Best truck dispatch service companies

Are you looking for a way to improve your fleet management capabilities? If so, working with a freight dispatcher partner can help you. However, many truck dispatch service companies are out there, making it tough to find the right partner for your business.

To help simplify your search, we have outlined five exceptional truck dispatcher service providers so that you can find the ideal one to accelerate your growth. Let’s dive in.

And when you’re finished, check out the other articles in our ‘Truck dispatch services vs software’ hub:

• Simple guide to truck dispatching services
• Truck dispatch services vs dispatch software
• Best truck dispatch service companies
• Best dispatch software for trucking in 2024

Quicklook: Best truck dispatching companies

• Best for owner operators: Genius Dispatch
• Best for scaling up: Unity Dispatch
• Best for small loads: Ninja Dispatch
• Best for all fleet sizes: MaxTruckers Dispatch
• Best for volume discounts: Dispatch America

5 best truck dispatching companies 

As you evaluate the top dispatching companies based on value, customer service, office support, etc., the following ones may top the list. You’ll quickly see why that is as you learn more about what these providers offer.

Genius Dispatch

Genius Dispatch offers a premium dispatch service solution for owner-operators and small freight companies. Because drivers often are able to increase their average pay per load using Genius, the service may end up paying for itself.

Genius Dispatch users benefit from capabilities like load reporting, invoicing, back-office support, detention request and layover handling, and setup packet management. With Genius Dispatch, you’re in complete control as to whether you accept or deny a load, making it the best dispatch service for owner operators.

Best for: Owner operators

Trucks available: 

• Dry vans
• Reefer 
• Flatbeds

Rate: 7% of gross revenue

Dedicated dispatcher: Yes

Broker credit check: Yes

Contract requirements: No

Special features: 

• 24/7 dispatch truck service team fluent in several languages
• Personal assistant to ensure on-time payments  
• Dispatch team fluent in Spanish
• Dedicated dispatcher for fleets of five or more tucks
• Covers all 48 contiguous states

Benefits: 

• Back office support for paperwork
  • Layovers
  • Lumper fees
  • Set-up packers
  • Detentions 
• Higher paying loads
• Fast, easy sign-up process

Disadvantages: 

• Limited truck types available
• May not be the least expensive option

Unity Dispatch

Unity Dispatch, leveraging 18 years of industry expertise and its innovative platform INTELLITRUX, provides solutions for businesses aiming to scale. Included for free with your account, INTELLITRUX enables small fleets and owner-operators to efficiently manage operations, understand costs, and ensure profitability with its streamlined expense entry, load data input, and unique lane building features.

Unity Dispatch’s interactive analytics give insights into your business, facilitating data-driven growth decisions. By fostering profitable lanes and strong relationships, they mitigate market volatility, providing an effective pathway for businesses to scale.

Best for: Scaling up

Trucks available:

• Dry van
• Flatbed (not hotshot)
• Reefer
• Power only

Rate: 6% of gross revenue

Dedicated dispatcher: Yes

Broker credit check: Yes

Contract requirements: No

Special features: 

• Free INTELLITRUX subscription
• Lane building tools
• Offers 1.5% factoring if the carrier is not setup with a factoring company

Benefits: 

• Easy to use
• Can integrate into accounting and CRM software
• Variety of reports regarding loads, fleet, driver, and financial reports

Disadvantages:

•  Software focuses heavily on growth and business development, may not be suitable to carriers just looking only for loads with the highest rates

Ninja Dispatch

Ninja Dispatch specializes in dry van, reefer and car hauler loads. With no contracts and a fee of 10% of the gross load value, Ninja Dispatch is a solid, reliable freight dispatcher. You will want to note that the freight dispatcher’s rate is higher than the rate for a number of options, but you will receive good service for the price. The company is also known for booking top-paying loads and connecting clients to quality freight shipping customers and brokers. Many professionals in the industry regard Ninja Dispatch as North America’s best truck dispatch service for dry van, reefer and car hauling. 

Best for: Small loads

Trucks available: 

• Dry van
• Reefer
• Car hauler loads

Rate: 10% of gross load value

Dedicated dispatcher: No

Broker credit check: Yes

Contract requirements: No

Special features: 

• Nighttime dispatch
• Automobile hauling
• Email and phone dispatch

Benefits: 

• Excellent communication
• Efficient and professional service
• Good company culture reflected in services offered
• Paperwork handling
• Ample opportunities to help trucking businesses stay busy

Disadvantages: 

• Complaints about the management from some employees and truckers
• Higher pricing model than other options on this list

MaxTruckers Dispatch

The truck driving industry respects and gives great reviews to MaxTruckers Dispatch. Many dispatchers on this list are ideal for smaller operations, but MaxTruckers Dispatch serves larger fleets with higher load volumes. With a flat-rate weekly fee, you will get to experience great rates for the services you receive. Plus, you’ll have access to a dedicated dispatcher along with a virtual office assistant who can aid in improving your efficiency and managing all of the back-office paperwork involved when booking loads.

Best for: All fleet sizes 

Trucks available: 

• Dry vans
• Reefer 
• Flatbeds

Rate: 

• $225 per week per truck for any number of loads
• No fixed percentage
• Seven-day free trial

Dedicated dispatcher: Yes

Broker credit check: Yes 

Contract requirements: 

• Yes
• Weekly contract
• Can start with a seven-day free trial 

Special features: 

• Built-in route analyzer 
• Same-day payment options 
• Start-up bonus

Benefits: 

• TrustPilot rating of 4.9 stars 
• Dedicated dispatchers
• Higher average rate per mile  
• Excellent broker negotiations
• Easy to budget for

Disadvantages: 

• High monthly price and contract for short loads or infrequent hauls 
• Complaints of slow response times when setting up service 

Dispatch America

Dispatch America helps trucking companies reduce back-office work and improve performance while enabling teams to focus on driving. The company is well known for its stellar customer support and additional service options that help trucking companies stay in business. Some of them include a driver ELD program, fuel advances and back-office support. 

