24 January 202110 minute read

How to Choose the Best Proof of Delivery App for Your Delivery Team

A text form of the Circuit for Teams proof of delivery feature, where you can build automatic notifications for customers using tags to personalize details. The image also shows a notification chat bubble with the text message created using these tags.

Using a proof of delivery app can increase your profitability by reducing your overall liability. But how do you choose the right POD solution for your team?

For small to midsize delivery teams — including delivery companies, couriers, and merchants offering local delivery — a proof of delivery app can offer tangible business benefits. In fact, collecting proof of delivery (POD) increases your profitability by reducing your overall liability.

For example, if your delivery driver makes a delivery without getting POD, and a customer calls to say they never got their package, you may end up doing a redelivery to avoid the bad reputation caused by unsatisfied customers.

When this happens, you lose money on the goods themselves and also suffer the expense of sending a driver back out on another delivery route.

Proof of delivery solves this problem, but you need the right tool to capture it. In this post, we’ll explore:

  1. What functionality you need from your proof of delivery solution
  2. The advantages and disadvantages of standalone (single-purpose) proof of delivery apps
  3. How Circuit offers proof of delivery as part of a delivery management solution

Key takeaways

  • Implementing a proof of delivery app reduces liability and enhances profitability by ensuring accurate delivery documentation.
  • Essential functionalities of POD apps include capturing electronic signatures and photographs as evidence of delivery, which also helps when customers aren’t available to receive the package.
  • Standalone POD apps can be limiting due to the fragmentation they cause in the delivery process, often requiring integration with other systems for a complete solution.
  • While larger enterprises may find integrated POD solutions in enterprise-level delivery management software, small to midsize delivery operations might benefit more from all-encompassing route management platforms that include POD features.
Circuit for Teams is a simple software for optimizing routes with multiple drivers. Click here to start your free 14-day trial.

What functionality do you need from a proof of delivery solution?

A proof of delivery app helps your delivery team achieve two key tasks:

1. Capture a signature for delivery 

A proof of delivery app turns the driver’s smartphone or tablet into a terminal for the customer to sign their name electronically. This signature is then uploaded into the app’s back-end, providing a digital delivery confirmation that can be referenced by dispatch.

This helps eliminate any “he said, she said” of lost deliveries.

2. Capture a photo of where they left the parcel 

If a customer isn’t home, delivery companies might try to redeliver the item at a later time. This drains resources because your driver is doing twice the work for one stop.

It also can lead to customer dissatisfaction, as customers have to wait longer for delivery.

If the driver leaves the package on the patio or near the front door, there isn’t clear documentation about where (or when) that package was left.

Proof of delivery apps solve this problem by letting the driver take a photo of where they left the package, upload it into the app, and send a copy to the customer for their reference.

The driver can also leave notes that accompany the photo, such as “left package under bush.”

To make delivery service more efficient, a POD mobile app might also give ETA updates to customers, meaning they’re more likely to be home when the package arrives.

The biggest challenge for delivery companies is integrating proof of delivery into their overall delivery process.

POD is a fairly common feature within large enterprise-level delivery management software, but that kind of platform isn’t viable for small to midsize delivery operations.

The good news is that there are two alternatives, which we’ll discuss in this post:

Using standalone proof of delivery apps 

These are apps that only offer the POD features we discussed above. They can usually hook up to an in-house management system, often using an API integration functionality to connect the POD electronic signature (e-signature) to other tools. These apps tend to not be very useful by themselves — you need to plug them into other tools.

Using Circuit 

Our route management tool is designed to help delivery teams plan and execute their daily routes.

Circuit started as a route optimization tool, but it has grown into a route management platform that lets dispatchers plan the fastest routes, track deliveries in real time, update recipients, and collect photo and e-signatures for proof of delivery.

How standalone proof of delivery apps work

Mobile proof of delivery apps — or standalone single-purpose POD apps — vary greatly in sophistication. Usually, you’ll take your orders and input the list with CSV, Excel, or an API integration with your order management system, CRM, or eCommerce platform (like Shopify or WooCommerce).

These orders are loaded into an app, and your driver can access the proof of delivery functionality through their mobile device. At the same time, the driver is using a separate route management or navigational tool to actually make their deliveries. This can be as simple as using Google maps to plan a multi-stop route or could be something like a more sophisticated enterprise-level courier management system.

