Quick Overview
- 1#1: Freightos - Provides instant global freight rate comparisons, quoting, and booking for ocean, air, and truck shipments.
- 2#2: DAT RateView - Delivers real-time freight rate market intelligence, analytics, and benchmarking for truckload carriers.
- 3#3: Truckstop - Offers a load board integrated with rate insights, negotiation tools, and market rate forecasting.
- 4#4: MercuryGate - Cloud TMS with advanced dynamic freight rating, optimization, and carrier contract management.
- 5#5: Oracle Transportation Management - Enterprise TMS for freight rate planning, execution, settlement, and multi-modal rate analysis.
- 6#6: SAP Transportation Management - Integrated platform for freight rate management, optimization, freight costing, and charge calculation.
- 7#7: Blue Yonder TMS - Supply chain TMS with freight rate procurement, sourcing, and real-time rate execution capabilities.
- 8#8: Trimble TMS - Comprehensive TMS featuring freight rate auditing, carrier payments, and rate compliance tools.
- 9#9: Tai Software - Cloud-based TMS focused on freight optimization, rate shopping, and collaborative rate management.
- 10#10: 3GTMS - Multi-modal TMS with freight rate management, LTL quoting, and carrier performance analytics.
Tools were ranked based on their ability to deliver comprehensive features (e.g., real-time analytics, optimization, carrier management), user-friendly design, and long-term value, balancing specialized needs with widespread practical utility.
Comparison Table
Explore a comparative overview of top freight rate software tools, including Freightos, DAT RateView, Truckstop, MercuryGate, Oracle Transportation Management, and more. Readers will gain insights into key features, integration flexibility, and operational utility to align their needs with the right solution.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freightos Provides instant global freight rate comparisons, quoting, and booking for ocean, air, and truck shipments. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | DAT RateView Delivers real-time freight rate market intelligence, analytics, and benchmarking for truckload carriers. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Truckstop Offers a load board integrated with rate insights, negotiation tools, and market rate forecasting. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | MercuryGate Cloud TMS with advanced dynamic freight rating, optimization, and carrier contract management. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Oracle Transportation Management Enterprise TMS for freight rate planning, execution, settlement, and multi-modal rate analysis. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 6.7/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 6 | SAP Transportation Management Integrated platform for freight rate management, optimization, freight costing, and charge calculation. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Blue Yonder TMS Supply chain TMS with freight rate procurement, sourcing, and real-time rate execution capabilities. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | Trimble TMS Comprehensive TMS featuring freight rate auditing, carrier payments, and rate compliance tools. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.0/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | Tai Software Cloud-based TMS focused on freight optimization, rate shopping, and collaborative rate management. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | 3GTMS Multi-modal TMS with freight rate management, LTL quoting, and carrier performance analytics. | enterprise | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
Provides instant global freight rate comparisons, quoting, and booking for ocean, air, and truck shipments.
Delivers real-time freight rate market intelligence, analytics, and benchmarking for truckload carriers.
Offers a load board integrated with rate insights, negotiation tools, and market rate forecasting.
Cloud TMS with advanced dynamic freight rating, optimization, and carrier contract management.
Enterprise TMS for freight rate planning, execution, settlement, and multi-modal rate analysis.
Integrated platform for freight rate management, optimization, freight costing, and charge calculation.
Supply chain TMS with freight rate procurement, sourcing, and real-time rate execution capabilities.
Comprehensive TMS featuring freight rate auditing, carrier payments, and rate compliance tools.
Cloud-based TMS focused on freight optimization, rate shopping, and collaborative rate management.
Multi-modal TMS with freight rate management, LTL quoting, and carrier performance analytics.
Freightos
specializedProvides instant global freight rate comparisons, quoting, and booking for ocean, air, and truck shipments.
Freightos Baltic Index (FBX), the world's leading real-time ocean freight rate benchmark updated daily.
