Running a warehouse while coordinating shipments is hard work, and current supply chain issues show little sign of subsiding. Maintain your competitive advantage by incorporating transport management software into your operation.
A great transport management software will let you manage all operations from one place, lower overall freight costs, save time by reducing manual entries, and receive actionable reports needed to continue running a successful business.
Choosing the right transport management software is crucial to your business’s success. Here’s a list of the 14 best transport management software available right now.
Top 14 Best Transport Management Software
| Brand | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. BlueJay | Request quote | Shippers managing their own freight |
| 2. 3Gtms | $4,000/month | Multi-modal transportation |
| 3. Oracle | $1.275/hour | Contract logistics |
| 4. Logistically TMS | $300/month | Back-office system integration |
| 5. SAP Transportation Management | $800/month | Regular updates |
| 6. Cloud Logistics | $30,000 per month | Quick implementation |
| 7. Shipwell | Free | Routing guide |
| 8. Samara | Request quote | small and midsize fleet operators |
| 9. Elite Extra | $10 – $100/month | Customer service |
| 10. FrieghtPOP | $199.00/month | Shipment tracking |
| 11. Quickbase | $600.00/year | Simple database skills |
| 12. Freightview | $99 – $599/month | User interface |
| 13. Kuebix | $100/user | Negotiating LTL and parcel rates |
| 14. Descartes | $550/month | Route optimization |
1. BlueJay – Best for shippers managing their own freight
Pricing: Please visit BlueJay’s website for pricing details and to request a demo.
BlueJay was one of the first companies to offer cloud-based software that centralizes the entire transportation process under one roof. BlueJay’s system is scalable and geared toward a wide range of industries. Get real-time data analytics and visibility across BlueJay’s Global Transportation Network by connecting to over 50,000 carriers and partners.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lay-out is intuitive and easy to manage | Integrations with other softwares can take long |
| BlueJay continuously improves its TMS | Difficult to upload load information at times |
| Built-in reporting tool and freight audit | Pricey |
| Professional project management teams | – |
| Great customer support team | – |
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2. 3Gtms – Best for multi-modal transportation
Pricing: Submit a demo request via their website.
3Gtms is an on-premise, cloud-based transportation management solution featuring order management, freight payments and audits, reporting, and much more. Their contract management module includes discount, incentive, and fuel surcharge management. Other capabilities include managing the pricing of profiles and a batch rater.
| Pros | Cons |
| Wide variety of useful features | BI tools could be better refined |
| Excellent reporting portal | Routing maps could be more clear |
| Efficient optimization tools | The system can be too complex for “simple” shipping customers |
| Easy integration with rate bases | Internal reports are limited for real-time reports and online editing comments |
| User-friendly | – |
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3. Oracle – Best for contract logistics
Pricing: Request a demo and inquire about pricing details via Oracle’s website.
Oracle offers a robust, and fully integrated set of cloud applications and engineered systems. Their open architecture allows customers to optimize their infrastructure by reducing freight costs, enhancing service levels, and automating all processes. Oracle is available in the cloud and on the premise.
| Pros | Cons |
| Contract logistics | Less intuitive user interface |
| Shipments planning through defined parameters | Mobile applications need some work |
| Automatic system cost calculations | The back-order management feature could be improved |
| Central rates repository | Commitment allocation parameters could be better |
| Spots management | – |
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4. Logistically TMS – Best for back-office system integration
Pricing: Logistically TMS offers a free trial and software pricing starts at $300/month. For more pricing options suited to your needs, please contact them via their website.
Based in the United States, Logistically TMS is for 3PL’s, brokers, and shippers of all sizes. Their software offers advanced analytics and integrates with any back-office system using APIs. Logistically TMS offers online and in-person training sessions, as well as online and business hours support.
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly | Difficult to set up at first |
| Easy to receive transit time on shipments | Wide array of features can be overwhelming at first |
| Great search feature that lets users find shipments easy | Multiple screens within the shipment |
| Quick access to data and reporting through built-in BI | – |
| Great market watch and competitor status reports features | – |
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5. SAP Transportation Management – Best at regular updates
Pricing: Software is quote-based. Please contact SAS Transportation Management’s website for pricing information.
