3PL Cost Comparator
Calculate and compare the true monthly cost of in-house fulfillment versus outsourcing to a third-party logistics (3PL) provider.
When Does a 3PL Make Sense?
A third-party logistics provider (3PL) handles warehousing, picking, packing, and shipping on your behalf. They're not always cheaper — but they often make sense when your business is growing and your time is more valuable than the cost delta.
Use a 3PL when...
You ship 200+ orders/month, you're spending more than 20 hours/week on fulfillment, or you want to scale without hiring staff.
Keep in-house when...
You ship under 100 orders/month, your products are fragile/custom, or you need close quality control over every shipment.
Hidden in-house costs
Rent, equipment, insurance, HR overhead, and your own time are rarely fully accounted for. The real cost is often higher than it looks.
3PL shipping discounts
Many 3PLs pass through negotiated carrier discounts of 20–50%. This can offset much of the 3PL fee for higher-weight shipments.