What’s the difference between DaaS and 3PL services?

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Updated on: September 21, 2025

Customers expect speed, businesses want lower costs, and nobody’s keen on running fleets unless they absolutely have to. That’s where DaaS and 3PL often come up in the same breath.

At its core, the Delivery as a Service (DaaS) model operates on a pay-per-drop basis where someone else handles the last mile. There’s no involvement of trucks or even drivers on payroll. It’s just the on-demand delivery that flexes with your volume.

But Third-Party Logistics (3PL) has a broad scope. It’s a model that holds your inventory, picks and packs orders, and then moves them through its own delivery networks. In other words, it’s supply chain outsourcing with delivery as just one step.

Below, we’ll explore the differences in detail.

DaaS vs 3PL Services

Delivery as a Service (DaaS) is built for the last mile. Businesses can outsource delivery runs on a per-order basis to gig networks, courier fleets, or autonomous services. It’s fast to scale, light on overhead, and works best when delivery demand shifts day to day.

On the flip side, 3PL services have a broader perspective.

It’s where the providers handle storage, inventory, order picking, packing, shipping, and last-mile delivery. You hand over a large part of your supply chain to focus on sales and growth, rather than operations.

Key Differences Between DaaS and 3PL

Aspect	DaaS	3PL
Scope	More emphasis on the last-mile delivery only	The scope of service includes warehousing, order management, fulfillment, and delivery
Cost Model	Pay-per-delivery with no fixed overhead	Contract-based, which happens monthly or annually, with fulfillment and storage fees
Flexibility	Super scalable for businesses dealing in day-to-day deliveries and experiencing demand spikes	Suitable for steady, predictable volumes and long-term operations
Control	Limited control since the delivery is outsourced to gig or fleet providers	There’s more control over supply chain visibility, but less flexibility
Technology Use	Optimized for routing, real-time tracking, and customer updates	Integrates inventory systems, warehouse management, and shipping platforms

When to Choose DaaS vs 3PL

To make a choice between DaaS and 3PL, you’ll have to consider how your business operates on a day-to-day basis.
Each of these models is there to solve different problems. But the right choice often depends on your delivery volume, customer promises, and how much of the supply chain you want to manage yourself.

Choosing DaaS

You’d go for DaaS if the business you’re in has demand for fast and flexible deliveries. These are some of the common business scenarios that would adopt DaaS.

• Restaurants & grocery stores benefit from DaaS as it can handle unpredictable rush hours with per-delivery pricing.
• Local retailers use DaaS to quickly add delivery without building an in-house fleet.
• DaaS is also preferred by e-commerce stores offering same-day deliveries because they provide fast, hyperlocal deliveries with ease.

Choosing 3PL

The 3PL model is highly suitable for businesses that demand scale and consistency. The scope of 3PL is wider than DaaS, as it encompasses the entire supply chain, from warehousing to last-mile delivery. That’s why it works best for companies with consistent order volumes.

These are some of the businesses that usually adopt 3PL:

• E-commerce brands wanting to expand to multiple cities or nationwide, with a focus on warehousing and fulfillment.
• Healthcare & pharma businesses that require compliance and rely on reliable deliveries, where precision is critical.
• Retailers who outsource storage, packing, and delivery but still look to maintain lean operations.

Where They Work Together

Many businesses blend both models. A 3PL remains a valuable model for managing storage and order fulfillment. On the other hand, businesses benefit from the flexible last-mile coverage of a DaaS provider in urban or high-demand areas.

These are the businesses that adopt the hybrid model:

• Omnichannel retailers usually get the shipping done from 3PL warehouses and then deliver same-day through DaaS in select cities
• Seasonal businesses usually prefer 3PL year-round, but layer on DaaS during demand spikes

Zeo Route Planner for 3PL Operations

3PL providers do more than just manage the deliveries. They manage inventory, warehousing, fulfillment, and even the last-mile delivery.

And this is where Zeo Route Planner can help.

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As a user, you get a practical tool that takes delivery chaos and makes it manageable. Fast routes, real-time tracking, and cleaner workflows get things moving.

Here’s what you unlock when you use Zeo inside a 3PL setup:

Enable Fast, Optimized Route Planning
You can build smart routes pretty quickly and easily with Zeo Route Planner.

Also, you get to prioritize stops, set delivery windows, and even add customer notes without juggling a dozen spreadsheets.

Track Your Fleet, Live
Get the real-time location for every vehicle. In case of route shifts, you receive live updates, ensuring dispatchers stay in control without needing to chase anyone down.

Get Proof of Delivery
Zeo Route Planner provides a convenient way for drivers to collect digital signatures, take photos, or log notes.

Ready to See It in Action?

Zeo Route Planner takes the real pressure off your 3PL operations. So, if you’re providing 3PL services, you’ll benefit from Zeo’s ability to enable faster planning, better tracking, and reduced stress on your drivers.

If you’re ready to tighten up your last mile without overhauling everything else, now’s a good time to see how it works.

Book a free demo and get a walkthrough tailored to your delivery setup.