Top 8 Delivery Scheduling Software Solutions of 2024

Introduction: Why Delivery Scheduling Software is Crucial for 2024

Managing deliveries efficiently is a common pain point for businesses across industries. 

The challenges are manifold: 

• Coordinating multiple routes and driver schedules
• Inefficient routes lead to increased costs
• Poor resource utilization causes delays
• Customer dissatisfaction due to missed delivery windows

But fear not! 

There’s a solution that can turn these challenges into opportunities for your business – delivery scheduling software. 

This technology-driven approach offers a streamlined and cost-effective solution to your delivery woes.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the world of delivery scheduling software, from features to factors to consider when choosing the right software for your business. 

Additionally, we’ll provide an honest review of the top delivery scheduling software solutions that our team has personally used and tested.

Our goal? 

It will help you understand the power of delivery scheduling software and guide you in selecting and implementing the best solution for your needs.

💡Want a simple solution for easy delivery scheduling? Take a 7 days free trial of Upper!

Understanding Delivery Scheduling Software

Delivery scheduling software is designed to help businesses plan and manage their delivery operations more efficiently. It automates creating delivery schedules, optimizing routes, and tracking deliveries in real time.

Some of the key benefits that delivery scheduling software provides include:

• Automating your delivery scheduling saves time and reduces errors. Your deliveries are more efficient, and your drivers can complete more deliveries in less time.
• Optimized routes mean less fuel consumption and lower vehicle maintenance costs. This directly reduces your operational expenses.
• Timely deliveries and real-time updates make your customers happy. Satisfied customers are more likely to become repeat customers.
• Whether you have a small local operation or a large fleet, delivery scheduling software can scale to meet your needs. It grows with your business.

Delivery scheduling software is a powerful tool that can transform your delivery management operations. It tackles common challenges and helps you run a more efficient, cost-effective, and customer-friendly delivery service.

Key Features Every Delivery Scheduling Software Must Include

Not all delivery scheduling software solutions are created equal. You need a tool with the right features to streamline your operations and provide an exceptional customer experience. 

Here are six must-have features that your delivery scheduling software should have:

1. Automatic route optimization and planning

At the heart of any delivery management software lies the ability to plan and optimize routes intelligently. 

The software should automatically generate the most efficient routes based on delivery locations, time windows, vehicle capacities, and real-time traffic conditions. 

Moreover, it should be able to adjust routes on the fly in case of unexpected changes or delays. This ensures your deliveries are always on the fastest path.

2. Smart resource allocation and driver management

Managing your delivery resources effectively is crucial for operational efficiency. 

Your software should help you allocate the right vehicles and drivers to the right delivery tasks, considering their availability, schedules, and specific requirements or restrictions.

Top delivery management software often includes a one-click driver dispatch management solution, which assigns tasks to drivers on their mobile app with just one click.

This ensures you have the right resources in place for each delivery.

3. Real-time GPS tracking and delivery visibility

With GPS tracking, you can know your delivery vehicles’ exact location and status at any moment. Live updates on delivery status and estimated arrival times keep you informed and allow you to manage your operations better.

4. Automated customer notifications and communication

Keeping your customers informed is key to building trust and maintaining satisfaction. 

Your delivery scheduling software should enable automated notifications and customer updates through various channels, such as email, SMS, or a customer portal.

This ensures your customers are always in the loop about their delivery status.

5. Digital proof of delivery

Ensure your software can capture proof of delivery to ensure accountability and minimize disputes. 

Upon successful delivery, this feature lets drivers capture signatures, photos, or other documentation using the mobile app.

6. Comprehensive reporting and analytics

Detailed reports on delivery performance, efficiency, and customer satisfaction are crucial. 

Your software should provide data-driven insights to help you continuously improve your delivery operations.

These features are essential for making your delivery management more efficient and customer-friendly. Make sure any delivery scheduling software you choose includes these key capabilities.

Considerations When Choosing the Right Software

With numerous options available in the market, choosing the one that best fits your needs can be overwhelming. 

Here are some key factors to consider:

1. Business size and delivery volume

Think about how big your business is and how many deliveries you handle. 

You want software that fits just right—not too big if you’re small and not too small if you’re big. Make sure it can handle the number of deliveries you do every day without slowing down.

2. Integration with existing systems

You already have several systems in place, such as order management, inventory management, supply chain management, or accounting software. 

Choosing a delivery scheduling solution that seamlessly integrates with these existing systems is essential to ensure a smooth data flow and minimize manual data entry.

3. Scalability and flexibility for future growth

You don’t want software that’s only good for now. As your business grows, your delivery scheduling software should be able to adapt and scale accordingly. 

