If you're handling logistics for a manufacturing, wholesale, or retail business, you know the challenges: multiple carriers, complex freight rates, and loads of shipping documents eating up your time and resources.

The TMS market has historically focused on large enterprises with complex supply chains and deep pockets. Only recently have more accessible options emerged for mid-sized companies that don't want lengthy implementations and steep learning curves.

Drawing on our decades of logistics expertise, we've conducted a thorough analysis of the transport management software (TMS) landscape. This guide synthesizes over 200 pages (!) of internal research, conversations with customers of various platforms, and sentiment analysis from review sites like Capterra, G2, and Gartner Peer Insights. And yes, full disclosure – you'll find Cargoson in the list, too. Why? We built it because we saw gaps in the market, and we genuinely believe it's the best transport management system for most European manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. However, we do recognize our bias and obviously, different businesses have different needs, and this guide aims to help you find the right fit for your specific situation.

Note: The ranking of this list is based on our research, customer reviews and is geared towards the average manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer.
 
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Key features: Freight rate management, carrier integrations, shipment execution, tracking

Best for: European manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers looking for a balanced combination of functionality and usability

Cargoson is a modern European TMS that bridges the gap between complex enterprise systems and simple shipping tools. It offers direct API/EDI integrations with carriers across all transport modes (FTL, LTL, parcel, air, and sea freight), allowing you to compare rates, book shipments, and track deliveries from a single platform.

Unlike many competitors, Cargoson focuses exclusively on shippers rather than carriers or 3PLs, which ensures the software addresses the specific challenges of manufacturing, wholesale, and retail companies.

Carrier network: Builds true API/EDI connections with carriers, not just accounts in software or standardized EDI messages that carriers must implement themselves.

New carrier requests: Adding entirely new carrier integrations is free for customers – simply request it and Cargoson will build it. Carrier integrations are a priority.

Rate management: Features an advanced freight rate engine that can handle any type of rate sheet/price list with complex surcharges and calculation logic.

Customer support: Consistently praised in user reviews as "ultra fast," "super friendly and helpful," and "unheard of" in responsiveness. Users highlight the team's flexibility, communication, and problem-solving abilities – a significant advantage compared to competitors with support challenges.

Freight modes: Handles all freight modes: FTL, LTL, parcel, air, sea, rail.

Neutrality: Independent platform, not carrier-owned and never resells carrier rates – pure software developer.

Pricing: Starts from €199/month, a few hundred euros per month for the average company, and may scale to a few thousand euros monthly for larger enterprises – significantly more affordable than traditional enterprise-grade systems.

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Key features: Multi-leg shipment planning, rate management, advanced optimization

Best for: Companies with complex global logistics networks

MercuryGate provides comprehensive transportation management capabilities for shippers handling complex multi-leg shipments across multiple modes. The platform excels at optimization across transportation networks and supports sophisticated routing decisions.

Carrier network: Access to over 10,000 carrier connections via EDI and API, though many are through standard EDI formats that carriers must implement.

New carrier requests: Adding new carriers requires significant setup time and may involve additional costs.

Rate management: Supports contract rates, spot procurement, and freight audit capabilities.

Freight modes: Handles all major modes including FTL, LTL, parcel, air, ocean, rail, and intermodal.

Neutrality: Independent platform, not carrier-owned.

Pricing: High-end enterprise pricing, typically starting at $30,000-$100,000 annually, with implementation costs sometimes reaching six figures.

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Key features: Customs compliance, global trade management, multi-modal support

Best for: Companies with significant international shipping needs

Descartes offers a comprehensive TMS with particularly strong capabilities for international shipping and compliance. The platform provides excellent tools for customs documentation, trade compliance, and multi-modal visibility.

Carrier network: Access to a large logistics network including hundreds of thousands of trading partners.

New carrier requests: Adding new carriers is possible but may involve implementation costs.

Rate management: Comprehensive rating engine supporting contracted and spot rates.

Freight modes: Supports all major modes including parcel, LTL, FTL, air, ocean, and rail.

Neutrality: Independent platform not owned by a carrier.

Pricing: Enterprise-level pricing with transaction-based models available (approximately $0.25-$4 per shipment depending on volume), with annual costs typically ranging from $30,000-$200,000.

 

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Key features: Spot-market tendering, real-time visibility, extensive European carrier network

Best for: Large European shippers with significant freight volume, particularly in FTL

Transporeon connects 1,400+ shippers with over 150,000 carriers, creating a collaborative ecosystem primarily serving large enterprise customers in Europe. Their platform excels at spot rate management and tendering, with strong real-time visibility features.

Carrier network: 150,000+ carriers, primarily European, with strongest coverage in FTL. Unless an external integration partner is used, the integrations are not true API connections. Carrier integrations are either standard EDIs that the carriers will implement themselves, or orders are transmitted via PDF/email.

