Choosing Between Delhivery vs Shadowfax: A Detailed Guide

Running your own e-commerce brand? Then choosing the right courier partner is one of the first big decisions you’ll make and one that can seriously impact your customer experience. After all, reliable and fast shipping isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore; it’s what keeps your customers coming back.

In India, two big ecommerce delivery partners that often come up in this conversation are Delhivery and Shadowfax. Both have built solid reputations, but they serve slightly different needs. So, how do you decide which one fits your business best? Let’s break it down.

About Delhivery

Delhivery is a big player in the logistics world. It started in 2011 and has grown into one of India’s largest logistics technology companies. It helps a wide range of businesses, from small startups, mid-size D2C and ecommerce brands to large enterprises, by offering last-mile delivery services across the country. 

Unlike some other courier companies, Delhivery is not tied to a single marketplace, which means it can work with many different e-commerce platforms, D2C (direct-to-consumer) brands, and even individual sellers.

Delhivery’s strength comes from its own advanced tech system that helps with tracking, managing routes, and optimizing deliveries. It has a large logistics network, increasing its reach to 18000+ pin codes across India and even in some international countries.

Also Read: Delhivery vs BlueDart vs DTDC 

 About Shadowfax

Shadowfax, on the other hand, focuses heavily on hyperlocal deliveries. This means it’s really good at fast, short-distance deliveries, like getting groceries or food to your door in under an hour. It’s also a leader in last-mile delivery and reverse logistics, which is the final step of the shipping process.

Founded in 2015, Shadowfax has become a top choice for ecommerce businesses in the FMCG space that need fast, frequent, and local delivery services. Its strength lies in its agile approach and quick turnaround times, making it a favorite for high-frequency businesses like food delivery apps and local retailers.

Delhivery vs Shadowfax: Detailed comparison for features, reachability and support

1. Delivery Speed

Delhivery:

• Standard delivery is typically within 2-4 days for most pin codes.
• Offers express delivery for faster turnaround in metros and tier-1 cities.
• Efficient line-haul operations and technology-driven sorting for speed.

Shadowfax:

• Standard delivery within 1-3 days, optimized for shorter lead times.
• Industry leader in hyperlocal deliveries, fulfilling orders in 30-60 minutes for food, groceries, and essentials.
• Focused on rapid, hyperlocal, last-mile and reverse logistics with doorstep QC.

2. Reliability

Delhivery:

• High reliability in tier-1 and tier-2 cities, with strong SLAs for ecommerce.
• Advanced tech stack for real-time tracking and route optimization.
• Robust processes for secure handling and reduced transit delays.

Shadowfax:

• Reliable for urban, hyperlocal, and on-demand deliveries.
• Known for quick turnaround and high first-attempt delivery rates.
• Agile approach, making it ideal for high-frequency, short-distance deliveries.

3. Coverage

Delhivery:

• Extensive pan-India reach with over 18,000+ pin codes.
• Strong presence in metro, tier-1, tier-2, and even remote locations.
• Advanced fulfilment and dark store network for rapid scaling.

Shadowfax:

• Covers over 14,000+ pin codes, with deep penetration in urban and semi-urban markets.
• Strong hyperlocal presence, ideal for rapid, same-day deliveries.
• Network optimized for short-distance, high-frequency deliveries.

4. Pricing

Delhivery:

• Cost-effective pricing for high-volume ecommerce shippers.
• Volume-based discounts and flexible pricing for large enterprises.
• Economies of scale make it ideal for long-distance shipping.

Shadowfax:

• Flexible, volume-based pricing optimized for hyperlocal and last-mile.
• Competitive rates for short-distance, fast-turnaround deliveries.
• Suitable for businesses looking to minimize last-mile costs.

5. Same or Next Day Delivery

Delhivery:

• Strong presence in same-day and next-day delivery for metros.
• Reliable for ecommerce, B2B, and high-value shipments.
• SLA-backed services for critical deliveries.

Shadowfax:

• Market leader in hyperlocal and same-day delivery with a 70% market share.
• Fastest in the industry for ultra-short distance deliveries.
• Ideal for time-sensitive, high-frequency deliveries like groceries and medicines.

6. International Reach

Delhivery:

• Primarily focused on the domestic market, with limited cross-border services.
• Strong in regional logistics but less robust globally.

Shadowfax:

• Focused entirely on domestic, hyperlocal, and B2B logistics.
• No significant cross-border capabilities.

7. Customer Support

Delhivery:

• Dedicated account managers for large clients.
• Strong tech support and customer service for complex logistics.
• Focus on long-term relationships with enterprise clients.

Shadowfax:

• Fast, agile support designed for quick issue resolution.
• High responsiveness for fast-paced hyperlocal businesses.
• Efficient escalation processes for time-critical shipments.

8. Tracking

Delhivery:

• Advanced, API-based real-time tracking.
• Proactive notifications and alerts for customers.
• Robust data analytics for better logistics planning.

Shadowfax:

• Real-time, multi-point tracking with live location updates.
• Automated NDR (Non-Delivery Report) management.
• Highly integrated with Order Management Software for seamless order processing.

9. Warehousing

Delhivery:

• Extensive 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) and fulfilment centers.
• Multi-tenant warehouses, dark stores and micro-fulfilment centers for faster order processing.
• Comprehensive in-house warehousing for inventory-heavy businesses, providing faster TAT.

Shadowfax:

• Limited warehousing capabilities, more focused on the last-mile network.
• Ideal for businesses looking to outsource only the final leg of delivery.
• Rapid, light-weight fulfilment solutions for hyperlocal orders.

10. COD & Returns

Delhivery:

• Strong COD support with quick remittance cycles.
• Advanced RTO (Return to Origin) management for efficient returns.
• Optimized for high-volume ecommerce businesses.

Shadowfax:

• Fast returns management with doorstep quality checks.
• Efficient COD handling with faster cash flow.
• Ideal for businesses with high return volumes and frequent deliveries.

11. Tech Integration

Delhivery:

• Advanced API, real-time order sync, and robust data analytics.
• Seamless integration with popular ecommerce platforms and ERP systems.
• Strong focus on predictive analytics for logistics optimization.

Shadowfax:

• Robust API with real-time order tracking and updates.
• Easy Order Management System integrations for streamlined operations.
• Advanced NDR management for better delivery success rates.

12. Best For

Delhivery:

• High-volume ecommerce, nationwide reach, B2B and B2C businesses.
• Companies with complex supply chains and extensive warehousing needs.

Shadowfax:

• Hyperlocal, last-mile, food, grocery, and FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods).
• Ideal for businesses with short-distance, high-frequency delivery needs.

13. Key Differentiators

Delhivery:

• Pan-India reach, strong fulfilment network, scalable tech.
• Advanced analytics and predictive modelling for logistics optimization.

Shadowfax:

• Hyperlocal expertise, fast delivery, flexible logistics solutions.
• Leader in same-day and last-mile deliveries with rapid scaling capabilities.

Shipway: The best shipping solution for ecommerce businesses

Why choose one courier service when you can have the best of both? Shipway lets you use multiple couriers like Delhivery, Shadowfax, and more from a single dashboard. 

Shipway offers an integrated e-commerce courier aggregation platform that allows you to:

• Automate your shipping processes.
• Improve delivery success rates and reduce RTOs.
• Reduce your shipping cost by 10% or more.
• Simplify returns & exchanges 

So, get the best of both worlds and start shipping with Shipway today!

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