I can’t find an app that has the whole package,” writes a frustrated courier on Reddit. “I need to handle deliveries, pickups, and time-sensitive orders – some need to be delivered before noon or between specific hours. Sound familiar? For most delivery drivers, this is the reality of their daily grind. Every morning, you’re faced with a challenging task: optimizing multi-stop routes, managing multiple deliveries, and racing against time windows. While your trusty navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze might help you navigate from point A to B, they weren’t built with delivery drivers in mind. That’s why you need a delivery route planner app that can turn your chaotic delivery schedule into an efficient, organized route. In this blog, we’ll explore the best delivery route planner apps available, so you can find the perfect tool to match your needs. 💡 Still relying on basic navigation apps? While you're struggling with Google Maps, delivery pros are completing 35% more stops with Upper's intelligent route optimization. Try Upper Table of Contents Why Do You Need the Best Delivery Route Optimization App? How We Tested These Apps for Delivery Drivers Upper DynoRoute Routific Circuit Route4Me RoadWarrior Zeo Onfleet OptimoRoute FAQs Streamline Your Daily Delivery Operations with Efficient Routes Why Do You Need the Best Delivery Route Optimization App? You might know every shortcut and back alley in your delivery area, but here’s the reality: with growing deliveries, knowledge alone isn’t enough to stay competitive. While basic navigation apps can get you from one place to another, they miss a crucial element that modern delivery drivers need: true route optimization. Here’s what makes route optimization software a must-have for delivery drivers: Smart Sequencing vs. Simple Navigation While traditional navigation apps plot a basic course between stops, route optimization software uses advanced algorithms to analyze countless route combinations. It considers factors like delivery windows, traffic patterns, and stop duration/service time to create the most efficient sequence that would take hours to plan manually. Real-world cost savings By optimizing your routes, drivers typically save 20%-30% on fuel costs and complete 2-3 more deliveries per day. That’s not just efficiency; it’s money in your pocket. The right route planning app helps eliminate backtracking, reduce idle time, and maximize your earning potential during each shift. Adapting to modern delivery challenges Today’s deliveries aren’t simple drop-offs anymore. You’re dealing with: Priority deliveries that need to arrive before specific times Customers requesting precise delivery windows Multiple pickup and drop-off locations Dynamic rerouting based on real-time traffic conditions Proof of delivery requirements A specialized route optimization app handles all these variables automatically, turning a complex puzzle into a streamlined process. Control over your workday Whether you’re an independent courier or part of a larger delivery fleet, the right route-planning app gives you unprecedented control. You can: Plan breaks strategically between stops Account for loading and unloading times Adjust routes on the fly when emergencies arise Track your progress and estimated completion times Provide accurate ETAs to customers Integration with business operations Many modern route optimization apps, like Upper, do more than just plan routes. They integrate with order management systems, capture electronic signatures, and provide delivery analytics that help you run your delivery operations smoothly. The key is choosing an app that matches your specific needs. 💡Ready to stop app-hopping? Upper combines every feature you need: multi-stop optimization, real-time tracking, proof of delivery, and more, all in one intuitive platform. Use Upper How We Tested These Apps for Delivery Drivers We didn’t just read about these delivery driver apps; we used them. Over two weeks, we tested each delivery driver app on both iPhone and Android devices, loading them up with 50+ stops per route (because let’s face it, that’s a regular day for most delivery drivers). We tested them during peak hours, in different weather conditions, and across various delivery areas. What we looked for: Ease of use: Can you figure it out without watching a 30-minute tutorial? Route quality: Does it actually save you time, or just look pretty on the screen? Real-world performance: How does it handle unexpected traffic, last-minute changes, and those tricky delivery windows? Value for money: Most quality delivery driver apps cost between $10-$25 monthly; we checked if they’re worth every penny Driver features: From proof of delivery to break planning, we tested the extras that make your life easier 💡 A Quick Reality Check If you’re hoping for a completely free route planner, you might want to adjust your expectations. While basic apps like Google Maps work for simple routes, serious delivery work needs serious delivery route planning tools. But don’t worry, we’ll show you options that