Overview
Since the eCommerce ecosystem is heavily dependent on timely deliveries, solving glitches that arise during the last leg of the shipping journey is a must. And last-mile delivery software can eliminate these issues to a great extent - ensuring the customer experience(CX) is on point. Either way, considering the rising competition in the eCommerce industry, mismanagement can easily make customers look elsewhere the next time they shop.
That’s why we have dug deeper and curated this list of the best last mile delivery software used in the eCommerce industry.
Let’s dive in!
What is Last Mile Delivery Software?
A shipment's distance from the last transportation hub to the customer's doorstep is known as last mile delivery in eCommerce. It is the shortest step of forward logistics.
Yet, it is plagued by several issues like delivery exceptions, delayed orders, etc. A last-mile delivery management software is a shipping solution provider that helps you optimize the final-mile journey of the shipment.
Such last mile delivery apps can be integrated with your online storefront to provide accurate Estimated Delivery Dates (EDDs) at checkout, handle logistics carefully, and take prompt action if something goes wrong.
Against popular belief, most customers state that the post-purchase experience is the deciding factor for brand loyalty. In short, by using last mile logistics software, you can make your customers feel you value their time; in return, they will bring value to your brand. Simple!
Top 10 Best Last Mile Delivery Software for eCommerce Shipment [2024 Updated List]
Below, you will find a detailed breakdown of their features. You can then estimate the value they will bring to your company and choose the best last mile delivery platform that’ll fit your bill.
1) ClickPost
ClickPost is an industry leader in providing intelligent logistics solutions to eCommerce enterprises. This SaaS platform (Software as a Service) uses ML (Machine Learning) and AI-powered algorithms to solve all last mile delivery issues.
Key Features of ClickPost:
- It integrates with over 350 carriers and offers an intuitive multi-carrier management system.
- ClickPost allows you to create branded tracking portals that’ll help your customers know the current status of their orders.
- A branded page also helps brands cross-sell and upsell products via featured images.
- It automates carrier allocation for every shipment according to the delivery location and your preferences.
- A single dashboard allows you to print bulk labels and generate airway bills.
- It automatically sends last mile delivery tracking updates to customers via SMS, emails, and WhatsApp.
- The software features a robust NDR Management system (Non-Delivery Report) that helps reduce last mile delivery exceptions. It follows up with customers to determine the cause of failed deliveries.
2) OnFleet
OnFleet is a San Francisco-based last mile delivery management platform that dedicates all its operations to untangling the knots of final-mile deliveries.
It offers its services to 90+ countries worldwide and is proud to have many famous brands among its customers.
Key Features of OnFleet:
- The OnFleet last mile delivery management App uses an AI engine to discover highly efficient delivery routes, avoid traffic congestion, navigate adverse weather conditions, and increase on-time rates. As a result, the order reaches the customer as quickly as possible.
- It uses artificial intelligence to analyze past delivery data to equip eCommerce companies with actionable insights into their last mile delivery performance.
- The Auto-Dispatch feature of this last mile delivery management system picks the driver closest to the delivery point and appoints them for the delivery.
- Its real-time tracking option tells you and your customer where the shipment is at any moment.
- You can also ask for proof of delivery before marking the shipping process as complete.
- Via this final mile delivery software, you can communicate with the drivers inside a secure chat platform.
3) Shipsy
Shipsy is a third-party logistics (3PL) platform that provides last mile logistics software solutions to e-retailers. It currently provides its services in the Middle East and the American regions.
Key Features of Shipsy:
- This eCommerce last mile delivery software pairs a real-time route optimization engine with multi-stop delivery. The driver can pick the route which is the fastest. Also, you can fulfill the maximum number of deliveries in a single go.
- Shipsy also works as a last mile delivery tracking app as it offers real-time visibility of orders from when they are shipped to the moment when they are delivered to the customer.
- The software automatically picks transport vehicles and allows packages according to size to fully utilize the vehicle space.
- Shipsy gathers analytics on last mile deliveries and generates reports to help you improve future performance.
- This last mile delivery management solution offers a centralized dashboard for hub managers where they can track the last mile delivery performance.
- Shipsy sends time-to-time last mile delivery notifications to customers via SMS and WhatsApp.
4) Track-POD
Track-POD is more than just a delivery management and last-mile delivery tracking platform. It has launched its own app to ease delivery management solutions for its customers. You can easily download this app on both Android and iOS devices.
Track-POD comes with a 7-day free trial, which, unlike other apps, gives you full access to its entire range of shipping services. Within this timeframe, you can assess whether this last mile delivery SaaS platform is worth your buck.
Key Features of Track-POD:
- Track-POD is highly user-friendly. It's dead simple to navigate through all the in-app features and purchases.
- Geotagging-enabled automated route optimization allows you to identify the most efficient routes to fulfill an order.
- Track-POD’s last mile tracking software helps you monitor all shipments until they reach the customer's doorstep.
- The app lets you send out a pretty accurate ETA as soon as an order is placed.