Freightos is a comprehensive digital platform specializing in freight rate management, offering real-time quotes, rate comparisons, and instant booking for ocean, air, and truck shipments from over 80 carriers worldwide. It features proprietary indices like the Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) for market transparency and advanced analytics tools to optimize freight procurement. As the top-ranked Freight Rate Software, it streamlines rate discovery, negotiation, and decision-making for shippers and forwarders.
Pros
- Real-time rates and quotes from 80+ carriers for unmatched transparency
- Proprietary FBX indices and analytics for market insights
- Seamless integration with booking and tracking workflows
Cons
- Enterprise pricing can be steep for small businesses
- Advanced features require some onboarding
- Limited to carriers on the platform for full coverage
Best For
Mid-to-large shippers and freight forwarders needing real-time rate benchmarking and automated quoting.
Pricing
Freemium model with free basic rate searches; paid plans start at ~$99/month for Pro (advanced quoting/analytics) up to custom Enterprise pricing.
DAT RateView
specializedDelivers real-time freight rate market intelligence, analytics, and benchmarking for truckload carriers.
Access to the world's largest dataset of transaction-verified freight rates updated in real-time from actual load bookings
DAT RateView is a leading freight rate benchmarking platform from DAT (dat.com) that provides access to the industry's largest database of real-time and historical truckload rates derived from millions of actual transactions. It enables shippers, brokers, and carriers to analyze lane-specific trends, forecast market rates, and optimize pricing strategies with interactive dashboards and custom reports. The tool supports data-driven decision-making for spot and contract rates across dry van, reefer, and flatbed equipment types.
Pros
- Massive database of verified rates from over 1 million weekly loads for unparalleled accuracy
- Advanced analytics including rate forecasting, heat maps, and custom alerts
- Seamless integrations with TMS systems and DAT's load board
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers may be cost-prohibitive for small operations
- Steep learning curve for utilizing advanced reporting and filters
- Primarily focused on truckload rates with limited LTL coverage
Best For
Freight brokers and carriers managing high-volume truckload operations who require real-time market intelligence for rate negotiation and benchmarking.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at ~$199/month for basic access, with premium tiers up to $500+/month or custom enterprise pricing.
Truckstop
specializedOffers a load board integrated with rate insights, negotiation tools, and market rate forecasting.
Rate Insights: Delivers precise, actionable market rates from actual executed loads across 100,000+ lanes.
Truckstop (truckstop.com) is a leading digital freight marketplace and load board platform that connects shippers, brokers, and carriers while providing robust freight rate intelligence tools. It offers real-time market rate data, lane analysis, and benchmarking based on billions of verified transactions to help users negotiate better rates. The platform also includes carrier vetting, load posting, and booking features to streamline freight operations and reduce empty miles.
Pros
- Extensive real-time rate insights from verified transaction data across thousands of lanes
- Large carrier network with performance analytics and compliance checks
- Integrated load booking and negotiation tools for efficient matching
Cons
- Premium features like advanced Rate Insights require higher-tier subscriptions
- User interface feels dated compared to newer competitors
- Limited free tier functionality for serious freight rate analysis
Best For
Freight brokers and mid-sized shippers needing reliable market rate benchmarking and carrier sourcing.
Pricing
Freemium model with basic load board free; Pro plans start at $129/month, Rate Insights add-ons $200-500+/month, enterprise custom pricing.
MercuryGate
enterpriseCloud TMS with advanced dynamic freight rating, optimization, and carrier contract management.
AI-powered real-time rate acquisition and dynamic procurement engine
MercuryGate is a cloud-based Transportation Management System (TMS) that excels in freight rate management, offering real-time rate shopping, procurement automation, and optimization across multimodal shipments including truckload, LTL, intermodal, ocean, and air. It provides advanced tools for carrier benchmarking, contract management, and cost analytics to help shippers secure optimal rates and improve freight spend visibility. The platform integrates AI-driven insights for predictive rate forecasting and performance tracking, streamlining end-to-end freight operations for enterprises.
