5 Best Courier Apps for Deliveries

Courier drivers play a vital role in the modern economy, navigating challenging traffic conditions and facing immense pressure to deliver packages on time. From managing route efficiency to ensuring customer satisfaction, the job demands the right tools to make the process smoother and more efficient. One key tool in a courier’s arsenal is a reliable courier app.

In this blog, we will review five of the best courier apps designed to enhance the efficiency and productivity of delivery drivers.

What are Courier Apps?

What are the Benefits of using Courier Delivery Apps?

How to Know if You Need a Courier App

5 Best Courier Apps for Deliveries

Key Features to Look for in a Courier App

How do Courier Apps Work?

Case Study: How DeliverIt uses a Courier App to Manage their Operations

What are Courier Apps?

Courier apps are specialized software tools designed to assist couriers and delivery companies in managing and optimizing their delivery operations. They typically include features like route planning, vehicle tracking, proof of delivery capture, and real-time notifications. These apps aim to make life easier for couriers by streamlining operations and improving communication between dispatch and drivers.

What are the Benefits of using Courier Delivery Apps?

• Cost Savings: Efficient route planning and load balancing ensure that every vehicle leaves the depot fully loaded, reducing fuel consumption and overall operational costs.
• Increased Delivery Capacity: By optimizing routes, courier apps help you deliver more packages with fewer resources, increasing your delivery capacity.
• Enhanced Communication: These apps provide drivers with detailed information about their deliveries, improving communication and reducing misunderstandings.
• Real-Time Tracking: Track your drivers and vehicles in real-time to ensure timely deliveries and monitor operational efficiency.
• Proof of Delivery: Digital proof of delivery, including e-signatures and photos, helps maintain accurate records and reduce disputes.
• Data Security: Transitioning to digital processes enhances data protection and reduces the risks associated with paper-based records.

How to Know if You Need a Courier App

If you answer "yes" to two or more of these questions, it’s time to consider investing in a courier app:

1. Do you manually plan routes for your drivers?
2. Are you unaware if your drivers follow the planned routes?
3. Do you lack real-time visibility of your drivers’ locations?
4. Do you face issues with missed or delayed deliveries?
5. Are you frequently handling customer queries about delivery statuses?
6. Do your drivers often complain about inefficient routes?
7. Is there a lack of proof for completed deliveries?
8. Are you experiencing high driver turnover and hiring challenges?

5 Best Courier Apps for Deliveries

Now, let’s help you choose the best parcel route planner:

1. SmartRoutes

SmartRoutes is a comprehensive courier route planner that can meet the needs of courier teams of all sizes. With SmartRoutes, you can easily plan and optimize your routes, track drivers, and capture proof of delivery. In addition, SmartRoutes provides real-time delivery notifications and a delivery tracking portal to keep recipients informed and updated on their deliveries.

Couriers and courier companies are a central customer base for SmartRoutes and the platform is designed with them in mind. There are pricing options to meet the needs of small teams who simply want route planning and optimization but there are bigger packages that track the entire courier delivery management suite.

Features

• Driver app
• Route optimization
• Real-time fleet tracking via GPS
• Delivery management suite
• Proof of delivery
• Delivery notifications and tracking portal
• Multi-depot management
• Integrations and reports
• And more!

Price: Starts at $29 per vehicle per month.

Best suited to: Courier companies of all sizes looking for a scalable and comprehensive delivery management solution.

Advantages:

• Extensive feature set tailored to courier operations
• Real-time tracking and proof of delivery
• Scalable pricing options for businesses of all sizes

Limitations: No free version (but we do offer a 7-day free trial!)

2. Google Maps

Google Maps is a familiar and widely used navigation app. While it's great for basic route planning, it lacks the advanced features required by professional courier companies.

If you’re starting out in business, your routes might still be pretty small. If so, you can put in the addresses of your drops and be on your way in seconds. You can plan up to 10 stops in one go on Google Maps and it works pretty well. It isn't though a delivery route planner and if you go beyond 10 stops you will end up in trouble.

The second biggest hurdle is that it doesn’t actually ‘optimize’ the route, so it may not be the most efficient way to complete your deliveries.

Key Features:

• Free access
• Up to 10 stops per route
• Turn-by-turn navigation
• Real-time traffic updates

Best suited to: Small businesses or individuals managing a limited number of deliveries.

Advantages:

• Free and easy to use
• Available on both desktop and mobile

Limitations:

• Only supports up to 10 stops per route
• No route optimization or delivery-specific features

3. RouteXL

RouteXL offers an affordable solution for those needing more than 10 stops per route. It allows for simple route creation and optimization but lacks integration with mobile apps and real-time tracking.

RouteXL also allows you to import a list of stops or customers so you can plan more quickly. RouteXL though is just a web dashboard and even though you can print out the routes you build, they do not sync with a driver app, you can't track your drivers and you can't get insight into what is going on. For this reason, RouteXL remains a tool for small courier operations or ones that just deliver infrequently.

