ITS Dispatch vs Diesel TMS
See how Diesel TMS compares on pricing, features, and value.
Overview
ITS Dispatch (now part of Truckstop) is a budget-friendly TMS primarily designed for carriers and owner-operators, with a separate offering for brokers and shippers. Acquired by Truckstop.com, it integrates with their load board ecosystem and offers straightforward plans at low monthly rates.
While ITS Dispatch is affordable (starting at $50/month), it’s a significantly more limited platform compared to full-featured TMS solutions. It lacks built-in accounting, advanced reporting, and many modern features that growing operations need. You’ll likely outgrow it quickly and face a costly migration later.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | ITS Dispatch | Diesel TMS |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Not available | $0/month (Free forever, full features) |
| Owner-Operator (Carrier) | $50/month + $40 initial charge | $0/month (Free) or $40/month (Pro) |
| Carrier | $75/month + $125 initial charge | $0/month (Free) or $40/user/month (Pro) |
| Carrier Pro | $99/month + $5/truck + $125 initial | $40/user/month — unlimited trucks |
| Broker/Shipper | $75/month + $125 initial charge | $0/month (Free) or $40/user/month (Pro) |
| Dual Authority | $105-$129/month + $125 initial | $40/user/month — single platform |
Note: ITS Dispatch charges a one-time initial setup fee ($40-$125) on all plans. Some plans also charge per-truck fees. Add-ons like IFTA, agent offices, and advanced features cost extra.
Key Differences
Feature Depth
- ITS Dispatch: Basic load management, invoicing, and QuickBooks integration. Focused on simplicity but lacks advanced features like built-in accounting, AI tools, driver apps, fleet maintenance, and advanced reporting.
- Diesel TMS: Full-featured platform with double-entry accounting, AI email-to-quote, driver mobile app, fleet maintenance, 150+ point inspections, custom reports, carrier portals, e-signatures, and much more—all included free.
Growth & Scalability
- ITS Dispatch: Works well for small operations but becomes limiting as you grow. Per-truck fees on Pro plans mean costs scale with fleet size. Limited reporting and no built-in accounting means you’ll need additional software.
- Diesel TMS: Scales from 1 user to 100+ without changing platforms. Unlimited trucks, loads, carriers, and users. Built-in accounting eliminates the need for separate financial software.
Setup Fees
- ITS Dispatch: Charges initial setup fees ($40-$125) on every plan.
- Diesel TMS: Zero setup fees, zero implementation costs. Sign up and start immediately.
Modern Features
- ITS Dispatch: Older interface and limited modern capabilities. No AI features, no mobile driver app, no real-time chat, no API access for custom integrations.
- Diesel TMS: Modern UI with dark mode, AI-powered features, real-time team chat, driver mobile app, API access, and regular feature updates.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ITS Dispatch | Diesel TMS |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | ❌ | ✅ |
| No Setup Fee | ❌ | ✅ |
| Unlimited Trucks (no per-truck fee) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Built-in Accounting (GL) | ❌ | ✅ |
| AI Features | ❌ | ✅ |
| Driver Mobile App | ❌ | ✅ |
| Fleet Maintenance/Inspections | ❌ | ✅ |
| QuickBooks Integration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Load Board Integration | ✅ (Truckstop) | ✅ |
| E-Signatures | ❌ | ✅ |
| API Access | ❌ | ✅ |
| Customer/Carrier Portals | Limited | ✅ |
The Bottom Line
ITS Dispatch is appealingly cheap at $50-$129/month, but you get what you pay for—a basic system that you’ll likely outgrow within the first year. The lack of built-in accounting, AI tools, driver apps, and modern features means you’ll end up paying for additional software to fill the gaps, negating the initial savings.
Diesel TMS’s free tier gives you more features at $0/month than ITS Dispatch provides at $99/month. And when you’re ready for premium support, Diesel TMS Pro at $40/user/month is still more affordable than ITS Dispatch’s Carrier Pro plan—while offering dramatically more capability. Start free, grow without limits, and never worry about migrating to a more capable system later.
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