11 Best Freight Broker Software Tools for 2024

Brokers need efficient tools to maintain effective operations. As the brokerage market grows, the right freight broker software can make your job easier by automating your processes so you can spend more time booking loads instead of doing administrative tasks. 

An off-the-shelf tool may seem sufficient, especially when starting. However, brokers need specialized software solutions that help them maintain carrier relationships and perform freight matching and financial tasks.

Whether you use an all-in-one broker TMS or select tools from each category, finding the right combination is essential to grow your freight brokerage business. 

Best types of software to improve your business

The best option for you depends on your business’s size, growth projections, and where you can create efficiencies. However, everyone should consider a few key aspects: 

Transportation management software (TMS)

Freight broker transportation management software (TMS) uses data to analyze, automate, and improve processes to operate more efficiently. When researching a TMS, you should consider: 

• Rate discovery and analysis
• Shipment tracking from pickup to delivery
• Documentation generation and compliance
• Availability and ease of report generation

Freight load boards

A freight load board can enhance and expand your business by reducing downtime and maximizing road time. It quickly connects you with drivers and provides accurate freight market rates.

Both free and paid load boards are available. Paid access boosts market visibility, secures data, and offers more carrier and rate options. 

Customer relationship management (CRM) 

CRM tools enhance relationships with partners, shippers, and carriers by recording communications, contact details, and rate and lane preferences for better connections. Choosing software that can scale with your business and deliver excellent customer service is crucial since a well-run business depends on a strong customer base.

Accounting software

It’s critical to manage financial transactions efficiently, and software can assist by automating the creation and tracking of invoices. It also maintains historical records to show revenue, expenses, accounts payable and receivable, and trends over time.

Key features to look for in freight broker software

The right freight brokerage software is the key to completing essential business tasks. Before you choose freight brokerage software, check to see if it includes:

Load search and posting

One of the most critical tools for freight brokers is load searching and posting to match loads with carriers. This service lets brokers connect with vetted carriers and shippers, so they can get loads and make quick bookings. Load boards are often integrated into a freight broker TMS.

Carrier vetting

Carrier vetting ensures potential carriers meet safety and compliance standards before booking loads. Brokers need to verify carriers’ credentials, safety ratings, and CSA scores to minimize risks and liabilities associated with non-compliant carriers.

Carrier onboarding

After vetting, onboarding carriers into the freight broker software is critical. This process involves entering carrier records and payment details to prepare them for load acceptance. Effective systems automate much of the onboarding process, enhancing operational efficiency.

Carrier monitoring

Once carriers are vetted and onboarded, continuous monitoring is necessary to maintain safety and performance standards. The tool should alert brokers to changes in carrier status, ensuring ongoing compliance and reliability.

Invoicing

Invoicing features allow for quick creation and distribution of invoices to maintain positive cash flow. Efficient invoicing tools are crucial for timely payments and financial management.

Payment processing

Invoice capabilities allow for the quick creation and distribution of invoices to maintain positive cash flow. Efficient billing tools are crucial for timely payments and financial management.

Document management

Maintaining documents digitally, such as broker agreements, load tenders, and insurance certificates, increases efficiency and security. A good system will store and organize these important documents to be accessible and shareable internally and externally.

Electronic data interchange (EDI)

To eliminate or reduce paper processing, brokers should exchange load information among shippers, carriers, and other brokers using standard formats and EDI. This process reduces the need for manual data entry, speeds up communication, and reduces errors.

Routing and dispatch

Using routing and dispatching tools can help route selection become more efficient and accurate. Solutions that consider traffic, speed limits, and fuel prices can make goods delivery more efficient and reliable.

Load tracking

Shippers want freight visibility, which makes load tracking essential. Brokers can save time by managing shipments without constant updates, and features like geofencing enhance monitoring capabilities and help prevent fines.

Third-party integrations

Your freight brokerage solution should connect with other critical tools without additional programming or costs. Integration with other systems, like a transportation management system, enhances the software’s utility and streamlines operations across a network of platforms.

The 11 best freight broker software tools for 2024 (by use case)

1. Truckstop Load Board for Brokers

Used for: Integrated portfolio of freight broker solutions

Pricing: Begins at $109/mo

Truckstop Load Board for Brokers offers a full-featured portfolio of solutions for brokers integrated with the industry-leading load board that pairs carriers and shippers. The easy-to-use automated tools accelerate daily workflow, enhancing customer service and helping brokers close more deals faster. Financial management features include creating invoices, setting credit limits, and managing accounting tasks. It also integrates with various TMS, accounting, and CRM software solutions. You can also incorporate carrier management functions, including sourcing, vetting, onboarding, and monitoring.

Key features:

• Truck/lane searching
• Predictive carrier sourcing
• Load management
• Carrier vetting with Risk Factors
• Carrier onboarding
• Carrier compliance monitoring
• Real-time updates
• Payment processing
• Supports dual authority brokers

2. QuickBooks

Used for: Accounting

Pricing: Begins at $15/mo

Aimed at small and medium-sized companies, QuickBooks handles business financial basics, from invoicing to payments and taxes. There’s a range of pricing options to fit your budget. While QuickBooks is useful as a bookkeeping solution, it’s not specialized freight broker software. If you want load management or routing/dispatching functions, you’ll need to purchase add-ons or integrate with other freight broker tools.

