Compare ParcelPanel and Route

ParcelPanel vs Route

Are you eager to learn the differences between ParcelPanel and Route and find out which suits you best? Don't hesitate to try all ParcelPanel features first!

Overview

ParcelPanel and Route both improve the post-purchase journey, but they serve different merchant priorities. ParcelPanel is purpose-built for Shopify, helping 50,000+ Shopify merchants streamline tracking, returns, and notifications, all while improving customer satisfaction and driving repeat purchases. With a generous free plan, a 7-day trial, and plug-and-play setup, ParcelPanel is a cost-effective and scalable choice for fast-growing DTC brands. Route focuses on mobile-first, shopper-facing experiences with real-time tracking, package protection, and sustainable shipping. It offers a free plan but no free trial and is better suited for brands that prioritize engagement and carbon-neutral delivery.

What is ParcelPanel?

ParcelPanel started as an order tracking app for Shopify merchants and has since grown into a complete post-purchase experience platform. Now, we help DTC brands drive customer loyalty and unlock new revenue opportunities, all while making post-purchase management easier. With support for 1,400+ carriers, real-time tracking, estimated delivery times, returns management, shipping protection, and fair pricing, ParcelPanel is a favorite among thousands of merchants. But it’s more than just tracking. Your tracking page and shipping emails don’t have to be dead ends, they can drive sales. We help you turn those routine updates into chances to connect with customers and boost conversions. Returns? Not a problem. Our smart exchange suggestions make it easier to turn refunds into repeat purchases. And because we cut down on those endless “Where’s my order?” and “Where’s my return?” messages, your support team can spend less time answering tickets and more time creating great customer experiences. Our team will have more time to focus on what matters: creating better customer experiences.

What is Route?

Route is a post-purchase platform designed to elevate the experience for both merchants and shoppers. From real-time tracking updates to smart shipping notifications, Route brings every delivery into one sleek, centralized experience—across web, email, SMS, push, and its mobile app. Customers stay informed, support tickets drop, and your team saves time. But Route goes far beyond tracking. With Route shipping protection, orders are covered against loss or damage, and customers can self-resolve issues in seconds—no support tickets needed. Route also offers 100% carbon-neutral shipping by automatically offsetting emissions, helping you deliver with sustainability in mind. At every step between checkout and delivery, Route turns passive updates into powerful brand moments. With intelligent product recommendations and built-in marketing real estate, Route helps brands drive more sales, build loyalty, and make a positive impact.

Discover How ParcelPanel Compares with Route

Here's a complete comparison between ParcelPanel and Route. * Information as of Apr 15, 2025. Updates welcomed if any discrepancies are found.

ParcelPanel

Route

General

Standardized Order Statuses

Facilitate order lookups and management of delivery exceptions

Carrier Integrations

1,400+

1,100+

Carrier Auto-Detection

✔

Automatic Tracking Information Sync

Import orders & tracking numbers automatically from e-commerce platforms

✔

CSV Import

✔

CSV Export

Import orders & tracking numbers by uploading CSV files

✔

Dropshipping Mode

Hide information about related carriers & Chinese addresses

✔

Custom Order Status

Add shipment statuses before shipping to avoid order cancellation

✔

Shipping Protection

✔

Return Management

Sync return status and operation records to the Shopify backend; one dashboard to manage all returns

Only available for Shopify merchants with an EasyPost account

Returns Status Tracking

Returns Status Tracking Merchant side

Merchant and shopper side

API & Webhook Access

Included in the professional plan, for connection with systems such as ERP, WMS, etc.

✔

Branded Tracking Page

Order Lookup Widge

✔

Customization

Supports CSS & HTML, with code examples available

Limited

Themes

Product Recommendation

AI-powered, specific collection (Essential plan)

Personalized product recommendation for Shopify & BigCommerce (Pro plan)

Estimated Delivery Date

Display on the tracking page to manage customer expectations

Flexible timeframe setting, advanced settings based on destinations, automatic correction with tracking info from carriers (Essential plan)

✔

Custom Shipment Status

Support 3 custom pre-fulfillment statuses

Pickup Location

✔

Last-Mile Delivery

Last-mile carrier and tracking number

—

Shipping Protection Section

Customers can file a claim here

Tracking Page Languages

English, and support automatic translation based on the customer's language preference (Professional plan)

English

SEO Title & Description

Make your tracking page more SEO-friendly

✔

Tracking Page URL Changes

Define the suffix of your tracking page URL

✔

Tracking Page Variations

Set different tracking pages for segmentation

✔

Redirect from Shopify Order Status Page

Replace the track button URL that directs customers to Shopify's order status page

