FreightLink

FreightLink is a curated freight marketplace for brokers, carriers, dispatchers, and shippers handling U.S. last-mile and hotshot work. It is a strong fit for businesses that want manually screened participants and an integrated booking workflow, but less suitable for overseas operations or integrations that depend on push-based status events.

Overview

FreightLink connects freight participants through a private network covering sprinter vans, box trucks, and hotshot flatbeds. Joining is deliberately controlled: brokers, carriers, dispatchers, and shippers undergo checks of operating authority, insurance, and legal compliance. Carrier verification additionally requires a driver's license, DOT and MC information, insurance, vehicle photographs, and inspection records. This screening can reduce counterparty risk for companies that prefer a vetted pool, although it adds an approval step that open load exchanges do not.

Carriers and dispatchers must be based in the United States, and overseas operations are excluded. FreightLink says it enforces Fair Play Standards and provides dispute resolution, giving members a defined process when transactions go wrong. Its privacy policy describes encryption in transit, access controls, and audit logs. It does not sell personal information or share identification photos for third-party marketing, while acknowledging that no system can be completely secure.

Key features

Search, booking, and paperwork

Carrier search, load search, booking, and load alerts cover the practical steps from finding capacity to arranging a move. Users can generate bills of lading, rate confirmations, and invoices instantly, reducing the need to prepare those documents separately. The combination is most useful to small fleets, dispatch services, and brokers that want one workflow for discovery, confirmation, and transaction paperwork.

Integration and support

FreightLink documents live TMS load-push, approved broker TMS, and load-search and booking integration models. Carrier-directory API access is marked private and future, so organizations planning around that endpoint should not treat it as a current capability. API access requires an approved FreightLink Integration Partner application and issued credentials. Partners cannot permanently delete loads, and outbound event delivery to partner endpoints is not deployed; status changes therefore require polling load endpoints. That limitation makes the API workable for systems that can schedule polling, but a poor match for teams that require real-time webhook-style updates.

Load-board customer service is available at (501) 387-3323, Monday–Friday, 9 AM–3 PM CST.

Pricing

The Free plan costs free and is 100% free for approved members, with no hidden fees and no credit card required. It is the logical starting point for brokers, carriers, dispatchers, and shippers willing to pass FreightLink's vetting process; the published plan does not impose a stated seat or usage quota.

A Future subscription is priced at $49.99 a month, billed at $49.99/month. For now, approved members can use the free offering rather than committing to a renewal schedule.

Platforms

FreightLink supports web, iOS, Android, and API access. That combination covers office dispatch and mobile work, while the API serves approved integration partners. Because partner status polling is required instead of outbound event delivery, API suitability depends on the technical team's ability to manage recurring endpoint checks.

Who it's for

FreightLink is aimed at U.S. brokers, carriers, dispatchers, and shippers working in last-mile and hotshot freight. Its demos also target factoring companies, insurance companies, and fuel card providers. It is not intended for overseas carrier or dispatch operations, and prospective API users must be accepted as Integration Partners before receiving credentials.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Manual network vetting: Authority, insurance, identity, vehicle, and inspection checks give risk-conscious participants a more controlled pool.
• Complete core workflow: Search, carrier discovery, alerts, booking, and instant freight documents are combined in one service.
• No-cost entry: Approved members can use the Free plan without a card or stated hidden fees.
• Privacy safeguards: Encryption, access controls, audit logs, and a no-sale policy for personal information address common data concerns.

Cons

• U.S.-only participation: Overseas carriers and dispatchers cannot use the network.
• Approval required: Membership screening and separate API-partner approval prevent immediate open access.
• Polling-only API status: Without deployed outbound events, integrations must poll load endpoints and cannot permanently delete loads.
• Future paid tier is undefined: The planned $49.99 monthly subscription has no stated timing or limits.

Alternatives

Choose Direct Freight if you need a free forever plan with three daily load searches, truck posting, matching alerts, mileage and maps, and iOS and Android apps, plus a free trial. BulkLoads suits users wanting a free load board with forum access, washout search, multiple users, app access, and load search. Pick Carrier First Management when a free broker plan with unlimited postings, quote and bid management, carrier communication, automated invoicing, and document management is the priority. Doft Load Board is a better fit for owner-operators and small fleets seeking unlimited free carrier searches and a free trial. FlatLoads favors users who want free board browsing, forum access, and classified posting without a trial. Choose LaneRunner for free shipper access with unlimited posting, private networks, and multi-stop support. LoadBetter offers free broker accounts with unlimited loads, internal users, and carrier invitations. RXO Connect is a free option for commercial carriers and representatives operating in the United States, Mexico, or Canada.

For a broader category comparison, see Load Board Software.

Verdict

FreightLink is a sound choice for approved U.S. freight participants who value verified counterparties, built-in booking, alerts, and document generation at no current cost. Look elsewhere if you need international participation, instant self-service access, or event-driven API updates rather than polling.