New carrier requests: Carriers can join the platform, but custom integrations may incur costs.

Rate management: Strong spot market functionality with integrated freight benchmarking.

Freight modes: Primarily focused on FTL, with some parcel, LTL, sea and air freight capabilities through partners. In 2024, a partnership with BlueBox for air and sea freight was announced, which indicates a direction towards better coverage in those modes.

Neutrality: Independent platform not owned by a carrier.

Pricing: Modular pricing model with both shipper-pay and carrier-pay options, an estimated €50,000-€300,000 annually for larger shippers.
 

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Key features: Parcel carrier integrations, label generation, e-commerce connectivity

Best for: E-commerce and retail businesses shipping high volumes of parcels

nShift (a 2021 merger of Consignor, Unifaun, Transsmart, Webshipper) specializes in parcel/LTL shipping and e-commerce fulfillment, with particularly strong presence in Nordic countries, the UK, and Benelux regions.

Carrier network: 1,000+ true carrier API/EDI connections, primarily focused on parcel carriers.

New carrier requests: Adding new carrier API integrations can cost €5,000-€10,000 each and take months to implement.

Rate management: Relies on a third-party partner called Libello for storing and calculating from custom tariffs. Can also pull rates directly from carrier APIs when available. The system supports at least 10 custom tariffs through Libello but may struggle with more complex rate structures. Lead time data also comes from Libello tariffs.

Freight modes: Strongest in parcel shipping, with more limited capabilities for LTL/FTL and international freight.

Neutrality: Independent platform not owned by a carrier.

Customer support: A major pain point according to many reviews. Users consistently report slow response times, difficulty reaching support teams, and inadequate issue resolution. While the platform's technical capabilities receive praise, support quality appears inconsistent at best.

Pricing: Complex structure with multiple fees:
 

Real-world example: For 15 carriers, 150,000 parcels, 3,000 pallets with Advanced package:
 

 

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Key features: Comprehensive load planning, WMS integration, dock scheduling

Best for: Large retailers and manufacturers, especially those already using Manhattan WMS

Manhattan's TMS is part of a broader supply chain suite, with particularly strong integration between warehouse and transportation operations. It offers advanced optimization and carrier management features but requires significant investment in both cost and implementation time.

Carrier network: No proprietary network; relies on EDI/API connections and partners like MetaPack for parcel carriers.

New carrier requests: Adding new carriers can be complex and costly, often requiring third-party integration partners.

Rate management: Comprehensive rating capabilities for all modes.

Freight modes: Supports all major transportation modes.

Neutrality: Independent platform not owned by a carrier.

Pricing: High-end enterprise pricing, typically $100,000-$500,000 annually plus significant implementation costs.

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Key features: Supply chain integration, advanced optimization, AI-driven insights

Best for: Large retailers and manufacturers needing end-to-end supply chain management

Blue Yonder's TMS is part of their broader supply chain suite, with particular strength in the retail environment. It makes the most sense when implemented as part of their larger software ecosystem rather than as a standalone TMS.

Carrier network: No proprietary carrier network. For real-time visibility, partners with third-party visibility providers like Transporeon, FourKites, and Project44.

New carrier requests: Adding new carriers usually handled through partner integrations.

Rate management: Includes dynamic price discovery for comparing contracted and market rates.

Freight modes: Supports all major transportation modes.

Neutrality: Independent platform not owned by a carrier.

Pricing: High-end enterprise pricing, typically $200,000-$1,000,000+ annually if using more of their suite, with significant implementation costs.

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Key features: Multi-carrier rate shopping, label printing, integration with e-commerce and ERP systems

Best for: Mid-market shippers looking for a balance of functionality and affordability

FreightPOP provides a cloud-based platform that connects to carriers across all modes, including parcel, LTL, FTL, and international freight. The system offers both shipper-negotiated rates and marketplace rates.

Carrier network: Integrations with hundreds of carriers across all modes.

New carrier requests: New carrier integrations are typically included without additional charge.

Rate management: Supports both customer-negotiated rates and FreightPOP's negotiated rates.

Freight modes: Handles all major modes including parcels, LTL, FTL, and international shipments.

Neutrality: Independent platform but does offer its own negotiated rates, functioning partly as a middleman for these rates (taking a cut from your freight spend).

Pricing: Subscription-based, estimated at $100-$2,000/month depending on shipping volume and required features.

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Key features: Global logistics management, customs compliance, carrier network access

Best for: Companies needing end-to-end supply chain visibility beyond just transportation

E2open's Transportation Management solution (which includes the acquired BluJay TMS) is part of a comprehensive supply chain platform. It offers multi-modal planning and execution capabilities with particularly strong international shipping features.

