If you’re running a Magento 2 e-commerce store that sells a pretty wide variety of goods delivered everywhere, you need not only a perfectly working website. You also cannot do without a reliable shipping provider. Choosing the right shipping provider directly impacts customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, conversions, and overall business growth. Having a shipping provider that is inconvenient or inflexible may (and actually will) lead to cart abandonment, negative reviews, and financial and reputational losses.
Speaking of Magento 2, this leading e-commerce platform offers extensive features for customizing shipping processes to meet both customers’ and business needs. Your goal here is to choose the shipping provider that will be a good match with your business strategy and individual requirements.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top Magento 2 shipping providers and extensions, covering how they can improve your shipping processes and which ones suit which businesses. Whether you’re looking for enhanced carrier integrations, easy shipping compliance, advanced shipping rules, or better cost management, we’ll help you select the best solution.
Why Shipping Providers Matter in Magento 2
For Magento 2 stores (and, let’s be honest, for any e-commerce business that has a delivery option), shipping is extremely important for shaping the customer experience, as it directly impacts both satisfaction and the likelihood of repeat purchases. Competitive and flexible shipping pricing, fast delivery, and reliable tracking all add to a positive shopping experience, while poor shipping options often lead to users bouncing off in the middle of a buyer journey and switching to competitors. No matter how good your products and website are, they're all worth nothing if you cannot deliver them to your customers easily.
What are the key factors that define the quality of shipping services? They are
Pricing transparency
Delivery speed
Global reach (if you sell worldwide)
Tracking capabilities
Customers expect transparency regarding costs, quick and reliable delivery, and the ability to track their order at every stage. If your Magento 2 offers them all, it will further enhance the user experience, allowing your business to scale up, automate, and optimize shipping processes without disrupting operations.
Magento 2 Shipping Providers: Top 10 Options Reviewed and Compared
Magento 2 offers a variety of shipping integrations to cater to different business needs.
The most popular Magento 2 shipping providers are:
FedEx
Aramex
Australia Post
USPS
Royal Mail
Purolator
APC
DHL
DPD
UPS
These options enable businesses to integrate powerful shipping solutions, enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction. Below, we will explore these providers in detail to help you choose the best options for your Magento 2 store.
TL;DR: Magento 2 shipping providers comparison table
If you’re too lazy or out of time to read the details, you can go with this comparison table that summarizes key characteristics and differences between the top 10 shipping e-commerce providers.
Provider | Geographic Strength | Best For | Key Features |
FedEx | Global (strong in the USA, Europe, Asia) | SMEs, big enterprises, cross-border | Tracking, International shipping, real-time rates, express delivery |
Aramex | Emerging markets (strong in the Middle East, Africa, Asia) | SMEs, cross-border | Tracking, easy returns, dynamic rate calculation, flexible shipping |
Australia Post | AU, Global | Australian SMEs, cross-border | Tracking, domestic & international shipping, automated rate calculation, label printing |
USPS | US | SMEs, domestic shipping | Affordable domestic shipping, flat-rate boxes, priority mail, tracking |
Royal Mail | UK, Global | UK-based SMEs, cross-border | Tracking, domestic & international shipping, label printing, flat-rate shipping |
Purolator | Canada, US, Global | SMEs, big companies, cross-border (Canada/US) | Tracking, real-time shipping quotes, cross-border shipping, and competitive pricing |
APC | UK, Europe | UK-focused SMEs, cross-border (Europe) | Next-day delivery (UK), international shipping, label printing, and rate calculation |
DHL | Global | SMEs, big companies, cross-border | Tracking, express shipping, international shipping, automated rate calculation, label printing |
DPD | UK, Europe | UK & EU-focused SMEs, cross-border | Next-day delivery (UK), collection points, predictive tracking, bulk shipment processing |
UPS | Global | SMEs, bigger enterprises, cross-border | Tracking, express and standard shipping, multi-site warehouse network, stock management, multichannel order processing |
FedEx for Magento 2
FedEx integration with Magento 2 offers a powerful and reliable shipping solution for businesses looking to provide a seamless delivery experience to their customers. The FedEx Magento 2 extension lets merchants offer real-time shipping rates, ensuring that customers receive accurate pricing based on the location and shipping method. With multi-currency support, businesses can easily cater to international customers, enhancing the shopping experience for global audiences.
