Researched comparison
Best WMS for Small 3PL Warehouses in 2026
For a small 3PL warehouse that needs multi client control, ShipHero is the best starting point for a demo, with a 3PL edition built for client billing and portals. Pricing is quote only on the pages we checked, so get user count, order volume and billing features in writing. Logiwa and Deposco fit larger operations. Price source: ShipHero warehouse management, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Key takeaways
- A 3PL WMS is a billing and client trust tool first. Multi client inventory, client portals, billing rules and audit records matter as much as picking speed.
- Most 3PL WMS platforms in this list are quote only. Do not compare a headline monthly price with a quote that includes users, orders, integrations and support, as the two totals cover different work.
- Client billing must match the contract: storage, pick, pack, ship and special services, with a clear invoice per client each month. Test billing on one client before you move all clients.
- Pick accuracy and lot control protect a 3PL from chargebacks. Check batch, lot, expiry and serial control on the plan you buy, not only on the top plan.
- Integrations decide daily work. Shopify, marketplaces, carriers and accounting must sync orders, stock and invoices without daily manual exports.
- Prices checked 2 Nov 2026.
| Tool | Best for | Standout feature | Starting price (checked date) | Free plan/trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ShipHero | 3PLs that want a 3PL edition with billing and portals | 3PL billing, client portals and picking tools | Quote only (2 Nov 2026) | No free plan stated |
| Logiwa IO | High volume multi client 3PLs | Fulfilment management with automation and client billing | Quote only (2 Nov 2026) | No free plan stated |
| Deposco | Omnichannel 3PLs that need order routing depth | Order routing, warehouse and fulfilment in one platform | Quote only (2 Nov 2026) | No free plan stated |
| Infoplus | Small 3PLs that want billing and client visibility | 3PL billing, client portal and warehouse workflows | Quote only (2 Nov 2026) | No free plan stated |
| CartonCloud | 3PLs that want WMS and transport together | WMS with transport, client portal and billing | Quote only (2 Nov 2026) | No free plan stated |
| Extensiv 3PL Warehouse Manager | 3PLs that need a focused warehouse manager | 3PL warehouse, billing and integrations for small teams | Quote only (2 Nov 2026) | No free plan stated |
How we choose
How we choose
Our full method is on how we score. We checked vendor pricing pages, product pages and help pages on 2 Nov 2026, and kept WMS tools that fit small 3PL warehouses, that show multi client, billing or portal detail, and that a small warehouse team can run without a large IT project. This is a researched comparison. We checked the vendor pages, and we did not claim a road test.
Fleet, routing and warehouse picks
Client onboarding table: what to test with one client
| Onboarding step | Test with one client | Pass looks like |
|---|---|---|
| SKU and stock setup | Load 50 SKUs, set locations and lots | Stock, locations and lots match the physical shelf |
| Order flow | Send 20 orders from Shopify or a marketplace | Orders arrive, pick, pack and ship without retyping |
| Client portal | Client checks stock and order status | Client sees live stock and orders without calling |
| Billing | Run one month of storage, pick and ship charges | Invoice matches the contract, line by line |
| Returns | Process 5 returns with restock and damage rules | Returns update stock and billing correctly |
| Support | Raise a ticket during a busy ship window | Support answers in the time the contract states |
ShipHero
Best for 3PLs that want a 3PL edition with billing and portals.
ShipHero offers a warehouse management system for ecommerce brands and a 3PL edition with client portals, 3PL billing, returns, automation rules and warehouse routing. For a small 3PL, the 3PL edition is the relevant product, not the brand edition, as billing and client visibility sit at the centre of 3PL work.
Pros:
- 3PL edition with client portals and 3PL billing.
- Picking, packing, shipping and returns in one warehouse workflow.
- Automation rules and rate shopping for carrier selection.
Cons:
- Price is quote only on the pages we checked. Get the full quote in writing.
- Built for high volume, so a low volume 3PL must check minimums and fit.
- Shopify sync and billing accuracy must be tested on a demo with real client data.
Price: Quote only. The vendor pricing page asks for a demo and quote, with no published 3PL rate on the pages we checked. Check ShipHero warehouse management, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Who should skip it: skip it if you run a low volume 3PL with few clients, or if you need a published price before a sales call.
Logiwa IO
Best for high volume multi client 3PLs.
