AscendTMS vs RateLinx

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Our analysts compared AscendTMS vs RateLinx based on data from our 400+ point analysis of TMS Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

AscendTMS Software Tool
RateLinx Software Tool

Product Basics

AscendTMS is cloud transport management software for businesses of all sizes. It helps shippers, carriers, and brokers manage loads, routes and dispatching. The user-friendly interface features GPS tracking from any device. It simplifies logistics processes by providing shipment creation and carrier selection. It lets managers track, dispatch and process payments.

The platform doesn't require upfront, license or support fees. Users value the solution because it's easy to use and affordable. It offers free training and support. Reviewers also like the free tracking and integration with popular accounting tools.

The free plan suits teams under three users and has functions like shipment management, carrier selection and tracking. For larger teams, the premium plan costs $99 per user per month. It also offers a 30-day free trial of the premium plan.

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Ratelinx is a logistics data and technology provider that helps its users manage operations, drive better results and reduce costs. Organizations can utilize intelligent transportation management, real-time visibility, freight audit and advanced analytics to strengthen data insights across logistics, planning, execution, tracking and payment procedures.

It offers robust modules to obtain inbound transparency, track shipments globally and boost shipment efficiency. Businesses can extend better multimodal services, control and planning resources through accurate predictability.
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$99/User, Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$15,000 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Product Assistance

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24/7 Live Support
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Product Insights

  • Access for Free: Sign up to try the various features and tools without credit cards, contracts or deals. AscendTMS has a special pricing design. It offers a free plan, mainly for smaller teams. The paid plan is also reasonably priced per user, making it a competitive option.
  • Improve Decision-Making: Use GPS tracking and data analysis to get useful insights that support carrier, pricing and route planning decisions. These insights can improve processes and make them more efficient.
  • Minimize Errors: Give employees custom access to information based on their roles. This helps simplify tasks and ensures everyone knows what they need to do. Managing user roles can reduce the chances of errors and make operations more efficient.
  • Report Taxes: File IFTA taxes with the click of a button, and the app does all the heavy lifting. AscendTMS records where businesses bought fuel, their routes, miles through each state and the tax rates. The manual adjustment mode lets managers import fuel card data. The system then calculates the exact IFTA tax for each state.
  • Save Time: Boost ROI by automating load postings, driver tasks and payroll calculation. Managers can save planning and analysis time with fewer tasks to handle.
  • Gain Visibility: Manage and track freight using one platform. It lets companies create loads and pick carriers. Real-time visibility into the supply chain improves efficiency.
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  • Seamless Implementation: Leverage rapid deployment process with low internal IT requirement and no service or change fees to reduce implementation costs. Provides the latest software with auto-updates and manages rate changes. 
  • Increase Profitability: Minimize working capital with improved inventory, budgeting and forecasting. Competition and process automation drive margin enhancements and reduce costs. 
  • Improve Services: Improve services, minimize expenses and encourage overall business development with insight-driven tools. Measure and monitor performance using advanced analytics capabilities. 
  • Real-Time Visibility: Enhance customer experience, optimize transit times and improve on-time delivery to drive sustainable growth. Ensure complete connectivity and data quality for all suppliers. Provides alerts about critical exceptions like missed pick-ups and late deliveries. 
  • Enhanced Data Quality: Provides in-depth and timely insights across logistics processes with the data quality engine. Onboard data sources and cleanse, normalize and standardize information for reliable outcomes. Continuously monitors data for errors with AI and machine learning algorithms. 
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  • Load Management: Use the Load Financials tool to keep track of income, budget and expenses. Easily add financial information to a load and monitor profits or losses. Businesses can also export financial data to an accounting system, which makes it easier to track finances.
  • Document Management: View and scan PoD documents that drivers send. Manage important company documents like driver paperwork, credit applications, carrier packets and contracts. Attaching them to carriers, customers, and loads is quick and easy.
  • Truckload Rate Index: Get a free truckload rate index with AscendAccuRate. Access line-haul rates for any lane (low, medium, high and average RPMs) using pickup and drop-off locations. This tool compiles the averages of hundreds of thousands of actual loads. Stay on top of the changing market with real-time rates.
  • Asset and Fleet Management: Give asset management tools to carriers, brokers and shippers. Manage power units, trailers, containers and drivers. Transfer assets or third-party carriers to any load from one screen. Text messages help track drivers.
  • Driver Payroll and Settlement: Choose data ranges for each driver and select different payment types, such as per pallet, per case, hourly, per mile or on a per hundred pounds basis. The system also considers costs like per diems, stop fees and fuel passes.
  • Claims Management: Let drivers take pictures of the cargo at pickup and delivery locations. This feature protects firms from non-legitimate claims. These pictures, sent via text message, are automatically linked to the correct load. They're date and time-stamped and help reduce the amount of a valid claim. This creates unmistakable proof to support companies in case a claim arises.
  • Ascend Dashboard: Access key information about the business in a simple-to-read format. Access modules like Financial Quick Look, Load Volumes, and National Rate and Fuel Trends.
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  • Transportation Management: Offers advanced transportation tools and prescriptive insights to optimize logistics. Includes multimodal execution, omnichannel fulfillment, global shipping, planning and optimization, dock/appt shipping, pooling and consolidation, and carrier performance modules. 
    • Small Parcel and Courier: A certified provider for regional, national and international parcel carriers worldwide helps use services from any courier. Provides the best shipping rates, allows unlimited shipping, manages and maintains rates, and offers international support. 
    • Spot Quote Management: Get the best quotes from preferred carriers and digital brokers for one-off shipments. Send loads to bid automatically and get responses quickly. Use carriers that fulfill compliance standards and insurance requirements. 
    • Supplier Portal: Offers a supplier portal to gain inbound and freight visibility and control. Improve supplier relationships through accurate ETAs, insights and reports, standardized documentation and seamless onboarding with automated registrations. 
  • Invoice Management: Leverage freight audit automation and analytics to minimize costs and manual procedures. Optimize transportation operations by combining payment data with shipment data. Meet operational needs for month-end, bridge reporting and more by creating custom reports. GL code and cost allocate freight transactions automatically. 
  • Transportation Modeling: Provides advanced modeling and collaborative procurement to optimize networks, carriers and freight. Integrate couriers with suitable loads to improve procurement. Logistically improve all locations using carrier collaboration. Engage with various suppliers and use accurate data to boost savings. Manage spend and ensure all areas employ optimal couriers. 
  • Advanced Analytics: Improve services, operations and finance via analytics based on quality data. Provides cross-functional visibility into invoice spend and status. Utilize a single data set to analyze ship, track and pay data. 
    • Accelerated Analytics Tower: Get complete visibility into supply chain costs to improve efficiencies, scale operations and drive better results. Offers accurate financials, forecasts and automated exception handling. 
    • Prescriptive Insights: Digitizes decision-making with AI-driven technologies, delivers recommendations and makes necessary changes automatically. Businesses can promote performance improvements, ensure compliance, meet service requirements and minimize service failures. 
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Product Ranking

