9 Best Dispatch Software for Delivery Companies in 2023

Hint: The best dispatch software for delivery companies is Circuit for Teams.

Do you find it challenging to keep up with customer demands while also managing a team of drivers and delivery schedules?

Dispatch management software could be the solution that helps your business manage and optimize delivery or service routes.

Dispatch software can help you streamline your logistics management, enhancing the customer experience and improving your bottom line.

In this article, I’ll introduce you to the ins and outs of dispatch software, why it’s such a crucial tool for your business and profitability, and the nine best dispatch software options to consider.

Key takeaways

Dispatch software streamlines dispatch operations by optimizing routes, automating administrative tasks, and improving real-time communication.
Circuit for Teams and Route4Me have the most extensive offerings.
These platforms offer features such as real-time tracking, route optimization, and customizable pricing plans that improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
While some software excels in last-mile delivery, others are equipped for complex field service management or specialize in trucking. Most offer free trials to help businesses evaluate their fit.
Choosing the right dispatch software involves considering a multitude of factors, from pricing and deployment options to skill set requirements and integration capabilities.
Factor in customizability, user experience, and industry-specific features to find the best fit for your small business’s needs.

What is dispatch software?

Dispatch software streamlines and optimizes dispatch operations, which is invaluable in today’s service business landscape.

It addresses challenges crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction, such as making sure there are no delayed deliveries and misplaced packages.

Dispatch software acts like a brain for last-mile delivery, allowing delivery businesses and service providers to plan, track, and manage every part of the process more effectively.

Core features of dispatch software

Let’s delve into some core functionalities of dispatch software solutions:

Real-time data. This feature gives access to live, up-to-the-minute data concerning dispatch operations, which lets businesses make quick, informed decisions and enhances the overall accuracy and efficiency of dispatch activities. With real-time access to data, you can stay informed about every step of the delivery process and tackle any challenges.
Optimization. Optimization uses smart algorithms and logic to plan routes and tasks in the most efficient way possible. This feature makes sure delivery service teams use resources wisely, reduce costs, and make deliveries or services on time. Optimization helps drivers avoid traffic, save on fuel costs, and get to customers faster, making the entire dispatch system more efficient.
Notifications. Timely notifications are essential in keeping delivery drivers and customers well-informed. This feature boosts customer satisfaction by providing updates about estimated times of arrival (ETAs) and delays or changes in the schedule.
Invoicing. Integration of invoicing tools within dispatch software streamlines the billing process. This feature reduces errors in manual billing, helps businesses maintain financial records, and lets you focus more on delivering quality service.
Mobile device integration. Service dispatch software typically integrates with mobile devices, which is crucial for real-time monitoring and immediate updates. This integration is important in a world where mobile devices are pivotal for communication, notification, and management.

Benefits of using dispatch software

Beyond sorting out your daily operations, dispatch software can transform your business operations.

Operational efficiency. Dispatch software automates routine tasks like scheduling and delivery assignments, reducing human error and allowing your team to concentrate on more critical tasks. It also offers real-time information, so your team can quickly resolve any issues. The software optimizes routes, which reduces travel time and lets drivers make more deliveries in a day.
Enhanced customer satisfaction. Customers appreciate clear and timely communication, and dispatch software offers real-time updates and immediate notifications about the service or delivery status. This clarity and promptness in communication alleviates customer anxieties about delays or uncertainties, leading to increased trust and satisfaction.
Cost savings. Dispatch software helps with optimizing routes, which reduces fuel consumption and related expenses. Plus, by automating administrative tasks like scheduling and billing, the software minimizes labor-intensive work, leading to savings in people hours and operational costs.
Improved accountability and transparency. Features like GPS tracking and proof of delivery maintains high levels of accountability and transparency, building trust both within the team and with customers.
Data-driven decision-making. Dispatch software typically comes equipped with robust analytics and reporting features that efficiently analyze operational data. This lets businesses identify patterns, assess performance metrics, and gain insights that drive informed, strategic decision-making.
Scalability and growth. For businesses with a vision to expand, dispatch software is a valuable ally. It’s designed to be scalable, meaning it can easily adapt to increasing operational demands and evolving business needs, such as accommodating more extensive delivery areas, managing a growing team, or handling a more extensive customer base.

