Your 2024 Guide to the 8 Best Delivery Management Software

Managing deliveries doesn’t have to be this complicated—let’s fix it!

If managing your deliveries feels like a constant challenge—constantly switching between spreadsheets, lost packages, late arrivals, and confused drivers—this blog is just for you. 

In this blog, we’ve rounded up the best delivery management software solutions to help you keep track of every order, route, and driver without hassle.  

Whether you’re trying to save time and fuel cost, reduce missed deliveries, optimize driver routes, or keep your customers updated with real-time tracking, you’ll find a solution for you.

Ready to find the right fit? Let’s get started.

Forget Spaghetti Routes, Optimize Routes for Your Entire Team with Upper

Crew

What is Delivery Management Software?

Delivery management software is designed to simplify, automate, and streamline the delivery process. If you’re in charge of ensuring orders reach customers on time, this tool is for you.

Here’s how it works: it helps you plan and organize delivery routes, track where delivery drivers are in real time, and handle customer communications. Instead of relying on spreadsheets or manual tracking, everything gets automated.

It manages everything from assigning deliveries to tracking progress and collecting proof of delivery. This means fewer errors, faster deliveries, and happier customers.

How We Evaluated and Selected the Best Delivery Management Software?

We know you’re looking for the best solutions, and we didn’t take this task lightly. 

Our team took the time to investigate each delivery management software, testing features, comparing pricing, and assessing how each handles real-world delivery challenges. 

We also reviewed customer reviews and interviewed businesses, from small local operations to large-scale distributors. Their experiences and pain points guided our evaluation.

We balanced functionality against cost to ensure you’re getting the best value for your buck. We even assessed the quality and availability of customer support.

Trust us, if any delivery software is on our list, it’s been put through its paces.

Top 8 Delivery Management Software in the Market

1. Upper: Best for efficient route optimization for small to mid-sized delivery operations

User rating: 4.6 (44)

Free trial: Yes, a 7 days free trial is available.

Free version: Free route planner available (for up to 20 stops)

Platforms supported: Web, iOS, Android

Support channels: Live chat, Email, Phone, Knowledge base

Ease of use: Designed for anyone to use easily, featuring an intuitive interface, quick setup, and minimal training.

Pricing: Starts at $40/user/month with flexible plans for various needs.

upper

Upper is your all-in-one solution to simplify your delivery operations. We understand your daily challenges – from route planning challenges to customer communication woes. That’s why we’ve built a tool that tackles these issues head-on.

At the heart of Upper is our powerful route optimization engine. It takes the stress out of planning by creating efficient routes in minutes. Just input your stops, and we’ll map out the most efficient route, considering factors like traffic, vehicle’s delivery capacity, time windows, priorities, and service times.

Before Upper, managing routes was a mess. Now, it’s just so much faster and easier. We’ve cut down on errors, saved hours every week, and even added new delivery areas. Upper has been a huge part of that.

Nathaniel Pool, Managing Partner, Chef Nicole Miami

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  • Got a list of addresses in Excel or CSV? One click is all it takes to import all the addresses into our system. We’ll even catch any duplicates or errors, saving you from potential mix-ups down the line.
import-route
  • Once your routes are set, dispatching is simple and flexible. Assign drivers with a tap, or use our drag-and-drop feature for last-minute changes.
real-time-route-adjustments
  • And as deliveries roll out, you’ll have real-time visibility into every driver’s location. This means you can keep customers informed and handle any issues promptly.
  • Speaking of customers, Upper helps you keep your customers happy with automatic text/email notifications. They’ll know when their package is on the way, reducing those “Where’s my order?” calls.
Customer-Notifications
  • When the delivery is complete, drivers can collect proof of delivery right in the mobile delivery management app – signatures, photos, and notes are all stored securely for easy reference.
proof of delivery

We know your business isn’t static, and neither is Upper. Whether you’re handling a handful of deliveries or thousands, our software scales with you. Add more drivers, expand your service area, or take on new types of deliveries – Upper adapts to your needs.

We’ve ensured Upper is intuitive and easy to use, so anyone, even without technical knowledge, can use it.

In essence, Upper isn’t just about managing deliveries; it gives you the delivery management tools to operate more efficiently, serve customers better, and grow your operations confidently. 

What people think about planning routes in Upper:

“At Upper, efficiency is not just a promise; it’s a reality. One of the standout features we appreciated the most about Upper was its ability to streamline our technician’s routes, making them more efficient than ever before.” –Zachary J.