Carrier network: Claims one of the industry's largest networks with 400,000+ connected parties including 6,000 rail and truck carriers, 800 ocean carriers, 200 air carriers, and 16,000 freight forwarders.

New carrier requests: Adding new carrier integrations costs approximately $3,000 per carrier, with carriers typically implementing standard EDI/XML messages themselves.

Rate management: Comprehensive rate management for all modes.

Freight modes: Supports all major transportation modes.

Neutrality: Independent platform not owned by a carrier.

Pricing: Enterprise pricing typically starting at $50,000-$250,000 annually, with additional costs for specific modules and implementation.
 

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Key features: Freight procurement, spot requests, European carrier network

Best for: European mid-sized shippers with diverse transportation needs

Alpega TMS offers a cloud-based solution with strong capabilities in both contract and spot freight management. The platform is particularly strong in Europe, with features supporting reusable packaging management that's relevant for chemicals and manufacturing industries.

Carrier network: Connected to 80,000+ transport professionals across Europe. In 2025, they launched Alpega MultiParcel which also connects to over 1,000 parcel carriers.

New carrier requests: While carriers can easily join the platform through their portal, requesting completely new carrier API/EDI integrations is more complex and costly. Alpega typically doesn't build custom carrier integrations themselves but acquires companies with existing connections or provides standard EDI interfaces that carriers must implement.

Rate management: Strong rate management capabilities including benchmarking and spot procurement.

Freight modes: Supports all major transport modes with particular strength in road transport. Alpega MultiParcel for parcels and Alpega Ocean Booking for sea were launched in 2025. They claim to cover all transportation modes (road, multimodal, intermodal) and all shipment types (FTL/LTL, FCL/LCL, Pallet, Parcel), but no specific mention of airfreight.

Neutrality: Independent platform not owned by a carrier.

Pricing: Transaction-based with options for shipper-pay or carrier-pay models, estimated at €500-€5,000/month depending on shipment volume.

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Key features: Rate comparisons, booking interface, carrier management

Best for: Small to mid-sized U.S. shippers looking for simplicity

Freightview offers a straightforward platform for comparing carrier rates, booking shipments, and tracking deliveries for the U.S. market.

Carrier network: Connected with 90+ LTL carriers/brokers via API.

New carrier requests: Uses a voting system for new carrier integrations; users can request carriers, but implementation depends on demand volume.

Rate management: Good support for contract rates and basic spot quoting.

Freight modes: Primarily focused on LTL and FTL, with some parcel capabilities.

Neutrality: Not neutral – owned by C.H. Robinson (a major U.S. freight forwarder), though this relationship is not prominently disclosed.

Pricing: Tiered structure based on monthly shipment volume:
 

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Key features: Advanced planning algorithms, global logistics support, business intelligence

Best for: Very large global enterprises with complex transportation networks

Oracle TMS provides comprehensive capabilities for transportation planning, execution, and freight payment across global operations. The platform is particularly strong in advanced optimization and analytics.

Carrier network: No proprietary carrier network; relies on standard EDI connections rather than direct carrier integrations.

New carrier requests: Adding new carriers requires significant implementation effort, typically through Oracle partners.

Rate management: Comprehensive rate management capabilities.

Freight modes: Supports all major transportation modes.

Neutrality: Independent platform not owned by a carrier.

Pricing: Enterprise pricing typically starting at $250,000-$1,000,000+ annually, with implementation costs often exceeding $1,000,000.

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Key features: Deep ERP integration, comprehensive planning, global support

Best for: Existing SAP customers looking for integrated transportation management for large FTL volumes

SAP's TMS delivers robust transportation planning and execution capabilities with seamless integration to other SAP modules. The platform excels at complex scenarios and supports global operations across all transport modes.
Not great as a standalone TMS - best for existing SAP ERP users.

Carrier network: No proprietary carrier network; relies on email or standard EDI connections rather than direct carrier integrations. Rigid on integration with carriers via their LBN.

New carrier requests: If true integration is needed, adding new carriers requires significant implementation effort, typically through SAP partners.

Rate management: FTL rate management with strong ERP integration.

Freight modes: Supports all major transportation modes.

Neutrality: Independent platform not owned by a carrier.

Pricing: Enterprise pricing typically starting at €250,000-€1,000,000+ annually, with significant implementation costs often reaching seven figures.

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Key features: Rating engine, order optimization, carrier connectivity

Best for: Mid-sized businesses needing both parcel and freight management

3Gtms combines freight and parcel shipping capabilities in a unified platform, offering strong planning and execution features for mid-market companies. The system provides good visibility across shipments and supports both contract and spot market rates.

Carrier network: Integrations with hundreds of carriers across modes. 3G leverages API connectivity for all Parcel and LTL carriers, with the ability to make EDI or web portal connections to truckload carriers.