Finally, it can be a little slow to create routes, so expect to be a little patient while it finds a route for you.

Key Features:

• Supports up to 20 stops per route
• Route optimization
• Easy import of stops from a list

Best suited to: Small and new businesses that outgrow Google Maps

Advantages: Free for up to 20 stops & simple web-based interface

Limitations: Limited to 20 stops per route and no mobile app or real-time tracking

4. Onfleet

Onfleet offers a pretty good route optimization and delivery management solution that will serve much bigger courier teams. It does, however, come with a big price tag.

Onfleet offers a desktop-based route optimization solution and combines it with a multi drop route planner app with lots of delivery-related functionality like proof-of-delivery, driver and customer communication, and reporting.

To pick fault with their offering, the pricing is a little complicated with functions like barcode scanning and customer SMS notifications starting at $799.

Onfleet's pricing can be a bit opaque if you are not sure how many deliveries you will be doing as they charge in bands based on these.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive route optimization
• Proof of delivery
• Customer communication and notifications
• Barcode scanning

Best suited to: Large businesses with complex delivery needs and high delivery volumes.

Advantages: A very comprehensive solution with a desktop planner and mobile driver app

Limitations: Expensive pricing for full feature set and you will need to be operating at a very high volume to keep it cost effective.

5. RoadWarrior

RoadWarrior is an affordable option for basic route optimization needs. While it doesn't offer all the advanced features of SmartRoutes or Onfleet, it can effectively plan and optimize your routes.

With RoadWarrior, you pay $10 for the basic app, plus a per-user fee for each driver and admin staff member on your team. While the costs can add up, RoadWarrior remains very affordable overall. However, if you need more advanced features like proof-of-delivery or customer notifications, RoadWarrior may not be the best choice for you.

$10 per user monthly for driver app, route optimization and data export [Max Route Size 120 Stops]

RoadWarrior prioritizes the driver experience with its user-friendly app, which focuses on optimizing routes rather than an admin-heavy interface. With a low price point, RoadWarrior competes well against mapping software like Google Maps and RouteXL. Additionally, RoadWarrior integrates with FedEx data, making it an excellent choice for FedEx drivers in particular.

Key Features:

• Route optimization for up to 120 stops
• Driver app
• Data export capabilities

Best Suited For: Small businesses or individuals with straightforward delivery needs.

Advantages: Affordable pricing & easy to use driver app

Limitations: Lacks advanced features for larger operations

Key Features to Look for in a Courier App

To be considered among the top courier apps, the following features are a must-have:

Route Planning

Effective route planning is essential for efficient last mile delivery, which can otherwise lead to increased logistical costs and potentially unprofitable operations. Poor planning often results in long delivery windows, missed deliveries, and dissatisfied customers, which can ultimately lead to customer churn.

Implementing advanced delivery planning software can mitigate these issues by automating the planning process, reducing administrative burden, and freeing up valuable time for other tasks. Enhanced route planning improves efficiency, reduces costs, and significantly boosts customer satisfaction.

Route Optimization

Route optimization software can reduce delivery costs by over 33% compared to traditional planning methods. It takes into account complex variables such as time windows, load balancing, zonal territories, and vehicle-specific requirements to ensure that all deliveries are timely and efficient.

By optimizing routes and ensuring vehicles are fully loaded before departure, you can increase profitability and cut costs. This advanced algorithm enhances operational efficiency and resource allocation, leading to a more successful and cost-effective delivery process.

Fleet Tracking

With real-time fleet tracking, you can visualize your delivery vehicles on a live map and easily manage and adjust routes as needed. This feature allows for more efficient operations by removing guesswork from the process. By using a data-driven approach to fleet tracking, you can reduce reliance on drivers' local knowledge, ensuring greater accuracy and consistency in deliveries.

Real-time updates and insights provided by parcel delivery apps enable informed decision-making and route adjustments, improving overall efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Driver Mobile App

Drivers are critical to the success of your delivery operations, and equipping them with effective tools is key. Delivery driver apps are designed to optimize route navigation, ensuring timely and efficient deliveries. Beyond route optimization, these apps enable drivers to capture proof of delivery and maintain constant communication with the depot through dispatch and driver notes.

By empowering drivers with these robust tools, you can enhance communication, streamline operations, and minimize errors and delays. With a 25% average annual driver turnover rate, investing in a reliable driver app can help retain staff and improve operational efficiency in the long term.

Delivery Experience

Enhance your customer delivery experience by providing real-time notifications and a live package tracking portal. Reducing missed deliveries and customer dissatisfaction can be achieved by implementing an intuitive solution that anyone in your business can use. This approach boosts customer return rates and helps control costs, especially in the expensive last-mile segment of your logistics journey.

