With the boom of eCommerce, shipping has become a critical part of operations. To address tracking challenges that come with shipping, shipment tracking API has emerged, providing real-time updates on the status and location of shipments, thus offering a solution to the complexities of shipment monitoring. Although there are several free and paid shipment tracking APIs, it is necessary to choose one that suits your business needs.
This article will focus on free shipment trackers, their advantages, limitations, key features and the value to eCommerce and logistics businesses.
Definition of Free Shipment Tracking API
Free Shipment Tracking API, as the name suggests, is a method that allows businesses to track their shipments without any fees, which provides access to bulk tracking data for vast numbers of shipments. It’s similar to what’s available on tracking websites but at a significantly larger scale.
What’s more, the data you get from the tracking website is not real-time info in general. If you want to improve real-time shipment visibility, tracking API will come in handy.
Types of Free Shipment Tracking APIs
Securing a no-cost shipment tracking API can be quite rare since most established tracking service providers incur expenses to supply and update live tracking information, thus typically charging for API access. Nevertheless, you can look into a few alternatives:
Carrier-Specific APIs: Some carriers offer basic API access at no charge, subject to certain limits. These offerings are often tiered, providing limited functionality or a set number of free tracking inquiries. You’ll need to review the details on the carriers’ websites like UPS, USPS and FedEx. Information about the API is typically available on their developer portals.
Community-Based APIs: Community-supported or open-source APIs can be a cost-free option, though they might not guarantee the same consistency or comprehensive coverage as their commercial counterparts. An example can be found on the Public APIs GitHub repository, which lists various APIs including those for shipment tracking.
Trial Versions of Premium APIs: There are APIs that, while not free, offer accessible pricing models. These might include basic free access with the option to pay for more advanced features or greater volumes. For instance, TrackingMore‘s tracking API caters to newcomers by providing a 14-day free trial, showcasing its robust API capabilities. This approach enables users to test the service before committing to a paid subscription for expanded features or higher query volumes.
It’s important to read through the fine print to ensure the service aligns with your technical needs and financial scope. Also, remember that more economical options might come with restrictions on usage, capabilities, or customer support compared to fully paid services.
Key Features Common in Free Tracking APIs
Regardless of the free shipment tracker you are using, there are some common features to look out for. Here’s a brief overview of the key features of a shipment tracking API.
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Basic Tracking Information
One of the key features is basic tracking information. Subsequently, when you are using a free tracking API, you can have access to shipping status and estimated delivery dates. These are the basic information that stakeholders would like to know.
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Limited API Calls or Queries
Another feature to expect from a free tracking API is a limitation to the number of queries or API calls. This is necessary to maintain a balance between cost-of-service and functionality. Implementing such limits helps in regulating server demands and maintaining consistent, high-quality performance across the board. As a result, businesses that require higher volumes of tracking may need to upgrade to paid plans.
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Basic Integration Capabilities
People often expect a free tracking API that can be easily integrated with their applications and websites. But the truth is the integration complexity depends on the API’s design and the system you are using. Usually, the process needs API endpoints and an API key for authentication. Contact the customer support team of the API vendor if you meet any difficulties when integrating.
Limitations of Free Tracking APIs
The main advantage of free tracking APIs is they are a cost-effective solution for individuals and small business owners. They provide the basic shipment tracking features without the cost associated with premium APIs. However, there are some limitations that can not be ignored.
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Restricted Features Compared to Premium Versions
One of the limitations associated with the use of free tracking APIs is the lack of access to advanced features. Premium plans typically support a higher volume of shipment tracking at discounted rates and offer enhanced features, including more accurate and real-time tracking data. Moreover, while the basic features cover significant requirements for package tracking, there are cases where advanced options like customization or analytics would have been excellent.
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Potential Limitations in Carrier Coverage and API Calls
Another noteworthy limitation of using free tracking APIs is users can only access restricted carrier coverage and API calls. While certain renowned carriers provide a free version of their tracking APIs, businesses could only track packages shipped by them. For those partnering with multiple carriers, integrating each carrier’s API individually can consume considerable time and effort. In these cases, utilizing API aggregators designed for multi-carrier shipment tracking presents an efficient solution to this challenge. Furthermore, limited tracking quotas will constrain the ability to monitor shipments extensively, posing challenges to business expansion.
How to Choose the Right Free Tracking API
Numerous platforms provide access to a complimentary plan. Here are some factors to consider before selecting the ideal one for your business:
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Assessing Business Needs and API Capabilities
Before you select any shipment tracking API for your business, conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine what your business needs. This allows you to easily identify a tracking API that can meet your requirements. If you are an international company that wants to improve your shipment visibility and customer service, a real-time shipment tracking API integrated with multiple global carriers will be your top choice.
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Understanding the Scalability and Upgrade Paths
Another factor to consider before choosing a free tracking API is the possibility of scalability. An in-depth analysis of the upgrade paths ensures that the features of the API aligns with your business’s future demands. Key scalability considerations include the ability to handle growing shipment tracking volumes and compatibility with advancements in your Order Management System (OMS), etc. Reviewing all the plans and the API documentation offered by the API provider can help you make a more informed decision.
What Makes TrackingMore the Ideal Choice for Your Shipment Tracking API?
While there are many platforms that offer shipment tracking APIs, TrackingMore stands out for providing a cost-effective tracking solution for the eCommerce and logistics industries.
TrackingMore boasts an accurate, fast and stable shipment tracking API integrated with over 1,200 carriers worldwide, which allows businesses to track and monitor their shipments on one dashboard. With TrackingMore, you can get real-time shipment notifications automatically and manage shipment exceptions efficiently. This comprehensive tracking solution ensures businesses stay informed and proactive in their logistics management.
TrackingMore supports tracking for 50 tracking numbers freely each month. If you require more tracking quotas and advanced features, check out our pricing models. You can explore the possibility to customize tracking experiences and access detailed logistics reports, enhancing overall operational transparency and customer communication.
Integrating TrackingMore’s free tracking API into your system is seamless, with support for numerous programming languages. The associated SDKs (Software Development Kits) are openly accessible on GitHub, simplifying the integration process.
Do you need a free and scalable shipment tracking API for your business? Feel free to visit our public API documentation, find your inclusive API key and sign up a TrackingMore account to start an incredible shipment tracking experience now.
