Shipware
Shipware is a Charleston-based parcel and logistics spend optimization firm serving SMBs through Fortune 500 shippers, offering invoice auditing, carrier contract negotiation, 3PL optimization, and a spend analytics portal on a gainshare-plus-subscription model, and now operating as a subsidiary of SIB (SpendBrain).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Shipware does
Shipware, LLC is a logistics and shipping cost optimization company headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, founded in 2011 and currently operating as a subsidiary of SIB (SpendBrain). The company serves high-volume shippers ranging from small and mid-sized businesses through Fortune 500 enterprises across manufacturing, retail, automotive, e-commerce, technology, and healthcare, with a service scope covering parcel (UPS, FedEx, DHL), LTL freight, regional carriers, and 3PL spend. Distribution is direct, organized around consultative field and inside sales with "Talk to an Expert" entry points and free transportation spend assessments.
The core product set has three revenue engines: weekly automated parcel invoice auditing using a proprietary 65-point methodology that recovers 1–9% of invoice value; carrier contract optimization that leverages former UPS/FedEx pricing executives and a proprietary benchmarking dataset across 250+ negotiable terms, typically delivering 10–30% savings; and 3PL contract optimization averaging 15% savings for clients remaining with incumbent providers. Supporting offerings include the Parcel Spend Management Portal (55 pre-loaded dashboards, priced at $1,000–$2,000/month with a freemium tier), Parcel Pay (a PCI-compliant automated payment platform for parcel invoices), Modal Optimization, SMB-focused Special Rate Programs, and free tools such as the DIM Weight Calculator. The technical foundation rests on the 65-point audit framework, a large proprietary benchmark dataset, and an internal team combining over 100 years of former UPS and FedEx pricing experience.
The revenue model is predominantly gainshare/performance-based, with invoice audit, contract optimization, and 3PL optimization engagements priced as a share of recovered savings and no upfront cost; the Spend Management Portal generates a separate recurring subscription stream, while Parcel Pay introduces transactional/payment economics. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding; its acquisition by SIB (SpendBrain) is intended to scale operations and extend cost-savings capabilities into adjacent spend categories beyond parcel and logistics.
Shipware firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Shipware
- Legal name
- Shipware, LLC
- Website
- https://shipware.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Shipware is a Charleston-based parcel and logistics spend optimization firm serving SMBs through Fortune 500 shippers, offering invoice auditing, carrier contract negotiation, 3PL optimization, and a spend analytics portal on a gainshare-plus-subscription model, and now operating as a subsidiary of SIB (SpendBrain).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Shipware industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Shipping & Logistics Cost Optimization
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Parcel Shipping Program Management (Carrier Management/Rate Shopping) (TLAIANAI)
Keywords
Where Shipware is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Shipware business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Parcel Invoice Audit - Gainshare Model: No out-of-pocket costs to clients; Shipware operates on a gainshare basis, recovering costs from a portion of the billing errors and service failures identified and recovered. Clients recover 1% to 9% of invoice value through refund claims filed by Shipware.
- Spend Management Portal Subscription: Basic access free when bundled with other solutions (Parcel Pay, Audit, Contract Negotiation). Premium access starting at $1000/month with Parcel Pay subscription or $2000/month without, providing unlimited users and advanced analytics including Rate Increase calculator.
- Contract Optimization - Performance-Based: Performance-based pricing with no upfront costs. If savings are not found, client pays nothing. Shipware reviews over 250 negotiable terms and guides negotiation through implementation, taking a portion of achieved savings as compensation.
- 3PL Contract Optimization: Paid a percentage of achieved savings. For companies staying with incumbent 3PL provider, Shipware averages 15% savings. No upfront costs; only paid when value is delivered.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Basic Portal Access - Free with bundled solutions |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium Portal Access - Standalone |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium Portal Access - With Parcel Pay |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Pay-as-you-go | Invoice Audit - Gainshare Pricing |
| Outcome Based/ Performance | Pay-as-you-go | Contract Optimization - Performance-Based |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Shipware product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Shipware provides parcel invoice auditing, carrier and 3PL contract optimization, freight spend management, and shipping analytics to U.S. businesses that ship parcels and freight. Its offerings recover refunds via a 65-point weekly invoice audit, renegotiate UPS/FedEx/LTL/3PL carrier contracts using former carrier pricing executives and proprietary benchmarking data, and surface shipping spend through the Spend Management Portal and Parcel Pay platforms. Engagement is sold on a gainshare or performance-based pricing model with no upfront cost to clients.
