Top 10 Best Shipping API: FedEx, UPS, USPS and more
Shipping API (Application Programmable Interface) helps businesses/companies integrate shipping functionalities into their eCommerce stores or existing business systems. Using Shipping APIs businesses can easily ship, track and fulfil customers orders directly from their own applications.
In this article, we created a list of the best Shipping APIs currently being used. In coming up with this list, we ranked our APIs based on the following criteria
- API features: We evaluated the various features that make the APIs appealing for businesses.
- Ease of use: In considering this we delve into their API documentation and thoroughly examine how easy it is to understand. We also check out their developer communities and see the level of activity.
- Pricing: We reviewed the cost of integrating the API into our application
Eventually, we came up with the following list of top 10 best Shipping APIs.
Ultimately, we came up with the following list of top 10 best Shipping APIs.
Top 10 Best Shipping APIs
1. FedEx API
FedEx Corporation is an American courier and delivery company is known for its overnight shipping service and pioneering a system that could track packages and provide real-time updates on package location.
API features: Using FedEx API developers can easily integrate software applications with FedEx Systems to create shipping labels, facilitate returns, track shipments, obtain rate quotes and generate reports. FedEx API is provided as a REST API using OAuth 2.0 for authentication and authorization and JSON format for request and response messages. The API uses HTTP (over SSL) protocol, the HTTP GET is used to retrieve data and HTTP POST is used to create, update or delete data. Usage of HTTP PUT and DELETE is not allowed.
Ease of Use: Easy!! FedEx has ensured that all the information required to integrate third-party application to its platform is provided in its documentation, even ensuring that sample codes and relevant examples are provided
Price: Free
2. UPS API
Founded in 1907, Universal Parcel Service (UPS) is one of the worlds largest shipping and delivery companies
API Features: UPS API allows developers to integrate UPS shipping functionality directly into your website or enterprise system. Three types of APIs exist all using Extensible Markup Language (XML). The first type of API uses straight XML; the second type uses Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and Web Service Definition Language (WSDL), and the third type uses JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). UPS API uses OAuth 2.0 for authentication and authorization and XML, SOAP format for request and response messages.
Ease of Use: Very Easy!! UPS API is well documented, developers can easily reference this documentation with relative ease.
Price: Free
3. USPS API
Formed in 1971 the United State Postal Service (USPS) is responsible for providing postal services in the United States. It is managed by the executive branch of the US government
API Features: USPS API allows developers of web-based and shrink-wrapped applications access to the online services of the USPS. They provide easy access to shipping information and services for your customers. USPS API is provided as a REST API using OAuth 2.0 for authentication and authorization. It supports XML, JSON response formats and URI Query String/CRUD request format. The API uses HTTP (over SSL) protocol, the HTTP GET is used to retrieve data and HTTP POST is used to create, update or delete data. Usage of HTTP PUT and DELETE is not allowed.
Ease of Use: Not Easy!! Very limited resources available, newbies might struggle to use this API
Price: Free
4. DHL API
Based in Germany DHL is an international courier, parcel, and express mail services
API Feature: DHL API allows developers to easily integrate their web and mobile apps to access their features. DHL API is provided as a REST API using OAuth 2.0 for authentication and authorization. It supports XML, JSON response formats and URI Query String/CRUD request format. The API uses HTTP (over SSL) protocol, the HTTP GET is used to retrieve data and HTTP POST is used to create, update or delete data. Usage of HTTP PUT and DELETE is not allowed.
Ease of Use: Easy!! DHL API is well documented, developers can easily reference this documentation with relative ease.
Price: Free
5. EasyPost API
Founded in 2012, EasyPost was created to remove the technical complexities of logistics and allow businesses to focus more on their business
API Feature: This API allows developers to integrate their Applications with multiple shipping APIs (FedEx, UPS, USPS and DHL) all from their access point. It supports XML, JSON response formats and URI Query String/CRUD request format. The API uses HTTP (over SSL) protocol, the HTTP GET is used to retrieve data and HTTP POST is used to create, update or delete data. Usage of HTTP PUT and DELETE is not allowed.
