Load boards for brokers are an all-in-one service for the freight marketplace. Load boards facilitate a freight broker’s role to efficiently locate freight carriers.
For a freight broker, a load board is a one-stop-shop to locate carriers, build relationships with dispatchers, and create their own reputation within the industry. If you’ve thought of becoming a load broker, or are considering a new load board, here are some of the best load boards for brokers and what you should look for in a load board.
Quicklook: Best Load Board for Brokers
- Best For Large Volumes and Established Brokers: Convoy – Find Loads
- Best For Specialized of Unusual Loads: Truckstop.com
- Best For Features and Reports: Direct Freight – Find Loads
- Best For Free Options: PostEverywhere – Find Loads
4 Best Load Boards For Brokers
Ready to get started with a new load board? All of the options below offer a balance of large networks, real-time notifications, reviews, unlimited searches, and more. Many also offer in-house dispatchers and matching systems to help you grow your business faster.
Convoy
Convoy is an industry leader in freight load boards for both brokers and freight carriers alike. They stand out for their ease of use, education, and accessibility.
Convoy also offers exceptional value and boasts some of the biggest names in the industry as clients. The company has exceptional reviews that applaud the company for its large network of dedicated freight carriers and brokers.
Best For:
- Large established brokers
Network Size:
- 3 million truck drivers
- Clients include:
- Unilever
- P&G
- Wayfair
Sort By State: Yes
Unlimited Searches: Yes
Real-Time Notifications: Yes
Carrier Reviews: Yes
Special Features:
- Transparent data and insights to drive your business
- High quality and compliance standards
- Search by the following:
- State
- Zip code
- Geographic region
- Load type
Benefits:
- Real-time data
- Large network of freight carriers
- Setup load bidding in minutes
Disadvantages:
- One of the more expensive options
- Hard for carriers not working directly to get loads
- Difficulty with load volume control via the app
Pricing:
- $100 per month
Truckstop.com
Truckstop.com was one of the first load boards on the internet. They boast over 600,000 brokers in their network. Truckstop stands out for their streamlined, efficient booking service. With monthly prices starting at $39, they are also one of the most affordable paid load boards out there.
Best For:
- New brokers or freight carriers
- Owner-operators
- Specialized loads
Network Size:
- More than 600,000 brokers and many more carriers
- Real-time update of loads at any moment on their website
- More than 250,00 loads in process or being added
Sort By State: Yes
Unlimited Searches: Yes
Real-Time Notifications:
- With the Pro Plan
Carrier Reviews:
- Yes
Special Features:
- Large network that has a reputation of excellence
- Search by load type or truck type
Benefits:
- Rated highly
- Large network
- Fast service and payment
- Market insights with the Pro Plan
Disadvantages:
- Pricing is high for most advanced features
- Less carriers available than some competitors
Pricing:
- Basic Plan: $39/ month
- Advanced Plan:$125
- Includes broker credit and days-to-pay feature
- Pro Plan: $149
- Includes real-time load boards, route planning, broker credit, and more
Direct Freight
Direct Freight has been in operation since 1997. Direct Freight allows both brokers and carriers to post their loads free of charge.
Subscription services include premium features, like credit reports, route planning, load filtering, saved searches, weather reports, and more. Direct Freight has partnered with a transportation technology software company to offer an exceptional load board user interface as well.
Best For:
- Those looking to break into the market
- Best low-cost option
- One of the best load boards for carriers
Network Size:
- More than 300,000 daily loads
Sort By State: Yes
Unlimited Searches: Yes
Real-Time Notifications: Yes, with a paid subscription
Carrier Reviews: Yes, including detailed reviews with subscription
Special Features:
- Free option to try out search features before committing
- Can be used in conjunction with other load boards
- Lots of extras including credit reports
Benefits:
- Inexpensive
- Paid subscriptions starting at $34.95 per month
- Check booked and pending loads
- Improved load filtering
- Text alerts
- Private load information
Disadvantages:
- Brokers complain of no guaranteed quotes
- Insurance issues in some cases
Pricing:
- $34.95 per month
PostEverywhere
PostEverywhere is slowly becoming a free competitor to the above-paid services. Their services are some of the most low-cost opportunities in the industry.
PostEverywhere caters specifically to brokers who need a last-minute carrier. This is the most basic of the load boards on the list, but it still offers good integration and large network size.
Best For:
- Small brokers
- Those who need a low-cost option
Network Size:
- Includes many of the main other load boards, increasing reach
- Offers 123 load boards, bulk loads, and more
Sort By State: Yes
Unlimited Searches: Yes, but posting is limited to about 800 loads per month
Real-Time Notifications: Yes
Carrier Reviews: Yes
Special Features:
- Large network
- Low-cost and free services
Benefits:
- Last-minute listings and quick turnaround times
- Streamlined interface with just the basics
- Very high customer ratings
Disadvantages:
- Missing some of the features and extras of the other services
Pricing:
- First 40,000 posts: $29.95
- Additional 20,000 posts: $10/extra per month
What Is a Broker Load Board?
