantage of a 30-day trial period with no obligation to continue. If you’re interested in learning more about how Red Stag can help you serve your customers, reach out to get started.

ShipBob, a leader in DTC ecommerce business, guarantees 100% coverage for two-day shipping across the U.S. With low monthly minimums depending on services, it works with companies with low SKU counts and offers a variety of standard and custom packaging sizes for up to mid-sized items.

ShipMonk offers global logistics solutions to more than 200 countries, so it may be ideal for international sellers. The 3PL company is flexible with low minimums and scalable pricing.

ShipHero offers warehouse management and fully outsourced fulfillment. With nine warehouses, they may be best for enterprise ecommerce companies that can afford to distribute high stock levels across locations. It claims a 3.5 day average fulfillment time and a 35% decrease in warehousing costs compared to other services of their size. 

Saddle Creek excels in large, omnichannel enterprises that sell enough to scale inventory into more than 40 warehouses and may be able to connect ecommerce companies with manufacturers and factories for additional product development or cost-efficiencies.

Speed Commerce is a flexible D2C logistics provider with high warehouse capacity. They deliver to most of the U.S. within two days. They provide a U.S.-based contact center for customer service. 

3PL Guys offers real-time inventory management and freight quotes through an integrated system. They can also assist FBA sellers with air and ocean. Transparent pricing includes $15.00 per pallet for receiving, $40/pallet for storage, and a $29.99/month warehousing software fee.

ZonPrep claims a high shipment accuracy rate of 99.9% and 48 to 72 hour packing timeline. Dedicated reps respond to inquiries quickly. Customizable plans cover receiving, inspection, labeling, emphasizing no hidden fees.

Cold Chain 3PL offers two-day shipping for most of the country. Ideal for startups, it accommodates flexible SKU limits for various goods and FBA prep.

Trinity Logistics has seven U.S. locations and over 100 independent agents. They focus on flexibility across a broad network. But they certainly aren’t the only player in the game. Be sure to explore other options to find the right fit for your business.

Ottawa Logistics has two Canadian locations and a Dallas location for shipping in Canada and the U.S. They focus on cost-reducing strategies like zone skipping and rate shopping. There are plenty of other options out there, so be sure to shop around to find the partner that fits best with your business needs.

Finding the right 3PL company fit

Discovering which third-party logistics provider serves your exact needs depends on factors such as your business evolution, product categories, specialized services, customer geographies, etc. Take a look at the categorized third-party shipping companies below and jump to any section that you think might fit with your business. 

Ecommerce 3PL companies

Ecommerce fulfillment services streamline your warehousing and shipping processes to make sure your customers get the right items delivered quickly. You may be able to optimize costs and get help with inventory management, too. 

FBA 3PL companies

FBA 3PLs can help you integrate with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), the marketplace’s extensive logistics network. They can also act as an alternative to FBA, providing fulfillment services while still capturing the massive potential of the platform. 

Cold chain 3PL shipping companies

Cold chains involve precise management of temperature-sensitive products, so a 3PL makes sure you maintain controlled environments across your supply chain. You can also partner with a 3PL to satisfy the high recordkeeping requirements these products typically involve.

Alcohol third-party fulfillment company

Alcohol fulfillment companies help you navigate complex regulatory landscapes, ensuring licensing compliance across states. You may also benefit from distribution services with specialized security since alcohol may be at high risk for cargo theft.

3PL companies USA to Canada

Some 3PLs are set up to help with cross-border logistics and distribution services, including customs clearance, tariffs, and international regulations. They may also provide bilingual support. 

Capabilities to consider when choosing a 3PL company

The impact a 3PL company has on your ecommerce business can be profound. Consider the following criteria in shaping your thoughts on each one’s ability to provide efficiency, reliability, and customer support.

Integrations with ecommerce platforms

Seamless integration with major ecommerce platforms such as Shopify, Amazon, Magento, and WooCommerce is fundamental. This serves as a backbone for operations, allowing your business to synchronize product listings, inventory management, and order processing. 

Integrated ecommerce platforms also ensure any changes or updates made in their systems are reflected in real-time within a 3PL company system.

This connectivity extends beyond visibility. It directly impacts the efficiency of order processing. Efficiency gains can translate to faster turnaround times, reducing the likelihood of delays and enhancing the overall customer experience.

Omnichannel fulfillment

A 3PL company with robust omnichannel fulfillment capabilities can help you maximize sales opportunities. A unified fulfillment service can help you increase revenue while enhancing brand consistency and customer satisfaction. 

Flexibility and scalability

As you expand your presence across different sales channels, the flexibility and scalability of your 3PL company may be instrumental. Scalability without compromising service quality is a key factor in sustained ecommerce growth.

Commitments to order accuracy and speed

Ecommerce customer expectations are high. Accurate orders, free from errors or discrepancies, contribute to positive customer experiences, fostering trust and loyalty. 

That means order accuracy and speed impact more than individual transactions. They can significantly influence brand reputation.

Review the questions suggested above and ask each 3PL company about accuracy rates and guarantees.

Strategic fulfillment center locations

Strategically located fulfillment centers play a crucial role in minimizing shipping times. 

Proximity to customers enables your 3PL company to fulfill orders quickly, reducing transit times and meeting customer expectations for timely deliveries. 

Optimal warehouse locations also contribute to cost efficiency. By strategically placing centers in regions with high customer concentrations, you may be able to minimize shipping costs. 

Moving fulfillment inland earlier in the order-to-cash cycle may also help you avoid the risks of congestion that can delay inventory on the coasts, where greater logistics activity can cause bottlenecks. 

Handling large, heavy, and bulky items

If you sell large, heavy, and bulky items, a specialized 3PL company offers a strategic advantage for your ecommerce business. Specialization in this area can help you reduce shipping costs, limit the risk of damages and returns, and expand your market reach. 

Kitting and assembly

If your ecommerce business offers customized product bundles or packaging configurations, you may require kitting and assembly services. 

A 3PL with kitting expertise ensures processes are executed seamlessly and knows how to return individual SKUs to inventory for sales optimization. 

Flexibility with minimums or ratios

The flexibility of operating without minimum order requirements or strict order-to-SKU ratios can help ecommerce businesses with varying sales volumes. This flexibility lets you scale up or down, ensuring your 3PL’s services can adapt to evolving business needs.

Customer service

Challenges like inventory management, order tracking, and reverse logistics may raise questions for you or your team. Exceptional customer service can be a defining factor.  

Finding the right fit with a 3PL company

Choosing the right 3PL company is often easier said than done. It will take some time and effort on your part, but a reputable 3PL will be able to make it clear whether or not you’ll have a satisfactory partnership experience before you even sign the agreement. 

As you’re considering certain companies, compile interview questions for each one based on the specific needs of your business. Below, you’ll find various lists of questions to ask top 3PL companies to help get you started.

Work with the best 3PL for ecommerce

When you’re ready to scale your ecommerce business, Red Stag Fulfillment is here to help. As the only ecommerce 3PL to guarantee 100% order accuracy and 0% inventory shrinkage, we treat your products like our own. Want to learn more or ask questions? Reach out to get started.