CALCURATES BLOG
How to choose the best shipping solution for Magento?
There are many shipping plugins, solutions for Magento e-commerce owners to choose from. However, many Magento shipping solutions have limited functionality. Do you know how to select the best international shipping software for small business? Ideally, you would find a solution that calculates the right shipping rates and allow you to set your own shipping scenarios and methods, and integrates with Magento 2. But there is one shipping solution that does all this!
How Can Your Business Benefit From Shipping Software?
- Full Control over the Shipping ProcessOnce the shipping process is automatized you have full control over your Magento shipping storefront. Customize shipping methods and rates as you need, for example, set custom shipping options, connect different carriers, set various shipping rules, or use dimensional shipping.
- Fair Pricing ModelThe advantage of subscription-based pricing is that you only pay per certain time frame. You are not bound to anything, in case you do not like the shipping software solution. The great thing about the subscription-based software is that you are free to cancel anytime.
- Efficient shipping processAfter the automation, your Magento shipping storefront only needs to be adjusted if there are small changes needed. As the result, your customers get the personalized and correct shipping methods and rates at checkout.
- Avoid making mistakesSimple errors can occur with order processing, tracking, or even simple administrative issues. Having reliable shipping software prevents errors like these.
What Is the Difference Between Cloud-Based Shipping Software and Shipping Plugin on Magento?
Cloud-based Shipping Software
Cloud-based software allows users to access all the shared applications via the internet. It has a separate interface and is not influenced by constant Magento updates which cause configuration issues. For businesses seeking to optimize their Magento platforms, collaborating with a Magento agency can provide expert guidance and tailored solutions, ensuring seamless integration and enhanced functionality of shipping solutions. Working with a Magento software development company can further streamline these integrations, providing businesses with custom solutions to enhance shipping, customer experience, and operational efficiency. The biggest advantage of cloud-based software is that you won't need to install other extensions.
Shipping Plugin
Every shipping extension solves only a specific task and you need to have multiple plugins to serve all your shipping needs. Oftentimes, they are not compatible with each other and cause lots of configuration issues. Another difference is that there are no UX limitations from the Magento interface.
Cloud-based software allows users to access all the shared applications via the internet. It has a separate interface and is not influenced by constant Magento updates which cause configuration issues. For businesses seeking to optimize their Magento platforms, collaborating with a Magento agency can provide expert guidance and tailored solutions, ensuring seamless integration and enhanced functionality of shipping solutions. Working with a Magento software development company can further streamline these integrations, providing businesses with custom solutions to enhance shipping, customer experience, and operational efficiency. The biggest advantage of cloud-based software is that you won't need to install other extensions.
Shipping Plugin
Every shipping extension solves only a specific task and you need to have multiple plugins to serve all your shipping needs. Oftentimes, they are not compatible with each other and cause lots of configuration issues. Another difference is that there are no UX limitations from the Magento interface.
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What Features Are a Must for Shipping Software?
We highlight 11 main features, every Magento shipping software or plugin should include within its service.
- Target your shipping methods and rates to specific geo-locations and make them available for certain countries, states, regions, postal codes, and addresses.
- With this feature included in your shipping software, you can get the most accurate shipping rates from carriers directly with the order virtually pre-packed using a set of custom packages and product dimensions.
- By enabling dimensional weight calculations you increase the accuracy of real-time shipping rates.
- Implement your shipping algorithms and rates using Flat Rate or the most flexible Table Rates shipping option. Set up conditions for Free Shipping.
- This shipping option enables setting specific rates for multiple shipping methods based on various attributes and conditions.
- Manage and show customers the approximate time it will take for their orders to reach them. With the estimated delivery date feature, you can schedule deliveries and set custom delivery periods for various shipping methods.
- This shipping option helps you configure pickup locations and allow orders to be received at stores or drop-off points.
- Allow you to use conditional shipping and create unique customer scenarios. With country-specific customization, you can tailor the international shipping options to your store’s needs.
- This feature helps you to connect your carriers’ accounts (UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL, and more) to get real-time rates, shipping labels, and tracking information.
- Compare real-time rates from multiple carriers in real-time, pick the cheapest ones, and display them at checkout.
- Set up your multi-origin shipping algorithms and make your warehouses work as a single system.
Shipping Software Comparison
Mageworx vs Amasty vs Calcurates
Features
Calcurates Shipping Software
Amasty Shipping Suite Plugin
Mageworx Shipping Suite Plugin
Shipping Zones
Custom Shipping Options
Table Rates
Shipping Rules & Restrictions
Volumetric Weight
Smart Packaging
Estimated Delivery Dates
In-store Pickup
Multi-carrier Integration
Rate Shopping
Multi-origin Support
Free Trial
Free Updates
Free Support
Configuration Service
- Calcurates Shipping SoftwareCalcurates is a multi-carrier shipping software that helps Magento 2 e-commerce businesses calculate and display the right shipping methods and rates at the checkout. Calcurates includes all important features within its service such as DIM Weight, Table Rates, Delivery Dates, Smart Packaging.Pricing Plan
Calcurates pricing starts from $49. Calcurates only focuses on shipping storefronts. Whereas, Amasty and MageWorx focus on the development of various Magento extensions. As a result, it is difficult to have their undivided attention on shipping functionality only. - Amasty Shipping SuiteAmasty is a well-known extension developer for Magento. Shipping Suite by Amasty is the work of 3 synergetic shipping managing tools together: shipping table rates, rules, and restrictions. Features included within the suite are Shipping Zones, Volumetric Weight, Custom Shipping Options, Table Rates, Delivery Dates, and Shipping Rules. Amasty Shipping Suite does not offer Smart Packaging, In-Store Pickup, Multi-Carrier or Multi-Origin Support.
The overall cost of Amasty Shipping Suite is around $500. - Mageworx Shipping SuiteMageWorx is an experienced Magento extension developer and service provider. Its shipping plugin includes the following features; Shipping Zones, Table Rates, Custom Shipping Options, Delivery Dates, Shipping Rules. As with the Amasty, some features are missing: Smart Packaging, In-store Pickup Multi-Carrier, and Multi-Origin.
The overall cost of the Mageworx shipping suite is almost $400.
Shipping Software vs Shipping Plugin
There is no precise answear as to what is the best shipping solution for your Magento e-commerce. If you need to solve specific shipping tasks opt for shipping plugins. In case, you would like to have a complex approach and avoid any compatibility issues between modules opt for shipping software.
FAQ
Effective shipping software solutions for Magento should include features like multi-carrier integration, shipping rules, rate shopping, and smart packaging. These functionalities help automate the shipping process, reduce errors, and offer flexible delivery options at checkout. For example, Calcurates provides a comprehensive suite tailored to Magento, allowing store owners to fully control shipping scenarios while ensuring accurate rates and improved customer experience.
Your Magento store can significantly benefit from shipping software by automating complex delivery workflows and reducing human error. Tools like Calcurates offer customizable shipping methods, dynamic rate calculation, and flexible rule setups, resulting in a more accurate and efficient shipping process. This not only saves time but also improves the overall shopping experience for your customers.
What is the best shipping software depends on your business size and needs, but for Magento users seeking full automation and control, Calcurates is a top contender. It combines key features like dimensional weight calculation, delivery date estimates, and integration with major carriers. This makes it ideal for businesses looking to streamline logistics and minimize manual setup while enhancing customer satisfaction at checkout.
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