#51

among all
TMS Software

#56

among all
TMS Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

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Transportation Order Management
Freight Rating and Multimodal Transport
Reporting and dashboards

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

AscendTMS
RateLinx
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Claims Management Compliance And Governance Dock Scheduling And Yard Management Freight Rating And Multimodal Transport Mobile Reporting And Dashboards Transportation Order Management Transportation Sourcing And Procurement 78 50 0 77 0 73 92 46 32 40 37 91 50 88 66 56 0 25 50 75 100
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Reduce Manual Work: A TMS cuts out manual work and makes processes simpler, saving time.
Save Money: The solution provides smarter routes, combines loads and arranges better transport rates. This leads to major cost savings.
Track Shipments: See shipment routes and take care of issues as they happen.
Update Customers: A TMS keeps firms in the loop about delivery so they can give customers timely updates.
Increase Capacity: TMS solutions can handle more volume and grow with business needs.
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Streamlined Communication: Users praise RateLinx for simplifying communication throughout their supply chains. The platform acts as a central hub for all parties involved, from carriers to suppliers, making it easier to track shipments and address potential issues.
Enhanced Visibility: RateLinx provides users with real-time insights into their supply chain operations. This granular level of visibility allows businesses to identify bottlenecks, optimize routes, and make more informed decisions regarding their logistics.
Cost Savings: Many users highlight RateLinx's ability to help them reduce transportation costs. By providing access to a network of carriers and offering advanced analytics for route optimization, the platform empowers businesses to negotiate better rates and minimize unnecessary expenses.
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Expensive: Starting and maintaining a TMS can cost a lot due to licensing and subscription fees.
Difficult Setup: Teaching employees a new system can take a while. Adding a TMS to existing software can be tough.
Hard to Use: TMS platforms can be hard to use thanks to numerous features that aren’t all essential.
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Difficult to Use: Some users have reported that the platform can be difficult to navigate and use, especially for those who are not familiar with supply chain management software.
Limited Functionality: RateLinx has been criticized for its limited functionality, particularly in areas such as transportation management and warehouse management. For example, some users have noted that the platform lacks features for managing inventory levels or tracking shipments in real-time.
Poor Customer Support: Several users have complained about the quality of customer support provided by RateLinx. They have reported long wait times, unhelpful responses, and a lack of follow-up from support staff.
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AscendTMS is a user-friendly digital tool. It helps all types of companies manage their transport needs. It’s especially useful for professionals who work in shipping, load carrying and routing. Supply chain activities can be seen live, which helps improve freight flow.The solution costs nothing for small teams and has a fair price for larger teams. It doesn't involve any extra fees or license costs.

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RateLinx has garnered praise for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive suite of features, particularly its robust order tracking and insightful cost analysis tools. Users highlight its ability to streamline complex shipping and logistics, making it a favorite among businesses grappling with intricate supply chains. However, some users have pointed out that its supplier management module could benefit from enhancements for greater efficiency. Despite this, RateLinx's affordability, especially compared to competitors like Blue Yonder, makes it a compelling choice for businesses seeking a cost-effective yet powerful solution. RateLinx appears to be a good fit for businesses of all sizes that need a user-friendly and comprehensive platform to manage their supply chains, particularly those heavily reliant on efficient shipping and logistics. Its affordability makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to optimize their supply chain management without breaking the bank.

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