TRADLINX

Why You Need to Compare Freight Tools Like a Buyer

Ocean visibility platforms can look similar on the surface—but the differences under the hood are what matter most. Many logistics teams fall into the trap of selecting a vendor based on brand recognition, flashy demos, or internal precedent (“someone else used it before”). But that approach leads to misaligned tools, underused features, and unnecessary costs.

Running a structured RFP-style comparison—whether you’re a large forwarder or a small team—helps you:

• 🔍 Clarify internal needs before being swayed by demos
• 📉 Avoid overpaying for underused licenses or per-container fees
• 📊 Compare apples-to-apples on features like update frequency, client access, and support
• 📦 Identify platforms built for your scale and workflows—not just for the biggest players

And in today’s freight environment—where margins are tight and clients demand real-time visibility—a bad fit costs more than just money. It can drain your team’s time and hurt customer satisfaction.

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Freight Visibility Platform Comparison Matrix

Below is a side-by-side comparison of leading visibility platforms based on the most critical RFP criteria for freight forwarders and 3PLs in 2025:

Criteria	Tradlinx	Project44	GoComet
Pricing Model	Per B/L One fee per shipment, regardless of container count	Per Container	Per Container
Update Frequency	Every 2–4 hours	Every 4–6 hours	3–5 times daily
Client Tracking Access	Embeddable widget No login required	Email-only updates	Dashboard (login required)
Support Model	Direct access Responsive team, no ticket lag	Tiered support	Email support, delayed responses
Contract Flexibility	Support Pay-as-you-go	Annual contracts	Annual minimums

Source: Platform documentation, user reviews (G2, Capterra, FreightTech forums), and client interviews.

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B/L-Based Pricing – Why It Changes Everything for SMBs

Most SaaS platforms in logistics charge per container. That means if you’re moving 10 containers under one B/L, you’re billed for each one—even if it’s a single shipment.

Tradlinx flips that model. You pay per B/L, not per box. That makes a huge difference, especially for smaller forwarders or those handling consolidated loads:

• ✅ Scales better: The more containers under a B/L, the more you save.
• ✅ Predictable costs: Easy to estimate and budget per shipment.
• ✅ Zero hidden fees: No minimums, no forced contract tiers, no setup charges.

Example: A shipment with 6 containers under one B/L costs 1 tracking fee on Tradlinx. On most platforms, that would be 6x charges—up to 500% more for the same data.

Bottom line: If you’re managing volume without enterprise budget, a B/L model isn’t just more transparent—it’s exponentially more cost-effective.

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Where Legacy Platforms Fall Short for SMB Use Cases

Project44 and GoComet are powerful—but they’re built with large enterprise workflows in mind. For SMB forwarders, that can create serious friction:

• 📉 Overpriced for small volume: Per-container charges add up fast if you’re not shipping full boxes regularly.
• 🧩 Overengineered features: Complex dashboards, layered permissions, and integration hurdles slow onboarding.
• ⏱️ Support lag: Tiered help desks mean long waits, even for urgent fixes.
• 🪤 Locked-in contracts: Many require 12-month minimums or “platform fees” before usage even starts.

And if you’re just trying to offer better shipment visibility or embed tracking for clients? You may find yourself paying for features your team never uses.

“We opened a ticket and waited two weeks. Clients were calling, and we had no answer. The platform looked great in sales—but it wasn’t built for us.”– Logistics Manager (via FreightTech user forum)

For SMBs, “enterprise-grade” often means enterprise burden. Tools like Tradlinx are designed to deliver real-time visibility, flexibility, and support—without the bloat or budget creep.

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What Real Users Say – Quotes from Reviews and Industry Forums

The RFP matrix may show the facts—but user reviews often reveal the friction. Here’s what actual logistics professionals are saying across platforms like G2, Reddit, and Freight Tech forums:

Project44: “The pricing changed overnight. We had no warning—and no leverage.”
GoComet: “Support is responsive… until you need something beyond Tier 1.”
CargoWise: “You need IT just to generate a simple report. It’s not built for SMBs.”
Tradlinx: “We were live in days. The support team even customized the widget for our portal.”

Quotes like these illustrate the importance of looking beyond demo decks. Speed, transparency, and adaptability are often the tipping points for smaller logistics teams.

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Customize Your RFP Scoring to Match Your Freight Model

Choosing the right platform isn’t about chasing the most features—it’s about choosing the right fit for how you ship, serve clients, and scale.

When building your scoring matrix, tailor the weights based on your priorities. Here’s a simple example:

Criteria	Weight (%)	Why It Matters
B/L-Based Pricing	30%	Drives long-term cost efficiency for multi-container shipments
API & Integration Support	20%	Ensures seamless connection to TMS, CRM, ERP
Client-Facing Visibility	20%	Reduces ops workload and improves customer experience
Support & Onboarding	15%	Minimizes downtime and user frustration
User Experience	15%	Reduces training needs and accelerates adoption

Pro tip: Your business model may demand different weights—contract vs spot focus, customer portal vs ops dashboard. Adjust the matrix accordingly and stick to it.

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Final Thoughts: Fit Over Familiarity

Running an RFP isn’t about scoring the flashiest platform. It’s about choosing a tool that aligns with your workflows, scales with your business, and gives your team confidence—not complexity.

Project44, GoComet, and CargoWise may be familiar names—but that doesn’t always mean they’re the right fit for small-to-midsize forwarders navigating cost pressure and operational complexity.

Tradlinx’s B/L-based pricing, embeddable widgets, and responsive onboarding make it a standout for forwarders that need lean, client-friendly visibility without the enterprise bloat.

Before you lock in another contract, ask: Are we buying for our business—or someone else’s legacy setup?

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.

Prefer email? Contact us directly at min.so@tradlinx.com (Americas) or henry.jo@tradlinx.com (EMEA/Asia)

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References

• Project44 User Reviews – G2
• GoComet User Feedback – G2
• Reddit Freight Forwarding Threads – r/logistics
• Tradlinx Reviews – Capterra
• LinkedIn: Why SMBs Overpay for Enterprise Platforms