The disadvantages of standalone Proof of Delivery apps

If you’re looking to offer paperless (electronic) delivery — meaning your drivers won’t carry a clipboard, pen, and manifest for signatures — you’ll need some form of proof of delivery solution. The question is whether a standalone POD app, or a tool like Circuit, suits you.

Here’s three disadvantages of using a standalone proof of delivery app at a small to midsize company:

1. Too many platforms 

Using an electronic proof of delivery app that exclusively handles POD means you’re dealing with multiple platforms to complete each delivery.

For example, if you’re using route planning tools to create optimal routes in the morning, and your team is using Google Maps or other GPS delivery apps to execute the routes, then your team is now juggling multiple platforms to complete one delivery.

This is expensive and inefficient. The more tools you have to complete a single delivery, the more fragmented the process, which makes it difficult and costly to scale your business.

2. Expensive pricing tiers 

Some POD apps pricing tiers are established by how many deliveries you make.

The more deliveries, the higher the cost of the app. But this pricing tier may also be true for your courier management system. Now you’re being charged more just for growing your business.

3. No communication between tools 

If a customer calls dispatch because they can’t find their package, you’ll have to toggle between platforms.

If you’re using a standalone POD app, your customer’s e-signature or your driver’s photo of the package isn’t necessarily uploaded into your route planning tool.

If a customer calls dispatch inquiring about their delivery, your back-office team needs to open up another tool, search for that customer, and then see what the driver recorded.

But if you’re using an all-in-one route management solution like Circuit, the proof of delivery is recorded alongside the stops in a single dashboard.

If you’re a large courier using an enterprise-level fleet management system, and you need customized delivery notifications and parameters such as barcode scanning, it makes sense to research integrated proof of delivery apps. Especially if your current solution doesn’t include that functionality. But for small to midsize delivery companies, you’ll need something else. Enter Circuit.

Choosing the right proof of delivery tool: 5 options for your business

The market offers a variety of POD tools, each with distinctive features and pricing. Selecting the one that aligns with your business needs and budget can be challenging. The right POD tool can streamline operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive growth.

In the following sections, we will compare five notable POD tools: Circuit for Teams, Track-POD, Routific, Route4Me, and Tookan. We'll explore their features, pricing, and unique benefits to help you make an informed decision for your business.

1. Circuit for Teams

Circuit for Teams offers the two main types of proof of delivery — photo capture and e-signature capture.

circuit e signature

When a driver arrives at their destination, they collect an electronic signature on their smartphone. O,r they can leave the package in a safe place, snap a photo on their smartphone, and send the picture — along with any delivery notes and timestamps— to dispatch at HQ and/or the customer.

This way, both the delivery company and the customer are in the loop on where the package is.

Circuit for Teams lets the user toggle the POD requirements on or off for each stop. This means drivers can skip the POD collection step when it's not needed, saving  time throughout their route.

circuit pod

Now, Circuit brings dynamic delivery tracking to the table, letting customers pick the level of info they want on their delivery. This cool feature goes hand in hand with the POD, ensuring customers are looped in on the delivery status.

Got a delivery mishap? Dispatchers and admins can swiftly access and share the proof of delivery info from a specific stop with just a single click. Say goodbye to sifting through data when a client or customer needs confirmation.

circuit proof of delivery

Circuit's budget-saving delivery system lets you tweak details at each stop without ringing up the bill. For many delivery teams, this cost-effective trait is a game changer.

What’s more, diving into Circuit offers the perks of a standalone proof of delivery software within a broader route management and optimization platform. Ditch the hassle of juggling multiple tools and automate your team’s delivery experience with Circuit’s driver app for efficient delivery receipt management.

Alongside proof of delivery, when you’re using Circuit, you’re also getting: 

  • Route optimization: Route optimization lets you create optimal routes with multiple stops. We’ve spoken to several businesses — such as Applied Data Tech — who were spending up to 1.5 hours each morning optimizing their routes. With Circuit’s route optimization features, that time is reduced down to just 10-15 minutes.
  • Route monitoring: Route monitoring tells dispatch where their drivers are in real time within the context of the route. For example, it doesn’t just tell you that your driver is at 29th and Harding, but that your driver has completed this specific stop and is heading to their next destination. Delivery teams use route monitoring to prepare for the next shipment of orders. By knowing how close the drivers are to returning to HQ, a volunteer team in England was able to strategically plan when to pack up their next food parcel orders.
  • Real-time delivery updates for the customer: You can send the recipient an SMS message or email with a link to a dashboard that shows their route in progress. The customer can check this link throughout the day to get realtime updates on when their package will be delivered, enhancing the customer experience.

