Upper Vs Circuit: Choosing the Right Route Planning Software

Running a delivery business hinges on efficiency. Timely deliveries keep customers happy and fuel positive reviews, while optimized routes minimize costs and maximize productivity. 

Here’s where route planning software comes in.

This blog post compares two leading solutions, Upper and Circuit, to help you decide which one best equips your business for success.

Upper and Circuit both offer route optimization features, but they cater to slightly different needs. 

This blog post compares Upper vs Circuit head-to-head. It will highlight Upper’s strengths in core functionalities like route optimization and ease of use while also acknowledging Circuit’s potential merits for specific business needs. 

By the end of this comparison, you’ll be well-informed about choosing the software that seamlessly integrates with your delivery operations and propels your business forward.

The Upper Hand

Upper is an advanced route planning software designed to empower businesses of all sizes. Its core strength lies in optimizing multi-stop delivery routes, saving time and fuel costs for businesses while ensuring timely deliveries for customers.

Upper goes beyond basic route planning by offering features like stop prioritization, real-time tracking, load optimization, and proof of delivery capture. The feature list does not end here; Upper has an extensive feature set that caters to a diverse range of businesses, spanning from delivery and logistics to field-based operations.

Key features of Upper

• Sophisticated route optimization: Upper’s advanced routing algorithms calculate the most efficient routes in seconds, taking into account factors like traffic conditions, delivery priorities, time windows, vehicle load constraints, and other time and distance-based constraints.
• Spreadsheet Import: Importing delivery data into Upper is seamless. Excel/CSV spreadsheet importing functionality allows businesses to add multiple stops quickly and efficiently without manual data entry.

• Real-time tracking: Businesses can track their drivers’ locations and monitor route progress in real-time, ensuring on-time deliveries and proactive response to any issues.
• Route scheduling: Upper allows businesses to schedule delivery routes in advance, optimizing driver assignments and ensuring smooth operations.
• Proof of delivery: With Upper, businesses can collect digital signatures, photos, and notes from drivers, providing transparent and reliable proof of delivery for every shipment.
• Customer notifications: Upper automatically sends accurate estimated time of arrival (ETA) notifications to customers, keeping them informed and reducing the likelihood of missed deliveries.

• Driver dispatch: Upper enables one-click route dispatching to drivers, providing accurate driving directions and delivery instructions to streamline operations.
• Reports and analytics: Upper offers comprehensive reporting and analytics features, allowing businesses to track key metrics, analyze performance, and identify areas for improvement.
• API integration: Upper seamlessly integrates with other business systems through its API integration capabilities, enabling automation, data sharing, and enhanced workflow customization.

Circuit’s Edge

Circuit is route planning software tailored for small businesses with multiple drivers. It aims to enhance route efficiency and simplify delivery operations. 

While not as feature-rich as Upper, Circuit offers a user-friendly platform for optimizing delivery routes and managing driver assignments. It caters to businesses seeking a straightforward solution for delivery route planning without the need for advanced features. However, businesses requiring advanced routing features usually go with other circuit alternatives.

Key features of Circuit

• Route planning: Circuit offers automated route planning capabilities to optimize delivery routes efficiently, helping delivery businesses save time and resources.
• Multiple drivers and depots: Businesses with multiple drivers and depots can effectively manage their operations using Circuit’s platform, which coordinates deliveries across various locations.
• Live route tracking: Circuit enables real-time tracking of delivery routes, allowing businesses to monitor driver progress and respond promptly to any deviations or delays.
• Dynamic customer notifications: Circuit provides dynamic customer notifications, keeping recipients informed about their delivery status and estimated arrival times, enhancing customer satisfaction.
• Flexible proof of delivery: Circuit allows businesses to collect proof of delivery, including signatures and photos, ensuring transparency and accountability in the delivery process.
• Dispatcher view: Circuit offers a dispatcher view for efficient route management to facilitate smooth navigation and delivery execution.

Based on a comprehensive survey involving 30 users, the following comparison presents a detailed analysis of the key features and functionalities of Upper and Circuit.

Price Comparison Between Upper and Circuit

When evaluating the pricing structures of Upper and Circuit, several key factors impact businesses’ overall value proposition. 

Let’s delve into a comprehensive comparison of their pricing plans, considering various aspects:

• Cost-efficiency

  Upper’s pricing tiers are designed to provide cost-effective solutions for businesses of all sizes. With competitive monthly subscription rates and the option for discounted annual subscriptions, Upper offers significant cost savings compared to Circuit.

