CartonCloud vs Extensiv: Which Platform Delivers More for 3PLs?

Choosing the right logistics software is a big deal for your 3PL. The right choice will deliver greater efficiency, make life easier for your team, and provide huge ROI. The wrong choice… well, let’s just say it can create more headaches than solutions. Finding software that actually fits your business, and helps it grow, is worth every minute of research.

If CartonCloud and Extensiv are on your shortlist, this comprehensive breakdown will help you pick the platform that sets your operation up for real success.

TL;DR: This blog dives into all the key differences between CartonCloud and Extensiv logistics software— including real user reviews on customer support and onboarding speed, ease of use, and overall value, so you can make the right choice for the greatest ROI for your 3PL business.

Q1: How long does it take to get up & running on CartonCloud vs. Extensiv?

A: Implementation time on CartonCloud is fast, with many 3PLs going live in just 4-5 training hours. CartonCloud’s onboarding process pairs every customer with a dedicated industry expert who works one-on-one with your team from start to finish. This includes comprehensive training on the platform, workflow mapping, warehouse and customer setup, billing configuration, (and tailored consulting on any additional needs), so you can hit the ground running from day one.

Find out more on getting the best 3PL onboarding for your clients and team here.

Extensiv, on the other hand, typically requires a much longer rollout. A standard implementation for 3PL operations can take 8–12 weeks, often involving non–industry experts, which can slow down progress and extend the time before teams see real value. Compared to CartonCloud’s rapid implementation and fast go-live approach, this delayed onboarding timeline results in a significantly slower path to ROI. 

“Great service & support - When we joined CartonCloud - we got one-on-one training. I have also used the online support & the replies are very fast. The system itself is in my opinion user friendly and easy to use.” — Rachel Simpson

Q2: How does the customer support experience compare between CartonCloud vs. Extensiv?

A: CartonCloud’s customer support experience is consistently rated five stars by users, earning recognition as the Best Customer Support in 2025 by Software Advice and hundreds of positive Google Reviews.
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CartonCloud’s onboarding and support teams come directly from logistics backgrounds, which means customers aren’t just talking to generic software support — they’re speaking with people who genuinely understand 3PL workflows, warehouse pressures, driver operations, routing challenges, and complex billing scenarios.

The CartonCloud team is known for being friendly, approachable, and always available to answer questions whenever needed. With local, logistics-savvy support across Australia, the US, Canada, and New Zealand, CartonCloud maintains an impressive 4.9/5 service rating on Capterra.

Extensiv customers often report a different experience: slower response times from customer support, less hands-on guidance, and even additional charges for basic support. This difference in support quality can have a real impact on your day-to-day efficiency and your ability to scale operations effectively.

Q3: Is CartonCloud easy to use for both warehouse & transport teams?

A: Yes, CartonCloud is easy to use! CartonCloud’s Warehouse and Transport Management Systems are consistently top ranked for usability, ranked Best Ease of Use in 2025 by Capterra, with a consistent 4.9/5 Ease of Use rating, reflecting just how intuitive and user-friendly CartonCloud is for logistics teams.

How does CartonCloud support rapid team adoption? CartonCloud’s interface is purpose-built for real people doing real work: pickers, packers, warehouse staff, drivers, dispatchers, and customer service teams. Every workflow is streamlined, mobile-friendly, and intuitive, enabling teams to learn the system quickly and stay productive without needing any deep technical expertise.

In comparison, Extensiv has a broader, more complex feature set that often leads to longer onboarding and a steeper learning curve that can take a significant amount of time to train your team on — a noticeable difference for 3PLs that need fast adoption and straightforward day-to-day operations. 

Q4: Does CartonCloud offer an integrated WMS & TMS in one platform?

A: Yes, CartonCloud offers a fully integrated WMS and TMS all in one platform. This gives logistics teams one connected workflow for orders, inventory, dispatch, routes, PODs, run sheets, billing, and customer visibility — without needing multiple tools or complicated integrations. 

Everything works together seamlessly, reducing admin, eliminating double handling, and giving customers real-time transparency.

Extensiv, by comparison, offers only the WMS component. Transport must be managed through a separate provider, leaving teams to juggle multiple systems, rely on manual workarounds, or attempt to stitch together tools that aren’t designed to work as one. This creates complexity, slows down operations, and makes end-to-end visibility significantly harder to achieve.

Q5: How does CartonCloud simplify 3PL billing compared to Extensiv?

A: CartonCloud’s WMS automates 3PL invoicing and streamlines billing end-to-end, with rate cards configurable at customer and stock level that automatically calculate storage, handling, assessorial, and transport charges ensuring no revenue is lost due to manual errors or missed charges.

Once a job is complete, invoices flow seamlessly into QuickBooks, Xero, or MYOB, meaning your team can eliminate manual data entry and save hours per week without lifting a finger.  

Extensiv’s options for automated billing are available, however set up is more complex, and may require higher-tier plans. While Extensiv offers some integration capacity, it has a limited integration capability with the leading accounting platforms, and provide support only to QuickBooks.

Q6: Which WMS platform gives customers better real-time visibility?

