Last updated: May 2026
What Is Sendcloud?
Sendcloud is the European shipping platform for e-commerce sellers that aggregates carrier rates, automates label printing, and handles branded tracking and returns. Founded in 2012 in the Netherlands, Sendcloud serves over 25,000 European online retailers with focus on multi-carrier shipping across the EU and UK.
The pitch is consolidation for European e-commerce. Shipping in Europe is fragmented across dozens of carriers (DHL, DPD, UPS, FedEx, GLS, Bpost, PostNL, Colissimo, and many country-specific options). Sendcloud lets stores connect once to access 80+ carriers, compare rates per shipment, and route orders to the optimal carrier based on destination and weight.
Beyond pure shipping, Sendcloud handles the customer experience layer: branded tracking pages, return portals, automated customer notifications, and analytics on shipping performance. The platform competes with Shippo in the US space but is far stronger in European logistics.
Try Sendcloud FreeHow Sendcloud Works
Connect your store. Native integrations cover Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Lightspeed, Magento, PrestaShop, and the major European e-commerce platforms. Orders flow into Sendcloud's dashboard automatically.
For each order, Sendcloud surfaces carrier options with rates and delivery time estimates. Set automation rules (over 5kg use DPD, under 2kg use PostNL, international goes to DHL) so orders process without manual selection. Print labels in bulk, attach to packages, and hand off to carriers.
Customers receive branded tracking pages with your logo, color scheme, and upsell links. Notifications (shipped, in transit, delivered, delayed) automatically email to customers in their language. This experience layer reduces support tickets and increases repeat purchase rates.
Returns work through a branded portal. Customers initiate returns, print labels, and ship back. The portal can prompt for return reasons, suggest store credits over refunds, or offer exchanges to reduce refund volume.
Analytics show shipping costs per carrier, delivery times, return rates, and customer experience scores. Use the data to negotiate better carrier rates or optimize automation rules.
Sendcloud Pricing in 2026
Free: Up to 5 shipments/month. Trial for very small stores.
Lite: €25/month annually. 250 shipments, basic features.
Growth: €89/month annually. 1,000 shipments, advanced features, branded tracking.
Premium: €299/month annually. 5,000 shipments, multiple users, advanced analytics.
Enterprise: Custom pricing for high-volume sellers.
Carrier rates are separate from Sendcloud's subscription. Sendcloud's volume negotiates discounted rates for small sellers who could not access them directly, often saving 10-30% versus retail carrier pricing.
See Sendcloud PlansWhere Sendcloud Wins
- European carrier coverage: 80+ carriers, the deepest network in the EU.
- Negotiated rates: small sellers access discounted rates through Sendcloud's volume.
- Branded customer experience: tracking pages and notifications maintain your brand instead of carrier branding.
- Returns portal: reduces refund volume by offering exchanges and store credit options.
- EU-specific features: customs documentation, VAT handling, EORI numbers for international shipments.
Where It Falls Short
- US presence is limited: not the right choice for US-only sellers.
- Subscription overhead: low-volume sellers may find per-shipment pricing on alternatives cheaper.
- Setup complexity: automation rules and branding take time to configure properly.
- Customer service variations: response times vary by tier and language.
Sendcloud vs Shippo vs ShipStation vs nShift
Shippo dominates US e-commerce shipping with broader US carrier coverage. Pick Shippo for US-only operations.
ShipStation is the closest US competitor with similar scope. Better in North America.
nShift targets enterprise European e-commerce with deeper customizations and dedicated support.
Who Should Use Sendcloud
European e-commerce stores shipping 50+ orders/month: the subscription pays back through carrier rate savings.
Multi-country European sellers: handling DE, FR, NL, IT, ES shipments requires multi-carrier flexibility.
Brands prioritizing customer experience: branded tracking and returns reduce support load.
Skip it if: you ship under 20 orders/month (carrier-direct may be cheaper), operate primarily in the US (use Shippo or ShipStation), or have very simple shipping needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What carriers are supported?
80+ across Europe including DHL, DPD, UPS, FedEx, GLS, Bpost, PostNL, Colissimo, Royal Mail, and many country-specific options.
Does Sendcloud negotiate rates?
Yes. Small sellers access discounted rates through Sendcloud's aggregated volume, typically 10-30% below retail carrier rates.
Can I use my own negotiated rates?
Yes. If you have your own contracted rates with a carrier, connect that account to use those rates within Sendcloud.
How are returns handled?
Through a branded customer return portal. Customers initiate, print labels, ship back. You can configure return reasons, exchange options, and store credit alternatives.
Does Sendcloud handle customs?
Yes. Customs documentation generates automatically for international shipments. EORI handling and VAT documentation included.