Discover the ease of managing your delivery team with Circuit's straightforward pricing plans tailored to meet varying needs. Whether you're keen on merely optimizing routes, requiring proof of delivery, or aiming for a comprehensive analysis to boost delivery efficiency, Circuit has got you covered. 

With the flexibility to choose a plan that fits, you also get to enjoy a free 14-day trial, making it a risk-free option to explore how Circuit can revolutionize your delivery operations.

circuit pricing

2. Track-POD

track pod

Track-POD operates in regions such as the US, UK, and Australia, offering a platform for managing deliveries. The platform encompasses features like real-time tracking, route optimization, and an electronic Proof of Delivery (ePOD) system for on-the-go documentation like capturing signatures, taking photos, and making notes.

Here are their pricing tiers:

  • Standard Plan: Priced at $29 per driver each month or $35 on a month-to-month basis, this plan caters to those new to ePOD systems.
  • Advanced Plan: At $49 per driver monthly or $59 on a month-to-month basis, this plan extends a broader range of features.

Additionally, Track-POD gives the capability for integration with over 5,000 business apps, facilitating a connection with existing software solutions. The POD software integrated within Track-POD confirms that all delivery details are accurately captured and accessible in real time, streamlining the last mile delivery process.

3. Routific

routific

Routific is a platform that optimizes delivery operations with two available pricing plans:

  • Essentials Plan: Priced at $49 per vehicle each month or $39 on an annual basis, this plan gives the fundamental tools for planning and dispatching routes.
  • Professional Plan: At $59 per vehicle monthly or $49 on an annual basis, this plan expands the feature set to include driver management tools, GPS tracking, and proof of delivery capabilities like photo and signature capture.

Additionally, there's an option to add a customer notification system for an extra $19 per vehicle each month. Routific also has integration options with existing workflows and proprietary routing algorithms for further optimization.

4. Route4Me

route4me

Route4Me is a route planning and optimization platform with three main pricing packages to cater to different business needs:

  • Route Management ($199/month):
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  • Route Optimization ($249/month):
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  • Route Optimization Plus ($349/month):
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The pricing includes access for up to 10 team members. For teams larger than 10 members, an additional charge of $69/month per extra team member is applied​.

Route4Me offers a free seven-day unlimited trial to explore the platform's capabilities without any financial commitment​​. The platform is well-reviewed for its customer management, real-time updates, maintenance management, and status-tracking features​​.

Route4Me's platform is designed to simplify the routing process, making it a practical solution for businesses with varying routing and scheduling needs.

5. Tookan

tookan

Tookan is a delivery management platform that facilitates operations and communication between managers and delivery drivers, making dispatch operations seamless​​. They offer a variety of pricing plans designed for different stages of delivery businesses.

  • Early Stage Plan:
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  • Startup Plan:
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  • Growth Plan:
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  • Standard Plan:
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  • Enterprise Plan:
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Tookan is recognized for its customization ability thanks to its native integrations and a vast number of extensions. However, the pick-and-mix approach may increase costs, as users will pay for essential features like ETAs and route optimization​​. The platform comes with a 14-day free trial included in all plans, allowing for a hands-on evaluation before any financial commitment​​.

Circuit for Teams vs proof of delivery apps: Final takeaways

Proof of delivery integrates POD with delivery planning and route optimization, real-time driver tracking, and customer notifications. Capturing proof-of-delivery details is just one part of the puzzle, and Circuit gives you the benefits of a proof of delivery app while offering a lot more in one single platform to help dispatchers at small to midsize delivery teams.

If you manage a team of drivers and want a simple, cost-effective way to capture proof of delivery while making your delivery routes far more efficient, start your free trial today.

About the author

Heather Reinblatt
Heather ReinblattContributor

Heather Reinblatt is a managing editor currently living in St. Louis, Missouri. She spends her free time reading, trying new recipes, and cuddling her cat Paisley. You can find Heather on LinkedIn.

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