Quick Overview
- 1#1: Freightos - Online freight marketplace providing instant quotes and digital booking for ocean, air, and trucking shipments worldwide.
- 2#2: Flexport - Digital freight forwarding platform that simplifies global shipping bookings, tracking, and supply chain management.
- 3#3: MercuryGate - Cloud-based transportation management system offering advanced freight booking, optimization, and execution capabilities.
- 4#4: Loadsmart - AI-driven digital freight platform for instant truckload quotes, booking, and carrier matching.
- 5#5: Uber Freight - Digital trucking marketplace enabling seamless freight booking, real-time tracking, and capacity sourcing.
- 6#6: iContainers - Online platform specialized in container booking for ocean freight with door-to-door services.
- 7#7: SeaRates - Freight calculator and booking tool supporting sea, air, road, and rail shipments globally.
- 8#8: Cargobase - Digital sourcing and booking platform for air and ocean freight with carrier network access.
- 9#9: Shipwell - Modern TMS platform for freight procurement, booking, and end-to-end transportation management.
- 10#10: Truckstop - Load board and freight matching platform with tools for booking truckload shipments securely.
Tools were evaluated based on feature depth, user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring they cater to diverse needs, from small shippers to large enterprises, across global and niche freight segments.
Comparison Table
In the fast-paced logistics industry, selecting the right freight booking software is key to optimizing operations, cutting costs, and improving efficiency. This comparison table examines top tools like Freightos, Flexport, MercuryGate, Loadsmart, Uber Freight, and more, breaking down their core features, user experience, and practical uses. Readers will discover how to match their business needs—whether for scalability, real-time tracking, or cost-effectiveness—with the best available software.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freightos Online freight marketplace providing instant quotes and digital booking for ocean, air, and trucking shipments worldwide. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Flexport Digital freight forwarding platform that simplifies global shipping bookings, tracking, and supply chain management. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | MercuryGate Cloud-based transportation management system offering advanced freight booking, optimization, and execution capabilities. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | Loadsmart AI-driven digital freight platform for instant truckload quotes, booking, and carrier matching. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 5 | Uber Freight Digital trucking marketplace enabling seamless freight booking, real-time tracking, and capacity sourcing. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 6 | iContainers Online platform specialized in container booking for ocean freight with door-to-door services. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | SeaRates Freight calculator and booking tool supporting sea, air, road, and rail shipments globally. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 8 | Cargobase Digital sourcing and booking platform for air and ocean freight with carrier network access. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 9 | Shipwell Modern TMS platform for freight procurement, booking, and end-to-end transportation management. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Truckstop Load board and freight matching platform with tools for booking truckload shipments securely. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
Online freight marketplace providing instant quotes and digital booking for ocean, air, and trucking shipments worldwide.
Digital freight forwarding platform that simplifies global shipping bookings, tracking, and supply chain management.
Cloud-based transportation management system offering advanced freight booking, optimization, and execution capabilities.
AI-driven digital freight platform for instant truckload quotes, booking, and carrier matching.
Digital trucking marketplace enabling seamless freight booking, real-time tracking, and capacity sourcing.
Online platform specialized in container booking for ocean freight with door-to-door services.
Freight calculator and booking tool supporting sea, air, road, and rail shipments globally.
Digital sourcing and booking platform for air and ocean freight with carrier network access.
Modern TMS platform for freight procurement, booking, and end-to-end transportation management.
Load board and freight matching platform with tools for booking truckload shipments securely.
Freightos
specializedOnline freight marketplace providing instant quotes and digital booking for ocean, air, and trucking shipments worldwide.
Freightos Instant: real-time quotes from 75+ forwarders in seconds for unmatched price transparency
Freightos is a comprehensive digital freight marketplace and booking platform that enables shippers to obtain instant quotes, book, track, and manage ocean, air, and trucking shipments globally. It aggregates rates from thousands of freight forwarders and carriers, providing transparency and efficiency in freight procurement. The platform also offers analytics, tendering tools, and payment integration to streamline the entire logistics process.
Pros
- Instant real-time quotes from a vast global network of providers
- Seamless booking, tracking, and payment across multiple freight modes
- Advanced analytics and tendering tools for cost optimization
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Premium pricing may deter very small shippers
- Limited customization for highly specialized logistics needs
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises and freight forwarders seeking scalable, transparent booking across ocean, air, and land freight.
Pricing
Freemium model with free basic quotes; paid subscriptions start at $99/month for premium features like unlimited bookings and analytics, with enterprise custom pricing.
Flexport
enterpriseDigital freight forwarding platform that simplifies global shipping bookings, tracking, and supply chain management.
Real-time global visibility dashboard with predictive AI analytics for proactive supply chain management
Flexport is a digital freight forwarding platform that enables users to book, track, and manage ocean, air, and trucking shipments through an intuitive online interface. It offers end-to-end logistics solutions including instant quotes, customs brokerage, real-time visibility, and supply chain analytics powered by AI. Designed for global trade, Flexport streamlines complex international freight processes for importers and exporters.
