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2026 Gartner® Market Guide for Multicarrier Parcel Management Solutions

Get complimentary access to the latest Gartner analysis on the multicarrier parcel management market in 2026


Despite challenges at the low end of the market from AI tools, multicarrier parcel management solutions continue to differentiate and innovate, helping logistics leaders optimize costs and services while maximizing capacity. This research provides an overview of market trends and the leading vendors. 

We recommend using the insights to:

  • See the Gartner five-stage rate-shopping maturity model
  • Understand the market forces shaping multicarrier parcel management through 2031
  • Review Gartner recommendations for logistics leaders
nShift has been named a Representative Vendor for the second consecutive year, following its inclusion in the 2024 edition.

 

 

Where should we email you a licensed copy?

What's inside?

You get complimentary access to Gartner unbiased 2026 research on the multicarrier parcel management market:

  • The Gartner market definition and capabilities for MCPMS platforms
  • The five-stage rate-shopping maturity model, from single-carrier base rating to predictive AI-driven selection
  • Carrier diversification and AI/ML trends shaping the market through 2031
  • Profiles of 19 Representative Vendors, including nShift
  • Gartner recommendations for logistics leaders optimizing their parcel supply chain
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The scale of
what's changing

 

"Global parcel delivery volumes continue to grow, although at a slower pace, despite macroeconomic challenges and significant regional variations."

— Gartner, Market Guide for Multicarrier Parcel Management Solutions, 15 June 2026


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By 2031:

global parcel delivery volumes will increase by over one-third.

By 2030:

e-commerce retailers and consumer electronics companies will spend twice as much on managing reverse and returns logistics compared to outbound orders and deliveries.

Right now:

Most providers of ERP, transportation management systems (TMS), order management systems (OMS) and warehouse management systems (WMS) do not specialize in parcel capability.

Common questions about the 2026 Gartner Market Guide

Here’s what to know about your complimentary Gartner report, provided courtesy of nShift.

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Gartner, Market Guide for Multicarrier Parcel Management Solutions, Simon Tunstall, Brock Johns, Oscar Sanchez Duran, 15 June 2026.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. 

What’s in the 2026 Gartner Market Guide for Multicarrier Parcel Management Solutions?

Despite challenges at the low end of the market from AI tools, multicarrier parcel management solutions continue to differentiate and innovate, helping logistics leaders optimize costs and services while maximizing capacity. This research provides an overview of market trends and the leading vendors. 

Do I get direct access to the report?
Yes. nShift holds a Gartner Flex Reprint license for this report, so you can get a complimentary copy through this page rather than through a Gartner subscription.

What does "Representative Vendor" mean?
This research provides information on 19 MCPMS vendors perceived as relevant in the market, based on revenue, number of clients, and end-user interest and feedback. Client interest, market presence and growth also factored into the selection of the vendors featured in this guide.

Is nShift named in the report?

Yes. nShift is named as a Representative Vendor

Has nShift been named in this Gartner Market Guide before?
Yes. This is the second consecutive year nShift has been named a Representative Vendor in this report, following its inclusion in the 2024 edition.

What does Gartner say about AI in multicarrier parcel management?
“AI and advanced analytics are rapidly becoming basic requirements, with buyers expecting features such as autonomous rate shopping, ETA prediction, exception scoring, and generative AI for customer communication. However, buyers are increasingly skeptical of ‘black box’ optimization, demanding transparency, measurable ROI, and strong data foundations.” - Gartner, Market Guide for Multicarrier Parcel Management Solutions, 15 June 2026.