Trucking is a vital industry. Companies like yours keep the world moving. Without your assistance, food wouldn’t make it to dinner tables, drinking water would stop flowing, housing development would halt, and store shelves would run dry.
But doing this important work isn’t always easy.
That’s why many carriers use a load board — or multiple load boards — to search, find, and select loads. These platforms also help organize truck driver’s schedules, helping them line up one load after another to improve efficiency and maximize Hours of Service.
We know firsthand how helpful load boards can be to carriers. Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) operates a freight brokerage, ATS Logistics Services, Inc. Together with its sister company, Sureway Transportation, ATS Logistics offers a free load board service to its brokered carriers at brokeredloads.com.
These loads are also bookable on our mobile load board app, ATS FreightMatch. While we offer thousands of loads per day — including dry van, flatbed, specialized, heavy haul, and reefer — we also recognize the extreme level of competition in this space.
There are hundreds of load boards to choose from, which may sound like great news (and in some ways, it is!), but the more load boards you use, the harder your job becomes. As the number of boards you use increases, so does the time it takes to find a load. Having too many load boards in rotation can create frustration and decision fatigue.
So how do you choose which load boards and apps to use and which to lose?
That's where we come in. To help you run a more efficient and profitable trucking business, we’ve outlined our top 10 picks for load boards we think are worth trying in 2024.
Consider these the load boards we'd use — if we weren't using ATS FreightMatch!
10 Load Boards for Carriers to Try in 2024
The list below is ordered by the number of daily loads available, descending from highest to lowest.
But that doesn't mean that only the boards with the most loads are worth your time.
Load boards are not one-size-fits-all. Every load board on our list is worth exploring, and each one has been deemed high-quality by the experts at ATS.
We compiled this list by examining brand visibility and reputation in the industry, user rankings, and key features in addition to daily load availability. Some of these resources are free, while others require a monthly or yearly subscription cost.
Each load board brings a unique user experience and features to the table, so take your time in determining which is right for you.
We know this isn't a comprehensive list of great load boards. But it is a solid starting point full of boards that consistently offer a diversity of freight at high volumes.
Take a look at all 10 and see which ones have the quantity of loads and quality of experience to meet your needs!
Listed by number of daily loads available in descending order:
- DAT One
- Direct Freight Services
- 123 Loadboard
- C.H. Robinson Navisphere Carrier
- Trucker Path TruckLoads
- DOFT Load Board & Truck Loads
- Truckstop.com
- TruckSmarter
- Coyote Go
- TQL Load Board
NOTE: The ratings and review counts listed below are accurate as of the time of publication. Ratings and review counts change frequently and may have fluctuated since our last update.
DAT One
Number of Loads Available Daily*: 1,000,000+
Trustpilot Rating (DAT Freight & Analytics): 3.3/5 (95 reviews)
Google Play App-Store Rating: 3.7/5 (2,890 ratings)
iOS App-Store Rating: 4.7/5 (5,300 ratings)
Freight Type(s)*: Van, Flatbed, Reefer, Conestoga, Container, Specialized, Box Trucks and more.
Pricing*: $45-$295 per month
Key Features*:
- Fuel highlights
- Map-based searching
- Rate comparison
- Profit estimator
- Load-to-truck ratio data
- Lane seasonality information
- Fuel savings program
If you’re at all familiar with the trucking industry, you’ve heard of DAT Freight and Analytics.
DAT One is perhaps the largest load board on the market, and the company is committed to helping trucking companies take their business to the next level.
This is an excellent load board for companies of all sizes — though it does come with a heavier price tag depending on which tier level you choose.
*According to dat.com at the time of publication.
Direct Freight Services
Number of Loads Available Daily*: 300,000+
Number of Carriers: N/A
Trustpilot Rating: N/A, no reviews listed
Google Play App-Store Rating: 3.9/5 (202 ratings)
iOS App-Store Rating: 3.4/5 (41 ratings)
Freight Type(s)*: Van, Reefer, Flatbed, Reefer, Lowboy, Hotshot, Hopper Bottom, Tanker, Container, Curtain Van, Conestoga, Power Only, Cargo Van, Box Truck and more.
Pricing*: There’s a free version, otherwise up to $34.95 per month
Key Features*:
- Store and send documents
- Full credit reports
- Text alerts
Direct Freight Services has a large volume of loads available every day. The vast majority of this freight is posted by brokers, though some loads do come directly from shippers.