Look for a solution that offers flexibility in adding more users, vehicles, and locations without compromising performance or incurring excessive costs.

4. User-friendliness and ease of implementation

Nobody wants to spend hours figuring out how to use new software. Look for something easy to use and won’t take forever to set up. The quicker you can start using it, the better for your business.

Additionally, consider the level of support the vendor provides during the setup process.

5. Cost and pricing models

Consider how much the software costs and how you’ll pay for it. Some software has upfront costs, while others charge a monthly fee. 

Make sure you understand all the costs involved, including any extra charges for special features or support.

6. Customer support and training options

Even the best delivery scheduling software can sometimes have hiccups. That’s why it’s essential to have access to reliable customer support and comprehensive training resources. 

Look for software providers that offer training sessions, helpful guides, and quick support when you need it. This will save you a lot of headaches down the road.

By considering these factors, you can find the perfect delivery scheduling software that fits your business like a glove and helps you deliver easily and efficiently.

Detailed Reviews of Best Delivery Scheduling Software

1. Upper

Best for: Delivery management for startups to enterprises

User rating: 4.5/5 (37)

Upper is your all-in-one solution designed to simplify delivery management. 

Picture this: no more headaches from manual route planning. 

Our advanced routing algorithms do the heavy lifting by optimizing routes, eliminating unnecessary backtracking, and always finding the quickest path to your destination. 

Whether you’re managing multiple delivery locations, tight time windows, or tricky traffic conditions, Upper has you covered. You’ll effortlessly save time and cut fuel costs.

Let’s not forget about resource management—assigning the right drivers and vehicles to tasks, considering vehicle capacity constraints and driver availability, has never been easier.

With real-time tracking, you’ll have full control over every delivery, ensuring smooth operations.

But wait, there’s more! 

Upper also excels in customer communication, proof of delivery, and provides detailed analytics for ongoing improvements. 

And the best part? Upper is customizable and scalable to fit your unique business needs, whether big or small.

If you don’t want to handle any more delivery chaos, say hello to Upper.

Pricing: Starts at $119/month for 3 users

Free trial: 7 days free trial, no credit card required

2. Route4Me 

Best for: Best for businesses needing customizable delivery scheduling features

User rating: 4.5/5 (388)

Route4Me, a seasoned route optimization tool, impressed us with its modular flexibility and add-on features for efficient last-mile delivery. 

On the plus side, Route4Me offered a ton of customization. We could add features like delivery notifications and proof of delivery capture, which was helpful. The real-time tracking was also a winner, allowing us to monitor driver progress and adjust routes on the fly.

However, the route optimization itself was a bit of a letdown. While Route4Me prioritized short distances, it sometimes created illogical routes with drivers doubling back on themselves. We also noticed that the estimated arrival times (ETAs) were overly optimistic, leading to late deliveries.

Overall, Route4Me is a good fit for businesses with very specific needs, thanks to its wide range of add-ons. But if route optimization is your top priority, you might want to consider other options.

Pricing: Starts at $40 per user per month

Free trial: 7-day free trial

3. Onfleet 

Best for: Mid to large-scale businesses needing advanced delivery management software

User rating: 4.6/5 (93)

Onfleet shines with its robust route optimization, which saves time and costs. The real-time tracking keeps us informed, although occasionally, ETAs are overestimated. The customizable reporting tools are handy for tracking performance metrics. 

However, the software’s complexity took some time to master, and its pricing might be steep for smaller businesses. Customer support was reliable, yet it lacked live assistance. 

Despite these drawbacks, Onfleet remains a powerful tool for streamlining deliveries, especially for mid-market to enterprise-level delivery companies. Its comprehensive feature set and efficient route-planning capabilities are worth considering.

Pricing: Starts at $550/month

Free trial: 14-day free trial

4. DispatchTrack

Best for: Large businesses needing comprehensive last-mile delivery management

User rating: 4.7 (22)

DispatchTrack’s AI-powered route optimization impressed us by generating accurate ETAs and allowing easy manual adjustments. 

The scheduling and tracking features automatically contacted customers, providing real-time ETA updates. The driver mobile app was handy for proof of delivery, and the reporting tools helped analyze delivery data efficiently. 

However, we found the routing interface challenging and noticed occasional GPS inaccuracies. 

Despite these minor issues, DispatchTrack seems like a feature-rich option for larger businesses that need decent delivery fleet management. However, the complexity and potential bugs might be a hurdle for smaller businesses.

Pricing: Not disclosed

Free Trial: NA

5. WorkWave Route Manager 

Best for: Complex routing for large delivery fleets

User rating: 4.3 (68)

WorkWave RouteManager promises efficient route planning and happy customers with features like real-time driver tracking and customer notifications. We tested it out, and while route optimization seemed good, some things fell short.

