Starboard
Starboard is a rate-management and quoting tool for freight forwarders.
What Starboard is
Starboard is a rate-management and quoting tool for freight forwarders. Its AI processes RFQ emails by identifying cargo and route details, finding rates, applying margins, and preparing quote drafts. A searchable database combines contract rates, vendor spot rates, and live carrier pricing. Starboard says it connects to major ocean carriers and more than 100 airlines for live pricing; its AI can also email preferred carriers, track their replies, parse the prices, and save them to the database. Starboard Lite supports ocean FCL, LCL, and air quoting. It instructs users to install an add-in for Gmail or Outlook and connect carrier portals. Listed capabilities include rate comparison, contract management, accessorial rules, and carrier bid management. The platform is available through an API, extension, iOS, and web. Lite costs $199 a month, allows one seat, and can be canceled at any time. Dedicated implementation and support are listed as Premium capabilities.
Good
- Combines contract, spot, and live carrier rates.
- AI extracts shipment details from RFQ emails.
- Supports ocean FCL, LCL, and air quoting.
- Includes rate comparison and carrier bid management.
Watch out
- Lite is limited to one seat.
- Lite costs $199 a month.
- Dedicated implementation and support are Premium capabilities.
Who it suits
It suits freight forwarders who want AI-assisted rate sourcing and quote preparation. Lite is a one-seat option for teams quoting ocean FCL, LCL, or air shipments.
Verdict
Starboard brings rate sourcing and quote drafting into a workflow aimed at freight forwarders. Consider whether its one-seat Lite plan and Premium-only implementation and support fit your needs.
Plans and prices
From Starboard's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Starboard Lite | $199 a month | One seat · $199/month; cancel any time |
The facts
Each one read from Starboard's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- AI data handling
- Starboard says its OpenAI API configuration disables model training on inputs and minimizes provider retention; submitted content may be retained for abuse monitoring for up to 30 days.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Automated sourcing
- The AI can email preferred carriers for rates, track replies, parse pricing, and save it to the rate database.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Carrier coverage
- Starboard says it connects to major ocean carriers and more than 100 airlines for live pricing.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Email access
- Starboard Lite instructs users to download an add-in for Gmail or Outlook and connect carrier portals.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The privacy policy identifies CargoWise as an example of an integrated system for synchronizing bookings.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Intended customers
- Starboard describes its tools as built for freight forwarders and says its founders have firsthand experience with freight-forwarding workflows.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy limitation
- For Gmail accounts without ambient ingest enabled, Starboard says it accesses only messages and threads users actively open in the extension.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Starboard provides AI-powered rate management and quoting tools for freight forwarders.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Quote workflow
- Its AI reads RFQ emails, extracts cargo and route details, finds rates, applies margins, and drafts quotes.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Rate database
- The searchable database brings together contract rates, vendor spot rates, and live carrier pricing.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- The privacy policy says data is protected with TLS/HTTPS in transit and AES-256 encryption at rest, with company-level data isolation.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support and implementation
- Dedicated implementation and support are listed as Premium capabilities, while Starboard Lite is one seat.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Supported shipment modes
- Starboard Lite lists ocean FCL, LCL, and air quoting.checked 8 Oct 2026
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