Ascend TMS vs Diesel TMS
Two TMS platforms with a free tier. Only one includes everything for free.
Last updated September 2026. Competitor pricing is taken from publicly published pricing pages and may change; always confirm with the vendor.
At a Glance
- Ascend TMS: Well-known broker/carrier TMS with a limited free version and paid plans at $69, $119, and $149 per user/month. Key features (EDI, KPIs, CRM) sit in higher tiers; load boards need separate DAT/Truckstop subscriptions.
- Diesel TMS: Free TMS with every feature included. $0/month with ads, or $40/user/month for Pro. Unlimited users, loads, trucks, and carriers on every plan.
- Best for: Ascend if you specifically need its marketplace of paid add-ons and are comfortable at $69–$149/user. Diesel TMS for small fleets and brokerages that want the full platform—accounting, driver app, AI—without per-feature upsells.
Overview
Ascend TMS (by InMotion Global) markets itself as "The Free TMS" and is one of the most well-known names in the freight brokerage software space. Based in Tampa, Florida, they consistently rank high on review sites and claim to be the "world's most popular TMS." Their platform serves freight brokers, 3PLs, carriers, and shippers.
While Ascend TMS does offer a free tier, their paid plans quickly become expensive on a per-user basis—and their actual "free" tier is extremely limited compared to what Diesel TMS offers at no cost.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Ascend TMS | Diesel TMS |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Limited free version (very basic features) | $0/month — full features with ads |
| 5 Users | $345/month (Basic @ $69/user) or $595/month (Premium @ $119/user) | $200/month (Pro @ $40/user) |
| 10 Users | $690/month (Basic) or $1,190/month (Premium) or $1,490/month (Pro) | $400/month (Pro @ $40/user) |
| 20 Users | $1,380/month (Basic) or $2,380/month (Premium) or $2,980/month (Pro) | $800/month (Pro @ $40/user) |
Note: Ascend TMS also requires separate paid subscriptions for DAT and Truckstop.com load board access, which adds to the total cost.
Key Differences
Pricing Model
- Ascend TMS: Per-user pricing at $69-$149/user/month depending on tier. Features are gated behind higher tiers (EDI, KPIs, CRM features require Pro at $149/user).
- Diesel TMS: Flat $40/user/month (Pro) with ALL features included, or $0.40/user/hour (Flex) for pay-as-you-go. No feature gates between paid tiers.
The "Free" Difference
- Ascend TMS: Their free version is heavily limited. Key features like advanced reporting, EDI, and CRM tools are locked behind paid plans. It’s essentially a trial to push you toward $69+/user/month plans.
- Diesel TMS: The free tier includes ALL features—unlimited loads, carriers, users, QuickBooks integration, accounting, driver app, API access, and more. The only trade-off is displaying ads.
Hidden Costs
- Ascend TMS: Requires separate DAT/Truckstop.com subscriptions for load board access. EDI setup and transaction fees apply. These hidden costs can add hundreds per month.
- Diesel TMS: Load board integrations (123Loadboard) included. No EDI transaction fees. No hidden costs. What you see is what you pay.
Carrier & Driver Operations
- Ascend TMS: Supports brokerage and some carrier operations but charges per driver/truck in some configurations.
- Diesel TMS: Full carrier operations with driver app, fleet management, truck/trailer maintenance, inspections, and IFTA—all included at no extra cost.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Ascend TMS | Diesel TMS |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Featured Free Tier |
(Limited)
|
|
| Unlimited Loads/Shipments | ||
| Load Board Integration (included) |
(Extra Cost)
|
|
| QuickBooks Integration | ||
| Built-in Accounting (GL) | ||
| Driver Mobile App | ||
| Fleet/Maintenance Management | ||
| E-Signatures |
(Pro only)
|
(All Plans)
|
| EDI |
(Pro only + fees)
|
(Included)
|
| Customer Portal | ||
| Carrier Portal | ||
| API Access | ||
| Integrations | 52+ | 9,000+ |
The Bottom Line
Ascend TMS is a well-established platform with strong reviews, but their per-user pricing quickly adds up—especially when you need features like EDI, KPIs, or CRM tools that require the $149/user Pro plan. For a 10-person team, you’re looking at $690-$1,490/month before load board subscriptions.
Diesel TMS offers 42% to 73% lower per-user costs with zero feature gates between plans. Every feature is available on every plan, the free tier is genuinely full-featured, and there are no hidden costs for load board access or EDI. For a startup looking to minimize overhead while maximizing capability, Diesel TMS is the smarter investment.
Ascend TMS vs Diesel TMS: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does AscendTMS cost?
AscendTMS paid plans are $69/user/month (Basic), $119/user/month (Premium), and $149/user/month (Pro), billed per user. A limited free version is also available. Diesel TMS is $0/month with every feature, or $40/user/month for the ad-free Pro plan.
Is AscendTMS really free?
AscendTMS offers a free version, but advanced reporting, EDI, CRM, and KPI features are gated behind $69-$149/user/month plans, and load board access requires separate DAT or Truckstop subscriptions. Diesel TMS's free plan includes all features, including accounting, driver app, AI tools, and API access; the only difference from Pro is ads.
AscendTMS vs Diesel TMS for a small fleet: which is cheaper?
For a 5-person team, AscendTMS costs $345/month on Basic or $595/month on Premium. Diesel TMS costs $0/month on Free or $200/month on Pro. Diesel TMS is also unlimited on trucks, drivers, loads, and carriers at every tier.
Does AscendTMS work for carriers as well as brokers?
Yes, AscendTMS supports brokers, 3PLs, carriers, and shippers. Diesel TMS also supports brokers and carriers and includes a free driver app, fleet maintenance, inspections, and IFTA reporting at no extra cost.
What is the best free alternative to AscendTMS?
Diesel TMS is a free TMS with unlimited users, loads, and trucks that includes built-in accounting, QuickBooks Online sync, AI email-to-quote, a driver app, and load board integrations on the free plan.
How many integrations does Ascend TMS have compared to Diesel TMS?
Ascend TMS claims 52+ integrations via its partner directory, covering load boards (DAT, Truckstop), factoring/TriumphPay, ELD/GPS, carrier onboarding, and communications. Diesel TMS offers 9,000+ app integrations via Zapier, plus native QuickBooks Online, 123Loadboard, MyCarrierPortal, Samsara & Motive ELD, factoring, email, and an open API — all included free.
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