One of the standout features of FedEx shipping for Magento is live tracking, which allows customers to monitor the status of their orders in real-time. This transparency boosts customer satisfaction and reduces customer service inquiries, as buyers are always informed about their shipments. Additionally, FedEx’s international shipping capabilities enable businesses to expand their reach, offering reliable and efficient delivery options to a global customer base.
The advantages of using FedEx include its trusted global coverage and reliability, ensuring timely deliveries for both domestic and international shipments. It is a scalable solution, ideal for high-volume businesses that need to handle large order volumes without compromising on service quality.
Best for: Stores with large international customer bases that require a dependable, global shipping partner. FedEx’s extensive network makes it a perfect fit for businesses aiming to expand their reach while maintaining reliability and customer trust.
Aramex for Magento 2
The Aramex Magento 2 extension offers a comprehensive shipping solution for businesses looking to cater to global markets, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. One of the standout features of this extension is dynamic rate calculation, allowing merchants to provide customers with real-time, accurate shipping costs based on their location and the chosen shipping method. This flexibility ensures customers receive transparent pricing, which is crucial for building trust and reducing cart abandonment.
The extension supports both B2B and B2C shipping, making it a versatile option for a wide range of businesses. It offers flexible shipping methods, including express delivery, allowing businesses to meet the varying needs of their customers, whether they require fast shipping or more economical options. Additionally, easy returns and package tracking features further enhance the customer experience, making it easier for shoppers to return products or track their orders.
Aramex’s strengths lie in its excellent reach in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, offering businesses a reliable solution for shipping to emerging markets. Its extensive network in these regions makes it an ideal choice for merchants expanding into markets with rapidly growing e-commerce demand.
Best for: Merchants looking to expand their reach into emerging markets and wanting a trusted, flexible shipping partner to support both B2B and B2C transactions.
Australia Post for Magento 2
The Australia Post Magento 2 extension is a vital tool for Australian e-commerce businesses, offering seamless integration with one of the country’s most trusted delivery services. It provides both domestic and international shipping options, making it an ideal solution for businesses that need reliable shipping within Australia as well as to international destinations. The extension includes automated rate calculation, ensuring customers receive accurate shipping prices based on their location and selected service.
Key features of the Australia Post Magento 2 extension include label printing and parcel tracking, allowing businesses to streamline their fulfillment process and keep customers informed about their orders. The ability to print shipping labels directly from the Magento dashboard reduces manual effort and improves efficiency. Customers benefit from real-time parcel tracking, which enhances their shopping experience by keeping them updated on their order status at every stage of the journey.
Benefits of using Australia Post include its reliability for local deliveries and the government-backed credibility of the service, which ensures a high level of trust among Australian consumers. As a result, businesses can rely on Australia Post’s solid reputation and vast network for fast, dependable shipping.
Best for: Australian-based businesses or stores targeting Australian customers, as it offers a reliable, cost-effective solution for both local and international shipping needs.
USPS for Magento 2
The USPS Magento extension provides a seamless integration with one of the most reliable and cost-effective shipping options in the United States. USPS offers affordable domestic shipping for Magento merchants, making it a popular choice for small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that need reliable, budget-friendly delivery options for their customers. With this integration, merchants can easily offer shipping solutions through USPS’s extensive network.
Key features of the Magento USPS extension include flat-rate boxes, which allow businesses to offer predictable shipping costs for heavy or bulky items. Priority Mail services are also available, providing faster delivery times for time-sensitive shipments. Additionally, the integration includes real-time tracking, giving customers visibility into the status of their orders from dispatch to delivery.
The advantages of USPS include its cost-effectiveness, particularly for businesses that need to keep shipping expenses low. The service is well-suited for SMEs, offering affordable rates without sacrificing reliability. USPS’s strong presence in the United States ensures that businesses can provide dependable and timely deliveries, boosting customer satisfaction.
Best for: US-based Magento merchants looking for a reliable and budget-friendly shipping solution. USPS is an excellent choice for merchants seeking to offer affordable shipping to their customers without compromising on service quality.
