Introduction
Route planning is a critical part of efficiently managing fleets, deliveries and field operations. Whether you need to optimize routes for trucks, technicians or sales reps, the right routing tool can streamline processes, improve productivity and help expand your business. In this review, we evaluate 15 of the top route planning software options available in 2023 based on key factors like routing algorithms, mapping capabilities, integration and pricing.
Methods of Evaluation
To determine the best route planning software, we evaluated each vendor based on core routing features, mapping functionality, pricing and support options. We also factored in popularity metrics like website traffic, customer reviews and number of backlinks from relevant industry sites to gauge leader status and customer satisfaction. Additional evaluation criteria included integration capabilities, customization, reporting dashboard and mobile apps.
1. OSRM
OSRM is an open-source routing engine developed by Mapbox. It performs route planning and route optimization and enables developers to build location-aware applications. OSRM is designed for performance and can quickly process tens of thousands of route requests per second on consumer hardware.
Pros: Some key advantages of OSRM:
– Free and open source routing engine
– High performance routing algorithms
– Customizable route optimization with plugins
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that OSRM is a self-hosted solution requiring infrastructure to run which could require ongoing maintenance costs compared to routing as a service.
Pricing: OSRM is free to use and open source under the 2-Clause BSD license. There is no charge to use the software and integration is typically through REST APIs and scripts.
Some key stats about OSRM:
– Over 10 million downloads on npm
– Used by large companies like Uber, Amazon and HERE
– Supports over 30 input/output formats
– Can optimize routes for time, distance or other metrics like fuel consumption with plugins
2. Esri ArcGIS
Esri ArcGIS is a GIS software and web mapping platform developed and sold by Esri. Esri ArcGIS allows users to visualize, analyze, and understand data to reveal relationships, patterns, and trends. It provides tools for location analytics, spatial analytics, mapping, and route optimization.
Pros: Some key advantages of Esri ArcGIS include:
– Advanced GIS mapping and data visualization platform
– Route simulation and analysis capabilities with spatial modelling tools
– Offline maps API and libraries for building custom mobile and web applications
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the cost as Esri ArcGIS pricing is based on the number of users and servers/cores required. For some very small organizations, the licensing fees may be prohibitive.
Pricing: Esri ArcGIS pricing varies based on the number of concurrent users, types of licenses (desktop, server, enterprise) needed, and optional add-ons. Contact Esri or an authorized reseller for a customized quote.
Some key stats about Esri ArcGIS include:
– Used by over 350,000 organizations worldwide across various industries
– Over 40 years in the GIS industry
– More than 300,000 licensed users globally
– Available as desktop, server, and cloud-based options
3. Here WeGo
Here WeGo is a route planning and navigation software developed by HERE Technologies. HERE is a leading provider of mapping and location services and has over 20 years of experience in developing location solutions. Here WeGo provides intuitive navigation for drivers as well as comprehensive offline maps and real-time traffic alerts to help users efficiently plan their routes.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Here WeGo include:
– Intuitive navigation interface optimized for drivers
– Offline maps that can be downloaded for over 190 countries to enable routing without an internet connection
– Real-time traffic alerts and notifications to help avoid delays
– Step-by-step navigation with voice-guided instructions
– Public transportation routing and schedules for efficient trip planning
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free basic version has some limitations such as reduced map areas for offline use. The premium subscription is required for full offline maps without any restrictions.
Pricing: Here WeGo has the following pricing models:
– Free basic version for navigation and routing
– Premium subscription priced at $9.99/month or $79.99/year for enhanced features like unlimited offline maps
Some key stats about Here WeGo include:
– Over 100 million active users worldwide
– Coverage of maps and navigation for over 190 countries
– Live traffic info for 600+ cities globally
– Public transportation routing info for over 1,000 cities
4. TomTom
TomTom is a Dutch multinational company that specializes in location technology, navigation software, and navigation devices. Founded in 1991, TomTom is headquartered in Amsterdam and employs over 5000 people across offices worldwide. Some of their most well known products include dedicated GPS navigation devices for cars and personal use as well as route planning and traffic software.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of TomTom’s route planning and navigation software include: Navigation and routing capabilities, Real-time traffic and congestion data, HD maps in over 100 countries, Geocoding and reverse geocoding, Fleet management solutions
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the software may not be as customizable as some competitive offerings and lacks advanced analytics for fleet management dashboards.
