Best Route Planning Apps in 2024

Using the best route planning tool for your organization will become increasingly vital in the year 2021. The best route optimization software for the distribution business, food delivery, and roadwarriors of all kinds will become increasingly vital in the aftermath of COVID 19 and the post-coronavirus future.

The question is, “What is the best route planner software on the market today?” Finding the appropriate software is never simple. Route planning software recommendations can be found on sites like Capterra and GetApp. The problem with these types of directory sites is that quantity often takes precedence over consistency. These pages have a lot of uses, although the information consistency isn’t always the best. Costs, subscriptions, and support features are just a few things to think about. To have a better understanding of which applications are worth your time, you’ll need someone to review and score them.

We wrote this article with this purpose in mind. We’ll go over some essentials, such as what makes the ideal route planning app, before delivering our quick opinions on the top of the class when it comes to route planners.

Table of Contents

• The Best Route Planning Apps
• Route Planning 101
• How to Choose the Best Route Planning App
• Top 6 Best Route Planning Apps to Try in 2021
• What is the Best Route Planner Software?
• What is the Best Free Route Planning App?
• Final Thoughts

The Best Route Planning Apps

Best Free Route Planning App: Google Maps

For individuals who want to plan a road trip, Google Maps is a free service. We’ve all heard of and utilized this software, which has become the standard for most people in the sector.

Best Route Planning App for Deliveries: EasyRoutes

EasyRoutes is a well-designed route planning framework that makes your delivery more efficient. It’s perfect for businesses with a large number of deliveries and drivers.

Best Route Planning App for Field Sales: Badger Maps

Badger Maps is a salespeople’s route-planning tool. If you’re in the business of selling and planning sales trips, this software is a must-have.

Route Planning 101

Route planning software is used by courier drivers, delivery drivers, fleet managers, dispatchers, and others to maximize journeys with several stops.

Who uses Route Planning?

It’s critical to understand that none of the services available are “one-size-fits-all.” Each sort of user has a unique routing system, needs, and may require unique features. For one purpose, the finest route planning app may not be the best for another. Consider the following user examples:

• Big couriers like UPS, FedEx, DHL;
• Small couriers and last-mile delivery
• Any small businesses that do a delivery service;
• Sales representatives (or sales reps);
• Fleet management companies;
• Insurance agents;
• Field management services.

How to Choose the Best Route Planning App

There are various different categories of users, as previously stated. That means that the “best overall” optimization tools may not be suitable for all clients. Everything is contingent on the company’s and customers’ efficiency improving. You can estimate how much software is worth paying for based on the improvement in productivity. When it comes to distribution addresses, some persons have more than others. We want you to be able to use software that is tailored to your specific requirements. We propose following a process to choose the perfect program for you. Here are some things to consider when selecting route optimization software.

• The app’s price and overall cost. Is there a charge for the initial setup?
• Is it simple to switch plans? (for example, move up to a Pro plan if you out grow your initial plan)
• What is the state of the User Experience design? Is the software simple to learn and use without requiring advanced training? Is it adaptable? Mobile-friendly?
• What is the total number of vehicles in your fleet?
• Things that are specific to your industry: sales vs. delivery vs. field service;
• Are you able to obtain travel times and estimated arrival timings?
• Is it possible to sort by the delivery dates and times that consumers have chosen?
• What is the maximum number of stops (addresses, destinations, and places) that can be added?
• Is there a driver view or app (for iOS or Android) that is mobile-friendly?
• Is there a map available?
• Is it simple to receive step-by-step directions?
• Distance tracking, as well as fuel and gas efficiency.
• Data about traffic (such as traffic jams);
• Account administration choices and settings, as well as a wide range of options and settings to customize your experience.
• Is it simple to locate, connect to, or import your order data? (It’s ideal to integrate… Spreadsheets can be time-consuming.)
• What methods are used to process and handle payments (including Google Pay, Apple Pay, and all major credit cards)?
• Capabilities in terms of language and territory; the quality of “find route” elements;
• The total quality of the technology, computer science, and algorithm that underpins it;
• What platform (Shopify, iPhone, iPad tablet, Android 5.0, desktop, online tools, Windows) is it running on, and what integrations does it have? Is it cross-platform (web-based applications, such as EasyRoutes, are frequently cross-platform); the app’s quality on a mobile device for drivers and everyone;
• Updates on the status of the project in real time;
• Is there a lot of support for it?
• Is there a lot of positive feedback about it?
• What navigation programs (Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze) does it support?

Top 6 Best Route Planning Apps to Try in 2021

EasyRoutes

EasyRoutes is a delivery route planner program that makes it simple to plan a path for local deliveries. After that, you can either share your routes with drivers or deliver them yourself using our mobile-friendly driver mode.

EasyRoutes integrates seamlessly with Shopify and your store’s orders. You will no longer need to waste time exporting and importing spreadsheets. Simply select the orders you’d want to ship, and EasyRoutes will figure out the most cost-effective delivery route.

Main Features:

• Utilizes all orders
• Share Routes
• Driver Mode
• Edit Routes
• Proof of Delivery
• Add Custom Stops
• Notify Customers
• Mark as Delivered
• Drive Times/ETAs
• Time Per Stop
• Smart Route-Splitting
• Route Inventory
• No Bad Addresses
• Customizable Views
• Get Directions

Platforms:

• Web-Based, Cloud, SaaS
• Shopify

Pros:

• Can create routes in seconds
• Create multiple routes at once
• Integrated directly with orders (no importing!)
• An easy-to-use interface with a lot of settings
• Easy to share routes with drivers
• Great for SMBs
• Notifications to customers work well
• Route editing is powerful
• Easy to get directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze
• Drivers get their own mobile-friendly delivery view
• Outstanding customer support
• Photo Proof of delivery with multiple photos
• Easy to add custom stops

Cons:

• At the time of this writing it is currently a Shopify-only app
• No native IOS or Android applications yet (but the web-view works amazingly)

Route4Me

Route4Me is a straightforward route planner that lets you create, share, and maintain efficient routes in a matter of seconds. It will aid field sales, field marketing, field support, territory management, and other distribution organizations. It creates an optimized route listing in minutes, complete with turn-by-turn driving, trucking, or walking directions. It allows you to save routes for future use and email them to others.

Main Features:

• Dispatch Management
• Driver Management
• Performance Metrics
• Drag & Drop Scheduling
• Live Driver Tracking
• Territory Management
• Barcode Support
• Routing
• Scheduling
• Customer Database
• Job Assignment Management
• GPS Tracking
• Work Order Management
• Reporting/Analytics
• Order Entry
• Customer Portal
• Mobile Signature
• Delivery Tracking
• Fuel Management
• Inventory Management
• Mileage Tracking
• VIN Lookup
• Employee Management
• Cross Docking
• Shipping Management
• Mobile Access

Platforms:

• Web-Based, Cloud, SaaS
• App Store – iPhone/iPad
• Google Play – Android
• Mac & Windows

Pros:

• A user-friendly UI with numerous options.
• The features benefit small to medium-sized fleets.
• Customers receive real-time monitoring as well as real-time distribution information.
• You can update, rename, and duplicate your routes.
• Delivery driver operations must be handled, and several team members must be prepared for.

Cons:

• It is impossible to obtain large data sets from past routing analysis.
• You’ll have to click through a lot of panels to establish routes.
• Expensive

Routific

Routific’s effective route optimization software can help any distribution organization manage their delivery operations, whether they deal with couriers, shipments, or even fresh produce. It keeps your delivery schedule on track with speedier delivery, driver monitoring, and cheaper cost-per-delivery.

Main Features:

• Dispatch Management
• Driver Management
• Mobile Signature
• Delivery Tracking
• Driver ETA
• Routing

Platforms:

• Web-Based, Cloud, SaaS
• App Store – iPhone/iPad
• Google Play – Android

Pros:

• It’s simple to switch drivers, directions, and stops.
• The user interface of the driving app is basic and intuitive.
• Apps for selecting navigation routes ( Waze, Google Maps, Apple Maps)
• Customer notifications are effective.
• Excellent client service
• Activate the dispatch button

Cons:

• The per-vehicle price approach is too expensive.
• There is no GPS data to verify position when a driver labels a delivery as done.
• The driver’s notes must be retrieved for a price.
• It must have the ability to track a motorist in real time.
• You must pick between SMS and email for consumer updates.
• It does not show the route, speed, or other characteristics about the delivery driver.
• It is not feasible to customize the product.

Badger Maps

Badger Maps is a company that provides services to salespeople. Sales teams will benefit from a number of capabilities on their platform. Territory administration, CRM features, schedule planning, and lead generating are all included. It generates sales routes in a friendly manner. It’s a cloud-based app with smartphone apps as well.