For one, reports mentioned weak GPS reporting, which could be a concern for tracking deliveries. Also, changing routes on the fly seemed clunky, and past routes were difficult to search for.

Another downside was the cost. User licenses seemed expensive, and some reviewers felt locked into the software because of their processor requirements.

Overall, WorkWave RouteManager felt powerful, but the complexity and potential bugs could be a hurdle for smaller businesses.

Pricing: Starts at $54/month per vehicle

Free Trial: NA

6. Routific 

Best for: Medium-sized local delivery businesses

User rating: 4.9/5 (126)

Routific is easy to set up, and its user-friendly interface makes basic route optimization and delivery management a breeze. 

We appreciated its ability to create optimal routes based on traffic patterns and driver preferences, which effectively reduced delivery times. 

However, limitations surfaced with complex deliveries, as the essential plan lacks features like real-time tracking and proof of delivery. Some users also reported issues with clustered stops and route efficiency. 

Overall, Routific is a good choice for straightforward delivery needs but may fall short for businesses requiring advanced functionalities.

Pricing: Starts at $49 per vehicle per month

Free trial: 7-day free trial

7. Circuit

Best for: Small business with simple delivery scheduling needs

User rating: 4.8/5 (99)

Circuit is a user-friendly delivery route planning software. 

Its straightforward setup and browser-based interface make managing routes and dispatch tasks easy. 

However, we noticed limitations in route optimization, often leading to tangled routes. Editing routes and accessing overall metrics proved challenging, affecting route managers who were handling multiple routes and vehicles. 

While Circuit offers essential tools like dynamic notifications and proof of delivery, its pricing structure based on stops and lack of real-time tracking may not suit larger operations. 

Pricing: Starts at $100/month for 500 stops. 

Free trial: 7-day free trial 

8. Track-POD

Best for: Small and mid-sized businesses needing advanced proof of delivery functionality

User rating: 4.7 (131)

Track-POD impressed us with its user-friendly interface and features like real-time delivery tracking and electronic proof of capture. It seemed easier to set up and navigate than our other options.

However, editing routes on the fly could be more straightforward, and some reviewers mentioned the driver app being confusing, especially with separate versions for Android and iOS. Another downside was that the driver app cost extra, while some competitors included it for free.

Overall, Track-POD felt like a good option for smaller businesses that need a user-friendly system for delivery management and proof of delivery. However, companies that need more flexibility with route editing or a free driver app might have better choices.

Pricing: Starts at $35/month per driver/vehicle

Free trial: 7 days

Emerging Trends in Delivery Technology

As technology advances, so do the operational aspects of delivery scheduling. Here are some key market trends to watch out for:

1. AI-powered route optimization

Harness the power of AI as your intelligent assistant for optimizing delivery routes. 

AI analyzes a wealth of data, including road conditions, traffic patterns, weather forecasts, and delivery destinations, to determine the most efficient routes for your delivery drivers. This saves time and resources and enhances delivery speed and accuracy.

2. Predictive analytics

Predictive analytics helps forecast demand, plan routes proactively, and preemptively address potential challenges using data insights from past deliveries, customer preferences, and external factors. It helps you stay one step ahead and ensure seamless delivery operations.

3. Smart delivery solutions

Imagine delivery vehicles with smart sensors and devices that monitor environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. 

These smart solutions ensure that perishable or sensitive items like food and medicines are delivered in optimal conditions, maintaining quality and customer satisfaction.

4. Green Delivery Initiatives

Embrace sustainability with eco-friendly delivery practices. 

Optimize routes to minimize fuel consumption, explore the use of electric vehicles or bicycles to reduce emissions, and adopt recyclable or reusable packaging solutions. 

By prioritizing green initiatives, you reduce your carbon footprint and appeal to environmentally conscious customers.

Next Steps for Your Business

Delivery scheduling software can improve the way you handle your delivery operations. Automating tasks, optimizing routes, and providing real-time tracking empower you to deliver faster, cheaper, and with happier customers.

This guide has equipped you with the knowledge to make informed decisions. We’ve explored the must-have features, reviewed leading delivery software options, and even highlighted upcoming trends in delivery technology.

Now, it’s time to take action! Here are your next steps:

1. Evaluate your needs: Consider your delivery volume, business size, and budget to determine the features most important to you.
2. Research shortlisted software: Many providers offer free trials to test-drive the software and see if it fits your workflow.
3. Embrace efficiency: Implementing delivery scheduling software is an investment in your future. It streamlines operations, reduces costs, and empowers you to deliver an exceptional customer experience.

Don’t let inefficient deliveries hold you back. With the right delivery management software solution, you can take control and unlock the full potential of your delivery network.