McLeod Software Competitors: 7 Alternatives for Trucking Companies

If you’re searching for McLeod Software competitors, you’re likely after a trucking management system (TMS) that better fits your company’s needs, including: 

• Features that better match your specific operation. General-purpose trucking TMSs like McLeod LoadMaster may not offer tools you need to make your operation run smoothly. For example, if you're a bulk hauling operation, you'll need things like BOL management or tonnage tracking—which these solutions often lack.
• An intuitive interface that dispatch and drivers will actually use. Your TMS should make it as easy as possible to see pending loads, available drivers, and vehicle status at a glance. Surprisingly, not all trucking tools do this well.
• A tool that allows you to enter data just once across all your different trucking processes. When you create a load, the information relevant to that load should automatically be available to be used in driver comms, customer invoicing, and settlement processing. 
• Responsive customer support from experts. If an issue arises, you'll need help from support staff who understand your trucking workflows and can solve problems quickly— not generic tech support that doesn't grasp your business needs.
• A payment model that doesn’t lock you into upfront costs and annual contracts. Instead, you should be able to understand whether a tool actually works for your business before you sign anything. Then, you should be able to cancel your plan without penalties. 

In this article, we explore seven McLeod Software competitors, looking at their key features and specializations to help you find the right TMS for your business. We begin with Toro TMS, a system we specifically designed for bulk hauling operations.

Book your personalized demo to see why Toro TMS is a top choice among trucking companies.

1. Toro TMS: The leading TMS for bulk hauling operations

Bulk hauling companies typically have different processes than other kinds of trucking companies because you’re dealing with a high volume of loads per truck per day, not just single shipments. There’s a lot of data that you need to capture—things like scale ticket references, net and gross weights, and commodity types—that other truckers don’t always need to see. 

As such, bulk haulers are poorly served by generic TMS tools. That’s exactly why we built Toro TMS, specifically with you in mind. 

Instead of forcing you to adapt to generic freight workflows that don’t make sense for you, Toro provides the precise tools you need to eliminate data re-entry and automate the specific processes you’re managing in your bulk operations. What’s more, it's an intuitive system that's actually easy to use for all members of your team—from dispatch to drivers.

Here, we’ll break down the capabilities that make Toro TMS uniquely suited for bulk hauling.

Dispatch Made for Bulk Haulers—Not for General Freight

Most standard TMSs aren’t built for companies managing frequently recurring loads, complex weight records, and fast-changing schedules. As a result, dispatchers using these tools end up building out every load from scratch and repeatedly entering the same details.

On the other hand, Toro TMS is built with specific features meant for bulk hauling companies, to save your dispatchers time. With Toro, you can:

• Use detailed load templates for repeat jobs. Create and save every detail for your regular hauls—customer info, pickup and dropoff locations, material specs, and rate structures—so you’re ready to dispatch the next similar load with just a click.
  
  Read more: Dump Truck Software: 5 Top Choices for Specialist Software

• Quickly match every job with the right driver and truck. Instantly see which drivers and vehicles are available and which loads are ready. Assign loads by dragging and dropping the prebuilt load to the space in the driver’s calendar, with real-time visibility on open capacity and any in-progress shipments.
• See all updates as they happen. As loads are assigned or delivery times change, the updated information refreshes in real-time for everyone else who has visibility on that load. This includes customer rate changes, where the new details instantly appear downstream throughout the system.
• Integrate easily with ELDs. Get a live look at your fleet’s location and progress, track delivery times, and even keep your customers updated through their own tracking portal.

Toro TMS eliminates the repetition and frustration common with standard dispatch management software—especially for bulk operations with high-frequency loads and repeat lanes. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use McLeod alternative that reduces your data entry, try Toro. It gives your dispatch team the speed, accuracy, and visibility they need—with no extra work.

Read more: How to Choose a Dispatch Software for Trucking Your Teams Will Actually Use

Easier Driver Communication and Instant, Paperless Tickets

As bulk haulers, you’ll be dealing with more paperwork than standard trucking companies, and you’ll need a tool that can handle this volume. The trouble is, if your tool can’t handle your BOLs or scale tickets effectively, this will impact your back-office processes—from billing to payroll.

