Top 7 ArcGIS Alternatives For Your GIS Needs
October 21, 2024
Table of Contents
Speedy Route is an efficient and popular Route Optimization tool available for businesses to plan and execute delivery routes.
While Speedy Route provides comprehensive features, there are other Speedy Route alternatives in the market offering the same or more enhanced features in terms of functionality, scalability, and customization.
Pros and Cons of Speedy Route
Pros
- The trial version with a number of addresses less than 20 provides accurate rating and a better performance.
- You can benefit by exporting folders for GPS and creating CSV files. It helps you for better compatibility with external systems.
- The user interface is intuitive and easy to use.
Cons
- The paid version is inefficient while handling 50 addresses. The routing accuracy deteriorates leading to misleading results and therefore involves human effort in resolving it.
- The platform’s speed gradually slows down during peak hours (7–9 AM and 5–6 PM).
- Customer service responses are slow in resolving issues.
Why search for Speedy Route Alternatives? Explain drawbacks of Speedy Route in this section.
Speedy Route cannot manage larger datasets efficiently. For instance, when routing accuracy drastically decreases leading to ineffective routes with needless back-and-forth trips when there are more than 20 addresses. This compromises its main objective of route optimization. You often have to manually modify routes for hours in order to save time and mileage. This undermines the platform’s stated goal and casts doubt on its value as a premium choice.
Longer routes are split up into many files (two GPX files, for instance) by the program, which increases complexity and reduces process efficiency. The need for manual involvement to resolve routing errors proves the algorithm’s lack of robustness.
Hence, you have been forced to search for an alternate option where you can make use of more sophisticated features and customer support due to Speed Route’s performance, scalability, and efficiency constraints.
9 Best Speedy Route Alternatives in 2024
1. NextBillion.ai
NextBillion.ai delivers customizable mapping and location-based solutions designed for businesses with specific geospatial requirements. It offers features such as customised maps with private road networks and configurable route preferences, ensuring precise and efficient navigation for special use cases. Its Route Optimization API helps businesses enhance efficiency and provides cost efficient optimal routes considering factors such as traffic, vehicle types, delivery constraints, and time windows. The platform also includes Geocoding and Reverse Geocoding APIs for accurate address-to-coordinate and coordinate-to-address conversions, even in challenging or rural areas. Additionally, its Matrix APIs support bulk route computations, streamlining advanced fleet management. By emphasising modularity, localization, and seamless system integration, NextBillion.ai enables enterprises to tackle complex logistics, mobility, and delivery challenges effectively.
Key Features
1. Generate delivery & field service routes that bring no surprises on the road.
Get dispatch-ready routes with 50+ constraints
NextBillion.ai’s Route Optimization Flexible API allows businesses to define precise wait times for drivers upon arriving at task locations. This feature enforces a strict constraint across all tasks within the problem, ensuring consistent application. It is particularly valuable for managing driver wait times effectively or prioritizing minimal wait durations, making it ideal for industries where quick service is essential, such as consumer-facing operations.
Build logical routes with task sequencing
Relations in NextBillion.ai’s Route Optimization Flexible API define the association between tasks to ensure they are completed in a specific order. The API offers three types of relations: in_same_route, which ensures all specified tasks are part of the same route; in_sequence, where tasks follow the given sequence but may include other steps inserted by the optimizer; and in_direct_sequence, where tasks follow the exact sequence without any additional steps in between. Relations are a strict configuration, taking precedence over parameters like time windows and soft constraints, and require alignment with vehicle properties such as capacity and skills to meet task requirements. This feature is particularly useful for managing specialised cases within broader optimization challenges, ensuring precise task fulfilment.
Fulfil ad hoc orders with minimal re-optimization
NextBillion.ai’s Route Optimization Flexible API includes a powerful re-optimization feature that enables businesses to adjust existing routing plans to accommodate new or high-priority tasks with minimal disruption. For example, a grocery delivery service receiving high-priority orders after finalising a route plan can either rebuild the entire optimization or simply re-optimize the existing plan. You can update constraints like vehicle count, shift timings, or capacity to integrate new tasks into the original solution. This feature allows quick, last-minute adjustments while preserving the integrity of the initial plan, making it ideal for dynamic, fast-paced operations.
2. Get accurate transit ETAs and distances from all origins to destinations without high cost or latency.
NextBillion.ai’s matrix computation feature delivers accurate transit ETAs and distances from multiple origins to destinations quickly and cost-effectively, making it ideal for businesses managing large fleets or high volumes of orders. Unlike traditional solutions that require dividing large location sets into multiple smaller requests—resulting in higher latency and inefficiency—this feature allows for computing large matrices in seconds.
Businesses benefit from a pricing model based on fleet size or order volume, eliminating the escalating costs associated with “per API call” pricing. This enables businesses to scale operations without worrying about exponential cost increases. Additionally, the feature accommodates route-specific restrictions, providing ETAs and distances tailored to unique fleet and regulatory requirements. This ensures the calculation of realistic transit durations and mileage, empowering businesses to optimise routes, reduce costs, and maintain profitability, even in complex operational environments.
