Finding a third party logistics (3PL) company is easy; finding a great one, however, is where the challenge lies. With a market saturated with logistics providers all claiming themselves as the 'best 3PL company,' it’s no wonder ecommerce business owners can feel overwhelmed. The stakes are high – order fulfillment speed and accuracy directly impact your success, and you don't want to discover who's reliable and who isn't through costly trial and error.
That's why we've curated this comprehensive list of the best 3PL companies in North America. We'll give you the inside scoop on who excels, where, and why, so you can make an informed decision with confidence.
Before getting into our list of best 3PLs, let’s briefly discuss the importance of making a strong choice.
3PL service providers assume a massive responsibility when they take on their clients’ fulfillment needs. While most handle the core duties of warehousing, inventory management, and order packing, some may offer more or less – and similarly put more or less effort into keeping operations running smoothly.
A 3PL that’s careless with its work has the potential to substantially impact ongoing costs, customer satisfaction, and brand reputation. 3PL companies that constantly strive to meet Service Level Agreements (SLAs), on the other hand, can be an invaluable asset for ecommerce companies as they scale.
Even though many 3PL companies offer different services, all of the best ones meet high standards of performance. Reliability, along with scalability and technology, is what drives most business owners to search for outside help in the first place.
Shipfusion is a full-service third-party logistics company that specializes in white-glove solutions for rapidly growing ecommerce businesses.
Its service offerings include:
… and virtually everything else a growing business could need from a 3PL provider.
Shipfusion mainly supports D2C-focused businesses, but it’s more than equipped to handle B2B and wholesale orders as well. This 3PL’s Warehouse Management System is designed to work seamlessly with major retailers’ Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) channels.
The WMS also has:
If that isn’t enough, Shipfusion’s in-house team of developers can create custom APIs as well.
From online stores with a few thousand orders a month to major enterprise brands moving thousands of units a day, businesses of all sizes trust Shipfusion for their fulfillment and omni logistics needs. Yet service quality stays the same no matter how big or small a client may be.
Every Shipfusion warehouse is tightly run by connected IoT devices and software, which facilitate inventory tracking, order packing, and shipping preparation in real-time. This consistently results in 99.9% order accuracy – even during peak periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Several strategically located warehouses in major North American cities like Chicago and Las Vegas position clients’ fulfillment processes for speedy shipping across the country.
While you can’t directly pay for peace of mind, a partnership with Shipfusion comes pretty close. Dedicated Account Managers are a key reason why. All clients are assigned a point of contact who works on-site at the warehouse where their inventory is stored and shipped. Should any unforeseen challenges arise, the Account Managers are your eyes and ears on the ground, ready to take action.
Poor performance is costly in terms of time, trouble, and money. Shipfusion’s commitment to SLAs is a big draw for businesses that have been around the block with one or more 3PL companies that haven’t measured up.
Upsides: Shipfusion is praised for its robust customer support on multiple third-party review sites. Clients also highly rate the quality of service they receive.
Downsides: While its fees are always transparent and predictable, Shipfusion isn’t the best 3PL for those who put cost before every other criterion in their search.
Capterra - 4.5 (29)
Trustpilot - 4.5 (20)
ShipBob’s solutions encompass what most ecommerce businesses need from a 3PL provider: warehousing, inventory management, order fulfillment, shipping, tracking, and returns management. The company touts several perks and benefits to prospective clients, including two-day shipping, real-time data tracking, and the ability to integrate its software with over 100 retail platforms.
As one of the largest 3PLs in North America, ShipBob is a sensible choice if you want to tap into a large-scale network of fulfillment centers. It’s the best 3PL for those who are just starting out and are in need of cost-effective solutions. All of ShipBob’s time and energy goes into keeping services accessible, with low costs taking priority over everything else.
But that can also be a tradeoff depending on what’s important to you in a third party logistics provider. This 3PL’s order accuracy rate is below that of most of its competitors at an average of 99.95%. Multiplied by the magnitude of thousands of orders every month, it’s easy to see why high-volume, customer-satisfaction focused ecommerce sellers might want to pay more for an alternative to ShipBob.
Upsides: Real customers from verified review sites like Capterra and G2 say cost-effectiveness is the biggest benefit of working with ShipBob. Its software dashboard is also reportedly easy to use.
Downsides: Most negative reviews involve either poor order management or a lack of accountability when things go wrong.