Toro TMS makes collecting and handling all this paperwork simple for everyone:

• Communicate by text message, the way many drivers prefer. As soon as a load is assigned, Toro sends your drivers all the relevant details by text. They have all the information they need for pickup and delivery—with no extra phone calls or messages needed. In our experience, drivers tend to prefer this approach, as receiving instructions is simple, with no need for an app or online portal.
• Upload documents instantly with a photo. To submit scale tickets or BOLs to their back office, drivers just need to click a unique link in the text, take a photo of the document on their phone, and submit it directly to Toro. No logins or passwords are required, and there’s no extra app to figure out.
• Extract key data automatically. Toro reads the uploaded documents and pulls key info—like weights, scale ticket numbers, and commodity types—directly into the load record. This automation reduces manual entry, minimizes errors, and speeds up back-office workflows.
• Give your office team instant access: As soon as documents are uploaded, they’re available to billing and payroll. There’s no need for drivers to drop off physical tickets, and your back-office staff isn’t left tracking down missing paperwork at the end of the week.

With paperwork handled instantly and communication made easy, your operation sees fewer bottlenecks and your drivers are happy.

Read more: Trucking Ticket Management Software: How to Better Manage Your Paper Tickets

Fast, Accurate Invoicing and Driver Settlements

Trucking payroll and billing can be pretty complex. Every driver typically has their own preference for how they’re paid, while you may be invoicing clients by weights, loads, commodities, or miles driven. 

Not all TMSs can handle these different payment calculations and structures. Instead, Toro automatically fills in accurate load, rate, and customer info—no double entry needed—and lets you:

• Automatically create invoices. All the load data entered at dispatch—including tonnage, miles driven, customer info, and rates, and the data from the uploaded tickets—automatically flows into invoices. You can generate and review them one at a time or in bulk, then send them directly to your customer.
• Calculate driver pay automatically by load. Toro maintains a detailed profile for each driver, tracking preferred pay methods (per mile, ton, load, or hour), availability, tax status, and deductions. As loads are completed, Toro then automatically applies each driver's personalized pay rules, factoring in advances and fuel card purchases. 
  
  Settlement reports are organized by driver, providing clear breakdowns of gross pay, deductions, and net pay, so payroll is accurate and ready at the end of each pay period without the need for manual checks.
  
  Read more: Driver Settlement Software: How to Automate Your Payroll Process

• Sync with QuickBooks in a single step. You can export invoices, payroll, and expense info directly into QuickBooks. This way, your records always stay synced and up to date.
• Calculate IFTA miles instantly. Toro also tracks miles driven in each state along with your fuel purchases, providing accurate and timely IFTA reports without manual mileage tracking or complex spreadsheets.

Clear and Actionable Insights Into Your Bulk Hauling Operation

Toro TMS gives you a clear view of how your business is really performing. With all your load, dispatch, and financial data in one place, you can easily track key details like revenue, expenses, profitability, and fleet efficiency.

For example, you can:

• Know what’s profitable. See revenue and costs by truck, driver, customer, or individual load to understand where you’re making money—and where you’re not.
• Cut down on unproductive trips. Toro also helps you spot and reduce empty miles with simple mileage tracking and reports. 
• Customize what you track. You can make custom reports to keep an eye on stats like seasonal trends or cost savings for different types of loads. 
• Stay ahead on maintenance. Each truck has its own profile with service history and upcoming maintenance needs. Toro sends automatic reminders for things like oil changes and inspections, helping you avoid breakdowns and costly downtime.

With Toro, your data works for you—providing clear insights, reliable reminders, and practical tools to help you stay on top of fleet operations.

Responsive, Industry-specific Customer Support

When you run a busy bulk hauling operation, you don’t have time to wait around for support. Often, more general TMSs have support teams that may not understand the day-to-day challenges of bulk hauling. 

Toro's support team knows bulk hauling inside and out. If you have a question or need help, you’ll talk to someone who understands your workflow, the paperwork your drivers handle, and how your business runs. 

We guarantee a 30-minute response time between 9 am and 9 pm ET, so you get fast, straightforward answers right when you need them. Plus, Toro comes into your office during onboarding to get your system up and running quickly. And before we leave, we make sure everyone knows how to use it.

What’s more, we don’t lock you into annual contracts or force you to make payment before you really get to know the tool. Instead, we offer monthly payment contracts—and you can cancel at any time if Toro is not the right fit for you. 

Tired of adapting your bulk hauling operation to generic TMS software? Book a demo with Toro TMS and explore a system made for bulk freight.

2. 3PL Systems: A TMS designed for freight brokers

3PL Systems' BrokerWare TMS is built specifically for freight brokers, helping you manage shipments, carriers, and customer relationships in a single platform. Unlike McLeod's broader trucking focus, BrokerWare zeroes in on the unique needs of freight brokerage operations—from carrier vetting to customer rate management. 