Top dispatch software options

We’ve rounded up the nine best dispatch software options for delivery companies in 2023. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, there’s a software solution on this list that can take your business to the next level.

Circuit for Teams

First, let’s address the elephant in the room: We listed Circuit for Teams first because we think it’s the best.

But don’t worry — we won’t let that affect our coverage of the other players on the field.

Circuit for Teams is a powerful and user-friendly route optimization software for last-mile delivery companies of all sizes.

With its intuitive interface and advanced features, Circuit for Teams helps you streamline your dispatch process, improve transportation management, and boost customer satisfaction.

By optimizing routes and reducing travel time, businesses using Circuit for Teams can reach customers more quickly and efficiently, leading to happier customers.

What makes Circuit for Teams great?

Many features make Circuit for Teams stand out, including:

Smart routing algorithm. Circuit for Teams’ algorithm automates the process of planning the most efficient delivery routes based on real-time traffic data, delivery windows, and other factors.
Real-time tracking. Circuit for Teams’ real-time fleet tracking feature lets dispatchers know where their drivers are at all times. They can respond to changes in the field quickly and adjust routes as needed.
Electronic proof of delivery (POD). Circuit’s driver app allows drivers to capture electronic signatures, reducing paperwork and the risk of lost or damaged documentation. You can also turn off POD when it’s not necessary, saving valuable minutes during the delivery process.
Convenient mobile app. Drivers can access delivery details and update stops while on the go. Circuit for Teams also offers a hands-free option to help keep drivers safe while on the road. What’s more, the Fast Package Finder helps drivers find packages faster at each stop, saving up to an hour each day.
Guaranteed priority package delivery. Your dispatchers can quickly tag priority deliveries in their spreadsheets to make sure the most urgent packages reach their destination on time.
Customizable time windows. Circuit for Teams helps businesses mitigate the risk of missed deliveries by offering flexible and fixed delivery windows.

Circuit for Teams offers three pricing plans that scale with the size of your team:

Essentials. $100 per month. This plan is ideal for teams just wanting to optimize routes and track their drivers’ progress in real time. The pricing includes your first two drivers. Additional drivers cost $40 per driver.
Standard. $200 per month. The Standard plan is best for teams needing proof of delivery and customer notifications. The plan includes three drivers, with additional ones charged at $60 per driver.
Pro. $500 per month. If you want all the features of the first two plans and the ability to analyze delivery data, the Pro plan is for you. It includes your first six drivers. The additional driver charge is $80 per driver.

We also offer a free trial to help you evaluate if the software is a good fit for your business.

The best part? You can sign up for the free trial directly on our website without ever speaking to a salesperson. This means you can start using our platform immediately without any pressure or obligation to buy.

Track-POD

Track-POD is an all-in-one dispatch software that makes managing delivery schedules and tracking drivers easier.

Its interactive interface allows dispatchers to assign tasks, track progress, and communicate with drivers.

The app works globally and gives up-to-date and highly detailed maps regardless of location.

What makes Track-POD dispatch software great?

Track-POD offers real-time driver tracking of drivers’ locations and progress.

This real-time data helps dispatchers better understand various issues drivers face on the field, so they can make adjustments accordingly.

Track-POD also allows delivery companies to create customizable delivery forms with the ability to send notifications and collect e-signatures.

This feature helps businesses make accurate deliveries and improve customer satisfaction.

The software also boasts helpful features, including safety management, team optimization, and API integration.

Track-POD offers two types of pricing plans:

Per driver

Standard. $29 per month
Advanced. $49 per month
Advanced Plus. $69 per month
Enterprise. Custom pricing

Per order

S Plan. $285 a month per 1,500 orders
M Plan. $510 a month per 3,000 orders
L Plan. $900 a month per 6,000 orders
XL Plan. $1,440 a month per 12,000 orders

Not sure if Track-POD is right for you? Try its free seven-day trial, no credit card needed.

We've also written a comprehensive review of the best Track-POD alternatives in 2024.

Route4Me

Route4Me is dispatch software designed to optimize delivery routes for maximum efficiency.