Capterra - 3.6 (100)
G2 - 3.6 (714)
Getapp - 3.7 (108)
ShipMonk brands itself as an agile 3PL focused on the unique operational challenges of fast-growing ecommerce businesses. Its 12 warehouses across the United States currently offer inventory storage and management, order preparation, shipping, returns management, lot control, and B2B order fulfillment services. Clients control their accounts through ShipMonk’s efulfillment service software, which currently integrates with 75 third-party apps.
Shipmonk is known for its innovative use of in-warehouse robotics. These automated systems aren’t yet standard among 3PLs as they require a significant amount of upfront investment and ongoing attention to operate. Forward-thinking ecommerce sellers drawn to the idea of being on the cutting edge of fulfillment will see value in ShipMonk’s speed and accuracy-oriented robotic enhancements.
Upsides: Ecommerce business owners on G2 and Trustpilot greatly appreciate ShipMonk’s comprehensive and far-reaching catalog of services. The team is both flexible to growing companies’ needs and experienced in fulfillment.
Downsides: According to some customers, it’s hard to benefit from ShipMonk’s expertise as its customer service is difficult to reach. Some reviews complain about receiving sub-par services for above-average prices.
G2 - 3.8 (41)
Trustpilot - 4.3 (348)
DCL Logistics has been operating in the logistics industry for over 40 years. The Fremont, California, company specializes in ecommerce fulfillment, retail and B2B logistics, section 321 fulfillment, transportation management, reverse logistics, Amazon fulfillment services, and kitting.
Judging by the number of times the term is used on its website, DCL Logistics targets businesses in search of a ‘hassle-free’ outsourced logistics service. What does hassle-free mean, exactly? It’s hard to quantify as there’s no standard definition in the world of 3PLs. One could argue that having B2B and Amazon order fulfillment services under one roof makes things easier to manage, which omnichannel sellers can appreciate.
Try at your own risk: No customer reviews from third-party sources.*
*Only rating is 5/5 stars for their Shopify integration app
Red Stag Fulfillment was founded by ecommerce business owners who were frustrated by the lack of quality 3PL solutions available to them. It prides itself on attention to detail and strives to offer clients high standards of care paired with fast fulfillment times. The entire process is promised to take two business days. Red Stag Fulfillment accommodates custom kitting projects and FBA preparation and also offers warehouse storage and shipping services.
Red Stag Fulfillment’s main differentiator is its accuracy guarantee. This ‘insurance’ policy of sorts pays clients when two-day receiving, shrinkage, timeliness, and accuracy standards aren’t met. Such accountability is especially appealing to ecommerce business owners who have been burned by 3PLs in the past.
Red Stag Fulfillment has a few unverified reviews on Fit Small Business, Seller Journal, and CNXtrans WebRetailer, with an average rating of ~4 stars.
Upsides: Looking at the limited reviews out there, Red Stag Fulfillment is transparent and accountable when it makes mistakes. Turnaround times are relatively consistent as well.
Downsides: Client feedback underscores the fact that protection isn’t the same thing as prevention. Mistakes still occur regardless of this 3PL’s promise to pay for them.
Fulfillment.com handles most core duties of ecommerce fulfillment, including order picking, packing, shipping, returns management, and storage. Clients can take advantage of specialized solutions like subscription box fulfillment and Amazon FBM preparation, although the latter is currently only available for clients in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
One of the most globally distributed 3PLs on this list, Fulfillment.com currently operates warehouses in North America, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Australia. Such a large network might be appealing to ecommerce sellers who want to seamlessly expand into international markets as they grow. This 3PL is also a self-proclaimed ‘high-volume’ service provider, so it may not be an option for smaller businesses.
Upsides: Clients point out Fulfillment.com sets reasonable fees for the quality of its services.
Downsides: Some customers complain about a misleading and difficult-to-understand ‘pre-pay’ fee system.
TrustPilot - 3.1 (2)
Clutch - 5 (2)
Ironically, Fulfillment.com's proprietary software "BestOMS" has no third-party reviews*
Shipping giant UPS launched its foray into third-party logistics with the launch of Ware2Go in 2018. The affiliate company provides on-demand fulfillment and warehousing services to customers across the United States. Clients have the option to either partially or completely outsource the fulfillment and distribution of both D2C and B2B orders.
Ware2Go touts ‘supply chain flexibility’ as a key benefit of partnership. While that’s definitely something ecommerce businesses want, few specifics are given as to how its solutions are flexible. One can assume technology plays a role; like the majority of 3PLs on this list, Ware2Go has software with inventory management controls and data forecasting capabilities. The digital portal also allows clients to arrange last-mile delivery directly with UPS.
