Amazon Relay vs LaneRunner

Amazon Relay is a free freight marketplace where carriers can find spot loads and contracts. Its load board supports one-off load searches and bookings, alongside Post A Truck matching, lane auctions, and single- or multi-week round-trip contracts. Before accepting a load, carriers can see the base rate, fuel surcharge, and toll charges. Completed work is paid weekly: loads completed by Saturday at 23:59 are paid the following Friday. The web portal and Android and iOS apps provide access; drivers can view schedules and load history, inspect assets, follow load instructions, and report issues in the app. Truck-friendly routes account for truck and trailer type, road restrictions, and changing traffic. Drivers can request trip support through Relay Assistant, an AI-generated chat tool. Active carriers may also access discounts on services and equipment, including eligible Samsara dash cams. Carrier eligibility generally includes interstate DOT authority active for at least 180 days, a valid MC number, qualifying safety metrics, and required insurance. Completed applications are typically approved or rejected within one to three weeks, according to Amazon.

LaneRunner is a freight platform for shippers, brokers, and carriers to source capacity, compare quotes, and manage shipments from award through delivery. Shippers can form private broker networks and choose to post freight privately, on the open marketplace, or in both places. Quote comparisons show low, average, and high amounts. ATLAS AI supports voice load posting and rate insights, and bulk uploads can include up to 100 loads. A load can have up to five pickups and five drops. Shipment details, dispatch, documents, tracking, and messaging stay connected to each load. LaneRunner says it checks motor carriers against FMCSA records and reviews shipper documents and broker credentials. Its API can post loads, retrieve quotes, and synchronize shipment status with TMS, ERP, and internal tools; access is arranged through support. LaneRunner is available on Android, iOS, and the web. Shipper Free Access costs nothing. Broker Load Board costs $59.99 a month; Broker Full Access and Carrier Full Access each cost $99.99 a month. The subscription policy says there is no free trial unless the company offers one in writing.