Pricing: Pricing for TomTom’s route planning and navigation software starts at $19.99/month for the basic single user plan and goes up to $99.99/month for the premium multi user fleet management plan.
Over 600 million TomTom navigation devices have been sold worldwide and they provide real-time traffic information for 55 countries globally. Their maps cover over 100 countries and cover millions of miles of road for navigation and routing.
5. Ramsey Solutions
Ramsey Solutions provides several financial tools and resources to help individuals and families manage their money better. This includes budgeting resources, investment guidance, and a personalized financial coaching program. A core aspect of their approach is teaching principles of personal finance through radio programs, books, and online content from founder Dave Ramsey.
Pros: Some key advantages of Ramsey Solutions products and services include:
– Comprehensive and structured approach to budgeting, paying off debt, saving, and investing
– Wide range of appealing and engaging content formats including radio, podcasts, online courses, and books
– Debt elimination and money management principles are grounded in Christian financial philosophy
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the Ramsey Solutions approach may not be suitable for all financial situations and philosophies as it is based on Dave Ramsey’s personal experience and viewpoints on money.
Pricing: Ramsey Solutions offers several membership levels for their online tools and financial coaching programs starting at around $30-50 per month depending on the level of features and support included.
Some key stats about Ramsey Solutions include:
– Over 10 million users of their online tools and resources
– 17 million podcast downloads per month
– Ramsey has authored 10 books, 7 of which have been New York Times bestsellers
6. Mapbox
Mapbox is a platform for developing location-aware applications and adding interactive maps, navigation, and search to mobile and web apps. Founded in 2010 and based in San Francisco, Mapbox provides open-source mapping tools and customizable APIs for building mapping functionality.
Pros: Some key advantages of Mapbox include:
– Highly customizable mapping and routing APIs
– Powerful routing algorithm for efficient routes
– Large collection of mapping data and styles
– Extensive documentation and support
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that pricing is based on usage so higher volume use could result in greater costs compared to some competitors.
Pricing: Mapbox offers both free and paid plans. The free tier includes modest usage limits and access to basic vector maps. Paid enterprise plans start at $7 per user per month and scale up based on usage, removing limits and unlocking priority support.
Some key stats about Mapbox include:
– Over 500,000 active integrations each month
– Covers the entire planet with mapping data
– Massive library of map styles and access to their tooling for custom styling
– Routing and navigation APIs handle millions of routes per day
7. AutoTrader
AutoTrader is an automotive classified marketplace with over 1 million new and used vehicles listed. Founded in 1975, AutoTrader has grown to become one of the largest automotive marketplaces in the United States.
Pros: Some key advantages of AutoTrader include:
– Extremely large vehicle inventory gives users a wide selection to choose from
– Advanced search and filtering capabilities allow finding the perfect car easily
– Integrated dealer tools for managing inventory and connecting with buyers
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that as a classified site, AutoTrader doesn’t offer route planning or navigation features like some dedicated route planning software solutions.
Pricing: AutoTrader offers both free and paid plans for consumers and dealers. Paid plans provide extra features and promotional benefits for enhanced discovery and vehicle promotion.
Some key stats about AutoTrader include:
– Over 1 million new and used vehicles listed
– Available nationwide in the US
– Established in 1975
– Serves both consumers and dealers
8. Moovit
Moovit is a free multi-modal transit app that helps users all over the world safely navigate public transportation. Founded in 2011, Moovit now serves over 700 million users in over 3,000 cities across 102 countries. Their app and website provide accurate real-time schedules, arrival predictions, routing options, trip planning tools and more for subways, buses, trains and other modes of transportation.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Moovit include:
– Multi-city mobility assistant that supports trip planning across different public transit systems.
– Offline maps and navigation capabilities for uninterrupted use without an internet connection.
– Customizable notifications and reminders to help users catch their connections.
– Real-time ETAs and delays for buses, trains and other modes of transportation.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Moovit relies on crowdsourced data and user contributions to maintain accurate schedule and route information for some lesser served cities and regions. Data may not always be as reliable compared to major metropolitan areas.
Pricing: Moovit offers both free and paid versions of their app. The basic app and all core transit planning/navigation features are available for free. Paid enterprise/business solutions are also available for large organizations and municipal government partners.
Some key stats about Moovit include:
– It serves over 700 million users globally.
– Provides transit information for over 3,000 cities worldwide.
