For warehousing and logistics companies, choosing the right third-party logistics platform can determine how efficiently teams receive inventory, store goods, pick orders, ship packages, bill clients, and report performance. The best 3PL software helps operators manage multiple customers, automate repetitive workflows, reduce errors, and give clients real-time visibility into their inventory and shipments.
TLDR: The best 3PL software depends on the company’s size, order volume, billing complexity, and integration needs. For example, a 3PL handling 25,000 ecommerce orders per month may prioritize automated picking, carrier rate shopping, and client portals, while a B2B warehouse may need EDI, lot tracking, and advanced billing. Strong platforms can reduce manual data entry by 30% to 50% and improve order accuracy when properly implemented. Leading options include Extensiv, Logiwa, ShipHero, Deposco, Körber, Manhattan, and Softeon.
What Makes 3PL Software Different?
Unlike a standard warehouse management system, 3PL software is built for businesses that manage inventory and fulfillment for multiple clients. It must separate customer accounts, support different billing rules, provide client-facing dashboards, and handle a wide range of shipping, labeling, and reporting requirements.
A typical 3PL platform includes tools for receiving, putaway, inventory control, order fulfillment, carrier management, returns, billing, analytics, and integrations. The strongest systems also provide barcode scanning, mobile workflows, automation rules, and API connectivity with ecommerce platforms, marketplaces, ERPs, and transportation systems.
Key Features Warehousing and Logistics Companies Should Look For
Before selecting a platform, logistics leaders usually compare features against daily operational needs. The most important capabilities include:
- Multi-client inventory management: The system should keep each customer’s stock, rules, reports, and billing separate.
- Order fulfillment automation: Automated wave picking, batch picking, zone picking, and packing workflows can improve throughput.
- Real-time inventory visibility: Clients should be able to view stock levels, order status, receipts, and shipment data without emailing warehouse staff.
- Carrier integrations: Good software connects with parcel, LTL, freight, and regional carriers for label generation and rate shopping.
- Billing management: 3PLs need automated billing for storage, handling, kitting, labeling, returns, and custom services.
- EDI and API support: Logistics companies serving retailers, manufacturers, and enterprise brands often need strong integration options.
- Reporting and analytics: Managers need visibility into order accuracy, labor productivity, receiving speed, inventory aging, and client profitability.
Best 3PL Software Options
1. Extensiv 3PL Warehouse Manager
Extensiv 3PL Warehouse Manager is a popular choice for growing fulfillment providers and multi-client warehouses. It is designed specifically for third-party logistics operations, making it strong in customer portals, billing automation, inventory control, and ecommerce integrations.
The platform is especially useful for companies handling direct-to-consumer fulfillment, subscription boxes, marketplace orders, or mixed B2B and B2C workflows. Its client portal allows customers to monitor inventory and orders, which can reduce support requests and improve transparency.
Best for: Small to midsize 3PLs that need a dedicated warehouse management platform with strong billing and client visibility.
2. Logiwa
Logiwa is built for high-volume ecommerce fulfillment and fast-moving warehouse operations. It supports automation-heavy workflows, real-time order routing, carrier integrations, and marketplace connections. Companies serving online retailers often choose it because it focuses on speed, scalability, and digital order management.
Logiwa can be a strong fit for warehouses that process thousands of daily small parcel orders. Its automation tools help reduce manual touches, while its integrations support common ecommerce ecosystems.
Best for: Ecommerce-focused 3PLs that need fast fulfillment, automation, and marketplace connectivity.
3. ShipHero
ShipHero combines warehouse management, shipping, and fulfillment tools in a user-friendly platform. It is often selected by ecommerce brands and 3PLs that want a practical solution with barcode scanning, mobile picking, order management, and shipping features.
Its interface is relatively approachable, which can shorten training time for warehouse teams. For 3PLs expanding from in-house fulfillment or adding outsourced clients, ShipHero can offer a balanced mix of usability and functionality.
Best for: Ecommerce warehouses and 3PLs that value ease of use and integrated shipping workflows.
4. Deposco
Deposco is a cloud-based supply chain platform that supports warehouse management, order management, and distributed fulfillment. It is often used by retailers, brands, and logistics providers that need advanced visibility across multiple locations and sales channels.
