AfterShip Returns Free Plan 2026: What's Included & What's Not
Honest breakdown of the free tier limits and features
AfterShip Returns pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $0.5 to $400 per month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.
Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.
- Free tier: No free tier available
- Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
- Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
AfterShip Returns's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit.
What's Included in the Free Plan
- Up to 3 returns per month
- Basic returns portal
- Return label generation
- Email notifications
- Basic analytics
What's NOT Included (Paid Only)
- 20 returns per month included
- Branded returns portal
- Return analytics
- Basic integrations
- $0.50 per extra return
Free Plan Limits
| Limit | Free Plan | Paid Plans |
|---|---|---|
| returns | 3 returns per month maximum | Unlimited/Higher |
| features | Very limited feature set | Unlimited/Higher |
You'll Need to Upgrade When...
- You exceed the user limit
- You need features like 20 returns per month included or Branded returns portal
- You require premium support or SLA guarantees
- You need to remove branding or watermarks
- You need advanced integrations or API access
Hidden Restrictions on Free Plan
- AfterShip Returns branding may appear on your content or communications
- Support is limited to community forums or email with longer response times
- Export options may be restricted or include watermarks
- API access is typically limited or not available
- Advanced reporting and analytics require paid plans
Free vs Paid: Which Do You Need?
Free Plan is Enough If...
- You're an individual or very small team
- You need only basic features
- You don't mind usage limits
- Branding on output is acceptable
- Community support is sufficient
You Need Paid If...
- Your team is growing beyond limits
- You need advanced features
- Professional branding is required
- You need priority support
- Integrations/API access is critical
Free vs Essentials Plan Comparison
| Free $0 | Essentials $11/month | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 5 included | 7+ included |
| Support | Community/Email | Priority Support |
| Branding | AfterShip Returns branding | Your branding |
| Best For | Testing the platform or very low volume stores with minimal returns | Small ecommerce stores with low return volumes getting started with returns management |
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is AfterShip Returns free?
Yes, AfterShip Returns offers a forever free plan with 5 core features included. However, there are limits on returns, features that may require upgrading.
02 What's included in AfterShip Returns's free plan?
AfterShip Returns's free plan includes: Up to 3 returns per month, Basic returns portal, Return label generation, Email notifications, Basic analytics. Key limits include returns: 3 returns per month maximum, features: Very limited feature set.
03 What's NOT included in AfterShip Returns's free plan?
The free plan excludes: 20 returns per month included, Branded returns portal, Return analytics, Basic integrations, $0.50 per extra return. You'll also have AfterShip Returns branding and limited support options.
04 When should I upgrade from AfterShip Returns's free plan?
Consider upgrading when: you hit user or storage limits, need features like 20 returns per month included or Branded returns portal, require premium support, or want to remove branding. The cheapest paid plan starts at $11/month.
05 Is AfterShip Returns's free plan really free forever?
Yes, AfterShip Returns's free plan is available indefinitely with no time limit. However, feature and usage limits may restrict what you can do without upgrading to a paid plan.
Get AfterShip Returns pricing updates
We'll notify you when pricing changes or new free features are added.