Overview

Most eCommerce brands consider returns a crisis situation and for good reason. The National Retail Federation in its 2023 report accounted for $743 billion in returned merchandise, with online brands making up 17.6% of it.

Without the right system in place, businesses struggle to handle huge volumes of returns, incur unprecedented expenses, and risk upsetting their customers. Thankfully, there are solutions that help you entirely skip this stressful situation - the supreme of which is returns management software.

In this article, we’ll introduce to you the best eCommerce returns solutions and explore different factors you can look for to choose one of them.

13 Best Software for eCommerce Returns Management

Return management software that is crowned the best does more than generic operations. Let’s find out what’s special about each of them.

1. ClickPost

As one of the most data-driven returns automation software, ClickPost offers practical and hassle-free returns management with customizable features to fit every business’ unique needs. Starting with a branded returns portal that can be pre-configured to your return policy and SKU exception rules, it leverages AI and a blend of smart technologies to create a comprehensive workflow for returns and exchanges. 

Here are the four core areas of returns management that ClickPost addresses:

— Automated Returns, Exchanges, and Refunds

— Resolution for pickup exceptions or failures

— Live shipment tracking and notification

— Personalization, branding, and customizations 

Taking strength from its core abilities in robust shipping management and integrations with 450+ carriers, ClickPost streamlines returns merchandise authorization and reverse logistics—such as return label generation, pickup scheduling, etc. The software specifically addresses the needs of medium and large enterprises, giving them a range of data-guided insights to support product adjustments, carrier selection, and customer experience. 

Key Features:

• Automatically allocates the best carrier based on solid ML algorithms, that streamlines your reverse logistics. 
• Offers a white-labeled returns portal with customizable return policies and pre-set rules to create a branded returns experience.
• Easily converts returns into exchanges, offering multiple exchange options and automatically issuing refunds when a designated milestone is reached.
• Tracks return order in real-time using push and pull APIs and employs multiple communication mediums for on-time notifications. 
• Reduces instances of failed pickups and drop-offs through automated communication with customers, before it escalates to a return loss. 

Pros:

• Makes 30% returns into exchanges. 
• Lowers “Where Is My Return” customer queries. 
• Has a specialized Shopify returns app.
• Improves Net Promoter Score (NPS) score for businesses.

Cons:

• May be priced at a premium compared to competitors. 
• May need more mechanisms for detecting return fraud. 

2. Loop Returns

There’s much to like about a return management solution as multifunctional and dynamic as Look Returns. It’s a one-stop platform for planning, managing, and executing an exchange experience that customers will buzz about the most.

 Loop Returns works on four core areas:

—Automated exchange workflows

— Live return status updates 

— Detect return fraud 

— Pre-negotiated carrier rates

Loop Returns has revamped the way businesses and customers approach instant exchange, allowing them to opt for an exchange anytime before the refund is processed. Its smart rate shopping facility gives businesses a convenient way to choose the lowest shipping rates for every return with a select few carriers like FedEx and USPS. 

Key Features:

• It offers instant exchange where customers receive the exchanged item before they ship their returns, driving their loyalty. 
• It opens up your entire catalog to customers, allowing them to browse and add more products to their shopping cart.
• Its Point of Sale (POS) software automatically creates shipping labels and tracks inventory, allowing easy returns and exchanges at retail outlets. 
• It automates the warranty process, creating a unified experience for customers to claim warranty or replacements in online or offline mode. 

Pros:

1. Extremely user-friendly. 
2. Diligent customer support. 
3. Digital return labels. 

Cons: 

1. Challenges with data export. 
2. Mostly geared towards fashion brands. 

3. Narvar

Narvar is a master of post-purchase optimization but lends its resources to streamline returns as well. Its primary focus is to forge customer loyalty by crafting intelligent communications and consistent branded returns experience. 

It concentrates on four primary areas:

— AI-powered delivery dates prediction

— Customizable delivery alerts 

— Smart returns tactics

— Rigorous data processing 

Narvar is an epicenter of all things post-purchase and post-returns. It is well-versed in refining operational efficiencies by predicting delays and removing friction from customer experience. It pairs you with 300+ carriers and operates a return concierge network that gives your customers the flexibility of both pickup and drop-off options. 

