Choosing a third-party logistics provider is an important decision for any growing ecommerce business.
The right 3PL can help you manage inventory, fulfill orders, reduce shipping costs, process returns, and scale your operations without requiring you to build and manage your own warehouse infrastructure.
But with hundreds of 3PL companies available, how do you compare your options?
There is no single 3PL that is the right choice for every company. Providers differ in their locations, services, technology, order volumes, industries, and fulfillment models.
The right 3PL for your business depends on what you sell, where your customers are located, how much you ship, and the level of technology, flexibility, and support you need.
This guide looks at 10 3PL providers in the U.S. and outlines their services, areas of focus, and the types of fulfillment operations they support. It is not a ranking. The goal is to give ecommerce brands useful information to consider when evaluating potential fulfillment partners.
What Is a 3PL Company?
A third-party logistics company, commonly called a 3PL, manages some or all of a company’s logistics and fulfillment operations.
Depending on the provider, 3PL services can include:
- Warehousing and inventory storage
- Receiving and inventory management
- Pick and pack
- Order fulfillment
- Shipping
- Returns processing
- Kitting and assembly
- Custom packaging
- FBA preparation
- B2B and retail fulfillment
- Subscription fulfillment
- Multichannel fulfillment
Instead of investing in warehouse space, employees, fulfillment technology, shipping infrastructure, and operational processes yourself, a 3PL provides the infrastructure and services needed to manage these functions.
That allows ecommerce brands to focus more of their resources on products, customers, sales, and growth.
10 3PL Companies to Consider
The companies below represent different fulfillment models, services, sizes, locations, and areas of focus.
This is not a ranking. There is no universal “best” 3PL because the right provider depends on your products, order volume, sales channels, locations, and operational requirements.
Use the list as a starting point for comparing providers and identifying which companies may warrant further evaluation.
| 3PL Company | Services / Focus | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|
| FulfillMe | Ecommerce, DTC, B2B, FBA prep, subscription, returns and more | Multiple U.S. fulfillment locations, personalized account support and flexible fulfillment solutions |
| ShipBob | Ecommerce fulfillment | Technology, integrations and distributed fulfillment |
| ShipMonk | Ecommerce and subscription fulfillment | Fulfillment and technology services |
| Red Stag Fulfillment | Ecommerce fulfillment | Heavy, bulky, fragile and high-value products |
| DCL Logistics | Omnichannel and fulfillment services | Ecommerce, retail, B2B, kitting and reverse logistics |
| Saddle Creek Logistics | Warehousing, fulfillment and logistics | Distribution, transportation and supply chain services |
| Speed Commerce | Ecommerce fulfillment | Fulfillment and related operational services |
| DHL Supply Chain | Warehousing, fulfillment and logistics | Domestic and international supply chain services |
| Ryder Supply Chain Solutions | Transportation, warehousing and logistics | Broader logistics and distribution services |
| Radial | Ecommerce and omnichannel fulfillment | Online and retail fulfillment operations |
1. FulfillMe
FulfillMe is a technology-enabled 3PL providing ecommerce, B2C, D2C, B2B, social commerce, subscription, FBA prep, and multichannel fulfillment.
Founded in 2006, FulfillMe has fulfilled and shipped more than 50 million orders through three fulfillment centers across South Florida, Tennessee, and the Midwest. Its U.S. network reaches 99.9% of U.S. ZIP codes.
Fulfillment infrastructure is only part of the FulfillMe approach.
The company combines multiple U.S. fulfillment locations with personalized support, dedicated account management, flexible workflows, and solutions built around each client’s operation.
FulfillMe supports businesses with services including:
- Ecommerce order fulfillment
- B2C and D2C fulfillment
- FBA prep
- B2B and retail fulfillment
- Inventory management
- Pick and pack
- Returns
- Kitting and assembly
- Subscription fulfillment
- Custom packaging
- Multichannel fulfillment
- International fulfillment
A More Personalized Fulfillment Model
FulfillMe’s Client Services and IT teams work with businesses to understand their specific needs and operational requirements rather than treating fulfillment as a one-size-fits-all process.
For brands evaluating 3PLs, that can include looking beyond basic warehousing and shipping to consider account management, communication, integrations, operational flexibility, and support as the business changes.