Proof of Delivery

Capture proof of delivery automatically with a secure and compliant system that includes e-signatures, photos, or barcode scans. This feature can also automate email confirmations for customers and integrate with your ERP system for seamless tracking and data management, ensuring a robust and traceable delivery process.

Territory/Zone Management

Creating delivery zones helps businesses manage operations more effectively and optimize routes within those zones, leading to reduced delivery times and increased efficiency. Leveraging courier apps, businesses can intelligently assign work to drivers based on their location and availability, maximizing resource utilization. Comprehensive route and territory optimization offers a holistic view of delivery operations, enhancing fleet and resource management, and leading to higher customer satisfaction with fewer missed or delayed deliveries.

Multi-Depot Management

Expand your logistics team and efficiently manage large, distributed organizations with SmartRoutes' multi-depot management feature. This feature enables you to create a network of SmartRoutes accounts and assign Super Admin roles to manage your entire organization. Additionally, you can assign regional depot managers with specific permissions, depending on your organization's requirements. With this feature, you can scale your operations to reflect the scope of your logistics team and improve your overall performance.

Reporting Capability

Transform your delivery operation into a data-driven team with comprehensive end-of-day reports that provide insights into all aspects of your delivery performance. Utilizing this data allows you to measure success, identify areas for improvement, and continuously optimize your delivery process, leading to better efficiency, reduced costs, and an enhanced customer experience. This powerful reporting capability supports informed, data-backed decisions to improve overall delivery performance.

How do Courier Apps Work?

Cut hours of admin and planning time by having multiple delivery routes, created at the click of a button with optimization software

• Upload your stops routes by .csv .xl or input manually
• Utilize Zip codes, Post codes and GPS coordinates to quickly and accurately plan deliveries
• Create flexible geographical zones and automatically assign work within those parameters
• Optimize vehicle efficiency with smart load-balancing that ensures vehicles go out fully loaded
• Automatically assign routes and dispatch routes to drivers via their mobile app
• Include dispatch notes for drivers so they know what to do/expect

Case Study: How DeliverIt uses a Courier App to Manage their Operations

When DeliverIt, a leading third-party logistics (3PL) company, approached us, they faced a significant challenge: they had just secured a valuable contract with a new client, necessitating an expansion of their fleet and additional drivers to meet the increased demand efficiently. They sought our expertise to optimize their courier deliveries and streamline their operations.

Identifying the Challenge

To begin, we analyzed data provided by DeliverIt’s new client, which included drop-off locations, predicted order volumes, and delivery frequency. Using this information, we deployed our advanced courier software, enabling DeliverIt to seamlessly upload and optimize their delivery routes and vehicle assignments. With this powerful tool, DeliverIt could confidently assure their customers that they would meet all demands and obligations efficiently and without hassle.

Implementing the Solution

When the new contract commenced, DeliverIt integrated SmartRoutes software into their daily operations immediately. Each evening, their client sent over the order list, delivery addresses, and specific dispatch notes. Previously, manually planning which vans would carry specific items was a time-consuming task. However, with our SmartRoutes Desktop Route Planner, Barry and his team could efficiently assign routes to drivers with a simple data upload. This streamlined process enabled DeliverIt to distribute all necessary information to their drivers with just a click.

Driver Acceptance and User Experience

Initially, Barry was concerned about how his drivers would react to the new app. At SmartRoutes, we prioritize user-friendliness and intuitive design, which led to the drivers quickly embracing the technology. They found the app not only easy to use but also an invaluable tool for their job. Drivers could now access their routes in advance, track undeliverable items, and securely manage all proof of deliveries (POD).

Operational Efficiency and Real-Time Tracking

Throughout the day, Barry had complete visibility and oversight of all vans and drivers through our route planning dashboard. This real-time tracking capability was crucial for ensuring smooth operations and gave Barry peace of mind. He could provide his client with timely updates on delivery ETAs, significantly enhancing their overall service quality.

Barry Rabbitt, the owner of DeliverIt, shared his experience:

"SmartRoutes helped me reduce administrative planning time by 85% and fuel costs by 20%. What truly sets SmartRoutes apart is the ease of implementation and the ongoing support they provide."
— Barry Rabbitt, Owner, DeliverIt

By adopting SmartRoutes, DeliverIt significantly improved its operational efficiency, reduced costs, and elevated the quality of service for their clients.

Looking for the Best Courier App for Your Deliveries?

For couriers and courier companies, route planning software is an absolute must. SmartRoutes delivery management dashboard and driver apps will allow you to control last-mile operations and just-in-time delivery drops and collections. By leveraging the power of technology, you can streamline your operations, reduce costs, and provide an exceptional delivery experience to your customers.

So, if you're looking for the best courier driver apps for deliveries, give SmartRoutes a try and take your delivery operations to the next level. You can try the platform with a 7-day free trial with SmartRoutes.

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