Comparisons

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
CriteriaShipWaveEasyship
Monthly Cost$0/month$0-$99/month + fees
Primary StrengthUS DomesticInternational
USPS DiscountUp to 54% offLower discounts
Carriers (International)DHL, USPS International250+ global carriers
Duties/Taxes CalculatorBasicAdvanced + DDP
Best ForUS-focused e-commerceHeavy 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

PlanShipWaveEasyship
Free TierUnlimited shipments50 shipments/month
Monthly Fee$0$29-$99/month
Per-Label Fee$0Varies by plan
Shipment LimitsNonePlan-based caps

Easyship Plan Details

Easyship PlanMonthly CostShipmentsPer-Label Fee
Free$050/monthVaries
Plus$29500/monthLower
Premier$692,500/monthLower
EnterpriseCustomCustomNegotiated

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.

CarrierShipWave DiscountEasyship Discount
USPSUp to 54% off (Commercial Plus)Lower (Commercial)
UPSUp to 48% offVaries
FedExUp to 45% offVaries

Domestic Rate Example (2 lb Priority Mail, NY to LA)

PlatformRate
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.

FeatureShipWaveEasyship
International CarriersDHL Express, USPS International250+ global couriers
Regional SpecialistsLimitedCountry-specific carriers
Duties/Taxes CalculatorBasicAdvanced landed cost
DDP Shipping✅ Prepay duties for customers
Customs Forms✅ Auto-generated✅ Pre-filled
InsuranceVia EasyPostIncluded 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
ScenarioShipWave (DDU)Easyship (DDP)
Checkout Price$25 shipping$38 shipping (duties included)
Customer Pays at Delivery$13 duties + handling$0
Customer ExperienceSurprise chargesNo surprises

For premium international customer experience, Easyship's DDP options improve conversion. Most small-medium businesses ship DDU where ShipWave works fine.

Feature Comparison

FeatureShipWaveEasyship
US Domestic RatesBest (Commercial Plus)Good
International CarriersDHL, USPS250+ carriers
Duties/Taxes CalculatorBasicAdvanced
DDP Options
Monthly Fees$0$0-$99
Per-Label Fees$0Yes
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

PlatformShipWaveEasyship
Shopify✅ + Checkout rates✅ + Checkout rates
WooCommerce
BigCommerce
MagentoVia API
Etsy
eBay
Amazon✅ MCF + Dropship
Total IntegrationsCore platforms50+

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

  1. Customer in US places order → Ship via ShipWave (best USPS rates)
  2. Customer in Germany places order → Ship via Easyship (DDP with duties prepaid)
  3. Customer in Canada places order → Ship via ShipWave (DHL Express is cost-effective)
  4. 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

Is ShipWave or Easyship cheaper for US shipping?
ShipWave is significantly cheaper for US domestic shipping. ShipWave offers up to 54% off USPS with no monthly fees. Easyship has monthly subscriptions ($29-69/month) plus per-label fees, and domestic discounts are lower.
Which is better for international shipping?
Easyship is better for complex international shipping with 250+ courier options, duties/taxes calculation, and DDP options. ShipWave handles basic international via DHL and USPS but lacks Easyship's specialized international features.
Does ShipWave support international shipping?
Yes, ShipWave supports international shipping through DHL Express and USPS International services. For occasional international orders, ShipWave works well. For heavy international volume, Easyship's specialized tools provide more value.
What is DDP shipping on Easyship?
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means you prepay customs duties so your international customer doesn't face surprise charges on delivery. Easyship calculates and collects duties at checkout. ShipWave ships DDU (customer pays duties on delivery).
Can I use ShipWave for Shopify checkout rates?
Yes, ShipWave has a native Shopify app that displays real-time shipping rates at checkout. Customers see USPS, UPS, FedEx options with prices before completing their purchase.