  Brittini P., Directrice Co-Founder, Consumer Goods, 1-10 employees

  Inexpensive. That was the main selling point compared to other software.

  Circuit’s pricing plans may appear affordable at first glance, but businesses should carefully evaluate the additional charges for exceeding stop limits. This can lead to unexpected costs, making it less cost-efficient compared to Upper’s transparent pricing structure.

• Unlimited route creation

  One of the most significant advantages that Upper holds over Circuit is its approach to unlimited route creation. 

  Unlike Circuit, which imposes limitations and additional charges based on the number of stops, Upper offers truly unlimited route creation across all its pricing plans.

• Stop-based pricing limitations

  Circuit’s pricing plans are structured around a specific number of included stops, with additional charges applying for exceeding those limits. For instance, in the Starter plan, users are limited to 500 stops, with each additional stop costing $0.20.

  As operations grow, businesses may face unexpected costs or the need to upgrade to higher-priced plans, potentially disrupting their budgets.

  In contrast, Upper takes a more flexible and scalable approach by allowing unlimited route creation across all its pricing plans. This means that businesses can generate as many delivery routes as needed to manage their operations efficiently without any additional charges or constraints.

• Comprehensive feature set

  Upper and Circuit, both route planners, offer a range of features essential for efficient route planning and delivery management. However, Upper’s plans include a wider array of core and advanced features, ensuring businesses have access to the tools they need to optimize routes and their operations.

• Customization and support

  Upper and Circuit both offer customization options and support services to cater to businesses’ specific needs. 

  However, Upper’s Enterprise plan goes a step further by providing tailored solutions, dedicated support managers, and technical consulting to ensure businesses receive personalized assistance.

• No additional charges

  Upper’s pricing remains transparent and predictable, with no additional charges for exceeding stop limits. Unlike Circuit, where extra fees apply for exceeding included stop limits, this ensures better cost control and budget management for businesses.

Which software provides a better value proposition, Upper or Circuit?

Upper’s unlimited route creation feature, coupled with competitive pricing and comprehensive features, positions it as the preferred choice for businesses seeking optimal delivery logistics solutions. With Upper, businesses can enjoy greater flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency, making it a superior option over Circuit.

Key Feature Comparison: Upper Vs Circuit

Upper and Circuit stand as two prominent players, each offering a range of features and capabilities. 

This comparative analysis aims to provide an objective evaluation of these two solutions, highlighting their strengths and distinguishing factors to help you make informed decisions.

• Route optimization capabilities

  Upper’s advanced algorithm takes into account a multitude of factors, including traffic conditions, delivery time windows, vehicle capacities, service times, and other time and distance-based constraints, to generate the most efficient routes possible. This level of sophistication ensures significant reductions in travel time, fuel costs, and operational expenses.

  Verified User in Arts and Crafts, Small-Business (50 or fewer employees)

  Upper route planner is suitable for pick-up and delivery routes for field delivery drivers. It is helpful for us during multi-stop planning, thereby increasing productivity and reducing costs.

  In contrast, while Circuit offers route optimization, its algorithm is as comprehensive or flexible as Upper’s. Circuit’s optimization capabilities can be better suited for simpler routing scenarios or businesses with more basic requirements.

• Real-time driver tracking and visibility

  Upper’s real-time GPS tracking and visibility features provide an unmatched level of transparency and control over delivery operations. Dispatchers and fleet managers can monitor the progress of every route in real time, enabling them to make informed decisions and swiftly respond to any changes or issues that may arise during the delivery process. 

  In contrast, Circuit offers passive tracking, limiting the ability to monitor drivers in real-time actively.

  Steve S., IT Manager, Wholesale, 51-200 employees

  Actual route tracking is missing. It’ll be great if a driver deviates from the planned route provided by Circuit.

• Visual organization and color coding

  Upper allows users to color code routes and stops, enhancing visual organization and distinction. This feature enables users to identify different routes easily and stops at a glance, streamlining workflow efficiency. 

  Circuit lacks this color coding functionality, which can make it more challenging to visually differentiate between routes and stops, especially in complex delivery scenarios.

  Chris E., Group General Manager, Medical Devices, 11-50 employees

  Some simple customization options should be there, such as driver color to make it less similar and more easily distinguishable

• Customizable data fields

  With Upper, users can create custom data fields to capture specific information relevant to their operations. This flexibility ensures that businesses can tailor data collection to their unique requirements, enabling more comprehensive and targeted analysis. 

