Last-mile delivery is a headache. If you run a business that ships products, you already know the struggle. Customers expect their orders to be fast, cheap, and with real-time updates. Meanwhile, delivery delays, routing issues, and rising costs are eating into your bottom line. Big players like Amazon have raised the bar, and now, every business has to keep up.
That’s where last-mile delivery software steps in. The right software can streamline your entire delivery process—optimizing routes, cutting costs, and keeping both customers and drivers in the loop. In this article, we’ll break down the best last-mile delivery software options available so you can find the perfect fit for your business.
What Is Last-Mile Delivery Service?
Last-mile delivery service is the last leg of shipping a product from a business to the customer. Typically, a product undergoes the following process:
- Customer orders product
- The product is boxed and shipped at the originating facility
- Product travels from the originating facility to the local facility near the customer’s address
- The product travels from the local facility to the customer’s address
It is this last step that is the “last-mile” of the delivery service. Today, with modern technology, customers and the businesses are often looped into the delivery process via a tracking system with a tracking number.
Also, at the final stage, very often the delivery service will take a photo of the delivered item to prove it arrived safely at the correct address.
Challenges with Last-Mile Delivery Service
Of course, there are challenges with this process, or you wouldn’t be here. And the challenges almost always come from that last mile of the delivery.
First of all, getting products out quickly and free to customers is costly to the business and requires a high level of tracking and analytics.
The primary challenge with last-mile delivery service is that it is expensive and hard to manage.
Most businesses end up eating the cost of fast and efficient delivery, finding ways to incorporate those costs into the products themselves. They also look for ways to cut costs in other areas.
That’s why businesses are turning to last-mile delivery service software to solve their problems.
Understanding Last-Mile Delivery Service Software
Last-mile delivery service software offers a delivery algorithm, or a Vehicle Routing Problem (VPR) algorithm, that calculates the best and fastest routes from the local facility to the customer’s address. This algorithm saves time and money.
Businesses can add this software to their existing CRMs and trust that their delivery services will be fast and efficient, saving them money over time.
Key Features of Last-Mile Delivery Service Software
Many last-mile delivery service software options also offer additional features that come along with that awesome algorithm. They include:
Route optimization
Optimized routing follows the VPR algorithm that will provide drivers with the best, most up-to-date delivery routes based on current road and weather conditions.
Tracking in real time
Customers and businesses will get a tracking number to follow the product from the original warehouse to the customer’s door, with constant updates along the way via email or text.
Delivery proof
Delivery drivers can take a photo of the delivered item and send it via email to the customer and the business.
Messaging systems
Drivers, dispatchers, and customers can communicate via SMS, email, or notifications in the app.
Integrations
Businesses can integrate this software with their existing business tools, including their CRM, so the tracking and monitoring are seamless.
Analytics
Finally, most last-mile delivery software will provide reports that analyze and measure progress, efficiency, and cost savings. Some will also offer recommendations for ways to improve.
Benefits of Last-Mile Delivery Service Software
In the end, the benefits of integrating this software with your existing CRM are many. You can expect to see:
Cost savings
Because you won’t be spending hours or days planning out routes or losing time taking longer or incorrect routes, you’ll save time and money.
Fast, efficient shipping
Tracking systems with accurate algorithms will ensure your products are delivered on time, and to the right place, with pictures to prove it.
Improved customer satisfaction
Because you’re offering these services, and delivering on promises, your customers will be thrilled and likely buy more products more frequently from you. They may even tell their friends.
Better control of inventory management
Real-time tracking also allows you to monitor your inventory accurately, so you’ll always know what you have in warehouses, what’s been purchased, and what’s running low.
8 Best Last-mile Delivery Software Options
Now, which last-mile delivery software options are the best for you? Let’s look:
1. Cigo Tracker
Best feature: Optimization software helps you plan the most efficient routes, reduce costs, and ensure timely deliveries.
We know listing ourselves as #1 is biased, but we’re doing this because we truly believe we offer the best-in-class, best-value software that’s miles ahead of the other software.
