ShipWave vs Easyship: Full Comparison (2025)
Compare domestic and international shipping platforms on pricing, rates, and features.
Quick Verdict: Domestic vs International Focus
ShipWave and Easyship both offer multi-carrier shipping with discounted rates, but they have different strengths:
- ShipWave: Excels at US domestic shipping with the deepest USPS discounts (up to 54% off) and no monthly fees
- Easyship: Shines for international shipping with 250+ courier options globally and built-in duties/taxes calculation
| Criteria | ShipWave | Easyship |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $0/month | $0-$99/month + fees |
| Primary Strength | US Domestic | International |
| USPS Discount | Up to 54% off | Lower discounts |
| Carriers (International) | DHL, USPS International | 250+ global carriers |
| Duties/Taxes Calculator | Basic | Advanced + DDP |
| Best For | US-focused e-commerce | Heavy international shippers |
For US-focused e-commerce, ShipWave is typically better value. For businesses where international shipping is a significant portion of orders, Easyship's global network is valuable.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | ShipWave | Easyship |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Unlimited shipments | 50 shipments/month |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $29-$99/month |
| Per-Label Fee | $0 | Varies by plan |
| Shipment Limits | None | Plan-based caps |
Easyship Plan Details
| Easyship Plan | Monthly Cost | Shipments | Per-Label Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 50/month | Varies |
| Plus | $29 | 500/month | Lower |
| Premier | $69 | 2,500/month | Lower |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Negotiated |
For businesses shipping primarily domestically, ShipWave's no-fee model saves significantly. Easyship's fees add up, especially at volume—you're paying subscription fees and per-label fees.
US Domestic Shipping Rates
For US domestic shipping, ShipWave offers significantly better rates. Easyship's strength is international, not domestic.
| Carrier | ShipWave Discount | Easyship Discount |
|---|---|---|
| USPS | Up to 54% off (Commercial Plus) | Lower (Commercial) |
| UPS | Up to 48% off | Varies |
| FedEx | Up to 45% off | Varies |
Domestic Rate Example (2 lb Priority Mail, NY to LA)
| Platform | Rate |
|---|---|
| USPS Retail | $15.50 |
| Easyship | ~$12.00 |
| ShipWave | ~$10.20 |
That $1.80/label difference adds up: 500 packages/month = $900/month saved with ShipWave.
International Shipping
International shipping is Easyship's specialty. If your business ships internationally frequently, Easyship has advantages.
| Feature | ShipWave | Easyship |
|---|---|---|
| International Carriers | DHL Express, USPS International | 250+ global couriers |
| Regional Specialists | Limited | Country-specific carriers |
| Duties/Taxes Calculator | Basic | Advanced landed cost |
| DDP Shipping | ❌ | ✅ Prepay duties for customers |
| Customs Forms | ✅ Auto-generated | ✅ Pre-filled |
| Insurance | Via EasyPost | Included on many routes |
Bottom line: For occasional international orders (10-20% of volume), ShipWave handles it well with DHL Express and USPS International. For businesses where international is 30%+ of orders, Easyship's specialized features add real value.
Duties & Taxes: DDU vs DDP
This is Easyship's key differentiator for international shipping.
DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) - ShipWave Default
- Customer pays customs duties and taxes upon delivery
- Can lead to surprise charges for customers
- Standard for most e-commerce international shipping
- Lower upfront shipping cost shown at checkout
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) - Easyship Option
- You prepay customs duties for your customer
- No surprise charges on delivery
- Better customer experience
- Higher conversion for international orders
- Full "landed cost" shown at checkout
| Scenario | ShipWave (DDU) | Easyship (DDP) |
|---|---|---|
| Checkout Price | $25 shipping | $38 shipping (duties included) |
| Customer Pays at Delivery | $13 duties + handling | $0 |
| Customer Experience | Surprise charges | No surprises |
For premium international customer experience, Easyship's DDP options improve conversion. Most small-medium businesses ship DDU where ShipWave works fine.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ShipWave | Easyship |
|---|---|---|
| US Domestic Rates | Best (Commercial Plus) | Good |
| International Carriers | DHL, USPS | 250+ carriers |
| Duties/Taxes Calculator | Basic | Advanced |
| DDP Options | ❌ | ✅ |
| Monthly Fees | $0 | $0-$99 |
| Per-Label Fees | $0 | Yes |
| Shopify Integration | ✅ + Checkout rates | ✅ + Checkout rates |
| Batch Printing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Branded Tracking | ✅ | ✅ (more on premium) |
| Automation Rules | ✅ Free | ✅ Paid tiers |
| Billing Dispute Detection | ✅ Exclusive | ❌ |
| Claims Automation | ✅ Exclusive | ❌ |
| Amazon Dropship | ✅ Exclusive | ❌ |
Easyship Pain Points
Common frustrations that Easyship users experience:
- Complex pricing: Monthly fees + per-label fees + carrier costs = confusing total cost
- Weak domestic rates: Not competitive with ShipWave for US domestic shipping
- Overkill for simple needs: 250+ carriers is impressive but unnecessary if you primarily ship US domestic
- Steep learning curve: International shipping tools add complexity even for domestic-only use
- Feature gating: Best features require Premier or Enterprise plans ($69+/month)
- Shipment limits: Free plan caps at 50/month, Plus at 500/month—easy to outgrow
Easyship is designed for complex international logistics. If that's not your primary need, you're paying for capabilities you don't use.
E-commerce Integrations
| Platform | ShipWave | Easyship |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | ✅ + Checkout rates | ✅ + Checkout rates |
| WooCommerce | ✅ | ✅ |
| BigCommerce | ✅ | ✅ |
| Magento | Via API | ✅ |
| Etsy | ✅ | ✅ |
| eBay | ✅ | ✅ |
| Amazon | ✅ MCF + Dropship | ✅ |
| Total Integrations | Core platforms | 50+ |
Both platforms integrate with major e-commerce platforms. Easyship has more niche integrations; ShipWave focuses on deep integration with core platforms. ShipWave's Amazon integration is unique with both MCF and dropship capabilities.
Who Should Choose ShipWave
Choose ShipWave if you:
- Ship primarily within the United States (80%+ domestic)
- Want the deepest USPS discounts available (up to 54% off)
- Don't want to pay monthly subscription fees
- Have straightforward international shipping needs (occasional orders)
- Prefer a simple, fast interface
- Run a Shopify store and want native checkout rates
- Want exclusive features like billing dispute detection and claims automation
ShipWave is ideal for US-focused e-commerce with occasional international orders. The majority of US e-commerce businesses fall into this category.
Who Should Choose Easyship
Choose Easyship if you:
- Ship internationally as a significant portion of business (30%+ of orders)
- Need access to 250+ global courier options
- Want DDP (prepaid duties) for international customers
- Need landed cost calculations for international pricing at checkout
- Operate globally with complex international logistics
- Ship to countries with difficult customs (Easyship has regional expertise)
Easyship excels for businesses with serious international shipping volume and complexity. If you're building a global brand, their specialized tools add value.
Using Both Platforms
Many businesses use both platforms strategically:
- ShipWave for US domestic shipping: Best rates, no fees, fast interface
- Easyship for complex international orders: DDP options, regional carriers, duties calculation
This hybrid approach gets the best of both platforms without overpaying.
Example Workflow
- Customer in US places order → Ship via ShipWave (best USPS rates)
- Customer in Germany places order → Ship via Easyship (DDP with duties prepaid)
- Customer in Canada places order → Ship via ShipWave (DHL Express is cost-effective)
- Customer in Australia places order → Ship via Easyship (regional carrier options)
No single platform is best for every shipment. Smart businesses use the right tool for each situation.
FAQs
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