The 8 Best 3PL Returns Tools & Software for E-Commerce

79% of shoppers are unwilling to purchase from a brand again if they have a poor returns experience.

Yet, building the necessary infrastructure and systems for a dedicated returns department is often time-consuming, complex, and costly.

Brands in this situation typically turn to outsourced logistics companies (3PLs) to ensure reliable returns for their customers.

If you’re considering which 3PL returns platforms to use for your online store, we’ve put together our list of the top 3PL returns software for e-commerce in 2025, along with considerations to help you choose.

What Should You Consider When Choosing 3PL Returns Software?

Choosing the best 3PL solution for your business shouldn’t be complicated. If you’re unsure about how to pick the best option, here’s what to look for:

• Carrier network size: 3PL returns software providers should have established relationships with multiple carriers in various countries to ensure they can offer customers reliable returns anywhere in the world.
• Easy integrations: Your returns platform should easily integrate with your e-commerce store and 3PL providers. Avoid platforms with limited options and complex onboarding processes.
• Return automation capabilities: Your 3PL returns software should offer tools such as rule-based automation to simplify returns processes, reduce manual errors, and reduce administrative costs.
• Return options: Good 3PL returns platforms support multiple return options so that retailers can customise their returns experience.
• Customer support: A solid 3PL returns software solution should offer proactive customer support to help your business address issues quickly.
• Ease of use: Your 3PL returns platform should be simple to set up, navigate, and use. If previous users have experienced technical issues or problems with performing basic tasks, you will, too.

#1: ZigZag

If you’re looking for a best-in-class solution to manage 3PL returns, ZigZag Global is a top choice for e-commerce businesses of all sizes.

Think of it as an all-in-one solution for managing returns, with easy-to-use integrations, powerful tools, and robust reporting capabilities.

Note: Even though ZigZag Global is our product, we aim to provide an unbiased perspective on why our solution is the best 3PL return software for e-commerce.

Customisable 3PL Returns Portal

ZigZag white-label returns portal can be customised and easily added to your online store, allowing you to begin quickly offering 3PL returns in multiple countries.

Businesses can handle product returns at an individual level and implement measures to stop serial returners or people with a history of staging, bracketing, and overordering.

The result is a system that makes your life easier and your business more responsive to customer needs without having to lift a finger.

➡️ ZigZag allows e-commerce stores to build custom workflows for a variety of return and refund situations automatically.

For example:

• Setting up automated refund options based on the reasons for returns, including exchanges, cash refunds, and gift cards.
• Automatically approve or deny a return request based on when the customer initiates the return.
• Limiting return options based on return order value or location and offering alternatives such as in-store drop-offs, store credit, and paid returns.

Various Ways To Integrate Returns With Your Store

ZigZag offers retailers multiple methods of integrating its return software. Our Shopify plugin is easy to set up and use if you're a retail business that uses Shopify. We also offer API-based integrations for other web platforms and systems.

Built for Global Scale

With an extensive network of 1500 carriers in over 170 origin countries and 500,000+ drop-off locations, ZigZag provides a secure and reliable solution for international returns.

Additionally, our Return Portal supports over 30 languages and accepts multiple currencies, which allows businesses to offer returns no matter where their customers are.

Watch our guided product demo to see how it works:

We Support Various Return Options

Customising your business’s returns experience is a great way to lower costs, personalise your returns process, and enhance the post-purchase experience.

ZigZag’s Returns platform allows you to add multiple return options to reduce time spent and return costs. For example, businesses can offer in-store drop-offs, paperless returns, and parcel locker returns in their area.

Here are some of the return options ZigZag supports:

In-Store Returns

In-store returns are an excellent cost-reducing option that lets customers choose to return items purchased online in person.

Adding in-store returns to your offering is an excellent way to reduce shipping costs, increase foot traffic, and give shoppers more options for returning their items.

Refunds To Store Credit

Return-to-store credit allows customers to opt for store credit instead of a refund when they return an item. Adding this option to your returns process can help you retain revenue and reduce the time spent processing refunds.

Paid Returns

Charging a small fee to cover return costs is a growing trend in e-commerce that all businesses should consider, especially international brands that deal with high logistics costs and 3PL providers.

While some retailers may be worried about customer reactions, we’ve found that a growing number of shoppers (61%) are happy to buy from retail businesses that charge for online returns.