“It’s been such a wonderful addition to our company’s process as Upper has improved our operational capabilities and made our delivery process more efficient. It is user-friendly and has exclusive features that help our team to perform more jobs in less time. Thanks:)” –Puru J.

Struggling with Handling Multiple Delivery Constraints?

Upper can help. Whether it is the customer’s preferred time, drivers’ availability, or vehicle capacity specifics, optimize routes accordingly to achieve seamless deliveries.

2. Detrack: Best for electronic proof of delivery and contactless deliveries

User Rating: 4.7/5 (50)

Free Trial: 14 days

Free Version: Not available

Platforms Supported: Web, iOS, Android

Support Channels: Email and in-app support

Ease of Use: Simple setup with a user-friendly interface, but some advanced features can feel complex.

Pricing: Starts at $29/vehicle per month (billed monthly)

detrack

Founded in 2013, Detrack bills itself as the “trusted and affordable e-POD solution.” Equipped with sophisticated route optimization algorithms, it claims to cut down your driving time by 30% and total mileage by 25%.

What piqued our interest is Detrack’s intuitive interface, which makes adding or removing vehicles from fleets super easy. The freedom it gives your customers to sign for received orders using either SMS or a QR code helps eliminate paperwork and minimizes the chances of infection through any physical contact.

However, it has some drawbacks. Users have reported issues with customer service, GPS tracking accuracy, and the complexity of its backend dashboard. Recent updates introduced route planning capabilities but are not yet fully reliable. 

Key features:

  • Electronic proof of delivery
  • Vehicle tracking
  • Instant delivery notifications
  • Quick job transfer

What people think about planning routes in Detrack:

“Overall I am very happy. Unable to track how long drivers take a stop at one delivery.” –sinit S.

“The customer service experience is bad. Since Detrack outsourced it, the response is slow, and they do not know technical and acted like messengers only.” –Wilson L.

3. WorkWave Route Manager: Best for commercial, residential, and special courier deliveries 

User rating: 4.3 (81)

Free trial: Not available

Free version: Not available

Platforms supported: Web, iOS, Android

Support channels: Via app, email, or phone with a one-business-day response.

Ease of use: Moderately easy to use, though setup can be complex for smaller teams.

Pricing: Starts at $54 per month per vehicle

workwave

WorkWave RouteManager helps optimize routes and accommodate changes easily, especially for courier delivery services. Using it, you can dispatch planned routes to your delivery team on their mobile phone and get real-time delivery progress updates.

It lets you label and track your products through different stages of the entire supply chain by scanning various types of barcodes on your products based on their type. A standout functionality that we loved is route simulations.

Using this feature, you can change different variables in a simulated environment to evaluate route modifications and implement the most suitable changes. However, less comprehensive reports may not meet your expectations as they fetch data for only a few days against what’s needed, causing reliability issues.

💡 For a broader view, consider looking into a detailed WorkWave review to ensure you find the best delivery management solution for your business.

Key features:

  • Scheduling and dispatching
  • Route optimization
  • Work order management
  • Route Manager Voice

What people think about WorkWave RouteManger:

“It’s been pretty decent overall. The hardest challenge I faced was getting the my co-workers to adapt to the new process and new software.” -Leshawn P.

“The ability to tailor reports or dashboards to our unique requirements is somewhat restricted. The mobile delivery management app occasionally experiences performance issues, such as slow loading times or glitches.” –Mark J.

💡 If you’re exploring different solutions, it might be worth checking out some WorkWave alternatives to compare features and pricing.

4. Onfleet: Best for enterprise-level last-mile delivery management

User rating: 4.6/5 (93)

Free trial: 14 days

Free version: Not available

Platforms supported: Web, iOS, Android

Support channels: Email, Phone, Knowledge Base

Ease of use: Offers many features, which can be complicated at first but become user-friendly with time.

Pricing: Starts at $550 per month

onfleet

Onfleet bills itself as a “complete last-mile delivery platform” that can handle your end-to-end delivery processes. Testing this claim proved it to be true to an extent. Apart from the standard route optimization that almost all multi-stop route planner apps provide, what impressed us is AI-powered customer notifications and ETAs. 

Trusted by over 1000 customers worldwide, Onfleet supports Proof of Delivery to record every successful delivery you make in the form of photos, signatures, barcodes, or digital notes. Another strength is its versatility and usability across industries. 

