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The ShipStation API (ShipEngine) Insider’s Guide

Everything we know about ShipStation API (ShipEngine) in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.

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ToolGPANovember 2026

ShipStation API (ShipEngine)

The Insider’s Guide

Shipping API with rate shopping, labels and tracking

ShipStation API (ShipEngine), as pictured on shipstation.com

Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among shipping software, read from ShipStation API (ShipEngine)’s own pages.

Made by ShipStation · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com

2.4GPA

Contents

  1. 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
  2. 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
  3. 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
  4. 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
  5. 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
  6. 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
  7. 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it

ToolGPA put this guide together from ShipStation API (ShipEngine)’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on ShipStation API (ShipEngine)’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.

Part 01 · Overview

Welcome

What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first

2.4

GPA, above 19 of the 33 other shipping software we grade

ShipEngine is now called ShipStation API. It is a multi-carrier shipping API for creating labels, comparing rates, validating addresses and tracking parcels. A free plan uses ShipStation's discounted carrier accounts, and a paid plan adds your own carrier accounts and monthly label allowances.

To get you started, here are 9 things to know about ShipStation API (ShipEngine), taken from its own pages and our grades.

It's an API, so someone has to write code against it.
From our grade for ease of use
  1. 1

    Best for a shipping API with discounted labels

    Skip it if you want a point-and-click shipping app.

  2. 2

    Paid plans start at $75 a month

    As its pricing page puts it: $75 per month for up to 1,000 labels.

  3. 3

    There is a free plan

    ShipStation's discounted carrier accounts, label creation, rate comparison, tracking, webhooks and a sandbox, with no API usage charges.

  4. 4

    It runs on Web

    Web.

  5. 5

    Labels and rate shopping

    Create shipments and labels and compare rates across 100+ supported carriers.

  6. 6

    Address validation

    Validate addresses on the Advanced plan, with US and global validation listed.

  7. 7

    Tracking

    Track parcels and create tracking webhooks, available on the Free plan.

  8. 8

    A 2.4 GPA, above 19 of 33

    That is against the other shipping software we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.

  9. 9

    Keep it

    To replace ShipStation API (ShipEngine) you would be making discounted carrier rates and labels, which take an agreement with each carrier. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.

ShipStation API (ShipEngine) at a glance

Pricing
Free plan, from $75 per month for up to 1,000 labels
Free plan
Yes
Free trial
30-day sandbox trial with mock carrier accounts
Runs on
Web
Made by
ShipStation
Category
Shipping Software
Our grade
2.4 GPA, fair

The report card

Best for a shipping API with discounted labels

This is a shipping API, the one ShipEngine's site now redirects to ShipStation for, and it gives rate comparison, labels and tracking on a free plan with no usage charges. Bringing your own carrier accounts needs Advanced at $75 a month, and you need a developer to use any of it. Skip it if you want a point-and-click shipping app.

ToolGPA report cardShipStation API (ShipEngine)Graded Nov 12, 2026
SubjectGradeComment
Value for moneyBFree plan has no API usage charges. Advanced is $75 a month for 1,000 labels, which is where the category's dearer quarter starts, plus $0.075 per extra label.
Free plan and trialBThe free plan covers discounted carrier accounts, labels, rate comparison, tracking and webhooks, plus a 30-day sandbox. Your own carrier accounts are not allowed on it.
FeaturesCRate shopping, labels, tracking and webhooks do the job. The gaps in the listing: your own carrier accounts and address validation both need Advanced.
Ease of useDIt's an API, so someone has to write code against it. No store rating on record.
Platforms and integrationsBWeb and API only, with UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL and two freight carriers on the list. No desktop or phone app.
Grade point averageFair, out of 4.02.4

An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.

Who ShipStation API (ShipEngine) is for

  • Fits if you are a developer adding labels and tracking to a store or platform
  • Works for teams that want discounted carrier rates with no monthly fee

Who it is not for

  • Skip it if nobody on your team writes code
  • Tight if you have your own carrier contracts, as those need Advanced at $75 a month
  • Pricey if you grow: $325 at 5,000 labels and $600 at 10,000
  • Watch out: ShipEngine's own site now redirects to ShipStation, and Enterprise is only for 25,000+ shipments a month through sales

Good to know

Good for

  • Developers adding shipping to a store or platform
  • Teams that want discounted labels with no monthly fee
  • Platforms needing partner-branded shipping

Worth knowing

  • ShipEngine's site now redirects to ShipStation, and the docs say ShipStation API was formerly ShipEngine.
  • Bringing your own carrier accounts needs the Advanced plan.
  • Usage over the monthly allowance is billed per extra label, or pay-as-you-go for API calls.
  • Enterprise is for volumes above 25,000 shipments a month and is sold through sales.

Part 02 · Pricing

What it costs

Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved

$75

A month to start. There is a free plan too

ShipStation API (ShipEngine) has a free plan. Paid plans start at $75 per month for up to 1,000 labels.

Your own carrier accounts are not allowed on it.
From our grade for free plan and trial

  • Free

    $0

    Discounted carrier accounts, labels, rate comparison, tracking and webhooks; no bring-your-own accounts.

  • Advanced

    $75

    per month for up to 1,000 labels

    Adds your own carrier accounts and address validation. $0.075 per extra label; $325 at 5,000 labels, $600 at 10,000.

  • Enterprise

    Custom

    For 25,000+ shipments a month: higher rate limits, an implementation manager and branded partner UIs.

The free plan

ShipStation's discounted carrier accounts, label creation, rate comparison, tracking, webhooks and a sandbox, with no API usage charges.

Trying it first

30-day sandbox trial with mock carrier accounts

Read from shipstation.com on Nov 12, 2026.