A: CartonCloud provides a customer-specific portal where your clients can view and manage inventory, create orders, generate reports, access invoices, and track shipments — all at no additional cost. The best part? There’s no limit to the number of customer users you can provide, giving your team the flexibility to offer full transparency and self-service to every client.

Extensiv does provide a portal as well, however, their pricing is directly impacted by the number of customers you service. As you onboard new customers to your business, the higher the pricing tier. For growing 3PLs, those extra fees add up fast, making CartonCloud a far more scalable and cost-friendly choice.

Q7: Which WMS software is more scalable & flexible for growing 3PLs?

A: CartonCloud’s WMS grows with your business, offering flexible, tiered plans with no hidden fees. As your business grows and you bring on new customers or expand to additional warehouse locations, you can scale your plan to reflect your business needs.

Extensiv, by contrast, offers less flexibility, often requiring customers to pay for features they don’t need, while imposing long-term contracts and non-transparent pricing. This can make it difficult for small to mid-sized 3PLs to scale efficiently.

Q8: Which WMS platform do 3PLs enjoy using more?

A: 3PLs using CartonCloud’s WMS consistently praise the platform for ease of use, fast onboarding, and top-notch support, earning a rating of 4.8–4.9/5 across Capterra and Google.

Extensiv on the other hand, typically sits between 4.2–4.4/5, with feedback varying across the different products in its ecosystem. 

“CartonCloud has been a game-changer for our 3PL warehouse. The system's intuitiveness is unparalleled, and the team at Carton Cloud has been exceptional. Special thanks to Jenna from the implementation team, whose expertise was crucial to our success. The entire implementation process from sales to implementation has been enjoyable, and we are thrilled to be using this outstanding system.” — Mark Sacharowitz

“We reached out to CartonCloud because we had nothing but issues with our previous WMS provider, we were not getting any support, the application was very inefficient and frustration levels were at an all time high so we reached out to CartonCloud, they made the process extremely easy and fast as we needed to move over as soon as possible, now that we have been using it for 3 months we could not be happier! This is by far the most user friendly and efficient WMS that we have ever used, we are flying thru orders and it provides so much flexibility for anything you throw at it, it was the best decision that we ever made and we couldn't be happier! You cannot fault CartonCloud even if you tried. It's perfect and has changed the way we look at WMS systems. Do yourself a favor and sign up you will not be disappointed!” — David Jenillian, ITWorks Australia 

Q9: How fast can I start seeing ROI with each system?

A: CartonCloud customers typically see ROI within weeks. Thanks to fast onboarding, intuitive workflows, and built-in automation, many CartonCloud users report measurable efficiency gains in their first month. 

Extensiv’s longer implementation cycles often mean waiting months before teams can fully adopt the system and see results, delaying the return on investment. A standard implementation cycle typically takes 8–12 weeks, covering onboarding and training. Timelines can extend further if additional complexity arises. While customers ultimately realize a return on investment, longer implementation cycles often mean teams must wait several months before fully adopting the system and seeing measurable results.

 Q10: Which software is better suited for SMB & mid-market 3PLs?

A: CartonCloud’s software offers a range of scalable options, making it suitable for both small-to medium-sized teams and mid-market 3PLs.  They offer WMS and TMS as well as e-commerce fulfillment, and key workflows and features required by in-house logistics teams needing powerful features without enterprise-level complexity. CartonCloud’s scalable pricing plans suit a range of operational sizes, along with easy-to-use UI and world-class support to ensure customer success — that is suited to your business. 

Extensiv typically services larger logistics enterprises with dedicated IT teams and the resources to manage a more complex, multi-product software ecosystem.

Extensiv also provides scalable plan options; however, several important capabilities — such as true mobile barcode scanning — are not part of their offering. Instead, scanning is handled through a web-based interface that comes at an additional cost and may not offer the same speed or usability as a dedicated mobile app. Features like QuickBooks connectivity also aren’t included in all tiers, which can lead to added expenses or require customers to adjust their workflows to stay within budget.

Key Takeaways

• CartonCloud gets you up and running fast, with most 3PLs going live in days — not months — which means faster ROI compared to Extensiv’s lengthy rollout timelines.
  
  
• Customer support is a standout strength for CartonCloud, backed by industry expert teams, friendly guidance, and a 4.9/5 service rating. Extensiv users commonly report slower responses and less hands-on expertise.
  
  
• Ease of use is a major differentiator, with CartonCloud winning Best Ease of Use in 2025 by Capterra and earning a 4.9/5 rating, while Extensiv users often face a steeper learning curve due to added complexity.
  
  
• CartonCloud offers an all-in-one integrated WMS + TMS, giving 3PLs seamless workflows across their warehouse and transport operations. Extensiv provides WMS only, leaving teams to manage transport separately or juggle multiple systems.
  
  
• CartonCloud delivers stronger long-term value, offering transparent pricing, built-in customer portals, flexible plans, and fast ROI — making it the better fit for SMB and mid-market 3PLs aiming for high efficiency and growth.

Ready to see why 600+ 3PLs have already made the switch?

CartonCloud helps teams work smarter, streamline workflows, and deliver a better customer experience without the complexity. If you're looking for a platform that simplifies operations from day one, our friendly team is here to help!

Book a free demo today and see how CartonCloud can transform both your warehouse and transport operations.