Logiwa IO is a fulfilment management system built for multi client 3PL, hybrid B2B and DTC, and enterprise scale fulfilment, with automation, client billing and warehouse workflows. For a small 3PL that plans to grow into high volume multi client work, that depth can avoid a second migration when order volume and client count rise.
Pros:
- Multi client fulfilment with automation and billing depth.
- Hybrid B2B and DTC order handling in one system.
- Client visibility and warehouse workflows for complex operations.
Cons:
- Price is quote only and volume based, so compare quotes at the same order volume.
- Implementation and integration time can be long for a small team.
- Depth can be more than a low volume 3PL needs on day one.
Price: Quote only. Pricing is volume based and set by quote. Check Logiwa IO, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Who should skip it: skip it if you run a simple single client warehouse, or if you need a fast low cost start with no implementation project.
Deposco
Best for omnichannel 3PLs that need order routing depth.
Deposco offers warehouse, order and fulfilment tools for omnichannel operations, with order routing across warehouses, stores and 3PL nodes. For a 3PL that serves brands selling on Shopify, marketplaces and retail at once, order routing and inventory visibility across nodes matter more than a single warehouse picking flow.
Pros:
- Order routing across warehouses, stores and 3PL nodes.
- Warehouse and fulfilment tools for omnichannel brands.
- Inventory visibility across channels and locations.
Cons:
- Price is quote only, with implementation costs to confirm.
- Built for larger operations, so a small 3PL must check fit and setup time.
- Integration depth must be tested with the exact channels your clients use.
Price: Quote only. Pricing is set by quote for warehouse and order operations. Check Deposco, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Who should skip it: skip it if you run a single warehouse with simple DTC orders, or if you need a published price and a fast start.
Infoplus
Best for small 3PLs that want billing and client visibility.
Infoplus offers warehouse management with 3PL billing, client portals, order and inventory workflows, and integrations for ecommerce brands and 3PLs. For a small 3PL, the combination of billing and client visibility in one tool helps a warehouse manager invoice accurately and lets clients check stock without a daily phone call.
Pros:
- 3PL billing with client portals for stock and order visibility.
- Warehouse workflows for picking, packing and shipping.
- Integrations for ecommerce, marketplaces and carriers, to confirm per client.
Cons:
- Price is quote only, so compare quotes at the same client and order count.
- Billing and portal depth varies by plan, so check the quote lines.
- Integration setup time must be confirmed for each channel.
Price: Quote only. Pricing is set by quote. Check Infoplus, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Who should skip it: skip it if you need a published price, or if you run a single brand warehouse with no 3PL billing need.
CartonCloud
Best for 3PLs that want WMS and transport together.
CartonCloud offers a 3PL WMS with transport management, client portals, billing and warehouse workflows in one platform. For a 3PL that also runs trucks or manages transport, the combined WMS and transport view can cut the handoff between warehouse and delivery, and keep one record from pick to proof of delivery.
Pros:
- WMS and transport in one platform for 3PLs that run both.
- Client portal, billing and warehouse workflows.
- Proof of delivery and transport records beside warehouse records.
Cons:
- Price is quote only, so get WMS, transport and billing lines separately.
- Transport depth may be surplus for a warehouse only 3PL.
- Integration and setup time must be confirmed per client channel.
Price: Quote only. Pricing is set by quote. Check CartonCloud, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Who should skip it: skip it if you only run a warehouse with no transport, or if you need a published price.
Extensiv 3PL Warehouse Manager
Best for 3PLs that need a focused warehouse manager.
Extensiv 3PL Warehouse Manager, formerly Skubana and part of the Extensiv order and warehouse suite, offers 3PL warehouse management with client billing, order and inventory workflows, and integrations for ecommerce and marketplaces. For a small 3PL, the focused warehouse manager can be easier to run than a full fulfilment platform, while still covering multi client stock and billing.
Pros:
- Focused 3PL warehouse management with client billing.
- Order, inventory and picking workflows for small teams.
- Integrations for ecommerce, marketplaces and shipping.
Cons:
- Price is quote only, with volume and feature tiers to confirm.
- Feature gating by tier must be checked in the quote.
- Returns, lot and expiry control must be tested per client need.
Price: Quote only. Pricing is set by quote, with plan tiers by volume and features. Check Extensiv, checked 2 Nov 2026.
