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 and improve customer service.
This article outlines the best TMS software for growing businesses so you can find a solution to fit your operational needs and budget.
And when you’re finished reading, check out the 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 machine learning: Load Logix
- Best for flexibility: Rose Rocket
- Best for real-time visibility: Samsara
- Best for last-mile delivery operations: Onfleet
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. By eliminating manual data entry and enabling your dispatch and operations teams to spend more time on driver relationships, coaching, and retention, Truckbase’s 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, who 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 all others 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
Load Logix
Load Logix’s transportation management system uses machine learning algorithms to analyze data and provide real-time recommendations for load 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 integrates with other trucking solutions, providing end-to-end visibility and control over the entire supply chain. This integration can help customers improve their planning and execution processes, reduce errors, and increase productivity.
Best for: Machine learning
Special 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. Less chance of the 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
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.
Special features
- API-first platform for easy integration
- Load board, carrier, 3PL ecosystem connectivity
- Custom load management workflow-building
- Predictive auto-matching and smart load optimization
- Visibility, tracking, alerts and EDI
Benefits
- More efficient shipping
- Enhanced load visibility
- 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, the trucking technology streamlines day-to-day fleet operations and administration for managers. Offering basic TMS capabilities like routing and dispatch management, the system scales flexibly from five up to hundreds of vehicles as the business changes over time.
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
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. The 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
- Limited data entry fields
Pricing: Launch for $500 per month, scale for $1,150 per month; 14-day trial
TMS 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
A transportation management system software is a logistics platform that helps manage various daily operations for motor carriers or private fleets. Key features focus on routing, scheduling, tracking shipments, compliance, analytics and improving overall efficiency.
When it comes to evaluating TMS solutions, there are five core feature groups you make sure you understand clearly, and three core integration capabilities. The five feature sets are dispatch, invoicing, settlements (driver pay), customer portal, and reporting (profitability analysis). When it comes to integrations, a modern trucking TMS should have ELD integrations, EDI capabilities, and a tight connection to QuickBooks.
The return on investment from an efficient transportation management system typically outweighs its costs. By enabling increased deliveries per day, lower mileage expenses, reduced labor needs and better customer service, trucking TMS software is a valuable asset for optimizing logistics.
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