– Supports trip planning and navigation in 102 countries.
– Has offline maps and navigation available for many cities and regions.
– Offers customizable notifications and reminders to help users catch their connections.
9. Inrix
Inrix is a leading company that provides transportation analytics solutions. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, Inrix leverages big data and artificial intelligence to power mobility applications, products, and services.
Pros: Some key advantages of using Inrix solutions include:
– Access to the industry’s most comprehensive traffic database for route optimization and travel time prediction
– Real-time traffic conditions and predictive alerts help avoid delays and reduce travel times
– Data analytics and insights can improve mobility solutions like urban planning, traffic management, and smart city initiatives
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the solutions may require significant investment and resources to fully leverage the capabilities of Inrix’s data and analytics platform.
Pricing: Pricing for Inrix solutions varies depending on the specific needs and use cases. Generally packages start at $10,000/year for basic traffic coverage and analytics, with custom and enterprise solutions priced according to scale of deployment and customization requirements.
Some key stats about Inrix include:
– Collects and analyzes data from over 25 billion anonymous connected devices worldwide
– Provides real-time traffic and predictive alerts for over 100 million miles of roads
– Works with 95% of vehicle manufacturers to power their navigation and telematics applications
– Ranks as the #1 provider of location-based data and analytics for route optimization and traffic incident detection
10. Citymapper
Citymapper is a mobile app and web platform that helps users navigate cities through multiple modes of transportation including public transit, cycling, scooting, driving and walking. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in London, Citymapper now serves over 60 cities worldwide. The app provides users all the tools they need to traverse urban areas efficiently whether they own a private vehicle or not.
Pros: Some key advantages of using Citymapper include:
– Multi-modal route planning that finds the fastest ways to travel using different transit types
– Real-time arrival and departure times for buses, trains and other public transportation
– Comprehensive journey suggestions that factor in traffic, construction and other delays
– Integrated ride-booking services for bikes, scooters and ride-sharing where available
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Citymapper’s coverage is limited to larger metropolitan areas and may not have as detailed data or routing suggestions for smaller towns and cities.
Pricing: Citymapper’s basic journey planning and navigation services are free to use. The app is supported by funding from venture capital firms. It also offers additional paid premium subscription plans and services in select cities that provide features like ad-free interface and integrated transit tickets.
Some key stats about Citymapper include:
– Over 40 million users globally
– Real-time transit tracking for over 500 cities worldwide
– Optimized journey planning across walking, cycling, driving and public transit
– Integrated tickets and payments for public transit in certain cities like London
11. Geotab
Geotab is a leading telematics and fleet management solution provider, serving over 2.5 million vehicles globally. Founded in 2000, Geotab’s open and integrated platform powers intelligent transportation systems for thousands of fleets worldwide. The company leverages over 20 years of data analysis to deliver actionable insights to customers.
Pros: Some key advantages of Geotab include:
– Powerful routing, mapping and optimization capabilities for route planning and scheduling
– Open platform with large partner ecosystem and APIs for customization and third-party integration
– Real-time fleet tracking and automated reports and alerts for visibility and compliance
Cons: Premium pricing – Geotab offers very robust fleet management solutions but this does come at a higher price point compared to some competitors.
Pricing: Geotab offers flexible pricing plans tailored to fleet size and needs. Basic hardware-only plans start at around $10-15 per device per month. Fully featured telematics solutions with routing, reporting and maintenance features start at $20-30 per device monthly.
Some key stats about Geotab:
– Over 2.5 million connected vehicles worldwide
– Serving fleets of all sizes across 150 countries
– Over 20 petabytes of telematics data analyzed daily
– Connects to over 150 vehicle makes and models directly out of the box
12. Samsara
Samsara is an all-in-one connected operations platform that offers route planning and optimization software. Founded in 2015, Samsara aims to help organizations like transportation and logistics companies improve efficiency and safety through real-time visibility and data-driven insights. With over 20,000 customers globally, Samsara has become a leader in connected operations solutions.
Pros: Some key advantages of Samsara’s route planning software include:
– All-in-one platform for fleet management, routing, job dispatch, and more
– Real-time vehicle tracking and navigation maps for drivers
– Strong integration capabilities with 3rd party solutions like TMS/WMS systems
– Built-in AI features for predictive maintenance and safety alerts
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that Samsara is a more full-featured platform compared to simpler routing-only solutions, so there may be additional costs for unused capabilities.