  In contrast, Circuit lacks this customization option, potentially limiting the ability to gather and analyze data that is tailored to specific delivery business needs.

• Vehicle load constraint

  Upper allows businesses to set vehicle load constraints for each route, optimizing load distribution and enhancing delivery efficiency. This feature ensures that vehicles are not overloaded and that deliveries are planned in a manner that maximizes capacity utilization. 

  Circuit does not offer this feature, potentially leading to suboptimal load planning and inefficient use of vehicle capacity.

• Address/contact book functionality

  Upper includes an address/contact book feature, allowing users to store and manage customer information for easy reference and streamlined communication. This centralized repository facilitates efficient customer management and enables businesses to create routes directly from the address book. 

  Circuit does not offer a similar feature, making it more challenging to maintain and access customer records.

  Jouls J., General Manager, Automotive, 11-50 employees

  Our customers are recurring customers. We would love to see if we can save the data of the customers in the portal instead of uploading it every time.

• Comprehensive reports and analytics

  Upper provides detailed reports and analytics, offering valuable insights into delivery performance and optimization opportunities. These in-depth reports enable businesses to identify areas for improvement, track key metrics, and make data-driven decisions to enhance their operations. 

  In contrast, Circuit offers basic route summaries, lacking the depth and granularity of Upper’s reporting capabilities, potentially limiting the ability to gain actionable insights.

• Support for multiple vehicle types

  Upper supports a wide range of vehicle types, accommodating diverse delivery requirements and fleet configurations. This flexibility allows businesses with specialized vehicle needs to optimize their routes effectively, taking into account the unique characteristics and constraints of their fleet. 

  Circuit does provide vehicle type selection capability, but the number of choices is limited. This potentially restricts options for businesses with diverse vehicle types.

• Drag and drop sequencing

  Upper allows users to easily adjust route sequencing via drag and drop functionality, enabling quick and intuitive route optimization. This feature streamlines the process of modifying routes, saving time, and enhancing operational efficiency. 

  Circuit lacks this feature, making route adjustments more cumbersome and time-consuming, potentially hindering agility in responding to dynamic delivery requirements.

  Derek N., Manager, Retail, 11-50 employees

  Overall, the multiple clicks to add a stop and make changes to a route are a bit cumbersome. It would be nice to streamline that process.

• User-friendly interface and ease of use

  Upper is praised for its intuitive user interface and user-friendly design, which make it easy for businesses to adopt and navigate. The software’s emphasis on usability ensures a smooth learning curve and minimizes the need for extensive training and support.

  In contrast, Circuit is noted to be relatively more complex and challenging to use, potentially requiring additional training and support for effective utilization.

  Katherine H., Sales Professional, Furniture, 11-50 employees

  Too many finalization buttons to optimize a route. It seems like you have to click through so much after inputting the route information before the route is actually saved. Many times, our team has input a route and not finalized it because you have to walk through 3 additional steps to complete it. That takes time when working with a customer.

• Route scheduling and calendar view

  Upper simplifies route scheduling with its intuitive calendar view, allowing users to plan and visualize routes across different dates effortlessly. This feature enhances planning accuracy and helps users manage deliveries efficiently over time. 

  In contrast, while Circuit does offer route scheduling functionality, it lacks a dedicated calendar view, making it more challenging for users to review and manage scheduled routes across specific dates easily.

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For over 15 years, we had been relying on handwritten manifests for our daily deliveries. However, Upper automated the route planning and optimization process while also providing advanced route scheduling capabilities. This shift has brought about a remarkable improvement in our operations.

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Which Solution Offers the Perfect Fit for Your Business?

Upper and Circuit offer valuable solutions for businesses seeking to optimize their delivery operations. 

Upper stands out with its sophisticated route optimization algorithms, extensive feature set, and user-friendly interface, making it a superior choice for businesses of all sizes. Its unlimited route creation, transparent pricing structure, and comprehensive analytics capabilities provide unmatched value and flexibility. 

While Circuit offers a user-friendly platform for route planning, it lacks some of the advanced features and flexibility provided by Upper.

Ultimately, the decision between Upper and Circuit depends on the specific needs and priorities of each business. However, those prioritizing advanced functionality, flexibility, and scalability can take advantage of Upper’s 7 days free trial to get a hands-on experience.