When it comes to shipping, there is no universally “best” option—only the best option for your business priorities right now.
At ShipMonk, the most common question we get is: “Should I use Economy or Standard?” They are similar enough to invite comparison, yet different enough that the choice impacts your bottom line and customer experience.
To answer this, we need to look beyond just the price tag and understand how ShipMonk’s Virtual Carrier Network (VCN) works to protect your business.
The Strategy: Why We Manage the Network So You Don’t Have To
At ShipMonk, shipping runs through a Virtual Carrier Network (VCN). Instead of asking you to vet and choose individual carriers, the VCN allows you to choose a Service Level (Economy, Standard, or 2-Day). We then manage the routing, performance, and optimization underneath.
This abstraction is intentional. It is designed to absorb market volatility so your business keeps moving.
The “GOFO” Example: The VCN in Action
Carrier networks are not static. Capacity shifts, lanes change, and carriers move in and out of the market. A perfect example of the VCN’s value is the recent rollout of GOFO Express (formerly Cirro) within ShipMonk Economy.
ShipMonk had already been testing and piloting GOFO as part of a planned network expansion. When the market experienced a sudden shift due to a different carrier shutting down, the VCN allowed us to activate this already-vetted option immediately.
Because the carrier is abstracted into the service level:
- Merchants didn’t have to scramble to find a new carrier or renegotiate rates.
- Operations continued seamlessly; tracking and claims worked exactly the same.
- ShipMonk continued to own the performance and SLAs.
This is the core value of the VCN: We normalize the addition of carriers to maintain fluidity. We absorb the chaos of the logistics industry so you can focus on selling.
Economy vs. Standard: The Core Differences
Once you trust the VCN to handle the “who,” your only decision is the “what.” Which service level aligns with your goals?
1. ShipMonk Economy
- Prioritizes: Cost Efficiency.
- Transit Time: 3–7 Business Days.
- Best For: Merchants where price is the primary concern and speed is flexible.
The “Hidden” Benefit: Economy does not have a Residential Surcharge.
Since most ecommerce packages are delivered to homes, this is a massive factor. If your packages are typically over 1lb and go to residential addresses, Economy shields you from surcharges that apply to Standard shipments.
2. ShipMonk Standard
- Prioritizes: Speed and Predictability.
- Transit Time: 2–5 Business Days.
- Best For: Merchants who need a faster delivery promise to compete or satisfy customers.
The “Hidden” Benefit: Standard uses a more favorable Dimensional (Dim) Factor.
While Standard is generally more expensive, it offers a “194” dim factor (compared to a smaller factor in Economy). If you ship large, lightweight boxes (like pillows or plush toys), Standard might actually price closer to or even below Economy because it penalizes volume less aggressively.
Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | ShipMonk Economy | ShipMonk Standard |
| Primary Goal | Lowest possible cost | Faster, consistent transit |
| Est. Transit | 3–7 Days | 2–5 Days |
| Residential Fee | None | Applies to packages >1 lb |
| Dim Factor | Standard Market Rate | Better (194) for bulky items |
| Carrier Mix | Includes Economy-only carriers (e.g., GOFO) | Standard-tier carrier mix |
Note on 2-Day Shipping: ShipMonk 2-Day sits in a class by itself. It is a significant deviation in both price and speed from Economy and Standard. If you are deciding between Economy and Standard, 2-Day is usually not the alternative—it is a separate tool for urgency.
The Verdict: Which one is right for you?
Don’t rely on carrier name familiarity; anchor your trust in ShipMonk’s SLAs and our ownership of the process. We monitor the network so you don’t have to.
Choose Economy If:
- Price is king. You want the absolute lowest rate on the invoice.
- You ship to homes. You want to avoid residential surcharges on >1lb packages.
- Speed is flexible. Your customers are okay waiting 3-7 days.
Choose Standard If:
- Speed matters. You need a tighter delivery window (2-5 days) to keep customers happy.
- Your boxes are big. You are shipping bulky items and need the better 194 Dim Factor to keep costs down.
- Experience is key. You want a premium feel to the delivery timeline.
Ultimately, the question isn’t “Which carrier is best?” The question is, “Am I using the right service level for my business strategy?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is ShipMonk?
ShipMonk is a leading 3PL (third-party logistics) provider that helps enterprise ecommerce brands “Stress Less and Grow More.” We provide end-to-end fulfillment services, including warehousing, packing, and shipping, powered by industry-leading technology that provides real-time visibility into your inventory and orders.
Who is ShipMonk for?
ShipMonk is purpose-built for enterprise brands looking to scale their business without losing control or visibility. We specialize in helping high-growth companies transition from messy, manual operations to a streamlined, automated fulfillment strategy that feels like an extension of their own team.
What is a Virtual Carrier Network (VCN)?
A VCN is ShipMonk’s proprietary method of managing shipping. Instead of locking you into one carrier (like USPS or FedEx), we group carriers into service levels (Economy, Standard, etc.). We then use data and real-time performance monitoring to route your packages through the best possible carrier for that specific service level. This ensures you get the best rates and reliability without having to manage carrier relationships yourself.
Does ShipMonk Economy include tracking?
Yes. Regardless of the carrier used within the Economy service level, all shipments include end-to-end tracking that integrates directly into your ShipMonk dashboard and your customer-facing tracking pages.
