Best WooCommerce Shipping Plugins for Local & Distance-Based Delivery (2025)
Choosing the right WooCommerce shipping plugin impacts checkout speed, profit margins, and delivery accuracy. This neutral comparison focuses on table rates, carrier quotes, and—most importantly for local businesses—WooCommerce delivery plugin options that support shipping cost by distance so you can charge per km or mile fairly.
Buyer's Guide: How to Choose a WooCommerce Shipping Plugin
Core criteria
- Delivery type: national carriers vs. local delivery needs.
- Pricing model: table rates, zones, live carriers, or distance-based pricing.
- Checkout UX: speed, address autocomplete, live cost visibility.
- Profit control: surcharges, max distance, cutoffs, prep time, scheduling.
- Maintenance: documentation, updates, support responsiveness.
When distance-based pricing is best
For restaurants, groceries, florists, pharmacies, and couriers, a WooCommerce delivery plugin that calculates shipping cost by distance (real driving distance) lets you charge per km or mile with transparent, fair fees and fewer abandoned carts.
Quick Comparison: WooCommerce Shipping & Delivery Plugins
| Plugin | Key Features | Free/PRO | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance-Based Pricing (Google Maps) – RoutePricing | Per km/mile, live cost, autocomplete, tiers (PRO), max distance (PRO), dual addresses (PRO), scheduling (PRO) | Free + PRO | Local delivery; shipping cost by distance; charge per km WooCommerce |
| Chwazi – Delivery & Pickup Scheduling | Date/time picker, capacity control, reminders, timeslot fees, Google Calendar sync | Free + PRO | Stores needing delivery/pickup scheduling with time slots |
| WooCommerce Distance Rate Shipping (Woo) | Distance rules, conditions, WooCommerce ecosystem | Paid | Stores already deep in Woo marketplace |
| Flexible Shipping + Distance Based Shipping Rates (Octolize) | Table rates + distance add-on | Free + Paid | Hybrid table rate + distance scenarios |
| Distance Based Shipping Calculator (WP.org) | Basic distance calculation | Free | Simple sites testing distance pricing |
| Multi Store Addons – Distance Rate Shipping (AgileStoreLocator) | Distance rules, multi-location flavor | Paid | Multi-store setups |
| Eniture's Distance Based Shipping Calculator | Distance-centric pricing suite | Paid | Merchants wanting vendor ecosystem |
1) Best for Local Delivery: Distance-Based Pricing with Google Maps (RoutePricing)
If you need a WooCommerce shipping plugin that calculates shipping cost by distance and lets you charge per km or mile with real driving distance, start here. It's built to optimize WooCommerce delivery for local businesses.
Key highlights
- Real driving distance: Price delivery fairly using Google Maps directions.
- Charge per km/mile: Set your per-unit rate; show live cost at checkout.
- PRO tiers & caps: Create distance brackets and set a maximum delivery radius to protect margins.
- Dual address mode (PRO): Price from pickup to drop-off—perfect for couriers & services.
- Scheduling (PRO): Date/time picker, slot limits, prep time for smooth operations.
- Checkout UX: Address autocomplete reduces errors and speeds up checkout.
- Works with block/legacy checkout: Flexible for modern Woo stores.
| Free version | Per-km/mile, autocomplete, live cost at checkout |
|---|---|
| PRO version | Tiered pricing, max distance, dual addresses, scheduling, admin label customization |
| Best for | Restaurants, groceries, florists, pharmacies, bakeries, couriers, home services |
2) Best for Delivery/Pickup Scheduling: Chwazi – Delivery & Pickup Scheduling
Perfect complement to distance-based pricing when you need customers to schedule their delivery or pickup times. Adds professional scheduling features with checkout calendar and time slot management.
Key highlights
- Checkout calendar: Customers pick delivery/pickup dates from a visual calendar.
- Time slot management: Create specific time windows for different days of the week.
- Capacity controls (PRO): Limit orders per day or time slot to manage workload.
- Automatic reminders: Send email notifications to customers before their scheduled order.
