Loadsmart
Loadsmart operates an end-to-end AI-powered freight platform connecting shippers, carriers, and warehouses through TMS, digital brokerage, dock scheduling, yard visibility, and managed transportation services across North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Loadsmart does
Loadsmart is a Chicago-headquartered freight technology company founded in 2014 that operates an end-to-end AI-powered platform connecting shippers, carriers, and warehouses across the freight lifecycle from pricing and booking through dock scheduling, yard management, and final settlement. Its product portfolio centers on ShipperGuide TMS, a transportation management system; a digital freight brokerage covering FTL, LTL, PTL, drayage, intermodal, and expedited modes with instant bookable rates backed by a 100% capacity guarantee; 4PL managed transportation services serving 200+ shippers; Opendock dock scheduling software used by 3,000+ warehouses; NavTrac computer-vision yard visibility; CarrierGuide carrier TMS; and FreightIntel AI, an LLM-based analytics layer. Underlying capabilities include a dynamic pricing engine, a carrier-matching recommendation system, computer vision for yard asset tracking, and a benchmarking dataset built on more than $250M of freight under management.
Revenue is generated through transaction-based brokerage spreads, subscription and usage-based fees for ShipperGuide TMS, Opendock, and CarrierGuide (freemium with a PRO tier), managed-services contracts for 4PL transportation management, marketplace commissions on Flatbed Messenger (a strategic partnership with The Home Depot), and 2.5% factoring fees on carrier QuickPay. The company serves enterprise shippers, mid-market shippers, owner-operator and fleet carriers, and warehouses, with customer logos spanning Amazon, Alcoa, Halliburton, Home Depot, Scotts Miracle-Gro, Olympic Steel, Cabot, and Athletic Brewing, plus a long tail of 46,000+ carriers and 750,000+ trucks on the supply side.
Loadsmart has raised $346.4M in venture and corporate funding, achieved unicorn status at a $1.3B valuation in its February 2022 SoftBank-led Series D, reached operating profitability in Q3 2024, and is expanding into adjacent verticals such as port drayage (via a Smart Drayage initiative with Maersk and Ports America) and computer-vision-enabled yard management (via NavTrac). SOC2 Type II certified, the company sells primarily through direct enterprise field sales, an API-first model for TMS/WMS/ERP integration, and self-serve online platforms for SMB and carrier adoption, with strategic partnerships providing differentiated distribution.
Loadsmart firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Loadsmart
- Legal name
- Loadsmart, Inc.
- Website
- https://loadsmart.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Loadsmart operates an end-to-end AI-powered freight platform connecting shippers, carriers, and warehouses through TMS, digital brokerage, dock scheduling, yard visibility, and managed transportation services across North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Loadsmart industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Freight Technology Platform
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885), Support Activities for Transportation (488)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dedicated Lanes & Mini-Bid / RFP Marketplace Platforms (TLAEAJAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Truckload (TL) Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAB), Freight Brokerage (Truckload/LTL/Intermodal) (TLAIANAA), Specialized Freight Marketplaces (Reefer, Flatbed, Oversize, Hazmat) (TLAEAJAH), Truck & Trailer Parking/Storage Yards (TLALAKAB)
Keywords
Where Loadsmart is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Loadsmart business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Freight Brokerage: Transaction-based freight brokerage for FTL, LTL, PTL, drayage, and intermodal. Shippers pay quoted fees for transportation services with instant bookable rates backed by 100% capacity guarantee.
- Transportation Management System (TMS): Subscription or usage-based TMS platform (ShipperGuide TMS) for freight planning, procurement, execution, and analytics. Revenue from software licensing and platform access.
- Dock Scheduling: Opendock platform for warehouse dock scheduling. Revenue from carrier/warehouse scheduling platform access and premium features.
- Carrier TMS (CarrierGuide): Free truck management software with premium CarrierGuide PRO tier. Revenue from premium features, integrations, and advanced reporting capabilities.
- Truck Factoring: 2.5% factoring rate for carrier QuickPay allowing carriers to receive faster payment (within 30 days or less with QuickPay). Revenue from transaction fees on factored invoices.
- Managed Transportation Services: 4PL managed transportation services with dedicated teams handling end-to-end logistics. Revenue from professional services, consulting, and technology fees. Potential 15-20% freight cost savings for customers.
- Flatbed Messenger: Premium flatbed capacity marketplace in partnership with The Home Depot. Shippers access discounted flatbed rates (up to 40% below market) from top-performing dedicated carriers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Free | CarrierGuide Free Tier |
| Subscription | Monthly | CarrierGuide PRO |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | QuickPay Factoring |
| Subscription | Annual | ShipperGuide TMS |
| Hybrid | Monthly | Opendock Gate Management |
| Professional services/ project-based | Multi-year contract | Managed Transportation Services |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels8 records
Loadsmart product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Loadsmart operates an AI-powered end-to-end freight platform connecting shippers, carriers, and warehouses. The company sells digital freight brokerage across FTL, LTL, PTL, drayage, intermodal, and expedited modes; the ShipperGuide TMS for shippers; the Opendock dock scheduling platform; the CarrierGuide carrier TMS and loadboard; the NavTrac computer vision yard visibility system; the FreightIntel AI analytics solution; 4PL managed transportation services; and truck factoring. The platform is sold via direct enterprise sales, self-serve online apps, and APIs, with embedded operational services.
Product overview
Loadsmart is a next-generation logistics solutions provider offering an integrated platform-plus-modules architecture. The core portfolio includes ShipperGuide TMS (award-winning transportation management system), Freight Brokerage services (FTL, LTL, PTL, Drayage, Intermodal, Expedited), and Managed Transportation Services (4PL). Supporting platforms include CarrierGuide (carrier TMS), Carrier Loadboard, and Opendock (dock scheduling, now with Gate Management including Driver ID Validation and Digital BOL Signing). NavTrac provides computer vision-based yard visibility. FreightIntel AI delivers ML/LLM-powered analytics. The ecosystem also includes Flatbed Messenger (Home Depot partnership), Private Fleet Optimizer, and integration APIs. The company connects shippers, carriers, and warehouses across the freight lifecycle from pricing to final invoice.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ShipperGuide TMS: Next-generation Transportation Management System for shippers to plan, procure and execute freight.
- Opendock
- CarrierGuide
- Navtrac
- FreightIntel AI
- Flatbed Messenger
Products and services
- ShipperGuide TMS Next-generation Transportation Management System for shippers to plan, procure, and execute freight. Offers real-time rate access, automated tendering, mode optimization, and integration with carrier networks. Award-winning solution recognized for easiest setup and best support in mid-market category.
- Freight Brokerage Digital freight brokerage handling FTL, LTL, PTL, Drayage, and Intermodal freight with instant pricing, spot API ratings, dynamic contracts, and 24/7 freight specialist support. Features guaranteed capacity with 100% tender acceptance.
- Managed Transportation Services 4PL managed transportation services providing end-to-end freight planning, procurement, and execution. Leverages proprietary applications, experienced operations teams, and extensive carrier network to cut freight costs by up to 20%. Trusted by 200+ shippers with 600+ logistics experts.
- CarrierGuide Truck management software for carriers providing data insights, fleet visibility, load matching, back-office management, and profitability tools. Free version available with premium PRO tier offering advanced features, integrations, and tracking.
- Carrier Loadboard Loadboard platform for carriers to find, book, and move freight from top shippers. Offers preferred lanes, load recommendations, instant booking, and access to thousands of available loads sortable by pickup location, destination, and rate.
- Opendock Dock appointment scheduling software for warehouses and carriers. Trusted by over 3,000 warehouses, it is the largest dock scheduling platform in North America, enabling online appointment booking, workflow tracking, and carrier performance insights.
- NavTrac AI-powered gate and yard visibility system using computer vision and OCR technology to automatically track containers, tractors, and chassis. Offers real-time inventory reporting, damage detection, searchable dashboards, and configurable notifications.
- FreightIntel AI
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 20% annual freight cost savings with managed transportation services
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Loadsmart
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Loadsmart technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability10 records
Feature7 records
Loadsmart partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- BluJay SolutionscoreStrategic partnership integrating Loadsmart's truckload rates into BluJay's cloud-based TMS. Enables customers to access Loadsmart's rates within BluJay's platform with real-time rate access, capacity locking, and near-real-time tracking.
- The Home DepotflagshipStrategic partnership to launch Flatbed Messenger platform. The Home Depot provides access to their dedicated and private carrier capacity for other shippers. Combined Loadsmart's algorithms with Home Depot's dedicated capacity to match carriers with return shipments. Carriers have been onboarding since announcement at The Home Depot Carrier Summit.
- KamioncoreAcquired by Loadsmart to enhance freight movement efficiency and transparency. Kamion acquisition aimed to connect shippers, carriers, and warehouses, reducing inefficiencies and improving decision-making.
- OpendockflagshipAcquired by Loadsmart to enhance dock scheduling capabilities. Now the largest dock scheduling platform in North America, trusted by 3,000+ warehouses. Opendock launched new Gate Management features including Driver ID Validation and Digital BOL Signing.