New carrier requests: New carrier integrations are possible but may involve fees.

Rate management: Strong rating capabilities for LTL, parcel, and other modes.

Freight modes: Supports all major transportation modes.

Neutrality: Independent platform not owned by a carrier.

Pricing: Starting around $4,000/month with implementation fees, typically ranging from $50,000-$150,000 annually for mid-sized shippers.

 

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Key features: Real-time visibility, capacity sourcing, predictive analytics

Best for: Mid-sized North American shippers looking for modern technology

Shipwell offers a cloud-based platform that combines TMS functionality with freight marketplace capabilities through partnerships rather than native integrations. The system leverages third-party services for tracking and marketplace access.

Carrier network: Rather than direct carrier integrations, Shipwell partners with external services like EasyPost for label generation and carrier connectivity, Orderful for EDI building, and marketplaces like DAT and Truckstop for freight matching.

New carrier requests: Building completely new carrier integrations isn't Shipwell's focus – they rely on third-party integration partners like Orderful, EasyPost and marketplaces like DAT for carrier connectivity. Marketplace partnerships with Amazon Freight, Uber Freight, C.H. Robinson, FedEx, and USPS. New carriers is likely possible, but definitely not free.

Rate management: Access to rate data primarily through partnerships with DAT Freight & Analytics, which provides market trends and rate insights.

Freight modes: Primarily focused on FTL and LTL, with more limited capabilities for other modes.

Neutrality: Independent platform not owned by a carrier.

Pricing: Subscription-based with tiered pricing, estimated at $1,000-$5,000/month depending on shipment volume and features.
 

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Key features: Parcel and freight management, carrier integrations, ease of use

Best for: SMBs shipping both parcels and palletized freight, particularly in France

Shiptify delivers a unified shipping platform that handles both parcel and freight shipments from a single interface. The system provides true carrier API/EDI integrations for some carriers, carrier-implemented webhook integration for others, and and shipment analytics suitable for growing businesses, with particularly strong presence in the French market.

Carrier network: Direct integrations with carriers across modes. True carrier API/EDI integrations for some carriers, carrier-implemented webhook integration for others, and no integration (just carrier accounts) for others. They have over 2,000 carrier accounts (3,000 or 8,000 according to other sources), and over 300 parcel carriers integrated.

New carrier requests: Adding new carriers looks to be supported with real integrations, although the process of which is not published online.

Rate management: Good support for rate management across modes.

Freight modes: Supports parcels, LTL, FTL, and some international shipping.

Neutrality: Independent platform not owned by a carrier.

Pricing: Subscription-based with tiered pricing, estimated at €150-€3,000/month depending on shipping volume and features.

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Key features: Digital freight brokerage, real-time pricing, simplified tender process

Best for: Shippers looking for easy access to the spot market

Following Uber Freight's acquisition of Transplace in 2021, the platform combines a digital freight marketplace with comprehensive TMS capabilities. The Transplace component functions primarily as a managed transportation service, essentially operating as a 4PL/consultancy with technology enablement.

Carrier network: Access to Uber Freight's large carrier network, particularly strong in the U.S.

New carrier requests: Carriers can join the network, but individual integration requests may be limited.

Rate management: Strong spot pricing capabilities through the marketplace.

Freight modes: Primarily focused on FTL and LTL, with more limited capabilities for other modes.

Neutrality: Not fully neutral – operates as a managed transporation (4PL/consultancy) provider with a TMS component.

Pricing: Activity-based pricing, typically 1-3% of freight spend for managed services plus technology fees.

 
When evaluating transportation management software, consider these key factors:
 
1.     Carrier network and connectivity – Does the TMS offer true, direct API/EDI connections with your carriers, or just emails / standard EDI messages carriers must implement themselves?

2.     New carrier requests – Is it possible? What's the process, cost, and timeline for adding completely new carrier integrations?

3.     Rate management capabilities – Can the system handle your complex rate structures, surcharges, and spot quotes?

4.     Supported freight modes – Does it handle all your shipping needs (parcels, LTL, FTL, air, sea, rail)?

5.     Neutrality – Is the platform independent, or owned by/affiliated with a carrier or broker? Do they make money by reselling their negotiated tariffs or do they have a pure software business model?

6.     Target market alignment – Is the solution designed for businesses of your size and industry?

7.     Price and implementation complexity – Does the cost structure align with your budget, and how long will implementation take?
 
The ideal TMS should balance functionality, usability, and cost while aligning with your specific logistics requirements. Always request demos and speak with reference customers in your industry to validate that the system can deliver on its promises. TMS is a type of software you’ll likely not switch anytime soon, so our recommendation is to really put in some time and undertrand all the available options and whether or not they make sense for your company.