Pros
- Comprehensive end-to-end visibility and tracking across global supply chains
- AI-driven insights and automation for optimized routing and cost savings
- Seamless integrations with ERPs, e-commerce platforms, and other logistics tools
Cons
- Premium pricing that may be prohibitive for small shippers
- Steeper learning curve for advanced analytics features
- Occasional dependency on carrier networks for niche routes
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises managing high-volume international freight shipments that require integrated digital forwarding and visibility.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing including freight forwarding fees, customs services, and optional platform subscriptions starting from enterprise-level contracts (typically $500+ per shipment depending on volume).
MercuryGate
enterpriseCloud-based transportation management system offering advanced freight booking, optimization, and execution capabilities.
Intelligent optimization engine that automates load planning, carrier tendering, and rate shopping across a vast global network.
MercuryGate is a robust cloud-based Transportation Management System (TMS) specializing in freight booking, optimization, and execution across multi-modal shipments including truckload, LTL, intermodal, ocean, and air. It provides tools for rate shopping, automated tendering, real-time visibility, and advanced analytics to streamline supply chain operations. The platform supports shippers, 3PLs, brokers, and carriers with scalable features like AI-driven optimization and global carrier networks. Ranked #3 for its comprehensive capabilities in freight booking software.
Pros
- Comprehensive multi-modal freight booking and optimization tools
- Real-time visibility and advanced analytics with AI/ML integration
- Highly configurable platform with strong API connectivity for integrations
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- Implementation can take several months for complex setups
- Pricing is premium and may not suit small-scale operations
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises and 3PLs managing high-volume, complex multi-modal freight operations globally.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing upon request; typically subscription-based starting at $50,000+ annually depending on volume, users, and modules.
Loadsmart
specializedAI-driven digital freight platform for instant truckload quotes, booking, and carrier matching.
AI-powered Instant Book, enabling one-click load booking with guaranteed rates in seconds
Loadsmart is a digital freight platform specializing in full truckload (FTL) shipping, allowing shippers to obtain instant AI-powered quotes, book loads, and track shipments in real-time. It connects users to a vast network of vetted carriers across North America, streamlining the booking process from quoting to payment. The software also offers transportation management system (TMS) features like analytics, tendering, and capacity sourcing to optimize freight operations.
Pros
- AI-driven instant pricing for competitive, real-time rates
- Large vetted carrier network for reliable capacity
- Integrated tracking and analytics for full visibility
Cons
- Limited support for LTL or specialized freight
- Primarily focused on US and Canada markets
- Advanced TMS features may require higher-tier plans
Best For
Mid-market shippers seeking efficient, tech-driven FTL booking and optimization without complex integrations.
Pricing
Free for shippers to quote and book; revenue from carrier margins or subscription tiers starting at $500/month for premium TMS features.
Uber Freight
specializedDigital trucking marketplace enabling seamless freight booking, real-time tracking, and capacity sourcing.
AI-driven load matching for instant carrier connections and spot market pricing
Uber Freight is a digital freight marketplace and transportation management platform that connects shippers with a vast network of vetted carriers for truckload shipments. It enables instant load booking, real-time tracking, automated payments, and analytics to streamline freight operations. Leveraging Uber's technology, it provides transparent pricing, capacity sourcing, and execution tools primarily for full truckload (FTL) in North America.
Pros
- Extensive carrier network for reliable capacity
- Instant booking and transparent pricing
- Superior real-time visibility and tracking
Cons
- Limited support for LTL or multi-modal shipping
- Pricing can vary with market conditions
- Primarily US-focused with less international reach
Best For
Mid-market shippers seeking efficient digital booking and management for truckload freight in North America.
Pricing
Transaction-based model with no upfront fees; shippers pay competitive rates per load, enterprise custom pricing available.
iContainers
specializedOnline platform specialized in container booking for ocean freight with door-to-door services.
Multi-carrier instant quoting engine for transparent, competitive ocean freight rates
iContainers is a digital freight forwarding platform specializing in ocean container shipping, enabling users to book FCL and LCL shipments online with instant quotes from multiple carriers. It offers end-to-end visibility through real-time tracking, digital documentation, and customs clearance support. The platform streamlines international trade for shippers and forwarders by reducing paperwork and intermediaries.
Pros
- Instant quotes from 15+ carriers
- Comprehensive real-time tracking and visibility
- Intuitive interface for quick bookings
Cons
- Primarily focused on ocean freight, limited multimodal support
- Transaction-based fees can add up for low-volume users
- Advanced integrations require custom setup
Best For
Small to mid-sized importers and exporters handling regular FCL/LCL ocean shipments seeking digital simplicity.
