- Order Returns by Return Prime: Starts at $19.99/month, offers a customizable return portal, automated label generation, and multiple refund options.
- AfterShip Returns: Rated 4.7/5, starts at $23/month with multi-language support and branded return portals.
- ReturnGO: Rated 4.9/5, starts at $23/month with features like AI-powered store credit and detailed analytics.
- ZigZag Global: Tailored for international returns, starting at $20/month with global carrier integration.
- ReturnZap: Starts at $29.95/month, supports numerous carriers and offers global shipping options.
Quick Comparison Table
| App Name | Rating | Starting Price | Monthly Return Limit | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order Returns by Return Prime | 4.8/5 | $19.99/month | Unlimited | Customizable portal, automated refunds, fraud prevention | Large stores needing premium features |
| AfterShip Returns | 4.7/5 | $23/month | 60 returns | Multi-language support, branded portals, carrier integration | Medium-sized stores with international reach |
| ReturnGO | 4.9/5 | $23/month | 20 returns | AI-powered credit, advanced analytics, product exchanges | Growing businesses focused on exchanges |
| ZigZag Global | – | $20/month | – | International returns, global carrier support | Cross-border merchants |
| ReturnZap | – | $29.95/month | 5,000/year | Multi-carrier support, global shipping, automated labels | High-volume return stores |
Choose an app that aligns with your store’s return volume, budget, and customer needs to turn returns into a smoother, more efficient process.
AfterShip Returns Shopify App Review – Automated Returns Solution for Brands
Must-Have Return Shipping App Features
To tackle the challenges of managing returns, these features are essential for creating a smooth and efficient process.
Shopify Platform Integration
A return shipping app should work directly with Shopify, syncing order data, inventory, and customer details in real time. This helps avoid overselling and data mismatches. Integration with your Shopify admin panel ensures you can manage returns without constantly switching platforms.
Return Portal Branding Options
Keeping your branding consistent across all customer interactions can boost revenue by up to 33% . This means you should be able to customize the design, email templates, policy language, and ensure mobile-friendly functionality within your return portal.
"Consistent branding across customer touchpoints helps reinforce a merchant’s story, sparking a connection with shoppers and serving as a competitive differentiator" .
Return Label Generation
Automating return label creation saves time and speeds up the process. Look for apps that include:
- Integration with multiple carriers for cost-effective rates
- Instant label generation and delivery
- Support for different label formats
- Compatibility with negotiated rates from major carriers like UPS, FedEx, and DHL
Refund and Exchange Methods
Your app should support diverse refund options, such as store credit, original payment methods, or gift cards. It should also automate refunds and exchanges, including handling price differences and sending status updates to customers.
Global Returns Handling
For international shoppers, it’s crucial to offer multi-language support (at least 15 languages), work with global carriers, provide currency conversion, and allow self-shipping options.
| Feature Category | Key Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Integration | Real-time inventory sync, order automation, admin panel access |
| Branding | Custom colors, logos, email templates, mobile-friendly design |
| Label Generation | Multi-carrier support, instant label creation, negotiated rates |
| Refund Processing | Multiple payment methods, automated refunds, exchange management |
| Global Support | Multi-language interface, international carriers, currency conversion |
"Despite trying various return management solutions in the past, Returnzap is the only one that fully aligns with our requirements. Beyond its core features as a return portal, we’ve found immense value in its seamless store portal integration and translation capabilities, especially for handling return reasons and notifications" .
5 Best Shopify Return Shipping Apps
Here’s a look at five highly-rated apps designed to simplify return shipping management for Shopify stores. These tools tackle common challenges like manual processes and inconsistent branding, helping create a smooth return experience for your customers.
Order Returns by Return Prime
Order Returns by Return Prime starts at $19.99/month and also offers a free plan. It provides a customizable return portal that aligns with your store’s branding while simplifying the return process. Features include automated label generation and multiple refund options, making it easier to manage returns and keep customers happy.
AfterShip Returns
With a 4.7/5 rating from over 2,400 reviews , AfterShip Returns is a popular choice. Starting at $23/month with a free basic plan, the app supports multiple languages like English, German, French, Spanish, and Italian .
