Amazon Relay vs LoadMatch

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.

LoadMatch connects buyers and sellers of intermodal and import/export transportation services across North America, matching loads with truck capacity, intermodal equipment, and terminal locations. Its customers include freight forwarders, brokers, intermodal marketing companies, beneficial owners, motor carriers, and equipment suppliers. Members can post availability through a web form, batch file, FTP, or a direct connection; both free and paid members can also post from dispatch software. Batch uploads support text, Excel, and Access files, with XML accepted and tab-delimited text preferred. The free plan allows posting loads, equipment or power, and jobs, but excludes viewing loads and equipment and receiving email alerts. Paid membership costs $600 a year and adds full access and visibility, alerts, load and equipment viewing, and a company logo and directory link. New paid-account customers receive a 30 day free trial. LoadMatch says there is no contract and members can cancel at any time, but payments are non-refundable after payment. It is a web service, and the company was incorporated in 1999.