The 2024 Guide to Top Freight Broker Software Solutions

When selecting broker software for your shipment needs, it should match your organization’s goals.

To help you find your ideal tool, we’ve sorted the top freight broker software solutions into categories, from accounting to transportation management software.

1. Transportation Management Systems

Transportation management software is crucial for streamlining supply chain operations, making it an integral part of any freight brokerage toolkit.

Here are some of the best freight broker software solutions offering a transportation management system:

A. Strategy Live

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Strategy Live by Strategy Systems is cloud-based transportation management software designed to streamline operations and accounting for mid-sized and small businesses.

Strategy Live’s key features include:

• Customize management dashboards with 100+ KPIs for fleet monitoring, communication, and expense management.
• Manage customer relationships with automated email notifications and customer profile auto-uploads to save billing time.
• Streamline the reporting process for dispatch operations with real-time carrier and load tracking.

Pricing: Available upon request.

B. DAT Broker TMS

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DAT Broker TMS is comprehensive TMS software offering a suite of solutions for startup and growing brokerage businesses and third-party logistics providers (3PLs). It helps with load matching, transportation management, and market rate analysis.

DAT Broker TMS’ key features are:

• Search your carrier database or post directly to load boards with comprehensive DAT Load Board integration.
• Gain insights into current and historical transportation rates to help with pricing shipments competitively.
• Generate advanced analytics and reporting to provide customizable insights tailored to your freight broker business operations.

Pricing: DAT Broker TMS has plans starting at $100/month.

C. Descartes Aljex

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Descartes Aljex is transportation management software that allows brokers to streamline every part of the supply chain, from truckload booking to invoicing.

Descartes Aljex’s top features include:

• Automate order entry to streamline customer transport requests for efficient processing.
• Access real-time visibility into each shipment across various transportation modes.
• Integrate seamlessly with over 40 providers for intermodal flexibility.

Pricing: Descartes Aljex’s plans start from $350/month.

2. Customer Relationship Management

In the dynamic freight industry, you’ll establish countless new contacts each year. As such, a robust CRM system is crucial for maintaining and nurturing these connections.

Let’s dive into the best CRM software systems for brokers:

A. Trucker Tools

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Trucker Tools is end-to-end digital logistics software with predictive load management capabilities. Although it’s not a traditional CRM, this freight software offers carrier relationship management functionalities specifically tailored to supply chain and logistics operations.

Trucker Tools provides the following features:

• Build lasting relationships and connect with an extensive carrier network via Trucker Tool’s custom load board.
• Gain visibility for your truckloads from pick-up to delivery with real-time load tracking data and custom geofencing capabilities.
• Use Trucker Tools’ Smart Capacity matching algorithm for predictive load matching based on real-world truck movements.

Pricing: Available upon request.

B. HubSpot

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HubSpot is the leading CRM tool for B2B businesses. While not designed specifically for brokers, its versatile features are greatly beneficial in managing relationships and streamlining sales processes.

Its key features include:

• Organize and track potential customers throughout the sales process with lead management and prospecting tools.
• Automate follow-up emails and tasks for seamless communication and nurturing of leads.
• Gain detailed insights into customer interactions and engagement with automatic email and call tracking.

Pricing: HubSpot’s paid pricing plans start at $20/user per month.

C. Zoho CRM

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Zoho CRM is a software suite that offers omnichannel customer engagement and tailored solutions based on your company’s size and industry. Its real-time analytics make it invaluable for freight broker businesses aiming to streamline operations and improve relationship management.

Its top features include:

• Store and manage contact information with notes and activities for streamlined organization.
• Automate workflows by setting recurring actions and schedules, updating fields, and triggering emails or notifications.
• Forecast sales based on deep analysis of past data with Zoho’s powerful algorithms.

Pricing: Zoho CRM has paid pricing plans starting at $20/month.

3. Accounting Software

Accounting software simplifies financial tasks for brokers, including invoicing, billing, and revenue tracking.