While the high volume of freight available is enticing, it should be noted that this app has far fewer reviews than the others on this list, making it difficult to get a clear picture of what your experience might be.
Some users enjoy the app's ease of use, rates, and availability of loads in their area, but others have complained about a lack of load details, slow loading, and other functionality issues. Reviewers also dislike having to put a payment method on file with the app even if they are using the free version.
*According to directfreight.com at the time of publication.
C.H. Robinson Navisphere Carrier
Number of Loads Available Daily*: 250,000+
Number of Carriers: 200,000+
Trustpilot Rating: 1.7/5 (42 reviews)
Google Play App-Store Rating: 3.6/5 (1,100 ratings)
iOS App-Store Rating: 4.6/5 (5,600 ratings)
Freight Type(s)*: Flatbed, Reefer, Van, LTL, Bulk, Power Only, Drayage
Pricing*: Free
Key Features*:
- Recommended loads
- Map and list views
- Make rate offers
- Live chat
One of the world's largest freight brokerage companies, C.H. Robinson has invested significantly in its technologies over the past decade, including its launch of Navisphere Carrier.
Use this free load board for 24/7, "near-real-time visibility" into all C.H. Robinson loads. The app automatically connects to the brand's Navisphere technology platform, eliminating the time and expense of required stop and in-transit updates.
Users remark on the convenience of the app and its "hassle-free" booking process. However, a recent update seems to have disrupted app functionality for many users, who note issues with unpredictable refreshing and a sudden inability to view available loads, among other issues.
*According to chrobinson.com at the time of publication.
123Loadboard
Number of Loads Available Daily*: 150,000+
Number of Carriers*: 265,000+
Trustpilot Rating: 4.5/5 (988 reviews)
Google Play App-Store Rating: 4.9/5 (5,400 ratings)
iOS App-Store Rating: 4.9/5 (7,700 ratings)
Freight Type(s)*: Van, Flatbed, Reefer, Hotshot
Pricing*: $39-$79 per month
Key Features:
- Load planner
- Rate check estimation tool
- Routing and toll cost calculator
- Fuel card
- Backhaul finder
- City and state searching
- Quick pay program
- Upload documents
Established in 2004, 123Loadboard offers van, flatbed, reefer, and hotshot loads nationwide that are searchable by state, city, zip code, and via GPS. Finely-tuned search functionality allows users to save searches, save loads, find reloads, and find loads that will take them back to their home location with ease.
Since its founding, 123Loadboard has served more than 600,000 users, which includes brokers, carriers, and truck drivers alike. It has adapted well to the evolution of technology over its 20 years in business, quickly adopting new approaches to better serve its vast and diverse clientele.
While many users rave about 123Loadboard's user-friendly interface and variety of available loads, some dislike that full access to all loads in the app (which is free to download) requires a paid monthly subscription. Others have also noted a more limited selection of loads than other load board apps on the market.
*According to 123loadboard.com at the time of publication.
Trucker Path TruckLoads
Number of Loads Available Daily*: 150,000+
Number of Carriers*: 100,000+
Trustpilot Rating: N/A, no reviews listed
Google Play App-Store Rating: 4.2/5 (8,140 ratings)
iOS App-Store Rating: 4.5/5 (2,300 ratings)
Freight Type(s)*: Flatbed, Van, Reefer, Step Deck, Power Only, Auto Carrier, Box Truck, Conestoga, Container, Hopper Bottom, Hot Shot, Tanker, Lowboy and more.
Pricing*: There is a limited (five loads per day) free version, otherwise memberships range from $19.99-$89.99 per month or $299.99-$899.99 per year.
Key Features*:
- Review broker credit scores
- View freight requirements
- Rate negotiation
- Carrier toolkit
- Backhaul loads
Trucker Path TruckLoads is a digital freight-matching app with more than 150,000 loads available each day. It offers shipments from more than 800 brokers within the U.S.
Along with its TruckLoads load board and app, Trucker Path offers a fuel path solution, GPS over-the-road maps, a fuel program, and fleet management software called Trucker Path Command.
Many users praise the app's quality, citing its many dynamic, driver-friendly tools like its Profit Calculator and robust load data. However, others report slow loading and difficulty canceling their subscription.
*According to truckerpath.com.
