Route4Me Vs Routific: Which Last-Mile Delivery Software to Choose?

Are you tired of the inefficiencies that come with manual route planning? If you’re ready to automate your route planning process, save time, and cut fuel costs, then this comparison guide is just for you. 

Whether you’re a delivery manager striving for optimal routes, a small business owner looking to streamline operations, or a fleet operator aiming for efficient logistics, choosing the right route planning software can make all the difference.

But with numerous routing software options available, which one should you choose? That’s why in this comprehensive comparison blog, we’ll examine the features, functionalities, and user experience of two leading players in the route planning industry: Route4Me and Routific. With these platforms, we will also put Upper into the comparison to help you compare better.

Product Comparison at a Glance

Route4Me: Suitable for Businesses that Rely Heavily on Last-Mile Delivery Services

Route4Me is a veteran in the route optimization software space, having been around since 2009. 

It takes a flexible, modular approach that allows businesses to customize the platform by adding various features and capabilities through paid add-ons. This modularity can be advantageous for companies with specific requirements, as they can pick and choose the functionalities they need.

Paid add-ons offer features like customer notifications, proof of delivery, curbside delivery support, avoidance zones, and turn restrictions. However, the platform’s user interface is often described as outdated and cluttered compared to other Route4Me alternatives.

Some users have even reported occasional inaccuracies in route calculations and ETAs. Though Route4Me excels in providing real-time tracking and customizable route planning,  its weaknesses in route optimization, user experience, and pricing structure (especially when factoring in the cost of add-ons) should be factored in when evaluating the software for their specific business needs.

Route4Me pricing plans

Route4Me follows a modular pricing structure with three main tiers:

Route Management 

• Price: $40 per user per month
• Minimum Cost: $200 per month (for 5 users)
• This tier includes basic features like visualizing destinations, planning routes, dispatching, and tracking progress.
• However, it does not include route optimization capabilities.

Route Optimization 

• Price: $60 per user per month
• Minimum Cost: $300 per month (for 5 users)
• This tier adds route optimization to the features of the Route Management plan.

Business Optimization 

• Price: $90 per user per month
• Minimum Cost: $450 per month (for 5 users)
• This is the most comprehensive plan, allowing optimization across drivers, multiple vehicles, depots, and the ability to apply business rules and priorities.

Free trial

• 14-day free trial with no credit card requirement

Additionally, Route4Me offers various add-ons at extra costs, such as curbside delivery ($499/month per company), avoidance zones ($299/month per company), and driver breaks ($5 per user/month).

Flexible pricing plans are also available, designed to meet different business needs. Users can choose the plan that best fits their routing requirements, team size, budget constraints, and scalability needs.

Key strengths of Route4Me

Route4Me offers several strengths and features that make it a popular choice for businesses in need of efficient route optimization and last-mile delivery solutions.

Here are some of the key strengths and features of Route4Me:

• Route planning and optimization: The platform uses advanced route planning to calculate the most efficient routes based on factors such as distance, traffic conditions, delivery time windows, and vehicle capacities. However, its optimization algorithms have sometimes been criticized by some users for producing inefficient or impractical routes.
• Real-time tracking: Route4Me offers real-time tracking capabilities, allowing businesses to track their delivery vehicles’ locations and progress in real time. This feature enables dispatchers to reroute drivers and provide accurate ETAs to customers.
• Modular approach: Route4Me follows a modular approach, allowing businesses to customize the platform by adding various add-on features. This flexibility can be advantageous, as companies have to pay only for the functionalities they need.
• Integration options: Route4Me offers a wide range of out-of-the-box integrations with third-party software tools and a well-documented API for custom integrations. This allows businesses to incorporate Route4Me into their existing tech stack seamlessly.
• Mobile apps: Mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Zebra devices enable real-time GPS tracking and dispatch functions, which can be useful for businesses with mobile workforces.
• Add-on features: Route4Me offers a range of add-on features, such as customer/client notifications, proof of delivery capture, curbside delivery support, avoidance zones, and turn restrictions. However, these add-ons come at an additional cost.

Router4Me’s Positive Reviews

Route4Me’s weaknesses

While Route4Me offers several strengths and valuable features for route optimization and delivery management, it’s important to consider some of its weaknesses as well. 

Here are a few of Route4Me’s weaknesses or aspects that users find challenging:

• Weak route optimization: While Route4Me’s route optimization algorithm produces short routes mathematically, it doesn’t always create practical routes. Users have reported issues like criss-crossing routes, inaccurate ETA estimations, and vehicles being sent to the wrong addresses.
• Expensive add-ons: Many commonly needed features, such as handling vehicle capacity constraints, curbside delivery, driver breaks, etc., are charged as expensive add-ons.
• Dated user interface: The UI is described as outdated and cluttered, potentially making it less user-friendly.
• Mobile app stability: Some users have reported occasional issues with the stability and performance of Route4Me’s mobile app, particularly during updates or when handling complex route optimization tasks.
• Higher overall costs: With the base plan lacking route optimization and the added costs of necessary add-ons, Route4Me can become an expensive solution.

