A free off-platform label tool against eBay's own shipping labels, compared on rates, tracking, batch printing and selling on more than one site.
The short answer
Use eBay labels for orders that sell on eBay: tracking uploads itself and eBay Standard Envelope lives only there. Use Pirate Ship for everything else you ship yourself, from Etsy orders to your own shop, and to batch several stores in one place.
Pirate Ship
eBay labels
eBay labelsSide by side
How they compare on packing and shipping.
- Cost to use
- Pirate ShipFree, no subscription; you pay the postage.
- eBay labelsFree; postage comes off your eBay payout.
- Carriers
- Pirate ShipUSPS and UPS at discounted rates.
- eBay labelsUSPS, UPS and FedEx at eBay's discounted rates.
- Tracking on eBay orders
- Pirate ShipSent back to eBay when the store is connected.
- eBay labelsAdded to the order automatically.
- Card shipping
- Pirate ShipNo eBay Standard Envelope.
- eBay labelsOffers eBay Standard Envelope for eligible cards.
- Selling on several sites
- Pirate ShipImports orders from eBay, Etsy and other stores into one list.
- eBay labelsOnly eBay orders.
- Small, heavy boxes
- Pirate ShipUSPS Cubic pricing for small, dense boxes.
- eBay labelsStandard weight-based rates.
| Pirate Ship · 2 | eBay labels · 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to use | Free, no subscription; you pay the postage. | Free; postage comes off your eBay payout. |
| Carriers | USPS and UPS at discounted rates. | USPS, UPS and FedEx at eBay's discounted rates. |
| Tracking on eBay orders | Sent back to eBay when the store is connected. | Added to the order automatically. |
| Card shipping | No eBay Standard Envelope. | Offers eBay Standard Envelope for eligible cards. |
| Selling on several sites | Imports orders from eBay, Etsy and other stores into one list. | Only eBay orders. |
| Small, heavy boxes | USPS Cubic pricing for small, dense boxes. | Standard weight-based rates. |
Choose Pirate Ship if
- You sell on eBay and Etsy or your own shop and want one label queue.
- You ship small, heavy boxes that price lower on cubic rates.
- You want to compare USPS and UPS side by side on every order.
- You print a big batch once a day.
Choose eBay labels if
- eBay is your only or main store.
- You ship single cards on eBay Standard Envelope.
- You want tracking on the order with no setup.
- You want the postage taken from your payout, not a card.
The guide
Each step in the order you'll need it.
How each one charges you
Pirate Ship charges nothing to use: you add money or a card and pay for each label at its commercial rate. eBay labels take the postage out of your eBay payouts.
Both sell USPS labels at well below the post office counter price. Compare a few of your usual packages in each before you settle on one.
Kit for this step
Tracking and eBay's protections
An eBay label puts tracking on the order the moment you buy it, and eBay uses that tracking when a buyer reports an item not received.
Pirate Ship can send tracking back to eBay once you connect your store. Check the connection works on your first few orders before you rely on it.
Cards and small items
eBay Standard Envelope is a cheap tracked option for eligible cards under a set value, and you can only buy it through eBay labels. Card sellers on eBay usually keep it for single cards.
Pirate Ship has no envelope service. For card lots in a rigid mailer or a small box, it sells USPS Ground Advantage like eBay does.
Kit for this step
Using both on one printer
Many sellers buy eBay labels for eBay orders and use Pirate Ship for Etsy, Mercari orders with their own label, or local sales they ship. Both print 4 × 6 inch labels on the same thermal printer.
Set both to the same label size and keep one stack loaded. Print each tool's batch separately so labels stay in order.
Kit for this step
Questions
Straight answers to what sellers ask about this.
Is Pirate Ship cheaper than eBay labels?
Sometimes, depending on weight, size and carrier. Price a few of your usual packages in both tools before you choose.
Is Pirate Ship free?
Yes. There's no subscription or label fee; you pay only for the postage.
Can I use Pirate Ship for eBay orders?
Yes. Connect your eBay store and Pirate Ship imports orders and sends tracking back.
Can I ship eBay Standard Envelope through Pirate Ship?
No. eBay Standard Envelope is only sold through eBay's own labels.
What if I print a label and don't use it?
Both let you void an unused USPS label for a refund within a set time. Check each help page for the current window.
Do I need a thermal printer?
No, both print on letter paper. A thermal printer with 4 × 6 inch labels is faster once you ship a few packages a day.