DOFT Load Board & Truck Loads
Number of Loads Available Daily*: 150,000+
Number of Carriers*: 250,000+
Trustpilot Rating: 3.6/5 (46 reviews)
Google Play App-Store Rating: 4.6/5 (1,320 ratings)
iOS App-Store Rating: 4.6/5 (742 ratings)
Freight Type(s)*: Reefer, Van, Flatbed, LTL, Expedited, Power Only, Step Deck, Partial, and more.
Pricing*: Free, with an optional paid Premium version that delivers access to exclusive tools and functionality, such as the ability to view rates for eligible loads, a backhaul finder, and additional search filters. Users can opt for an Individual ($19.99 per month or $199.99 per year) or Business ($39.99 per month or $399.99 per year) Premium subscription, with savings available to those who choose the annual billing cycle option.
Key Features*:
- 1-3 days to pay
- Fuel surcharge calculator
- Rate negotiation
- Electronic documentation
DOFT is a digital load-matching service offering more than 150,000 daily shipments within North America. DOFT also provides a load board service directly for shippers and brokers with an accompanying app.
Users enjoy the level of access provided by the free version of the DOFT app and the volume of freight available, but others report glitches and a lack of visibility into load information.
*According to doft.com.
Truckstop.com
Number of Loads Available Daily*: 150,000+*
Number of Carriers*: N/A
Trustpilot Rating: 2.9/5 (875 reviews)
Google Play App-Store Rating (Truckstop Go): 2.6/5 (1,070 reviews)
iOS App-Store Rating (Truckstop Go): 4.6/5 (1,900 reviews)
Freight Type(s)*: Flatbed, Van, Reefer, Heavy Haul, Specialized, LTL, Partial
Pricing*: $39-$149/month
Key Features*:
- Live loads feature
- Rate insights tool
- Click-to-email/click-to-call
- Filter and save by equipment type and preferences
Truckstop.com is one of the most well-known companies in the trucking industry. Founded in 1955, truckstop.com has been committed to providing technology solutions to trucking industry stakeholders for more than 25 years.
Today, the Truckstop Go load board app accommodates more than 250,000 active users. This includes brokers and carriers.
In their reviews, users praise the near-real-time live loads feature and the amount of loads available on the board, stating that the app makes it easier to keep their trucks loaded and moving.
However, others report significant app downtime, long loading times, and a buggy and unsatisfying map view, particularly following app updates.
*According to truckstop.com.
TruckSmarter
Number of Loads Available Daily*: 100,000+
Number of Carriers*: 120,000+
Trustpilot Rating: 3.6/5 (4 reviews)
Google Play App-Store Rating: 4.8/5 (2,690 ratings)
iOS App-Store Rating: 4.9/5 (6,400 ratings)
Freight Type(s): Van, Reefer, Flatbed, Power Only, Step Deck, Conestoga,
Container, Box truck, Hotshot, Car Hauling
Pricing*: Free
Key Features*:
- Fuel program
- Backhaul suggestions
- Saved loads
- Auto-complete your carrier packets
- Load suggestions
- Accurate load details
TruckSmarter’s mission is to provide solutions to drivers' most pressing issues: poor load quality, rising fuel expenses, trouble getting paid, etc. While they’re a newer company, TruckSmarter’s load board, fuel program, and factoring solutions are widely used and highly regarded.
The many five-star reviews for the TruckSmarter load board app reference the quality of brokers and load information, the ease and speed of finding a load, and its additional perks like fuel savings programs.
Some reviews cite a buggy verification flow that sometimes prevents users from accessing full load information and issues with accurate load filtering.
*According to trucksmarter.com.
CoyoteGo
Number of Loads Available Daily*: 10,000+
Number of Carriers*: 100,000+
Trustpilot Rating: N/A
Google Play App-Store Rating: 3.8/5 (6,180 ratings)
iOS App-Store Rating: 4.6/5 (15,200 ratings)
Freight Type(s)*: Dry van, Reefer, Container, Flatbed, Step-Deck, RGN, Hotshot, Liftgate
Pricing*: Free
Key Features*:
- Submit invoices and other documents
- Integrated tech tracking
- Request accessorial and detention pay
- Coordinate routes
Owned by United Parcel Service (UPS), CoyoteGo is a carrier load board offered to every Coyote Logistics-approved carrier, with more than 10,000 loads per day.
Coyote’s mobile application, CoyoteGo, is touted as "[converting] more downloads into regular, active users than any other third-party logistics load-matching app (according to CarrierLists)."
In reviews, users enjoy the detailed load information, 24/7 access to loads and support, and self-service booking. However, reviews also report slow loading and sluggish responsiveness.