The software’s advanced cloud-based algorithm creates the most efficient routes possible by considering factors like traffic patterns, delivery windows, and driver availability.

What makes Route4Me dispatch software great?

Route4Me offers comprehensive analytics to help delivery companies make data-driven decisions about their operations.

Dispatchers in the back office can access detailed reports on delivery times, driver performance, and more — helping them identify areas of improvement and optimize their operations.

Route4Me can integrate with other software systems, including eCommerce platforms, customer support systems, and accounting software like QuickBooks.

This makes it a flexible solution for various delivery companies.

Customers can choose from three route planning and optimization packages:

Route Management. $199 per month
Route Optimization. $249 per month
Route Optimization Plus. $349 per month

Don’t forget to take advantage of Route4Me’s free seven-day unlimited trial to better understand the software.

Onfleet

Onfleet is a comprehensive dispatch software solution designed to help delivery companies improve their operations and give excellent customer service.

Onfleet’s intuitive interface, real-time tracking, and automatic dispatching are just a few features that make it stand out.

What makes Onfleet dispatch software great?

Onfleet is available in over 90 countries and has powered more than 150 million deliveries, establishing itself as a reliable solution for businesses across industries.

Its intuitive web dashboard allows you to deliver packages efficiently by combining routing and dispatch operations.

The auto-assign feature helps dispatchers save time and reduce errors by assigning tasks to drivers based on location and availability.

Onfleet’s quick job scheduling helps drivers complete deliveries on time.

Onfleet offers three pricing plans:

Launch. Starting at $550 per month
Scale. Starting at $1,265 per month
Enterprise. Custom pricing

Onfleet gives a 14-day free trial for new customers.

Note: Discover what users think in our article that gathers the most detailed Onfleet reviews

Tookan

Tookan is a flexible dispatch software for managing a variety of tasks.

These tasks can range from simple deliveries to the complex needs of field technicians like those from HVAC businesses.

Dispatchers can assign tasks to drivers and track progress in real time, making sure drivers complete deliveries on time and to the customer’s satisfaction.

What makes Tookan dispatch software great?

Tookan empowers businesses with a host of features, including optimized routes, automation, and real-time tracking.

This makes it a great fit for business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer (B2C) companies.

The automated dispatch solution eliminates manual inputting by auto-assigning orders to the closest available delivery agents.

It also offers advanced features like cash management, which allow you to supervise and maintain a record of each delivery agent transaction.

Tookan offers five scalable pricing plans:

Early Stage. $49 per month
Startup. $129 per month
Growth. $299 per month
Standard. $599 per month
Enterprise. Custom pricing

All plans include a 14-day free trial.

Verizon Connect

Verizon Connect’s advanced dispatch capabilities can track vehicles in the field, improve fleet operations, increase worker productivity, and encourage safer driving.

It can scale to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes and caters to diverse fields, ranging from construction to farming.

What makes Verizon Connect dispatch software great?

Verizon Connect comes with advanced GPS tracking software.

You can find vehicle status and activity and give customers accurate estimated times of arrival (ETAs).

This helps address common pain points like high fuel costs, worker productivity, and asset security.

Verizon Connect might be an especially good fit if your team consists of electric vehicles (EVs).

The software gives EV details in real time, including the battery-level percentages.

You can also set up low-battery alerts and review reports for optimizing your EV usage and regular fleet maintenance.

Verizon Connect doesn’t have public information on its dispatch plans. Instead, you’ll need to fill out a small questionnaire to get a custom quote.

Motive

Motive — formerly known as KeepTruckin — offers a high-powered tracking solution.

It lets you dispatch your drivers with confidence and offer a good delivery experience.

Motive prides itself on offering “best-in-class tracking,” helping you manage delivery orders quickly and accurately.

What makes Motive dispatch software great?

Motive gives businesses an end-to-end dispatch solution.

Its delivery management features include team find and order management on the Motive dashboard.

The Dispatch board allows you to assign orders and track deliveries in real time.

Motive’s easy-to-install hardware and simple desktop and mobile apps make setting up a breeze.

Drivers can manage everything from vehicle inspections to compliance using the intuitive Motive driver app on their mobile devices.

The app is highly rated due to its ease of use: It averages a rating of 4.5 on the iOS App Store.

