Best Returns Management Software in 2024

Returns and exchanges are growing significantly in ecommerce. In this article, we will explore the most outstanding returns management software options available in 2024. Whether you are running an established ecommerce business or starting your online venture, these software solutions can work wonders for streamlining your returns process and optimizing customer satisfaction.

What is returns management software and why do you need one?

Returns management software is a specialized tool or system that helps eCommerce businesses automate and optimize the handling of returns. It serves as a centralized platform to manage the entire returns process, from initiation to resolution. The primary purpose of returns management software is to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.

With returns management software, businesses can efficiently handle the complexities associated with return requests. It automates various tasks, such as generating return labels, tracking returned items, managing stock availability for exchanges, and issuing refunds. By automating these processes, it minimizes errors, reduces manual effort, and speeds up the overall return cycle.

Benefits of integrating the returns management software:

• Reduce manpower costs and minimizes manual errors
• Convert returns into upsells or exchanges
• Optimize returns processing and shipping costs through data analysis
• Increase customer satisfaction and attract repeat customers

How to choose returns management software for your business?

When looking for the best return management software in 2024, you want to find a solution that offers a variety of features designed to streamline the process and improve customer satisfaction. These features include a returns management portal, a branded returns page, customizable returns policies and rules, and returns analytics.

However, with so many options available, choosing the right software for your business can be overwhelming. To simplify the decision-making process, we have created a simple checklist that highlights the key elements you should consider when selecting a returns software.

By using our checklist, you can prioritize the most important aspects that align with your business needs. This will help you make an informed decision and ensure that the chosen software meets your specific requirements for efficient handling of product returns and ultimately enhances customer satisfaction.

Learn more about how to choose Returns Management Software.

Integrations and compatibility

Integrations that come with the returns solution are also important. This usually includes the major ecommerce platforms and tech solutions integrations. The former determines whether the software integrates with your current systems. And software with more tech partner integrations can increase the effectiveness of the automation. If you require a custom connection, the returns management software you choose must provide open APIs. This is the foundation that allows you to customize the integration to be compatible with your system.

Customizable returns rules

Look for tools that allow custom rules and conditional logic. Depending on the policy corresponding to the product categories, the automated return process can be perfectly implemented, sometimes requiring conditional logic. If the software only provides limited options, you will likely have to deal with specific situations manually. So, it is recommended that you choose a returns management software that can cater to your specific business needs and regulations in order to manage the constant flow of unpredictable product returns effectively.

Branded look and feel

Merchants should be granted the liberty to personalize the appearance and ambiance of their returns management software. This enables them to establish a positive branding experience for customers, thereby enhancing their brand image.

Returns management software generally offers two features: creating returns pages and sending returns notifications. To fully leverage these capabilities, merchants require an editing tool that supports customization. This editor should include pre-designed notification triggers that can be tailored as needed. Additionally, it should prioritize ease of use, thus evaluating the software's user-friendliness and technical proficiency.

Analytics

A good returns management software should allow you to generate a variety of reports from the data it collects during the returns process. These analyses can help merchants understand the reasons and trends for returns, help merchants improve product strategies, and provide a better consumer experience.

International support

For merchants doing international business, this is a point that cannot be ignored. Not all returns management tools support international business. This means they will most likely only offer English options for their pages and notifications, lacking multi-language support and currency support. Some software with special functions is only available in the United States. Some returns software focuses on European carriers. So before choosing one, make sure it has the functionality and scope to support your primary market.

6 Best Returns Management Software in 2024

Based on the above criteria, we have found 6 returns management software for you with comprehensive and powerful advanced features, which can make up an important part of your after-sales solution and post-purchase experience.

We have collected the latest rankings, ratings, and number of reviews of these software on G2, as well as the pros and cons of each software for your reference. All things considered, AfterShip is the best option on the market.

AfterShip Returns

AfterShip Returns is a software designed for managing returns in eCommerce, which uses automation to help retailers optimize return costs, retain more revenue, and offer a better returns and exchange experience to their customers.

AfterShip Returns is perfect for international merchants, given that it has an extensive carrier network of more than 39 carriers and supports auto-label generation without the need for additional connectors or apps. This wide carrier network also supports over 310,000 return drop-off locations worldwide.

Key Features

• In-depth API and Webhook documentation for quick and easy connectivity
• Streamline RMA processing with automation rules
• Returns management portal to increase operational efficiency
• A branded returns page that offers flexible return methods
• Give proactive updates of returns status by notifications to reduce inquiries
• Calculate how significant the return burden is with robust high-level returns and refund data

Pros

• Easy to export data and reports with a customizable analytics dashboard
• Connecting to AfterShip Tracking, which means that brands can send proactive tracking information for exchanges, and new orders without implementing an additional solution
• Limits return types to address fraud, and auto-detects potential fraud
• Great compliance and security
• Inbox return label service

Cons

• Advanced features are a bit complicated to configure
• Exchanges available don’t include Magento or WooCommerce.