Who should skip it: skip it if you need a published price, or a full omnichannel order routing platform.
Buyers guide
- Multi client control: separate stock, locations, billing and portal access per client.
- Billing: storage, pick, pack, ship and special services, with invoice audit records.
- Picking: batch, lot, expiry and serial control, and pick accuracy checks.
- Portal: client stock, order status and billing visibility, with role limits.
- Integrations: Shopify, marketplaces, carriers and accounting, with fees stated.
- Returns: restock, damage, billing and client rules, tested with real returns.
- Contract: term, user and order limits, implementation fee and data export at exit.
Buyer questions
How much does a WMS cost for a small 3PL?
All six tools in this list are quote only on the pages we checked, so the cost depends on users, order volume, SKU count, client count, integrations and support. A small 3PL should ask each vendor for the same quote pack: monthly fee, implementation fee, integration fees, support hours and billing features, at the same order volume. Do not compare a monthly headline with a quote that includes implementation, as the totals cover different work.
What billing features does a 3PL WMS need?
A 3PL WMS needs storage, pick, pack, ship and special service billing per client, with contract rules, invoice generation and audit records. Test billing on one client with real rates, and check that the invoice matches the contract line by line. Ask how billing handles minimums, surcharges, returns and damaged goods, and how a client can view charges in the portal.
Can a small 3PL use the same WMS as a large 3PL?
Yes, when the tool offers tiered plans and a small team can start with core features and grow. Logiwa and Deposco offer depth for large operations, while ShipHero, Infoplus and Extensiv offer 3PL editions that can start smaller. The risk is implementation time and cost, so ask for time to first live client, and start with one client, not all clients at once.
How do I onboard a second client without disrupting the first?
Onboard the second client as a separate end to end test, and do not move all clients at once. Test one client with stock, orders, portal and billing, and check that billing matches the contract line by line, with storage, pick, pack, ship and special service charges shown in the portal. Ask for time to first live client before you sign, because implementation time and cost are the main risk when a tool offers depth for large operations. Confirm that Shopify, marketplaces, carriers and accounting sync orders, stock and invoices without daily manual exports, and keep the first client shipping and billing correctly in the existing setup until the second client has shipped and billed correctly in the new system.
Questions and answers
Questions and answers
What is the best WMS for a small 3PL warehouse?
ShipHero is the best starting point for a demo, with a 3PL edition built for client billing and portals, but pricing is quote only. Logiwa fits high volume multi client work, Deposco fits omnichannel routing, and Infoplus, CartonCloud and Extensiv fit smaller 3PL teams. Get quotes at the same order volume, and test billing on one client before you choose.
How much does 3PL warehouse software cost?
All tools in this list are quote only, so cost depends on users, order volume, SKU count, clients, integrations and support. Ask for monthly fee, implementation fee, integration fees and support hours in one quote pack. Model a full year at your real order volume, and check minimums, overage rules and billing feature gates before you sign.
Do I need a WMS if I only have a few 3PL clients?
A WMS helps when client stock, billing and portal visibility must stay separate and accurate, even with few clients. A spreadsheet can work for one client with simple orders, but it breaks when stock, billing and returns grow. Start with a WMS when billing errors, stock disputes or client calls take more time than the software cost each month.
Can a 3PL WMS handle Shopify brands?
Yes, when the Shopify integration syncs orders, stock and tracking without daily manual exports. ShipHero, Logiwa, Deposco, Infoplus, CartonCloud and Extensiv all list ecommerce integrations, but depth varies. Test the Shopify flow with a real client store, including returns and stock updates, before you move that client to the new WMS.
What should I check before signing a 3PL WMS contract?
Check term, user and order limits, implementation fee, integration fees, support hours, billing gates, and data export at exit. Test one client end to end, with stock, orders, portal and billing, and get the quote in writing at the same volume for every vendor. Do not sign a long term until the first client has shipped and billed correctly.
Sources
- ShipHero warehouse management, checked 2 Nov 2026.
- Logiwa IO fulfilment management, checked 2 Nov 2026.
- Deposco order and warehouse platform, checked 2 Nov 2026.
- Infoplus warehouse and 3PL commerce, checked 2 Nov 2026.
- CartonCloud 3PL WMS and transport, checked 2 Nov 2026.
- Extensiv order and warehouse suite, checked 2 Nov 2026.