Pros
- Comprehensive multimodal rate shopping and optimization
- Powerful analytics for benchmarking and forecasting
- Robust integrations with ERP, WMS, and carrier systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface
- Lengthy implementation process
- Enterprise-level pricing unaffordable for SMBs
Best For
Large enterprises and 3PLs managing high-volume, complex multimodal freight with needs for advanced rate procurement and analytics.
Pricing
Custom quote-based enterprise pricing; typically $50,000+ annually based on shipment volume, users, and modules.
Oracle Transportation Management
enterpriseEnterprise TMS for freight rate planning, execution, settlement, and multi-modal rate analysis.
Sophisticated rate engine with support for unlimited rates, intricate rating rules, and automated contract optimization across buy/sell scenarios
Oracle Transportation Management (OTM) is a robust enterprise-grade Transportation Management System (TMS) with advanced freight rate management capabilities, allowing users to discover, negotiate, publish, and optimize rates across multimodal carriers globally. It features a sophisticated rate engine that handles complex rating scenarios, including tiered pricing, surcharges, incentives, and contract management for both buy and sell sides. OTM integrates rate data with planning, execution, and settlement processes to minimize transportation costs and ensure compliance.
Pros
- Comprehensive rate management supporting complex logic, global carriers, and high-volume data
- Seamless integration with Oracle SCM suite and third-party systems for end-to-end visibility
- Advanced analytics and optimization tools for rate benchmarking and cost savings
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex user interface requiring extensive training
- Lengthy and costly implementation, often 6-12 months
- Premium pricing not ideal for small to mid-sized operations
Best For
Large enterprises and multinational corporations managing high-volume, complex global freight operations that require scalable, integrated rate management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $500K+ annually for enterprise deployments, depending on modules, users, and scale.
SAP Transportation Management
enterpriseIntegrated platform for freight rate management, optimization, freight costing, and charge calculation.
Sophisticated condition-based freight charge calculation with real-time optimization and multi-modal rate support
SAP Transportation Management (TM) is an enterprise-grade solution within the SAP ecosystem that streamlines end-to-end transportation processes, with robust freight rate management at its core. It supports complex rate maintenance, accurate freight cost calculations based on conditions, scales, and validity periods, and seamless integration for charge determination in freight orders. As a Freight Rate Software, it excels in global rate optimization, carrier tendering, and invoice settlement, making it ideal for large-scale logistics operations.
Pros
- Highly scalable with advanced rate calculation engines supporting complex pricing structures
- Deep integration with SAP S/4HANA and ERP for unified supply chain visibility
- Robust freight settlement and carrier collaboration tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex configuration requiring expert consultants
- High implementation costs and long deployment timelines
- Overly comprehensive for SMBs, leading to underutilization of features
Best For
Large multinational enterprises with intricate global supply chains requiring integrated freight rate management and optimization.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing; typically starts at $500K+ annually plus multimillion-dollar implementation fees.
Blue Yonder TMS
enterpriseSupply chain TMS with freight rate procurement, sourcing, and real-time rate execution capabilities.
AI-powered dynamic rate shopping and negotiation analytics
Blue Yonder TMS is an enterprise-grade Transportation Management System that includes robust freight rate management capabilities, enabling rate shopping, auditing, optimization, and carrier performance analysis. It leverages AI and machine learning for dynamic rate benchmarking, negotiation support, and multimodal freight cost minimization. The platform integrates seamlessly with broader supply chain systems for end-to-end visibility and decision-making.
Pros
- AI-driven rate optimization and benchmarking
- Comprehensive multimodal rate management and auditing
- Deep integration with ERP and supply chain tools
Cons
- Complex implementation requiring significant customization
- Steep learning curve for non-enterprise users
- High cost prohibitive for SMBs
Best For
Large enterprises with high-volume, complex freight operations needing integrated rate management within a full TMS.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; annual subscriptions often exceed $100K+ with hefty implementation fees.