Best for: Volume discounts

Trucks available: 

• Dry van
• Flatbed
• Stepdeck
• Refrigerated
• Power-only

Rate: 

• Not disclosed 
• Option to select load-based rates vs. flat weekly rates 
• Volume discount availability 

Dedicated dispatcher: Yes

Broker credit check: Yes

Contract requirements: No

Special features: 

• Complete back office work:
  • Shipper and broker agreements
  • Carrier packets
  • Check customer 
  • Broker credit 
• Volume discounts for fleets
• Personal online tracking software

Benefits: 

• Best-in-class, all-round back-office service 
• Flexible payment options
  • Pay-per-load 
  • Pay-per-week
• Driver ELD program
• Fuel advances
• Free load board postings

Disadvantages: 

• Less proactive than other dispatchers 
• Higher fees than others
• Fewer high-paying load options 

What is a truck dispatch company?

Truck dispatching companies help with scheduling freight deliveries and arranging for pickups. They charge a percentage of the load or bill the trucker a flat weekly rate for their services. These companies can keep owner-operators and small trucking companies busy by finding and negotiating loads for them. 

Dispatch companies can schedule truck drivers, communicate shipping details and arrange other information with shippers. You’ll also receive efficient driver routes and back-office support, which will reduce the overall paperwork that your company has to address.

While the core service offered by a dispatch company is finding freight loads, the best trucking dispatch companies offer an array of additional support. For instance, compliance checks and customer service are common services they provide. 

How does a truck dispatching company work?

When you work with a truck dispatching company, you’ll get to partner with a company that works on your behalf. These trained and skilled professionals review load boards or use business connections to find high-quality loads. 

From there, they typically negotiate the rates and contractual details of each load. Most dispatchers use computer software that tracks deliveries when they are en route. That way, they can communicate information between shippers and carriers alike to ensure on-time, undamaged deliveries. 

If an issue arises, the best dispatch services offer support and assist drivers needing to be rerouted. They also communicate with the shipper about weather delays or vehicle problems that potentially impact agreement terms. This constant communication can help carriers provide better service to shippers, resulting in higher-quality, long-term relationships.

Factors to consider with truck dispatching companies

While self-dispatch can seem less costly, investing in a dispatching service that secures more profitable loads may be more strategic. It can also improve the customer service that you provide to shippers. And with route planning and back office support, you may discover that dispatchers improve your company’s efficiency as a whole.

Consider the following factors when comparing truck dispatching companies:

Customer service

Without impeccable customer service, you’ll struggle to maintain your relationship with shippers. By using a dispatch service, you can increase your communication with shippers and ensure you meet contractual expectations.

Keep in mind that the dispatch service will represent you and your company when communicating on your behalf. As you look for the best business partner, ensure that all options are skilled at interacting with customers and accurately completing paperwork. That way, you won’t be worried about their team acting as an extension of your brand and business. 

Services offered

Truck dispatch companies offer a wide variety of additional services designed to meet the needs of various sizes and types of businesses. While you may not currently need certain services, they may serve you well in the future. 

The most basic dispatching services include booking loads and scheduling deliveries. Some advanced offerings to consider include route planning, hiring and supporting end customers. 

Take time to learn about the dispatch services you’re considering before selecting a partner. Think of it as a way to future-proof your business. 

Cost

Dispatch services vary in terms of how much they cost and how they go about processing bills. For instance, some companies take a percentage of the total revenue they bring in for your company. Others charge a flat weekly or monthly fee. A third option is when companies scale their pricing based on load types and volumes.

Make sure the company’s fees are affordable for your business with your other expenses in mind. Although it’s difficult to predict potential revenue increases from using a dispatcher, many are expert at negotiating higher per-mile rates. Combined with service improvements that lead to more repeat business, these rate increases may lead to dispatchers paying for themselves. 

Contract

Some dispatch services require a contract. That contract can be short, as is the case of a week when billing a flat weekly rate. They can also be longer, such as contracts that last for a month or even a year. 

Longer contracts require more commitment. For newer or smaller operations, this might be more challenging since you’re still going to be so unsure as to what the future holds. Consider how long you can commit to paying for the service when reviewing your options. 

Broker credit check

Freight brokers have a broker credit score, which is different from traditional credit scores. Still, this score specifically relates to the trucking industry. It can help truck drivers and carriers decide how risky it will be to work with a broker. 

The score factors in several key elements, like the number of days it generally takes for the broker to pay after drivers complete loads. Ensure that you work with brokers that have high broker credit scores.

Many experts in the industry recommend only working with ones having scores of 87 or higher. However, at the end of the day, you should evaluate your own risk factors when deciding what’s best for you.

Is my business ready to work with a truck dispatching company?

Dispatch services can be beneficial for just about any trucking company, regardless of size or maturity level. If you need fleet dispatching assistance and don’t want to hire an in-house team, consider using a third-party company or investing in dispatch software. 

Connecting with one of these truck dispatching companies can help you more easily manage your fleet, and offer freedom to focus on other tasks, like hauling loads. 

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