In 2023, freight brokers moved over $150 billion of truckload freight supported by transportation management systems streamlining operations. Freight brokers are increasingly turning to transportation management system (TMS) software to streamline operations and boost efficiency.
This review outlines top-rated TMS technologies that can modernize your workflows to meet the challenges of 2025. And when you finish reading, check out the other articles in our ‘TMS freight broker software’ series:
- Freight broker tools that will save you time
- Which freight broker tools give you real-time insights?
- How to choose the best TMS software for brokers
- Best TMS freight broker software
Quicklook: Best TMS freight broker software in 2025
- Best for integration with existing software: Rose Rocket TMS
- Best for large brokerage businesses: Trimble
- Best for small to mid-sized brokers: ITS Dispatch by Truckstop.com
- Best for LTL freight brokers: Transport Pro
- Best for customization: Strategy Live
- Best for global operations: Descartes Aljex
What is freight software?
Freight software refers to digital tools and platforms that streamline the logistics and transportation management for freight brokers, carriers, and shippers. These systems automate essential tasks like load matching, carrier communication, route optimization, and billing, enabling brokers to handle freight operations more efficiently.
Among the many types of freight software, TMS solutions are the cornerstone for brokers, offering tools for load management, shipment tracking, pricing, and documentation. TMS software for brokers is designed to enhance operational efficiency, reduce errors, and improve the overall customer experience, especially for brokers handling large volumes of freight or complex supply chains.
Alongside TMS tools, brokers may also use freight matching platforms like Trucker Tools or load boards like Truckstop to find clients and available freight loads, fostering connections between shippers and carriers through vast digital marketplaces. By integrating TMS software with freight matching tools, brokers streamline the process, enabling them to focus on building relationships and growing their business.
6 best TMS systems for freight brokers
The best TMS software for carriers isn’t necessarily the best software for freight brokers. The following TMS transportation software solutions include features specifically designed to meet the unique needs of brokerage businesses like yours.
Rose Rocket TMS
Rose Rocket TMS is an open platform built specifically to integrate seamlessly with the other transportation technologies freight brokers rely on. Unlike other options, Rose Rocket provides an API-first, modular TMS designed for easy customization to each broker’s existing tech stack. This allows brokers to connect essential tools like load boards, accounting software, and custom brokerage applications into one cohesive ecosystem through Rose Rocket’s flexible architecture.
Best for: Integration with existing software
Special features
- API-first platform for easy integration
- Load board, carrier, 3PL ecosystem connectivity
- Custom workflow building
- Predictive auto-matching and smart load mixing
- Multimodal support (FCL, LTL, air, parcel)
- Visibility, tracking, alerts and EDI
Benefits
- Increased operational efficiency
- Enhanced shipment visibility
- Improved team communication/collaboration
- Time and cost savings
- Better margins from process automation
- Superior customer service
Disadvantages: Platform less ideal for carriers
Price: 14-day free trial period; reach out for a custom quote
Trimble
With its enterprise-grade TMS platform, Trimble allows large freight brokerages to manage complex, multimodal logistics operations around the globe. Through unified shipment visibility and customized workflows that adapt to each broker’s business, the platform offers the scalability to support significant growth in shipment volume. Trimble’s expertise serving major 3PLs and brokers enables them to build resilience and efficiency into brokerage networks managing millions in freight spend yearly.
Best for: Large brokerage businesses
Special features
- Global shipment visibility and tracking
- Configurable load optimization
- Predictive analytics and modeling
- Automated load tendering
- Multimodal transportation support
- Custom workflows and UI branding
- API integrations with other solutions
Benefits
- Increased operational efficiency
- Improved carrier management
- Enhanced supply chain resilience
- Data-driven decision making
- Unified view across logistics operations
- Ability to support aggressive growth
- Gain competitive advantages
Disadvantages
- Higher upfront costs
- Overkill for small brokers
Price: Custom quote based on users, workflows, modes
ITS Dispatch by Truckstop.com
ITS Dispatch, owned by Truckstop, is a basic-tier, cloud-based transportation management and fleet dispatch software designed for owner-operators, small trucking companies, and freight brokers. Known for its ease of use and affordability, it offers a range of features, including load posting, carrier management, and load tracking. It’s a good option for smaller businesses that need simple and effective transportation broker software.
Best for: Small to mid-sized brokers
Features:
- Generates invoices with a single click
- Easy load confirmations
- Creates driver settlements
- Quickbooks integration
- Private labeling
Benefits:
- Detailed, automated reporting
- Unlimited number of trucks allowed on plan
- Creates and sends detailed customer agreements
- Communication features keep drivers in the loop
Disadvantages:
- Can be slow or laggy at times
- Occasional glitches
Pricing: $125 installation, $99
Transport Pro
Transport Pro freight brokerage software streamlines complex less-than-truckload (LTL) freight management for brokers through specialized rating, transit times, and consolidation workflows. In addition to offering leaderboard tools ranking best performing LTL carriers, their automated Smart Route Guide aggregates transit options by lane. This saves brokers hours of manual research while enhancing customer service, ultimately boosting efficiency for LTL freight brokers.