SAP Transportation Management has offered reliable tools for over 40 years. The software features a variety of instruments focused on increasing visibility and end-to-end efficiency. All data that you can access through their software is regularly updated and available in real-time. Collaboration features can be used to improve communication with clients and partners.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to integrate if your business is already using SAP R3 | Some bugs because of the software’s complexity |
| Access to Business Warehouse content for SAP TM | Not recommended for Oracle-based organizations |
| Easily readable interface | Not recommended for organizations that want to deal with transportation using SAP |
| Excellent security hierarchy | The transportation management module can be difficult to implement |
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6. Cloud Logistics – Best for quick implementation
Pricing: Please contact Cloud Logistics for pricing information.
Cloud Logistics is domestic truckload-focused, but the software also supports multi-billion dollar businesses. This solution continuously adds to and improves their software’s functionality. Cloud Logistics offers full routing, invoicing, tendering, and rating capabilities for TL, LTL, and intermodal shipments. The software can be implemented very quickly as opposed to other solutions.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great customer service | Small vendor |
| Real-time pricing and inventory | Relatively new startup |
| Flexible features | – |
| Easy to use | – |
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7. Shipwell – Best intelligent routing guide
Pricing: To request a demo and inquire about pricing options, please visit Shipwell’s website.
Shipwell is a fully connected logistics system for shippers and 3PLs. Their software uses real-time data to reduce waste and help customers improve their supply chains. Shipwell’s intelligent routing guide is a key feature that automatically plans and assigns loads based on business rules.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy setup and on-boarding | Some glitches when adding new capabilities |
| User-friendly | No app for shippers |
| Interface makes it easy to quote and track shipments | – |
| Excellent customer support | – |
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8. Samsara – Best for small and midsize fleet operators
Pricing: Samsara bases its prices on a variety of different factors like fleets, equipment, and the number of sites and buildings. To request a quote designed specifically for your needs, please visit Samsara’s website.
Samsara offers live-to-the-second GPS tracking and reports for better route planning. It’s designed for small and midsize fleet operators to help them track the location of their fleets and monitor their drivers’ behavior according to regulations. Samsara’s software also collects data on vehicle performance, breakdowns, and fuel waste.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy system to maneuver | The system is prone to some bugs |
| Easy to learn the features on the dashboard | Wide array of features can be overwhelming |
| Quick and accurate reporting | Pricey |
| Regular software updates | – |
| Loaded with a range of useful features | – |
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9. Elite Extra – Best customer service
Pricing: Visit Elite Extra’s website to get a quote for your particular business needs.
Elite Extra is a fleet management software. Some features include routing, dispatch, maintenance, and employee management. Elite Extra also provides integration for multiple systems, helping customers streamline their business processes.
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly | Requires initial training |
| Robust reporting feature | Updates can cause residual issues |
| Responsive and professional support team | – |
| The mobile app is easy to use | – |
| Excellent tracking feature | – |
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10. FreightPOP – Best shipments tracking tool
Pricing: FreightPOP offers four different packages for varying business needs. Call FreightPOP for a quote.
FreightPOP offers a comprehensive software to help you manage FTL, LTL, parcel, and international air and ocean shipments. Their tools automate all shipping transactions and help users connect directly with shippers at discounted market rates.
FreightPOP helps businesses optimize their supply chain processes by letting users connect to over 300 carriers, brokers, and marketplaces. FreightPOP is trusted by top shippers like Forever 21 and Toshiba.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great time and price comparison tool | Some training is required |
| Great shipments tracking tool | Clunky address entry |
| Simple carrier integration | Limited user/roll permission settings |
| Excellent customer support | – |
| Parcel and LTL options | – |
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11. Quickbase – Best for simple database skills
Pricing: Quickbase offers a free trial. For pricing options, or to request a demo, please visit Quickbase’s website.
Quickbase’s users can build applications on the software to manage almost all processes through templates or by building from scratch with simple database skills. This software lets users pull data from systems like ERP and CRM to create dynamic dashboards that are updated in real-time. By using Quickbase’s low-code application development platform, users can unite workflows in a single, cloud-based platform.
| Pros | Cons |
| A large amount of help material for builders | Limited allowances of html and javascript tags for stylings |
| Excellent support team | Could use more advanced features to use outside the applications |
| Highly customizable | Confusing report generator |
| Standard across applications | Pricey |
| The interface is constantly being improved | – |
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12. Freightview – Best user interface
Pricing: Freightview offers five different packages ranging from $99/month to $599/month. Their cheapest package is for up to 50 ships per month and their most expensive package is for over 301 ships per month. Freightview also offers a free trial.