However, it may take you some time to familiarize yourself completely with its features. High prices may also be a problem for small delivery business owners with budget restrictions.

💡 To determine if Onfleet is the best choice for your needs or if another option might be better, look into the Upper vs. Onfleet analysis.

Key features:

  • Advanced route planning
  • Real-time data
  • Auto-assign orders
  • Feedback collection

What people think about Onfleet:

“Onfleet has allowed us to centralize our dispatch team to reduce labor and increase output and quality control.” –Branden H.

“The price!!! It really is horrifically expensive.” –Elle D.

💡 If Onfleet’s features or pricing don’t quite match your needs, exploring Onfleet alternatives could help you find a more suitable option.

5. Tookan: Best for on-demand delivery businesses and fleet management

User rating: 4.2 (74)

Free Trial: (14 days)

Free Version: Not available

Platforms Supported: Web, iOS, Android

Support Channels: Email, phone

Ease of Use: Offers powerful customization options, but setup can be complex for new users.

Pricing: Starts at $39 per month

tookan

Tookan is a delivery and fleet management software solution that enables you to plan and organize your delivery routes. While it focuses on designing, optimizing, and dispatching your routes, it also works to handle your on-demand deliveries.

The primary goal of this software is to empower enterprises, mainly large-scale organizations, to excel in today’s customer-centric era. It achieves this through optimized routes, automation, real-time driver tracking, and efficient movement of goods, serving both B2C and B2B segments.

The delivery dispatch software offers a centralized dashboard for creating and managing delivery assignments, designating drivers, and monitoring their real-time progress. Businesses can use Tookan to improve their delivery process and increase operational efficiency.

💡 To see how Tookan stacks up against another leading choice, check out Upper vs. Tookan.

Key features:

  • Dispatch dashboard
  • Service app
  • Automated notifications
  • Proof of delivery

What people think about Tookan:

“They’ve got a good piece of delivery driver software, but poor management.” –Arpanjot S.

“High learning curve and implementation time. Poor customer support does not help. Convoluted pricing—key features are offered as add-ons.” –Verified G2 User

💡 If Tookan’s focus on planning and optimization doesn’t fully meet your requirements, you can check out some Tookan alternatives that can offer additional functionalities.

6. Track-POD: Best delivery driver management software for proof of delivery and live tracking

User rating: 4.7/5 (132)

Free trial: 7 days

Free version: Not available

Platforms supported: Web, iOS, Android

Support channels: Support ticket, Phone, Knowledge Base

Ease of use: Intuitive interface, but some advanced features may take time to master.

Pricing: Starts at $29 per driver/vehicle per month.

track-pod

With over 10,000+ companies as customers, Track-POD has developed award-winning systems to revolutionize Proof of Delivery (POD), route planning, and live tracking for delivery-based businesses.

It is easily accessible on desktop and mobile devices and allows you to optimize routes. What we liked, in particular, was that it let us capture geotags and timestamps to know when and where our drivers received ePODs.

However, testing revealed issues with tracking the total number of hours drivers work. Moreover, we couldn’t find truck-specific route optimization that considers height and load constraints.

💡 For more detailed insights, check out our full Track-POD review, where we dive deeper into its features and performance.

Key features:

  • Fleet optimization
  • Safety management
  • Multiple POD methods
  • QR / barcodes scanning

What people think about Track-POD:

“I’ve been “playing” around for about 2 days, and I do not understand this app 100% because there are many functions.” –Ilja N.

“Track-POD’s routing optimization is not geared and developed enough for my country/region. So sometimes the routes suggested are not the best routes for delivery.” -Xyaria H.

Didn’t find a perfect match in Track-POD?

Here’s a detailed guide that explores the best Track-POD alternatives that might better suit your delivery management requirements.

7. Zippykind: Best for small businesses needing an affordable delivery management solution

User rating: 5/5 (8)

Free trial: 14 days

Free version: Available (Allowed 50 delivery tickets)

Platforms supported: Web, iOS, Android

Support channels: Email, Phone, Knowledge Base

Ease of use: Simple to set up and navigate, ideal for businesses new to delivery software.

Pricing: Starts at $87 for 300 delivery tickets

zippykind

Zippykind is a powerful, easy-to-use last-mile delivery logistics software solution for optimizing local delivery routes. Its USP lies in its “Uber-like” interface (as they call it!) that it provides to your customers. When your driver is in route, it sends a tracking page through which customers can view the estimated time of arrival (ETA) and GPS positions.