Best for: LTL brokers
Special features
- Optimized LTL load rating and pricing
- Automated transit time calculation
- Shipment consolidation tools
- Carrier service quality leaderboards
- API connectivity to carriers
- Customizable shipment dashboards
Benefits
- Increased team productivity
- Faster LTL quote turnaround
- Improved customer experience
- Enhanced shipment visibility
- Better carrier relationship management
- Ability to support growth
Disadvantages
- Focused solely on LTL, not full truckload
- Limited accounting software integrations
- Steep learning curve for some users
- Support can be slow to respond
Price: Up to $399 per user monthly
Strategy Live
Strategy Live by Strategy Systems is a fully integrated TMS for freight brokers. This software supports custom reporting and requirements so brokers can better manage and strategize based on their specific needs. Strategy Live also has QuickBooks software integration for simplified accounting.
Best for: Customized broker software
Special features:
- Customizable management dashboards
- Customer relationship management
- Personalized solutions within one business day
Benefits:
- QuickBooks integration
- Dispatch software
- Billing and auditing features
- Live load tracking
Disadvantages:
- Not mobile friendly
- Lack of transparent pricing
Pricing: Variable pricing with a free demo
Descartes Aljex
Descartes Aljex is a cutting-edge TMS for brokers designed to manage global operations. With its robust tools for multi-modal shipping, international compliance, and seamless integration with customs systems, Aljex empowers you to efficiently handle the complexities of global freight. Its advanced AI-driven load optimization and carrier connectivity streamline operations, saving time while ensuring exceptional service delivery.
Best for: Global broker operations
Special features
- Multi-modal shipping management (ocean, air, rail, and road)
- AI-powered load optimization and route planning
- Real-time carrier connectivity and tracking
- Integrated customs and compliance tools
- Automated document management for international shipping
- Scalability for handling high shipment volumes
Benefits
- Simplified global freight management
- Enhanced operational efficiency through automation
- Reduced compliance risks with built-in regulatory support
- Improved visibility into international shipments
- Strengthened customer relationships through reliable service
- Scalability to accommodate business growth
Disadvantages
- Primarily designed for global operations; may not suit domestic-only brokers
- Complex features may require extended onboarding
- Higher pricing tier compared to smaller-scale TMS solutions
- Limited offline functionality
Price: Starting at $499 per user monthly
Do freight brokers need a TMS system?
Yes, most freight brokerages would benefit greatly from using TMS software for brokers. Here are some of the key reasons it’s so valuable:
- Increased efficiency and automation: TMS software providers centralize data and workflows to optimize routing, dispatching, tracking loads, managing carrier communication, and more. This automation frees up significant time for brokers.
- Better carrier management: Carrier details like capabilities, restrictions, insurance, compliance docs, and more can be tracked in trucking software for brokers for easier access and qualification. Improved visibility aids carrier relationship management.
- Enhanced shipment visibility: TMS freight brokerage software provides real-time tracking of load status through the entire transport lifecycle. Brokers can proactively update customers and quickly address any issues.
- Improved customer service: Customers benefit from the transparency, efficiency, and informed support enabled by robust TMS software for brokers. This can lead to higher retention and more repeat business.
- Data analysis: The best freight brokerage software provides insights on operational bottlenecks, carrier performance trends, profitable customers/lanes, and other metrics to guide better decision making.
While some very small businesses still operate manually, adoption of freight broker TMS software is becoming an industry standard. The enhanced operational efficiency, carrier/customer management capabilities and data visibility make trucking TMS software invaluable for freight brokers looking to scale while controlling costs and service quality.
Benefit from the best TMS freight broker software
So, what are the best freight broker TMS software solutions? The answer depends on your specific requirements and business objectives, but you can’t go wrong with any of the TMS broker software options on this list. Just make sure you carefully weigh the features that are most important to you against various TMS software prices, and research reviews from actual customers.
Transportation management software for freight brokers may ultimately be the best investment you can make in your business.
FAQ
Shippers and carriers, traditionally, use TMS software, but just about every freight broker has one as well. It helps to streamline operations and boost profitability.
A transportation management system (TMS) is a logistics technology platform that automates and streamlines key shipment management workflows. Within freight brokerages, TMS software centralizes dispatch, tracks shipments, boosts team collaboration, and provides insights to improve customer service.
Freight brokerage software costs vary widely based on the capabilities and scope of systems, but typically range from $60-$250 per user monthly up to customized enterprise platforms exceeding $150,000.
LTL (less-than-truckload) software is specialized transportation management system technology that helps shippers and freight brokers manage partial truckload shipments by automating rate quotes, scheduling, tracking, and documentation. It typically includes features for comparing carrier rates, consolidating multiple shipments, and managing freight classes and accessorial charges.