Kubova

Kubova is a logistics planning service that turns cargo and equipment data into container and pallet loading calculations, visual layouts, and reports. It suits exporters, freight forwarders, and 3PL teams that need auditable placements or system integrations. The central choice is between a capped web-only tier and paid plans built for higher volume and automation.

Overview

Kubova combines capacity estimates with practical loading constraints rather than treating the job as a simple volume calculation. It supports container and pallet planning, mixed fleets, and weight-aware decisions. The service is delivered through a web interface and an API, giving small teams a browser workflow while leaving a path to ERP or automated operations.

Key features

The calculator accepts multiple SKUs and cylindrical items, lets users select standard or custom containers, and allows different container types in one planning task. Its packing engine considers actual container dimensions, payload limits, and gravity. Cargo that cannot be placed is reported as spillover, which is more useful operationally than silently producing an apparently complete plan. Results are inspectable in a CAD-style 3D view with exact placements, and a shareable PDF can document the decision for colleagues or customers.

The REST API accepts cargo and container data and returns placements, used volume, and unplaced pieces. API access is restricted to Pro and higher, so Free is not an option for unattended calculations. MCP support connects Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Cline, and VS Code through a remote connector, with an optional local npm setup. Kubova also describes REST and MCP as integration points for ERP and AI-agent workflows, naming Claude, OpenAI Assistants, and n8n as callers. The default API allowance is 60 requests per minute per key, while pack requests can run for up to 290 seconds; high-volume or long-running automation should account for both limits.

Kubova says data is kept in a managed encrypted database, PDFs in private storage protected by short-lived signed URLs, and computation in a secure cloud region with the United States as the default. Those statements address common handling concerns, although teams with residency requirements should confirm that the default region suits their policy.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing, billed at $0 forever. It allows 50 packs and 20 PDF reports per month, with web UI access only and community support. It is suitable for occasional planning or evaluating the workflow, but the monthly caps and lack of API access make it a poor fit for recurring operational automation.

Pro costs $29 a month, billed at $29/month. It raises the allowance to 5,000 packs and 2,000 PDF reports monthly and adds REST and MCP API access, one user, one organization, and email support. A 14-day Pro trial helps an individual or small operation validate integration needs before paying. The single-user, single-organization terms are the main constraint for growing teams.

Team costs $69 a month, billed at $69/month. It includes three seats, up to three organizations, unlimited packs and reports, shared workspaces, white-label PDFs, and priority email support. Its 30-day trial and shared-workspace features make it the sensible tier for a small logistics department; the price is harder to justify if usage remains within Pro's quotas and only one person needs access.

Enterprise has custom pricing and adds unlimited usage, white-label PDFs, SAML SSO, a dedicated worker pool, and a 99.9% SLA. It is aimed at organizations that need identity controls, reserved capacity, or a contractual availability commitment rather than another quota increase.

Platforms

Kubova is available on the web and through an API. MCP clients provide additional integration routes, but the underlying API and MCP access begin with Pro.

Who it's for

Exporters, freight forwarders, and 3PLs are the clearest audience, especially when plans must show exact placements, account for payload and gravity, or be passed into ERP and AI workflows. A solo planner can start on Free, while teams sharing projects or producing branded customer documents will need Team. Organizations requiring SAML or a 99.9% SLA belong on Enterprise.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Operational constraints: dimensions, payload, gravity, and spillover reporting make outputs more actionable than volume-only estimates.
• Inspectable documentation: exact 3D placements and shareable PDFs support review and hand-off.
• Integration path: REST and MCP expose placements, volume, and unplaced pieces for ERP, automation, and compatible AI clients.
• Clear team progression: Team adds seats, organizations, shared workspaces, and white-label reports rather than only larger quotas.

Cons

• Free is tightly capped: 50 packs and 20 reports per month, with no API, restrict it to light or exploratory use.
• Pro is individual: one user and one organization limit collaboration despite its substantial quotas.
• Automation has ceilings: the 60-request-per-minute default and 290-second pack timeout may matter for intensive workloads.
• US-default computation: teams with strict regional data policies may need to resolve residency requirements before adoption.

Alternatives

Load Planning Software is the broader category starting point when you want to compare several loading tools. Choose LOP instead if Android or iOS access and a very small permanent free allowance (three plans per month) matter more than Kubova's API and 3D reporting. CargoLoader3D is the better fit for mobile users who need manual placement, priority groups, and detailed reporting in its free tier. Pick Goodloading when Linux or macOS access is important; its free level covers default load and cargo-space dimensions but excludes palletization, oval loads, and axle loads.

ALPHA LOADING suits education users or web-only planners seeking education and discovery tiers. StackBuilder is the Windows choice, particularly for Excel-based mass calculations, though its free account processes only the first five rows. LoadingMCP is worth considering when a browser-based 3D planner and compliance verdict are the priority and a no-login free tier is useful. Choose LoadOptimizer.ai for AI optimization with a higher-priced Pro API tier, or Loggy for a browser tool with 3D visualization, custom dimensions, stacking, and no-registration project saving.

Verdict

Kubova is a strong choice for logistics teams that need constraint-aware loading plans, inspectable 3D placements, PDFs, and a route into REST or MCP automation. Start with Free for occasional web planning, move to Pro when integrations or regular volume matter, and choose Team for shared workspaces and branded reports. Look elsewhere if you need native mobile apps, desktop-first operation, or a generous collaborative tier without moving beyond one user.