Pricing
Pay-per-booking model starting at €50-€150 per shipment; volume discounts and enterprise subscriptions available.
SeaRates
specializedFreight calculator and booking tool supporting sea, air, road, and rail shipments globally.
Real-time freight rate API covering 12,000+ routes with data from major carriers
SeaRates is a logistics platform focused on sea freight, providing real-time rate comparisons, shipment tracking, and API integrations for freight forwarders and shippers. It aggregates data from over 100 carriers across thousands of global routes, enabling quick quoting and route optimization. While strong in rate discovery and analytics, it facilitates bookings through partner networks rather than fully automated end-to-end processes.
Pros
- Extensive real-time sea freight rate database from 100+ carriers
- Robust API for seamless integration into custom systems
- Comprehensive tracking and analytics tools for shipments
Cons
- Primarily focused on sea freight with limited air/land options
- Booking process often requires partner coordination rather than direct automation
- Dashboard can feel cluttered for non-technical users
Best For
Freight forwarders and developers seeking affordable sea freight rate APIs and quoting tools for integration.
Pricing
Freemium model with a free tier for basic API calls; paid plans start at €49/month for higher limits and advanced features.
Cargobase
specializedDigital sourcing and booking platform for air and ocean freight with carrier network access.
Cargobase Network for real-time, competitive quotes from vetted freight forwarders
Cargobase is a digital freight platform that connects shippers with a global network of freight forwarders for seamless booking of air, ocean, and road freight. It offers instant quoting, digital booking, real-time tracking, invoicing, and payment processing to streamline the entire freight forwarding workflow. Designed primarily for freight forwarders, it fosters collaboration through a shared platform that reduces manual processes and enhances visibility across the supply chain.
Pros
- Instant multi-forwarder quotes via the Cargobase Network
- Comprehensive end-to-end visibility with tracking and document management
- Efficient digital invoicing and payment reconciliation
Cons
- Limited direct carrier integrations compared to larger platforms
- Pricing model lacks transparency and requires custom quotes
- Primarily Europe-focused network with slower global expansion
Best For
Freight forwarders and mid-sized shippers seeking a collaborative network for efficient air and ocean freight booking.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on transaction volume and network features; typically starts around €500/month with per-shipment fees—contact sales for quotes.
Shipwell
enterpriseModern TMS platform for freight procurement, booking, and end-to-end transportation management.
AI-powered freight procurement engine that automates tendering and carrier selection in real-time
Shipwell is a comprehensive digital freight platform designed to automate and optimize the entire freight lifecycle, from procurement and booking to execution, tracking, and payments. It connects shippers with a vast carrier network through AI-powered matching and tendering tools, providing real-time visibility and analytics. The platform emphasizes collaboration between shippers and carriers via a unified portal, reducing manual processes and improving efficiency in freight management.
Pros
- Extensive carrier marketplace with AI-driven matching
- End-to-end visibility and real-time tracking
- Robust analytics and automation for freight operations
Cons
- Enterprise-focused pricing lacks transparency
- Steeper learning curve for smaller teams
- Limited customization for niche freight types
Best For
Mid-to-large shippers with high freight volumes seeking an integrated TMS for booking and management.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $5,000/month based on volume and features; contact for quote.
Truckstop
specializedLoad board and freight matching platform with tools for booking truckload shipments securely.
BookItNow for instant, no-call load booking with automated rate negotiation
Truckstop (truckstop.com) is a comprehensive digital freight marketplace and load board platform that connects shippers, brokers, and carriers for posting loads, searching trucks, and booking freight. It offers tools like real-time rate insights, carrier vetting with safety scores and authority checks, and instant booking options to streamline the matching process. The platform also includes payments processing and mobile apps for on-the-go access, making it a one-stop solution for freight operations.
Pros
- Massive network with millions of loads and trucks daily
- Advanced carrier screening including FMCSA safety ratings and credit checks
- Integrated payments and quick pay options to accelerate cash flow
Cons
- Premium features can be expensive for small operators
- Interface feels dated compared to newer competitors
- Occasional reports of search inaccuracies or downtime
Best For
Mid-sized freight brokers and carriers needing a robust load board with strong vetting and rate intelligence tools.
Pricing
Freemium access with paid plans starting at $69/month for carriers (Pro), up to $500+/month for enterprise shipper/broker suites including Rate Insights and Payments.
Conclusion
Evaluating the top 10 freight booking tools reveals a blend of specialized strengths, from Flexport’s global supply chain integration to MercuryGate’s advanced TMS capabilities. Yet, Freightos leads as the top choice, offering unmatched global reach, instant quotes, and unified booking across ocean, air, and trucking. For specific needs, Flexport and MercuryGate remain excellent alternatives, each tailored to distinct operational priorities.
To elevate your shipping efficiency, start with the top-ranked solution—Freightos—and experience seamless, connected booking firsthand.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison