Top 10 TMS for Freight Brokers
Discover the best TMS platforms that streamline operations, boost efficiency, and drive growth for your freight brokerage.
Transportation Management Systems (TMS): A Must-Have for Freight Brokers
Transportation Management Systems (TMS) are an essential part of every freight broker's toolkit. They help brokers streamline operations, boost efficiency, and drive growth. With the right TMS, brokers can automate many time-consuming tasks, allowing them to focus on expanding their business.
However, not all TMS platforms are built the same. Some are designed for specific freight sectors, while others offer a wide range of features to meet the diverse needs of brokers who handle various types of freight. With so many options available, there’s a TMS out there for every broker. It's time to say goodbye to outdated spreadsheets and clunky systems and welcome a modern TMS solution that can help you scale your brokerage.
What is a TMS System?
A Transportation Management System (TMS) is a platform that centralizes and automates freight management. It enables brokers to better manage shipments, improve communication across teams, and optimize overall efficiency. By automating routine tasks, a TMS allows brokers to focus on the bigger picture—servicing clients and growing their business.
Choosing the Right TMS for Your Brokerage
When it comes to selecting the best TMS, integration capabilities are one of the most important factors. Your brokerage might already be using various systems, such as accounting software, CRM platforms, or load boards. The right TMS should integrate seamlessly with all of these tools, allowing for smoother workflows, reducing the need for manual data entry, and minimizing errors.
A well-integrated TMS doesn’t just improve efficiency; it ensures that your entire tech stack works harmoniously together, helping you maintain accuracy and avoid costly mistakes.
Top TMS Platforms for Freight Brokers
Below, we highlight some of the top TMS platforms for brokers, exploring their key features and the types of brokerages they best serve. Whether you need a solution tailored to a specific sector or one that offers comprehensive capabilities, there’s a TMS designed to meet your brokerage's unique needs.
Tai TMS
Tai TMS is a powerful solution dedicated to freight brokers focused on efficiency and growth. Tai enables brokers to scale their businesses without increasing headcount by automating routine tasks and eliminating costly human errors. Its intuitive interface streamlines both FTL and LTL operations, improving margins and overall operational efficiency. With integrations to over 500 tech tools and carriers, including load boards, carrier sourcing platforms, accounting systems, and factoring solutions like Denim, Tai TMS empowers brokers to optimize workflows, boost productivity, and enhance profitability with fewer clicks.
Best TMS software for: Brokerages looking for a scalable, automated TMS with strong integration capabilities and dedicated support to fuel long-term growth.
Turvo
Turvo is a modern addition to the TMS landscape. It’s concentrated on supply chain management and provides end-to-end communication and analytics solutions for brokers, 3PLs, shippers, and carriers. Because it’s a SaaS cloud TMS software, it can easily integrate with load boards, freight rates, and other solutions and provides powerful data insights, Google-like search capabilities, real-time insights, and interactions.
Best TMS software for: Brokerages that want a modern way to build strong relationships with carriers and shippers through their TMS trucking software.
EKA
EKA is all about unifying shippers, brokers, and carriers under one platform. Its unique dashboard offers frictionless management and streamlined operations, making it perfect for brokers whose main focus on maintaining strong relationships with their carriers and shippers. EKA has built its platform around strategic partners to create a customizable experience for their customers.
Best TMS software for: Brokerages that are focused on collaboration and want an innovative, cost-effective broker TMS software.
AscendTMS
AscendTMS is the best free TMS software platform that’s known for its user-friendly interface and scalability. It offers robust reporting features and seamless integrations, including freight software integrations with popular load boards. This makes it easy for brokers to match loads with carriers and improve efficiency. AscendTMS also leverages automated workflows to make operations a breeze.
Best TMS software for: Small to medium-sized brokerages that want to prioritize ease-of-use and are looking for load board integration for their day-to-day operations.
