Per User, Per Container, or Per Shipment? Breaking Down Logistics SaaS Pricing Models

In logistics, it’s easy to get caught up comparing features—real-time tracking, predictive analytics, dashboards. But here’s a critical factor that often gets overlooked: how you’re billed.

The pricing model behind your shipment tracking software can have just as much impact on your bottom line as what the platform actually does. Choose the wrong model, and you could find yourself overpaying as your business grows, or stuck in a contract that doesn’t flex with your needs.

This guide breaks down the most common pricing models used in logistics SaaS, highlights potential pitfalls, and helps you decide which one fits your operation best.

The 5 Common Pricing Models in Shipment Tracking

1. Per User / Per Seat Pricing

How it works: You pay for each user who needs access, often monthly or annually.
Good for: Small teams with a fixed number of users.
Challenges: Costs grow quickly if multiple departments (logistics, customer service, sales) all need visibility.
Watch for: Per-user fees on top of other feature add-ons.

2. Per Container Pricing

How it works: Charges are based on the number of individual containers tracked.
Good for: Single-container shipments or very low volume.
Challenges: If you ship multiple containers under one Master B/L, costs multiply unnecessarily.
Watch for: This model can be attractive at first, but costs scale linearly with volume.

3. Per Master B/L Pricing (Shipment-Based)

How it works: You pay per shipment (Master Bill of Lading), regardless of how many containers are in it.
Good for: LSPs with multi-container shipments or transshipments.
Advantages: More cost-efficient as your volume grows; one shipment = one fee.
Unique to: Platforms like TRADLINX that focus on real shipment visibility, not just vessel or container status.

4. Pay-As-You-Go

How it works: You pay only for what you track, with no long-term commitment.
Good for: Businesses with seasonal or unpredictable shipment volumes.
Challenges: May lack bulk discounts; costs can be higher per shipment if you scale.

5. Flat Rate / Enterprise Custom

How it works: A negotiated flat fee for a bundle of features and usage.
Good for: Large enterprises with consistent, high-volume needs.
Challenges: Often includes features you don’t need, and less flexibility to adjust down.

The Real Impact: Why Pricing Model Matters

The wrong pricing model doesn’t just affect your budget—it can limit how effectively your team uses the platform.

Per User Models: You might limit access to just a few team members to save costs, reducing overall visibility and responsiveness.
Per Container Pricing: Multi-container shipments get expensive fast, even if they move together under one B/L.
Flat-Rate Plans: You may be paying for features or capacity your team doesn’t use—or missing out on the agility of pay-per-use.

Think about your real needs. Are you looking for shipment-level clarity? Do you handle complex transshipments or multi-container loads? How many people in your company need access?

The right pricing model can save you money, but more importantly, it gives your team the flexibility to work smarter.

Flexible Alternatives: Smarter Pricing for Logistics Teams

For logistics teams looking for more control over costs, shipment-based pricing (per Master B/L) or pay-as-you-go models offer a more practical approach:

Per Master B/L Pricing: Track one shipment, no matter how many containers or touchpoints, for a single cost.
Volume Discounts: Costs scale down as your shipment volume increases—ideal for growing LSPs.
No Setup Fees: Get started without hefty onboarding charges or long-term contracts.
Modular Add-Ons: Only pay for the features you need—add predictive analytics, API access, or customer widgets as you grow.

This model helps you maximize value per shipment, rather than locking into per-seat or per-container fees that add up quickly.

Key Takeaway: Choose Value, Not Just a Price Tag

Choosing a shipment tracking platform isn’t just about picking the cheapest plan—it’s about selecting a pricing model that helps you get the most value from every dollar you spend.

If your goal is to maximize cost per outcome, think carefully about how pricing aligns with your workflows:

Are you paying extra just to add users or shipments?
Does your provider charge for each container, even if they’re part of one shipment?
Is your visibility limited because of how your plan is structured?

A flexible, shipment-based pricing model—like per Master B/L—gives you more control, more clarity, and better value. It’s not about paying less, but about paying smart.

Why overpay for visibility? TRADLINX saves you 40% with transparent per–Master B/L pricing. Get 99% accuracy, 12 updates daily, and 80% ETA accuracy improvements, trusted by 83,000+ logistics teams and global leaders like Samsung and LG Chem.