A broker load board is an online freight marketplace where brokers can locate shippers for their goods. The purpose of a broker load board is to facilitate transactions and ease shipping bottlenecks by putting brokers in direct contact with carriers. It is a win-win for brokers and carriers alike as it allows carriers to fill available time slots and brokers to find a carrier when needed for their clients.
How Does a Broker Load Board Work?
Load boards serve as an essential tool for freight brokers, providing a centralized online marketplace to match freight with carriers. Here’s how it typically works:
- Posting loads: Freight brokers can list the loads they have available for transport on the load board. They usually provide crucial details about the load, including type, weight, origin, destination, pick-up and drop-off dates, and proposed payment.
- Search and match: Carriers then search these listings based on their preferences, such as equipment type, preferred routes, or available schedule. When they find a suitable load, they’ll reach out to the broker directly.
- Negotiation: Brokers and carriers negotiate the terms of the deal, including finalizing the rate and any special requirements or conditions for the load. Once agreed, they formalize the deal with a contract or rate confirmation.
- Delivery and payment: The carrier hauls the load to the destination, and upon completion of the delivery, submits proof of delivery (POD) to the broker. The broker then pays the carrier based on the agreed terms.
- Review and ratings: Many load boards allow for feedback and ratings on completed jobs, which can help build a reputation for both carriers and brokers.
Load boards can be free or require a subscription fee, and they greatly facilitate the process of finding carriers for available freight. Brokers must, however, ensure they’re dealing with reputable carriers to avoid any potential issues.
Broker Load Board vs Trucker Load Board
The difference between a broker load board and a trucker load board is the customers they cater to. A broker load board focuses on the needs of professional freight brokers, all of whom are accustomed to moving large quantities of goods through many carriers.
The focus of the board allows the shipper the greatest advantage and customized options. Trucker load boards cater to the carriers.
From individual truckers to owner-operators and larger operations, these boards have searches and features that allow carriers to schedule their loads and fill their time slots.
What to Consider With Broker Load Boards
There are broker load boards available for every budget. You can find free boards as well as ones with membership fees of $100 or more per month. Here is what you should consider when selecting the best broker load board for your business needs!
Post Loads Quickly
In the freight marketplace, you’ll want to know that you can move goods quickly and on demand. Load boards might have a delay anywhere from a few hours to several days before a post is shown. Look for a load board with fast posting and quick turnaround times to maintain industry leadership and meet or exceed client requirements.
Market Insight
Market insights can help you save more and optimize resources on every load. Market insights to look for include lane insights and average route quotes.
Real-Time Notifications
To keep goods moving and clients satisfied, real-time notifications at every stage of the broker load board are essential. From the initial listing to the big status, you need to know where you stand and how soon your load can be picked up.
Rate Negotiations
Rate negotiations are advantageous to both brokers and carriers alike. Some load boards allow brokers to set up bidding options to get the best rate from carriers, while most load boards allow you to contact carriers directly about your load and negotiate the best rate.
Large Network of Carriers
For brokers moving large volumes of freight, a load board with a large network of carriers is essential. A large network of carriers ensures that any load will be quickly matched with a carrier regardless of the size or the destination. Smaller load boards might be efficient for certain brokers, but for most, a large network of carriers is a must.
Unlimited Searches
Some load boards set daily or monthly search limits. For individuals, this might be acceptable, but for brokers, it is impractical. Choose a load board with unlimited searches so that your ability to move goods and meet your clients’ needs is not hindered by search limitations.
Reviews
Reviews on broker load boards, like other online marketplaces, is essential. Reviews allow carriers and brokers to rate other users based on past performances. This gives brokers insight into which carriers they should choose to work with. A high broker rating also means that carriers want to work with you and bring you their best quotes.
In-House Dispatching
In-house dispatching means the load board itself has in-house carriers available. As such, dispatchers are actively seeking loads for their carriers. As a broker, working with a load board with in-house dispatchers means they are working with you to achieve your freight needs.
Selecting the Best Load Board for Brokers
All of the options we’ve mentioned offer exceptional value, large networks, matching systems, user reviews, customized searches, and more. Any of these available options will help you start building your reputation as a freight broker and become well-known in the freight marketplace.
To further advance your technological edge, consider the Motive ELD if you’re interested in one of the best ELD devices to use with carriers or as an owner-operator.
FAQ
Yes. Whether you are just breaking into the industry or you are already moving large volumes of freight, load boards simplify the cost of finding carriers for your routes. Load boards can help you save on carrier costs and improve on-time delivery as well.
Freight brokers get customers from load boards. They can also ask for referrals, contact like businesses, and reach out to both competitors and their customers.
No, you don’t need an MC number for load boards. However, you will need to have a DOT number for most load boards.
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