Key features:

• Track income and expenses
• Invoice and accept payments
• Maximize tax deductions
• Track time and miles
• Manage 1099 contractors and pay bills
• Batch invoices and expenses
• Automate processes and tasks

3. Xero

Used for: Accounting

Pricing: Begins at $6/mo

Created for small but growing businesses, Xero is an easy-to-use accounting tool designed to help you keep all your business financials running smoothly, all in one place. The software offers industry-specific information to increase efficiency and allow you to import data from other software, making it easy to start. The mobile app also connects to over 1,000+ other apps to run your business seamlessly. 

Key features:

• Accounts payable and cash flow visibility
• Secure bank connections
• Track invoices, costs, and profitability
• Reconcile bank transactions daily
• Manage contacts
• Automated invoicing and document storage
• Accounting and trend reporting

4. FreshBooks

Used for: Accounting software

Pricing: Begins at $9.50/mo

Also targeted at small and medium-sized businesses, FreshBooks is a cloud-based accounting option you can access online or via a mobile app. FreshBooks will send invoices to customers, track time, manage receipts and expenses, and accept credit cards. While useful for small-business bookkeeping, FreshBooks isn’t a specialized freight broker solution.

Key features:

• Customizable invoices
• Automatic late fees
• Receipt attachments
• Automatic payment and expense recording
• Automated bank reconciliation
• Generate P&L reports
• Time tracking

5. HubSpot

Used for: Customer relationship management

Pricing: Begins at $0/mo

One of the best-known CRM tools, HubSpot is a flexible tool that integrates marketing with sales and follow-up. As a free tool, it’s a great starter choice, but it doesn’t offer much broker-specific functionality. As your business grows, you can sign up for more contacts and enable more functions.

Key features:

• Build customer database
• Track leads
• Email tracking and engagement notifications
• Email templates and scheduling
• Document sharing
• Meeting scheduling
• Sales quotes

6. Salesforce

Used for: Customer relationship management

Pricing: See website.

Salesforce is a comprehensive CRM tool that provides a 360-degree view of shippers and consignees for brokers and manages carrier relationships. The integrated systems provide real-time visibility throughout the entire shipping experience. It’s scalable as your company grows and steps up its marketing and operations footprint.

Key features:

• Manage quotes and pricing
• Manage carriers and routing
• Automate processes
• Streamline workflows
• Integrate data from any system
• Proactive tracking updates
• Targeted marketing functions

7. Zoho Books

Used for: Accounting software and CRM

Pricing: Begins at $0/mo

Zoho Books is a robust CRM software with the unique ability to incorporate accounting software, making customer relationship management easier. It also offers solutions based on your industry and company size. With Zoho, brokers get a comprehensive suite of features to manage carrier and shipper relationships, track shipments, and improve daily operations. The automated processes save you time and help you get more done.

Key features:

• Organize and manage contact information
• Automate workflow for communication 
• Automated forecasting tools
• Generate and track invoices
• Maintain communication across sources
• Analyze trends with dashboards
• Easily customizable

8. AXON

Used for: Freight broker TMS

Pricing: See website.

Axon is an integrated transportation management platform that manages all aspects of brokerage operations. By automating most processes, brokers can increase staff efficiency and load visibility. However, it doesn’t include load board functions.

Key features:

• Manage carriers, shippers, consignees
• Accounting, payroll, and web application integration
• Load tracking and real-time updates
• Broker accounting applications
• Customizable order history
• Visual dispatching
• Fleet management

9. Strategy Systems

Used for: Freight broker transportation management software

Pricing: See website.

Strategy Systems is an integrated TMS for freight brokers that automates many functions and supports custom reporting for dynamic management and planning. It automates billing and carrier settlement and manages fuel taxes, driver tracking, pickup, delivery details, and payments. The software is customizable for specific broker requirements.

Key features:

• Trucking dispatch software
• Automated rating
• Electronic document management
• Live load tracking
• Customer relationship management
• Billing and auditing
• Carrier settlement

10. Tailwind

Used for: Transportation management

Pricing: Begins at $135/mo

Tailwind is a cloud-based transportation management solution for freight brokers of all sizes. The software helps brokers manage cash flow, pay suppliers, and track account receivable. Additional features include a carrier portal, trip logs, dispatching management, and quote generation. It’s easy to use and customizable to your brokerage, allowing you to keep up with your drivers, trucks, and transportation expenses anywhere.

Key features:

• Accounts receivable and payable management
• Business document customization
• Tracks claims, incidents, and accidents
• Dispatch and shipment tracking
• Tracks equipment maintenance
• Integrates with QuickBooks
• Offers SaferWatch FMCSA data feed

11. AscendTMS

Used for: Transportation management

Pricing: Begins at $0/mo

AscendTMS is growing in popularity among freight brokers due to its ability to show live load sources on a single screen. It allows you to track delivery schedules, goods movement, and carriers in a central location. Additionally, it displays the financials of your load consignment for a more complete logistics solution. It’s free to start and launches immediately with easy-to-use online tutorials. 

Key features:

• Carrier portal
• Real-time truckload rate index
• Load and dispatch management
• Finance and accounting management
• Carrier tracking and real-time reporting
• Customizable payroll management
• Load board integration

Which freight broker software is right for your business?

Choosing the right freight broker software is crucial for success. ITS Dispatch from Truckstop helps you eliminate time-consuming paperwork and spend time where it matters most — growing your brokerage. With a comprehensive set of integrated tools, you can streamline workflows, automate processes, and boost your company’s growth. Don’t settle for off-the-shelf software that falls short; invest in a solution tailored for freight brokers.

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