Now, let’s review the leading accounting software tools:

A. QuickBooks

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QuickBooks is accounting software designed to streamline financial management. It lets brokers efficiently track business revenue, manage expenses, and organize all financial information in one centralized platform.

QuickBooks’ key features include:

• Track expenses and income with a mobile app and take photos of receipts to save and record expenses for tax time.
• Process invoices and accept payments in seconds with customizable invoicing templates, estimates, and sales receipts.
• Organize tax categories for easy management of sales tax on income and expenses, providing clarity on financial standing.

Pricing: Quickbooks has paid pricing plans starting at $30/month.

B. Xero

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Xero is cloud-based accounting software brokers can use to manage invoices, track expenses, and access financial reporting. It’s ideal for simplifying financial management and enhancing operational transparency.

Its key features include:

• Manage contacts and streamline customer interactions with a complete record of past transactions in one place.
• Generate and send invoices, track payments, and manage accounts receivable more efficiently with invoicing and cost tracking.
• Track time, costs, and project progress with comprehensive reporting for deeper insights into project financials.

Pricing: Xero has paid pricing plans starting at $15/month.

C. FreshBooks

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FreshBooks is intuitive cloud-based accounting software that simplifies invoice creation, sending, and tracking for large, mid-sized, or small businesses.

Some of its key features include:

• Approve, modify, and import transactions directly from your bank account with automated bank reconciliation.
• Maximize productivity with time tracking in FreshBooks and start a timer, record hours spent on projects and clients, and instantly generate invoices, all from desktop or mobile.
• Customize invoices and generate P&L reports to enhance payment efficiency and financial tracking — all in just a few clicks.

Pricing: FreshBooks offers paid pricing plans starting at $19/month.

4. Load Board Software

Load boards are online platforms where brokers can connect with carriers and truckers to match them with the right load for their capacity.

Here are the top three load board software solutions:

A. Direct Freight

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Direct Freight is load tracking and trucking software designed to optimize logistics-related functionalities for brokers, trucking companies, and carriers.

Some of Direct Freight’s key features include:

• Enhance the matching process by searching for loads or trucks with specific criteria via advanced filtering systems.
• Set up custom alert schedules to stay informed about new load opportunities or changes in existing ones, ensuring you never miss out.
• Access broker and shipper credit scores and their payment histories to know exactly who you’re working with and secure reliable partnerships.

Pricing: Direct Freight has paid pricing plans starting at $34.95/month.

B. 123 Load Board

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123 Load Board is freight matching and trucking software designed to help brokers streamline load management and locate available trucks efficiently.

Its top features are:

• Automate load posting with seamless TMS software integration and custom solutions.
• Find GPS-verified trucks in real-time using a truck locator, broadcast load availability, and optimize route planning.
• Research, compare rates, and calculate freight profitability with a rate check tool.

Pricing: 123 Load Board has paid pricing plans starting at $39/month.

C. Truckstop

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Truckstop is a freight management platform that optimizes daily operations such as invoicing, accounting, and customer relationship management, enhancing operational efficiency for a freight broker.

Truckstop’s key features include:

• Generate and send invoices directly to brokers with automated full-service billing to save time and effort.
• Post unlimited loads and real-time updates of new trucks ready to cover your loads quickly.
• Make carrier onboarding faster and more secure with access to a carrier portal and an extensive database of active US and Canadian carriers.

Pricing: Truckstop has paid pricing plans starting at $109/user per month.

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Curious about what benefits broker software offers? 

Let’s find out the advantages of these tools.

Freight broker software acts as the central nervous system of shipping operations. It helps brokers efficiently scale their businesses, make data-driven decisions, and boost profitability and customer satisfaction.

Here’s a closer look at why:

1. Efficiency and Automation

Freight broker software automates time-consuming tasks such as load matching and tendering, paperwork processing, shipment tracking, and invoicing.

This technology accelerates operations and significantly reduces the potential for human error, ensuring smoother transactions.

By streamlining these essential transportation management processes, brokers can focus on strategic decision-making instead of administrative chores.