Upsides: According to reviews, business owners like Ware2Go’s software. Its ease of use, vast range of integrations, shipment tracking, and timely data reporting enable strategic decision-making in real-time.
Downsides: People say Ware2Go is plug-and-play, but the cost of getting started is relatively high. Some customers struggle to see what extra benefits they get for that premium.
Capterra - 4.7 (11)
Trustpilot - 4.5 (30)
Airhouse is a tech-heavy logistics company that primarily works with businesses experiencing rapid growth. Its main offering, software, includes tools for inventory management, a restocking system, a returns processing dashboard, a real-time data reporting panel, and a comprehensive billing page. As for fulfillment services, the company handles basic order preparation, inventory storage and management, shipping, special projects, and returns.
Airhouse’s main strength is custom software, which makes sense for ecommerce sellers looking for a tailored, digitally enabled 3PL experience. Its warehouses across North America and the United Kingdom may also appeal to customers who want expansive reach.
However, even with this large footprint, the company’s three-day fulfillment timeline is slower than the other options on this list. Airhouse maintains an average 99.5% order accuracy rate, which leaves room for error that reputation-focused brands may not want to risk.
Upsides: G2 reviewers like that the fulfillment software can be customized to clients’ specific needs. Those with extensive API requirements appreciate the simplicity this brings to their daily operations.
Downsides: Several customers describe their experience with this 3PL as positive in the beginning but poor after the first few months.
G2 - 4.5 (54)
Cahoot is unique from other 3PLs on this list in that it doesn’t directly own or manage its fulfillment centers. Instead, facilities are connected through a peer-to-peer network that operates on the same software. There are currently over 100 participating locations across the United States.
The value of this is twofold. For one, clients have a significant amount of infrastructure to accommodate order fulfillment and shipping on a national level. Second, outsourcing fulfillment centers saves money on rent and overhead that Cahoot can pass down to customers.
Cahoot’s fair-priced 3PL solutions are ideal for companies that want to pay as little for fulfillment as possible. It promises 30% lower costs on average, although not much can be said about order turnaround or accuracy rates.
This is once again a tradeoff between cost and quality. Cheaper services are great for saving money in the short term, while more expensive white-glove experiences offer long-term benefits. Ecommerce business owners who prioritize peace of mind might prefer the services of a 3PL that owns and manages its own warehouses rather than one that rents them like Cahoot.
Upsides: Most positive ratings on Trustpilot and Capterra mention budget-friendly and flexible service fees. Small business owners also appreciate timely responses to support requests.
Downsides: Reading reviews, it’s clear that Cahoot’s inconsistent performance has negatively impacted the reputation of some of its clients. There are also a few complaints about the setup process, which is apparently slow and cumbersome.
Trustpilot - 4.6 (55)
Capterra - 4.9 (11)
Although primarily known for last-mile delivery services, GoBolt also operates within the 3PL market. Its nine North American warehouses store, prepare, and ship ecommerce orders at a purported 99.9% accuracy rate. Customers have the ability to control their fulfillment services via an integrated order management system. GoBolt uses a fleet of electric delivery vehicles to position itself as a uniquely ‘sustainable’ solution among 3PL providers.
In most cases, businesses choose to work with this 3PL because they’re drawn to its eco-friendliness. Paying extra for access to a fleet of electric vehicles may be worthwhile for brands that want to position themselves as sustainable.
Upsides: Customers on G2 and Trustpilot have good things to say about the usability of the company’s Transportation Management System.
Downsides: GoBolt has a noteworthy number of negative reviews mentioning incomplete shipments, lost packages, and undelivered orders. A lack of up-to-date tracking data makes it nearly impossible for customers to get a proper explanation when things go wrong.
G2 - 4 (2)
Trustpilot - 4 (200)
Hook Logistics is a relatively small 3PL based in New Jersey that offers solutions for ecommerce fulfillment, retail fulfillment, packaging, and freight shipping. It has two locations on America’s East and West coasts.
Hook Logistics is very clear about its intention to be cost-effective, which is the main reason why ecommerce brands choose it as a 3PL. Prospective clients must process at least 1,000 orders a month for the ‘Startup’ package, which has a base fee of $4 per shipment. Businesses with monthly order volumes of over 5,000 can unlock a rate as low as $3.