*According to coyote.com.
TQL Carrier Dashboard
Number of Loads Available Daily*: 9,000+
Number of Carriers*: 160,000+
Trustpilot Rating (TQL): 2.3/5 (14 reviews)
Google Play App-Store Rating: 4.8/5 (14,00 ratings)
iOS App-Store Rating: 4.9/5 (28,500 ratings)
Freight Type(s)*: Reefer, Van, Power Only, Tanker, Hopper Bottom, Dump Truck, Auto Carrier, Flatbed, Step Deck, RGN, Double Drop, Conestoga, Team and more.
Pricing*: Free for all TQL-approved carriers
Key Features*:
- Instant load booking
- Submit quotes on loads
- Filter based on city, state, and radius
- Map-based search
- Fast payment options
Total Quality Logistics (TQL) is one of the largest freight brokerages in the world. The TQL load board offers more than 65,000 loads per week across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
The TQL Carrier Dashboard app was designed to "[streamline] daily tasks" for today's professional truck drivers. As such, it offers the TQL load board with unlimited searches, instant self-service load booking on qualifying loads, document upload functionality, and other time-saving features.
One novel feature of the app is the option to post your truck "and let the right load find you," allowing drivers to take a different approach to their load search.
In reviews, users appreciate the ability to make calls and document submissions directly in the app, in addition to the convenience offered by the app's comprehensive suite of features.
However, other reviews mention receiving too many calls and texts as a result of using the load board, as well as buggy in-app functionality.
*According to tql.com.
How to Pick a Load Board For Your Trucking Company
Now that you've had time to digest this list of load boards, your next step is to pick one. That can be easier said than done! Even with a short list like this, you’ll still need to evaluate each of them to decide whether they’ll be a good fit for your company’s needs.
Here are three things to consider as you choose a load board:
1. Load Board Price
Many load boards have associated costs especially if they’re not attached to a logistics company. Most paid load boards allow users to pay monthly or annually. Many also offer a discount for users who choose to pay for a full year all at once rather than once per month.
Regardless of the billing schedule you choose, the cost of using a paid load board is a cost — one you'll want to weigh carefully before making your final decision.
If you have slimmer margins (which has been the case for many trucking companies in 2024 thus far), you might want to opt for a cheaper or no-cost board.
2. Load Board Reviews
What's the word on the street? As you try to decide on a new load board, pay attention to what other users are saying.
Load boards that have a large number of poor reviews (3 stars or less) or few reviews at all probably aren't the best products. While it's true that people are typically more motivated to leave a bad review than they are a good one, it's also true that where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.
Look for load boards with above-average user ratings and a large volume of reviews. Read a selection of reviews across a variety of ratings to get a complete picture of the user experience for each board.
Taking all the feedback into account — the good, the bad, and the 'meh' — will help you make a decision with your eyes wide open.
3. Brand Reputation
There is a business behind every load board, whether it's a trucking company, freight brokerage, or a tech business.
As such, it's in your best interest to do some research into whether the company that manages your top-choice load board is legitimate, reputable, and financially stable.
Look for providers with a rich history and strong industry affiliations. This is particularly important when evaluating load boards operated by logistics companies, which will require users to be onboarded as a carrier before they can book loads.
Have You Considered ATS FreightMatch?
Armed with a list of 10 great load board apps to choose from and a better understanding of the factors to consider when choosing one, you're officially ready to start vetting your next load board!
But before you go, let us take a moment to recommend ATS FreightMatch, the load board app developed by ATS Logistics.
ATS FreightMatch offers a wide variety of ATS Logistics/Sureway Transportation loads that pay fairly and quickly. ATS FreightMatch could be a good fit for you if you:
- Want access to a wide variety of reliable freight, including flatbed, reefer, specialized open-deck, van, LTL, PTL, hot shot and box truck loads.
- Enjoy having the ability to negotiate in-app for most shipments.
- Crave time-saving features such as comprehensive search capabilities, document scanning, and more.
- Want priority access to freight you won’t find on any other load board.
- Desire the support of an entire team of carrier representatives.
- Need quick payment for delivered loads.
If ATS FreightMatch sounds like a fit for your business's needs, request your invitation to the app now.
We also have an entire article on how to successfully negotiate your rate in-app.
These tips aren't just for ATS FreightMatch users — they can easily be applied to any load board app that allows rate negotiation. You'll walk away feeling confident about your ability to secure the best possible rate for yourself on any load board you choose.
