Work out whether you need a route planner or a full delivery management suite, because that one decision removes most of the wrong options. Planners sequence stops and get drivers out on time; suites add driver apps, proof of delivery and customer tracking; logistics platforms go wider into fleet and warehouse work. Then run one real day of your stops through two tools.
Delivery software splits into two jobs, plus a wider platform for those who want it. Routific, Zeo, Upper and Spoke plan and sequence stops; Track-POD, Shipday, Dispatch Science, Wise Systems and Locus manage the whole delivery with driver apps and tracking; and Fleetbase is an open source logistics platform you can self-host. Spoke is the product once called Circuit: getcircuit.com now lands on a Spoke page, so older reviews under the old name point here.
Sequencing stops, or running the whole delivery?
A route planner answers one question well: what order should each driver visit their stops in? If your drivers already have a simple app and customers don't expect updates, that may be all you need, and it'll be quicker to roll out.
A delivery management suite answers the questions around the route: did the parcel arrive, who signed, where's the driver now, and has the customer been told? If your office spends the afternoon answering where-is-my-order calls, that's the job you're shopping for.
An open source platform is for teams with developers who want to own the whole system, including fleet and warehouse work, and are happy to run it. When an older comparison recommends a tool, check its current homepage before you book a demo; the name on the review may not be the name on the contract.
My route optimisation software guide and delivery management software roundup go deeper into each side of the split.
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Ten tools against the job they do
| Tool | Main job | Free option on its site |
|---|---|---|
| Dispatch Science | Delivery suite | Not stated |
| Fleetbase | Open source logistics | Free and open source |
| Locus | Enterprise logistics | Not stated |
| Routific | Route planner | Free trial named |
| Shipday | Delivery suite | Free plan named |
| Spoke (formerly Circuit) | Route planner | Not stated |
| Track-POD | Delivery suite | Free trial named |
| Upper | Route planner | Free trial named |
| Wise Systems | Delivery suite | Not stated |
| Zeo Route Planner | Route planner | Not stated |
Every delivery tool here, by name
They're sorted A to Z and sit in no particular order apart from that. Each line gives a use case from the vendor's site, then its quoted claim.
Dispatch Science
Best for: Dispatch teams that want routing inside their delivery management. The vendor: it 'simplifies delivery management'.
Fleetbase
Best for: Running fleet, fulfilment, warehouse and accounting work on your own servers or in the cloud. The vendor: 'the open source logistics OS'.
Locus
Best for: Enterprises automating logistics across every mile. The vendor: 'turn all-mile logistics into a growth centre'.
Routific
Best for: Local delivery businesses planning and optimising daily routes. The vendor: 'clean, driver-friendly routes'.
Shipday
Best for: Local delivery operations tracking drivers live. The vendor: 'hire AI employees to run your delivery business'.
Spoke (formerly Circuit)
Best for: Couriers who need live tracking alongside dispatch. The vendor: 'last-mile delivery tools for drivers, dispatchers and retailers'.
Track-POD
Best for: Capturing electronic proof of delivery on Android and iOS phones. The vendor: 'delivery management software and a tracking system'.
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Upper
Best for: Days that change after the vans leave, since the vendor says its AI dispatch re-plans. Its pitch: 'all-in-one AI dispatch'.
Wise Systems
Best for: Comparing several routing scenarios before committing. The vendor: autonomous routing 'that models multiple scenarios'.
Zeo Route Planner
Best for: Planning routes in advance, adding proof of delivery and sharing live updates. The vendor: 'plan, execute and transform your routes efficiently'.
Dispatch advice: test one real day of stops
Export one real day of your own stops, with time windows, vehicle limits and the awkward addresses, and load it into two tools from the same group. Compare the routes each one builds, then let one driver run each plan if you can. Afterwards, ask:
- Did the routes respect every time window?
- How many manual changes did dispatch make before the drivers left?
- Did proof of delivery capture what your customers ask for, such as a photo, a signature or notes?
- Did customers get tracking updates without anyone in the office sending them?
- How easily did the results get back into your order system or invoicing?
Don't skip the driver's view. A plan that looks tidy on the dispatcher's screen isn't much use if the app makes drivers tap through five screens at every stop, or if it can't cope when a customer isn't in. Ask the driver who ran each plan what they'd change, and weigh that as heavily as the route itself. If both tools did the job, pick the one your drivers didn't complain about; they're the people who'll use it every day.
If the answers point to whole-network planning rather than local runs, my last-mile delivery software guide covers the bigger platforms.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between route planning and delivery management software?
Route planning works out the best order of stops for each driver. Delivery management adds the rest of the job: driver apps, proof of delivery, customer notifications and reporting.
Do I need proof of delivery?
If customers ever dispute a delivery, or you deliver high-value or signed-for items, yes. A photo or signature captured on the driver's phone gives you a record to point to.
Can I self-host delivery software?
Some logistics platforms are open source and can run on your own servers. That gives you control, but you handle updates, backups and uptime yourself.
How do customers get tracking links?
Delivery management tools that offer tracking typically send a text or email with a live link. Check which channels each tool supports, when the message goes out and whether you can brand the messages.
Is AI dispatch worth trying?
If your day changes a lot after the vans leave, re-planning on the fly can help. Test it on a real day with late orders and cancellations before you rely on it.
What should drivers test in a new delivery app?
Ask a driver to run a full shift with it: loading the route, getting directions, capturing proof at each stop and handling a failed delivery. Their feedback on speed and clarity matters as much as the office view.
