Tool profile
Shiptheory: cost, fit and limits
Shiptheory is a shipping automation service based in the United Kingdom that connects ecommerce platforms, marketplaces, ERPs and warehouse systems to carriers, prints labels with no-code rules and tracks parcels, with AI chatbots and AI-written handwritten notes among its listed extras.
What to know first
Shiptheory sizes its plans by shipment volume, from 100 orders a day up to 1 million orders a month. EARTH costs GBP 39 a month billed annually, SATURN GBP 99 and JUPITER GBP 217 for eCommerce and marketplace users, while COSMOS at GBP 433 serves ERP, API and WMS users and carries a footnote of 20,000 shipments a month. A free trial exists, but its length is not stated on the pages we read.
Shiptheory at a glance
| Maker | Not stated on the vendor pages, United Kingdom (Bristol office address on the privacy page) |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Free trial only |
| Entry price | GBP 39 per month billed annually (EARTH) |
| API access | Yes |
| Category | Best AI Shipping Software in 2026, rank 8 of 13 |
| Website | shiptheory.com |
Who Shiptheory is best for
UK retailers on marketplaces
EARTH, SATURN and JUPITER are aimed at eCommerce and marketplace users, so an eBay or webshop seller can pick a tier by daily order count.
Companies with an ERP or WMS
COSMOS and ENTERPRISE target ERP, API and WMS users, and NetSuite is among the named integrations, which suits firms that create shipments from back-office systems.
Shops that like building rules by form
Shipping rules are set up through a form with no code, so an operations person can change carrier choices without involving a developer.
Shiptheory plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| EARTH (eCommerce) | GBP 39 per month billed annually (GBP 49 billed monthly) | For eCommerce and marketplace users at the smallest volume band; annual billing is marked as saving 20% against monthly billing. |
| SATURN (eCommerce) | GBP 99 per month billed annually (GBP 119 billed monthly) | A larger volume band for eCommerce and marketplace users, with the same choice between annual and monthly billing. |
| JUPITER (eCommerce) | GBP 217 per month billed annually (GBP 255 billed monthly) | The top eCommerce band before the ERP tiers, for sellers with the highest daily order counts. |
| COSMOS (ERP, API and WMS) | GBP 433 per month billed annually (page also shows GBP 590) | For ERP, API and WMS users; a footnote limits it to 20,000 shipments per month. |
| ENTERPRISE (ERP and WMS) | Custom quote | For ERP and WMS users above the COSMOS band, priced by the vendor on request. |
Checked November 2026.
What Shiptheory does
- No-code shipping rules
- Rules are built through a form, so carrier and service choices can follow order weight, destination or channel without scripting. Changes apply to later orders, so test a rule on a few parcels first.
- Platform and marketplace automation
- Orders flow from ecommerce platforms and marketplaces into carrier labels, which removes retyping addresses for sellers working across several channels. NetSuite and eBay appear among the named connections on the pages we read.
- AI chatbots and custom bots
- The Automation and Integration feature set lists AI chatbots and custom bots for customer support, which answer shopper questions rather than choose carriers. Ask what customer data the bots read.
- AI-powered handwritten notes
- Notes written by AI can be added to parcels as a personal touch, a marketing feature rather than a logistics one. Ask whether the notes are priced separately.
- Customs and returns
- International shipments get customs documentation and tracking, and Returns Management is described as solving customer problems before they reach the retailer. The pages give no detail on which carriers or countries are covered.
How Shiptheory handles your data
The privacy page lists a Bristol office address and says personal information and data gathered from Shiptheory usage are kept for as long as you are registered and for up to 6 years after. Whether customer data feeds AI models, where it is hosted and which certifications apply are points the opened pages did not cover, and the vendor's policy was not checked for them. Because the AI features include chatbots and notes, ask which customer data they read.
Where Shiptheory falls short in practice
- AI is support and marketing only. The AI named covers chatbots and handwritten notes, and no AI routing or delay prediction is described, so carrier decisions rest on the rules you write.
- COSMOS volume footnote. The ERP, API and WMS plan is limited to 20,000 shipments per month by a footnote, so high-volume warehouses go straight to a quote. Confirm the limit before choosing it.
- Two prices for COSMOS. The pricing page also shows GBP 590 beside GBP 433, so confirm which figure applies to your billing before you sign. The pages we read do not explain the gap.
Works with
Alternatives to Shiptheory
Shiptheory: common questions
How much does Shiptheory cost?
EARTH is GBP 39 a month billed annually or GBP 49 billed monthly. SATURN is GBP 99 or GBP 119, JUPITER GBP 217 or GBP 255, and COSMOS GBP 433 billed annually, though the page also shows GBP 590. ENTERPRISE is a quote. USD and GBP can be selected on the pricing page.
What AI does Shiptheory offer?
The vendor names AI chatbots and custom bots for customer support, plus AI-powered handwritten notes that can be added to parcels. The pages we read describe no AI for choosing carriers, predicting delays or pricing, so a merchant looking for those should ask for a demonstration.
Is there a free trial for Shiptheory?
A free trial is offered, but the pages we read do not state how long it lasts or which plan it covers. Ask before you start whether the trial includes the Automation and Integration feature set, because the no-code rules and bots are where most of the value sits.
What data does Shiptheory keep after I leave?
The privacy page says personal information and data gathered from Shiptheory usage are kept for as long as you are registered and for up to 6 years afterward. It does not say whether you can request earlier deletion, so ask in writing when you close an account.
Which carriers does Shiptheory connect to?
The pages we read name Royal Mail, FedEx, DPD and USPS, with eBay and NetSuite as platform connections. They do not list the full carrier library. A seller using a regional courier should check the list or ask support before choosing a plan, since carrier support affects every label.