Trimble TMS
enterpriseComprehensive TMS featuring freight rate auditing, carrier payments, and rate compliance tools.
Real-time rate shopping via Trimble Carrier Direct marketplace with automated RFP and bidding tools
Trimble TMS is a robust enterprise-grade transportation management system with specialized freight rate management tools, enabling users to handle carrier contracts, automate rate quoting, and perform shipment audits efficiently. It integrates rate data from public indexes, private negotiations, and real-time market sources to optimize procurement decisions. The platform supports multimodal freight, load optimization, and seamless connectivity with ERP and telematics systems for end-to-end visibility.
Pros
- Comprehensive rate management with contract modeling and index integration
- Strong scalability for high-volume operations and multimodal support
- Deep integration with Trimble's telematics and IoT ecosystem for dynamic pricing
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface and customization needs
- High implementation costs and lengthy onboarding process
- Pricing lacks transparency and is geared toward enterprises only
Best For
Large shippers, 3PLs, and enterprises with complex, high-volume freight operations requiring integrated TMS functionality.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically subscription model starting at $50,000+ annually for mid-tier implementations, scaling with volume and modules.
Tai Software
enterpriseCloud-based TMS focused on freight optimization, rate shopping, and collaborative rate management.
Proprietary rate benchmarking engine comparing user rates against millions of real-world transactions for instant market insights
Tai Software, through its Tai360 platform, delivers a robust freight rate management solution tailored for shippers and 3PLs handling LTL, truckload, and parcel shipments. It streamlines rate procurement, negotiation, benchmarking, and contract management with real-time market insights and analytics. The tool integrates seamlessly with TMS and ERP systems to automate rate application and cost optimization across transportation modes.
Pros
- Extensive rate benchmarking against a vast proprietary database
- Advanced analytics for carrier performance and cost savings
- Strong integration capabilities with major TMS and accounting systems
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Pricing geared toward mid-to-large enterprises
- Limited focus on international freight rates
Best For
Mid-sized to large shippers and 3PLs seeking data-driven rate optimization and procurement tools.
Pricing
Custom enterprise subscription pricing, typically starting at $10,000+ annually based on shipment volume and modules.
3GTMS
enterpriseMulti-modal TMS with freight rate management, LTL quoting, and carrier performance analytics.
Rate360 benchmarking engine for real-time market rate intelligence and negotiation support
3GTMS is a cloud-based transportation management system (TMS) with robust freight rate management capabilities, enabling shippers to procure, benchmark, and optimize rates across truckload, LTL, and intermodal modes. It automates rate negotiations, provides market benchmarking via Rate360, and integrates rate data with execution and settlement processes for end-to-end control. The platform leverages AI for dynamic pricing insights and cost savings in complex supply chains.
Pros
- Comprehensive rate benchmarking and procurement tools
- AI-powered optimization for cost savings
- Seamless integration with full TMS functionalities
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup
- High cost unsuitable for small businesses
- Custom implementation timelines can be lengthy
Best For
Mid-to-large shippers and 3PLs with high-volume, multi-modal freight operations needing integrated rate management.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing via quote; typically starts at $50,000+ annually based on volume and modules.
Conclusion
The reviewed freight rate software offers a range of solutions to meet diverse logistics needs, with Freightos leading as the top choice, providing instant global comparisons across ocean, air, and truck shipments. DAT RateView stands out for real-time truckload market intelligence, while Truckstop excels with load board integration and market forecasting—each a strong alternative tailored to specific operational focuses. Together, these tools showcase innovation in optimizing freight processes, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Dive into smoother, more efficient freight management by starting with Freightos for its seamless global capabilities, or explore DAT RateView or Truckstop to align with your unique carrier or load management needs. The right tool can transform your logistics workflow—don’t delay in assessing these top-ranked options.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