Part 03 · Features

What it does

Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it

1

Place it runs: Web

Shipping API with rate shopping, labels and tracking. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: public API, shipping labels.

Rate shopping, labels, tracking and webhooks do the job.
From our grade for features
Labels and rate shopping
Create shipments and labels and compare rates across 100+ supported carriers.
Address validation
Validate addresses on the Advanced plan, with US and global validation listed.
Tracking
Track parcels and create tracking webhooks, available on the Free plan.
Taxes and duties
Calculates taxes and duties and produces customs documentation for international parcels.
LTL freight
Freight quotes, booking and tracking for LTL shipments, using your own accounts.
Sandbox
A sandbox with mock carriers lets developers test every endpoint, free beyond the trial.

Where it runs

  • Web

What it works with

  • UPS
  • USPS
  • FedEx
  • DHL
  • Worldwide Express
  • Unishippers

ShipStation API (ShipEngine) is made by ShipStation.

Part 04 · Standing

Where it stands

Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own

19/33

Other shipping software it is graded above

ShipStation API (ShipEngine)'s GPA of 2.4 is higher than 19 of the 33 other shipping software we grade, and level with 7.

It stands best on free plan and trial (B, above 26 of 33) and worst on ease of use (D, above 0).

Its paid plans start at $75 a month, against a middle price of $21.50 for the category: 14 of the 19 others that charge start lower.

On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. 15 tools score higher and cost less.

Each grade against the category

Every bar is all 34 shipping software we grade, cut by the letter each got. ShipStation API (ShipEngine)’s own letter is outlined.

  • BValue for moneyAbove 24 of 33
  • BFree plan and trialAbove 26 of 33
  • CFeaturesAbove 0 of 33
  • DEase of useAbove 0 of 33
  • BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 8 of 33

Price against what you get

Each dot is one of 22 shipping software. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. ShipStation API (ShipEngine) is the marked dot.

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$2$5$10$20$50$100$200$500More for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessShipStation API (Ship…ShipStationPirate ShipPacklink PROVeeqoShipWorks

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

Keep it, or make your own?

Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.

Keep it

To replace ShipStation API (ShipEngine) you would be making discounted carrier rates and labels, which take an agreement with each carrier. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.

It costs $900 a year.

What you could not

  • Discounted carrier rates and labels, which take an agreement with each carrier.
  • It plugs into other products, UPS, USPS and FedEx among them, and has an API.

What this rests on. ShipStation API (ShipEngine)’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.

Part 05 · Alternatives

The alternatives

The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side

EasyPost, Shippo, ShipStation, ShippyPro and Easyship

The 5 tools ShipStation API (ShipEngine) is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.

Part 06 · Questions

Quick answers

The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two

14

Questions, each answered in a line or two

The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.

Is ShipStation API (ShipEngine) free?

ShipStation API (ShipEngine) has a free plan. ShipStation's discounted carrier accounts, label creation, rate comparison, tracking, webhooks and a sandbox, with no API usage charges.

How much does ShipStation API (ShipEngine) cost?

ShipStation API (ShipEngine) lists 3 plans. Free: $0.

What platforms does ShipStation API (ShipEngine) work on?

ShipStation API (ShipEngine) is available on Web.

Does ShipStation API (ShipEngine) have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. ShipStation API (ShipEngine) is listed for Web.

Does ShipStation API (ShipEngine) have an iPhone app?

No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. ShipStation API (ShipEngine) is listed for Web.

Is ShipStation API (ShipEngine) open source?

ShipStation API (ShipEngine) is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.

Does ShipStation API (ShipEngine) have an API?

Yes. ShipStation API (ShipEngine) offers a public API, according to its own site.

What does ShipStation API (ShipEngine) integrate with?

ShipStation API (ShipEngine)'s listing names UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL, Worldwide Express and Unishippers.

Does ShipStation API (ShipEngine) have a free trial?

Yes. 30-day sandbox trial with mock carrier accounts.

Who makes ShipStation API (ShipEngine)?

ShipStation API (ShipEngine) is made by ShipStation.

What are the alternatives to ShipStation API (ShipEngine)?

The closest alternatives to ShipStation API (ShipEngine) in our directory are EasyPost, Shippo, ShipStation, ShippyPro and Easyship.

How does ShipStation API (ShipEngine) compare with other shipping software?

ShipStation API (ShipEngine)'s GPA of 2.4 is higher than 19 of the 33 other shipping software we grade, and level with 7.

Is ShipStation API (ShipEngine) good value for money?

ToolGPA grades ShipStation API (ShipEngine) B for value for money. Its paid plans start at $75 a month, against a middle price of $21.50 for the category: 14 of the 19 others that charge start lower.

Could I make my own version of ShipStation API (ShipEngine)?

To replace ShipStation API (ShipEngine) you would be making discounted carrier rates and labels, which take an agreement with each carrier.

Where this guide comes from

The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from ShipStation API (ShipEngine)’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from ShipStation's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.

Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by ShipStation. Prices change, so check shipstation.com before you buy.

Part 07 · About

About ToolGPA

Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it

5,038

Tools graded, in 95 categories

ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.

Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.

  • 5,038

    tools graded

  • 95

    categories

  • 739

    price changes on record

  • 579

    apps priced in 12 countries

What else is on toolgpa.com

Scan for the live page

Prices and grades as they are today

Quoting this guide?

Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:

ToolGPA, "ShipStation API (ShipEngine): The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/shipengine

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See our other guides

The best-graded shipping software after ShipStation API (ShipEngine), each with an Insider's Guide of its own.

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Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›

Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what ShipStation API (ShipEngine)’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. ShipStation API (ShipEngine) is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by ShipStation. Prices and plans change: check shipstation.com before you buy.