ShipBob vs Flowspace

When it comes to fulfillment and warehousing for your business, there are many options available in the market. Two of the most popular services are ShipBob and Flowspace. In this article, we will compare the two services on various parameters and help you decide which one is the right fit for your business needs.

Introduction to ShipBob and Flowspace

ShipBob and Flowspace are two companies that offer warehousing, fulfillment, and shipping solutions to eCommerce businesses. They both aim to simplify the logistics for small and large businesses and provide end-to-end solutions for all their shipping needs.

ShipBob was founded in 2014 and has since grown to become one of the leading fulfillment providers in the industry. They offer a wide range of services, including inventory management, order fulfillment, and shipping. ShipBob has a network of fulfillment centers across the United States, which allows them to provide fast and affordable shipping to customers.

Flowspace, on the other hand, was founded in 2017 and has quickly established itself as a major player in the warehousing and fulfillment industry. They offer a unique on-demand warehousing solution that allows businesses to rent space only when they need it. This makes it an ideal solution for businesses that experience seasonal fluctuations in demand or those that need to store inventory in multiple locations.

What is ShipBob?

ShipBob is a cloud-based logistics platform that specializes in providing warehousing and shipping solutions to small and medium-sized businesses. It offers end-to-end service, from receiving the inventory to storing it, picking and packing the item, and delivering the order to your customer. It has a network of warehouses across the US and Canada and supports both B2B and B2C fulfillment.

ShipBob also provides real-time tracking and analytics, allowing businesses to monitor their inventory and shipments. This helps businesses make informed decisions about their supply chain and improve their overall efficiency. Additionally, ShipBob offers customizable packaging options, including branded packaging, to help businesses create a unique and memorable unboxing experience for their customers.

What is Flowspace?

Flowspace is a warehousing and fulfillment company that provides on-demand warehousing space, order management, and shipping services to eCommerce businesses. It has a network of warehouses across the US and provides space on an as-needed basis. It is designed to cater to businesses with unpredictable space requirements and provides a flexible solution for fulfillment and storage needs

One of the key benefits of using Flowspace is the ability to scale up or down as needed. This means that businesses can easily adjust their storage and fulfillment needs based on seasonal fluctuations or changes in demand. Flowspace also offers a user-friendly platform that allows businesses to manage their inventory, orders, and shipments in one place, making it easier to streamline their operations.

In addition to its core services, Flowspace also offers value-added services such as kitting, labeling, and quality control. This means that businesses can outsource these tasks to Flowspace, freeing up time and resources to focus on other aspects of their business. With its flexible and comprehensive range of services, Flowspace is an ideal partner for eCommerce businesses looking to streamline their operations and grow their business.

Comparison of ShipBob and Flowspace

Both ShipBob and Flowspace offer similar services but differ in certain ways. For instance, ShipBob has its warehouses across multiple locations, while Flowspace provides warehouse space as and when required, effectively reducing overhead costs. Similarly, the pricing structures are different for both services.

Another difference between ShipBob and Flowspace is the level of customization they offer. ShipBob allows for more customization in terms of branding and packaging, while Flowspace has a more standardized approach. This may be important for businesses looking to maintain a consistent brand image.

Additionally, ShipBob offers more advanced inventory management features, such as real-time inventory tracking and automatic reorder notifications. Flowspace, on the other hand, focuses more on providing flexible and scalable warehouse solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Shipping services offered by ShipBob and Flowspace

Both services offer multiple carrier options, from UPS to FedEx to USPS, and can ship packages abroad. Flowspace differs from ShipBob in that it offers international air and ocean freight services, which ShipBob does not.

Additionally, ShipBob offers same-day and next-day delivery options for customers located in certain areas, while Flowspace does not currently offer this service. ShipBob also provides real-time tracking information for packages, allowing customers to easily monitor the status of their shipments. On the other hand, Flowspace offers warehousing and storage solutions for businesses, which ShipBob does not provide. This can be beneficial for companies that need to store inventory for longer periods of time before shipping it out to customers.

Warehousing options provided by ShipBob and Flowspace

ShipBob offers multiple warehouses across the US, including Canada, with different storage costs. Its warehouses are equipped with advanced technological features such as temperature-controlled storage, which is suitable for businesses that sell temperature-sensitive products. Flowspace is not limited to any specific location and provides on-demand warehousing space, which makes it more flexible for businesses with changing storage needs.

Additionally, ShipBob offers fulfillment services, which means that they can handle the entire process of receiving, storing, and shipping products to customers. This can save businesses time and resources, as they do not have to manage their own inventory and shipping processes. Flowspace, on the other hand, focuses solely on providing warehousing space and does not offer fulfillment services. However, they do offer a user-friendly online platform that allows businesses to easily manage their inventory and track their shipments.

