Sendcloud Review | Podcastbricks

Sendcloud is a Europe-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform designed to simplify and optimize the shipping process for e-commerce businesses. It acts as a centralized hub that connects online stores with a wide range of carriers, automates tasks like label printing and order tracking, and provides tools for managing returns. By integrating with over 50 e-commerce platforms and offering partnerships with more than 80 carriers, Sendcloud aims to save time, reduce costs, and improve the delivery experience for both merchants and customers.

The platform is particularly popular in eight major European markets, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Austria, and the Netherlands. Its key selling points include automation, competitive pricing through pre-negotiated carrier rates, and a user-friendly interface that caters to businesses of all sizes, from small startups to multinational enterprises.

Key Features of Sendcloud

Sendcloud offers a robust set of features tailored to the needs of e-commerce businesses. Below, we dive into the platform’s core functionalities.

1. Shipping Automation

One of Sendcloud’s standout features is its ability to automate repetitive shipping tasks. Merchants can set up shipping rules based on criteria like destination, package weight, or order value, which automatically select the best carrier and shipping method. This reduces manual intervention, minimizes errors, and speeds up the fulfillment process. For example, a merchant can configure rules to use DHL for domestic shipments and UPS for international ones, ensuring cost-efficiency and reliability.

Sendcloud also automates label creation, allowing users to generate and print labels directly from the platform. The ability to print labels in bulk, even across different carriers like PostNL and DPD, is a significant time-saver for high-volume stores.

2. Multi-Carrier Integration

Sendcloud partners with over 80 carriers, including major players like DHL, UPS, FedEx, GLS, and DPD, as well as local providers like PostNL and Mondial Relay. This extensive network allows merchants to offer diverse shipping options at checkout, such as same-day delivery, standard shipping, or service point delivery. Merchants can either use Sendcloud’s pre-negotiated rates, which are often more competitive than direct carrier contracts, or upload their own negotiated rates for greater flexibility.

However, some users have noted limitations, such as the lack of integration with certain regional carriers or issues with carrier APIs that can cause delays or tracking bugs.

3. E-Commerce Platform Integrations

Sendcloud seamlessly integrates with over 50 e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, Wix, and marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy. Setting up these integrations is straightforward, often requiring just a few clicks. For instance, connecting a WooCommerce store involves installing a free plugin, authorizing the connection, and configuring settings like service point delivery.

Once integrated, orders are automatically synced to the Sendcloud dashboard, streamlining order management across multiple sales channels. However, some users have reported challenges with specific integrations, such as Squarespace or Shopify draft orders, which may require workarounds.

4. Branded Tracking and Notifications

Sendcloud enhances the customer experience by offering customizable tracking pages and email notifications. Merchants can brand these communications with their logo, colors, and messaging, turning routine updates into opportunities for engagement. For example, tracking pages can include product recommendations or promo codes to encourage repeat purchases.

Customers receive real-time updates on their order status, reducing the need for support inquiries. Additionally, Sendcloud’s address verification feature flags incorrect or incomplete shipping addresses before dispatch, minimizing delivery failures.

5. Return Management

Returns are a critical aspect of e-commerce, and Sendcloud simplifies the process with a customizable return portal. Customers can initiate returns through an intuitive interface, upload images of damaged products, and receive pre-paid return labels (if approved by the merchant). Merchants can set return rules to approve or reject requests manually, ensuring control over the process.

The platform also provides an analytics dashboard to track return rates and identify trends, helping businesses optimize their operations. However, some users have expressed a desire for more flexibility in the free plan’s return features.

6. Analytics and Insights

Sendcloud’s analytics tools offer valuable insights into shipping performance, carrier reliability, and return patterns. Merchants can track metrics like delivery times, shipping costs, and customer satisfaction, enabling data-driven decisions. For example, a business might identify that a particular carrier consistently underperforms and switch to a more reliable option.

7. Customer Support

Sendcloud provides customer support through live chat, email, and a comprehensive help center with articles, webinars, and developer documentation. Users generally praise the responsiveness of the support team, particularly for setup and troubleshooting. However, some merchants have reported inconsistent support experiences, especially for complex issues like billing disputes or carrier-specific problems.

Higher-tier plans include access to a dedicated account manager, which is a significant advantage for larger businesses but unavailable in the free or lower-tier plans.

