UPS vs FedEx on Shopify: Which Carrier Offers Better Support for Small Businesses?

For small businesses on Shopify, shipping is a vital part of the customer experience and profit margin. Both UPS and FedEx are trusted carriers, but their support for Shopify shipping differs in terms of integration, rates, service coverage, and flexibility. This guide compares UPS vs FedEx to help you select the best shipping solution for your small business.

In this Article:

• Shopify Integration
• Shipping rates and discounts
• Use your own UPS or FedEx account
  • Use your own account with UPS
  • Use your own account with FedEx
• Service coverage and delivery options
• Pickup and Drop-off services
• Customer support and reliability
• FedEx vs UPS Comparison
• Conclusion
• FAQ’s

Shopify Integration

Integration with Shopify is key to streamlining your fulfillment process. Here’s how UPS and FedEx stack up when it comes to connecting with your Shopify store:

UPS Integration with Shopify:

• Built-in integration via Shopify Shipping serves the regions U.S. & Canada.
• Supports UPS shipping rates, international & domestic label printing, and tracking without third-party apps.
• Suitable for small businesses needing fast setup and basic fulfillment.

FedEx Integration with Shopify:

• Limited to U.S. domestic shipping via Shopify’s account.
• For full FedEx shipping services, including international shipping, you must activate calculated shipping with FedEx or use PH ship rate and track for FedEx

Shipping Rates and Discounts

Shipping rates and discounts play a critical role in determining your profit margins and customer satisfaction. Both UPS and FedEx offer opportunities for cost savings on Shopify, but the level of access and flexibility differs depending on how you integrate them.

UPS

• Shopify offers pre-negotiated UPS shipping rates for U.S. and Canadian merchants.
• For higher volumes or custom requirements, use PluginHive MCSL app to connect your own UPS account for negotiated UPS rates and a broader range of services.

FedEx

• Shopify’s built-in FedEx rates only support U.S. domestic shipping.
• For FedEx negotiated rates and global coverage, enable calculated shipping by FedEx or use PluginHive, which allows you to use your own FedEx account.
• This setup benefits merchants who already have a FedEx account for small business relationship.

Use Your Own UPS or FedEx Account

For small businesses that need more control over shipping rates, services, and customer support, using your own carrier account using PluginHive MCSL for UPS and PH Ship Rate and Track for FedEx can be a game changer. While Shopify provides basic built-in support for both UPS and FedEx, connecting your own account unlocks access to negotiated rates, advanced features, and direct carrier support.

Use your own account with UPS:

To use your own UPS account on Shopify, the best approach is to integrate with PluginHive MCSL. 

• PluginHive MCSL lets you add your own UPS account, allowing you to ship using your negotiated rates and preferred services.

• After the setup is complete, your app is now compatible to show rates of all different types of UPS services and generate labels for those services as well.

Use your own account with FedEx:

To access full FedEx shipping features on Shopify, including international shipping and real-time rates, you can use the PH FedEx Ship, Rate & Track for FedEx app. 

• It allows you to connect your own FedEx account, enabling you to ship with your negotiated rates and manage labels, pickups, and tracking. 
• After setting up the app, you can Print Labels, generate labels, as well as return labels directly from the Shopify orders page.

• As soon as the labels are generated, they appear on the app’s dashboard, where you can access advanced features like pickups and manage orders efficiently.

Service Coverage and Delivery Options:

UPS:

• Supports both domestic and international shipping in the U.S. and Canada.
• Offers access to UPS Ground, 2nd Day Air, and Worldwide Expedited through Shopify Shipping.
  

FedEx:

• The default integration with Shopify supports only domestic U.S. shipping.
• Full international FedEx shipping services require third-party app integration or a FedEx account that can be integrated with calculated shipping for FedEx in Shopify

Pickup and Drop-Off Services

A reliable and flexible pickup and drop-off system is essential for Shopify merchants looking to minimize delays and simplify logistics. Here’s how UPS and FedEx compare when it comes to handling package pickups and drop-offs through Shopify:

UPS:

• Integrated Pickup Support: UPS allows merchants in the U.S. and Canada to schedule pickups directly from the Shopify admin via Shopify Shipping.
  
• Extensive Drop-Off Network: Merchants benefit from access to thousands of UPS Stores and authorized drop-off locations, making it easy to dispatch shipments regardless of location.
  
• Business Case: Ideal for small businesses that ship consistently and want a simple, native process with minimal friction. If you’re handling multiple orders daily, UPS is a good choice.
  

FedEx

• No Native Pickup Option: The default Shopify Shipping integration with FedEx does not support in-app pickup scheduling. Merchants using Shopify’s FedEx account must manually drop off packages.
  
• Enhanced Pickup via PluginHive: To enable pickup scheduling and automation within Shopify, merchants must integrate a third-party app like “PH Ship, Rate & Track for FedEx“. This allows in-dashboard pickup scheduling, label printing, and real-time rate management.
  
• Business Case: Best suited for businesses with existing FedEx accounts, especially those shipping internationally or requiring advanced service levels.

Customer Support and Reliability

UPS

UPS offers strong reliability and consistent delivery performance. When using a personal UPS account, merchants also gain access to UPS’s own customer support, which is known for being responsive and effective. While Shopify Shipping provides integrated support, customization and extended features remain limited within Shopify’s native setup.

FedEx 

FedEx matches UPS in reliability but stands out with broader compatibility across third-party apps. Its wide adoption gives merchants access to a larger ecosystem of tools, plugins, and community support, making it easier to tailor shipping operations, print labels and troubleshoot issues beyond Shopify’s built-in features.

FedEx vs UPS Comparison

Conclusion

UPS is best suited for small businesses looking for a fully integrated, easy-to-use shipping solution within Shopify. It provides reliable domestic and international services without the need for external apps.

FedEx is ideal for small businesses that require greater flexibility, especially for international shipping. While its native integration is limited, using apps unlocks advanced features, personalized rates, and broader control, making it a strong option for merchants seeking customized logistics solutions.

FAQ’s

1. Is UPS for small business a good option on Shopify?

Yes, UPS for small business is a reliable and efficient option on Shopify. It offers native integration via Shopify Shipping for U.S. and Canadian merchants, making it easy to access discounted rates, print labels, and schedule pickups.

2. How do I use my own FedEx account with Shopify?

You can use your FedEx account by integrating it through the PluginHive FedEx Ship, Rate & Track app. This allows FedEx users to access negotiated shipping rates, generate shipping and return labels, and schedule pickups all from within the Shopify dashboard.

3. Which is better for Small Businesses: UPS or FedEx?

It depends on your needs. UPS for small business is better if you want a simple, native Shopify integration with reliable domestic and international shipping. FedEx for small business is better if you need more flexibility, international service, and use your own FedEx account with an app to unlock advanced features.

4. Is third-party app integration necessary for advanced shipping features?

Yes, if you want access to international shipping, negotiated rates, or pickup scheduling, you’ll likely need a third-party app. Shopify’s built-in integrations are helpful for basic needs, but apps like PluginHive provide much more control and customization.