Pricing structures of ShipBob and Flowspace

ShipBob charges a fulfillment fee per order, plus a storage fee for each unit of time that your products are stored in their facility. Its storage fee varies according to the size of your inventory and duration of storage. Flowspace provides both short-term and long-term storage options, and it charges according to the volume and duration. It also offers a pay-as-you-go model that allows businesses to pay by the order rather than committing to long-term contracts.

It is important to note that both ShipBob and Flowspace offer additional services that may affect the overall cost of their pricing structures. For example, ShipBob offers discounted shipping rates through its partnerships with major carriers, while Flowspace provides additional services such as kitting and assembly. It is important to carefully consider your business needs and budget when choosing between these two fulfillment providers.

Fulfillment centers of ShipBob vs Flowspace

ShipBob and Flowspace have fulfillment centers in multiple locations, which allows them to ship products quicker and more efficiently. Fulfillment centers are equipped with the latest technology and software to streamline the order processing and packaging. ShipBob is more well-established and has warehouses in more locations than Flowspace.

However, Flowspace has been expanding rapidly and has recently opened new fulfillment centers in strategic locations to better serve their customers. They have also invested heavily in their technology and software to improve their order processing and inventory management systems.

Another key difference between ShipBob and Flowspace is their pricing structure. ShipBob charges a flat fee per order, while Flowspace charges based on the amount of space used in their warehouses. This can make Flowspace a more cost-effective option for businesses with larger or bulkier products.

Ease of use of ShipBob and Flowspace platforms

Both Shipbob and Flowspace offer intuitive and user-friendly platforms that allow businesses to manage their inventory, receive orders, and track shipments. ShipBob has more advanced features such as real-time inventory management and customizable packing slips. Flowspace provides e-commerce integrations with popular platforms such as Shopify and Amazon, which makes it easier for businesses to manage their orders and inventory.

Additionally, both platforms offer customer support to help businesses navigate any issues they may encounter. ShipBob provides a dedicated account manager for each client, while Flowspace offers a 24/7 support team. This level of support ensures that businesses can quickly resolve any problems and continue to operate smoothly.

Customer service comparison of ShipBob vs Flowspace

ShipBob has a dedicated customer service team that is available 24/7 to help businesses with their queries and issues. Their customer service team is well-trained and has received positive reviews from customers. Flowspace’s customer support is available during business hours and provides different tiers of support based on the subscription plan.

In addition to their customer service team, ShipBob also offers a knowledge base on their website that includes articles and tutorials to help businesses navigate their platform. This resource can be especially helpful for businesses that prefer to troubleshoot issues on their own.

On the other hand, Flowspace offers a chatbot feature that can quickly answer common questions and provide assistance to customers. This feature can be especially useful for businesses that need quick answers outside of business hours.

Pros and cons of using ShipBob vs Flowspace for your business

ShipBob is suitable for businesses that require advanced inventory management and fulfillment services. It is also the best option for businesses that sell temperature-sensitive or fragile products. However, it may not be the most cost-effective solution and may have higher prices than Flowspace.

Flowspace is best suited for businesses that require flexible storage and fulfillment solutions. It is also a perfect fit for businesses with fewer orders but with higher variations in inventory needs. Its pay-as-you-go model is attractive to businesses with variable inventory needs, and it offers a more cost-effective solution. However, it may have longer lead times for shipping products.

Another factor to consider when choosing between ShipBob and Flowspace is their customer support. ShipBob offers 24/7 customer support, which can be beneficial for businesses that require immediate assistance. On the other hand, Flowspace’s customer support is only available during business hours, which may not be ideal for businesses that operate outside of regular business hours.

Which one is better for small businesses?

Both ShipBob and Flowspace cater well to small businesses. ShipBob is ideal for businesses that need advanced logistics management and require the infrastructure of a well-established fulfillment provider. Flowspace, on the other hand, is better suited to businesses with unpredictable storage requirements or those that require inventory storage only occasionally.

Which one is better for large businesses?

Large businesses require customized solutions to cater to their specific needs. ShipBob may be a better solution for large businesses due to its state-of-the-art technology and multiple fulfillment centers. Flowspace can also be a viable option for larger businesses that require on-demand storage space such as overflow storage.

Conclusion – Which one should you choose?

The choice between ShipBob and Flowspace depends on your business needs. ShipBob is better suited for businesses that require advanced logistics management and have a higher volume of orders. Flowspace is more flexible for businesses with unpredictable inventory needs and may be a better fit for businesses with lower order volumes. Both services are reliable and offer excellent warehousing and logistics solutions. It is recommended that businesses research and evaluate both services before making a final decision on which fulfills their unique needs.