Best Last Mile Delivery Software
Last mile delivery software provides features for businesses to manage and streamline deliveries from the warehouse to the customer’s front door. Last mile delivery software performs this task through route optimization, advanced dispatching, customer alerts, proof of delivery, and delivery analytics. With all these features in place, businesses can speed up delivery times as well as stay in constant communication with customers on the status of their deliveries. Last mile delivery software is mostly used by dispatchers and drivers to stay in communication and provide efficient deliveries to customers. While last mile delivery software is similar in many ways to courier software, the main differentiator is that last mile delivery software focuses solely on the delivery process while courier software can focus on back office and other operations involved in receiving and delivering.
Last mile delivery software is often implemented in supply chain and logistics departments at businesses that manage delivery orders on a daily basis. Last mile delivery software is implemented alongside other supply chain and logistics software such as supply chain planning software.
To qualify for inclusion in the Last Mile Delivery category, a product must:
Featured Last Mile Delivery Software At A Glance
G2 takes pride in showing unbiased reviews on user satisfaction in our ratings and reports. We do not allow paid placements in any of our ratings, rankings, or reports. Learn about our scoring methodologies.
FarEye’s Delivery Management platform turns deliveries into a competitive advantage. Retail, e-commerce and third-party logistics companies use FarEye’s unique combination of orchestration, real-time
FarEye is a logistics solution that provides features for shipment tracking, order management, and route optimization, allowing users to monitor the journey of orders from pickup to delivery. Reviewers like the user-friendly interface, the ease of integration with existing systems, the live tracking feature, and the efficient support for high frequency of use, which collectively contribute to smoother daily operations and cost minimization. Reviewers mentioned issues such as server slowness, sync issues, deployment bugs, and limitations in customization and feature deployment, which sometimes result in time wastage and operational inefficiencies.
1,349 Twitter followers
project44 believes in better supply chains. Movement by project44 is the Decision Intelligence Platform powered by Supply Chain AI that transforms fragmented logistics management into unified intellig
Project44 is a shipment tracking platform that provides real-time visibility, predictive ETAs, data analysis, and reporting for supply chain processes. Reviewers frequently mention the platform's ease of use, efficient integration with enterprise systems, robust user interface, and valuable customer service as key benefits. Reviewers noted issues with inaccurate data tracking, sluggish technical communication, limited coverage of smaller regional carriers, and complexity in implementation as drawbacks.
5,162 Twitter followers
Metrobi Delivery Management Software is a platform designed to simplify and optimize local delivery operations for businesses. It offers advanced route optimization to minimize travel time and fuel co
37 Twitter followers
Locus is an agentic enterprise Transportation Management System designed to orchestrate planning, execution, and settlement across all-mile logistics. It unifies order orchestration, transportation pl
2,540 Twitter followers
Lalamove provides on-demand and same day delivery courier services through our mobile and web app, connecting you with our driver partners.
Shipsy enables businesses worldwide to build resilient, connected, agile, sustainable, and autonomous supply chain and logistics operations. Its smart logistics management platform empowers businesses
Zeo is a Fleet Management Software designed especially for Fleet Owners. Fleet Owners can now Plan, Optimize, and assign faster routes to their drivers easily as per their priority. Zeo helps business
Zeo Route Planner is a tool that provides route optimization and real-time tracking for fleet management. Reviewers frequently mention the efficiency of the route optimization, the ease of uploading and integrating different file types, and the ability for drivers to follow planned routes without backtracking. Users mentioned issues such as a high learning curve, the system becoming less reliable after payment, occasional lag when loading large routes, and the app not accounting for certain local road restrictions.
63 Twitter followers
Routing chaos finally solved. Extremely easy-to-use, Route4Me Route Planner automatically plans routes for your business and dispatches them to a mobile app with built-in navigation. Perfect for field
Route4Me is a routing tool that allows users to create optimized routes, track driver progress, and manage dynamic route changes in real time. Reviewers frequently mention the tool's user-friendly interface, quick route changes, exceptional daily tracking, and the ability to efficiently manage final mile delivery and outbound operations. Users reported issues with the in-app navigation accuracy, occasional app crashes, inefficient routes, and difficulties with the integration SMS service for retail customers.
512 Twitter followers
Onfleet makes it easy for businesses to manage and analyze their local delivery operations. Our product includes intuitive smartphone apps for drivers, a powerful modern web dashboard for dispatchers,
2,120 Twitter followers
LogiNext Mile is a cloud-based transportation automation platform designed to streamline and optimize last-mile, first-mile, long-haul, and reverse logistics operations. It empowers businesses to redu
18,776 Twitter followers
Established in 2018, Ufleet currently has presence in the US, Germany, Switzerland, and Bulgaria and services clients all over the globe. Originally an enterprise solution partnering with some of the
Friendly Route Planner for your local deliveries. Awesome driver app and 1-click Integrations to all platforms.
