Shipping software for eBay: what it costs and what to look out for

The three typical pricing models on the market

There are three common billing models in the shipping software market.

Fixed monthly prices with shipment limits offer predictable costs. You pay a fixed monthly amount and ship up to an agreed number of parcels.

Models with no base fee often charge a surcharge for each label printed. This can be worthwhile for very few shipments, but quickly becomes expensive as sales increase.

Some providers also charge fees for each connected eBay account or for additional users. Always check the fine print.

• Monthly or annual subscription: A fixed amount with a fixed shipment allowance
• Pay-per-label: No base fee, but a fixed additional charge per label
• Additional costs: Surcharges for additional marketplace accounts or API interfaces

Cost factors beyond the software itself

The software itself is only one part of your total shipping costs.

You pay postage directly to shipping providers such as DHL or Deutsche Post. For private customers, a DHL Päckchen S currently costs €4.19 and a DHL Paket up to 2 kg costs €6.19. If you have your own DHL business customer contract, individual terms apply.

There are also costs for shipping boxes, adhesive tape and labels. A thermal printer saves ink and time, but involves a one-off purchase cost.

• Postage costs: DHL Päckchen S from €4.19, 2 kg parcel from €6.19 according to the DHL price list
• Packaging materials: Boxes, cushioning materials and adhesive tape
• Printers and consumables: Thermal paper rolls or A4 adhesive sheets

Checklist before buying shipping software

Ask the right questions before choosing a tool to avoid unpleasant surprises on your bill.

• Is there a setup fee or a long minimum contract term?
• Are unlimited eBay accounts included at no extra charge?
• Do I have to pay extra for updates, support or additional staff members?
• Is there a free trial with no automatic renewal?

Example calculations for small and medium-sized retailers

Here are two hypothetical calculations for guidance. All figures given are for illustration only.

Example A: A seller sends 80 shipments a month. With a pay-per-label provider charging €0.15 per label, they pay €12.00 a month. An entry-level subscription at €9.00 a month is already €3.00 cheaper in this case.

Example B: A retailer sends 400 shipments a month. At €0.15 per label, the cost would be €60.00. A fixed-price software package at €29.00 saves €31.00 every month in this scenario.

• Hypothetical seller A (80 shipments): A €9 flat rate saves €3 compared with €0.15 per label
• Hypothetical seller B (400 shipments): A €29 flat rate saves €31 compared with transaction fees

How Shipnovo helps you save

Shipnovo offers transparent plans with no hidden costs. The Starter plan costs €9 a month for up to 250 shipments. All plans include unlimited eBay accounts at no extra charge.

You directly connect your own DHL business customer contract or your Deutsche Post Portokasse. You pay no setup fee and can try all features free for 14 days.

• Starter: €9 per month for up to 250 shipments
• Pro: €29 per month for up to 1,000 shipments
• Business: €59 per month for unlimited shipments
• All plans: Unlimited eBay accounts, cancellable monthly, free 14-day trial

Verified sources and supporting evidence

All prices and rates quoted in this article come from publicly accessible primary sources checked on October 13, 2026.

• DHL Paket domestic prices (as of October 2026): https://www.dhl.de/de/privatkunden/pakete-versenden/deutschlandweit-versenden/preise-national.html
• Shipnovo prices and terms (as of October 2026): https://shipnovo.app/pricing