- TMS software at a glance
- Eleven TMS options to consider
- Carrier TMS, broker TMS or shipper TMS?
- Hours of service should flow in, not be retyped
- Questions to ask on the demo call
- Features dispatch will use every hour
- Signs the spreadsheets have had their day
- My plain advice on choosing a TMS
- Frequently asked questions
The best TMS software depends on which side of freight you're on: a carrier TMS suits trucking fleets, a broker TMS suits brokerages and 3PLs, and a shipper TMS suits companies moving their own goods. Eleven options follow in no particular order.
Freight runs on phone calls, emails and spreadsheets for far longer than anyone admits. A transportation management system pulls loads, trucks, drivers, carriers and paperwork into one place, so dispatch isn't a memory test.
The eleven TMS options below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, from tools for owner operators to platforms for large shippers. Every description comes from the vendor's own site, read this week. If you're new to the logistics side, my explainer on what 3PL means is a useful primer.
TMS software at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site names a free plan, a free version, a free app or an open source edition. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvys | All-in-one TMS for logistics companies | Carriers and private fleets | Not stated |
| Descartes Aljex | TMS for freight brokers | Freight brokerages | Not stated |
| Ditat | All-in-one TMS | Carriers that also broker freight | Not stated |
| Kuebix | SaaS TMS for shippers | Midmarket shippers | Not stated |
| McLeod Software | TMS for brokers, carriers and 3PLs | LTL, brokerage and private fleets | Not stated |
| Revenova | TMS built on Salesforce | Brokers who live in Salesforce | Not stated |
| Rose Rocket | AI-native transportation platform | Customisable workflows | Not stated |
| Shipwell | Multimodal TMS for shippers | Planning, rating and shipping | Not stated |
| Tai TMS | Freight broker TMS | Switching from another system | Not stated |
| Truckbase | Trucking TMS for growing carriers | Dispatch with less data entry | Not stated |
| TruckingOffice | Trucking software for small fleets | Owner operators and small fleets | Trial only |
Eleven TMS options to consider
Alvys
Best for: Trucking carriers, brokers and private fleets that want one operating system with full visibility of the operation from one screen.
Descartes Aljex
Best for: Freight brokers that want a TMS built around brokerage work, now part of the wider Descartes logistics group.
Ditat
Best for: Trucking carriers, freight brokerages and asset-based brokerages that want one transportation management system for all of it.
Kuebix
Best for: Midmarket and larger shippers that want multi-modal freight planning with rates back in seconds, now part of FreightWise.
McLeod Software
Best for: Established carriers, LTL operators, brokerages and private fleets that want a complete business system built for transportation.
Revenova
Best for: Brokerages and 3PLs that want TMS and CRM working together on Salesforce, so sales and operations see the same loads.
Rose Rocket
Best for: Freight and trucking companies that want a highly customisable transportation platform that bends to how they already work.
Shipwell
Best for: Shippers that want to plan, rate, ship and manage freight across modes in one multimodal TMS, with AI help along the way.
Tai TMS
Best for: Brokerages and 3PLs moving from another system that want a broker TMS with help making the transition smoother.
Truckbase
Best for: Growing carriers that want simple dispatch and real-time truck tracking in one trucking TMS with very little data entry.
TruckingOffice
Best for: Owner operators and fleet builders who want trucking tools that sync with their ELD so records flow straight into the TMS.
Carrier TMS, broker TMS or shipper TMS?
Carrier TMS software focuses on dispatch, trucks, drivers, ELD data and paperwork. Broker TMS software focuses on loads, carrier networks, customer relationships and the carriers they book. Shipper TMS software focuses on planning, rating and booking freight across modes and partners.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Some tools cover two of these, and asset-based brokerages often need both carrier and broker features. Be clear about your model before the first demo.
Hours of service should flow in, not be retyped
FMCSA says an ELD synchronizes with a vehicle engine to automatically record driving time, for easier, more accurate hours of service recording.
If you run trucks in the US, check that your TMS reads that data from your ELD instead of relying on drivers or dispatchers to retype it. It's quicker, and it's one less place for mistakes to creep in.
Questions to ask on the demo call
- Is it built for carriers, brokers, shippers or a mix?
- Which ELDs, load boards and accounting tools does it connect to?
- How does dispatch work on a busy morning with late changes?
- Can drivers use a mobile app for documents and updates?
- How are carrier checks and onboarding handled?
- How long does moving our data across usually take?
Features dispatch will use every hour
- Load board view. Every load, truck and status on one screen.
- ELD connection. Hours and location without phone calls.
- Driver app. Documents and updates straight from the cab.
- Document capture. Proof of delivery filed the moment it's signed.
Signs the spreadsheets have had their day
Double-booked trucks, lost proof of delivery and dispatchers who can't take a day off are the usual signs. If those sound familiar, even a simple TMS will give your team hours back each week.
Do you make transportation management system? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a TMS
Pick the TMS built for your side of freight, then test it on your busiest day, not a quiet one. Ask the vendor to run a real week of your loads through the system with your dispatchers watching.
Then check the connections: ELD, load boards, accounting and customer portals. A TMS that doesn't talk to those just moves the retyping somewhere else. My article on keeping a trucking business safe and secure covers the wider risks.
Frequently asked questions
What is TMS software?
A transportation management system plans, executes and tracks freight moves, from booking loads and dispatching trucks to documents and delivery updates.
What's the difference between a carrier TMS and a broker TMS?
A carrier TMS manages your own trucks and drivers. A broker TMS manages loads you arrange with other carriers, plus customer and carrier relationships.
Is there free TMS software?
None of the TMS products on this list named a free plan on the pages I read. Several offer demos or trials instead.
Does a TMS connect to an ELD?
Many do. Connecting the two means hours of service and location data flow into dispatch without retyping.
Do owner operators need a TMS?
It helps once paperwork and loads pile up. Some tools here are built for owner operators and small fleets.
Can a shipper use a TMS?
Yes. Shipper TMS tools help companies plan, rate and book their own freight across carriers and modes.