3. Intuitive Route Guidance. Simple, Fast, Accurate.
NextBillion.ai’s Intuitive Route Guidance offers a seamless, efficient, and accurate navigation experience designed to meet the unique needs of businesses. With customizable routing preferences and branding, businesses can create navigation experiences that reflect their identity and operational priorities. Whether integrating into apps using mobile SDKs or building a fully tailored navigation system through the Navigation API, the platform ensures flexibility and simplicity.
This feature leverages comprehensive map and traffic data sourced from diverse, reliable data providers, ensuring accurate routes and ETAs tailored to the regions where businesses operate. For specialised navigation needs, the solution supports off-road maps and custom routes, making it possible to navigate private roads, restricted zones, and even areas with time-sensitive constraints like road closures or safety zones. Businesses can also account for specific parameters like speed limits and unique route preferences, providing drivers with guidance that optimises safety and efficiency. This combination of adaptability, reliability, and precision makes NextBillion.ai’s route guidance an ideal choice for businesses requiring specialised navigation solutions.
Pros
✅ Robust Customer Support: NextBillion.ai is highly regarded for providing its customers with the required assistance to maximise the platform’s capabilities.
✅ Ease of Use: Enables you to quickly adapt and optimise their processes. Its integration and operations are easy to adapt.
✅ Better Optimization: Its Platform offers efficient solutions for route planning, traffic management, and fleet operations, making it a valuable tool for scaling operations.
Cons
❌ Billing issues and communication barriers have been reported, potentially leading to misunderstandings or dissatisfaction.
❌ There are concerns about confusion regarding the platform’s functionality or implementation, suggesting a need for clearer documentation or onboarding processes.
❌ Some feature limitations that may not fully meet the needs of all use cases.
Reviews
Pricing
NextBillion.ai offers flexible pricing tailored to align with the value it provides to businesses. Customers can choose from three product bundles based on their specific use cases and three pricing units-per-order, per-asset, or per-API call depending on their business model. The pricing structure is usage-based, with the per-unit cost determined by monthly usage volume and average order value. This means that as usage volumes increase or average order values decrease, the per-unit cost becomes more economical, making it a scalable option for growing businesses.
The platform offers one pricing edition, and a free trial is available to help users evaluate its features and capabilities before committing. This flexible approach ensures businesses of all sizes can find a plan that fits their operational and financial requirements.
2. Salesforce Maps
Salesforce Maps powered with Salesforce becomes a potential tool that provides sophisticated routing, analytics, and mapping features to companies. It is a useful tool for businesses trying to maximise their sales efforts and streamline their operations.
Features of Salesforce Maps:
- Evaluates distances between locations to optimise logistics and customise maps with advanced map design, data visualisation, and overlaying capabilities for better clarity.
- Creates efficient routes tailored to specific needs. It also automates and assigns predefined routes to team members for consistency and efficiency.
- Plans activities in advance with detailed schedules. Creates real-time changes to schedules and ensures accurate estimated time of arrivals.
Pros
✅ Streamlined Workflow: Automatic tracking and logging of shipments save time and reduce manual effort.
✅ Flexibility: Advanced scheduling tools allow businesses to plan and adjust in advance, improving efficiency.
✅ Smart Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Salesforce CRM, enhancing sales strategies with mapping insights.
Cons
❌ Learning Curve: The tool can be challenging for new users, requiring time and effort to master.
❌ Recent Acquisition: With the acquisition of MapAnything, some uncertainties remain about potential changes in pricing or functionality.
❌ Complexity: Advanced features, while powerful, might overwhelm those new to mapping tools.
Reviews
Pricing
Usually available as an add-on to Salesforce CRM, the cost of Salesforce Maps is determined by the size and requirements of the company. Although precise prices aren’t usually made available, prospective customers are encouraged to speak with Salesforce personnel for precise quotations. Make sure to ask about any changes or bundled discounts after purchasing MapAnything.
3. Badger Maps
Badger Maps is a powerful tool designed to help sales teams streamline their field operations. With its robust features, it assists in routing, territory management, and sales performance tracking, making it a valuable asset for outside salespeople and large enterprises alike. Here’s an overview of its features, pros and cons, and pricing.
Key Features
- Creates and optimises routes tailored to specific needs. It also automates route planning and assigns routes efficiently to sales reps.
- Focuses on high-value leads and territories. Adapts routes and schedules dynamically based on changes or delays.
- Defines and visualises sales territories for better organisation. Identifies opportunities within mapped territories to boost sales efficiency.
Pros
✅ Customer Support: Responsive support representatives ensure smooth onboarding and troubleshooting.
✅ Time-Saving Features: Tools like map filtering, data reports, and prospect search improve efficiency and help strategize effectively.
