How to choose Why Upper Feature comparison FAQs How to Choose the Right Route Planner for Your Business? The ideal delivery route planner must be user-friendly, customizable to fit unique business needs, offer extensive delivery management capabilities, and work optimally across multiple platforms and screen sizes. The following are a few features to consider: Dynamic routing Real-time traffic-based routing ensures up-to-date ETAs and quick route readjustments to avoid delays. Scalability To scale delivery operations quickly, choose software that allows you to add a larger number of stops per route at nominal price points. Mobile access Mobile apps for dispatchers and drivers enable route management on the go, facilitating greater mobility and flexibility. Simplified user interface A simple, decluttered, and intuitive design facilitates the software’s quick onboarding and maximum utilization without involving a steep learning curve. Reliable customer support Multiple and easily accessible customer support options expedite resolution and enhance customer trust and transparency. Advanced delivery features Choose software that offers more delivery-oriented features, including live tracking, proof of delivery, and customer notifications, to enhance your overall delivery process. 7 Areas where Upper Beats RouteXL Traffic-based routing Why Upper Gains an Upper Hand? Upper considers live or forecasted traffic patterns to readjust routes or calculate travel times and ETAs. Thus, it creates routes that are corrected for traffic on the road every time. Why RouteXL Lags and May Not Be an Ideal Choice? RouteXL doesn’t incorporate live traffic and relies on third-party navigation apps like Google Maps for traffic-based route planning. Thus, RouteXL users may be required to install navigation apps to adjust routes for real-time traffic patterns. More stops for better pricing Why Upper Stands Out? Upper’s entry-level plan allows for adding 250 stops along a route, surpassing RouteXL’s limit of 200 stops in its most expensive plan. Upper is a budget-friendly choice for delivery companies looking to expand their delivery business and handle larger volumes. Why RouteXL Isn’t Cost-Effective? RouteXL caps the maximum stops per route to only 200, even in its highest-priced package. To compound the problem, it doesn’t provide advanced features, such as POD or analytics, making it a less economical choice for businesses with higher delivery routing demands. Separate mobile app for admins and drivers Why Upper Stands as the Clear Winner? Upper provides a dedicated route planner app for dispatchers to create and dispatch efficient routes and a driver’s app to view and follow them. This eliminates the need for a desktop and makes route planning accessible anytime. Why RouteXL May Not Be Suitable? RouteXL offers a web app that opens on your smartphone browser and doesn’t provide any Android or iOS app. However, creating and viewing routes on a browser is comparatively more tedious and inconvenient, hampering the delivery routing experience. Modern user interface Why Upper Takes the Lead? Upper offers a modern and intuitive user interface, ensuring smooth onboarding for new users. This also facilitates the maximum utilization of advanced route optimization features that it provides. Why RouteXL Doesn’t Fulfill the Purpose? RouteXL features an outdated user interface and dashboard, which leads to a steep learning curve for users and limits its usability. Users further reported that RouteXL doesn’t provide enough self-training material for freshers to utilize the software entirely. In-app navigation Why Upper Wins over RouteXL? Upper lets delivery drivers navigate multiple routes from within their app without switching to an external third-party navigation app, such as Google Maps or Apple Maps. It helps minimize distractions and enable hands-free navigation, ensuring safety while driving. Why RouteXL Doesn’t Make the Cut? RouteXL doesn’t provide an app, so there is no in-app navigation. Its web interface requires you to fulfill (execute) different parts of a route between stops using a third-party navigation app. It disrupts drivers’ focus, resulting in inconvenient and unsafe driving on the road. Delivery-specific features Why Upper Wins? Upper provides multi-driver management, contact-based scheduling, curbside delivery, one-click route dispatch, GPS-based tracking, customer notifications, proof of delivery, and detailed reports & analytics. This makes Upper a full-fledged delivery route optimization software that suits businesses of all sizes. Why RouteXL Doesn’t Match Up to Your Expectations? RouteXL may suffice as long as you seek basic route planning capabilities. However, it may fail to help you if you are looking for advanced delivery