Route4Me’s negative reviews

Routific: Suitable for Small to Medium-sized Businesses with Fleets of Delivery Vehicles

Routific is a route optimization and delivery management platform suitable for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), e-commerce retailers, restaurants, and others in need of efficient last-mile delivery operations.

Routific uses an advanced route optimization algorithm, which considers factors such as traffic patterns, driver preferences, and business priorities to generate efficient routes. 

The platform’s mobile accessibility, with a driver app on both iOS and Android devices, enables drivers to receive route updates and notifications directly on their mobile devices.

Routific includes essential functional features like proof of delivery (which can capture signatures and photos), live GPS tracking, and customer notifications.

However, it’s worth noting that customer notifications are exclusive to Routific’s higher-priced tiers, which may be an additional expense for some delivery businesses. Additionally, Routific’s customization options also lack the ability to reverse routes or swap routes between drivers easily.

One area where Routific shines is its pricing structure, which is generally more affordable than some other Routific alternatives, especially for smaller fleets. 

Routific pricing plans

Routific follows a more straightforward pricing model based on the number of vehicles:

Essential

• Price: $49 per vehicle/month (or $39 per vehicle/month billed annually)
• Includes: Intelligent route optimization, dispatch routes to driver mobile apps

Professional

• Price: $69 per vehicle/month (or $59 per vehicle/month billed annually)
• Includes: Everything in Essentials, plus live GPS tracking, proof of delivery, end-of-day reports, API integrations

Professional+

• Price: $93 per vehicle/month (or $78 per vehicle/month billed annually)
• Includes: Everything in Professional, plus customer notifications, customizable templates, real-time delivery tracker link

Free Trial

• 7-day free trial with no credit card requirement

Routific’s pricing plans are transparent, with no hidden fees or long-term contracts, allowing businesses to choose a plan that aligns with their budget and operational needs. 

Additionally, Routific’s free trial allows businesses to test the software and explore its capabilities before making a commitment.

Key strengths of Routific

Here is a comprehensive overview of Routific’s key strengths and features:

• Advanced route optimization: Routific generates optimized routes based on traffic patterns, driver preferences, and business priorities. However, some users have experienced occasional inaccuracies in route suggestions, necessitating manual adjustments.
• Real-time driver tracking: The platform offers robust real-time GPS tracking capabilities, allowing dispatchers and route managers to track their delivery team’s movements and progress. This visibility enables better coordination and the ability to address any issues promptly.
• Proof of delivery: Routific’s platform enables businesses to capture proof of delivery, including signatures and photos. This feature promotes accountability, facilitates dispute resolution, and enhances customer trust.
• Mobile accessibility: Routific is compatible with mobile devices, making it convenient for delivery drivers to access and manage their routes on the go. This mobile accessibility ensures that drivers receive delivery instructions and notifications directly on their mobile devices.
• Customer support: Routific provides customer support to assist users with technical issues, inquiries, and onboarding. While some users have praised the platform’s support, others have reported mixed experiences, suggesting room for improvement in this area.

Routific’s positive review

Routific’s weaknesses

Here are some of the weaknesses or areas for improvement in Routific:

• Higher pricing: Routific’s pricing is generally higher than some competitors, making it less cost-effective for small businesses or those with limited budgets.
• Limited GPS tracking: The GPS tracking feature is not available in Routific’s lite version, limiting visibility for some users.
• Expensive customer notifications: Customer notifications, a crucial feature, require an additional fee per vehicle in Routific’s higher pricing tiers.
• Limited customization: Routific lacks some advanced route customization options, such as reversing routes, swapping between drivers, or locking stops.
• Confusing interface: Some users find Routific’s timeline interface confusing and report a significant learning curve.
• No barcode scanning: The lack of barcode scanning functionality can be a limitation for delivery businesses that rely on this for their operations.
• Routing issues: Some users have reported issues with Routific’s routing for clustered stops or when considering drivers’ end addresses.
• Data import limitations: In Routific, it can be cumbersome to import data for multiple days or handle multi-image proof of delivery.

Routific’s negative reviews

Route4Me vs. Routific Pricing Comparison

• Pricing structure: Route4Me follows a modular pricing structure with three main tiers and various add-ons, while Routific has a more straightforward pricing model based on the number of vehicles.
• Lack of route optimization: Route4Me’s base tier lacks route optimization capabilities, which is a core feature included in Routific’s Essential plan.
• Customization and add-ons: While Route4Me offers a wide range of add-ons and customization options, Routific’s customization options are less extensive.
• Included features: Routific includes essential features like proof of delivery and customer notifications in its higher tiers, while Route4Me charges separately for many of these features as add-ons.
• Cost-effectiveness: Routific’s pricing is based on the number of vehicles, which may be more cost-effective for smaller fleets but can quickly become expensive for larger fleets. Route4Me offers more flexibility with its modular approach, but the costs can add up quickly with multiple add-ons.

