Top 10 Load Boards for Shippers

Because of the introduction of internet technology to the trucking business, motor carriers in North America established and utilized online load boards for the first time. This use of load boards led to a revolution and a significant increase in the market for online load boards.

This new technology didn't take long to catch on in the trucking sector. However, there are already so many online matching sites that it can be challenging to choose which one to utilize.

Finding the best freight load board services is one of the most challenging things. Discovering the best freight board for posting or finding cargoes worldwide may take a lot of time and work.

To help you with the process, we have compiled details on the top ten load boards.

Before becoming familiar with the top 10 freight load boards, let's first explore why you might need to use one.

What Is a Load Board?

Freight load boards serve as a matching system online. They assist shippers and freight brokers post loads or locating the most trustworthy carriers, negotiating with them, and closing a contract to move freight.

Basically, a load board is an online marketplace for shipping providers.

Shippers and freight brokers can communicate with carriers using an application for freight load boards. Then, they utilize the freight load board's options to locate shipments that meet their specifications. They can review credit information or days to pay, view messages, make notes to send to shippers or carriers, request approval for finances, etc.

How Does a Freight Load Board Work?

Carriers can search for and identify loads that have already been posted by filtering the results based on their locations, the destinations of the loads, the date of delivery, or any other options available on the web apps.

Freight brokers and shippers can search for a truck or equipment capable of transporting their goods based on their locations, or they can advertise their loads.

The best online load boards, whether free or paid, include a great deal of specific information on both parties. This makes it easier and faster for them to find each other and conduct business.

It is also vital for the online board app to provide helpful information about how the two sides can communicate. In most cases, these apps will give users contact information for carriers, shippers, or freight brokers. Email addresses and phone numbers are examples of such information.

Essential Considerations for Load Board Users

Here are a few tips for using load boards:

• Begin your search by using a filter that considers your current location.
• Don't just sort the loads based on your location; do some further sorting. It is also recommended that you filter by the equipment you have.
• Before agreeing to transport the cargo, it is important to investigate the freight brokers' payment history and the company's reputation.
• You must contact the freight firm immediately if you believe you have discovered the appropriate load. Keep in mind that this is a contest for a prize.
• In your best interest, search for freight brokers who can provide fuel advances or speedy payments.

The Benefits of Freight Carriers Using Load Boards

There are a lot of benefits that come with using a freight load board, including the following:

• Motor carriers, shippers, and freight brokers can benefit from its low cost and ease of use.
• It's the best way for new freight brokers or owner-operators to run their respective businesses.
• It improves the available freight and transportation management, especially for time-sensitive shipments.
• Load boards make it possible for carriers to accept freight deliveries tailored to their location and equipment around the clock.
• A load board simplifies the process of cargo distribution and provides motor carriers with the choice to forego "deadheading" back to their homes.
• Load boards proved simple accessibility from any location with the use of mobile devices, tablets, or desktop PCs.

Top Ten Load Boards for Shippers

The great thing about online load boards is how helpful they are. Whether you're a trucking company, freight broker, or shipper doesn't matter. It also makes no difference if you want to post your loads from North America or the Middle East, or elsewhere.

Online matching systems can perform this task at the lowest cost and with the highest quality of service. Here are the top 10 load boards for shippers:

1) Trucker Path

Trucker Path is one of North America's most well-known online board apps. It offers a free load board, meaning that users can search for loads, filter those loads, and contact freight brokers without paying a fee.

You can filter the loads that have been uploaded using the following options that are available in the online load board app:

• Routes based on load weight
• Scores on the brokers' credit reports

In terms of functionality, there is no difference between the Trucker Path mobile app and the desktop version.

2) Truckstop

Truckstop is widely regarded as the first online matching system, which launched its services in 1995.

Even though it is not a free load board, many carriers and brokers are signing up for this app because of its dependable services, which include real-time data, a list of the top-paying loads, and other features.

Truckstop allows users to select either the Pro or Advanced package.

The Advanced Truckstop plan, available at a lower cost, gives day-to-day information to shippers. On the other hand, the Pro Truckstop plan provides improved capability for searching loads or vehicles.

