Finding the Right 3PL for Your Brand
Choosing a 3PL is one of the most important decisions a growing ecommerce brand will make. Your fulfillment partner touches every customer order — they're the last mile between your brand promise and your customer's experience.
We reviewed the top 3PL providers in the market and broke down what each does best, who they're ideal for, and where they fall short. Yes, we included ourselves — and we'll be honest about our strengths and limitations too.
1. ShipBob
Best for: Mid-market DTC brands doing 1,000-50,000 orders/month
Overview: ShipBob is the largest tech-first 3PL in the market with 60+ fulfillment centers worldwide. They've raised significant venture capital and built a strong technology platform.
Pros:
Massive fulfillment center network (60+ locations globally)
Strong technology platform with excellent analytics
2-day shipping to most of the US
Good Shopify and ecommerce platform integrations
Distributed inventory across multiple locations
Strong brand recognition and established processes
Cons:
Pricing can be complex and hard to predict
Customer support quality varies (you may not get a dedicated rep at lower volumes)
Minimum volume requirements
Less flexibility for custom packaging and special handling
Some brands report slow onboarding
Not ideal for very small brands or brands with complex products
Pricing: Varies by volume. Generally $5-7 per order for pick/pack + shipping. Storage starts around $40/pallet/month. Setup fees may apply.
2. Red Stag Fulfillment
Best for: Brands with heavy, bulky, or high-value products
Overview: Red Stag specializes in fulfilling products that other 3PLs struggle with — heavy items, oversized products, and high-value goods. Based in Knoxville, TN.
Pros:
Specialists in heavy and bulky items (up to 150 lbs)
100% accuracy guarantee with financial backing
Zero-shrinkage guarantee
Same-day fulfillment guarantee
Excellent for B2B and retail distribution
2 strategic US locations (East and West)
Cons:
Only 2 warehouse locations (less flexibility than larger networks)
Higher per-order costs for standard lightweight items
Not the best fit for small, lightweight DTC products
Less emphasis on branded/custom packaging
Smaller team means less specialization in some areas
Pricing: Generally higher than average due to specialization. Custom quotes based on product dimensions and weight.
3. ShipMonk
Best for: Small to mid-size DTC brands and subscription boxes
Overview: ShipMonk is a tech-forward 3PL based in Florida with multiple US locations. They focus on ecommerce brands and subscription box fulfillment.
Pros:
Good technology platform
Subscription box and kitting specialization
Multiple US warehouse locations
Competitive pricing for small to mid-size brands
Strong returns processing
Good marketplace integrations
Cons:
Mixed reviews on customer service consistency
Growing pains reported by some clients during scaling
Pricing increases as you grow can be significant
Less international presence than ShipBob
Some brands report communication delays
Pricing: Starts around $3-5 per order for pick/pack. Competitive storage rates. Volume discounts available.
4. Deliverr (now part of Shopify Logistics)
Best for: Shopify sellers wanting fast shipping badges
Overview: Deliverr was acquired by Shopify and integrated into Shopify Logistics. It focuses on providing fast shipping badges and distributed fulfillment for Shopify sellers.
Pros:
Deep Shopify integration
Fast shipping badges increase conversion
Distributed inventory network
Simple, transparent pricing
Good for sellers focused on speed
Cons:
Limited to Shopify ecosystem primarily
Less flexibility and customization
Still evolving post-acquisition
Not ideal for complex fulfillment needs
Less personal service than smaller 3PLs
Pricing: Transparent per-unit pricing. Generally competitive for standard products.
5. ZonPrep
Best for: Amazon FBA sellers needing prep services
Overview: ZonPrep specializes in Amazon FBA prep — they're focused specifically on preparing products for Amazon's fulfillment centers.
Pros:
Amazon FBA prep specialists
Deep knowledge of Amazon compliance requirements
Fast turnaround on prep
Good for sellers primarily selling on Amazon
Competitive prep pricing
Cons:
Primarily Amazon-focused (not a full multi-channel 3PL)
Limited DTC fulfillment capabilities
Fewer locations than larger providers
Not ideal if you sell on multiple channels beyond Amazon
Less technology investment than larger players
Pricing: Competitive for FBA prep services. Custom quotes based on prep requirements.
6. Asfar Distribution
Best for: Growing ecommerce brands (100-10,000+ orders/month) wanting personal service and transparent pricing
Overview: Asfar Distribution is a Houston-based 3PL founded in 2022, offering full-service fulfillment from a 40,000+ sq ft facility. We specialize in DTC fulfillment, FBA prep, kitting, and multi-channel logistics.
Pros:
Transparent, flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees
No minimum order volumes or long-term contracts
Dedicated account manager for every client
Full-service: FBA prep, DTC fulfillment, kitting, warehousing, international shipping
Houston location: central US for fast nationwide shipping, Port of Houston for imports
FDA-registered facility for supplements, beauty, and food products
Same-day processing guarantee
Growing and investing — expanding to 100,000+ sq ft
Cons:
Single location (Houston) — not a distributed multi-warehouse network yet
Smaller brand recognition compared to ShipBob
Founded in 2022 — younger company
Growing team — may have capacity constraints during rapid scaling
Pricing: Transparent flat-rate pricing. No setup fees, no minimums, no long-term contracts. Custom quotes based on your specific needs. Materials included in pick/pack fees.
Our honest take: We're not the biggest 3PL, and we don't have 60 warehouses. What we offer is the level of personal service and attention that bigger providers have lost as they've scaled. Every client gets a dedicated account manager who knows their business. Our pricing is straightforward — no surprises. And our Houston location is strategically positioned for fast, cost-effective shipping nationwide.
How to Choose: Decision Matrix
Choose ShipBob if: You need distributed inventory across many locations and you're doing 1,000+ orders/month with standard products.
Choose Red Stag if: Your products are heavy, bulky, or high-value and you need guarantees on accuracy.
Choose ShipMonk if: You run a subscription box business or need strong kitting capabilities at competitive prices.
Choose Deliverr/Shopify Logistics if: You sell exclusively on Shopify and want the fastest shipping badges.
Choose ZonPrep if: You sell primarily on Amazon and need dedicated FBA prep.
Choose Asfar Distribution if: You want personal service, transparent pricing, and a partner that treats your brand like their own. Ideal for growing brands that need flexibility, multi-channel support, and a 3PL that will scale with you.
Questions to Ask Any 3PL Before Signing
No matter which provider you choose, ask these questions:
1. Can you provide a fully itemized quote with no hidden fees?
2. What's your order accuracy rate?
3. What happens when you make an error?
4. Do I get a dedicated account manager?
5. What's the onboarding timeline?
6. What are your peak season capabilities?
7. Can you share references from brands similar to mine?
8. What's your technology stack and how does it integrate with my platforms?
9. What are your contract terms (monthly vs annual)?
10. What's your returns processing workflow?
Looking for a 3PL that grows with you? Asfar Distribution in Houston handles ecommerce fulfillment, FBA prep, custom kitting, and warehousing for brands doing 1,000-10,000+ orders/month. Get a free consultation.