2. Real-time Tracking

A software solution that tracks each shipment in real-time allows you to monitor its current location, status, ETA, and more. This level of visibility lets brokers manage any issues proactively, continuously update the shipper, and maintain quality customer service.

Timely and accurate tracking information helps build trust and reliability with shippers and customers, making it an indispensable tool for effective freight management.

3. Carrier Management

A freight broker will rely on carriers and trucking companies to ensure timely pickup and delivery of goods.

Effectively managing these relationships entails using freight broker software to maintain detailed records of carrier performance, safety ratings, capacity, and rate confirmations.

This data is invaluable for a freight broker when choosing the right carriers for specific shipments and streamlining carrier onboarding processes. Knowing which carriers consistently meet delivery and safety standards can help brokers minimize risks and improve overall customer service.

4. Cost Savings

Utilizing freight broker software can lead to significant cost savings by optimizing route planning and enhancing load-matching efficiency. Access to comprehensive shipment data and trends allows brokers to negotiate better rates with carriers.

Additionally, improved operational efficiency reduces overhead costs, contributing directly to the bottom line.

5. Regulatory Compliance

The best freight broker software ensures that all necessary documentation is in order and that every shipment meets all regulatory requirements.

This reduces the risk of fines and penalties, safeguarding a freight agent from regulatory infringements, which is crucial for maintaining seamless supply chain management.

6. Data Analysis and Reporting

Freight broker software with robust data analysis and reporting features offer deep insights into operations, financial performance, and market trends.

This crucial data supports brokerage businesses in strategic planning, optimizing performance, enhancing decision-making, and adapting to industry changes effectively.

7. Customer Relationship Management

Freight software often includes CRM tools, helping brokers manage and enhance their relationships with customers, shippers, and carriers.

By managing contacts, tracking interactions, and identifying sales opportunities, brokers can ensure top-notch customer service and foster lasting relationships within the freight brokerage industry.

8. Marketplace Access

Gain access to online marketplaces and digital freight matching platforms through integrated broker software.

This connection enables freight brokerage businesses to find more shipping opportunities and expand their carrier network, ultimately enhancing their position in the competitive logistics market.

Evidently, broker software is instrumental in improving operational efficiency.

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But here’s the kicker:

Success hinges on choosing the right freight software for your business.

Let’s explore what to consider when making this critical decision.

Choosing the best freight broker software for your business involves a thorough assessment to ensure the tool aligns with your operational needs and growth plans.

Here’s how to navigate the selection process:

1. Identify your business needs: Assess core operational requirements, including specific freight brokerage challenges you need the software to address, your company’s size, transaction volume, the types of shipments you manage, etc.
2. Research available options: Start by exploring testimonials and reviews from customers, industry peers, software review websites, trade publications, etc. Use these insights to compile a shortlist of the strongest candidates, further focusing your search.
3. Consider ease of use: Opt for solutions with intuitive interfaces along with comprehensive training and customer service support to facilitate a smoother adoption for the team.
4. Compare pricing models: Consider whether the long-term time and cost savings will be worth the initial (or ongoing) investment. Look into pricing model details, including any setup fees, subscriptions, and charges for additional features or services.
5. Check for scalability & integration capabilities: Choose broker software that can handle increased volumes of shipments and seamlessly integrate with your existing systems. That way, you can scale your business without a complete system overhaul.
6. Evaluate regulatory compliance & security protocols: Ensure robust security measures are in place to protect your business and customer data, including encryption, secure storage, and compliance with privacy regulations.

By following these steps, you can choose broker software that not only meets your current needs but also supports your business as it evolves.

Whether you’re a freight broker or freight forwarder, equipping your business with software that simplifies operational complexities is crucial. You need a dynamic system capable of handling everything from document management to financial transactions.

Enter Shipthis: the perfect freight forwarding software for streamlining your shipping operations.

Ready to take the next step?

Register for a free demo of Shipthis’s multi-modal transportation, financing, and CRM capabilities to see how it can help you tackle supply chain complexities confidently.