Freightview is a supply chain management solution best for freight management. The software will help you keep track of shipments, schedule pickups, print shipping labels, and prepare bills of lading. You will never have to type an address twice using the software’s unified address book.
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent implementation team | Spot quote page can be confusing when there are multiple loads on the board |
| Great analytics and reporting features | Difficult to distinguish different shipments at times |
| Very good site organization | BOL editing capabilities could be more flexible |
| Uniform BOL across all carriers | – |
| Outstanding customer service | – |
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13. Kuebix – Best for negotiating LTL and parcel rates
Pricing: Kuebix offers a free version of its software, as well as a paid version called Kuebix Business Pro. Contact Kuebix for their Business Pro pricing via their website.
Kuebix, a Trimble Company, offers a cloud-based transportation management software. Kuebix caters to a wide variety of modes of transport and carriers, such as LTL, parcel, LCL, heavyweight air, and intermodal. Their integrated platform will let you book, track and rate shipments.
Create multiple shipping labels, and negotiate LTL and parcel rates with carriers using Kuebix. You will also be able to access Kuebix on your mobile device to manage shipments remotely. A large number of their add-ons can be used internationally.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy access to shipment quotes within the software’s framework | Requires manual input of Pro numbers |
| Integrates with Amazon, Shopify | Shipment tracking can be unreliable at times |
| Eliminates duplicate data entry | Could be challenging to review details of old shipments because the software supplies a vast amount of information |
| Ease of navigation | – |
| Prompt and professional customer support team | – |
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14. Descartes – Best for route optimization
Pricing: Please visit Descartes’ website for pricing options.
Descartes was founded by transportation brokers who know the business, not IT professionals who are trying to learn it. Descartes offers a wide set of cloud-based and modular options for all your transportation management needs. This software will assist you with handling purchases, fleet management, telematics and compliance, and much more.
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast help desk response on desktop support issues | Reports may not always be accurate |
| Intuitive user interface | Older design |
| Effective freight management | Slower processing |
| – | Occasional glitches |
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Top Questions to Ask when Evaluating a Transport Management Software
What am I looking to get from transport management software?
It’s important to choose a transport management solution that meets your specific needs, but don’t ignore your long-term goals. Think of the transport management software you choose as a long-term investment, instead of just a short-sighted solution.
How often is the software updated?
A transport management solution could be up-to-date now, but that doesn’t mean it won’t eventually become outdated. A good transport management software provider will regularly update its solution so you can have access to the latest functions. Keep in mind that some of the best systems use cloud computing, which pushes system updates to off-hours, minimizing the need for downtime.
How intuitive is the transport management software?
Intuitive and user-friendly software means that you can spend less time and money on implementation and training.
Does the transport management software link to any carrier networks?
The most basic function of transport management software is helping you move freight. Good TMS solutions connect with various carriers, helping you get products to their final destination faster without encountering any issues.
How does the system handle billing?
A reliable transport management solution will be able to handle your whole order-to-cash process. The system also needs to be flexible with all the different ways you use to bill your clients. Make sure that the transport management software you choose can support the billing functions you need.
How well does the transport management system integrate with other systems?
A transport management system should easily integrate with your internal systems, such as your enterprise resource planning software. End-to-end visibility in a supply chain is crucial, so you need a transport management system that can support and enhance your existing infrastructure.
What level of customer support do you provide?
Very few consider the importance of customer support when looking to purchase transport management software. Unfortunately, you need to be prepared to encounter some issues along the way that can’t be solved in-house. Keep in mind how long you can wait for a response regarding an issue depending on your operation’s scale and size.
Also, ask the TMS vendor if they provide real-person customer support in conjunction with interactive voice response solutions. Good customer support is also critical in helping you set up and learn the system in a timely manner.
Does the transport management software provide real-time inventory data?
An excellent transport management software offers real-time inventory management and instant alerts on stock levels. Inquire about their approach when minimum stock levels are reached and if their system can update customer shopping carts.