For 3PLs with complex fulfillment networks, Deposco can help coordinate inventory, orders, and shipping decisions across different facilities. Its strength lies in connecting warehouse execution with broader supply chain planning.
Best for: Growing logistics networks that need order orchestration, multi-warehouse visibility, and scalable cloud tools.
5. Körber Warehouse Management
Körber, formerly associated with HighJump, offers robust warehouse management capabilities for complex distribution environments. It supports advanced warehouse workflows, labor management, automation integration, and industry-specific requirements.
This software may be more than a small warehouse needs, but it can be valuable for larger logistics providers handling complex storage, regulated goods, automation equipment, or sophisticated distribution models.
Best for: Larger 3PLs and distribution centers with complex operational requirements.
6. Manhattan Active Warehouse Management
Manhattan Active Warehouse Management is an enterprise-grade solution known for advanced functionality, scalability, and cloud-native architecture. It supports sophisticated fulfillment operations, labor optimization, automation, slotting, and network-level execution.
Enterprise logistics companies may choose Manhattan when they need a system capable of supporting large facilities, high order volumes, complex automation, and continuous innovation. It generally requires more planning, budget, and implementation effort than lighter platforms.
Best for: Enterprise 3PLs, large distribution networks, and operations with advanced automation.
7. Softeon
Softeon provides warehouse management, warehouse execution, order management, and supply chain planning tools. It is commonly used in complex logistics environments where flexibility, automation, and process control are priorities.
For 3PLs that need configurable workflows, robotics integration, or advanced execution logic, Softeon can be a strong contender. It is particularly relevant for organizations that want to align warehouse operations with broader supply chain performance goals.
Best for: Complex warehouses that need flexible execution tools and advanced automation support.
How to Choose the Right 3PL Platform
The best software is not always the platform with the longest feature list. It is the system that fits the company’s operational model, client expectations, and growth plans. Decision-makers should evaluate:
- Order volume: A warehouse processing 500 orders per day has different needs than one processing 50,000.
- Client mix: B2B, retail compliance, ecommerce, cold storage, and kitting all require different workflows.
- Integration needs: The platform should connect with shopping carts, marketplaces, ERPs, carriers, EDI networks, and accounting tools.
- Billing complexity: Automated invoicing is essential for protecting margins and avoiding missed charges.
- Implementation resources: Some systems can launch quickly, while enterprise tools may require months of configuration.
- Scalability: The software should support additional warehouses, clients, users, and automation technology as the company grows.
Common Implementation Considerations
Even the strongest software can fail if implementation is rushed. Warehousing companies should clean inventory data, map current workflows, define billing rules, test integrations, and train users before going live. A phased rollout is often safer than switching every client and process at once.
It is also important to measure performance before and after implementation. Useful metrics include order accuracy, dock-to-stock time, picking speed, inventory adjustments, on-time shipping, and invoice accuracy. These numbers help prove return on investment and identify areas for improvement.
Final Thoughts
The best 3PL software for warehousing and logistics companies depends on operational complexity, customer requirements, and long-term growth strategy. Extensiv and Logiwa are strong for ecommerce and midmarket 3PLs, while ShipHero offers approachable fulfillment tools. Deposco, Körber, Manhattan, and Softeon are better suited to larger, more complex, or highly automated operations.
Ultimately, the right platform should help a logistics provider move faster, bill more accurately, serve clients better, and scale without adding unnecessary manual work.
FAQ
What is 3PL software?
3PL software is a platform that helps third-party logistics providers manage warehousing, inventory, fulfillment, shipping, client reporting, and billing for multiple customers.
What is the best 3PL software for ecommerce fulfillment?
Logiwa, ShipHero, and Extensiv are commonly strong choices for ecommerce-focused 3PLs because they support marketplace integrations, parcel shipping, barcode workflows, and real-time order visibility.
Do small 3PL companies need warehouse management software?
Yes. Even smaller 3PLs can benefit from software that reduces spreadsheet work, improves inventory accuracy, automates billing, and gives clients better visibility.
How much does 3PL software cost?
Pricing varies widely based on users, order volume, warehouses, integrations, and features. Some systems use monthly subscriptions, while enterprise platforms often require custom pricing and implementation fees.
What should a 3PL consider before switching software?
A 3PL should review data quality, client requirements, integrations, billing rules, training needs, and migration timing before changing platforms.