Shiprocket vs iThink Logistics: Choosing The Best Shipping Solution For Your eCommerce Business

The order fulfillment process is a critical component of success in the ecommerce landscape. Having the right logistics partner can simplify operations and boost efficiency. Small and mid-sized e-commerce businesses often rely on shipping aggregation platforms to manage and scale their delivery processes. 

Some of the most popular shipping aggregators in India are Shipway, Shiprocket, and iThink Logistics. Each platform offers a unique set of features to help online retailers streamline logistics.

In this blog, we will compare two of the top shipping software —Shiprocket and iThink Logistics—detailing their strengths and drawbacks.  These shipping platforms were developed to fulfill the demand for ecommerce businesses, particularly those with lower order volumes and seeking multi-carrier shipping services.

We’ll also highlight which is the best alternative for eCommerce businesses seeking a scalable, cost-effective shipping solution.

iThink Logistics 

Founded in 2016, iThink Logistics is a Mumbai-based shipping software company that specializes in affordable third-party logistics management solutions. With a reach spanning over 26,000 pin codes in India and the ability to ship to more than 180 countries, iThink has become a go-to shipping solution for businesses looking to streamline their logistics.

 Key Features of iThink Logistics:

• AI-Based Courier Automation: iThink uses advanced algorithms powered by machine learning and AI to choose the best courier for each shipment.
• Real-Time Shipment Tracking: iThink’s real-time tracking improves customer satisfaction by sharing live updates.
• RTO Prediction: Predicts Return to Origin (RTO) probability using proprietary algorithms, which helps reduce shipping costs.
• Early COD Reconciliation: Offers next-day COD remittance to improve cash flow for businesses offering cash-on-delivery services.

Pros of iThink Logistics:

• Excellent RTO management using AI.
• Affordable and scalable for growing businesses.

Cons of iThink Logistics:

• Customer support is often criticized as sub-par, leading to delays and operational hiccups.

Shiprocket 

Established in 2015, Shiprocket is a leading shipping aggregator in India, offering a network of 17+ carrier partners. Based in Gurgaon, Shiprocket caters to over 113,000 merchants, shipping more than 227,000 orders daily across 29,000+ pin codes in India and 220+ countries.

Key Features of Shiprocket:

• Multi-Carrier Aggregation: Shiprocket provides seamless access to 17+ courier services in India, helping businesses optimize their shipping processes.
• Order Management Dashboard: Manage all orders from multiple channels through a unified dashboard.
• Early COD Remittance: Shiprocket offers quick access to COD payments, which enhances cash flow.
• Rate Estimation: The platform displays accurate shipping cost estimates. This helps businesses to optimize shipping operations based on costs and customer preferences.

Pros of Shiprocket:

• Access to multiple courier services through a single platform.
• Low shipping rates.

Cons of Shiprocket:

• The returns platform is not that advanced.

iThink Logistics vs Shiprocket: A Detailed Comparison

When comparing iThink Logistics and Shiprocket, both platforms are highly competitive in terms of shipping automation, multi-carrier integration, and COD remittance. However, they differ in areas such as customer support and scalability.

Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you choose the best shipping solution for your online store.

1. Coverage and Reach

• iThink Logistics: Serves over 28,000 pin codes in India and offers global shipping to more than 180 countries.
• Shiprocket: Covers 29,000+ pin codes within India and offers services to 220 countries worldwide.

2. International Shipping

• iThink Logistics: Ships to more than 180 countries with customizable pricing options.
• Shiprocket: Offers shipping to 220 countries with transparent pricing options.
  

3. Courier Selection

• iThink Logistics: Uses an AI-based courier selection engine to automatically choose the best courier partner based on efficiency and cost.
• Shiprocket: Provides multi-carrier aggregation with multiple delivery partners, allowing businesses to choose the best option manually or automatically.

4. Fraud Management

• iThink Logistics: Offers fraud order management features, aimed at preventing risky transactions.
• Shiprocket: Has expert-level fraud management, categorizing risk for COD orders and minimizing RTOs for fraudulent orders.

5. NDR Management

• iThink Logistics: Leverages AI-driven NDR (Non-Delivery Report) management, which automates the process of reducing failed deliveries and offers 4-step verification via SMS, WhatsApp, IVR, and manual processes for added security.
• Shiprocket: Provides NDR management dashboard and offers verification via SMS, WhatsApp and IVR.

6. Returns Automation

• iThink Logistics: Does not offer a dedicated returns automation management feature.
• Shiprocket: Provides a basic returns management portal, streamlining the returns process for businesses.
  

7. Real-Time Branded Tracking

• iThink Logistics: Offers branded real-time tracking, improving customer experience with live shipment updates.
• Shiprocket: Also provides real-time tracking with advanced tracking capabilities and order details like EDD.

8. Additional Services

• iThink Logistics: Provides features like RTO prediction, early COD remittance, and COD order confirmation.
• Shiprocket: Offers rate estimation, early COD remittance and order management.
  

9. Pricing

• iThink Logistics: Uses custom pricing based on shipment volume and services used, making it suitable for businesses looking for flexible shipping rates.
• Shiprocket: Provides transparent pricing with different plans based on usage tiers, which is suitable for businesses looking for fixed costs.

Shipway: The Best Alternative to iThink Logistics and Shiprocket

For ecommerce businesses looking for a more comprehensive, scalable, and cost-effective alternative, Shipway stands out as the best option. Shipway is a shipping automation platform that automates key aspects of ecommerce logistics, making it easier for businesses to manage growing order volumes.

Why Choose Shipway Over iThink or Shiprocket?

1. Advanced AI & Automation: Shipway’s AI-powered shipping platform automates courier selection, reducing RTOs and shipping costs. RTO causes major losses for businesses and is a very important metric to control. 
2. Fraud Prevention: Shipway’s advanced fraud management system predicts potential RTOs and reduces COD-related risks, by categorizing orders as high, medium and low risk and verifying addresses using SMS and Whatsapp.
3. NDR Management: Shipway provides unified NDR management solutions with a multi-functional dashboard for managing undelivered orders. It automates non-delivery follow-ups through WhatsApp, SMS and manual calls. Shipway also offers an analytics dashboard, allowing brands to track key metrics like pin-code performance, courier performance, shipping costs, and RTO rates.
   
4. Early COD Reconciliation: Shipway provides D+1, D+2 and D+3 remittances to unlock faster payments and boost cashflow for ecommerce businesses.
   
5. Post-Purchase Experience: Shipway provides a branded tracking page with returns & reattempt initiation, product recommendations and real-time notifications, enhancing the post-purchase experience for customers. 

Conclusion

Choosing the right logistics aggregator depends on your business’s unique needs. For small businesses, both iThink and Shiprocket offer useful features.

However, when it comes to scalability, cost efficiency, and automation, Shipway emerges as the best alternative to Shiprocket and Ithink Logistics. It is a future-ready platform designed to handle high order volumes without compromising on delivery speed or customer experience.

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