Key Features:

• Offers box-free returns and consolidated returned items, introducing an element of sustainability for your business.
• Provides QR-based returns shipping label that is easily scannable at 200k+ return locations that fall under its concierge network.
• Has smart routing rules that consolidate merchandise based on your objectives and send them to any of your intended destinations.
• Creates a return portal that displays your brand aesthetics and follows your return policies automatically. 

Pros: 

1. Helps you craft a special returns experience for VIP customers.
2. Checks for return frauds.
3. Saves on processing and shipping costs.

Cons:

1. Relatively expensive.
2. Complex setup process. 

4. AfterShip Returns Center

AfterShip has created its own niche in the market as a global multi-carrier shipping solution, operating in 133 countries. Though returns management forms one of its many branches, its strength lies in optimizing return initiation and reverse logistics for businesses. 

These are the four key areas that stand out: 

— Shipment tracking

— Email marketing and other sales resources

—Returns and warranty management

— Domestic and international shipping

AfterShips unlocks new opportunities for you with every product returned, either by encouraging exchange or sprucing up after-returns marketing notifications. It certainly helps that AfterShip enables integrations with third-party logistics services like ShipBob or ShipHero, as well as other software for orchestrating transportation, order management, and warehousing. 

Key Features: 

• Proactive tracking from a branded tracking page and acute shipment visibility from a centralized dashboard. 
• Flexible returns and exchanges logic that works according to your business goals and policy. 
• Auto-detection of returns fraud with an intelligent algorithm that detects discrepancies when customers file return requests. 
• Sets up an omnichannel warranty system that operates on eligibility criteria and sorts out claims without manual intervention. 

Pros:

1. It supports 25+ eCommerce sales channels.
2. It has a multi-tiered pricing policy for different business models.
3. It uses AI to personalize product discovery and recommendation. 

Cons:

1. There have been concerns about poor customer service.
2. Prior cases raised the issue of overcharging clients. 

5. Happy Returns 

Happy Returns is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to providing customers the return convenience they crave. It is a pioneer of box-free and label-free returns and has more recently mastered the omnichannel way of bringing customers back to the store with BORIS (Buy Online, Return In-Store). 

Happy Returns has four main purposes:

— Make returns an entirely hassle-free experience.

— Delighting customers to increase their Net Promoter Score.

—  Preventing return abuse with stringent monitoring. 

— Boost logistical efficiency. 

Officially, Happy Returns is now part of the UPS family, elevating its reputation for reliable reverse logistics services. As a returns management service provider, Happy Returns accurately identifies pain points in the customer's return journey and replaces the complexity of mailing returns with an easy drop-off option. 

A case in point is its 10k+ Return Bar— the first-of-its-kind concierge service that provides customers with a simple way to return items using QR codes, prompting instant refunds. 

Key Features:

• Offers multiple refund options, including Appel wallet passes and in-store credit,  incentivizing in-person returns.
• Checks for return frauds using its patented image verification system and systematic scanning. 
• Consolidates returned items to lower shipping costs and diligently organizes packages for swift restocking. 
• Helps prioritize your store for returns and exchanges, and provides shipping supplies for home pickups with UPS. 

Pros:

1. It has extensive APIs for real-time tracking.
2. 30 secs returns and exchange process.
3. Has a free trial option before you commit. 

Cons:

1. Not the best when it comes to gift returns.
2. Needs to expand its Return Bar network. 

6. ReturnLogic

ReturnLogic prioritizes the conversion of returns from a cost center to a profitable part of your business. Its motto is to automate and optimize every segment of the returns procedure, saving you time and money from manually dwelling over large volumes of returns. It furnishes you with the business insights and tools required to design an exceptional customer experience. 

ReturnLogic’s offerings apply to these four areas:

— Gathering insights into return costs. 

— Designing a white-labeled returns portal.

— Automating returns and exchanges.

— Providing end-to-end visibility of returned merchandise.

