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3PL Cost Comparison Calculator — Compare Multiple 3PL Quotes

Compare total cost across multiple 3PL providers side by side. Storage, pick-and-pack, inbound receiving, and value-added services — find the best total cost for your volume.

Quick answer: 3PL quotes vary 30–60% between providers for the same volume profile. Always compare on total cost at your actual volume — per-pallet storage rates look cheap until you see the per-order pick fees.

🏭 3PL Cost Comparison Calculator

3PL Option A
3PL Option B
Best Option
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Option A Monthly Cost
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Option B Monthly Cost
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How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your actual volume profile — monthly orders, avg SKUs per order, pallet storage positions, and inbound pallets.
  2. Enter 3PL quotes — get itemised quotes from each 3PL — storage per pallet, pick & pack per order, and receiving per pallet.
  3. Check for monthly minimums — some 3PLs have monthly minimums that make them expensive at lower volumes — enter these to get accurate comparison.

Worked Example

3,000 orders/month, 120 pallets, 45 inbound. A: $18 storage, $3.85 pick, $12 receive. B: $14 storage, $4.50 pick, $15 receive.

  1. Option A: $2,160 + $11,550 + $540 = $14,250/mo
  2. Option B: $1,680 + $13,500 + $675 = $15,855/mo
  3. Winner: Option A saves $1,605/mo ($19,260/yr)

Option A wins despite higher storage because pick cost dominates at 3,000 orders/month. At only 1,000 orders/month, Option B's lower storage cost would dominate. Always model at your actual volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Setup/onboarding fees ($500–$5,000), account management fees ($200–$500/month), carton-level receiving (vs pallet), per-label fees, special handling fees, returns processing, bin/each storage (vs pallet), and annual rate increase clauses. Always ask for a complete fee schedule, not just the headline rates.

Single 3PL: simpler, better relationship, higher leverage for rate negotiation. Multi-3PL: geographic distribution for faster delivery, redundancy, competitive pressure. Most brands start single and add a second 3PL when volume justifies a regional DC strategy or when service issues with the primary emerge.