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Logistics · head to head

ShipEngine vs Truckbase

ShipEngine logo

ShipEngine

Logistics

Shipping API for labels, carrier rates and address validation across 200+ carriers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Truckbase logo

Truckbase

Logistics

Transport management system for small and mid-size North American truckload carriers with a published price floor

From
$290/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ShipEngine has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ShipEngine free plan limited to sandbox access, not production use; Truckbase only the 290 USD monthly minimum is published; the per-truck, per-driver and per-load rates behind it are all consultative, so comparing quotes against another vendor is guesswork.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ShipEngine and Truckbase actually diverge.

Attributes where ShipEngine and Truckbase differ
AttributeShipEngineTruckbase
Starting priceFree$290/month
Pricing modelfreemiumPer truck per month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android

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 ShipEngine

Nothing recorded that Truckbase does not also cover.

Only in Truckbase

  • Dispatch board
  • Driver mobile app
  • Settlements
  • Invoicing and factoring
  • ELD integration
  • Document management
  • Accounting sync
  • Flexible billing meters

What people use each for

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

ShipEngine

  • Comparing rates across 100+ carriers for optimal pricingnot Truckbase
  • Creating shipping labels and managing manifests at scalenot Truckbase
  • Validating addresses to reduce failed deliveriesnot Truckbase
  • Consolidating orders from multiple ecommerce channelsnot Truckbase
  • Tracking parcels with webhook notifications for automationnot Truckbase

Truckbase

  • A twenty-truck carrier running dispatch on a whiteboard and settlements in a spreadsheetnot ShipEngine
  • A seasonal agricultural hauler whose driver count triples for three months and would be penalised by per-driver billingnot ShipEngine
  • A carrier whose invoices are late because paperwork arrives days after deliverynot ShipEngine
  • An operation that wants ELD location flowing into the TMS without a second data entry stepnot ShipEngine

Where each one falls short

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

ShipEngine

  • Free plan limited to sandbox access, not production use
  • Enterprise plan requires custom pricing for high-volume users with 25,000+ monthly shipments

Truckbase

  • Only the 290 USD monthly minimum is published; the per-truck, per-driver and per-load rates behind it are all consultative, so comparing quotes against another vendor is guesswork.
  • The published minimum is billed annually, so a carrier wanting month-to-month flexibility pays more or commits for a year up front.
  • Scope stops well short of enterprise TMS: complex LTL rating, multi-leg intermodal and cross-border customs are not covered, so growing carriers face a migration later.
  • It is a small, venture-stage software company in a market where carriers expect a system to last a decade, and vendor continuity is a legitimate concern for an operational system of record.
  • Reporting and analytics are basic compared with established TMS products, so carriers wanting detailed lane profitability analysis end up exporting to spreadsheets anyway.

Pricing, plan by plan

ShipEngine

Free
  • FreeFree
    • sandbox access
    • discounted carrier rates
    • analytics
  • Advanced$75/month
    • carrier account management
    • address validation
    • PUDO location search
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • minimum 25,000+ shipments monthly
    • custom billing
    • higher rate limits

Truckbase

$290/month
  • Minimum commitment$290/month
    • Billed annually
    • Free live virtual onboarding and implementation
    • 24-hour US-based support
  • Per driver, per load or flat annual$undefined/month
    • Alternative billing meters for fleets with more drivers than trucks
    • Per-load billing for non-asset operations
    • Flat annual rates for seasonal carriers with high turnover
  • Carrier Partner Program$undefined/year
    • On-site training
    • Dedicated engineering access for custom development
    • Enterprise terms, quoted

Which should you pick?

Choose ShipEngine if

  • You want to start without paying.
ShipEngine review

Choose Truckbase if

  • You need dispatch board.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want driver mobile app.
Truckbase review

Questions people ask

Is ShipEngine or Truckbase better?
Neither clearly leads. ShipEngine starts at Free and Truckbase at $290/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ShipEngine or Truckbase?
ShipEngine has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ShipEngine and $290/month for Truckbase.
Does ShipEngine or Truckbase run on more platforms?
ShipEngine runs on Web. Truckbase runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use ShipEngine for free?
Yes. ShipEngine has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Truckbase starts at $290/month.
What is ShipEngine best used for?
ShipEngine is most often used for comparing rates across 100+ carriers for optimal pricing, creating shipping labels and managing manifests at scale, validating addresses to reduce failed deliveries, consolidating orders from multiple ecommerce channels. Of those, comparing rates across 100+ carriers for optimal pricing and creating shipping labels and managing manifests at scale are not what Truckbase is typically brought in for.
What can ShipEngine do that Truckbase cannot?
Truckbase covers Dispatch board, Driver mobile app, Settlements, Invoicing and factoring.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ShipEngine: How much does ShipEngine cost?

ShipEngine offers a free plan, an Advanced plan starting at $75/month, and Enterprise with custom pricing. Advanced plan includes label tier pricing from $0.075 to $0.060 per label depending on volume.

Source
Truckbase: What is the minimum cost?

290 USD per month billed annually, which Truckbase publishes; typical deployments sit higher depending on fleet size.

ShipEngine: What does ShipEngine's free plan include?

ShipEngine's free plan includes sandbox access for testing, discounted carrier rates, analytics, label creation, rate comparison tools, tracking capabilities, and webhook support.

Source
Truckbase: Is there a setup fee?

No. Live virtual onboarding and implementation are included, with in-person training available for larger fleets.

ShipEngine: How does ShipEngine charge for label overages?

ShipEngine's Advanced plan includes monthly label allowances from 1,000 to 10,000 labels. Overages beyond the monthly tier are charged at $0.075 per label (1,000 tier), $0.065 (5,000 tier), or $0.060 (10,000 tier).

Source
Truckbase: Can I be billed per load instead of per truck?

Yes. Truckbase offers per truck, per driver, per load, flat annual and custom billing shapes.

Truckbase: Does it integrate with my ELD?

Yes, it pulls location and hours of service from major ELD providers including Samsara and Motive.

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