With nearly 20 years of experience, three U.S. fulfillment locations, and support across multiple ecommerce and B2B requirements, FulfillMe is built to work with growing brands as their fulfillment needs evolve.
2. ShipBob
ShipBob provides ecommerce fulfillment services with technology and integrations supporting order and inventory management.
Its services include fulfillment for ecommerce businesses along with connections to online stores and sales channels.
Common applications include DTC and ecommerce fulfillment operations.
3. ShipMonk
ShipMonk provides ecommerce fulfillment and technology-enabled logistics services.
Its offering includes fulfillment and inventory management for ecommerce operations, including businesses handling recurring or subscription orders.
Its services are used across DTC, ecommerce, and subscription fulfillment operations.
4. Red Stag Fulfillment
Red Stag Fulfillment provides ecommerce fulfillment services with an emphasis on products that require particular handling during storage, picking, packing, and shipping.
Its services address products that may be larger, heavier, fragile, or higher in value than typical ecommerce shipments.
Its operations include fulfillment for businesses with specialized product-handling requirements.
5. DCL Logistics
DCL Logistics provides fulfillment services across ecommerce, retail, and B2B channels.
Its services include fulfillment, kitting, reverse logistics, and other distribution activities.
These services can support businesses managing multiple sales channels or additional fulfillment requirements.
6. Saddle Creek Logistics
Saddle Creek Logistics provides warehousing, fulfillment, transportation, and distribution services.
Its offering spans several areas of logistics and supply chain management, including fulfillment and distribution operations.
Its services can be used by businesses with broader warehousing, transportation, and supply chain requirements.
7. Speed Commerce
Speed Commerce provides ecommerce fulfillment along with related operational services.
Its offering includes fulfillment, warehousing, shipping, returns, and other services supporting ecommerce operations.
Businesses can evaluate its services based on their particular fulfillment and operational requirements.
8. DHL Supply Chain
DHL Supply Chain provides warehousing, transportation, fulfillment, and supply chain management services.
Its operations span domestic and international logistics and can include a range of warehousing and distribution requirements.
Businesses evaluating DHL can consider its services in the context of their broader logistics and supply chain needs.
9. Ryder Supply Chain Solutions
Ryder provides transportation, warehousing, distribution, and supply chain management services.
Its offering extends across several areas of logistics beyond traditional ecommerce fulfillment.
Businesses can evaluate Ryder based on their transportation, warehousing, distribution, and broader supply chain requirements.
10. Radial
Radial provides ecommerce and omnichannel fulfillment services for businesses managing online and retail operations.
Its services include fulfillment and related ecommerce operations across multiple channels.
Businesses managing ecommerce and retail fulfillment can evaluate Radial based on their specific channel, volume, and operational requirements.
What to Look for When Comparing 3PL Companies
Instead of simply looking for the biggest 3PL or the company with the most warehouses, evaluate how each provider’s services align with your actual operation.
Here are some of the factors to consider.
1. Fulfillment Locations
Where your inventory is located affects shipping zones, delivery times, and transportation costs.
A multi-location fulfillment network can help position inventory closer to customers and provide additional flexibility as your business grows.
FulfillMe operates fulfillment centers in South Florida, Tennessee, and the Midwest, providing a geographically distributed U.S. fulfillment network.
2. Technology and Ecommerce Integrations
Your 3PL should connect with the platforms and systems your business already uses.
Depending on your operation, that may include:
- Shopify
- Amazon
- Walmart
- WooCommerce
- BigCommerce
- ERP systems
- Inventory management platforms
- Marketplaces
Fulfillment technology should reduce manual work while providing visibility into orders and inventory.
3. Scalability
Your fulfillment requirements today may look very different a year from now.
Ask how a potential 3PL handles:
- Seasonal volume
- Product launches
- New SKUs
- New sales channels
- Promotional spikes
- Rapid growth
- Geographic expansion
Your fulfillment partner should be able to adapt as your business changes.
4. Inventory Management
Inventory accuracy directly affects your customers and your bottom line.
Ask prospective 3PLs how they receive inventory, track stock, manage discrepancies, and provide inventory visibility.
You should also understand how inventory is managed across multiple facilities if your business uses a distributed fulfillment model.