✔

Shipping Notifications

Notification Types

Emails

Push, SMS (Pro plan), Emails (up to 7, limited)

Delivery Status Triggers

Info received, in transit, out for delivery, delivered, exception, failed attempt

Order confirmation/created, fulfillment delay, shipping, shipment pickup delay, in transit, carrier delay, out for delivery, delivered

Pre-Built Email Templates

✔

Product Recommendation

Product recommendations and discounts in the notification emails (Essential plan)

Product recommendations in the notification emails (Support Shopify and BigCommerce)(Pro plan)

Shipping Protection Section

Customers can file a claim here

Email Template Languages

English + full translation in other published languages + optional auto-adaptation by customer preference

English

Editor Type

Visual editor

Email Sender

Customizable

Shipping Protection

Type

Customer-paid insurance

Carbon Neutral Shipping

✔

Coverage of Protection

Loss, damage, delay, and theft

Loss, damage, and theft

Protection Widget

At the cart drawer/cart page and the checkout page for Shopify Plus stores

At the checkout page, or included in the shipping methods

24/7 Claim Resolution

✔

Order Refunds

Within 48 hours on average, compensation equals the purchase value or transaction currency

Automated order replacements and refunds

Multiple Languages

English

Branded Return Page

Embedded in your store

✔

Customize Return Page URL

✔

Order Matching Method

Order+Email or phone, Email+Email verification

Order+Email

Return Request Widget

Add it to the order status page for one click to request returns and exchanges

A branded Return Center

Customization

Visual editor

Customizable

Return Page Languages

Sync the store's published language

English

Return Policy Entrance

✔

Return Policy Customization

✔

Custom Return Policy URL

✔

Automated Return Notifications

Notification Types

Email Sender Info

Customizable

✔

Return Status Triggers

Return request confirmation/approved/rejected; refund to store, discount/gift card/original payment method; exchange order created

Returns collected by carriers, return request confirmation/refund

Pre-Built Email Template

Customizable + supports liquid variables

Email Template Languages

English + full translation in other published languages + optional auto-adaptation by customer preference

English

Return Solutions

Refund to the Original Payment Method

✔

Exchange for Different Items

✔

Variant Exchanges

Replace with the same item when there is a price difference

Refund to Store Gift Card

✔

Refund to Store Discount

✔

Return Reason Library

Support default, custom, and grouped return reasons

✔

Return Shipping Method

Ship with Return Labels Provided by Merchants

✔

Door-to-Door Pickup

✔

Ship on Your Own

✔

Green Returns

✔

Return Logistics Integration

17 more carriers; USPS supports prepaid return labels, QR codes, and auto-tracking return shipping status

No specific numbers of carriers, supports printable shipping labels, and QR codes

Return Shipping Labels

Set return label fees, support up to 3 return labels for each request

Set return label fees

Return Address

Auto-sync with your Shopify store if left blank; multiple addresses supported

✔

Packing Slip

✔

Return Rules

Return Window

Flexible return window start date (order created/fulfilled/delivered)

✔

Block Setting

Set rules for returnable items

Restocking Fee

Flexible setting rules

Shipping Fee

✔

Return Rewards

✔

Return Automation

Return request Auto-Approval

✔

Rich Automation Rule Builder

✔

Analytics

Shipment & Tracking Analytics

Shipment, order-to-delivery time, transit time, exceptions, order lookup, and shipping notification report

Shipment and email data, limited

Marketing Performance Insights

Product recommendation performance, coupon usage report

Returns and Exchange Analytics

Exchange upsell value, retained revenue, return requests data, return rates, return shipping costs, shipping fee, restocking fee, return rewards, return variants, return reasons

Key insights about returned products

Saved Revenue (via protection)

✔

Third-Party Integrations

Order Tracking Integration

2 eCommerce platforms (Shopify & WooCommerce); 50+ popular tools, including Shopify Flow, PageFly, GemPages, Klaviyo, Yotpo, Judge.me, Zendesk, Gorgias, Weglot, Dropshipman, Dsers, etc.

5 eCommerce (Shopify, BigCommerce, Salesforce Commerce, WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce, and API integration; 4 popular tools, including Recharge, Klaviyo, Zendesk, and Status

Returns and Exchanges Integration

Add-ons of ParcelPanel Order Tracking and Webhooks

Shopify; 4 popular tools, including Recharge, Klaviyo, Zendesk, and Statuss

Customer Support

Remove the "Powered by" Message

✔

Help Center

✔

24/7 Live Chat Support

✔

Customer Success Manager

Enterprise plan