Royal Mail Extension for Magento 2
The Magento 2 Royal Mail Extension provides UK-based eCommerce stores with a seamless integration for reliable and cost-effective shipping. This extension allows merchants to offer live rate calculation, ensuring customers receive real-time shipping prices based on their location and the selected delivery method. It also supports multiple parcel sizes, enabling flexibility for shipping different types of products, whether they are small packages or larger shipments.
A standout feature of the Royal Mail extension is the ability to print shipping labels directly from Magento, which streamlines the fulfillment process and saves time for businesses. This integration reduces manual data entry and eliminates the need for third-party systems, making the order processing experience more efficient.
The benefits of using Royal Mail include its wide domestic and international coverage, making it an excellent choice for businesses that want reliable shipping within the UK and beyond. Royal Mail’s trusted service and established reputation in the UK make it a popular option for merchants aiming to provide their customers with secure and timely deliveries.
Best for: Royal Mail is a trusted name in the UK, known for its reliability and widespread network. The seamless integration with Magento 2 ensures that merchants can manage their shipping directly from their Magento dashboard without complications, making it an essential tool for UK-based e-commerce businesses.
Purolator for Magento 2
The Magento 2 Purolator Shipping extension offers a comprehensive solution for businesses operating in Canada or those selling across North America. Known for its advanced domestic and cross-border shipping capabilities, this extension allows merchants to offer reliable, efficient shipping options to Canadian and U.S. customers. One of the key features is live tracking, which lets customers monitor their orders in real-time, ensuring transparency and enhancing the shopping experience.
With real-time shipping quotes, the extension provides accurate and dynamic pricing at checkout, helping customers understand the shipping costs before completing their purchase. This can reduce cart abandonment and improve customer satisfaction, as they receive upfront information on shipping fees.
The advantages of Purolator include its strong Canadian coverage and competitive pricing. As one of Canada’s most trusted delivery services, Purolator provides reliable and timely deliveries, both within Canada and across the border to the U.S. This makes it an excellent choice for businesses that need a dependable and cost-effective solution for both domestic and international shipping.
Best for: Magento stores operating in Canada or those targeting customers across North America. Purolator is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to streamline their shipping processes and provide competitive, reliable shipping solutions.
APC for Magento 2
APC is one of the UK’s leading courier services, offering businesses a reliable solution for both domestic and international shipping. APC is known for its next-day delivery services within the UK, ensuring quick and reliable shipping for customers who need their orders delivered promptly. The APC Magento 2 extension allows merchants to offer real-time rate calculation at checkout, giving customers accurate shipping costs based on their location and the selected service.
In addition to next-day UK delivery, APC also offers international shipping options, making it an ideal choice for businesses with both local and European customer bases. The integration with Magento simplifies the shipping process by allowing merchants to easily print labels directly from their Magento dashboard, streamlining order fulfillment and reducing administrative workload.
The benefits of using APC include its strong UK presence and fast, cost-effective service, which are perfect for businesses looking to expand their reach while maintaining excellent service standards. The ability to offer next-day delivery gives businesses a competitive edge, particularly for time-sensitive orders.
Best for: UK-focused businesses that cater to local and European customers. APC is the perfect choice for merchants who need a dependable courier service with fast, affordable delivery options for both domestic and international shipments.
DHL for Magento 2
The DHL Magento 2 extension is a robust solution for merchants looking to offer reliable international and domestic shipping. DHL is one of the world’s leading logistics providers, known for its fast delivery, global coverage, and trusted service, making it an ideal choice for Magento 2 stores that ship worldwide.
The Magento 2 DHL Shipping extension provides real-time shipping rates at checkout, letting customers see accurate costs based on destination, package size, and weight, helping reduce cart abandonment caused by unexpected shipping fees. The shipping extension also supports live tracking, allowing both merchants and customers to monitor shipments in real-time, enhancing transparency and trust. Other features include label printing, automated rate calculation, multiple shipping methods, and international shipping options that accommodate various delivery speeds and service levels.
Advantages of using DHL for Magento 2 include its extensive international reach, fast and reliable delivery, and scalable services suitable for businesses of all sizes. Whether you operate a small store with growing international sales or a large enterprise shipping globally, DHL can handle the demands efficiently.
Best for: Magento 2 e-commerce businesses that need global shipping solutions, businesses that frequently ship internationally, and stores that want to provide fast, trackable, and reliable delivery options to customers worldwide.