Motive works on a custom pricing model. The price depends on your chosen products and the number of vehicles or assets.

Samsara

Samsara’s route optimization and team management software is a valuable tool for businesses looking to streamline their dispatch operations.

Samsara comes with advanced key features, an intuitive interface, and real-time visibility.

It helps businesses optimize their routes, reduce delivery times, and improve profitability.

What makes Samsara dispatch software great?

Samsara lets you manage routes for a wide variety of vehicles, including trucks and buses.

You can get real-time information about the vehicle’s location, route progress, and late or missed stops.

Samsara also makes it easy for dispatchers to reroute vehicles remotely and message drivers to tell them of changes on an app.

Its open APIs connect with leading route planning and transport management system (TMS) providers, making deliveries hassle-free.

Samsara’s plans depend on your needs. Fill out a short form to better describe the fleet management solutions you need and get a quote.

Axon Software

Axon Software is the only trucking company software that offers real-time integrations.

With more than 39 years of experience and over 26,000 users, the trucking dispatch software is a must-have for trucking businesses looking to cut their workload while improving operational efficiency.

What makes Axon Software dispatch software great?

Axon Software works in real time, so you can make instant changes to dispatch, billing, fuel management, and accounting.

The visual dispatch trucking software removes the confusion of complicated, handwritten lists. Instead, drivers get accurate map views to make deliveries more efficient.

Moreover, the truck routing software automatically calculates the trip distance to reduce empty miles and manage hectic workflows.

Axon Software offers a free, no-strings-attached demo to help you learn how it works and discover pricing for your needs.

Choosing the best dispatch software for you

Choosing the right dispatch software helps things run more smoothly and can make customers happier. When deciding on which software to pick, there are several factors businesses need to consider to make sure they get the best one for their needs.

Here’s a look at some of these important factors:

Pricing

Take a close look at your budget and explore different pricing structures. For example, some software may have a monthly subscription fee, while others might charge per user, per work order, or per dispatch.

Understanding your business’s volume of dispatches, size, and growth prospects can pinpoint which pricing model offers the best value.

Cloud-based vs. on-premise solutions

Weigh whether to have your software on the cloud or hosted on your business’s local servers. A cloud-based solution like software as a service (SaaS) offers scalability and remote accessibility, while an on-premise solution gives you more control over security and data.

Consider your business’s specific needs for accessibility, security, and setup costs when making this decision.

Skill set needed

Consider whether your team possesses or is willing to develop the technical skills to use the software effectively. Some platforms may have a steep learning curve requiring extensive training, while others may offer a more user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface.

Evaluate the availability of training and support, especially if transitioning from manual processes or older systems.

Integration capabilities

Assess whether the software can smoothly integrate with your existing systems and tools. For example, if your business uses QuickBooks for accounting, a dispatch software that integrates with it might be ideal to avoid data silos and streamline dispatch and ticketing operations.

Customizability and flexibility

Look for software that can be adapted to your unique business processes. For instance, if your dispatch process includes specific steps unique to your operations, software that allows for customization can be beneficial. The software should be flexible enough to evolve with your growing business needs.

User experience and interface

User-friendliness is vital for quick adoption by your team. Opt for software that features an intuitive interface with clear menus and helpful tips. This minimizes training time and ensures your team can easily match the right job to the right driver or technician, boosting overall productivity.

Circuit for Teams can benefit your business

Dispatching software can make or break a delivery company.

Customers have become more insistent on prompt deliveries and exceptional service. A dispatch system helps you offer all that and more.

The right software allows delivery businesses to streamline their operations, optimize routes, and offer exceptional customer service.

In this post, we covered nine top dispatch software solutions for delivery companies in 2023.

From Samsara’s flexible integrations to Motive’s driver app, each delivery scheduling software has unique strengths.

But one software solution that stands out from the crowd is Circuit for Teams.

Our top-of-the-line dispatch software can save time, reduce costs, and improve service.

With real-time tracking, multiple route management, optional POD, and accurate ETAs, Circuit for Teams is a must-have if you’re in the delivery industry.

Ready to save hours on your route planning? Try Circuit for Teams today.

9 Best Dispatch Software for Delivery Companies in 2024