Nextbillion.ai provides industry’s most powerful route planning APIs & SDKs. Our advanced route optimization engine enables product and tech leaders in large-scale logistics companies to solve mul
339 Twitter followers
Nash is the operating platform for last-mile logistics, unifying complex delivery operations into one intelligent system that reduces costs, improves reliability, and gives enterprise merchants, techn
687 Twitter followers
Global retailers and logistics providers reduce costs and deliver differentiated customer experiences with Bringg Last-Mile Solutions. Through Bringg’s modular technology platform, integrated fleet ne
930 Twitter followers
Learn More About Last Mile Delivery Software
What is Last Mile Delivery Software?
Last mile delivery software allows businesses to manage deliveries in the last leg of supply chain operations—delivering packages from distribution centers to customers’ doorsteps. This phase of the delivery process is generally the longest and most difficult to manage since it usually involves multiple stops along the way. While the final stage of delivery may be challenging for businesses to navigate, it hasn’t stopped customers from demanding quick and seamless service. Nowadays, consumers expect options like free two-day or, in some cases, same-day delivery. To stay competitive, retailers must find ways to make deliveries more efficient. This is where last mile delivery platforms come into play.
Last mile delivery software provides businesses with all the tools necessary to complete deliveries while minimizing costs. This tool includes route planning to optimize couriers’ routes and automatic dispatching for reduced service time and labor costs. It also offers functionalities such as package tracking and selecting ideal delivery times to prioritize customer needs and offer them insight into the location of their packages. It is more important than ever for businesses to provide real-time visibility into operations due to social media becoming an outlet for customers to air grievances, which can harm a company’s reputation and turn away new customers looking for peer recommendations. Finally, last mile logistics tools can allow for contactless delivery, where proof of delivery is sent to customers through a photo of the product after it is dropped off.
What are the Common Features of Last Mile Delivery Software?
All features that come prepackaged in a last mile delivery system aim to decrease costs, optimize labor, and shorten delivery times. The higher customer expectations are, the more efficient a retailer needs to be in completing deliveries. The below features of last mile logistics tools help accomplish this.
Route planning: This feature eliminates the time-consuming process of manually planning travel and instead uses machine learning to find efficient routes that minimize gas usage, distance traveled, and estimated time of arrival (ETA) for deliveries. This helps to reduce labor and fuel expenditures.
Automatic dispatching: Last mile delivery software allows new orders to be instantly added to the ideal driver’s queue based on the route their other packages will be traveling. This feature ensures efficient distribution of labor and shorter wait times for customers to receive their orders.
Smart tracking and delivery windows: These features track customers’ packages and allow them to select an ideal time for the item to arrive. Real-time visibility into delivery is vital for logistics companies because unsatisfied customers sometimes write scathing reviews on social media, which can repel prospective customers looking for peer recommendations. Delivery windows also give more power to the customer.
Proof of delivery: Last mile logistics tools facilitate contactless delivery that confirms proof of drop off with a photo. This feature protects companies against unfounded customer complaints while conveniently notifying recipients of their package’s arrival.
Performance metrics: The ability to track metrics such as on-time delivery, service rates, and distance traveled are central to this software. One can also segment the data based on the time of the week, individual drivers, or teams to assess performance based on different dimensions.
Customer feedback: Customer reviews allow businesses to assess driver performance and gauge consumer satisfaction. Last mile delivery software allows customers to rate their service on an e-commerce platform. This functionality helps retailers improve operations and provide constructive feedback to workers.
Mobile and external integration: Drivers can manage their deliveries via mobile integrations while on the road. In addition, customers are able to track their deliveries and leave feedback in mobile apps. Some last mile delivery software may even integrate with transportation management systems or ERP tools.
What are the Benefits of Last Mile Delivery Software?
Faster delivery time: Route planning and automatic dispatch allow couriers to quickly add a package to their route while optimizing their travel to speed up ETAs. When a parcel is delivered quicker, this means happier customers, brand loyalty, and a strong corporate reputation.
Better customer experience: Tangential to delivery times is improved customer satisfaction. When packages arrive quickly and when promised, customers feel satisfied and are more likely to convert to repeat purchasers. In addition, allowing customers to select package arrival windows gives them power and control over a process that can be frustrating without proper visibility. Centering the customer in the last mile delivery process means better customer service.
Improved delivery operations and lower costs: Machine learning, automation, and fleet analytics used in last mile delivery software also smooth out operations by queuing up orders, dispatching workers, and reducing fuel usage through route optimization. Because more efficient and less expensive operations are the ultimate goal of any strategic supply chain, last mile logistics platforms are vital for any business that uses e-commerce and ships goods to consumers’ houses.
Who Uses Last Mile Delivery Software?
Last mile delivery solutions are generally used by any company that sells and delivers products to a customer’s doorstep. Since many brick-and-mortar stores have online shopping platforms, this software can be used by virtually any business that sells a physical product or delivers food and beverages.