5. Shipping and Carrier Options
Shipping can represent a significant portion of fulfillment costs.
Ask potential providers about:
- Carrier options
- Shipping rates
- Delivery coverage
- Domestic and international shipping
- Shipping zones
- Residential delivery
- Expedited services
A 3PL should be able to explain how its shipping strategy supports your customers and your margins.
6. Returns Management
Returns are part of ecommerce.
Ask how each provider manages returned products, including receiving, inspection, inventory updates, disposition, and any additional processing your business requires.
Understanding the returns process before signing a contract can help avoid operational surprises later.
7. Value-Added Services
Some brands need more than basic pick, pack, and ship services.
Depending on your business, you may need:
- Kitting
- Assembly
- Custom packaging
- Inserts
- Labeling
- FBA prep
- Subscription box fulfillment
- Product preparation
- Special handling
The availability of these services can help determine whether a provider can support your operation as it evolves.
8. Account Management and Customer Support
Technology is important, but communication remains part of the fulfillment relationship.
When something goes wrong, you need to know who to contact and how the issue will be handled.
Ask:
- Will I have a dedicated account manager?
- Who handles operational issues?
- How quickly are questions answered?
- Will the team understand my products?
- Can the fulfillment process be customized?
- Will I have a consistent point of contact?
FulfillMe emphasizes dedicated account management and personalized support as part of its fulfillment model.
9. Flexibility
Not every ecommerce business operates the same way.
Your fulfillment partner may need to accommodate changes in products, order volume, sales channels, packaging, and workflows.
Ask prospective providers how they handle changes and special requirements before selecting a partner.
10. Strategic Support
A 3PL relationship can involve more than moving products from a warehouse to a customer.
As your business grows, you may need help thinking through inventory placement, fulfillment workflows, shipping strategies, new channels, or operational changes.
Consider whether the provider’s team is prepared to understand your operation and work through those requirements with you.
3PL Comparison: What Should You Evaluate?
| Factor | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Fulfillment Locations | Facilities positioned near key customer markets |
| Experience | Proven experience with ecommerce fulfillment |
| Technology | Integrations with your ecommerce and business systems |
| Scalability | Ability to handle changing order volumes |
| Shipping | Carrier options, rates and delivery coverage |
| Inventory | Accurate inventory management and visibility |
| Returns | Clear returns processing |
| Value-Added Services | Kitting, packaging, inserts, FBA prep and more |
| Account Management | A team that understands your business |
| Customer Support | Responsive and knowledgeable support |
| Strategic Support | Help addressing operational challenges |
| Flexibility | Workflows that can adapt as your business changes |
Why FulfillMe Stands Out
There are many 3PL companies in the U.S., with different service models, locations, capabilities, and areas of focus.
FulfillMe’s approach combines fulfillment infrastructure with personalized service.
Nearly 20 Years of Experience
FulfillMe was founded in 2006 and has fulfilled and shipped more than 50 million orders.
That experience spans ecommerce, DTC, B2B, FBA prep, subscription, social commerce, and other fulfillment requirements.
Three U.S. Fulfillment Centers
FulfillMe operates fulfillment centers across South Florida, Tennessee, and the Midwest, providing businesses with access to multiple U.S. fulfillment locations.
The network reaches 99.9% of U.S. ZIP codes.
Personalized Support
Fulfillment involves more than warehouse space and technology.
FulfillMe provides dedicated support and account management, with teams focused on understanding each client’s business and addressing operational needs.
Flexible Fulfillment Solutions
Fulfillment requirements can change as a business grows.
New products, sales channels, order volumes, packaging requirements, marketplaces, and returns processes can all affect how a fulfillment operation needs to work.
FulfillMe’s services are designed to accommodate those changing requirements.
Clients Are More Than an Account Number
Fulfillment works best when the provider understands the business behind the orders.
That means understanding the products, customers, workflows, priorities, and challenges that affect day-to-day operations.
FulfillMe takes a relationship-focused approach, with the goal of working as an extension of the client’s team rather than simply processing orders from a warehouse.
How to Choose the Right 3PL for Your Business
Before selecting a fulfillment provider, create a clear list of your requirements.
Consider:
- What products do you sell?
- How many orders do you ship each month?
- Where are your customers located?
- Which ecommerce platforms and marketplaces do you use?