Having founders who are former eCommerce merchants, ReturnLogic takes pride in solving return complexities to help you scale up.  It has built a solid reputation for reducing return rates for Shopify brands, making it an ideal returns management software for Shopify merchants. 

Key features:

• Offers granular visibility and numerous data reports to help you discern the impact of returns on the business's bottom line
• Motivates customers to prefer exchange with bonus store credits and promotions to lower return rates.
• Automatically sync with shipping carriers of your choice and generate return labels on the go. 
• Instills transparency in the returns and exchange process, price calculation, and allowing add-ons at exchange checkout. 

Pros:

1. Easy-to-use interface 
2. Strong data analysis tool
3. Live customer support 

Cons:

1. It may be pricey for small and medium-sized companies.

7. Reclaimit

Reclaimit is an eCommerce returns solution that takes care of your customer journey the minute they decide to return a product. Not only does it devise a painless way to submit return requests, but it also addresses current customer concerns over sustainable returns. 

Reclaimit primarily works on these core areas:

— Optimizing returns policy. 

— Creating customer-centric returns.

— Focusing on reducing return waste.

— Automating the returns process.

Key Features:

• A mobile-friendly branded portal for unified returns, exchanges, and warranty claims. 
• A dedicated tracking system for real-time notifications and order visibility.
• A smart order routing algorithm that directs multiple shipments to different locations based on your given rules.
• Has multiple sustainable solutions like BORIS, digital return labels, and an intelligent tool to improve product descriptions. 

Pros:

1. Flexible returns across online and offline channels.
2. Quick refunds and exchanges.
3. Integrations with multiple global carriers. 

Cons:

1. Fewer customization options. 
2. Less suited for D2C brands. 

8. Unicommerce

Unicommerce is primarily known as an eCommerce enablement software and holds expertise in multiple fronts— including inventory and warehouse management, payment reconciliation, and tracking. Given its focus task of optimizing forward logistics and order management, Unicommerce lends its support to returns management for handling inventory and arranging shipping services.  

Here are some of its returns management facilities: 

• It helps to trace returned inventory and monitors the evaluation, processing, sorting, and stocking of returned SKUs in warehouses. 
• It offers a returns management dashboard that gives granular visibility of every return order status, including information on the shipping carrier. 
• It lets you schedule pickups with carriers for return orders and offers customers the option of in-person return.
• It has a quality control mechanism to prevent customers from returning damaged products. 
• It helps manage RTO (Return-to-Origin) orders and handles returns for bulk B2B shipments
• It provides effortless tracking from pre-order dispatch to returns, and personalized real-time notifications. 

Pros:

1. An integrated solution with diverse product offerings.
2. Seamlessly integrates with ERPs and WMS.
3. Offers omnichannel returns.

Cons:

1. Reports have been made about data and sync errors.
2. Issues with payment reconciliation. 
3. There can be a steep learning curve for some. 

9.  ShippyPro

If you’ve ever doubted the ability of a global shipping platform to match the prowess of niche returns management software, you might be surprised by ShippyPro. Though renowned for its shipping excellence, ShippyPro has a number of returns management tricks up its sleeve.

Before we proceed to its key features, let’s see its foundational capabilities:

— Automates shipping workflows

— Detailed oversight of shipments.

— Comprehensive data analysis 

— International returns management support 

ShippyPro’s returns management is simple yet powerful. Its returns portal can be easily embedded into your website or shared as a link through emails. Apart from the central returns features, its other services like route optimization, serviceable APIs for pickup arrangements, and rate shopping also contribute to optimizing returns. 

Key Features:

• Customizes return rules and enforces them through a branded return portal.
• Auto-generates inbound and outbound labels streamlining returns for warehouses and customers. 
• Access to 180+ carriers for return pickup scheduling, showcasing customers' pick and drop-off locations on a map at checkout.
• Automatically sends return instructions to customers through emails. 

Pros:

1. Multi-carrier support.
2. Multiple personalization options. 
3. AI-driven product recommendations. 

Cons:

1. Certain facilities are only available on a premium plan.
2. Some delays in processing orders have been recorded. 

10. Yayloh

Yayloh has earned its stripes as an expert returns management solution in the fashion industry—and for all the right reasons! Yayloh’s fully automated returns management amenities cater to the unique return and exchange needs of fashion brands and foster strong customer engagement in an industry known for stiff competition. 