3) Direct Freight

Direct Freight is equipped with a professional filtering system, a customized alert scheduling interface, and a one-of-a-kind weather built-in widget, all designed to assist carriers in making the most of this brand-new internet technology.

When carriers sign up for the service for the first time, they are given a free trial period of 15 days. During this time they can search for and discover loads; however, following this period, they are required to pay a monthly subscription fee.

On the other hand, posting loads or trucks are free of charge. Direct Freight also allows carriers, shippers, and freight brokers to publish their loads and trucks for no cost.

The capability of this online freight load board to be coupled with a transportation management software provider is, without a doubt, one of its most impressive characteristics (TMW Systems).

4) 123Loadboards

123Loadboards is an online freight load board that allows users to publish loads at no cost. However, any user of this online load board app will be subject to a recurring monthly fee for access to additional capabilities.

The good news is that even the most expensive plan of this app is less expensive than the subscription fee of other platforms.

For this reason, over 325,000 people are currently using this platform and benefit from features such as broker credit checks, loads of information provided, integration with TMW Systems, and a number of other integrations.

5) DAT Load Board

In 1978, DAT Load Board began providing its services, one of which was the provision of dial-a-truck monitors. This company created a robust solution in response to the market demands of the trucking industry by using online technology.

This solution is now known as one of the largest and oldest freight load board applications since it is one of the first of its kind.

6) Truckstop.com

Truckstop.com is a well-rounded and comprehensive load board, and it was one of the first load boards to exist on the internet. In addition, its big community serves as a source of, shall we say, fuel.

They assert that they have over 600,000 trusted brokers and provide one of the most simple load booking experiences with their Book It Now tool.

Truckstop.com has three subscription tiers, each with an increasing feature list to assist you in moving quickly and safely. The first tier is $39 per month.

7) Uber Freight

Under the umbrella of the well-known Uber brand, Uber Freight provides a mobile app that is user-friendly and straightforward.

Like other load boards, it matches shippers and carriers. You can connect directly to shippers, allowing you to avoid the middlemen. The price displayed to you is the amount you will pay, so you don't have to worry about haggling over price.

You won't be able to locate most of the loads available through Uber Freight anywhere else because they have been secured through exclusive contracts between Uber and the shippers.

8) Convoy

Shippers and brokers put their faith in Convoy as a leader in the industry because they know it will produce excellent outcomes. In addition, their load board gives access to some of the most important customers in the shipping industry.

Convoy offers comprehensive support for carriers and brokers at every stage of the supply chain, beginning with easy-to-use software and continuing with educational resources and customer care.

9) Shiply

Shiply's load board serves as a hub for a diverse array of transport requests, ranging from a single box to a complete truckload of pallets and boxes.

It doesn't matter what mode of transportation you use or the amount of unused space you have available – you can be sure to find something useful on their free load board.

The following are some of the specific load boards available on the platform: Freight Load Board, Truck Load Board, Courier Load Board, Car Hauler Load Board, etc.

10) LoadUp

LoadUp is renowned for offering a user interface that is uncomplicated and straightforward, simplifying and expediting the process of discovering loads.

Using a Broker vs. Sourcing Loads Independently

You might be interested in finding your loads through freight brokers if you don't use load boards. To put it briefly, freight brokers plan the transportation of goods for direct shippers.

Freight brokers can help launch your carrier business since they have dependable connections to shippers and a variety of load possibilities. When you're just starting or growing, they can assist you by making an effort and negotiating with the shipper on your behalf, allowing you to concentrate on your work.

It is critical to build a relationship of trust with your broker. It's also crucial to establish clear terms with your broker and keep an eye out for any additional fees or charges, just like with any contract or agreement.

You can start looking for alternatives to brokers once you have a certain degree of experience and market knowledge and your business is up and operating.

There are several alternatives to using freight brokers to get loads for your trucks. Freight factoring, operating as a government contractor, making your arrangements, and networking with other small carriers or truckers for recommendations are all options.

Wrapup

Online freight load boards are the ideal method for linking carriers with shippers and freight brokers to establish shipping partnerships. It's a relationship that is advantageous to all parties involved.

Are you planning on shipping a vehicle or moving? If you're looking for solutions for your move, please contact us at A-1 Auto Transport for a free quote. We offer a range of shipping services for all kinds of business needs.