Those affordable prices come with a tradeoff of capability. Over 2,600 miles of road separate Hook Logistics’ two fulfillment centers in New Jersey and California, making its system less equipped to efficiently distribute orders at scale.
Neither third-party review websites like Trustpilot and G2 nor Hooks Logistics’ website have tangible feedback from real clients. It’s unclear whether this is due to poor performance or the company’s small size.
Relatively young yet well-spread out, NextSmartShip is an ecommerce order fulfillment company founded in 2019. It names China as the first location within its international network, which currently comprises a 10,000-square-meter facility in Shenzhen and warehouses in the United States, Europe, and Australia.
NextSmartShip’s solutions are geared towards ecommerce sellers with an international customer base. Its most popular services, dropshipping and subscription box fulfillment, meet the needs of business models that rely heavily on internationally sourced goods.
Upsides: Positive Trustpilot reviews highlight the company’s global network of fulfillment centers. Clients also express gratitude that the main China-based office can communicate in English.
Downsides: Looking at reviews, NextSmartShip is apparently slow and incommunicative with respect to both fulfillment services and customer support. Clients find themselves waiting longer and paying more for what should be basic SLAs.
Trustpilot - 4.4 (106)
One World Direct has been an all-in-one provider of third party logistics services to North American businesses for 30 years. The company mainly focuses on D2C order picking, packing, kitting, and returns. A unique ability among 3PLs on this list, One World Direct can customize products with embroidery, laser engraving, custom greeting cards, and special gift wrapping before shipment – at an extra cost, of course. Its three warehouses also handle B2B orders.
One World Direct’s website aims to appeal to those wanting a communicative 3PL partner, stating its U.S.-based customer service team answers phone calls. Product customization options also make sense for ecommerce stores that sell personalized items. One World Direct’s existence since 1994 bodes well in terms of credibility, however it doesn’t operate enough warehouses or employ the right technology to compete with the performance of other 3PLs.
Upsides: This 3PL scores high points on Trustpilot for having a friendly team. Its collaborative style bodes well among business owners and ecommerce customers alike.
Downsides: Reviews show frustration over seemingly rapid turnover in some areas of One World Direct’s operations, which ultimately affects the level of service they receive. IT support, in particular, takes a long time as employees are usually new and unfamiliar with SOPs.
Trustpilot - 1.6 (73)
ShipNetwork, formerly known as Rakuten SL, is a 3PL company that offers small and medium-sized businesses regular ecommerce order fulfillment, subscription box fulfillment, returns management, and kitting solutions. It has warehouses scattered across North America, which enables timely one- to two-day ground delivery to 98% of addresses in the United States. ShipNetwork also handles freight forwarding for clients who regularly move large volumes of domestic and international shipments.
Offering all of the services expected from a 3PL, ShipNetwork is a natural consideration for anyone looking to satisfy their fulfillment needs in one place. Whether a partnership is worthwhile ultimately depends on every ecommerce business’ case-specific priorities. Some may be willing to compromise in areas like communication for this service provider’s clear focus on fast shipping. Those requiring comprehensive support in every aspect of fulfillment won’t perceive as much value in return for what they pay this 3PL.
ShipNetwork claims to have a 100% order accuracy rate, which is impossible for even the best 3PLs, reflecting a greater strategy of aiming to win businesses over with promises that sound good but aren’t backed by facts. This company has almost no presence on third-party customer review sites.
The top-ranking search result for ‘ShipNetwork reviews’ is a Reddit thread advising potential customers to stay away.
ShipHype’s value as a third-party logistics company lies in its ability to fill gaps in clients’ existing fulfillment operations. D2C and B2B solutions, such as regular picking and packing, subscription box fulfillment, kitting, and custom projects, are both scalable and tailored to individual business needs.
Ship Hype owns and operates its warehouses. The company’s four North American locations facilitate same-day, two-day, and three-day shipping to ecommerce customers around the world.
ShipHype is the best 3PL for smaller ecommerce businesses seeking basic fulfillment support. Its diverse, managed service offerings deliver peace of mind to those working with an outsourced logistics company for the first time.
However, with four locations, ShipHype doesn’t have the capacity to be faster or more reliable than other service providers. Customers ultimately pay industry-average – and sometimes higher – rates for mediocre performance and limited scalability.
Upsides: Based on Trustpilot reviews, ShipHype has a good reputation for reliability and professionalism. Support from its Account Managers has been invaluable for small business owners lacking in-house fulfillment expertise.