Product overview
Shipware is a logistics and shipping optimization company offering a suite of solutions for parcel and freight cost reduction. The core portfolio includes invoice auditing products (Parcel Invoice Audit, FedEx Audit, UPS Audit), contract optimization services (UPS FedEx Contract Optimization, 3PL Contract Optimization), freight spend management (Modal Optimization, Parcel Spend Management Portal), and payment automation (Parcel Pay). Key differentiators include a 65-point automated audit process, access to former carrier pricing executives, proprietary benchmarking data covering 250+ negotiable contract terms, and a gainshare pricing model with no out-of-pocket costs. Special Rate Programs extend discounted carrier rates to small and mid-sized businesses. Shipware serves companies spending $50,000 to $100+ million annually on shipping, averaging 21.5% cost reduction for clients. The company is headquartered in Charleston, SC, and was acquired by SIB (SpendBrain) to expand operations across more cost-savings categories.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Parcel Invoice Audit & Shipping Refund Recovery Automated 65-point weekly audit of UPS, FedEx, DHL, and LTL carrier invoices that identifies billing errors, service failures, duplicate charges, incorrect surcharges, and missed carrier credits, with Shipware managing the full refund recovery workflow.
- FedEx Parcel & Freight Audit Software Dedicated FedEx parcel and freight auditing solution performing weekly multi-point audits to identify and claim eligible refunds for billing errors, service failures, and incorrect charges.
- UPS Parcel & Freight Invoice Audit Software Dedicated UPS parcel and freight auditing solution that reviews invoices for late-delivery failures, duplicate charges, incorrect surcharges, rating errors, and other eligible refund opportunities.
- UPS FedEx Contract Optimization Carrier contract optimization service leveraging former UPS and FedEx pricing executives, proprietary benchmarking data, and analysis of 250+ negotiable terms to reduce annual shipping spend by up to 30%, with no carrier switching required.
- FedEx Contract Optimization FedEx-specific contract optimization through contract assessment, rate benchmarking, and negotiation support designed to reduce costs without disrupting operations.
- UPS Contract Optimization UPS-specific contract optimization with detailed review of discounts, minimums, accessorials, and service mix using former carrier pricing expertise and benchmarking data.
- DHL 3PL Contract Optimization Third-party logistics contract optimization for businesses using DHL for fulfillment, helping cut costs with current providers while ensuring service standards are met.
- 3PL Contract Optimization Third-party logistics and fulfillment contract optimization service that assesses current provider alignment, negotiates best-in-class contract terms, and implements Service Level Agreements for accountability, averaging 15% savings for companies staying with incumbent providers.
- Freight Spend Management & Modal Optimization Strategic analysis comparing parcel, LTL, regional carrier, 3PL, and Special Rate Program options to identify the lowest total cost path for each shipment profile based on cost, transit time, service reliability, zones, weights, dimensions, accessorial exposure, and contract terms.
- Parcel Spend Management Portal Real-time shipping and logistics analytics platform providing on-demand visibility into shipping spend through dynamic, interactive charts with click-through capabilities, 55 pre-loaded charts, customizable dashboards, transportation cost scenario modeling, and rate increase impact measurement.
- Parcel Platform for Payments, Approval & Reporting (Parcel Pay) Automated carrier payment solution that consolidates and pays all carrier invoices, with an audit-first approach verifying every charge against negotiated contracts before payment, GL coding, cost allocation reporting, and PCI compliance.
- Special Rate Programs (SMB Rate Programs) Plug-and-play discounted shipping rate programs for small and medium-sized businesses that provide access to special UPS, FedEx, USPS, LTL, and regional carrier rates of up to 30% without requiring millions in shipping spend.
Quantifiable outcome
- Average 21.5% savings on annual shipping costs
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use Shipware
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Shipware technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature4 records
Shipware partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- SIB (SpendBrain)coreShipware has joined SIB to scale operations and expand cost savings across more categories. SIB is the parent company providing resources and infrastructure for growth. SpendBrain™ is SIB's flagship solution that Shipware now operates under.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Shipware competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Stord: Stord is a logistics technology and services provider offering warehousing, fulfillment, and supply chain software for ecommerce brands. Comparable to Shipware through overlapping 3PL contract optimization, fulfillment cost management, and shipping spend analytics capabilities.
