You searched for Shopify Fulfillment Network and found… a list of 3PL apps? Or maybe you’re staring at the Fulfillment Network app wondering why Flexport seems to be everywhere but you can also choose other providers?

Here’s the quick story and, more importantly, what it means for your fulfillment decision today.

What Actually Happened to SFN: The Real Timeline

The Launch and Promise (2019)

Shopify announced SFN at Unite 2019 with a bold vision: a distributed fulfillment network powered by machine learning that would automatically place inventory close to customers. They weren’t messing around. They immediately bought 6 River Systems for $450M, a robotics company whose warehouse robots (“Chuck”) would power operations.

The promise to merchants: get Amazon-level delivery speed while keeping your brand identity.

The Growing Pains (2019-2021)

Like any ambitious new service, early SFN had its challenges. Some merchants experienced:

Inventory took 9-14 days just to START receiving
Stock got lost in warehouses for months
Email support took days or weeks to respond
No phone support whatsoever
Prices didn’t match what the calculator showed

These were real problems. One merchant reported serious issues with shipping delays. But these growing pains led to important changes.

The Deliverr Acquisition (2022)

In May 2022, Shopify accelerated their fulfillment plans by acquiring Deliverr for $2.1 billion. Deliverr had already cracked the code on 2-day delivery across multiple channels. This acquisition brought:

Working fulfillment centers (not just software)
Cross-marketplace capabilities
The technology behind Shop Promise badges

Shop Promise launched shortly after, showing delivery dates on product pages and reportedly boosting conversion rates by up to 25%.

The Flexport Partnership (2023)

By May 2023, Shopify made the smart move to partner with fulfillment specialists. They sold their logistics operation to Flexport, including:

The Deliverr acquisition
All fulfillment centers
Even the 6 River Systems robots (later sold to Ocado)

Flexport became the official logistics partner, with Shopify taking a ~13% equity stake. They doubled down in January 2024 with another $260M investment.

Today (2025)

Shopify Fulfillment now means a marketplace of fulfillment partners accessible through the Fulfillment Network app. Flexport is deeply integrated as the main partner, but merchants can choose from multiple providers.

This partnership approach works better for everyone. Shopify focuses on building great commerce tools, Flexport and other 3PLs handle the complex world of logistics, and merchants get more choices and better service.

Your Actual Fulfillment Options on Shopify

When you go to Shopify’s fulfillment page or install the Fulfillment Network app, here’s what you’ll find:

Option 1: Flexport (The “Official” Partner)

What it is: Flexport bought Shopify’s fulfillment operations and is now deeply integrated into Shopify. No separate app needed. It’s right in your admin.

The good:

Shop Promise badges (can boost conversion by 25%)
Integrated freight forwarding if you import
Works seamlessly with Shopify’s systems
Fast shipping from multiple US warehouses

The reality check:

Pricing runs higher than some alternatives (some merchants report 2-3x)
Email-only support (no phone)
$500 minimum monthly spend starting July 2025
Mixed reviews on inventory receiving times

Best for: Merchants who value deep integration and Shop Promise badges, with margins that support premium service.

Option 2: Other 3PL Apps in the Fulfillment Network

Available partners include:

ShipBob: 50+ global locations, strong tech
ShipMonk: Great for subscription boxes
Shipfusion: Canadian specialist
Amazon MCF: Yes, even Amazon
Plus others like DHL, GoBolt, Bigblue

The good:

Often cheaper than Flexport
Phone support (actual humans!)
Specialized services (kitting, custom packaging)
More flexibility on minimums

The reality check:

Not as deeply integrated as Flexport
No Shop Promise badges (except Amazon with Buy with Prime)
You manage the relationship directly

Best for: Merchants who want better pricing or specialized services. Check out our guide on choosing between boutique 3PLs and big players.

Option 3: Find Your Own 3PL

You don’t have to use the Fulfillment Network app at all. Any 3PL with a Shopify app or API integration can work.

Best for: Merchants with specific needs or existing 3PL relationships. See our complete guide on how to find a 3PL.

Shop Promise: The Badge That Actually Matters

Here’s something important: Shop Promise badges can increase conversion rates by up to 25%. That’s real money.

To get Shop Promise, you need:

Ship from a US location
Deliver 90% of orders within 5 days
Use Flexport OR meet strict performance standards with another 3PL
Have Shop Pay activated

If you qualify, those badges show up on product pages, checkout, and in the Shop app. It’s basically Shopify’s version of the Amazon Prime badge.

How to Actually Choose

Step 1: Know Your Priorities

Answer these first:

Is the Shop Promise badge worth premium pricing to you?
Do you need phone support or are you OK with email?
Are you importing goods that need freight forwarding?
What’s your monthly fulfillment volume?

Step 2: Run the Numbers

Don’t trust calculators. Take your last 30 days of orders and get real quotes:

What to compare:

Pick and pack fees
Storage costs (especially after 180 days)
Shipping rates by zone
Return processing fees
Monthly minimums
Setup and integration costs

Step 3: Test Before Committing

Start with 10-20% of your inventory. Run a pilot for 30 days. Track:

Actual delivery times (not promised)
Order accuracy
Support response times
True all-in cost per order

Need help tracking these metrics? That’s exactly what we built 3PL Pulse for.

The Quick Decision Framework

Choose Flexport if:

Shop Promise badge is crucial for your conversion
You want the most integrated solution
You import and need freight services
Your margins can handle premium pricing

Choose another Fulfillment Network partner if:

You want better pricing
Phone support is important
You need specialized services (kitting, fragile handling)
You’re OK without Shop Promise

Find your own 3PL if:

You have very specific requirements
You want the best possible pricing
You’re comfortable managing integrations
You already have a 3PL relationship

Getting Started: Your Action Plan

Install the Fulfillment Network app to see all integrated options
Check Shop Promise eligibility in your Shopify admin under Settings > Checkout
Get quotes from 2-3 providers using your actual order data
Run a pilot with your top choice using partial inventory
Monitor performance for 30 days before going all-in

The Bottom Line

Shopify Fulfillment Network confused everyone because the name stuck around but the service completely changed. What you have now is simpler: Shopify provides the software and connections, while logistics companies handle the actual fulfillment.

This is actually great for merchants. You get real choice, clearer pricing, and can switch providers without rebuilding everything. Shopify’s partnership approach means both commerce tools and fulfillment keep getting better, with specialists focusing on what they do best.

Just remember: there’s no perfect 3PL. Pick the one that matches your current needs and budget, then monitor their performance closely. Things change, and so should your fulfillment strategy.

Need help tracking your 3PL’s actual performance? Check out 3PL Pulse, but get your provider sorted first.

Confused About Shopify Fulfillment Network? Here's What You Actually Need to Know