- The carrier preprocesses your paperwork to enable hassle-free delivery.
- Track-POD equips its delivery agents with digital signing software. Therefore, if you need proof of delivery, you don't have to worry about verifying OTPs. This also relieves you of going into unnecessary paper invoices.
5) Starship Technologies
When we talk about a fully automated shipping experience, why don't we ever talk about robots delivering packages to customers? Well, that's precisely the question Starship Technologies asked themselves.
Starship Technologies differentiates itself as one of the best last-mile software solutions by making autonomous robots that fulfill orders at customers' doorsteps. This takes automating your last mile delivery experience to the next level.
Key Features of Starship Technologies:
- This software is a solution for hyperlocal delivery and last mile logistics bundled together. The robots pick up items from local stores and deliver them to online shoppers.
- Orders can be placed with the mobile app, which immediately displays the estimated time for the delivery.
- For security reasons, the cargo or payload bay is locked and can only be opened by the right customer with their app.
- Before you run away with your imagination, it's worth mentioning that robots are safe to be around.
- You can easily integrate Starship's last mile delivery API and make robots part of your own fleet.
- Aside from being amazingly cost-efficient, this last mile delivery software is the most eco-friendly shipping service provider of the entire lot.
6) Nuro
Nuro is another carrier software that fuses hyperlocal delivery with the last mile delivery model. It has recently teamed up with FedEx to bring groundbreaking innovations to the often-overlooked last mile delivery segment.
Key Features of Nuro:
- Unmanned, fully autonomous, futuristic-looking fleets bring goods to the customer in a timely fashion.
- The vehicles are categorized into fully customizable payload areas that can fit anything from food to medicines to groceries.
- Final mile delivery tracking is a highlighted feature of this platform. Get milestone-wise updates on your phone with Nuro.
- Safety is a priority for this last mile delivery software. They have NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and California Deploy Permits.
7) LogiNext
LogiNext is the next option in the list of last mile delivery apps. It offers incredible last mile delivery options for eCommerce retailers to provide customer-friendly shipping. It is currently operational in the US, Singapore, Indonesia, and the UAE. LogiNext also has reverse and on-demand delivery in their shipping collection.
Key Features of LogiNext Software:
- The route-mapping feature comes with dynamic rerouting that allows drivers to change roads if a customer asks for an address change at the last moment.
- An electronic proof of delivery is provided to the delivery agent to mark the completion of timely delivery.
- It is one of the rare companies to provide cash on delivery as a payment option.
- It can come in extremely handy, and if, by chance, a customer who has opted for COD payment cannot pay in cash, they can make an e-payment instead.
- LogiNext’s last mile delivery tracking software helps you track all pickups and deliveries throughout the process.
8) Scurri
Scurri is a complete delivery management software that also provides reliable last mile solutions. It is popular in the eCommerce industry for on-time deliveries that are cost-efficient for the businesses that integrate with it.
Key Features of Scurri:
- Avail on-demand and slot-based shipping options from a single-click dashboard.
- Based on pre-set criteria, Scurri automates the carrier allocation process.
- It’s known for managing and monitoring SLAs (Service Level Agreements) and also provides real-time updates for order monitoring.
- With its extensive analytics report, gain in-depth knowledge of delivery exceptions, delayed orders, or fake and failed attempts.
9) Onro
Onro exclusively offers last mile services to businesses of all sizes. The Onro App comes with really cool features that will aid you in scaling up and detangling the delivery process.
Key Features of Onro:
- The app has white-label branding page options for eCommerce enterprises. When customers open their app to see where their order is, they will see the page in your brand colors and logo.
- They have a host of language options to choose from. So, whatever your customer's native tongue, Onro is there to provide a holistic experience for them in their native language.
- The order monitoring feature is on point. This is a feature that is somewhat standard to all good last mile software.
- You can select the carrier vehicle as well as chat with the driver in real-time to provide any specific instructions.
- Onro streamlines the proof-of-delivery process.
- With Onro, you can increase the number of payment methods for your store by integrating its cash-on-delivery option.
10) SmartConsign
SmartConsign is a cloud-based SaaS channel. It specializes in improving last mile delivery operations and introducing economic shipping processes. It was established in 2008 and has slowly become a global name.
Key Features of SmartConsign:
- SmartConsign provides both domestic and international last mile delivery options. It also offers same-day delivery (SDD) facilities within the country.
- It incorporates a brilliant localization tool that allows customers to select their language, time zones, currency, etc.
- The software also comes with a built-in customer service feature.
- All queries and doubts can be dropped onto the page, and a customer care executive will soon get in touch with you.
How to Choose the Best Last-Mile Delivery Software for Your eCommerce Business?
Now that you are familiar with the best last-mile logistics software in the industry, there's still one thing left to do - to choose the perfect final-mile solution to suit your business. We have listed all the pointers to keep in mind before selecting one.
