Forthroute: no-subscription returns management for Shopify that keeps merchants in control.
Forthroute gives Shopify merchants a branded return portal, return labels including printerless QR codes where the carrier supports them, exchange support, merchant-issued refunds, and return-leg tracking.
Customer picked “wrong size” on the branded portal.
Same item, size L — an optional alternative to the default refund.
Printerless QR drop-off where the carrier supports it; otherwise a printable label.
Forthroute is returns-management software for Shopify with a branded return portal, return labels including printerless QR codes where the carrier supports them, exchange support, merchant-issued refunds, and return-leg tracking. Free to install and use, with no subscription or monthly return limit; optional prepaid labels are billed through Shopify at carrier cost plus a 1% handling markup, rounded up to the next $0.10.
A post-purchase flow that protects margin
Customers self-serve on your branded portal, choose the default refund or a supported exchange, and the merchant decides when to issue a refund.
Customer starts a return
They open your branded portal from an email link, enter their order, and pick a reason — no support ticket needed.
Refund or exchange
Refund is the default resolution. Exchanges are supported and can be incentivised, but are not forced first.
Label, approval, then refund
A return label is issued — printerless QR where the carrier supports it. You approve the return, then issue the refund as a separate step through Shopify.
Everything a modern returns platform should do
Branded return portal
A clean, professional portal in your branding — not a generic third-party flow that confuses your customers.
Printerless QR labels where supported
Where the carrier supports it — for example Evri ParcelShop drop-off in the UK — customers get a QR code to scan and the carrier prints the label. Elsewhere a printable label is issued.
Exchange support
Offer an exchange alongside the default refund so the sale can stay in the store. Exchanges are optional and never forced first.
Merchant-issued refunds
Approve the return first, then issue the refund as a separate step — through Shopify Payments, or via the Shopify refund API for other gateways.
Returns analytics
Track return rates by product, reason and customer segment so you can fix the products driving the most returns.
Customer comms
Automated email updates at every stage keep customers informed — and out of your support inbox.
See the actual app
Real screens from Forthroute — the branded customer portal, the returns queue, return label generation and returns analytics.
No subscription; optional labels are charged separately
Free to install and use, with no subscription or monthly return limit; optional prepaid labels are billed through Shopify at carrier cost plus a 1% handling markup, rounded up to the next $0.10.
- Branded portal + return labels (printerless QR where the carrier supports it)
- Exchange support & merchant-issued refunds
- Return-leg tracking included
- Install from the Shopify App Store
Separate products under the Forthsuite umbrella
Each Forth product has its own capabilities, platform, and commercial terms.
Common questions
What is Forthroute and how does Shopify returns management work?
How are Forthroute return labels priced?
Does Forthroute automatically issue refunds or force exchanges first?
What shipment tracking does Forthroute provide?
Which carriers can Forthroute use?
Turn returns from a cost center into a save
Install Forthroute for a branded returns flow with merchant-issued refunds, exchanges, return labels including printerless QR codes where the carrier supports them, and return-leg tracking.
No subscription or monthly return limit · optional labels cost carrier charge plus 1%