- FourKites: FourKites is a supply chain visibility platform providing real-time shipment tracking and predictive ETA analytics for shippers and 3PLs. Comparable to Shipware through its transportation analytics capabilities that support carrier performance management and shipping spend optimization.
- Chainalytics (NTT Data): Chainalytics, now part of NTT Data, is a supply chain consulting and analytics firm providing transportation strategy, procurement, and spend management services. Comparable to Shipware through its freight contract optimization, carrier benchmarking, and transportation consulting capabilities.
Broad incumbents
- Blue Yonder: Blue Yonder is a leading supply chain technology platform providing TMS, WMS, and supply chain planning solutions for retailers and manufacturers. Comparable to Shipware through overlapping capabilities in transportation spend management, carrier rate optimization, and logistics analytics for enterprise shippers.
- Trimble Transportation: Trimble Transportation provides TMS, fleet management, and logistics visibility solutions for shippers and carriers. Comparable to Shipware through overlapping transportation spend management, carrier benchmarking, and multi-carrier analytics capabilities for enterprise shippers.
- Descartes Systems Group: Descartes is a logistics technology platform offering TMS, customs, routing, and freight audit/payment solutions. Comparable to Shipware through its overlapping freight audit, parcel analytics, and transportation spend management capabilities within a much broader logistics technology portfolio.
- Pitney Bowes: Pitney Bowes is a global shipping and mailing technology incumbent offering shipping software, mailing services, and ecommerce logistics solutions. Comparable to Shipware as a broad incumbent that includes parcel shipping analytics, rate shopping, and multi-carrier management within a much wider portfolio.
Direct peers
- nVision Global Technology: nVision Global provides global freight audit, transportation management, and supply chain analytics for shippers and logistics providers. Comparable to Shipware through its direct offering of multi-carrier parcel/LTL invoice audit, refund recovery, and freight spend management for enterprise shippers.
- Cass Information Systems: Cass is a leading freight payment and logistics services provider offering freight invoice audit, transportation spend management, and B2B payment solutions. Directly comparable to Shipware as both provide parcel/freight invoice auditing, rate negotiation support, and recurring spend analytics for high-volume enterprise shippers.
- TransAudit: TransAudit is a parcel and freight invoice audit firm focused on identifying billing errors and recovering refunds from major U.S. carriers. Comparable to Shipware as both specialize in parcel and LTL invoice auditing and gainshare-based refund recovery for high-volume shippers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Shipware social profiles
Digital presenceShipware compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Shipware financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Shipware leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Shipware funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Shipware M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Shipware
What does Shipware do?
Shipware provides parcel invoice auditing, carrier and 3PL contract optimization, freight spend management, and shipping analytics to U.S. businesses that ship parcels and freight. Its offerings recover refunds via a 65-point weekly invoice audit, renegotiate UPS/FedEx/LTL/3PL carrier contracts using former carrier pricing executives and proprietary benchmarking data, and surface shipping spend through the Spend Management Portal and Parcel Pay platforms. Engagement is sold on a gainshare or performance-based pricing model with no upfront cost to clients.
Is Shipware a public or private company?
Shipware is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Shipware founded?
Shipware was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Shipware based?
Shipware is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Shipware make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Parcel Invoice Audit - Gainshare Model is the primary driver. The others are spend Management Portal Subscription, contract Optimization - Performance-Based and 3PL Contract Optimization.
Who are Shipware's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Stord, FourKites and Chainalytics (NTT Data). Broad incumbents are Blue Yonder, Trimble Transportation, Descartes Systems Group and Pitney Bowes. Direct peers are nVision Global Technology, Cass Information Systems and TransAudit.
Does Shipware have an API?
No public API is recorded for Shipware.
What industry is Shipware in?
Shipware's product category is Shipping & Logistics Cost Optimization. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAIANAI, Parcel Shipping Program Management (Carrier Management/Rate Shopping). Its NAICS code is 488510 and its SIC code is 4731.