management features, limiting usability for scaling businesses. Top-tier omnichannel support Why Upper comes out on top? We commit to providing top-notch customer service to ensure seamless onboarding. So, we offer multiple support options, including live chat, technical consulting, priority email, and a dedicated account manager based on your plan. Why RouteXL Doesn’t Measure Up? RouteXL provides customer service through a ticketing system and email. However, users often report unresponsive or delayed replies for customer service queries. Further, RouteXL users don’t have access to priority support or consulting services in any of its plans, making it less attractive for companies that require timely support. Upper vs RouteXL Choosing between Upper and RouteXL is hassle-free now. We bring you the detailed comparison table to make it possible for you. Aspect Built-in Traffic-Based Routing Relies on third-party navigation apps Considers live or forecasted traffic patterns Maximum Stops 200 500 and more Mobile Apps for dispatchers and drivers Separate apps for dispatchers and drivers Web app only User Interface Modern and intuitive Outdated and steep learning curve In-App Navigation Multi-channel customer Support (live chat, technical consulting, priority email, dedicated support) Multi-driver management Contact-based scheduling One-click route dispatch Customer notifications Proof of delivery Detailed reports & analytics Aspect RouteXL Upper Built-in Traffic-Based Routing Relies on third-party navigation apps Considers live or forecasted traffic patterns Maximum Stops 200 500 and more Mobile Apps for dispatchers and drivers Separate apps for dispatchers and drivers Web app only User Interface Modern and intuitive Outdated and steep learning curve In-App Navigation Multi-channel customer Support (live chat, technical consulting, priority email, dedicated support) Multi-driver management Contact-based scheduling One-click route dispatch Customer notifications Proof of delivery Detailed reports & analytics Try Upper for FREE No credit card required Get Super Efficient Routes With Up To 90% More Stops. Make a Quick Switch to Upper Route Planner! Switch to Upper FAQs Are RouteXL and Upper free route planning software? Not exactly. However, both route planning software provide a free desktop version that lets you create optimized routes with up to 20 stops. However, upgrading to Upper’s paid versions provides you with more exhaustive delivery routing features, such as one-click route dispatch, POD, and customer notifications that RouteXL doesn’t. Does RouteXL provide a route optimization app? No, RouteXL doesn’t provide a mobile app for dispatchers to optimize routes or for drivers to view and follow their daily assigned routes. If you want an app that dispatchers can use to create and dispatch routes to drivers, you can consider Upper. Does RouteXL provide address validation capabilities? RouteXL lacks address quality detection, which means it does not automatically validate the accuracy of addresses. Users must ensure the correctness of addresses manually to avoid potential misdirections. Does RouteXL provide an accessible route planner app for individual drivers? No, it doesn’t. If you are a solo driver looking for an accessible route optimizer app, you can consider Upper’s Route Planner for Solo Drivers. It provides a 3-day free trial to help you understand the features and determine if they are the right fit for you or not. Which is better for multi-stop route planning: Upper or RouteXL? Upper forms a better choice as it allows for adding more stops per route (500 and more) compared to RouteXL’s 200, making it suitable for businesses looking to scale delivery operations. Moreover, it doesn’t rely on third-party navigation apps, like Google Maps or Waze, and provides in-app navigation to let drivers follow routes from within it, ensuring focused and safe driving. How do I choose between Upper or RouteXL for my business? When selecting between Upper and RouteXL, consider ease of use, multi-stop routing, delivery-specific features like POD or delivery notifications, and dedicated customer support. Can I migrate from RouteXL to Upper? Yes, you can. Our customer support team will happily help you ensure a smooth transition from RouteXL to Upper. If you want to see how Upper’s route planning solution can help you simplify your delivery operations, you can also take a free trial or book a demo. Author Bio Jeel Patel Jeel Patel is the Chief Executive Officer at Upper. With 5+ years of experience in dev, outbound, and inbound sales, He is committed to growing conversion through inbound and outbound activities. Outside the office, Jeel loves to spend time with his dog and take him on long walks. Read more. Share this post:
