Convoy Platform

Convoy Platform is a road freight marketplace that connects brokers with carriers through automated shipment workflows and a carrier load-booking app. It is best suited to brokers and carriers handling eligible single-driver full truckload shipments; its limits on freight type and live loading make it a poor fit for broader freight needs.

Automation can reduce brokers’ day-to-day carrier work, but brokers remain responsible for customer relationships and fulfillment. Carriers can access loads for free, subject to account, authority, and insurance requirements.

Overview

Owned and operated by DAT Freight Tech, Convoy Platform combines broker tools for arranging and managing freight with a marketplace where carriers can find, bid on, and book loads. Brokers can connect loads from their transportation management system through integrations or the Convoy Broker API.

The platform supports single-driver full truckload dry van, refrigerated, and flatbed freight, with live loading and unloading required. That focused scope gives it a clear role for qualifying shipments, but rules out other freight types and shipments that do not meet those operating conditions.

Key features

Broker workflow and integrations

Convoy automates carrier negotiation and vetting, booking, tracking, shipment status updates, document management, and payouts. Event-based updates and webhooks in the Broker API can connect freight activity to existing systems, making the platform more suitable for brokers who want to tie execution into their TMS than for those seeking only a standalone load board.

Convoy says its risk, safety, and quality models monitor carrier risk and performance to help detect fraud and theft. These safeguards may help brokers assess marketplace activity, but do not shift the broker’s responsibility for customer relationships or shipment fulfillment.

Carrier booking and payment

Carriers can search, bid on, and book loads in the free iOS and Android app or through the web portal. Instant booking, lane alerts, backhaul search, GPS fleet tracking, and in-app bill of lading submissions cover useful parts of load discovery and execution. Payment options include same-day, two-day, and 30-day choices, including QuickPay.

Carrier eligibility is a meaningful restriction: an active USDOT authority and applicable permits are required, while interstate shipments require an active MC number. A carrier’s safety rating or score may also affect eligibility. Carriers who do not meet these requirements cannot treat the free app as an open-access load board.

Pricing

Convoy uses a freemium model. The Carrier app plan costs nothing, with no sign-up or monthly fees. It provides access to loads, but requires a carrier account, DOT information, and insurance review.

The Broker platform has custom pricing: brokers pay only when a load is digitally booked and delivered, under agreed payment terms. Broker onboarding is required, and the plan is limited to the supported full truckload freight and live loading and unloading conditions. There is no free trial.

The free carrier plan makes sense for eligible carriers who want access to Convoy loads without a recurring platform charge. Brokers should weigh the per-booked-and-delivered-load payment arrangement against the platform’s specific freight scope; it is not a general solution for unsupported shipments.

Platforms

Convoy supports Android, iOS, web, and API access. Carriers can use the mobile apps or web portal, while broker integrations and the Broker API support connections with transportation management systems.

Who it's for

Convoy suits brokers arranging eligible single-driver full truckload dry van, refrigerated, or flatbed freight who want automation across carrier booking, tracking, documents, and payouts. It also suits carriers with the required authority, permits, and insurance who want to find and book loads through a free app or web portal.

Look elsewhere if your freight falls outside those categories, does not use live loading and unloading, or if you need a platform that takes over the broker’s customer and fulfillment responsibilities.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Broker automation spans negotiation through payouts, reducing the number of execution steps managed separately.
• Pro: TMS integrations and an API with event-based updates and webhooks can connect freight execution to existing systems.
• Pro: Carriers can access loads without sign-up or monthly fees, with multiple payment timing options.
• Con: Support is limited to single-driver full truckload dry van, refrigerated, and flatbed shipments with live loading and unloading.
• Con: Carrier access depends on authority, permits, insurance review, and potentially safety rating or score.
• Con: Brokers remain accountable for customer relationships and shipment fulfillment despite the automation.

Alternatives

For a broader category comparison, browse Transportation Management Software.

• DriverNest is worth considering for transfer management with unlimited vehicles and drivers on its free plan; it charges only when users earn.
• Aptean Industrial Manufacturing ERP Traverse Edition is an alternative for readers seeking manufacturing ERP software, with pricing on request and a free trial.
• Bluerock TMS offers a tailored transportation management solution with pricing by request.
• CargoWise is an alternative with paid options including per-package value packs and support for self-hosted and Windows platforms.
• Drivin uses a monthly rental priced according to vehicle count, with no user or vehicle limit.
• Shipwell TMS provides customized pricing through its sales team.
• AscendTMS is another option with a free plan and a Basic plan at $69 a month, billed monthly per user.
• McLeod Software Transportation Management is an alternative transportation management product.

Verdict

Convoy Platform is a strong candidate for brokers who want automation across carrier booking and shipment execution, and for eligible carriers seeking free access to loads. Its key advantage is the connected broker workflow and carrier marketplace; its narrow freight scope and the broker’s continuing responsibility are the main reasons to choose another platform.