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Logistics · head to head

Descartes MacroPoint vs Freightview

Descartes MacroPoint logo

Descartes MacroPoint

Logistics

Freight visibility network that tracks loads across carriers using ELD, telematics and driver mobile data

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
F

Freightview

Logistics

Freight shipping management to compare and book LTL and truckload rates

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Freightview has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Descartes MacroPoint pricing is per tracked load and unpublished, and rates fall steeply with volume, so a small broker pays a much higher unit price than a large one for identical service and has little negotiating leverage.; Freightview higher-volume pricing tiers (51+ shipments) require contacting sales for custom quotes
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Descartes MacroPoint and Freightview actually diverge.

Attributes where Descartes MacroPoint and Freightview differ
AttributeDescartes MacroPointFreightview
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteusage-based
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Logistics).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Descartes MacroPoint

  • Carrier network
  • Multi-source tracking
  • Predictive ETA
  • Exception alerts
  • Multimodal
  • Capacity matching
  • API and TMS integration
  • Customer portals

Only in Freightview

Nothing recorded that Descartes MacroPoint does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Descartes MacroPoint

  • A freight broker whose largest customer has made tracking compliance a contract conditionnot Freightview
  • A shipper wanting one tracking view across dozens of carriers rather than a portal per carriernot Freightview
  • A 3PL measuring carrier performance on dwell and on-time arrival with data the carrier cannot disputenot Freightview
  • An operation replacing check calls, where the labour saving alone justifies the per-load feenot Freightview

Freightview

  • Managing LTL shipments with dynamic pricing optionsnot Descartes MacroPoint
  • Integrating parcel tracking into existing logistics systemsnot Descartes MacroPoint
  • Comparing freight quotes across multiple carriers monthlynot Descartes MacroPoint
  • Coordinating parcel shipments for growing ecommerce businessesnot Descartes MacroPoint

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Descartes MacroPoint

  • Pricing is per tracked load and unpublished, and rates fall steeply with volume, so a small broker pays a much higher unit price than a large one for identical service and has little negotiating leverage.
  • Tracking depends on carrier consent, so coverage on any given lane is a percentage rather than a guarantee, and the carriers most likely to be untracked are the small ones causing the exceptions you care about.
  • Driver mobile tracking as the fallback depends on drivers accepting location sharing, and refusal rates mean visibility gaps that appear as service failures to your customer.
  • Ocean and air visibility is materially less mature than domestic North American truckload, so a global shipper ends up running a second platform for international freight.
  • MacroPoint is one product inside a large acquisitive software group, so roadmap attention and support responsiveness are set by Descartes portfolio priorities rather than by visibility customers.

Freightview

  • Higher-volume pricing tiers (51+ shipments) require contacting sales for custom quotes

Pricing, plan by plan

Descartes MacroPoint

On request
  • Descartes MacroPoint$undefined/year
    • Priced per tracked load with rates varying by mode and volume
    • Per-load rates fall substantially at high volume, so small shippers pay more per load
    • Annual subscription with minimum commitments

Freightview

Free
  • 0-50 shipments$149/month
    • Up to 50 shipments per month
  • 51-500 shipments$null/mo
    • Custom pricing for 51-500 shipments per month
  • 501-1000 shipments$null/mo
    • Custom pricing for 501-1000 shipments per month
  • 1001+ shipments$null/mo
    • Custom pricing for 1001+ shipments per month

Which should you pick?

Choose Descartes MacroPoint if

  • You need carrier network.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want multi-source tracking.
Descartes MacroPoint review

Choose Freightview if

  • You want to start without paying.
Freightview review

Questions people ask

Is Descartes MacroPoint or Freightview better?
Neither clearly leads. Descartes MacroPoint starts at On request and Freightview at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Descartes MacroPoint or Freightview?
Freightview has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Descartes MacroPoint and Free for Freightview.
Does Descartes MacroPoint or Freightview run on more platforms?
Descartes MacroPoint runs on Web, iOS, Android. Freightview runs on Web.
Can I use Freightview for free?
Yes. Freightview has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Descartes MacroPoint starts at On request.
What is Descartes MacroPoint best used for?
Descartes MacroPoint is most often used for a freight broker whose largest customer has made tracking compliance a contract condition, a shipper wanting one tracking view across dozens of carriers rather than a portal per carrier, a 3pl measuring carrier performance on dwell and on-time arrival with data the carrier cannot dispute, an operation replacing check calls, where the labour saving alone justifies the per-load fee. Of those, a freight broker whose largest customer has made tracking compliance a contract condition and a shipper wanting one tracking view across dozens of carriers rather than a portal per carrier are not what Freightview is typically brought in for.
What can Descartes MacroPoint do that Freightview cannot?
Descartes MacroPoint covers Carrier network, Multi-source tracking, Predictive ETA, Exception alerts.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Descartes MacroPoint: How is MacroPoint priced?

Per tracked load, varying by mode and volume, quoted per customer. Nothing is published as a list price.

Freightview: What is Freightview's entry-level pricing?

The entry-level plan is $149 per month for up to 50 shipments, with higher volumes requiring custom pricing quotes.

Source
Descartes MacroPoint: What happens when a carrier has no telematics?

A driver mobile app is used as a fallback, which depends on the driver agreeing to share location.

Freightview: Does Freightview offer a free trial?

Yes, Freightview offers a 14-day free trial with no upfront payment required. As stated: 'You get 14 days to try Freightview... if you don't put in your payment information, we don't charge you.'

Source
Descartes MacroPoint: Is it only North American trucking?

No, it covers ocean, rail, LTL and parcel too, but truckload in North America is where coverage is strongest.

Freightview: How does Freightview handle high-volume shipments?

For businesses shipping 51 or more shipments per month, Freightview offers custom pricing. Customers can request annual prepayment options after consultation with sales.

Source
Descartes MacroPoint: Who owns it?

Descartes Systems Group, which acquired MacroPoint in 2017 and retains it as a named product.

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