1) Costs
Analyzing the pricing model is an obvious one. Opting for the cheapest market option may not be your company's best decision. For successful shipping operations, you want to weigh the profits you rake in with the help of the software against its cost. That would give you the most cost-effective solution and reduce the last mile delivery costs.
2) Network Coverage
Ideally, you should choose the software that covers the most extensive area for last mile deliveries. But ensure your target audience falls under those areas, or it will be useless.
3) Reliability
If you're going to join hands with a third-party provider to manage such a crucial part of your business, you need to be able to trust them. Companies can't work together in the absence of dependability. So, do check their customer reviews before investing your money.
4) Payment Options
Having many payment options available at the customer's disposal is good for business. These include E-wallets, bank transfers, UPI payments, cash-on-delivery, and credit points. Nothing should be out of the reach of your carrier partner.
5) Visibility
Transparent real-time tracking is of utmost importance in the eCommerce shopping experience. For tracking and tracing through the entire process, you want a clean interface that shows real-time status updates of orders and also notifies customers on their email, SMS, or WhatsApp for enhanced customer experience.
6) Proof of Delivery
POD is another notable feature that you should look for in your last mile delivery management software platform. It will give you immense peace of mind. If your carrier offers digitized POD, again, it’s a good choice.
7) Customer Support
Customers want to be on top of their shipping journey. And if they can't find what they are looking for, they will want to speak to your team. Your job is to ensure an open communication channel between your online store and the online shopper. Customer support dramatically improves customer experience and can help you acquire return buyers.
8) Branded Page
A branded delivery status page is also aimed at improving customer experience. It gives the online shopper a holistic shopping experience and builds loyalty and appreciation for the brand. It can also help you cross-sell with featured product images.
What are the Key Benefits of Using Last Mile Delivery Software?
1) Smooth Shipping Experience
Last mile delivery software companies have advanced tech, better geo-connectivity, and economies of scale. All of these, combined with specialized skills and experience, make them much better at handling shipping operations.
2) Route Optimization
With exceptional route mapping, faster deliveries that make good on EDDs can only be possible. Moreover, this software uses better maps than the average Google Maps and can quickly change directions if they see a roadblock ahead.
3) Flexible Delivery
Last mile delivery operations can go wrong for several reasons. Sudden traffic jams, unavailability of the driver at the last minute, requests from the customer to change their delivery address, and payment methods are some of them. Thus, you must rely on last mile delivery companies that can handle all these unforeseen operational challenges.
4) Enhanced Order Monitoring
Order monitoring is a premium feature of the last mile delivery management software. Naturally, the features a dedicated software for last mile delivery operations can provide will be far more advanced than general delivery management platforms.
Plus, such software can help you ship in bulk and manage all orders. With shipping filters, you can quickly browse through the shipments to find out the milestones they have crossed.
5) Boost Customer Engagement
With the help of branded order status pages and customer care support, a final-mile delivery platform enables customers to get in touch with businesses directly. This can happen over the phone, email, or chat.
Customer engagement has a significant impact on bringing down missed deliveries or delivery exceptions. It also makes customers feel more satisfied and valued by the brand.
6) Increase Efficiency and Profitability
Customers are now used to receiving orders at lightning speed. Next-gen technology has facilitated most of such on-demand, hyperlocal, and Same-day delivery (SDD).
Last mile logistics software today eases the process by auto-allocating carriers, routes, and several other mechanisms. Automation has reduced the need for manual intervention at every step. This increases efficiency and profitability.
Final Conclusion
No doubt, last mile delivery operations have been a challenging problem to solve. Yet, it is one of the most important aspects of a shipping journey. How you bring that experience to a close can make or break your brand.
And this is exactly where last mile delivery software takes center stage. So, first, consider your budget, evaluate their features, and then pick the software that you feel will serve you best to that end.
Now, if you want to know more about how ClickPost can make your last mile delivery a breeze, book a demo here. All the best!
FAQ's
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1) Which is the best Last Mile Delivery Software for ecommerce Business?
A last mile delivery software is a shipping solution provider that helps you optimize the final-mile delivery process of the shipment. ClickPost, OnFleet, Shipsy, Nuro, and Starship Technologies are some of the most popular last mile delivery software for eCommerce businesses.
ClickPost's robust NDR Management system and schedule on-demand delivery to reduce last mile shipping exceptions, OnFleet and Shipsy's route optimization with multi-stop delivery service, and Starship's autonomous robots that deliver orders to customers' doorsteps are these companies' specialties.
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2) How to choose the best Last Mile Delivery Software for Ecommerce Business?
These four points will make it easy to understand the criteria for choosing the best last mile delivery software solution. First, check the software’s serviceability and network coverage. It relates to the active region of the shipping software to cover the maximum number of customers in one go.
Second, compare all of its logistics services to your company's requirements. For example, if it provides a digitized POD, a branded order status page, and so on. Third, software's visibility, or the speed with which real-time updates and notifications are received and communicated with customers. Fourth, the platform's price should reflect all the benefits, including its various services.