FlatLoads

FlatLoads is a specialized load board and community for flatbed and open-deck freight. It suits carriers, owner-operators, brokers, and shippers who need equipment-specific dimensions and securement information; casual users of general freight boards will find its paid contact and matching tools less relevant.

Overview

FlatLoads supports flatbed, step deck, removable gooseneck, double drop, lowboy, B-train, Conestoga, and hotshot equipment. Every load includes length, width, height, and weight, as well as who handles tarping and the required securement. That mandatory detail makes listings more useful for deciding whether a load actually fits a deck and operating capability than a board with generic descriptions.

A forum, member ratings, and broker pay-speed history give the service a community and risk-screening dimension. One account works across FlatLoads, BulkLoads.com, Livestock Loads, Dispatch, Insurance, and Quick Pay, a practical advantage for members using several of those services. Support and sales are based in Springfield, Missouri, and reachable at 1-800-518-9240.

Key features

Carrier tools

The $29.99-per-month Carrier membership unlocks full load details and direct contact information, then adds text and push lane alerts, broker ratings and pay history, deck, capacity, and lane filters, plus truck posting for deck and preferred lanes. These tools directly address the carrier's job of finding a suitable move and deciding whether a broker is worth the follow-up. The free tier can show boards and lets members post a truck or classified, but it does not provide the full details or direct contacts needed to pursue loads efficiently.

Shipper and broker tools

At $99.00 per month, the Shipper & Broker plan provides unlimited load posting, search and broadcast to matching carriers, carrier vetting, deck and capacity filters, direct messaging, and posting-performance reporting. Unlimited posting is valuable for an active desk, while vetting and reporting support repeat recruiting and measurement. The price is difficult to justify for an occasional shipper who only needs to place a few loads and does not need the matching workflow.

Community and access

The forum and rating history can add context before a booking, rather than leaving users with a bare listing. FlatLoads runs on web, Android, iPhone, and iPad, with mobile apps, load alerts, carrier search, and API access identified among its capabilities. Google Maps Platform APIs, including Google Maps API and Place API, may be used in the service. Payment data is stored by Authorize.net; the operator describes organizational and technical safeguards but does not guarantee completely secure internet transmission or storage.

Pricing

Plan	Price	What you get
Free	0.00 USD, billed forever	Browse load and truck boards, full forum access, news, video and industry features, and post a truck or classified.
Carrier	$29.99 a month	Full load details, direct contacts, text and push alerts, broker ratings and pay history, deck/capacity/lane filters, and deck and preferred-lane posting.
Shipper & Broker	$99 a month	Unlimited posting, carrier search and broadcast, vetting, filters, messaging, and posting-performance reporting.

There is no free trial. Memberships are month to month with no application fee or annual commitment; cancellation takes effect at the end of the paid period. The free plan is suitable for browsing and community participation, but serious carrier prospecting requires the Carrier tier, while businesses recruiting at volume need the Shipper & Broker plan.

Platforms

FlatLoads is available on the web, Android, iPhone, and iPad. Mobile access supports work away from a desk, while API access is identified for integrations.

Who it's for

Choose FlatLoads if your freight regularly uses open-deck equipment and dimensions, tarping, and securement determine feasibility. Carriers gain the most from paid alerts, filters, and broker payment history; shippers and brokers gain from unlimited posting and carrier outreach. It is a weaker fit for standard dry-van work or anyone who only wants occasional free searches and direct contacts.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Equipment-specific listings: Required dimensions and securement information make flatbed decisions more concrete.
• Useful carrier screening: Ratings and broker pay-speed history provide context before committing time.
• Role-based paid tools: Separate Carrier and Shipper & Broker plans avoid forcing every user into the same workflow.
• Flexible billing: Month-to-month terms and cancellation at period end avoid an annual lock-in.

Cons

• Key contacts are paywalled: Free members can browse but cannot use full load details or direct contact information.
• No trial: Prospective paid users must commit to a paid month to evaluate the workflow.
• High broker/shipper entry price: $99.00 per month may exceed the needs of low-volume posters.
• Security limitation: The operator does not guarantee completely secure transmission or storage.

Alternatives

• Direct Freight is a better choice for carriers wanting a free plan with three daily searches, matching alerts, mileage and maps, and iOS and Android apps, plus a free trial.
• BulkLoads suits users seeking a free load-board tier with a forum, washout search, multiple users, app access, and load search.
• Carrier First Management is preferable to brokers needing a free plan with unlimited postings, quote and bid management, communication, invoicing, and document management.
• Doft Load Board fits owner-operators and small fleets wanting unlimited free load search and a free trial.
• FreightLink is an option for approved members seeking a fully free service with no hidden fees or credit card requirement.
• LaneRunner may suit shippers wanting unlimited free posting across open marketplaces and private networks.
• LoadBetter is worth considering for brokers wanting unlimited loads, internal users, and carrier invitations on a free plan.
• RXO Connect is a free alternative for carriers and carrier representatives handling commercial or business work in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

See the Load Board Software category for more options.

Verdict

FlatLoads is the right choice for flatbed and open-deck professionals who need precise equipment data and, on paid tiers, targeted contacts, alerts, and carrier or broker workflow tools. The $29.99 Carrier plan is the clearest fit for active carriers, while the $99.00 Shipper & Broker plan targets teams posting and sourcing at volume. Look elsewhere if you need a trial, a broad general-freight marketplace, or free access to direct contacts.