How to compare 3PLs without getting lost in quotes

Updated 2026-10-31

Most 3PL quotes look different on purpose. One charges per pick, one per order, one bundles packaging, one doesn't. So the first job is to get them into the same shape. After that it gets a lot easier.

This is the way we'd do it if we were picking a warehouse for a Shopify store today.

Start with your own numbers

Before you talk to anyone, write down what a normal month looks like for you. Orders per month, items per order, how many SKUs, how big and heavy the typical parcel is, and where your customers are. Add your busiest month too.

Every 3PL will ask for this anyway. If you send the same sheet to all of them you get quotes you can actually compare.

Build one cost per order

Take each quote and work out what one typical order costs you, all in. Receiving spread over the month, storage spread over the month, pick and pack, packaging, postage, and any monthly minimum. Then do the same for your busy month.

A 3PL with a low pick fee and a high monthly minimum can end up costing more than the one that looked pricier. You only see that once it's all in one number. Our pricing guide lists the fees to look for.

Compare what they promise, not just what they charge

Ask each one for their cut-off time for same-day dispatch, how fast they receive stock, their pick accuracy target and what happens when they miss it. Get it in writing. A promise that isn't in the contract is a sales line.

Then check what they can actually prove. Can they show you reporting from a current client (anonymised is fine)? Do they give you live access to stock and order status? See 3PL KPIs and what to put in the SLA.

Check the fit for your products

Some things narrow the list fast. Food, supplements, cosmetics, batteries, very bulky items, subscription boxes, B2B orders into retailers. Not every warehouse does these and the ones that don't will sometimes say yes anyway.

Location matters too. A warehouse close to most of your customers usually means cheaper and faster postage. You can filter the 3PL directory by country and by service to get a first shortlist.

Talk to the people you will actually deal with

The sales person won't be the one answering when an order goes missing in week three. Ask who your account manager will be, how you reach them, and how fast they reply. Ask for one or two references from stores about your size.

Questions people ask

How many 3PLs should I compare?

Three to five is usually enough. Fewer and you have nothing to compare against, more and you spend weeks on quotes. Send all of them the same order profile so the numbers line up.

Is the cheapest 3PL quote usually the best one?

Not always. Work out the full cost per order including storage, packaging and any monthly minimum, then look at what they commit to in the SLA. A slightly higher price with clear accuracy and dispatch targets is often the safer pick.

Does ForthMatch rank 3PLs?

No. The ForthMatch directory lists 3PLs with details from their own websites and does not rank or rate them. Performance numbers only appear once enough stores track the same 3PL in the app.

Questions to ask a 3PL before you sign | ForthMatch

3PL scorecard template (free, copy and use) | ForthMatch