Best TMS software for small fleets

Managing routes, schedules, drivers, and delivery tracking can quickly become complex for small fleets with limited resources. Implementing transportation management system (TMS) software provides an affordable way for owner operators and small trucking companies with up to 50 vehicles to increase profitability, capability, and customer service relations.

This article outlines the best TMS software for growing businesses to help you find a solution that fits your operational needs and budget.

And when you’re finished reading, check out these other articles in our ‘Best small fleet solutions’ series:

• Managing cash flow as a new owner operator or small fleet owner
• Best TMS software for small fleets
• Best truck fuel cards for small fleet operations
• Best ELD devices for small fleets

Quicklook: Best transport management software for small fleets

• Best for overall customer satisfaction: Truckbase
• Best for flexibility: Rose Rocket
• Best for real-time visibility: Samsara
• Best for safety and compliance management: Motive
• Best for machine learning: Load Logix
• Best for last-mile delivery operations: Onfleet

6 best TMS software options for small fleets

Truckbase

Truckbase stands out from the crowd with a winning combination of robustness, user-friendliness, and dedicated support for companies in need of small fleet transportation management. Truckbase eliminates manual data entry, which enables your dispatch and operational support teams to spend more time on driver relationships, coaching, and retention. This cost-effective and intuitive logistics software pays for itself in efficiency gains. 

As a result, Truckbase customers are unsurprisingly effusive in their praise of this transportation technology. “Truckbase is the most intuitive and easy software I’ve found after evaluating over 20 TMS providers. Any dispatcher can pick it up within 30 minutes,” says Tom H., owner of Herlache Truck Lines. This ease of use is echoed by Jerrod F., owner of 1 Way Transportation. He appreciates how Truckbase “keeps small companies connected with their drivers and organizes loads, documents, and invoices.” And on Capterra, the largest software review site in the world, Truckbase leads with a rating of 4.9 stars out of 5 and 100% “likelihood to recommend” across all reviews. 

Best for: Overall customer satisfaction and ease of use

Features

• Intuitive and comprehensive
• Automated TMS processes
• Driver settlement handling
• Customer portal 
• Robust integrations and EDI connections
• Cost-effective scalability

Benefits

• Easy to learn
• Eliminates check calls and reduces admin work by 30%
• Improved driver satisfaction
• Increased customer loyalty
• Compatibility with 30+ ELD providers

Disadvantages: Pricing structure not available on website

Pricing: Contact Truckbase for details

Rose Rocket

Rose Rocket’s transportation software offers customizable routing, scheduling, tracking, and analytics while scaling flexibly from single drivers to 50+ truck fleets seeking dynamic solutions. Its affordable pricing and intuitive interface help small fleets improve logistics efficiency without over-investing during fluctuating demands. Modular function additions fit evolving operational requirements.

Best for: Flexibility

Features

• API-first platform for easy integration
• Load board, carrier, 3PL ecosystem connectivity
• Custom load management workflow-building
• Predictive auto-matching and smart FTL and LTL load optimization
• Visibility, tracking, alerts, and EDI

Benefits

• More efficient shipping
• Enhanced load visibility for carriers and shippers
• Improved team communication/collaboration
• Time and freight management cost savings
• Better margins from process automation
• Superior customer service

Disadvantages: No pricing published on website

Price: 14-day free trial period; reach out for a custom quote

Samsara

The Samsara TMS freight platform provides real-time GPS vehicle tracking and status updates to improve dispatch efficiency and customer service. With intuitive dashboards, reports, and a driver mobile app, this trucking technology streamlines day-to-day fleet operations and administration for managers. Offering basic TMS system capabilities like routing and dispatch management, the TMS scales flexibly from five to up to hundreds of vehicles as your business grows.

Best for: Real-time visibility

Features

• Fleet maintenance
• Route planning
• Fuel management
• Delivery scheduling and management
• Trailer tracking
• Dash cams
• Real-time vehicle diagnostics
• Compliance

Benefits

• Excellent value
• Strong functionality
• Great customer support
• Easy to use
• Improved cargo visibility

Disadvantages

• Some users report bugs, but customer service is responsive
• When new updates are released, app may slow down for a few days

Pricing: Complete a company questionnaire and schedule a demo to learn more

Motive

Motive’s TMS logistics software integrates transportation management with robust safety and compliance tools, making it an ideal solution for small fleets prioritizing driver safety, regulatory adherence, and operational efficiency. With features like real-time GPS tracking, AI-powered dash cams, and integrated compliance management, Motive empowers small fleets to streamline operations, improve safety, and meet evolving regulations. Its intuitive interface and scalable platform make it simple to adopt without overwhelming smaller teams.