Main features:

• Driver management
• Territory management

Platforms:

• Web-Based + Cloud
• App Store – iPhone / iPad
• Google Play – Android

Pros

• Client information, including addresses, is combined.
• Adding an address and a location is straightforward, and it’s also useful for distribution routes.
• Designed specifically for the traveling salesperson;
• It’s simple to upload data from an Excel spreadsheet.
• Create routes by combining numerous locations.
• User convenience and experience
• Use the Lasso tool to create a batch of updates.
• Maintain a list of leads, contacts, and industries;
• Real-time modifications;
• Advanced route-finding capabilities; quick-reference search bar.

Cons

• There can be a maximum of 23 stops at any given moment.
• Inability to make changes to multiple meetings in a row;
• Basic scheduling functions  are not available;
• Inadequate traffic information
• The pricing scheme is an enigma.

OnFleet

Onfleet is a comprehensive route planner with a built-in route optimization engine that considers location, time, capacity, and traffic to give the most efficient and dependable routes. It’s a cutting-edge delivery management system that simplifies the process of organizing and coordinating local deliveries. The API makes it feasible to integrate with online ordering systems. With Driver Chat, ETAs, and confirmation of delivery, managing becomes a breeze.

Main Features:

• Dispatch Management
• Driver Management
• Performance Metrics
• Drag & Drop Scheduling
• Live Driver Tracking
• Territory Management
• Barcode Support
• Routing
• Customer Database
• Job Assignment Management
• Order Entry
• Scheduling
• Mobile Signature
• Driver ETA
• Delivery Tracking
• Surveys & Feedback
• Mileage Tracking
• GPS Tracking
• Employee Management
• Transportation Management

Platforms:

• Web-Based, Cloud, SaaS
• App Store – iPhone/iPad
• Google Play – Android

Pros:

• Adding a new stop, changing the driver, or creating a completely new route is straightforward.
• Because of the improved interface and abundance of data analytics, it’s a smart choice.
• The use of real-time monitoring and predicted arrival timings is beneficial.
• Drivers of real-time communication

Cons:

• There’s a new way to see the routing activities from the prior day.
• It would be better if it kept track of how many goods were mailed out.
• The search bar needs to be improved.
• If there are any issues with the spreadsheet upload, they will not be displayed. It only appears when the upload is completed.

Circuit

Circuit is an excellent tool for tracking your distribution operations. In less than 5 minutes, you can create multiple driving routes. Circuit allows you to create routes, manage drivers, and meet consumer requests. You can track the progress of your drivers and deliveries using ETAs and proof of delivery. The route planner not only helps you plan your route, but it also helps you deliver faster and save money.

Main Features:

• Dispatch Management
• Driver Management
• Live Driver Tracking
• Mobile Signature
• Scheduling
• Delivery Tracking
• Driver ETA
• For Courier Services
• For Restaurants
• Routing

Platforms:

• Web-Based, Cloud, SaaS
• App Store – iPhone/iPad
• Google Play – Android

Pros:

• The process of route optimization is rather straightforward.
• It works with Google Maps as a navigation system.
• Keeping track of the delivery’s progress is simple.
• The ability to save routes for future usage.

Cons:

• Making modifications to routes after they’ve been sent out to drivers is impossible.
• It should be possible to select a specific delivery driver.
• Having the option to configure routes would be amazing.

What is the Best Route Planning Software?

The most important thing to consider when choosing the finest route planner app for you is to outline your objectives. If you utilize a smart route planner, you may save a lot of time and money. The first stage is to identify potential cost-cutting issues and efficiencies, after which you may select the appropriate product to address them.

What is the Best Free Route Planning App?

A free service like Google Maps or MapQuest is best used for simple activities, such as road trip planning. When more sophisticated situations, such as shipping, couriers, and fleets, are involved, the difficulty develops. In these instances, the ideal route planning app will almost certainly be a premium app.

Final Thoughts

We hope this (and all previous) articles will help you decide which strategy to employ when planning routes with several stops and addresses. Finding the finest route planning app for the roads ahead is tricky. Of course, you’ll want the free edition on hand from time to time. As a result, there is a big difference between route planners that are free and those that are charged. This is especially true as you move forward with your application. The benefit of adjustments could be a lifesaver for sophisticated users. We believe that the collection of measures on this website will aid you in making the best decision for your team.

If you have any more questions, recommendations, or clarifications, please email us. EasyRoutes is always there to assist you in determining what you need to do to improve your business. We’ve got your back, to put it another way!

Looking for the best route planning app for you? Give EasyRoutes a try on the Shopify App Store.