- Google Calendar sync (Add-on): Schedule orders directly in your Google Calendar with custom event details.
- Timeslot fees: Charge extra for premium time slots (evening, weekend, etc.).
- Multiple locations (PRO): Let customers choose pickup/delivery locations with day-specific availability.
- Order type switching: Customers can toggle between delivery and pickup modes.
| Free version | Date/time picker, basic scheduling, email display, reminders, timeslot fees |
|---|---|
| PRO version | Capacity restrictions, off days, user role controls, locations, advanced fees |
| Best for | Restaurants, bakeries, furniture stores, service providers, pickup services |
3) WooCommerce Distance Rate Shipping (by Woo)
A marketplace extension with distance rules and conditions, integrated within the WooCommerce ecosystem.
- Pros: Native marketplace, configurable rules.
- Cons: Feature mix varies by store needs; fewer local-delivery UX touches (autocomplete/live display).
- Best for: Stores standardized on Woo marketplace solutions.
4) Flexible Shipping + Distance Based Shipping Rates (Octolize)
Adds distance logic on top of a popular table-rate plugin—useful for hybrid setups.
- Pros: Mature table rates; distance add-on available.
- Cons: Can become complex; not purpose-built for local delivery UX.
- Best for: Stores mixing table rates with distance rules.
5) Distance Based Shipping Calculator (WordPress.org)
A basic free option that helps test distance-based pricing concepts.
- Pros: Free, simple starting point.
- Cons: Limited features vs. dedicated distance solutions.
- Best for: Very simple sites validating the model.
6) Multi Store Addons – Distance Rate Shipping (AgileStoreLocator)
Distance rules with a multi-location twist; useful when you have several store origins.
- Pros: Multi-store angle; distance logic.
- Cons: Feature depth varies; learning curve.
- Best for: Brands with multiple origins needing distance rules.
7) Eniture's Distance Based Shipping Calculator
Vendor suite for distance-centric pricing with broader shipping tools.
- Pros: Ecosystem of shipping add-ons.
- Cons: May be heavier than needed for small local shops.
- Best for: Merchants committing to one vendor's stack.
How to Set Shipping Cost by Distance (Charge Per KM/Mile) in WooCommerce
- Install the plugin: In WordPress go to Plugins → Add New, search "Calculate Prices based on Distance for WooCommerce," then Install & Activate. (step-by-step guide)
- Get a Google Maps API key: Enable Geocoding, Distance Matrix, Places, Maps JavaScript, Directions. Paste the key in plugin settings. (API key guide)
- Set store location: Enter your origin address.
- Choose units & rate: Select kilometers or miles; set price per unit (e.g., $1.50/km).
- Test checkout: Use address autocomplete; verify the live delivery cost updates.
- Optional PRO: Add tiered distance rules, max distance, dual addresses, and scheduling. (PRO configuration)
🎥 See Distance-Based Shipping in Action
Watch how a WooCommerce shipping plugin with distance-based pricing helps you charge per km or mile with Google Maps powered accuracy.
FAQ: WooCommerce Shipping Plugin & Distance-Based Delivery
What's the best WooCommerce shipping plugin for local delivery?
For local delivery, choose a WooCommerce delivery plugin that supports shipping cost by distance so you can charge per km or mile fairly. The RoutePricing plugin calculates real driving distance with Google Maps and shows live cost at checkout.
Can I charge per km or per mile in WooCommerce?
Yes. Select kilometers or miles in settings, set your per-unit price, and let the plugin compute the delivery fee using customers' addresses.
Do I need a Google Maps API key?
Yes. Enable Geocoding, Distance Matrix, Places, Maps JavaScript, and Directions, then paste the key in the plugin. Follow our API key guide.
What are the advantages over flat-rate shipping?
Distance-based pricing is fairer for nearby customers and more profitable for long routes. It reduces cart abandonment by providing transparent, accurate delivery fees.
Start with the Distance-Based Option (FREE)
Install the free plugin, set your price per km/mile, and show live delivery costs at checkout. Add PRO features—tiered rules, max distance, dual addresses, and scheduling—when you're ready.