Key features include:

• Fast, accurate quoting and automated rating for LTL and full truckload shipments.
• Integrated carrier onboarding, monitoring, and compliance management.
• Real-time tracking and load visibility for customers and carriers.
• Accounting tools for billing, invoicing, and carrier payments.
• Automated customer updates and communication tools.

3. Ascend TMS: Entry-level TMS for small carriers and owner-operators

Ascend TMS positions itself as an affordable McLeod Software alternative for smaller transportation companies and independent operators who need essential TMS functionality without enterprise-level complexity. 

Operating entirely in the cloud, Ascend focuses on providing core transportation management software features that help small fleets move beyond manual processes. Ascend's simplified approach and pricing structure appeals to carriers managing fewer trucks and straightforward operations. 

Key features include:

• Real-time GPS tracking with ELD/telematics integration.
• Profit/loss tracking, invoicing, and accounting support.
• Custom workflows and alerts to streamline tasks.
• EDI, load board posting, and e-signature tools.
• Easy upload and handling of BOLs, claims, and paperwork.

4. Trimble: A TMS for larger carriers and operations

Trimble’s TMS solutions—TMW.Suite, TruckMate, and Innovative IES—are built for midsize to enterprise-level trucking companies that need advanced tools to manage complex operations. With both cloud-based and on-premise deployment options, Trimble supports operational optimization through features that streamline planning, ensure compliance, and connect critical systems across the business.

Key features include:

• Complete order-to-cash workflow, including load planning, billing, and driver settlements.
• Built-in modules for maintenance, compliance, and safety tracking.
• Visual dispatch planning with route mapping and drag-and-drop functionality.
• Real-time load visibility and mobile app support for field operations.
• Broad integrations with ELDs, accounting platforms, ERP systems, and fuel cards.

Find out more: Top 5 Load Management Software for Trucking Companies

5. Prophesy Dispatch: Modular TMS with decades of experience

Prophesy Dispatch offers a modular approach to transportation management, competing with McLeod across multiple trucking segments, including truckload, LTL, and brokerage operations. 

The system's modular structure means companies can pick specific features they need rather than paying for a complete package upfront. It requires careful planning to make sure all the modules work together, but it may appeal to operations with unique workflows.

Key features include:

• Dispatch and accounting software integration with QuickBooks, Sage 50, and Microsoft Dynamics.
• Compliance management including HOS reporting, IFTA tracking, and DOT requirements.
• Load planning tools with route mapping and mobile driver communication.
• Customizable dispatch interface with different access levels for users and customers.
• Modular platform available both on-premise and cloud-based.

6. Amous TMS: Enterprise trucking software solution for various business types

Amous TMS offers a cloud-based platform that supports trucking companies of all sizes and types—from carriers to brokers to shippers. It provides tools for managing dispatch operations, driver activities, compliance, and billing, aiming to streamline day-to-day operations. The system updates regularly to maintain up-to-date features without significant disruptions.

Key features include:

• Load and fleet management with real-time tracking.
• Compliance and safety monitoring.
• Integrated accounting and billing.
• Mobile apps for drivers and dispatchers.
• Scalable system designed to accommodate business growth.

7. Tai TMS: A TMS tailored for freight brokers

Tai TMS provides a transportation management system aimed at freight brokers, focusing on managing shipments, carriers, and customer communication within a single platform. The system operates in the cloud and supports broker-specific workflows.

Key features include:

• Automated order entry with customizable templates.
• Real-time shipment tracking and status updates.
• Integration with multiple load boards and capacity tools.
• Billing, invoicing, and payment processing.
• Integrated communication tools for brokers, carriers, and customers.

Toro TMS: The McLeod Alternative That's Perfect for Bulk Haulers

Finding the right TMS means identifying which one aligns with your specific operation—whether you're running a bulk hauling fleet, brokerage, or enterprise trucking company.

Each of the seven alternatives we've explored offers distinct advantages, depending on your area of the trucking industry. If you're in bulk hauling, Toro TMS delivers exactly what you need for your operation to run smoothly: 

• Purpose-built features like tonnage tracking, BOL management, and load templates designed specifically for bulk freight.
• Seamless data flow and load templates that eliminate duplicate data entry across dispatch, billing, and settlements.
• Driver-friendly communication through simple text messages and paperless document uploads.
• Expert support from a team that understands bulk hauling challenges, not generic trucking issues.

Schedule a personalized demo to see why bulk haulers are making the switch from McLeod to Toro TMS.