Best for: Safety and compliance management

Features

• ELD compliance and hours of service (HOS) tracking
• AI-powered dashcams for driver management and safety analysis
• Real-time GPS fleet tracking and route optimization
• Dispatch tools with load management and digital documentation
• Custom reporting for safety, compliance, and fleet performance
• Mobile app for driver communication and document uploads

Benefits

• Ensures regulatory compliance with built-in ELD and HOS tools
• Improves driver safety with proactive alerts and AI analysis
• Reduces operational costs through better route planning and load visibility
• Enhances team communication with real-time updates and mobile tools
• Streamlines safety audits and compliance reporting
• Provides actionable insights to improve overall fleet efficiency

Disadvantages: Limited advanced freight brokerage features, so it’s less than ideal for fleets that heavily rely on broker workflows

Price: Contact Motive for a quote

Load Logix

Load Logix’s transportation management system uses machine learning algorithms to analyze data and provide real-time recommendations for truckload planning, dispatching, and carrier selection. By automating and optimizing these processes, Load Logix’s platform can reduce freight costs and increase supply chain efficiency for its customers.

Load Logix’s TMS system integrates with other trucking solutions, providing end-to-end visibility and control over the entire supply chain. This seamless integration can help customers improve their planning and execution processes, reduce errors, and increase productivity.

Best for: Machine learning

Features

• Manage different companies and locations for billing and accounting
• Free unlimited users at any package level
• Real-time GPS

Benefits

• High level of customization
• Monthly updates to software are performed to reduce bugs, meaning less chance of software crashing at inopportune times
• Improved efficiency

Disadvantages: Integrations with other software are not available in the standard package

Pricing: As low as $29 per month

Onfleet

Specializing in making last-mile deliveries easier, Onfleet’s TMS features help small fleet managers route, dispatch, and analyze their companies’ deliveries while communicating seamlessly with drivers. This TMS platform keeps customers informed and up-to-date on statuses with real-time short-message service (SMS) notifications. An Onfleet TMS implementation is ideal for high-volume, last-mile trucking operations, especially in the retail and food industries.

Best for: Last-mile delivery operations

Features

• Automated dispatch
• SMS notifications
• Integrations with other vehicle management systems
• Fleet tracking
• End-to-end route planning
• Communication
• Analytics

Benefits

• Easy onboarding process
• Driver app available for iOS or Android
• Drag-and-drop functionality
• Add and delete tasks with ease

Disadvantages

•  System may be unavailable during maintenance periods
•  Somewhat limited analytics access
•  Limited data entry fields

Pricing: Launch for $500 per month, scale for $1,150 per month; 14-day trial 

TMS software advantages for small fleets

TMS solutions offer several key advantages for small fleets seeking a competitive edge. For instance, TMS software providers:

• Improve routing and scheduling to reduce miles driven, save fuel costs, and enable more jobs per day through route optimization algorithms
• Track real-time vehicle locations to efficiently assign jobs based on proximity, which supports timely operations and customer status updates
• Save administrative time through dispatch, route planning, invoicing, and reporting automation, allowing managers to focus on service quality
• Provide data insights on delivery times, costs, and driver performances to inform better operational decision-making and prevent issues
• Scale capabilities like electronic proof of delivery, advanced analytics, and integration with other platforms as operations expand over time through affordable SaaS options

Ultimately, TMS products improve logistics efficiency, organization, and adaptability, which is essential for cost-savings and competitiveness. These are each critical transportation management advantages for small fleets with limited resources.

Elevate your small fleet operations with TMS technology

With the right TMS in place, small trucking fleets can focus on providing quality service to customers while simplifying coordination and management activities. While many TMS companies cater to large-scale commercial fleets, the transport software options above are purpose-built to scale with growing small businesses at reasonable prices. Choosing TMS logistics software that aligns with your fleet’s operational priorities will maximize benefits now while positioning you for future expansion.

FAQ