Cigo emphasizes a delivery app for drivers where digital platforms for couriers are now at the heart of contemporary ease and economic possibility.
Cigo aims to redefine the framework of service distribution, providing a fluid connection between the growing culture of immediacy and a flexible workforce ready to serve this demand.
With Cigo, you can empower delivery drivers, provide operational transparency and strategic insights, and enrich driver and customer satisfaction.
2. SmartRoutes
Best feature: automated route optimization that allows users to generate the best delivery routes for multiple drivers.
SmartRoutes has designed what they call one of the most comprehensive last-mile delivery systems available. They emphasize route optimization and planning and integrations with common CRMs. The company also features a third-party portal option, a Delivery Experience suite to reduce queries and disputes, and a mobile app.
3. RoadWarrior
Best feature: American-made software for small businesses and owner-drivers.
RoadWarrior is a last-mile delivery software that focuses on small businesses. The company emphasizes its United States routes and has built a strong reputation with delivery drivers as providing better services than even Amazon or UPS.
The app is known for being extremely user-friendly, and RoadWarrior allows users to upload FedEx and OnTrack manifests.
4. Circuit
Best feature: The turbo-charged Google Maps for delivery drivers promises to save drivers “an hour per day.”
While Circuit is simpler and more expensive than its competitors, it does offer an easy-to-use, lighter mobile app that may be ideal for delivery drivers and third-party logistics companies looking to streamline the last-mile delivery process.
One of the interesting features is RoadWarrior Flex, which allows dispatchers to manage their fleet’s routes, track locations, and assign drivers.
5. RouteXL
Best feature: It’s free!
For businesses and drivers just entering the last-mile delivery service software game, RouteXL is one of the softwares you might want to check out. Drivers can add up to 20 stops to the app for free and go unlimited for just $5. You won’t get a lot of bells and whistles at that price, but RouteXL may be perfect for businesses and delivery services that make infrequent or low-level deliveries.
6. Routific
Best feature: Helps with last-minute deliveries.
Like many of its competitors, Routific offers a route optimization algorithm, real-time driver tracking, and a mobile app for drivers. It also has an adaptive feature that allows you to plug in last-minute deliveries and quick adjustments to routes. The company doesn’t offer customization options, barcode scanning, or label printing, but if you have tons of deliveries in a single day and lots of last-minute changes, Routific may be the one for you.
7. OptimoRoute
Best feature: Ability to plan out multiple complex routes for multiple drivers.
For businesses looking for more customization options, OptimoRoute promises to scale with your company, and your deliveries as it grows. In addition to its ability to optimize many complex deliveries for many drivers, the app also allows for depot loading management and vehicle capacity parameters.
8. Onfleet
Best feature: Offers a smooth interface at both the mobile and desktop levels.
Onfleet is one of the few last-mile delivery service software options that exists to serve large organizations. The company offers a mobile app for drivers as well as a desktop-based management system. Users can take advantage of barcode scanning, driver analytics, automatic driver assignment, and even live chat. It’s a pricier app than most, but it is aimed at large businesses, so the price point makes sense.
Software Implementation and Cost Considerations
Each of these last-mile delivery tracking software options optimizes delivery routes, aims to make life and work easier for drivers, and promises to save businesses time and money. Never mind the fact that you’ll be making your customers happier.
Now, when it comes to implementing the software, do you only need mobile services? Or do you want to have a dynamic control center from a desktop?
Do you have a single driver delivering your products, or are you managing a fleet?
Do you need a ton of features, or are you okay with bare-bones?
The features and implementation can vary widely. Costs can range from free to $500 a month and higher, so it’s worth exploring each option, navigating the websites, and even talking to sales.
The Best Last-Mile Software
Of course, we at Cigo Tracker will argue that our last-mile delivery service software is ideal for your business, large or small. This is because we truly believe our software is miles ahead of our competitors.
We offer the best-in-class route and logistics optimization, fleet management, and delivery tracking. Not to mention our customer engagement tools.
Grab your 14-day free trial today and see what we can do for your deliveries!