Here are a few reasons to consider introducing paid returns:

• Reducing return costs that are traditionally covered solely by retailers.
• Businesses can protect themselves from serial returners or practices such as wardrobing, staging, and bracketing.
• It prevents customers from engaging in over-ordering behaviours and helps them make better purchasing decisions.

Advanced Reporting & Insights

Our 3PL returns software includes advanced reporting features so that businesses can monitor and manage returns in one place. This capability can help e-commerce retailers:

• Understand which returns solutions are popular or unpopular in different markets.
• Uncover the reasons why shoppers are returning products.
• Identify suspicious returns and behaviour trends.
• Quantify revenue generated from paid returns.

Case Study: How ECCO Transformed its Returns with ZigZag

ECCO partnered with ZigZag to transform its returns process after facing issues such as:

A lack of tracking visibility was causing high volumes of customer service calls.

Incomplete data on the reasons behind their product returns.

Slow refund times caused by lengthy lead times back to its central warehouse.

After switching to ZigZag, ECCO gained access to a diverse carrier network and introduced flexible options to customers in different regions.

As ECCO’s team put it, “We’ve used flexible options like InPost in Poland… and have changed carriers where we saw immediate issues.”

These measures have led to faster refunds, enhanced tracking visibility, and richer returns data. Customers now benefit from traceable returns and quicker refunds, while ECCO has gained deeper data insights that help it identify potential product and return issues early on.

ZigZag Pros & Cons

✅ A fully customisable returns portal that supports multiple languages and currencies.

✅ A large established network of 3PL providers with 1,500+ international carriers.

✅ Supports and enables a range of returning options that can help lower costs and also offer customers a better post-purchase experience.

✅ Advanced analytics and reporting features to help businesses understand their returns.

✅ Multiple integration options, including a Shopify plugin for retailers who need a quick setup option.

❌ Some users have mentioned shipping delays for certain regions.

❌ Other users have noted that some carriers can be slower than others.

Book a demo with ZigZag

To learn more about ECCO’s journey with ZigZag and how you could achieve similar results, book a demo and see the returns portal in action.

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#2: Aftership

Aftership is a global software company that offers multiple products to improve e-commerce brands' checkout, delivery, and return processes.

Its strong integration with various logistics providers makes it ideal for online retailers who want to gain more control over their reverse logistics.

Features

• Rule-based return automation: Businesses can create detailed eligibility criteria and automated logic to handle returns.
• Extensive global carrier network: It has one of the largest international carrier networks with over 310,000 return drop-off locations and covers 95% of customers worldwide.
• Customisable return rules: Personalise the returns experience to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Pricing

Aftership offers multiple pricing tiers starting at $19/month. Higher tiers provide additional features and support for increased return volumes.

• The Essentials plan ($19/month for 720 returns per year) is their entry-level offering. It includes integrations with 1,200 carriers and a customisable returns portal.
• The Pro plan ($49/month for 1,200 returns per year) includes additional features such as automatic returns approval, refunds to store credit and general eligibility rules.
• It also offers two top-end plans (Premium and Enterprise) for larger businesses. Premium ($199/month for $2,400 per year) includes various exchange features and status-triggered automation. The Enterprise plan offers enterprise-grade security, instant exchanges, and access to its Returns API.

Pros and Cons

✅ Extensive carrier and platform integrations.

✅ Flexible plan options for businesses of all sizes.

✅ Higher plans include advanced features and analytics, such as AI predictive delivery dates.

❌ Complex pricing structures can make it challenging to predict monthly costs.

❌ Higher levels of support (Silver or Gold) are an extra charge.

❌ Initial setup, particularly for more advanced features, may require technical expertise and support unlike alternatives to Aftership.

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#3: Sendcloud

Sendcloud is an e-commerce shipping solutions provider that was founded in 2012. It bridges the gap between e-commerce and 3PL logistics with its easy-to-use returns management platform. It’s particularly well-suited for growing online stores that require efficient, automated international returns.

Features

• Language customisation: Sendcloud offers tracking updates and self-service tools in multiple languages.
• Free plan option: The platform offers basic features for free to small businesses that are just starting.
• Automatic document and label generation: Allows businesses to generate documents and labels for different countries automatically.

