AscendTMS vs OpenRoad TMS

AscendTMS is transportation management software for freight brokers, carriers, fleets, third-party logistics providers and shippers. Its road-freight tools cover load management, financials and profit monitoring, route review, load documentation, and branch and department management. Load searching, posting and truck matching are included; access to DAT or Truckstop.com services requires a separate subscription. Users can post loads to as many as 53 load boards, though subscriptions may be required. AscendTracker can request a driver's GPS location and status by text message, without a driver app. Carrier checks include verification, qualification and fraud detection using an MC or DOT number. Basic costs $69 a month per user, Premium $119 a month per user, and PRO $149 a month per user. Premium adds accounting functions, while PRO includes shipper profiles and leads, e-signatures, KPI reporting, outbound EDI and order management. The software runs on Android, iOS and the web, and offers a 30-day trial. Subscriptions are monthly, with no setup fees or contract periods and cancellation at any time.

OpenRoad TMS is a cloud-based transportation management system for asset-based full-truckload carriers handling spot and dedicated freight. It brings together operations, loads, dispatch, accounting, safety, and fuel management, and runs on the web, Android, and iOS. Its Planner supports drag-and-drop weekly scheduling, showing load assignments alongside driver availability and updating as routes change. In the mobile app, drivers can receive dispatches, upload scanned bills of lading and receipts, and check payroll, miles, and performance statistics. Safety tools provide visibility into expiration dates and hours of service. Automatic settlements calculate driver and dispatcher pay from configured rules, then produce pay stubs and reports. The system stores rate confirmations, delivery and qualification records, and equipment documents, with one-click invoicing after delivery. Listed integrations include QuickBooks, Sage, RTS Financial, Apex Capital, EFS, Comdata, Samsara, FourKites, Descartes MacroPoint, and project44. Standard costs $3 a month, billed monthly per billed load. A one-month trial requires no credit card.