Food and beverage delivery businesses: An increasing number of grocery stores and restaurants are offering on-demand delivery of food and beverages. For food that qualifies as perishable goods, they must be delivered as quickly as possible. Last mile delivery software helps make food deliveries more efficient through automatic group dispatching. This allows businesses to quickly group deliveries together by location, so drivers are able to cover multiple deliveries in one location. In addition, last mile logistics software keeps customers informed about when their order is arriving by providing a tracking feature as well as notifications of any delays or food adjustments.
E-commerce businesses: Retailers that sell goods online can take advantage of all of the features that last mile delivery software has to offer. Nowadays, e-commerce businesses are expected to deliver goods promptly to prevent customers from moving to competitors that have fast delivery times. This software helps businesses by offering features for faster route planning, fleet management, and prioritized schedules for deliveries that need to be delivered quickly. From the customer side, they appreciate features such as live driver tracking, ETAs on package arrival, and driver communication options.
Pharmaceuticals: Companies that ship pharmaceuticals to customer doorsteps must have highly efficient supply chains that comply with legal regulations surrounding the transportation of controlled substances and protected patient information. Last mile delivery tools help consumers plan for when their medications arrive so as to prevent theft, and the software also provides vendors visibility into the final leg of transporting sensitive goods.
Software Related to Last Mile Delivery Software
Related solutions that can be used together with last mile delivery software include:
Fleet tracking software: This software uses GPS technology to monitor activity, vehicles, and drivers while en route. Fleet track systems collect real-time data on driver performance and update ETAs for packages, much like last mile delivery tools. A key difference is this tool enables in-app communication between drivers and managers, whereas last mile tracking solutions include customers in the interaction with drivers. Fleet tracking is also mainly suited to assess driver performance and analyze operation costs.
Fleet management software: Route planning, dispatching, cost analysis, and vehicle or driver tracking are core features of fleet management tools, which makes them similar to last mile logistics systems. However, fleet management isn’t limited to the last mile of parcel delivery and can be used more generally for the transportation of goods in company vehicles.
Challenges with Last Mile Delivery Software
Automation in the supply chain helps a business's bottom line, but that does not mean integrating software into operations is a pain-free process. Change management is sometimes necessary to ensure culture shifts toward industrialization, and getting company-wide buy-in to a tool is crucial to achieving ROI.
Last mile delivery software has the following challenges.
Shifting cultures toward automation: The supply chain is one of the industries most notorious for resisting progress. Despite the enormous benefit supply chains gain from automation, innovation usually happens through select forward-thinking companies or operations becoming so inefficient that there is no other option. With many companies falling into the latter category, integrating last mile logistics systems requires growing pains and change management.
Requires total buy-in and training: An extension of culture shifts toward innovation is the need for cross-company buy-in to ensure a business can attain ROI with its new last mile delivery software. Multiple stakeholders use this software, such as couriers and warehouse managers, so there must be ample training to ensure the product is used correctly to increase efficiency, cut costs, shorten ETAs, and make customers happy. Without swift and total acceptance of the product and willingness to master using it, a company may not receive the full benefits of software that manages the last mile logistics process.
Insufficient customer engagement: Not all last mile delivery tools are created equal when it comes to engaging customers. Although certain platforms have fully built-out chat, survey, and customer notification features, not all do. Thus, it’s crucial to invest in software that has robust customer service features to ensure a business gets the maximum ROI for automating the final leg of the logistics process.
How to Buy Last Mile Delivery Software
Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Last Mile Delivery Software
The first step of the purchasing process is aligning with internal teams on the most important components they need from the last mile delivery system. Once the key requirements are identified, long and shortlists are created to select the best software for one’s company.
Compare Last Mile Delivery Software Products
Create a long list
User experience and user-friendliness are important criteria to consider when forming a long list. Also, not all delivery management tools have robust customer engagement features, so note which products have built-out surveys, feedback systems, and live chatting with customers. Perhaps the most crucial thing to look for with a long list is the ease of integration with one’s existing tech stack.
Create a short list
A shortlist can be created based on more unique criteria, such as the industry for which a product is designed. For example, some software is specifically designed for pharmaceutical delivery that takes into account additional regulatory requirements surrounding patient privacy and the distribution of controlled substances.
Conduct demos
The next step is to have last mile delivery software vendors demonstrate the products on the shortlist to buyers. Buyers must have questions ready to check that the product meets core business requirements.
Selection of Last Mile Delivery Software
Choose a selection team
The selection team should include C-suite leadership from management, finance, logistics, and IT. CEOs offer direction to ensure the product makes sense with the company’s vision, CFOs can speak to the financial feasibility of the software’s implementation, logistics leaders can ask pointed questions about the tool’s functioning in day-to-day operations, and IT ensures it neatly fits with existing tech stacks.
Negotiation
Buyers must make sure to get an array of quotes that delineate how much the contract will cost and for how long it lasts. It is important to know that a vendor will bring its best salespeople to get the largest possible quote for their company, so buyers must be prepared to walk away if the contract does not meet your expectations.
Final decision
Logistics executives should be the final decision makers since they understand the nuances of last mile delivery and know in detail the unmet needs surrounding supply chain management. However, IT leaders must act as a check during the process to verify that the software can integrate into existing tech stacks.