- Do you need B2B or retail fulfillment?
- How important are returns management and custom packaging?
- Do you need multiple fulfillment locations?
- What integrations are required?
- How much seasonal volume do you experience?
- How important is dedicated account management?
- What services may you need as your business grows?
Then ask each potential 3PL to explain exactly how its operation addresses those requirements.
Don’t choose based solely on a warehouse tour, technology demo, or low initial price.
Look at the entire fulfillment relationship, including service, communication, technology, locations, flexibility, and long-term operational support.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best 3PL Companies
What is the best 3PL company?
There is no single 3PL that is the right choice for every business. The appropriate provider depends on your products, order volume, sales channels, customer locations, fulfillment requirements, technology needs, and desired level of support.
What are the best 3PL companies in the U.S.?
Several 3PL companies operate across the United States, including FulfillMe, ShipBob, ShipMonk, Red Stag Fulfillment, DCL Logistics, Saddle Creek Logistics, Speed Commerce, DHL Supply Chain, Ryder Supply Chain Solutions, and Radial.
These companies have different services, locations, fulfillment models, and areas of focus. Businesses should evaluate providers based on their own requirements rather than relying on a universal ranking.
What are the top 10 3PL companies?
There is no universally accepted top 10 ranking of 3PL companies. The providers worth evaluating depend on the type of products you sell, order volume, fulfillment locations, sales channels, technology requirements, and level of support needed.
How do I choose a 3PL company?
Start by evaluating fulfillment locations, technology integrations, inventory management, shipping options, returns, scalability, pricing, customer support, account management, and value-added services.
You should also consider whether the provider has experience with businesses similar to yours and whether its service model can adapt as your operation changes.
What does a 3PL company do?
A 3PL manages logistics and fulfillment functions for another business. Services can include warehousing, inventory management, picking and packing, shipping, returns, kitting, FBA preparation, B2B fulfillment, and other value-added services.
Is a 3PL worth it for an ecommerce business?
A 3PL can make sense when an ecommerce business needs more warehouse capacity, fulfillment expertise, shipping infrastructure, or operational support than it can efficiently manage internally.
The right decision depends on order volume, costs, growth plans, and operational requirements.
How much does a 3PL cost?
3PL pricing varies based on factors such as storage, number of orders, SKUs, pick and pack requirements, shipping, returns, special projects, and value-added services.
Most providers create pricing based on the specific needs of the business.
How many fulfillment centers does FulfillMe have?
FulfillMe operates three fulfillment centers across South Florida, Tennessee, and the Midwest, with coverage reaching 99.9% of U.S. ZIP codes.
How long has FulfillMe been in business?
FulfillMe was founded in 2006 and has nearly 20 years of experience in fulfillment and logistics.
What makes FulfillMe different from other 3PL companies?
FulfillMe combines multiple U.S. fulfillment locations with personalized service, dedicated account management, flexible fulfillment solutions, and support across ecommerce, DTC, B2B, FBA prep, subscription, social commerce, and other fulfillment requirements.
The focus is on building a fulfillment relationship around each client’s specific operation rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Final Thoughts
There are many 3PL companies in the U.S., and each operates with different services, locations, technology, and fulfillment models.
The right provider depends on your business.
When comparing 3PL companies, look beyond warehouse space and basic pick-and-pack services. Consider fulfillment locations, technology, scalability, shipping, inventory, returns, value-added services, account management, flexibility, and the level of support available to your team.
For growing brands, the fulfillment relationship can become an important part of the customer experience and overall operation.
FulfillMe combines three U.S. fulfillment locations, nearly 20 years of experience, more than 50 million orders fulfilled and shipped, and a personalized service model designed around each client’s business.
If you’re evaluating 3PL providers and want to discuss your fulfillment requirements, contact FulfillMe to request a quote.
Norman Kravitz is a logistics and fulfillment expert with extensive experience in e-commerce supply chains, currently serving as CEO and Founder of FulfillMe, a technology-enabled 3PL provider. Beginning his career at the United States Postal Service and later leading operations at Ddu Express, he has deep expertise in freight forwarding, inventory management, and cost optimization. Norman’s strategic approach to logistics operations and e-commerce fulfillment positions him as a trusted authority in the 3PL industry.