Pricing and Plans

Sendcloud offers a range of pricing plans to accommodate businesses of different sizes. Below is an overview based on available information:

Free Plan: Designed for small businesses with fewer than 100 shipments per month. It includes basic features like two shop integrations, service point delivery, and access to pre-negotiated rates. This plan is ideal for startups testing the platform but lacks advanced features like custom branding or analytics.
Premium Plans: Starting at €45 per month (yearly billing), premium plans cater to growing businesses with higher shipping volumes (50–400 packages per month). Additional labels cost €0.09 each. These plans include more integrations, advanced automation, and branded tracking.
Enterprise Plan: Tailored for multinational organizations with global shipping needs, this plan offers custom pricing and features like unlimited integrations and priority support. Merchants must book a demo to learn more.

While Sendcloud’s pricing is competitive, some users have raised concerns about hidden fees, such as charges for unused labels or additional carrier surcharges. For example, one user reported being billed for 30 labels despite creating only 25, as Sendcloud charges for generated labels regardless of use. Others have noted that smaller businesses may find the cost of premium plans prohibitive compared to direct carrier rates.

User Experience and Interface

Sendcloud’s user interface is widely praised for its simplicity and intuitiveness. The dashboard is clean and well-organized, making it easy to navigate orders, shipments, and analytics. Even users with limited technical expertise report a smooth onboarding process, thanks to clear setup guides and plug-and-play integrations.

However, some users have encountered occasional software glitches, such as deleted shipments reappearing in the dashboard or delays in label generation during peak periods. Tracking page bugs, potentially due to carrier API issues, have also been reported.

Pros and Cons of Sendcloud

Pros

Time-Saving Automation: Automates label creation, carrier selection, and order syncing, reducing manual work.
Wide Carrier Network: Offers access to over 80 carriers with competitive rates, ideal for European markets.
Seamless Integrations: Connects with major e-commerce platforms and marketplaces, streamlining multi-channel operations.
Branded Customer Experience: Customizable tracking pages and emails enhance brand recognition and customer engagement.
Robust Return Management: Intuitive portal and analytics simplify returns, improving customer satisfaction.
Responsive Support: Quick and helpful customer service, especially for setup and basic troubleshooting.

Cons

Hidden Fees and Billing Issues: Some users report unexpected charges, such as for unused labels or carrier surcharges.
Limited Flexibility for Small Businesses: The free plan lacks advanced features, and premium plans may be costly for low-volume shippers.
Carrier and Integration Limitations: Missing integrations with some regional carriers and platforms like Squarespace.
Inconsistent Support for Complex Issues: Billing disputes and carrier-specific problems can be slow to resolve.
Occasional Software Glitches: Tracking page bugs and label generation delays can disrupt operations.

Real User Feedback

User reviews of Sendcloud are mixed but generally positive, with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 on platforms like Glassdoor and Trustpilot. Here’s a summary of common sentiments:

Positive Feedback: Many users praise Sendcloud’s ease of use, time-saving automation, and competitive pricing. A Shopify merchant noted, “Sendcloud made shipping way more manageable and easy. Integration with Shopify is great.” Another user highlighted the platform’s impact on customer satisfaction: “My customers are happy with the smart and fast delivery across Europe.”
Negative Feedback: Common complaints include billing transparency and support for complex issues. One Trustpilot reviewer described a frustrating experience with hidden fees: “Sendcloud changed their requirements multiple times, costing me an extra £180 a week.” Others have criticized the lack of a mobile app for tracking orders on the go.

Who Should Use Sendcloud?

Sendcloud is best suited for:

Small to Medium E-Commerce Businesses: Those shipping 50–400 packages per month in Europe will benefit from the automation and carrier options.
Multi-Channel Sellers: Merchants using platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon can manage all orders in one dashboard.
Businesses Focused on Customer Experience: The branded tracking and return portal are ideal for enhancing customer satisfaction.
European-Focused Stores: Sendcloud’s carrier network and pricing are optimized for the European market.

It may not be ideal for:

Very Small Businesses: Those with fewer than 50 shipments may find the free plan limiting and premium plans too expensive.
Non-European Stores: Limited carrier options outside Europe make it less suitable for global shipping.
Tech-Savvy Users Needing Custom Solutions: Some integrations and API limitations may frustrate advanced users.

Conclusion

Sendcloud is a powerful and user-friendly shipping platform that delivers on its promise to streamline e-commerce logistics. Its automation tools, extensive carrier network, and seamless integrations make it a top choice for European online stores looking to save time and enhance the customer experience. The branded tracking and return management features are particularly impressive, turning routine processes into opportunities for engagement and loyalty.

However, Sendcloud is not without its flaws. Billing transparency issues, occasional software glitches, and limited support for complex problems can frustrate users, especially smaller businesses or those with unique carrier needs. While the free plan is a great starting point, growing businesses may need to invest in premium plans to unlock the platform’s full potential.