Pricing: Samsara offers monthly or annual pricing plans tailored for different fleet sizes. Pricing starts at around $10 per vehicle per month for basic telemetry and routing capabilities. Larger enterprise and customized plans are also available.
Some key stats about Samsara’s route planning software include:
– Tracks over 1.6 billion vehicle miles per month
– Integrates with over 150+ equipment types and sensors
– Over 4 petabytes of operational data collected each year
– Named a Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Industrial IoT Platforms
13. Route4Me
Route4Me is a route planning and optimization software that helps businesses streamline their delivery and field service routes. In business for over 15 years, Route4Me is one of the most full-featured and powerful route planning solutions on the market.
Pros: Some key advantages of Route4Me include:
– Powerful route optimization and automation features that can save businesses up to 30% in mileage and time on the road.
– Real-time routing and tracking capabilities for optimal dispatching and managing field resources.
– Rich map functionality and geocoding for addresses worldwide along with turn-by-turn navigation.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Route4Me is subscription based so there is an ongoing cost to use the software rather than a one-time purchase license.
Pricing: Route4Me offers different pricing tiers based on the number of routes and users. Pricing starts at $99 per month for the basic Starter plan for up to 50 routes and 3 users.
Some key stats about Route4Me include:
– Used by over 5,000 companies worldwide
– Plans and optimizes over 10 million routes each month
– Integrates with over 30 TMS/ERP systems like Oracle, SAP and Magaya
– Supports routing in over 220 countries worldwide
Best Route Planning and Optimization SoftwareThe Best Route Planner for Your Businessroute4me.com
14. OptimoRoute
OptimoRoute is a route planning and optimization software designed for logistics companies, field service organizations and anyone who needs to plan efficient routes and schedules. Founded in 2012 and based in Europe, OptimoRoute utilizes advanced routing algorithms and powerful optimization techniques to create optimized routes and schedules while minimizing costs.
Pros: Some key advantages of OptimoRoute include:
– Powerful routing engine that can handle large route datasets
– Dynamic replanning capabilities allow routes to be updated in real-time based on changes
– Intuitive in-app and web-based routing tools for planning and navigation
Cons: Potential disadvantages include the learning curve to fully utilize all of the software’s advanced optimization and routing capabilities.
Pricing: OptimoRoute offers both monthly and annual pricing plans tailored for businesses of all sizes. Basic plans start from $49/month for up to 10 addresses and 500 optimized routes. Enterprise plans with unlimited addresses and routes are available for larger fleets.
Some key stats about OptimoRoute include:
– Optimizes over 500,000 routes per month
– Used in over 50 countries worldwide
– Saves customers an average of 15% in route time and mileage
15. Fleetio
Fleetio is a fleet management software created in 2011 to help fleets of all sizes effectively manage their daily operations. Based in San Francisco, Fleetio aims to provide an all-in-one solution that controls the chaos of fleet management. Their software allows users to manage vehicle maintenance, driver hours of service tracking, fuel management, routing and dispatching from one centralized system.
Pros: Some key advantages of Fleetio include:
– All-in-one solution for light fleets that need core fleet management functionality
– Intuitive routing, dispatch and job tracking tools to optimize routes and workflows
– Mobile app allows drivers to log hours, submit paperwork and receive dispatch notifications on the go
– Affordable pricing starting at $25/vehicle and quick setup that gets fleets up and running within days
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that it may not be as fully-featured as some of the more expensive and robust enterprise-grade fleet management softwares for very large fleets with over 500 vehicles.
Pricing: Fleetio offers affordable monthly pricing starting at $25 per vehicle per month for their basic Fleetio Essentials plan, which covers core functionality. They also have Pro ($50/vehicle) and Elite ($75/vehicle) tiers that offer additional advanced features like asset tracking, ADP payroll integrations and unlimited users.
Some key stats about Fleetio include:
– Over 8,000 customers worldwide
– Manage over 500,000 vehicles
– Average customer fleet size of 50 vehicles
– Integrations with over 30 different partners like mechanics shops and fuel providers
Conclusion
Choosing route planning software is an important decision that requires examining your specific business needs. The vendors highlighted in this review offer cutting-edge routing algorithms, robust mapping features and flexible pricing. Consider trialing top options that align with your budget and requirements before committing. With the right tool, you can streamline operations, save costs and gain valuable insights to take your business to new heights in 2023 and beyond.