easily pay for themselves in saved time and fuel. Up next, we’ll dive into our 9 top route planner app picks, starting with the ones that impressed us the most. 1. Upper User ratings: 4.6/5 (44+ reviews) Looking for a delivery route planner that can truly transform your logistics? Meet Upper, the intelligent route planning solution designed to make delivery operations smoother, faster, and more efficient for both businesses and individual drivers. Upper Crew: For businesses managing team of drivers Imagine turning complex delivery route planning into a simple, streamlined process. Upper Crew does exactly that, helping businesses optimize their delivery strategies with unprecedented ease and precision. Key highlights: Optimize 500+ stops in a single route Create optimal routes for multiple vehicles while reducing delivery time and costs Automate route planning and driver dispatching Real-time GPS tracking and visibility Comprehensive proof of delivery features What sets Upper Crew apart is its intelligent approach to offering you the fastest route optimization. The software doesn’t just plan multiple routes, it creates the most efficient path possible, considering factors like traffic, time windows, and delivery priorities. Imagine being able to drag and drop stops, swap routes between drivers, and make last-minute changes with absolute ease. Real life story: “We simplified everything from planning to optimizing and made our business more profitable. We’re comfortable taking more and more deliveries because we have Upper’s route optimization,” shares Phred Swain from Wishlist.Delivery. Seamless features that make a difference: Bulk stop import from Excel/CSV Customizable driver dispatching Advanced vehicle capacity optimization Zoning capabilities for strategic delivery planning Integrated customer notifications Upper Solo: For independent drivers But what if you’re a solo driver looking to make your delivery process faster and smoother? Upper Solo is designed specifically for individual couriers, gig workers, and small-scale delivery professionals. Key highlights for solo drivers: Upload delivery addresses directly from spreadsheets or by snapping a photo of your delivery manifest. No manual entry needed. Plan routes with up to 500 stops in minutes, considering priorities and time windows. Adjust routes in real-time to handle unexpected changes like traffic or new deliveries without stress. Capture proof of delivery by collecting signatures, photos, and notes to ensure every delivery is accounted for. Get analytics on distance, time, and completed stops to continuously improve. Real driver experience: “I’ve tried a bunch of route planning software, but Upper is by far the best. It’s simple, quick, and my delivery times have improved. I can fit in more deliveries each day, which means more earnings for me!” – Alex R., Courier Driver User interface: Clean, intuitive, and user-friendly design that allows quick navigation and easy route management. Drag-and-drop functionality makes route planning a breeze for both tech-savvy and less experienced users. Route quality: Upper’s advanced algorithm consistently reduces route distances by 22-35%, with an average of 27% improvement in delivery efficiency. Real-world testing shows significant time and fuel savings across various delivery scenarios. Pricing details: Upper Crew: Starting at $40/user/month (minimum 3 users) Upper Solo: Flexible plans from $4.99/week to $198.99/yearly Free trial Upper Crew: 7 days free trial Upper Solo: 3-day free trial There is a free version available too Platforms supported: Web, Android, iOS Pros: Fastest route optimization Comprehensive route management Real-time tracking Proof of delivery features Multiple integration options Cons: Requires stable internet connection Effortless Delivery Management for All From solo hustlers to growing teams, Upper empowers efficient deliveries for all. Optimize routes, track drivers, and slash delivery time & costs.<br /> Get Started 2. DynoRoute User ratings: 4.5/5 (38+ reviews) Download DynoRoute! Imagine turning complex multi-stop deliveries into perfectly optimized routes with just a few clicks. Dyno Route does that for you. Dyno Route is an intelligent route planning software solution designed to transform your delivery operations from chaotic to seamless. It is a complete delivery solution for couriers, delivery drivers, and fleet managers looking to improve their delivery speed and efficiency. With Dyno Route, you can: Plan multi-stop routes with up to 500 stops Reduce delivery time and fuel costs Real-time route optimization Smart search and stop management Performance tracking and analysis What makes Dyno Route stand out The magic of Dyno Route lies in its intelligent approach to route planning. Unlike traditional route planners, this software goes beyond simple point-to-point driving directions. It considers intricate factors like traffic patterns, road conditions, and delivery priorities to create the most efficient route possible. How it works in four simple steps: Add stops: Quickly input your