If you’re wondering if a loadboard is right for your business, here’s our list of the best free loadboards to get started.
What Is a Load Board?
Load boards, or freight boards, are online marketplaces where freight brokers and shippers post loads that they need hauled. Carriers can find suitable freight to haul from the loads posted by brokers and shippers. The concept dates back to 1978 when DAT launched the first load board aggregator. Initially, these were physical boards in truck stops where drivers could find available loads. With the advent of digital technology, these boards moved online, making the process more efficient and accessible. Today, load boards come in various forms, from broker-specific platforms to aggregator boards that compile listings from multiple sources.
Load Boards Have Gone Mobile
The trucking industry is increasingly mobile-first, reflecting the needs of drivers who are always on the move. Mobile load boards integrate seamlessly into drivers' daily routines, offering convenience and real-time updates. With smartphones becoming ubiquitous, drivers can access load boards from anywhere, ensuring they take advantage of every opportunity on the road.
Why Get a Free Load Board?
Paid load boards can be expensive. For instance, DAT One costs between $540 and $3000 per year for a single user. Interestingly, as DAT itself states, the majority of their loads are also available elsewhere, sometimes on free platforms.
Free load boards are catching up with their paid counterparts, offering comparable app capabilities. Platforms like TrueNorth and TruckSmarter, each posting over 100,000 loads daily, provide high-quality software experiences without the hefty price tag.
Additionally, brokers also offer their own load boards. These brokers include big names like C.H. Robinson, JB Hunt, TQL, and RXO (formerly XPO) to name a few. Although carriers will need to go through the carrier compliance and onboarding process with each broker in order to book loads or use the full features on the brokers’ apps. That being said, these broker load board offers a free alternative for accessing loads – though the loads are only for that particular broker.
Free Load Board Options
1 - TrueNorth
TrueNorth matches TruckSmarter with 100,000 daily loads. Beyond being a load board, TrueNorth functions much like a Transportation Management System (TMS), with features for document management and invoicing. TrueNorth app features such as its search and filtering are easy to use without load time issues. It's an all-in-one solution for carriers looking to streamline their operations.
2 - TruckSmarter
TruckSmarter offers an impressive 100,000 daily loads, making it a well-known player among free load boards. In addition to load matching, it provides fuel discounts for users, adding extra value to the service.
3 - C.H. Robinson's Navisphere
C.H. Robinson moved an impressive $15.8 billion in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) in 2023. Navisphere is C.H. Robinsons broker app that functions both as a load board and an all-in-one broker to carrier load management platform. As one of the largest brokerage firms globally, it offers carriers a robust and reliable platform for finding loads.
4 - TQL
Second to C.H. Robinson in terms of GMV is Total Quality Logistics (TQL). TQL operates a brokerage with a GMV of $8.7 billion in 2023. Its mobile app is also one of the more highly-rated app among broker load board apps. As both a large broker with a top rated app, TQL’s load board is a good addition to any carrier’s software stack.
Get Your Free Load Board
Exploring free load boards is an intelligent strategy for carriers looking to maximize their hauling potential without incurring high costs. Platforms like TrueNorth offer competitive features that rival their paid counterparts. By leveraging these free tools, carriers can find reliable loads, enhance operational efficiency, and boost profitability.
Ready to simplify your load-finding process? Test out our free load board today and experience the benefits firsthand. Try TrueNorth's free load board and elevate your hauling game. Download the app and get started now!