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Logistics · head to head

Descartes MacroPoint vs Netstock

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
Netstock logo

Netstock

Inventory

Demand planning and inventory optimization

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Descartes MacroPoint pricing is per tracked load and unpublished, and rates fall steeply with volume, so a small broker pays a much higher unit price than a large one for identical service and has little negotiating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.; Netstock pricing starts at $900/month, requiring annual commitment
  • They diverge on capability: Descartes MacroPoint covers Carrier network, Netstock covers Demand forecasting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Descartes MacroPoint and Netstock differ
AttributeDescartes MacroPointNetstock
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Cloud-based, API access
CategoryLogisticsInventory
FoundedUnknown2009

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Netstock

  • Demand forecasting
  • Inventory optimization
  • Replenishment planning
  • Classification
  • SAP
  • NetSuite
  • Sage
  • QuickBooks

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 Netstock
  • A shipper wanting one tracking view across dozens of carriers rather than a portal per carriernot Netstock
  • A 3PL measuring carrier performance on dwell and on-time arrival with data the carrier cannot disputenot Netstock
  • An operation replacing check calls, where the labour saving alone justifies the per-load feenot Netstock

Netstock

  • Inventory managementnot Descartes MacroPoint
  • Supply chain optimizationnot Descartes MacroPoint
  • ERP system integrationnot Descartes MacroPoint
  • Demand forecastingnot Descartes MacroPoint
  • Multi-location inventorynot 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.

Netstock

  • Pricing starts at $900/month, requiring annual commitment
  • Custom pricing model makes comparison difficult
  • Requires contacting sales for specific 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

Netstock

On request
  • Essential$500/month
    • Core forecasting
    • 5 users
    • Standard support
  • Professional$1000/month
    • Advanced features
    • 15 users
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise$2000/month
    • Full suite
    • Unlimited users
    • Dedicated support

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 Netstock if

  • You need demand forecasting.
  • You work on Web, Cloud-based, API access.
  • You also want inventory optimization.
Netstock review

Questions people ask

Is Descartes MacroPoint or Netstock better?
Neither clearly leads. Descartes MacroPoint starts at On request and Netstock at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Descartes MacroPoint or Netstock?
Descartes MacroPoint starts at On request and Netstock at On request.
Does Descartes MacroPoint or Netstock run on more platforms?
Descartes MacroPoint runs on Web, iOS, Android. Netstock runs on Web, Cloud-based, API access.
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 Netstock is typically brought in for.
What can Descartes MacroPoint do that Netstock cannot?
Descartes MacroPoint covers Carrier network, Multi-source tracking, Predictive ETA, Exception alerts. Netstock covers Demand forecasting, Inventory optimization, Replenishment planning, Classification.

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.

Netstock: How much does Netstock cost?

Netstock pricing starts at $900/month. Final cost depends on the product bundle selected and your specific business needs. Pricing is customized based on company size, location, and ERP system integration requirements.

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.

Netstock: Does Netstock require an annual contract?

Yes. Netstock operates on annual subscription terms designed to deliver continuous value throughout the year.

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.

Netstock: How long does Netstock implementation take?

Typical implementation takes 6-10 weeks. On average, Netstock pays for itself within the first few weeks of use.

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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