Quote Factory TMS
Quote Factory is a modern TMS transportation software that focuses solely on the needs of brokerages. They seek to “grow and disrupt” the freight industry by helping brokers execute shipments smarter. In the platform, you can find the right truckload carrier in seconds and quote, book, and track quickly and easily. Quote Factory wants to save brokers time so they can focus on building strong relationships with their customers and carriers.
Best TMS software for: Next generation brokers who want a TMS that’s solely focused on their needs and that has a modern interface and powerful tools.
EZ loader TMS
EZ Loader TMS provides a true partnership for freight brokerages by driving future development based on customer feedback. EZ Loader automates and optimizes the load cycle by eliminating manual tasks through robust digital documents, back-office automation, a built-in CRM, and live tracking tools.
Best TMS Sodtware for: Mid-sized brokerages that handle various modes of transportation, including Truckload, LTL, Drayage, and Cross-Border. EZ Loader provides multiple integration options with the top broker software.
Port TMS
Port TMS is a versatile and robust transportation management system designed to streamline logistics operations for Logistics Service Professionals. Its comprehensive suite of EDI and API capabilities enables seamless integration, facilitating real-time data exchange and improving operational efficiency. Port TMS provides flexibility, scalability, with Multi Modal supply chain management. Its user-friendly interface and customizable features allow businesses to optimize front and back-office operation, ultimately reducing costs and improving service delivery.
Best TMS software for: Logistics companies, 3PL providers, freight brokers, and carriers looking to streamline their operations and improve efficiency.
Wave TMS
Wave TMS is dedicated to simplifying, and transforming, logistics operations. Their comprehensive, user-friendly solution is made for freight brokers and 3PLs and combines powerful features, such as automated load matching and shipment tracking into one seamless platform. Wave TMS can also build out individual instances for larger customers looking for differentiation amongst their competition.
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Best TMS software for: Brokerages, Carriers, and Shippers that want a modern, cloud-based and customizable TMS powered by automation and digitization.
Logistically
Logistically is a TMS platform made for brokerages of all sizes with pricing starting at just $330/month. It boasts a feature set that covers a wide array of use-cases (LTL, FTL, Parcel, Drayage, etc.), making it one the best TMS softwares to grow and scale your business.
Best TMS software for: Brokers that want a customizable TMS that’s easy to use and affordable.
Descartes Aljex
Descartes Aljex is a complete freight broker TMS software “built for freight brokers, by freight brokers.” The TMS software is backed by Descartes, one of the largest technology platforms for the logistics industry (among others). Their TMS is scalable, meaning that it can fit the needs of small startups and industry leaders. It offers a number of features, including automated order entry, carrier management, lane pricing, shipment visibility, and more.
Best TMS software for: Brokers who want a customizable solution and a user-friendly, all-in-one suite that covers their basic sales, operations, and management needs without all of the unnecessary fluff.
How to Choose the Right TMS for Your Brokerage
Transportation Management Systems (TMS) are the backbone of every freight broker’s tech stack, driving efficiency, improving operations, and enabling growth. However, with a wide variety of TMS options available—each designed for different needs and specialties—selecting the right platform can feel overwhelming. Whether you need a TMS that integrates seamlessly with your current software or one that simplifies load management and enhances communication, there's a solution tailored for your brokerage.
When choosing a TMS, freight brokers should look for:
Seamless integrations: Connects with your existing software.
Automation: Simplifies tasks like load matching and tracking.
Scalability: Grows with your brokerage’s needs.
User-friendly interface: Easy to navigate and adopt.
Customization: Tailors to your unique processes.
Reporting and analytics: Provides insights for better decisions.
Real-time visibility: Offers live tracking and updates.
Communication tools: Streamlines customer and carrier interactions.
Cost-effective: Delivers value without breaking the budget.
As you explore the best TMS platforms, focus on finding a system that aligns with your unique business needs. The right TMS will help you eliminate manual tasks, reduce errors, and free up your team to focus on what matters most—building strong relationships and scaling your brokerage.
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