Here are 4 principles on which Yayloh operates:

— Provide in-depth return insights.

— Create a customer-centric return experience.

— Support sustainable returns.

— Cultivate long-term customer relationships through returns. 

Yayloh’s specialization is in turning refunds into opportunities for cross-sale and customer engagement points. It encourages repeat purchases and store credits to retain customer revenue while giving them a flawless returns experience, personalized according to customer segmentation.  

Key Features:

• Offers many levels of customizations for the return policy— like charging different restocking fees based on a customer’s location. 
• Automatically creates exchange orders in your OMS.
• Designs a distinct returns and exchange experience for VIP customers, including free returns, instant exchanges, etc. 
• Provides logistical assistance like carrier integrations and return label generation for cross-border returns across Europe.

Pros:

1. Stronghold on tracking.
2. In-store returns.
3. Stringent data reporting. 

Cons:

1. Some of its features aren’t completely automated. 
2. It has fewer integrations besides European courier services. 

11. ReadyReturns

ReadyReturns is another returns management software that operates on the motto of making returns an amazing experience. It offers a clear, compact, and mobile-friendly return portal for customers who prefer to shop on their mobile devices and look for a return process that is compatible with the small screen. 

ReadyReturns addresses four common concerns of businesses:

— The lack of visibility in returns.

— The issue of prompting customers towards exchanges. 

— The problem of multiple returns from the same customer.

— The hassle of returning a product without proper channels. 

Here’s how ReadyReturns combats each of these problems effortlessly with its key features:

• It uncomplicates tracking with its comprehensive shipment monitoring at a granular level and visibility from a unified dashboard. 
• It offers store credit and same product swapping for easy exchanges. 
• It allows your customers to consolidate their returns into fewer boxes, saving you on shipping costs.
• It supports pre-printed ‘pay-on-use’ return labels that customers can simply fix to their box and drop off at any UPS store.

Pros:

1. User-friendly interface.
2.  Automated processes.

Cons:

1. Integration issues. 
2. Limited features for large businesses. 

12. Optoro

Optoro is a scalable returns management software that has carved its name among many competitors for seamlessly handling returns and reverse logistics. It leverages machine learning and AI for retailers and 3PLs to oversee and manage the entire return lifecycle—from return initiation by customers to inventory receipt at the warehouse. 

Optoro has earned many accolades as one of the most innovative returns management software for solutions like express returns. It helps you identify and engage with customers who are loyal and shows a higher retention chance. It helps you focus on their needs and engage them with perks like at-home pickups, gift cards for enabling exchanges, and more. 

Key Features:

• It tackles the restocking, recycling, refurbishing, and liquidation of returned products to ease warehouse operations. 
• It provides data-driven insights to help retailers understand return reasons and grasp customer behavior to manage inventory and returns operations.
• It determines the fastest way to get the shipments to the consolidation center or warehouses with a smart routing algorithm.
• It offers real-time inventory management for timely replenishment and inventory allocation. 

Pros:

1. Works for reuse and recycling returned items.
2. Reduces shipment handling costs. 
3. Customizable returns portal. 

Cons:

1. Integration complexity. 
2. Higher priced than its counterparts. 

13. Orderhive 

Though an inventory planner and a cloud-based inventory management software, Orderhive can be a good companion for businesses with limited returns problems. With a built-in EDI and POS system, Orderhive can be used for managing returned inventory in warehouses and retail stores. 

Let’s look at some of the ways Orderhive can be useful in managing returns:

• It can help you control returned inventory— like receiving the stock, processing it, and storing it back on the shelves and bins. 
• Its POS system can help with cash reconciliation for returns and exchanges at stores, and manage inventory at its site.
• It can help you send alerts to customers for back-in-stock items to facilitate exchanges instead of returns. 

Pros:

1. Affordable pricing.
2. Complete inventory management.

Cons:

1. Limitations for mobile devices
2. Limited customizations for returns.