Pricing

Sendcloud offers a free plan with basic features. However, you’ll need to sign up for a paid plan to access better discount shipping rates and higher shipment quotas. All paid plans are billed on a per-month basis and per label.

• Lite (£19/month + £0.09/label):  Includes carrier pickups, basic tracking in 2 languages, email/live chat support and 400 labels per month.
• Growth (£59/month + £0.08/label): Allows up to 1000 labels/month with branded tracking (8 languages), phone support, and automatic review requests.
• Premium (£119/month + £0.07/label): This option includes automated returns management, a branded return portal, tracking/analytics, white-label branding, and up to 10,000 labels/month.
• Pro (£549/month + £0.06/label): This plan includes 30,000 labels per month, cross-border shipping partnerships, dynamic checkout options, marketplace solutions, and onboarding/optimisation services.

Pros and Cons

✅ Offers a self-service returns portal that auto-generates shipping labels and sends branded tracking notifications.

✅ Integrations with a variety of e‑commerce platforms, marketplaces, and ERPs.

✅ Free plan for businesses that are just starting with returns management.

❌ Advanced analytics are only available on premium plans.

❌ Currently has fewer carriers than other solutions.

❌ Shipping options are limited primarily to Europe.

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#4: ClickPost

ClickPost is a delivery and returns logistics management platform that offers various products to help businesses looking to manage, track, and automate their returns processes.

Features

• Automated carrier allocation: Uses pre-set rules to assign the most suitable 3PL partner for each return.
• Failed pickup management: Automatically handles missed pickups by scheduling re-attempts.
• White-labelled returns portal: Maintain brand consistency while managing your reverse logistics seamlessly.

Pricing

ClickPost doesn’t advertise set pricing plans, as it bills clients based on the volume of shipments. However, it does state that its minimum billing amount is $250 per user per month.

Pros and Cons

✅ Offers a wide range of e-commerce store integrations.

✅ Automation tools for order creation, carrier allocation, and label generation.

✅ Machine learning features to reduce manual processing and errors.

❌ Fewer carrier options than competitors.

❌ Some G2 users mention that the platform is challenging to navigate and use, when compared to competitors.

❌ Minimum monthly costs may be too high for smaller businesses.

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#5: Loop Returns

Loop Returns is a dedicated 3PL returns management solution, offering an end-to-end customised portal that integrates directly with your logistics partners.

It offers a comprehensive reverse logistics solution with a range of return options for end users and automation features to help streamline return processes.

Features

• Branded 3PL returns experience: Build a fully branded portal that aligns with your logistics processes.
• Advanced fraud prevention: Automated systems to detect and mitigate return abuse.
• Multiple return options: Unique features such as drop-off returns and “Shop Now” exchanges to keep revenue in-house.

Pricing

Loop Returns has three usage-based plan options with various features and tools for each tier.

• The lowest plan (Starter) costs $29/month and comes with basic return capabilities, such as automated returns policies for one destination.
• The Essential plan ($155/month) includes unlimited destinations, carrier-rate shipping, and automated workflows.
• The top plan, Advanced ($299/month), comes with added features such as fraud prevention tools and return alternatives, such as a “Shop Now” button, instant exchange functionality, and bonus credit.

Pros and Cons

✅ Supports a wide range of return alternatives, such as instant exchanges, shop now functionality, and offline returns.

✅ Includes return fraud and abuse prevention tools.

✅ Allows businesses to create custom workflows for a variety of returns scenarios.

❌ Some Shopify users noted that the setup process was complex.

❌ Penalties for exceeding monthly plan quotas can add up quickly.

❌ Large price jump between their Starter plan and Essential plan, check out other reverse logistics solutions.

❌ Past customers have mentioned they would like more customisation options for return processes and carrier integrations.

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#6: ReturnGO

ReturnGO is a sustainability-focused returns management platform founded in 2020 and headquartered in the US. It offers fulfilment, returns, and customer support tools for e-commerce businesses to improve customer experience and reduce their operations' environmental impact.

Features

• Eco-friendly reverse logistics: Offers sustainability-focused businesses a way to streamline returns, measure environmental costs, and reduce their impact.
• 3PL-ready automation: Automation features to handle processes like return approvals and label generation without manual intervention.
• Multi-language returns portal: Support for multiple languages and flexible configurations.

