Direct Freight

Overview

Direct Freight is a load-matching service connecting carriers with loads posted mostly by brokers, along with some direct shippers. It suits carriers who want to search and post loads from web or mobile, with paid plans adding carrier credit information and rate tools. Its free tier is useful for occasional searches, but stale postings and the absence of pay rates on most loads can make finding a workable load less direct.

Key features

The load board supports searching and posting loads and trucks; Direct Freight says thousands of loads are available daily. Its Driver app searches more than 300,000 loads daily, though a listing can remain visible after a broker or shipper has taken the load if they have not updated it. Most listings are for 48- or 53-foot trailers, with partial and LTL loads also represented.

Most loads do not show a pay rate. Since the posting broker or shipper determines the rate, carriers may need to contact them to establish whether a load is worthwhile. Matching alerts, mileage and maps are included even on the free plan.

The Professional plan adds freight rates and toll costs. Direct Freight’s lane pricing tool draws on millions of load records to provide spot-market rates across thousands of lanes; Professional also adds high and low rate ranges and saved rate lanes. For carriers weighing counterparties, Enhanced Carrier and Professional Carrier provide credit scores, days to pay and full credit reports.

Direct Freight also offers carrier search and API access. Its listed partners include McLeod Software, Aljex Software, Transportation Intermediaries Association, MercuryGate, Trimble, Freight Management Systems and PostOnce.Net. The company says it uses SSL and encryption to protect personal information, while cautioning that internet security cannot be guaranteed.

Pricing

Direct Freight has a permanent free tier and three paid carrier plans. Paid plans start with a 15-day period for $1, then renew monthly at the plan price. There is no contract, but accounts renew until canceled; cancellation must be requested before the next billing date to avoid another charge. The service offers a free trial, while the paid plans’ introductory period is 15 days for $1.

Free is a fit for carriers who can work within three searches a day. Basic removes that cap, making it the practical step up for frequent searchers, but it does not add credit reports or rate and toll tools. Enhanced is for carriers who want to assess brokers’ payment records and plan profitability; Professional is the strongest fit for regular lane pricing and teams. The plan comparison describes team and multiuser management but gives no seat count.

Platforms

Direct Freight is available on web, Android and iOS. The mobile app is included across the listed plans, so free users can search and receive alerts on mobile, subject to the daily search limit.

Who it's for

Direct Freight makes the most sense for carriers who want a broad load-search tool and can benefit from mobile alerts, maps or paid search capacity. Enhanced and Professional are more relevant to operators who need broker credit information, lane-rate context or team access. It is a weaker fit for anyone who needs pay rates displayed on most listings or wants every visible load to be current without confirming availability.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The free plan includes alerts, mobile apps, mileage and maps, with three daily searches for trying the service without a subscription.
• Pros: Basic Carrier removes the search cap, while higher plans add credit reports, rate history, toll costs and team management.
• Cons: Most listings omit pay rates, so carriers may need to contact the poster before judging a load.
• Cons: Listings can linger after a load is no longer available, requiring a separate availability check.
• Cons: The free plan’s three-search daily limit may be restrictive for active load hunting.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Load Board Software. Choose BulkLoads if its free plan’s forum, washout search, multiple users, app access and load search suit your workflow. FlatLoads is another free option, with load and truck boards, forum access, industry content and truck or classified postings.

LaneRunner may suit shippers looking for a free posting option that supports open marketplaces and private networks. Carrier 360 by J.B. Hunt is worth considering for approved carriers, though some loads are not eligible for instant booking. FreightLink offers free access for approved members, while its future subscription is priced at $49.99 a month. RXO Connect is a free option for carriers and carrier representatives intended for business use in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Amazon Relay and Doft Load Board are also alternatives for readers comparing load-board apps.

Verdict

Direct Freight is a solid choice for carriers who want mobile load search and alerts, and are willing to pay for unlimited searching, credit insight or lane-rate tools as their needs grow. Its free plan is a sensible starting point, but the daily cap, stale listings and missing rates on most loads mean carriers who need dependable availability and upfront pay information should look elsewhere.