- Scotts Miracle-GrocoreCustomer running integrated WMS flow with Opendock Gate Management across multiple sites. Uses Driver ID Validation and Digital BOL Signing features with automated WMS integration.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Loadsmart competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Uber Freight: Uber Freight operates a digital freight brokerage and managed transportation platform connecting shippers and carriers across FTL, LTL, and intermodal. It is a direct competitor to Loadsmart's brokerage and ShipperGuide TMS, serving similar shipper segments with comparable API-first technology and TMS integrations.
- RXO: RXO is a major technology-enabled freight brokerage spun off from XPO, offering truckload, less-than-truckload, and managed transportation services. RXO competes head-to-head with Loadsmart's brokerage and 4PL services for enterprise shippers and has invested heavily in digital tools.
- Coyote Logistics: Coyote Logistics is a large truckload freight brokerage owned by UPS, offering digital capacity matching and managed transportation. It is a direct competitor to Loadsmart in North American truckload brokerage and shares a similar shipper base.
Broad incumbents
- C.H. Robinson: C.H. Robinson is the largest North American third-party logistics provider, offering truckload, LTL, intermodal, and managed transportation as part of a broad global portfolio. It competes with Loadsmart across brokerage and managed transportation but also serves ocean, air, and customs markets.
- Descartes Systems Group: Descartes is a logistics technology provider offering TMS, customs, routing, and visibility solutions to shippers, carriers, and 3PLs. It is a broad incumbent comparable to Loadsmart's TMS and dock/yard stack but focused on enterprise software rather than asset-light brokerage.
- Schneider National: Schneider National is a major asset-based truckload, intermodal, and logistics provider with its own digital freight marketplace. It competes with Loadsmart in brokerage and managed transportation while also offering dedicated capacity and warehousing.
- J.B. Hunt Transport Services: J.B. Hunt operates one of the largest asset-based truckload and intermodal fleets in the U.S., complemented by a brokerage segment and J.B. Hunt 360 digital marketplace. It overlaps with Loadsmart's brokerage and TMS offerings but also runs owned capacity that Loadsmart does not.
Emerging players
- Flexport: Flexport is a digital freight forwarder providing ocean, air, trucking, and customs services with a technology-first platform. It overlaps with Loadsmart's brokerage and managed transportation in the cross-border/intermodal segments but is focused more on international forwarding.
- FourKites: FourKites provides real-time transportation visibility and yard management software for shippers, carriers, and 3PLs. It is comparable to Loadsmart's NavTrac and YMS offerings and TMS-adjacent functionality, though FourKites focuses on visibility rather than brokerage execution.
Others
- Samsara: Samsara provides IoT and fleet management hardware/software for physical operations, including trucking, warehousing, and yards. It is adjacent to Loadsmart through CarrierGuide and NavTrac integrations (ELD + yard visibility) rather than direct competition in brokerage or TMS.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Loadsmart social profiles
Digital presenceLoadsmart compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Loadsmart financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Loadsmart leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Loadsmart subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Loadsmart funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors19 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Loadsmart M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Loadsmart
What does Loadsmart do?
Loadsmart operates an AI-powered end-to-end freight platform connecting shippers, carriers, and warehouses. The company sells digital freight brokerage across FTL, LTL, PTL, drayage, intermodal, and expedited modes; the ShipperGuide TMS for shippers; the Opendock dock scheduling platform; the CarrierGuide carrier TMS and loadboard; the NavTrac computer vision yard visibility system; the FreightIntel AI analytics solution; 4PL managed transportation services; and truck factoring. The platform is sold via direct enterprise sales, self-serve online apps, and APIs, with embedded operational services.
Is Loadsmart a public or private company?
Loadsmart is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Loadsmart founded?
Loadsmart was founded in 2014. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Loadsmart based?
Loadsmart is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Loadsmart make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Freight Brokerage is the primary driver. The others are transportation Management System (TMS), dock Scheduling, carrier TMS (CarrierGuide), truck Factoring, managed Transportation Services and flatbed Messenger.
Who are Loadsmart's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Uber Freight, RXO and Coyote Logistics. Broad incumbents are C.H. Robinson, Descartes Systems Group, Schneider National and J.B. Hunt Transport Services. Emerging players are Flexport and FourKites. Samsara is listed as an others.
Does Loadsmart have an API?
Yes. Loadsmart offers a public API that enables developers to integrate freight services into external applications. The API supports real-time rate access, capacity locking, spot bidding, booking, and tracking capabilities. Available for carriers, shippers, and warehouse operations including dock scheduling and yard management. Documentation available at developer.loadsmart.com/docs/. Developer documentation is at developer.loadsmart.com/docs.
What industry is Loadsmart in?
Loadsmart's product category is Freight Technology Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAEAJAG, Dedicated Lanes & Mini-Bid / RFP Marketplace Platforms, with a secondary code of TLADAMAB, Truckload (TL) Freight Brokerage. Its NAICS code is 488510 and its SIC code is 4731.