5 Best Delivery Route Planner Tools for 2025
Delivery route planners save huge amounts of time and costs in managing delivery operations but which of the software solutions on the market are right for you?
Home deliveries are constantly on the rise and the efficiency of delivery operations has been changed radically to meet that demand. Delivery route planners are software solutions to the problem of planning and optimizing routes for drivers.
For years, people sat down and mapped out the best route for each driver and gave them a list of stops. This isn’t working anymore for businesses, whether that is a logistics company, a large corporation or just a small local business delivering to their customers. It becomes too time consuming and is nearly impossible to scale.
That’s where delivery route planners come in. They automated this entire process and in this blog, we are going to cover what exactly delivery route planners are plus 5 of the best apps on the market for 2025.
Let’s begin!
What is a Delivery Route Planner?
A Delivery Route Planner is used to coordinate the delivery routes in the most efficient way possible. It is commonly used by couriers, logistics companies, and businesses offering home delivery services. These businesses often face unique routing challenges, such as ensuring orders reach customers by specific dates or time windows and capturing proof of delivery (POD) upon completion.
Delivery route planners offer features tailored to these needs. They usually come in both desktop and mobile app formats, providing distinct advantages:
- Desktop Version: Gives office staff real-time oversight of route progress and immediate visibility into any issues as they occur.
- Mobile Version: Provides drivers with turn-by-turn navigation in the correct delivery sequence, instant access to customer and order details, and tools to capture PODs and leave notes for future deliveries.
Having these functionalities in one integrated system streamlines operations, enhances communication, and improves customer satisfaction.
SmartRoutes Delivery Route Planner
Streamline your entire delivery process, all from one platform
5 Best Delivery Route Planners
Let’s take a look at the best delivery route planners available and try to compare them in terms of features and pricing to see if we can get a verdict on each of them.
1) SmartRoutes
SmartRoutes is a total delivery management software for anyone from small businesses to large logistics teams. It allows you to plan and optimize your routes while tracking drivers and capturing proof of delivery. SmartRoutes keeps recipients informed of their delivery with up-to-the-minute notifications and a delivery tracking portal.
SmartRoutes is an Irish company but works across North America, Europe and internationally to make deliveries simpler for all types of businesses in different industries. It provides savings of 33% per delivery and increases customer satisfaction scores with a host of delivery experience features.
Price
€29 for the basic plan
€59 for the essentials plan
€69 for the premium plan
For more information on what is included at each level, or to enquire about enterpirse pricing, see our pricing page.
Verdict
Probably the best mix of functionality and price on the market. Makes sense for small businesses all the way up to large logistics operations. Entry level pricing from just $32 per month with the full-suite of features including custom-build work, last-mile tracking and proof of delivery. The key distinction in pricing is around users versus vehicles. With SmartRoutes you can have multiple drivers and admin staff that come for free, you only pay for the number of vehicles you have on the road. Free trial for 7 days available.
2) Circuit
Circuit started out as an app-only routing software and became popular with drivers as it was free to use. It has since added what it calls ‘teams’ to be more of a logistics operations solution. It is a nicely designed app and platform with most of the functionality required by the industry at a relatively high per-user cost.
Price
$100 per user monthly for driver app and route optimization
$200 per user monthly for route optimization, proof of delivery and customer notifications
$500 per user monthly for full functionality
Verdict
Circuit is a nice looking routing app and interface with credible functionality for most operations. However, it is quite expensive for what you get and works best if you have few drivers operating at very high volume so you can keep it cost effective.
3) RoadWarrior
RoadWarrior is a simple route planning tool aimed at drivers but also teams. It does not have the full feature set that we see with other tools and focuses on route planning and optimization avoiding things like customer notifications and proof of delivery. RoadWarrior is one of the most affordable solutions if you just need route planning functionality costing just $10 per user per month though that does include admin staff and all drivers, even if they aren’t working all the time.
Price
$10 per user monthly for driver app, route optimization and data export [Max Route Size 120 Stops]
$10 standard + $10 per user for team features and [Max Route Size 200 Stops]
Verdict
RoadWarrior is very straightforward and has the driver in mind with its focus on the app rather than the administration dashboard. It has a very low price point that allows it to compete with Google Maps or cheaper options. Notable that it has an integration with FedEx data that makes it a great fit for FedEx drivers in particular. If you want a simple routing solution at the cheaper end of the market this is a good fit. If you think you will need proof of delivery or customer notification features in the future it might not be a good long term solution.
4) Onfleet
Onfleet is the trusted last mile delivery solution for companies across dozens of industries including food and beverage, retail, grocery, construction, pharmacy, and more. Onfleet has the most advanced route planning feature set, promising leaner operations, smarter decisions, and a delightful customer experience.