Pricing

ReturnGO offers three plan options for merchants, each with tiered performance and features.

• Its entry-level plan, Premium, costs $121/month and offers 2,000 annual returns, variant and product enhancements, and branded email notifications.
• The Pro plan ($297/month) increases returns you can process to 5,000 per year and also includes white-labelling, packaging slips, and item validation functionality.
• It also offers the Enterprise plan, which has custom pricing for larger businesses. This tier provides advanced automation capabilities and multi-store support.

Pros and Cons

✅ Offers free return insurance at checkout to help lower return costs.

✅ Allows e-commerce businesses to automate various return processes.

✅ Supports multiple return options such as “donate for store credit” and “refund to gift card.”

❌ High plan costs make it unaffordable for smaller businesses, when you compare ReturnGo to other returns solutions.

❌ Tracking functionality is available as an add-on or with the Enterprise plan.

❌ Only offers Shopify integration for Premium and Pro plans.

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#7: Outvio

Outvio is a checkout, fulfilment, and returns management software provider that works with local and international e-commerce brands. A key part of their offering is empowering global brands through automation and localisation.

Features

• Customisable portal and updates: Allows online retailers to deliver on-brand, multilingual experiences to customers in various countries.
• Automated process management: Businesses can automatically generate return labels and manage customer notifications.
• Smart returns rules: Companies can create custom rules for handling exchanges and returns efficiently.

Pricing

Like other providers on our list, Outvio charges a set monthly rate and a per-order processing fee that starts at €0.10. They currently offer two plans for returns management:

• The Grow plan costs €125/month and allows businesses to ship orders to over 90 countries. It includes a customisable returns and exchange portal, branded notifications via WhatsApp, SMMS and email, and access to their smart returns and exchange rules feature.  
• The Conquer plan costs €250/month and includes product exchange functionality and additional features such as AI-powered upselling, gift cards, and automated refunds.

Pros and Cons

✅ Returns portal that is available in over 30 languages.

✅ Includes decent tracking features across all plans.

✅ Supports exchanges, refunds, coupons, and gift cards.

❌ Phone support is only available with Enterprise plans.

❌ Fewer carriers than other 3PL returns software providers, if you are a large retailer you might want to compare Outvio to other returns solutions.

❌ Limited features for returns, automation, and analytics with its entry-level plan.

#8: nShift

nShift is a delivery and returns management platform that offers checkout, delivery, a post-purchase experience, and emissions tracking tools. It’s a smart choice for businesses that want to reduce their carbon footprint while effectively managing returns.

Features

• Set up markets for international returns: Create tailored returns experiences and processes in different countries.
• Track return reasons and conditions: This allows companies to track returns on a deeper level and understand why they occur.
• Automated and adjustable refunds: Automatically generate or adjust refunds and trigger them to external ERPs and e-commerce platforms.

Pricing

nShift offers custom pricing for its solutions. However, it does indicate that it has three plans: Essential, Professional and Premium.

Pros and Cons

✅ A range of products to manage checkout, delivery, and returns.

✅ Offers various return options, including returns, refunds, and exchanges.

✅ Large network of global carriers (1,000+)

❌ Automation features are only available with its higher-tier plans.

❌ Some users have found their platform hard to navigate.

❌ Reported issues with customer support in the past, check out the alternatives to nShift.

Enhance Your 3PL Returns with ZigZag Global

Most e-commerce brands recognise that returns can be costly and complicated, a significant barrier to growth. A 3PL returns platform with the right features, carrier network, and tools can dramatically improve the post-purchase experience and lower costs.

At ZigZag, we understand these challenges and have built our returns platform to meet the needs of e-commerce retailers that rely on 3PLs.

We’ve already helped companies like New Look, ECCO, Sportshoes.com, and Boden streamline their returns processes and keep customers coming back.

With ZigZag, you get:

• A fully customisable returns portal that aligns with your brand and your shoppers’ preferences
• A wide range of return options, such as paid returns, in-store returns, and gift card refunds
• Global reach, with over 1,500 carrier services covering 170+ countries
• Robust data and analytics to help you understand product issues, customer behaviour, and returns performance

Book a demo with the best returns solution

Book a demo with ZigZag to see how our returns software can help you deliver a world-class 3PL returns experience.

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