delivery locations Optimize route: Let advanced algorithms create the most efficient path Navigate: Sync with your preferred GPS app, like Google Maps, Apple maps, Waze, and others Track performance: Analyze and improve your delivery efficiency User interface: Intuitive and user-friendly design that makes route planning a breeze. The clean layout ensures even first-time users can navigate the app with ease. Route quality: Dyno Route’s advanced algorithms consistently optimize multi-stop routes, reducing delivery times by up to 25% and cutting unnecessary mileage. Pricing details: Unique pay-as-you-go model with flexible credit system: Credit packages from $7.99 to $29.99 Credits never expire Free trial: Comes with 80 free credits to test full functionality Platforms supported: Android, iOS Pros: High-capacity route planning Real-time route optimization Flexible pricing Comprehensive performance tracking Seamless GPS integration Cons: Credit-based system may be unfamiliar to some users 3. Routific User ratings: 4.9/5 (134+ reviews) Let’s address the big drawback first: Routific doesn’t have a standalone driver app. Instead, it relies on a browser-based dispatch system with a basic mobile app, which might not suit independent drivers looking for a complete solution. That said, Routific stands out with its real-time traffic-based routing and timeline view, giving dispatchers a clear picture of daily progress. Its territory management feature is a smart addition, allowing you to assign drivers to familiar areas for faster, more efficient deliveries. However, customer notifications feel limited, with restricted character allowances and logo customization. It also lacks essential tools like order-taking and barcode scanning, which could be deal-breakers for some businesses. Think Routific is your only option? Discover superior alternatives to Routific that deliver better results. User interface: The interface appears clean but has too few instructions to guide users, especially first-timers. Route quality: Adequate but not outstanding. While it helped shorten delivery distances, overlapping or crisscrossing between routes was noticed. Pricing details: Routific’s pricing starts at $49 per vehicle per month Free trial: 7 Days Platforms supported: Android, iOS Pros: Predefined route templates to define constraints faster Bulk delivery address import to accelerate routing Cons: Integration problems hampering workflows Missing in-app chat that limits mobile communication Why Compare Apps When One Does It All? Upper delivers what others promise: lightning-fast optimization, reliable routes, and real driver support, at a price that makes sense. Get Upper 4. Circuit User ratings: 4.8/5 (99+ reviews) Circuit Route Planner lets you upload delivery destinations from a CSV file via postcodes, camera scan, and voice search. This allows you to add stops the way you like and expedites address entry (unless you choose to enter stops manually!). You can also set priority stops to plan routes accordingly and use the “vehicle loading” functionality to note the position of each package in the vehicle. This saves you time finding and unloading the desired parcel at the intended delivery destination. While Circuit Route Planner allows for modifying routes in real-time, this app may feel like a drag without a high-speed cellular data connection. Curious about Circuit Route Planner? We’ve tested it inside out—read our detailed Circuit review to save your time. User interface: Clean and intuitive interface – good for even beginners. Route quality: While the routes are not bad, they are not as acceptable and navigable as desired. Also, in some cases, we had to calculate the length of routes manually, as the system failed to show their length. We couldn’t edit in-progress routes, which was aggravating our inconvenience. Pricing: Free up to 10 stops. For more stops, Circuit’s pricing starts at $20 per month (price varies by country). Free trial: 7 Days Platforms supported: Android, iOS Pros: Detailed delivery analytics to evaluate overall performance Multi-depot management to manage multiple depots efficiently Cons: Missing CSV file upload function for iOS users Occasionally, messy and tangled routes frustrate drivers Upgrade from Basic Routing Apps! While Circuit Route Planner is user-friendly, Upper offers superior AI-powered route planning, real-time tracking, and customer notifications. Try for Free 5. Route4Me User ratings: 4.5/5 (390+ reviews) Route4Me is a feature-rich stand-alone delivery driver app best known for its customizability. Unlike other software like Routific or Circuit Route Planner, this cloud-based route planning solution offers add-ons to meet your unique business needs. We could easily resequence our multiple routes anytime using it, making navigation flexible and adaptable to real-time changes. Equipped with features like geocoding and territory mapping within the app, Route4Me helps save you the hassle of entering stops manually and making territories out of them to distribute them among drivers. However, testing revealed