Free tool

3PL quote comparison

3PL quotes are built so they are hard to compare. Put in your order profile once, enter each quote, and see what each one would actually bill you in a typical month.

Showing an example. Replace the numbers with yours.

Your monthly profile

Use a typical month, not your peak.

Orders per month

Units per order

Units received per month

Pallets in storage (average)

Returns per month

The quotes

Leave a field blank if the 3PL does not charge it. Quote C is optional.

Quote A

Name

Receiving per unit ($)

Storage per pallet per month ($)

Pick fee per order ($)First item.

Each additional item ($)

Packaging per order ($)

Per return processed ($)

Monthly account fee ($)

Monthly minimum ($)Applies to fulfilment fees.

Average shipping per order ($)From their rate card at your zone mix.

Quote B

Name

Receiving per unit ($)

Storage per pallet per month ($)

Pick fee per order ($)First item.

Each additional item ($)

Packaging per order ($)

Per return processed ($)

Monthly account fee ($)

Monthly minimum ($)Applies to fulfilment fees.

Average shipping per order ($)From their rate card at your zone mix.

Quote C

Name (optional)

Receiving per unit ($)

Storage per pallet per month ($)

Pick fee per order ($)First item.

Each additional item ($)

Packaging per order ($)

Per return processed ($)

Monthly account fee ($)

Monthly minimum ($)Applies to fulfilment fees.

Average shipping per order ($)From their rate card at your zone mix.

Why quotes are hard to compare

One 3PL charges per pallet and another per bin. One includes packaging, another bills it separately. One has a monthly minimum that you will hit for the first six months. A low pick fee can hide expensive shipping rates. The only fair comparison is to price every quote against the same month of orders.

What to ask each 3PL for

Shipping rates by zone at your three most common package weights and sizes.
Whether the minimum applies to fulfilment fees only or the whole bill, and whether it is waived at the start.
Every fee on the rate card that is not in the headline quote: kitting, special projects, inbound labelling, long-term storage.

For the background, read How to select a 3PL in the US and Money leaking in 3PL invoices.

Frequently asked questions

How much should a 3PL cost per order?

For a typical one to two item DTC order in the US, fulfilment fees often land between $3 and $5 per order before shipping. Shipping is usually the larger part of the bill.

What is a 3PL monthly minimum?

A floor on what the 3PL bills each month. If your fees come in under it, you pay the difference. It matters most for new or seasonal brands.

Should I choose the cheapest 3PL?

Not on price alone. Within a few percent, pick on accuracy, ship times, location relative to your customers, integrations and contract exit terms.

Is my data stored?

No. The calculation runs in your browser. Nothing is sent anywhere unless you choose to download the spreadsheet, in which case only your email address and the headline result are sent to us.