DPD for Magento 2
DPD helps simplify shipping for merchants in the UK and Europe, offering reliable and efficient courier services. DPD is a leading logistics provider known for next-day delivery, real-time tracking, and convenient parcel collection points, making it an excellent choice for Magento 2 stores targeting local and European customers.
The DPD Magento 2 extension provides features such as real-time shipping rates, automated label printing, and predictive shipment tracking. Merchants can offer multiple delivery options, including express shipping, standard delivery, and collection point deliveries, giving customers flexibility and improving their overall shopping experience. The extension also supports bulk shipment processing, reducing administrative workload and streamlining order fulfillment.
Advantages of using DPD for Magento 2 include its strong presence in Europe, reliable next-day delivery, and customer-focused services like notifications and easy returns. The integration helps merchants manage shipments efficiently while keeping customers informed at every stage of the delivery process.
Best for: Magento merchants with a UK or European customer base, businesses that require fast, reliable deliveries, and stores looking to provide flexible shipping options through local courier services.
UPS for Magento 2
The UPS Magento 2 extension provides a comprehensive shipping solution for e-commerce merchants seeking reliable, fast, and scalable logistics. UPS is a globally recognized courier service known for its dependable delivery, extensive network, and advanced shipping technology, making it ideal for Magento stores with domestic and international customers.
The Magento 2 UPS Shipping extension offers a range of powerful features. Merchants can access real-time shipping rates, ensuring accurate costs are displayed at checkout and reducing cart abandonment. The extension supports integrated fulfillment services, including a multi-site warehouse network for faster delivery, integrated stock management to maintain inventory accuracy, and multichannel order processing, which helps streamline operations across various sales platforms. Additional features include automated label printing, package tracking, and international shipping capabilities, allowing merchants to offer multiple delivery options with ease.
Advantages of using UPS for Magento 2 include its global coverage, reliable and timely delivery, and scalable services suitable for both small businesses and large enterprises. The extension enhances operational efficiency while providing customers with a seamless and transparent shipping experience.
Best for: Magento merchants who ship domestically and internationally, businesses with high-volume orders, and stores looking for integrated logistics solutions that combine stock management, fulfillment, and shipping across multiple channels.
How to Choose the Right Magento Shipping Provider
When selecting the right shipping provider for your Magento store, it’s crucial to consider several factors to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction.
Geography. Determine whether you primarily serve domestic or international customers. For businesses focusing on local deliveries, providers like Royal Mail or USPS offer reliable domestic shipping. For cross-border or global sales, platforms like FedEx, DHL, or Aramex offer expansive international networks and more competitive shipping options.
Business size and shipping volume: Smaller businesses with limited orders may benefit from cost-effective providers like USPS, DPD, or APC, while larger enterprises or those with high shipping volume might need robust solutions like FedEx or Purolator that scale with business growth and provide advanced services like automation and bulk discounts.
Returns: If your business handles frequent returns, choose a provider like Aramex or FedEx, which offer flexible return services.
Express shipping: If fast delivery is crucial for your customers, consider a provider like FedEx, DHL, or Royal Mail that offers express shipping options for timely deliveries.
Cash-on-Delivery (COD) support: If you need COD options, ensure the provider can support this payment method, which is often required in specific markets.
The configuration of Magento 2 shipping options and settings can seem complex, yet it can be easily simplified with the help of dedicated Magento 2 extensions. For example, the Shipping Cost Calculator helps you provide customers with transparent pricing calculations based on factors like country or post fees.
The Shipping Restrictions extension should not be underestimated, too. It offers options to block unnecessary shipping options based on location and product type to stay compliant with policies and provide customers only with relevant options.
Conclusion
Choosing the right shipping provider is one of the most important things for an e-commerce business, as it directly affects the customers’ satisfaction and the likelihood of new purchases. Still, there’s no one-size-fits-all shipping provider for Magento 2 websites, as everything depends on individual business needs and characteristics. If you sell internationally and your business is big, then choose an option that supports maximum currencies and serves internationally. If you plan to sell regionally, opt for shipping providers that cater to the region of your interest. If you don’t sell globally yet but plan to start one day, consider the option that fits your budget now but leave room for scaling as the business grows.
Do not forget to pack your store with the necessary Magento 2 shipping extensions; they help users customize shipping settings, making their experience comfortable from the stage of placing their order.
