Spaceship: Shipping Automation vs steve | Fulfillment for Europefor Shopify (2026)
Both Spaceship: Shipping Automation and steve | Fulfillment for Europe are highly rated (5/5 with 5 reviews each) Shopify apps in the third-party logistics category, but they address different needs. Spaceship focuses on providing merchants with tools to directly manage their shipping process, offering rate comparison across multiple carriers and automated label generation. This empowers merchants to retain control over their fulfillment while optimizing for cost and speed. steve, on the other hand, offers a fully outsourced fulfillment solution specifically tailored for European e-commerce, emphasizing sustainable and efficient logistics within the EU, UK, and Switzerland. steve's value proposition centers around relieving merchants of the burden of managing logistics, allowing them to focus on other aspects of their business. The primary differentiator lies in the level of control and responsibility. Spaceship is a software solution that enhances a merchant's existing shipping operations, while steve provides a complete logistics service. Spaceship targets merchants who prefer to manage their own shipping processes and seek cost optimization and efficiency through automation. Steve targets merchants who want to completely outsource their European fulfillment, prioritizing sustainability and seamless customer experience within the EU market. The choice hinges on whether a merchant wants to actively manage their shipping or delegate it to a trusted 3PL provider.
At a Glance
Spaceship: Shipping Automation
5 reviews
steve | Fulfillment for Europe
5 reviews
Detailed Overview
Spaceship: Shipping Automation
Spaceship powers e-commerce fulfillment automation with exclusive discounts on global carriers.
Key Features
- Compare shipping rates from worldwide carriers instantly
- Auto sync with Shopify stores, bulk shipments creation in a sec
- Fast-track EU shipments with one-time IOSS setup
- Share real-time tracking links with your customers
steve | Fulfillment for Europe
Outsource your European e-commerce logistics with steve — shipping to the EU, UK and Switzerland :)
Key Features
- Impress your European customers with fast and sustainable order fulfillment
- Enjoy an all-in-one solution, without third-party warehouses
- steve chooses packaging, route and carrier for your orders automatically
- Overview inventory and fulfillments seamlessly in the Shopify app
- Automatically send branded tracking emails to your customers
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Rating Spaceship: Shipping Automation5/5 steve | Fulfillment for Europe5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 5 | 5 |
Reviews Spaceship: Shipping Automation5 steve | Fulfillment for Europe5 | ||
| Target Geographic Region | Worldwide | Europe (EU, UK, Switzerland) |
Target Geographic Region Spaceship: Shipping AutomationWorldwide steve | Fulfillment for EuropeEurope (EU, UK, Switzerland) | ||
| Fulfillment Model | Shipping Automation Software | Outsourced Fulfillment Service (3PL) |
Fulfillment Model Spaceship: Shipping AutomationShipping Automation Software steve | Fulfillment for EuropeOutsourced Fulfillment Service (3PL) | ||
| Control Over Shipping | High (Merchant Manages Shipping) | Low (steve Manages Shipping) |
Control Over Shipping Spaceship: Shipping AutomationHigh (Merchant Manages Shipping) steve | Fulfillment for EuropeLow (steve Manages Shipping) | ||
| Sustainability Focus | Not Explicitly Mentioned | High (Plastic-free packaging, Climate-conscious shipping) |
Sustainability Focus Spaceship: Shipping AutomationNot Explicitly Mentioned steve | Fulfillment for EuropeHigh (Plastic-free packaging, Climate-conscious shipping) | ||
| Primary Benefit | Cost Reduction and Efficiency | Hands-Off Fulfillment & Focus on Business Growth |
Primary Benefit Spaceship: Shipping AutomationCost Reduction and Efficiency steve | Fulfillment for EuropeHands-Off Fulfillment & Focus on Business Growth | ||
| IOSS Setup | Fast-track EU shipments with one-time IOSS setup | Implied Handling (not explicitly stated) |
IOSS Setup Spaceship: Shipping AutomationFast-track EU shipments with one-time IOSS setup steve | Fulfillment for EuropeImplied Handling (not explicitly stated) | ||
Our Verdict
For Shopify merchants who want to maintain control over their shipping process, optimize costs by comparing rates from different carriers, and are comfortable managing label generation and tracking updates themselves, Spaceship: Shipping Automation is the better choice. Its worldwide carrier support makes it suitable for businesses shipping globally.
However, if a merchant primarily sells to customers in Europe (EU, UK, and Switzerland) and prefers to completely outsource their fulfillment to a provider focused on sustainable and efficient logistics, steve | Fulfillment for Europe is the more appropriate solution. steve's appeal lies in its hands-off approach, allowing merchants to focus on other aspects of their business while trusting steve to handle the complexities of European fulfillment.
Common Questions
Which app is cheaper?
It's difficult to definitively say which app is cheaper without specific pricing information for both apps. Spaceship may have lower per-shipment costs if the merchant can leverage carrier discounts, but it requires more time investment from the merchant. steve's pricing likely includes all fulfillment costs, but may be higher overall depending on volume and location.
Which app is easier to use?
Both apps aim to be easy to use, but in different ways. Spaceship automates label generation and tracking updates, making it easier to manage self-fulfillment. steve removes the burden of fulfillment entirely, making it the easier option for merchants seeking a completely hands-off solution. Ease of use depends on the merchant's preferred level of involvement.
Which app is better for small businesses?
Both apps can be suitable for small businesses. Spaceship is ideal for small businesses looking to save money and time by optimizing their shipping processes and comparing rates, retaining control. steve is better for small businesses that want to focus on growth and delegate the complexities of fulfillment to a reliable partner, particularly in the European market.
Does steve integrate with carriers other than those specifically used in Europe?
Based on the provided description, steve focuses exclusively on European fulfillment and utilizes its own network of partners. It is unlikely to integrate with carriers outside of the EU, UK, and Switzerland.
What happens if I need to customize packaging beyond the 'plastic-free' options offered by Steve?
The app description states that steve chooses packaging, implying limited customization options. If highly specific packaging is required, contacting steve directly to inquire about customization capabilities is crucial. Spaceship, on the other hand, allows more flexibility since the merchant is responsible for packaging.
Get More From Your Shopify Store
Run audits for SEO, CRO, PageSpeed, and AI visibility. Get a clear report and actionable fixes.
Try Fix My Store