We also liked how it automates sending online orders to delivery drivers by integrating an API. Another feature worth considering is territory management, which allows you to create delivery zones and assign them to specific drivers. 

However, route optimization and SMS notifications are available as paid add-ons, unlike Upper, which offers them within base plans. This makes it slightly expensive compared to other delivery service software solutions on the list. 

Key features:

  • Dispatch automation
  • Recurring subscriptions
  • Spending rewards program
  • Comprehensive analytics

What people think about Zippykind:

“Easier map delivery. I had a few things I didn’t understand and all my questions and worries were fixed by the end of the day because of the great phone support.” –Matt P.

“I do not like it very much, that I have to pay a little more to get support. Although the free version is very good to test the effectiveness of Zippykind.” –Ismerai A.

8. eLogii: Best for enterprise-level businesses with complex delivery needs

User rating: 4.8 (49)

Free trial: Not Available

Free version: Not available

Platforms supported: Web, iOS, Android

Support channels: Email, Chat, Phone, Knowledge Base

Ease of use: Feature-rich but can feel overwhelming for new users; some complexity in setup.

Pricing: Not publicly available

elogii

eLogii is renowned for its customization of delivery route planning. It offers a multitude of parameters and optimization settings to tailor the route plan to your needs. eLogii has three separate plans, though none of their prices are publicly available.

We liked route simulations that let you change variables to check how they affect your routes in real time and plan schedules for last-mile deliveries accordingly. We also found the same-day route planning based on routes in progress, ETAs, current times, and driver locations interesting. 

However, testing revealed the integration to be a little complex. There were also some glitches associated with the driver app. Our expert team also found limited user roles that can be expanded to support large organizations with different roles.

Key features:

  • Multi-day route planning
  • Set time windows
  • Traffic-enabled travel times
  • Vehicle-specific mapping

Read our full eLogii review to learn more about these features.

What people think about eLogii:

“It was rough at first but once I got the hang of it, I love it” –jerry T.

“A few problems with drivers app, need more options in analytics tool.” –Damian R.

💡 If you are concerned about the challenges with eLogii’s integration and driver app, looking into eLogii alternatives could provide options with smoother integration and fewer glitches.

Affordable, Scalable, & Customizable - It's Upper!

Upper checks all the boxes: affordable pricing, easy scaling, and customizable features.

Frequently Asked Questions

A delivery management system is software that helps businesses plan and manage their deliveries. It automates scheduling, optimizes routes, and enables you to track deliveries, making the whole process smoother and more efficient.

Businesses need delivery software to make their delivery process more efficient. It helps plan routes, track deliveries in real time for complete visibility, and improve communication with customers. This leads to faster and more efficient deliveries, lower costs, and happier customers.

When selecting logistics delivery management software, look for features like real-time tracking to see where your deliveries are, route optimization to find the best paths, proof of delivery to confirm completed orders, customer notifications for automatic updates, and good integration with your existing systems.

Choose delivery management software by first identifying your business needs. Compare different options, read user reviews, and check if the delivery system software integrates well with your current systems. Try out free trials to see if it fits your requirements and ensure it has good customer support.

Implementing delivery management software makes your delivery process more efficient, provides real-time updates, reduces errors, and enhances customer satisfaction. It helps manage deliveries better and scale your delivery operation smoothly.

Without delivery management software, businesses often struggle with inefficient routes, poor tracking, and higher error rates. Due to a lack of real-time updates, they often face issues with inaccurate delivery times, failed deliveries, and customer dissatisfaction.

Delivery management software benefits businesses with frequent delivery needs, such as e-commerce companies, food delivery businesses, retail stores, logistics providers, and courier businesses.

Delivery management software is a comprehensive solution that handles all aspects of the delivery process, including route planning, order management, customer notifications, tracking, and reporting. On the other hand, route optimization tools specifically focus on finding the most efficient routes for deliveries to reduce travel time and fuel costs. Route optimization is a feature within delivery management software.

Yes, there are free and low-cost options available for delivery management software. Many providers, like Upper, offer free basic versions or trials at no cost, allowing you to test essential features.

Author Bio
Rakesh Patel
Rakesh Patel

Rakesh Patel, author of two defining books on reverse geotagging, is a trusted authority in routing and logistics. His innovative solutions at Upper Route Planner have simplified logistics for businesses across the board. A thought leader in the field, Rakesh's insights are shaping the future of modern-day logistics, making him your go-to expert for all things route optimization. Read more.