Ease of Use: Very Easy!! EasyPost has ensured that all the information required to integrate third-party application to its platform is provided in its documentation, even ensuring that sample codes and relevant examples are provided
Price: Paid!!
6. Shippo API
Shippo is a multi-carrier shipping company particularly focused on shipping for eCommerce.
API Features: Using Shippos multi-carrier API developers can easily retrieve shipping rates, shipping labels and track packages directly from their own application. This single purpose API supports JSON response formats and URI Query String/CRUD request format. The API uses HTTP (over SSL) protocol, the HTTP GET is used to retrieve data and HTTP POST is used to create, update or delete data. Usage of HTTP PUT and DELETE is not allowed.
Ease of Use: Easy!! Shippo has a growing developer community and the company has ensured that their API is well documented with all relevant examples provided.
Price: Paid
7. Gooten API
Founded in 2012, Gooten has grown very rapidly. Gooten’s software enabled shipment of over $1million in revenue throughout 110 countries to over 40,000 customers.
API Features: Gooten API allows developers to manage orders for printing, manufacturing, and related resources within the Gooten cloud. Gooten API is a single purpose API using OAuth 2.0 for authentication and authorization. It supports JSON response formats and URI Query String/CRUD request format. The API uses HTTP (over SSL) protocol, the HTTP GET is used to retrieve data and HTTP POST is used to create, update or delete data. Usage of HTTP PUT and DELETE is not allowed.
Ease Of Use: Easy!! Wonderful community support and Excellent API documentation
Price: Paid
8. Uship API
Founded in 2001 Uship helps customers connect with trusted, feedback-rated service providers of all kinds.
API Features: Uship is an online market place that connects shipper to customers. Using the Uship API developers can integrate this feature into third-party applications. Uship API is a single purpose API using OAuth 2.0 for authentication and authorization. The API uses HTTP (over SSL) protocol, the HTTP GET is used to retrieve data and HTTP POST is used to create, update or delete data. Usage of HTTP PUT and DELETE is not allowed.
Ease of Use: Easy!! The Uship API is well documented, developers can easily reference this documentation with relative ease.
Price: Free
9. Easyship API
Easyship API provides shipping solutions that are constantly updated, cutting-edge, and tailor-made for eCommerce.
API Features: Easyship provides a powerful API that allows developers to integrate features like tracking, managing and Labeling. This single purpose API supports JSON response formats and URI Query String/CRUD request format. The API uses HTTP (over SSL) protocol, the HTTP GET is used to retrieve data and HTTP POST is used to create, update or delete data. Usage of HTTP PUT and DELETE is not allowed.
Ease of Use: Easy!! With a community and clear documentation, Easyship API is very easy to use and integrate
Price: Free
10. Flexport API
Founded in 2013, Flexport is a full-service air and ocean freight forwarder, providing a robust platform and end-to-end service for modern logistics teams. Real-time tracking, structured data, shipment-specific communication, and a dedicated team of experts make running your supply chain through Flexport simple, reliable, and accurate
API Features: This single purpose API supports JSON response formats and URI Query String/CRUD request format. The API uses HTTP (over SSL) protocol, the HTTP GET is used to retrieve data and HTTP POST is used to create, update or delete data. Usage of HTTP PUT and DELETE is not allowed.
Ease of Use: Easy!! Flexport API has very neat documentation that is easy to follow and understand
Price: Free
That’s Rakuten RapidAPI’s list of Top 10 Best Shipping APIs. We hope you’ll find an API that you can integrate into your application.
About Rakuten RapidAPI
Rakuten RapidAPI is the world’s largest API marketplace with 8,000+ third-party APIs and used by over 500,000 active developers. We enable developers to build transformative apps through the power of APIs. Find, test and connect to all the APIs you need in one place!
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