What counts as a “tracking plugin”?
Most “shipment tracking” plugins focus on the post-purchase moment: attach a tracking number to the order, generate a link, and notify the customer when the carrier scans an event. Some add branded tracking pages or SMS nudges, but they all assume labels were created somewhere else. When ops teams still copy/paste numbers, staff chase CSV imports, and customers refresh inboxes for updates, you only get half the experience.
Popular options in this category
- Advanced Shipment Tracking (AST): 850+ carriers, bulk CSV imports, PayPal sync, and a helpful tracking widget. Ideal if you already have a label tool and just need automation. See AST vs ParcelOffice ↗
- AfterShip: Cloud tracking with branded portals, analytics, and email/SMS automation. Powerful, but all data flows through AfterShip’s SaaS. Compare AfterShip vs ParcelOffice ↗
- TrackShip: Often paired with AST to push delivery statuses back into WooCommerce. Still requires another tool for labels. TrackShip comparison ↗
- ParcelPanel: Polished branded tracking hubs with upsell blocks. Freemium pricing with caps that creep up as you grow. ParcelPanel comparison ↗
- WooCommerce Shipment Tracking (Official): Lightweight core extension that adds a carrier dropdown and tracking field - solid for manual workflows. WooCommerce Shipment Tracking vs ParcelOffice ↗
- Orders Tracking (VillaTheme): Adds per-item tracking plus SMS/email hooks, but labels still come from somewhere else. VillaTheme comparison ↗
- Route (adjacent): Insurance + app-based tracking to reassure customers after handoff. Great for risk mitigation, not for running fulfillment. Route comparison ↗
Strengths of tracking-only tools
Tracking apps shine when customer communication is the only gap. They standardise carrier links, consolidate events, and lower “Where’s my order?” (WISMO) tickets by sending proactive nudges. Marketing teams also love the control over copy, colours, and upsell placements on branded tracking pages. If you already run a reliable label operation and just need better visibility, these plugins move the needle quickly.
Where tracking-only stops - and ParcelOffice begins
Tracking add-ons are reactive: they wait for you to add a number manually or via CSV. ParcelOffice starts before that with rules-based automation:
- Labels + tracking in one flow: Generate the label → tracking ID is saved to the order → branded emails send instantly.
- Smart carrier selection: Rules weigh cost, speed, product tags, and promises to choose the right carrier/service automatically instead of relying on human judgement.
- Pack-bench notes (v1.5): Remind pickers about inserts or split shipments so the info in the tracking email matches what actually ships.
- Why/why-not + telemetry: See why a rule fired, spot failure spikes, and troubleshoot in minutes instead of digging through spreadsheets.
- Privacy-by-design: ParcelOffice evaluates rules statelessly and signs responses, so customer PII stays inside WooCommerce instead of visiting a third-party dashboard.
Why ParcelOffice is best-in-class for WooCommerce
ParcelOffice is built for UK/EU teams who need Royal Mail, DHL, and adapter-friendly workflows without juggling multiple plugins. You get one-click labels, background evaluations, safe reprints, and hands-off tracking emails in the same UI your team already knows. Need branded experiences? Keep your favourite tracking page for marketing - and let ParcelOffice power the data reliably underneath. When you’re ready to consolidate, ParcelOffice already has the automation, audit timelines, and data integrity you need to replace tracking-only tools altogether.
Looking into external SaaS hubs next? Jump to Sendcloud vs ShipStation vs Packlink vs Easyship for a comparison of cloud dashboards vs WooCommerce-native automation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a tracking plugin if I print labels with ParcelOffice?
ParcelOffice generates the label and posts tracking numbers back to the order automatically, so you don’t need a separate tracking-only plugin. Some teams keep AST or similar tools temporarily for historical data, but ParcelOffice already handles the automation.
Can ParcelOffice email customers with tracking information automatically?
Yes. ParcelOffice triggers branded emails the moment a label succeeds, includes pack-bench notes, and updates the WooCommerce My Account timeline - no extra SMTP or webhook wiring is required.
Does ParcelOffice support Royal Mail and DHL tracking links?
Royal Mail, DHL, and any adapter you enable return signed tracking data. Customers see carrier-specific links, and your support team gets an audit trail of every status change.
How does ParcelOffice reduce failed deliveries compared to tracking-only plugins?
Tracking-only add-ons react to problems. ParcelOffice prevents them by enforcing rules (weight, value, destination) before printing, surfacing pack-bench notes, and logging telemetry so you can spot carriers that miss SLAs.