Downsides: Looking at real client feedback, it’s evident that price transparency is the biggest threat to this 3PL’s reputation. Customer complaints detail unforeseen service fees and taxes that have created measurable damage to profit margins.
Trustpilot - 4.1 (19)
Speed Commerce strives to be an all-in-one solution that ecommerce merchants can turn to for everything from D2C and B2B warehousing, order fulfillment, and freight management to outsourced customer support. Its ‘plug-and-play’ platform integrates with several prominent ecommerce platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. The company’s call centers, meanwhile, handle inbound and outbound customer service tickets from clients’ online stores 24 hours a day.
The biggest advantage of going with Speed Commerce isn’t fast shipping times but detail-oriented services like embroidery and complex kitting. It’s a viable option for businesses that want to give customers unique, personalized experiences and curate orders with a greater level of control.
Those with products requiring cold storage or hazmat should search elsewhere, as Speed Commerce isn’t equipped for either. It’s also worth mentioning that this 3PL currently only operates two warehouses – one in Louisiana and another in Missouri – which limits its ability to deliver ecommerce orders across the country in a timely manner.
There aren’t many verified third-party reviews for Speed Commerce’s services online. One customer rating lauds consistent performance but points out that the support team could be more responsive.
As a third-party logistics company, Flowspace offers what virtually all of its competitors do – picking, packing and shipping, kitting, retail order fulfillment, and shipping. Technological solutions like OmniFlow software are where Flowspace stands out most. The company’s in-house digital platform gives clients end-to-end visibility into inventory levels, order progress, and supply chain KPIs, plus the ability to integrate this insight into Amazon Seller Central, Shopify Plus, and Walmart DSV.
Flowspace has more than 150 warehouses in its network, which collectively contain over 33 million square feet of space for inventory storage and order fulfillment. That’s a big selling point for quickly-growing ecommerce merchants who are concerned about outgrowing their 3PL. But because this capacity is outsourced to a network of partner fulfillment centers, it comes with a risk of poor performance.
Upsides: Customers on Capterra and Trustpilot report Flowspace is quick to address client issues as they arise. A large number of the company’s positive reviews have been left by small warehouses that work within its network.
Downsides: Some reviews allege have experienced chronically damaging lapses in performance like mistakenly swapped SKUs and system crashes.
Capterra - 2.5 (2)
Trustpilot - 4.8 (259)
Pennsylvania-based Radial is a 3PL with solutions for both D2C and B2B ecommerce sellers. These comprise basic responsibilities like picking and packing and returns management. Clients can also tap into the company’s peripheral transportation, dropshipping, buyer customer service, and payment solutions.
Radial isn’t shy about having worked with several major brands, including Zara, TaylorMade, and Gymshark. Its recognition among retail giants is a good sign of trustworthiness but also implies that smaller ecommerce companies aren’t a priority for this 3PL.
Upsides: A few of Radial’s 13 G2 reviews say its software integrates seamlessly with the platforms clients already use. The fast setup process, paired with responsive support, makes for multiple accounts of a great inaugural experience.
Downsides: One and two-star reviews call the software’s interface confusing and hard to navigate. This consumes time that ecommerce business owners say could be better spent elsewhere.
G2 - 3.6 (13)
Fulfyld promises two-day fulfillment for orders from online stores and social commerce platforms like YouTube Shopping and TikTok Shop. It also offers B2B solutions in addition to enterprise and Amazon prep services.
While regular Shopify merchants can certainly make use of picking and packing services, subscription box companies, Amazon sellers, and Kickstarter campaigners are poised to benefit most from Fulfyld’s tailored kitting solutions. Per its website, the company is a top 3PL among businesses in health supplements, fashion, and cosmetics. But that specialization is among few other benefits. Those who want speed and accuracy above all else won’t find what they’re looking for here.
Upsides: Most business owners on Trustpilot describe their experience with Fulfyld as stress-free, citing the company’s assigned Account Managers as a major reason for that.
Downsides: The majority of negative reviews for this 3PL have to do with performance. There have apparently been instances of double and triple shipments to customers, lost inventory, and significant delays in fulfillment service timelines.
Trustpilot - 4.8
That concludes our list of contenders for the title of ‘best 3PL company’ in North America. It’s important to recognize that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for everyone; the best 3PL for your business will be whichever one aligns with its current priorities.
Shipfusion is the best 3PL for ecommerce business owners who need more — more order accuracy, more accountability, and more room to grow. If those are your top criteria in a 3PL, we’d love to hear from you. Get the ball rolling by contacting a member of our team today.