serious issues with its speed as it slows down due to the continuous collection of data. Customers also found the process of marking a route ‘Complete’ tedious in their latest app update as they had to press multiple buttons for it (as our tests revealed). Are Route4Me’s drawbacks a deal-breaker for you? Check out top-performing Route4Me alternatives that won’t let you down. User interface: A little clunkier compared to apps like Routific or Upper Route quality: Routes may be shorter than Upper but with many overlapping instances. Moreover, journey times are mostly underestimated, leading to inaccurate ETAs. Pricing details: Route4Me’s pricing starts at $49 per month Free trial: 7 Days Platforms supported: Android, iOS Pros: Free 10 stops per route In-app voice navigation Cons: Driver tracking and delivery analytics are absent Frequent messy and tangled routes 6. RoadWarrior User ratings: 4.5/5 (54+ reviews) Equipped with a sophisticated routing algorithm, RoadWarrior offers both a mobile app for drivers and the RoadWarrior Flex web app for teams, making it suitable for individuals and businesses alike. The ‘drag-and-drop’ functionality to move stops for route adjustments is pretty cool. We also liked how it allows for merging multiple routes into one to ensure deliveries within stipulated time windows. Though the RoadWarrior Flex web app supports uploading manifests from FedEx, UPS, OnTrac, and Amazon, that doesn’t match the convenience of spreadsheet upload that Route4Me, Circuit Route Planner, or Upper Route Planner offer. Interested in RoadWarrior but short on time? Our in-depth RoadWarrior review has all the answers you need. User interface: Cluttered and unintuitive, making it hard to navigate. Route quality: It facilitates considering multiple variables, including traffic, school zones, tolls, or one-way trips, while optimizing routes, making route optimization mostly reliable. However, it doesn’t flag duplicate or incorrect addresses that may lead to routing inaccuracies. Pricing details: Starts at $14.99 per month per team member, includes 200 stops per route, and allows 500 optimized stops daily per driver Free trial: 7 Days Platforms supported: Android, iOS Pros: Efficient route optimization Bulk order import/export to Cons: Confusing interface making navigation challenging Expensive add-ons starting at $10 for as important functionality as Proof of Delivery 7. Zeo User ratings: 4.6/5 (29+ reviews) Zeo has the potential to manage last-mile deliveries end-to-end. The flexibility to edit, delete, or reroute your dispatched routes is simply great. Talking of the features, it lets you: Upload stops from a spreadsheet along with stop-specific notes, Navigate routes using your preferred GPS app Capture the digital signatures or photos of delivered items Note the position of each parcel to expedite its unloading at the desired destination. However, we faced difficulty uploading delivery manifests automatically, forcing us to upload them manually. Despite signing up for a premium subscription, the app prompted us to pay again when trying to navigate, revealing the flaws in using the free trial. Looking for something better than Zeo? Explore top-rated Zeo alternatives that overcome its limitations. User Interface: A little more complex to use than Upper or Routific. Route quality: Despite being adequate, it gave problems that required us to add a fake address when rerouting. We also faced some bugs that led us to restart the app a few times to continue navigation. Pricing details: Zeo Route Planner’s pricing starts at $11.97 per seat per month Free trial: 7 Days Platforms supported: Android, iOS Pros: Extensive feature set good for versatility Ease of editing stops Cons: Confusing interface Occasional bugs and glitches Increase Your Profits with Every Route While others are wasting fuel and time, Upper users are saving thousands. Don’t let inefficiency eat into your business. Try Upper 8. Onfleet User ratings: 4.6/5 (93+ reviews) Onfleet bills itself as a “complete last-mile delivery solution” that can handle your end-to-end delivery processes. Testing this claim revealed that route optimization was satisfactory but offset by the inability to flag duplicate addresses while importing stops in bulk. We found solace in the auto-assign functionality that forms a perfect fit for on-demand businesses, though. This feature auto-allocates tasks to drivers based on availability, location, or skills, to save time and increase fleet dispatching efficiency. Unlike Routific or Circuit, Onfleet provides more features, including barcode scanning, but may be more expensive, especially if you have a small delivery business with a handful of customers. If Onfleet’s features aren’t meeting your needs, explore superior Onfleet alternatives tailored to your specific requirements. User interface: Complex at first glance. Onfleet consolidates dispatching and routing operations to give a unified view that may simplify delivery management, though arguably. This is because we found it cluttered with many features that confused us. Route