The Best Freight Transport Applications in 2025

Published on 19 December 2024 • Reading time: 10 min read

Delivering parcels over the last mile or coordinating large-scale shipments: this is the day-to-day business of companies faced with increasingly complex logistics challenges. Optimising costs, difficult planning, meeting tight deadlines and satisfying customers… these are just some of the challenges they face if they want to remain competitive.

Against this backdrop, freight transport applications are proving to be essential tools for effectively managing logistics operations. But how do you choose the right tool for your specific needs? And which solutions will really stand out in 2025?

In this article, discover the essential functions of logistics applications, the advantages they offer, and a comparison of the most effective tools on the market.

Table of contents:

• What is a freight transport application?
• What features should you look for in a freight transport application?
• The advantages of using a dedicated application
• The 6 best freight transport applications in 2025
• How do you choose the right application for your needs?

What is a freight transport application?

A freight transport application is software designed to simplify the management of logistics operations. It takes care of every stage, from route planning to real-time tracking of deliveries, while proposing optimised routes and facilitating communication with carriers.

Its versatility means it can be adapted to the needs of both independent hauliers and large companies. For small organisations, it automates time-consuming tasks and improves visibility of operations. For large companies, it becomes a strategic tool for centralising shipment management, optimising resources and facilitating collaboration between the various players in the supply chain.

What features should you look for in a freight transport application?

Before choosing a freight transport application, you need to clearly identify your requirements. Here are the main features to consider:

• Supply chain visibility: Opt for tools that provide a complete overview of your logistics operations, from packaging to delivery.
• Route planning and optimisation: The application should propose optimised routes, reducing unnecessary kilometres and fuel costs.
• Real-time tracking: Vehicle geolocation is a key requirement. It helps you manage unforeseen events (delays, incidents) and keep your customers informed instantly.
• Document and proof-of-delivery management: Features such as capturing electronic signatures, photos or digital delivery notes (PODs) ensure reliable traceability.
• Integrations: Check that the software integrates easily with your existing CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems.
• Performance analysis: analytical reports detailing routes, costs and deadlines enable you to identify areas for improvement and optimise your profitability.

The advantages of using a dedicated application

Opting for a dedicated application means guaranteeing a number of advantages for your company:

• Increased efficiency: Automated planning, route management and tracking significantly reduce time-consuming tasks and human error, boosting productivity and accuracy.
• Improved customer satisfaction: Real-time tracking of deliveries and the ability to share information on schedules or delays increases transparency and responsiveness, contributing to a better customer experience.
• Reduced costs: Route optimisation reduces expenditure on fuel, tolls and vehicle maintenance, while cutting labour costs.
• Environmentally-friendly: Fewer kilometres travelled means fewer CO2 emissions! These tools help to reduce your carbon footprint and make your logistics management greener.

The 6 best freight transport applications in 2025

1. AntsRoute

AntsRoute is an all-in-one application designed to optimise route management and track delivery routes in real time. With its advanced planning features, it helps to reduce costs by optimising routes, while offering detailed tracking of each delivery thanks to proof of delivery such as electronic signatures and photos.

Suitable for both small and large companies, the mobile application is intuitive and easy to use for drivers, simplifying route management and ensuring smooth navigation.

What also differentiates AntsRoute is its advanced performance and margin analysis tools, which enable companies to monitor their profitability and make informed strategic decisions. What’s more, dedicated customer support is available to help you.

What users are saying about AntsRoute
The pros:
“We deployed AntsRoute for our 30 drivers within a week, and all of them were able to use the app within a day without any difficulties.” – Review from Capterra
“AntsRoute has enabled me to save an incredible amount of time and money when planning work orders.” – Review from Capterra
“The software is very easy to use, both for management/planning and in the field. They have managed to develop the tools to better meet customer expectations.” – Review from Capterra

The cons:
“It can be a bit tricky to pick up at first”. – Review from Capterra
“There are a few small bugs from time to time, but they don’t prevent us from using it.” – Review from Capterra

Pricing: From €17 for the first month, then €34 per month. Free 7-day trial with no commitment.

2. Google Maps

Google Maps, although primarily designed as a navigation application, offers a free option for planning simple routes. It’s ideal for one-off deliveries or short journeys, thanks to its real-time traffic updates and route adjustments based on road conditions.

However, when it comes to managing multiple routes or tracking deliveries in detail, Google Maps has its limitations. It lacks advanced tools for optimising routes in depth and generating reports on delivery performance.

The application remains free for basic use, but businesses requiring advanced functions, such as the integration of additional APIs via Google Maps Platform, will have to pay additional fees. These costs can quickly add up, making the tool less suitable for complex logistics requirements.

What users are saying about Google Maps
The pros:
“The geocoding makes it easier than other software, which is limited to certain parts of the world. With Google, I can use it even in the most remote areas.” – Review from Capterra
“I like the real-time detection of traffic and the analysis of how long it takes to get from point A to point B.” – Review from Capterra

The cons:
“The cost of accessing APIs is high.” – Review from Capterra
“Some interfaces are not very intuitive when trying to determine a route.” – Review from Capterra

Pricing: The price will vary according to your needs.

3. Shiptify

Shiptify is a transport solution designed to meet the needs of medium-sized and large companies, by simplifying and optimising logistics operations. This versatile platform saves time and money thanks to features such as multi-carrier control, transport and loading dock management and warehouse appointment scheduling.

By automating repetitive, low value-added tasks, Shiptify simplifies the day-to-day work of your teams. Requests for quotations are just a few clicks away, service providers are pre-registered for each route, and each transport order is monitored in real time via a centralised control tower.

What users are saying about Shiptify
The pros:
“It’s an excellent platform for managing all your shipments in one place from different platforms. It’s very easy to use and offers different shipping methods, including sea, air, road and rail.” – Review from Capterra
“You sign up knowing exactly what you’re getting into, no limits or hidden charges.” – Review from Capterra
“The ease of deployment and user-friendliness are great advantages when it comes to picking up the platform.” – Review from Capterra

The cons:
“It’s a tool that breaks away from the traditional TMS offering, which makes it difficult for users, partners and information systems to integrate.” – Review from Capterra
“Support is not optimal.” – Review from Capterra

Pricing: Quotations based on the number of shipments, logistics sites and mode of transport chosen.

4. Route4me

Route4Me is a route planning software designed to simplify and optimise freight transport management. Thanks to its modular approach, it offers a high degree of flexibility, enabling users to customise features to meet their specific needs. Modules include advanced driver management, analytical tools and customer communication modules.

The process can be divided into four simple stages: entering or importing addresses, route planning, route optimisation and route completion. These steps reduce distances travelled, cut costs and improve efficiency.

The mobile application completes the experience, with practical features such as capturing electronic signatures, taking photos and adding notes.

What users are saying about Route4Me
The pros:
“One of the things I like is the ease with which I can rearrange and move stops between routes.” – Review from Capterra
“I like the list of routes, the cloud-based structure and the multi-user functionality. […] It’s easy to integrate with Waze.” – Review from Capterra

The cons:
“The small map is hard to see when you have more than 6 routes, it almost disappears when you try to move a call between routes.” – Review from Capterra
“It is not possible to change the route after you have started it.” – Review from Capterra

Pricing: From €180 per month for 5 users, and includes route optimisation from €270 per month. A free trial is available.

5. Akanea

Akanea TMS is a complete freight transport software application that combines an intuitive, customisable interface with advanced features to simplify logistics management. Designed to meet a wide range of needs, it covers all aspects of the supply chain: planning, execution and analysis of operations.

It is available in three versions:

1. Akanea TMS Smart: Entry-level solution for small businesses or start-ups, with simplified management.
2. Akanea TMS Smart+: Enhanced version with advanced tools for more in-depth operations management.
3. Akanea TMS Digital Edition: Complete solution with expert functionalities to manage all aspects of the business.

Beyond the operational aspect, Akanea TMS helps companies to improve their profitability thanks to precise analysis tools. Dashboards provide a real-time view of key indicators, facilitating key decisions.

What users are saying about Akanea
The pros:
“We use it to manage sales, inventory tracking, customer follow-up and logistics.” – Review from Le Bon Logiciel
“It’s really complete and very functional.” – Review from Le Bon Logiciel

The cons:
“This tool leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to repackaging.” – Review from Le Bon Logiciel
“I really don’t find it ergonomic, very rigid and impractical.” – Review from Le Bon Logiciel

Pricing: The price is available on request and varies according to the specific needs of the company.

6. Dashdoc

This is another interesting application, particularly suited to hauliers. Among its key features, Dashdoc facilitates the management of essential documents such as delivery notes and proofs of delivery. Thanks to integrated digital tools, users can centralise these documents, share them easily with the parties involved and guarantee traceability.

Key features include route optimisation, an intuitive mobile application for drivers, performance analysis, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) management, logistics appointment scheduling, as well as electronic proof of delivery and dematerialised waybills.

What users are saying about Dashdoc
The pros:
“Quite easy to pick up, full of features to simplify your work…” – Review from Google
“Simple and intuitive. Very responsive team that listens to our needs.” – Review from Google
“On the invoicing side, we’ve gone from 35 hours a week to less than 5. The tool has enabled us to considerably reduce our use of paper, our archiving, etc.” – Review from Google

The cons:
“Sometimes there are bugs with the products being transported.” – Review from Google

Pricing: The price is available on request and varies according to the specific needs of the company.

How do you choose the right application for your needs?

Type of goods to be transported

• Small or large quantities: Some applications effectively manage varied cargoes and optimise multi-customer routes, while others focus on fast deliveries.
• Sensitive goods: Choose an application with specific features, such as temperature monitoring or real-time alerts (e.g. Akanea TMS for refrigerated transport).

Size of the company

• Small businesses: Opt for affordable, easy-to-use solutions with flexible pricing.
• Large companies: If you manage a large fleet or complex operations, look for software with advanced optimisation tools and customisable features.

Available budget

• Small budgets: Some solutions offer free or low-cost options, such as Google Maps, ideal for basic needs.
• Higher budget: If you have complex requirements, solutions like AntsRoute offer advanced features.

Ease of use

• Solutions such as AntsRoute, Dashdoc and Route4Me are intuitive and easy to pick up, with simple mobile applications for drivers.

Customer support

• If customer service is essential, choose applications such as AntsRoute or Shiptify, which offer dedicated support.

Technical criteria to be checked

• Check for compatibility with your existing systems (ERP, CRM) and the availability of an API for customising the application.

Importance of trial versions

• Before committing yourself, test the application. AntsRoute offers a free trial version to evaluate the tool.

AntsRoute stands out as a route management and optimisation application that is perfectly suited to companies looking to combine operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Request a free demo!