Expert Insights on Pricing💡

• While Route4Me’s modular approach offers flexibility, the base tier lacks route optimization, and the additional costs for essential features like customer notifications and proof of delivery can make it an expensive solution.
• Route4Me’s pricing is not ideal for businesses with limited budgets or simpler routing needs. 
• Routific’s pricing structure is more transparent and inclusive, making it a more cost-effective option for smaller to medium-sized businesses with straightforward routing requirements.
• It’s important to note that Routific’s pricing is based on the number of vehicles, which may not be suitable for businesses with a large fleet or those with varying vehicle requirements.
• Businesses seeking a route planner for fleets of various sizes and routing needs should consider Upper.
• By including essential features like route optimization, proof of delivery, and customer notifications in its base tiers, Upper eliminates the need for costly add-ons. This makes it a more cost-effective solution compared to Route4Me.
• Upper’s user-based pricing model can be advantageous for businesses with larger fleets or varying vehicle requirements, whereas Routific’s vehicle-based pricing can become expensive.

Key Feature Comparison Between Route4Me and Routific

Route4Me and Routific are both route optimization software designed to help businesses streamline their delivery operations. However, they differ in various aspects, including features, pricing, and user experience.

1. Route optimization

Both Route4Me and Routific offer advanced route optimization algorithms to create efficient delivery routes. However, some users have reported that Route4Me’s optimization is not always accurate, sometimes leading to crisscrossing routes or inaccurate ETA estimations. 

On the other hand, Routific’s route optimization is generally praised for its effectiveness, although it can struggle with clustered stops or routing by driver’s end address.

2. User interface and ease of use

Route4Me’s user interface is usually described as outdated and cluttered. Routific, on the other hand, is often appreciated for its clean and practical interface.

3. Features and functionality

Route4Me offers a modular approach, allowing users to add various add-ons and features, such as curbside delivery, avoidance zones, and driver breaks. However, many of these features come at an additional cost. 

Routific’s standard plans include some of these features, such as proof of delivery, live GPS tracking, and customer notifications.

4. Pricing

Route4Me’s pricing is generally higher than Routific’s, especially when considering the additional costs of add-ons. Routific’s pricing is more straightforward, with three main plans based on the number of vehicles.

5. Integration and customization

Route4Me boasts a wide range of integrations with third-party software tools and a well-documented API for custom integrations. Routific also offers API integrations but may have a more limited selection of pre-built integrations.

6. Customer support

Both Route4Me and Routific provide customer support, but users have reported mixed experiences with the responsiveness and effectiveness of their respective support teams. Also, in Route4Me, users have to pay extra for dedicated customer support.

Expert Insight on Overall Functionality💡

The comparison between Route4Me and Routific reveals distinct strengths and considerations that businesses should carefully evaluate based on their specific needs and priorities.

• Route4Me stands out for its robust customization options, extensive feature set, and scalability through a modular approach. 
• Businesses requiring advanced routing capabilities, extensive customization, and integration with third-party platforms can find Route4Me to be a comprehensive solution. 
• On the other hand, Routific offers a more straightforward and cost-effective solution. 
• Routific’s pricing tiers include essential features like route optimization, proof of delivery, and customer notifications. These features add value and eliminate the need for costly add-ons, making it a compelling option for businesses with basic routing needs.

If you’re seeking to overcome the limitations of Route4Me and Routific, and you need a solution that caters to a wide range of delivery services or business needs, Upper presents itself as the superior choice. It offers a robust feature set and a user-friendly approach that addresses these platforms’ shortcomings effectively.

• Comprehensive features: Upper offers a comprehensive set of features, including route planning, optimization, proof of delivery, customer notifications, real-time tracking, driver dispatch, and analytics. These features are included in Upper’s plans without the need for additional add-ons, potentially making it a more cost-effective solution.
• Ease of use: Upper’s user-friendly interface and intuitive design make it easy for businesses to import stops, plan routes, optimize delivery schedules, and manage driver dispatch efficiently, saving time and effort.
• Customization options: Upper provides extensive customization options, allowing businesses to tailor routes based on priority, time windows, service times, and driver preferences, leading to optimized and efficient deliveries.
• Cost-effective pricing: Upper’s pricing model, based on the number of users rather than vehicles, offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness, especially for businesses with larger fleets or varying vehicle requirements. This ensures that businesses pay for what they need.
• API integration capabilities: Upper seamlessly integrates with third-party platforms and tools. It enables businesses to streamline their logistics operations and achieve better visibility and control over their delivery processes.
• Customer support: Upper offers dedicated customer support, live chat assistance, and technical consulting. You do not have to pay extra for it, like Route4Me.

While Route4Me and Routific are well-established solutions in the route optimization space, Upper presents itself as a superior alternative with its user-friendly interface, comprehensive feature set, competitive pricing, and strong customer support. 

By considering factors beyond just mathematical optimization, Upper aims to provide practical and efficient routes that benefit both businesses and their delivery teams.