"The app has streamlined our return process, making it effortless for us and our customers. The user-friendly interface and automation options are a huge time-saver. Highly recommend!" – Nothing Fits But
ReturnGO Returns & Exchanges
ReturnGO offers flexible pricing starting at $23/month. Here’s a breakdown of its plans:
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Returns Included | Extra Return Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $23 | 20 | $1.25 |
| Premium | $121 | 110 | $1.25 |
| Pro | $297 | 300 | $1.25 |
| Enterprise | $417 | 420 | $1.25 |
With a 4.9/5 rating from 353 reviews , ReturnGO stands out for its advanced features like an AI-powered store credit system and a detailed analytics dashboard, making it a robust option for handling returns and exchanges.
ZigZag Global
ZigZag Global is tailored for international returns management. Starting at $20/month with a 14-day free trial, this app automates return label generation and integrates with global carriers, making it a solid choice for merchants handling returns across borders.
ReturnZap: Returns and Exchanges
ReturnZap starts at $29.95/month and includes a 14-day free trial. It integrates with Easypost, Shippo, and Sendcloud, supporting numerous carriers worldwide. The app also works in 12 languages, including English, Spanish, German, French, and Chinese . Features like self-shipping options and negotiated carrier rates give merchants more control over return shipping costs.
"Despite trying various return management solutions in the past, ReturnZap is the only one that fully aligns with our requirements. Beyond its core features as a return portal, we’ve found immense value in its seamless store portal integration and translation capabilities, especially for handling return reasons and notifications."
Check out the next section for a side-by-side comparison of these apps to help you decide which one fits your store’s needs best.
App Features and Pricing Comparison
Here’s a quick look at how popular apps stack up in terms of features, pricing, and integrations. This builds on the earlier discussion of must-have app functionalities.
Feature Comparison Table
| App Name | Rating | Starting Price | Monthly Return Limit | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AfterShip Returns | 4.7/5 (2,415 reviews) | $23/month | 60 returns | • Branded returns portal • Automated workflows & email notifications • Integration with major carriers (UPS, FedEx, USPS, Canada Post) |
Medium-sized stores with international reach |
| ReturnGO | 4.9/5 (353 reviews) | $23/month | 20 returns | • Advanced analytics • Product/variant exchange • Gift returns handling |
Growing businesses focused on exchanges |
| Order Returns by Return Prime | 4.8/5 (195 reviews) | $19.99/month | Unlimited | • "Shop Now" feature • Instant exchanges • At-home pickup • Fraud prevention |
Large stores needing premium features |
| ReturnZap | – | $29.95/month | Up to 5,000/year | • Multi-carrier support • Global shipping options • Automated label generation |
Stores with high return volumes |
This table highlights the variations in features and pricing to match different business needs. For instance, AfterShip Returns allows 60 returns for $23/month, with additional returns costing $0.50 each. It also integrates smoothly with major carriers, Shopify POS/Flow, and customer service platforms.
ReturnGO focuses on exchanges over refunds, offering an analytics dashboard for deeper insights into return and exchange trends.
For businesses handling a high number of returns, ReturnZap’s Standard plan supports up to 5,000 returns annually. On the other hand, Order Returns by Return Prime stands out with unlimited returns and features like at-home pickup and fraud prevention, making it a solid choice for larger stores.
Conclusion
Picking the right return shipping app is crucial for managing the growing number of ecommerce returns effectively. The key is to align the app with your store’s return volume and business requirements.
Consider the app’s pricing and how it fits with your return volume. For instance, ReturnGO starts at $23/month for 20 returns . Look for seamless integration with your existing systems and prioritize features that create a smooth experience for your customers.
If you need help with integration, Shopify experts like E-commerce Dev Group (https://scaleshopify.com) can assist. Their skills in app integration and store optimization can help streamline your returns process, improving customer satisfaction and operational workflows.
Managing returns isn’t just about solving logistical challenges – it’s a chance to strengthen customer loyalty and refine your operations. With the right app and setup, returns can become an advantage for your business.