Onfleet is one of the market leading solutions for delivery management and telematics. As such it comes with high price points and full feature sets. It is US based and serves many industries including retail, construction, pharmaceutical and FMCG.
Price
The basic plan starts at $449 monthly and supports unlimited users and unlimited drivers
Premium starts at $999 monthly and includes customer notifications and barcode scanning
Professional starts at $2499 monthly and includes private label tracking and multi-depot accounts
Verdict
A very clean platform with everything you need for delivery route planning but also team management. It does come with a high price tag however and may only be affordable for larger organizations. Even for larger organizations the feature set is available at a lower price point with other solutions.
5) Route4Me
Route4Me offers route optimization, route monitoring, customer communications, and proof of delivery. It is an established product for the logistics industry with a wide range of features as part of the Route4Me 'marketplace’. It comes with a high price point to enter and additional features such as fleet tracking and customer notifications can push the price up significantly.
Price
Route Management allows you to plan routes but not optimize them
Route Optimization offer route optimization for just one driver
Route Optimization Plus plan offers both route optimization and multi-driver routes and costs $299 per month.
Add-on features from the marketplace catalog (like real-time driver tracking) come with additional fees.
All plans includes 10 team members as standard with additional members costing $50 monthly
Verdict
A quality product that might look slightly dated compared to newer offerings and the pricing logic results in potentially very high costs when you add in all the features that are considered standard in other products. Route4Me is a good option but be clear about what you need when you get a quotation so you are not surprised later on.
Advantages of using a delivery route planner
A delivery route planner offers numerous benefits that save time, enhance customer satisfaction, and streamline operations. Instead of manually managing deliveries, you can simply import your address list, and the software will calculate the most efficient routes for you. This automation allows you to focus on other aspects of your business while ensuring seamless delivery planning.
One significant advantage is the ability to provide accurate estimated time of arrival (ETA) predictions for your customers. You can go a step further by sharing live-tracker links, reducing the need for customer inquiries about delivery status. Integration with eCommerce platforms or ERP systems further simplifies order management, keeping everything centralized and efficient.
Using a route planner also improves operational oversight. It offers visibility into driver behavior, helping you identify areas for better efficiency. By optimizing routes, you can significantly reduce fuel costs and contribute to your business's green credentials.
Finally, a delivery route planner enhances the driver experience. It can make their work easier and more enjoyable, reducing turnover and helping to onboard new drivers quickly when needed. This focus on driver satisfaction ultimately supports the long-term success of your delivery operations.
Looking for a Delivery Route Planner?
Delivery route planners are hugely valuable to any business that has vehicles on the road doing multi-stops daily. It saves significantly on drivers wages, fuel costs and the administrative burden of planning routes. However, the real value is contained in the certainty in delivery times so your customers are happy. Customers who can login and view their deliveries in real-time are going to come back to you again and again which is ultimately the point of deliveries in the first place.
If you're looking for a delivery route planner for your business, you can try a 7-day free trial of SmartRoutes. We can get you up and running in minutes and help you to make the most of it from the outset.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is a delivery route planner?
A delivery route planner is a software tool designed to optimize delivery routes for maximum efficiency. It uses algorithms and real-time data to determine the most efficient sequence of stops, considering factors like distance, traffic conditions, delivery windows, and vehicle capacity. This helps companies streamline their delivery operations, reducing fuel costs, saving time, and enhancing overall productivity.
2. How do delivery route planners optimize routes for efficiency?
Delivery route planners optimize routes by employing sophisticated algorithms that analyze multiple variables. These include the addresses of delivery points, traffic conditions, delivery time windows, vehicle capacities, and any constraints or preferences set by the user. The planner determines the most efficient sequence and paths for deliveries, minimizing distance and time while ensuring timely and cost-effective deliveries.
3. Are delivery route planners suitable for small businesses or only for larger fleets?
Delivery route planners cater to businesses of various sizes, from small enterprises to larger fleets. They offer scalability, allowing customization to suit the specific needs and sizes of different businesses. Small businesses can benefit from route planners by optimizing their limited resources, while larger fleets can utilize these tools to manage complex delivery networks more efficiently.
4. What features should I look for in a delivery route planner?
When selecting a delivery route planner, essential features to consider include:
- Optimization Algorithms: Look for planners with advanced algorithms for efficient route planning.
- Real-Time Tracking: Ensure the ability to track deliveries in real time for better monitoring and adjustments.
- Customization Options: The ability to customize routes based on specific constraints or preferences.
- Mobile Accessibility: Compatibility with mobile devices for on-the-go access and updates.
- Reporting and Analytics: Tools that offer detailed reports and analytics for performance evaluation and improvement.
- Integration Capabilities: Compatibility with existing systems like CRMs or ERPs for seamless operations.
Enjoyed this blog? You might also be interested in:
Brendan Tobin
Michael Santry