quality: Routes created are okayish, if not bad, but there is no color coding to indicate stops along different routes, making it hard to distinguish them. Pricing: Launch Plan of Onfleet pricing starts at $550/month, which is ideal for small teams, and the Scale Plan starts at $1,265/month, which is suitable for growing operations. Free trial: 14 days Platforms supported: Android, iOS Pros: Integrated forms to collect customers’ feedback Real-time visibility into drivers’ locations Cons: Missing route visualization to tell routes apart Address import inaccuracies causing routing errors 9. OptimoRoute User ratings: 4.6/5 (170+ reviews) If you seek flexibility in setting up multi-day routes to handle a high volume of pickups and deliveries, OptimoRoute may come in handy for you. The speed of planning – around 1000 routes in minutes, as it claims and our tests found, is really impressive. What came as a dampener was criss-crossing and overlapping between routes that were a little beyond ‘acceptable’ (at least that’s what we felt) and inaccurate ETAs to make matters worse. The’ Return to Depot’ functionality is quite valuable for businesses with multiple stops to cover daily and need drivers to restock their vehicles at least once a day. It allows you to add the depot automatically as a stop on a driver’s route. You can also input the number of minutes your delivery driver needs for reloading to plan routes accordingly. However, we couldn’t find geofencing or cash-on-delivery options. Explore OptimoRoute alternatives that offer more advanced features and flexibility User interface: A little clunky but packed with powerful features at first sight. Route quality: While OptimoRoute plans routes in the blink of an eye, some routes were longer than normal, and there was evident crisscrossing in quite a few places, which repulsed us. Pricing: The Lite Plan’s monthly fee is $39, and the Pro Plan’s fee is $49, with custom options available in OptimoRoute pricing. Free trial: 30 Days Platforms supported: Android, iOS Pros: Efficient route scheduling capabilities Multiple driver management Cons: Unintuitive interface confusing users Imprecise ETAs causing customer dissatisfaction Experience Seamless Delivery Management with Upper’s AI Routing Start 3-days Free Trial Frequently Asked Questions What is a delivery route planner and optimization app? A multi-stop delivery route planner is software that helps businesses plan the most efficient routes for their delivery drivers. It may also provide advanced features like route optimization, live tracking, live driver tracking, delivery notifications, and proof of delivery. What are the key features to look for in delivery routing apps? All delivery route planners must provide multi-constrained route optimization to create the most efficient sequence of stops based on delivery distances, business hours, drivers’ start and end times, or priorities. Advanced package delivery apps for drivers like Upper also provide vehicle capacity optimization, live tracking, and proof of delivery. Is there any free route planner app for delivery drivers? Yes, there are several free route planner apps available that can help you plan your journeys effectively. For instance; Google Maps, Waze, MapQuest, etc. Each of these package delivery apps for drivers has unique features, so you can choose one that best fits your needs. How do I create an optimized route for my deliveries? You can use a multi-stop route planner app to plan and create optimized routes. You input the addresses of your stops, and the app optimizes the route for the most efficient path, considering factors like traffic, time windows, speed limits, business availability, school zones, and specific delivery options and constraints. Which is the best delivery route planning app for businesses with multiple drivers? Upper is one of the best apps for delivery drivers that allows businesses to plan, optimize, and schedule unlimited routes with up to 500 stops. The driver app allows you to manage routing operations with simple taps, saving time, effort, and fuel costs. Streamline Your Daily Delivery Operations with Efficient Routes Before you complete your daily delivery schedules, you can lay the groundwork for a successful day by choosing the most optimal routes. Using a delivery map maker can help here. While several apps are available on the market, your choice of a mobile delivery driver dispatch app depends on your company size, unique feature requirements, budget, and how it helps you address your pain points. One thing you must consider is that not every mathematically efficient route turns out to be a practically ‘good’ route. It may involve lots of tangling, overlaps, and crisscrossing, causing drivers to keep circling in the same areas without progress. Author Bio 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. Share this post: Stop Testing Apps. Start Delivering MoreUpper combines everything you need in one powerful platform. Join thousands of drivers who've found their perfect route planning solution. Begin Your Success Story
