ShipStation is web-based shipping software for online sellers, with rate shopping, labels, LTL freight, returns and automation. Dealer Portal includes a shipping module as part of a Lightspeed-connected dealer platform. Here is how shipping compares.
Online sellers who want a dedicated, widely integrated shipping tool with many channel connections, automation rules, returns portals and warehouse features, priced by plan and volume.
Dealers who want shipping in the same system that already holds their Lightspeed stock and their Amazon, eBay and website orders, with tracking sent back to the channel automatically.
| ShipStation | Dealer Portal | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (this tool only) | Starter $14.99/month; Standard and Premium prices not shown on the page we reviewed. Postage is billed separately.[1] | $850/mo, all modules included Email, texting, shipping, Amazon/eBay sync, Lightspeed sync, parts website, unit inventory website (built for you), Facebook poster, AI helper |
| Scan to verify | "Barcode scan – verify & print" listed on Standard and Premium, not Starter[1] | Scan to ship and scan to verify included |
| Typical dealer cost | ~$500/mo with scan-to-ship. Typical dealer cost: what powersports dealers we work with report paying, Nov 2026; your pricing may vary. | Included in $850/mo |
| Rate shopping & labels | Yes, with your own or ShipStation's carrier rates[1] | Yes: FedEx, UPS and USPS |
| LTL freight | Rate comparison, booking, BOLs[1] | Freight quotes, BOLs and pickups |
| Returns | Return labels; branded returns portal on higher plans[1] | Returns in Web Hub |
| Users | 3, 10 or 15 users by plan[1] | Team logins with module access |
| Free trial | 30-day free trial[1] | Book a demo |
| Lightspeed DMS sync | Not listed | Parts, major units and orders to EVO; counter invoices flagged to ship |
Dealer Portal is $850/month with no hidden fees: unlimited orders, tech support and email sends, 10,000 texts and $50 of AI usage a month included. Texts over 10,000 or AI usage over $50 in a month are billed as overage.
Drag to your list size. ShipStation is highlighted for shipping; add the other tools you'd need, then compare the total with Dealer Portal's $850/mo, all modules included.
If you want shipping inside your Lightspeed-connected dealer system, yes. ShipStation is a standalone shipping product with more shipping-specific features and integrations.
Yes. When you ship, tracking goes back to the channel.
Yes. Lightspeed parts invoices flagged for shipping appear in the Shipping queue.
With either tool you pay your carrier for postage. Dealer Portal's $850 includes the shipping module itself.
Rate-shop, buy and print labels without leaving Dealer Portal.
Learn more →Website and marketplace orders, delivered to Lightspeed EVO Web Orders.
Learn more →Your whole parts catalog, every stock source and every channel in one list.
Learn more →Comparisons reflect each vendor's public website as checked on November 9, 2026. Features and prices change, so confirm details with each vendor. "Not listed" means we didn't find it on the public pages we reviewed, not that the product lacks it. ChannelAdvisor, Rithum, Shopping Cart Elite, Dealer Spike, Kenect, Podium, ShipStation, ShipWorks, Klaviyo, Constant Contact, InventoryFlow, Powersports Support, Lightspeed, Amazon, eBay, Facebook and other names are trademarks of their respective owners. Dealer Portal is not affiliated with or endorsed by them; names are used only to identify the products compared.
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