Loop Returns

Loop Returns is a returns management solution that is specifically designed for Shopify. Its featured function includes enabling customers to use a QR code to return their product rather than printing a shipping label.

Loop Returns focuses in turning returns into exchanges, which can bring more revenue and a greater customer experience. The feedback forms that it offers also help generate valuable insights on the rate and reason of returns, allowing merchants to measure financial impact and recover lost revenue.

Key Features

• A customer returns portal that integrates with existing systems via convenient APIs
• Use QR code return drop-offs  at any of the 5,000+ Happy Returns Return Bars or any FedEx or Walgreens location in the US
• Detailed analytics to generate valuable insights
• Encourage conversion of returns into exchanges or bonus credits to increase revenue

Pros

• Complex conditional statements for strong automation about eligibility rules
• Fully white-labeled, and branded
• Offers in-house item grading or at-home pickup
• Exchanges are instantly approved, and exchange credit is instantly applied to the customer's account

Cons

• Only available on Shopify & Shopify Plus
• Portal available only in English
• Extra costs and lengthy implementations to consolidate data across systems
• Brands may experience latency in data connectivity
• Customer support issues

ReturnGo

ReturnGo is a returns management platform specifically designed for mid-sized online stores in Shopify with its cheap pricing.

With the basic functionality it provides, ReturnGo can help merchants achieve baseline returns automation. It can help Shopify merchants automate RMA requests and streamline their resolution process through various features.

Key Features

• Self-service return portal to automate the returns process
• Customizable returns management portals
• Alternatives to returns like exchanges and store credit

Pros

• Unmatched policy adaptability
• Offers smart data-driven refund alternatives that retain revenue
• Quick responsive customer support

Cons

• Can’t do cross-border returns (not even between US and Canada)
• Lacks further integration capabilities
• Difficult to set up the policies

ReturnLogic

ReturnLogic is the only returns management software that supports warranty claims. As a leading software that offers an intuitive interface and powerful features, it helps growing brands optimize their returns process.

ReturnLogic can provide in-depth returns data for analytics, which enables eCommerce businesses to improve their performance and increase customer satisfaction. It offers an additional advantage with its return portal, which is strategically crafted to promote item exchanges among customers instead of refund requests. This feature effectively aids in minimizing the financial impact of returns on your store's profits.

Key Features

• Printing shipping labels
• Tracking return shipments
• Customizable return portal
• Customizable returns workflows

Pros

• Pairs each retailer with a dedicated Customer Success Manager
• Ability to modify returns
• Insightful and advanced analytics for all plans

Cons

• Expensive pricing
• Limited "return reasons" options on the branded returns page
• The user interface is sometimes difficult to navigate

Happy Returns

Happy Returns is a leading returns software and reverse logistics for businesses and shoppers.

One of its standout features is the ability to accept returns through both mail and physical store locations in the US territory. Their QR-code-based Return Bars have expanded to nearly 10,000 locations, enabling customers to enjoy boxless and label-less returns, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

If you’re a US merchant who doesn’t operate internationally, Happy Returns is a great choice.

Key Features

• One-click exchanges and integrates with a variety of management solutions
• The merchant dashboard provides detailed insight into returns
• Returns & exchanges on autopilot (customer portal)

Pro

• Cutting down on carbon footprint (item aggregation)
• Standardized international returns experience with language localization
• Configurable return reasons

Cons

• To unlock return bar feature, you have to pay the extra fee
• Doesn’t offer protection against returns fraud
• Resell challenges when items are returned in bulk

Narvar

Like AfterShip, Narvar is a software solution that offers comprehensive tracking and returns management. Originally established as a shipment tracking and post-purchase experience company for enterprise brands, Narvar has expanded its services to include a returns solution specifically designed for Shopify merchants. This means that retailers can now benefit from having a single platform that handles both tracking and returns.

Key Features

• Branded online returns & exchange portal
• Automate RMA status updates
• Customized return policy

Pros

• Eco-friendly logistics options available
• A reason builder to customize reasons and request visual evidence from customers through picture or video
• Enterprise-grade capabilities

Cons

• Onboarding fee requested
• No exchange for other items solution
• No warranty returns

To sum up

Choosing the right returns management software is critical for ecommerce looking to optimize the returns process and increase customer satisfaction. In 2024, the 6 softwares AfterShip, Loop, ReturnGo, ReturnLogic, Happy Returns, and Narvar are the best in the market.

If you want a one-stop solution, it will be more profitable to choose an all-in-one service software like AfterShip or Narvar. For merchants conducting international business, AfterShip's powerful carrier integration capabilities and multi-language support also make it an excellent choice. If you are doing business in North America, you might consider ReturnGo, or Happy Returns, which has multiple local drop-off locations.

Before making a final decision, you can use the software's free trials to experience their use. In case you need more information about returns management software, talk to our expert.