✅ Lead Search & Route Mapping: Simplifies prospecting and allows for quick addition of new contacts/accounts while planning routes.
Cons
❌ Performance Issues: Occasional slow loading times and inaccurate location data can disrupt workflow.
❌ Data Retention Problems: Some users report losing key notes and information, leading to frustration.
❌ Appointment Changes: Unpredictable changes, like last-minute cancellations, can impact planned routes.
Reviews
Pricing
Three pricing tiers for businesses of different sizes and requirements are:
- Free Trial: Free trial for one user and no credit card required.
- Business Edition: This edition costs $58 per user/month and includes features such as Route sharing, team training, weekly reports, management tools, and lite CRM integration.
- Enterprise Edition: This edition costs $95 per user/month and provides features such as one-on-one training, full CRM integration, dedicated account manager, and custom check-ins and reports.
4. Shipsy
Shipsy helps companies all over the world create supply chains and logistics operations that are robust, connected, flexible, sustainable, and self-sufficient. With the help of its intelligent logistics management platform, companies can drastically cut transportation expenses, lessen their carbon footprint, improve customer satisfaction, increase delivery efficiency, and facilitate smooth cross-border freight movement.
Key Features
- Analyses detailed metrics to monitor performance. Visualises geographic trends for better decision-making.
- Customers are always informed with real-time delivery updates and enables them to track drivers during delivery.
- Provides flexibility for customers to reschedule deliveries. Ensures secure delivery with digital or physical proof and simplifies onboarding processes for new drivers.
Pros
✅ User-Friendly Interface: Its intuitive design ensures a joyful user experience for both businesses and customers.
✅ Comprehensive Solution: Shipsy offers an end-to-end logistics management platform suitable for various needs.
✅ Field Force App: A robust and efficient app that streamlines field operations.
Cons
❌ Feature Gaps: Some users report missing features specific to their needs, but the development team is actively addressing these gaps.
❌ Limited Customization: While the platform is versatile, customization options are somewhat restricted.
❌ No Significant Negatives: Most users find the platform satisfactory, with minor areas for improvement.
Reviews
Pricing
Shipsy provides adjustable price structures for companies with different needs and sizes. Although precise pricing information is usually given upon request, the platform’s extensive feature set guarantees value and affordability.
5. Tookan
Tookan is a robust off-the-shelf delivery management software that helps companies reduce overhead and modernise their daily delivery operations. It has a cutting-edge technology suite that makes it easier for management and delivery drivers to integrate.
Key Features
- Captures digital or physical proof to ensure secure and verified deliveries.
- Monitors delivery vehicles in real time to optimise routes and manage operations.
- Assigns delivery tasks dynamically based on driver location and handles and monitors all delivery orders from a centralized dashboard.
- Allows customers to track drivers during deliveries and facilitates direct communication between customers and delivery teams.
Pros
✅ Ease of Use: Intuitive platform that minimises the learning curve for businesses and drivers.
✅ Customer Support: Reliable support team assists with technical and operational queries.
✅ Reliability: High-performance tools ensure consistent and efficient delivery operations.
Cons
❌ Customer Support Issues: Occasional delays in resolving user queries have been reported.
❌ Process Complexity: Some users find the operational setup and customization complex.
❌ Address Issues: Delivery locations occasionally suffer from inaccuracies.
Reviews
Pricing
- Startup Plan: This plan costs $99 per month and includes features such as 700 tasks per month, unlimited drivers or delivery agents, and provides additional tasks at $0.15 per task.
- Growth Plan: This plan costs $249 per month and includes features such as 2,000 tasks per month, unlimited agents or drivers, 1 customer booking form, and provides additional tasks at $0.13 per task.
- Standard Plan: This plan costs $499 per month and includes features such as 5,000 tasks per month, unlimited agents or drivers, 2 customer booking forms and provides additional tasks at $0.10 per task.
- Enterprise Plan: Contact for pricing.
6. Samsara
Samsara enables large and complex operational organizations to streamline workflows, reduce fuel costs, and establish a world class safety program, all through a single, user-friendly, and integrated platform.
Key Features
- Samsara keeps a real time record of fleet assets and usage, monitors fuel consumption to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
- Streamlines the onboarding process of training and integrating new drivers. Tracks driver movements, their driving patterns, and ensures timely deliveries.
- Samsara uses AI-powered dashcam footage to generate safety scores and identify risky behaviours.
Pros
✅ Real-Time Tracking: Provides instant updates on fleet locations for better operational visibility.
✅ Vehicle Tracking: Detailed tracking ensures the fleet operates efficiently and securely.
✅ Location Tracking: Accurate geolocation data enhances routing and delivery operations.
Cons
❌ Technical Issues: Users report occasional glitches and system downtimes.
❌ Missing Features: Certain functionalities, such as deeper customization, may be lacking for specific industries.
❌ Data Inaccuracy: Infrequent but critical errors in location or performance data.
Reviews
Pricing
Samsara offers customised pricing based on the scale and needs of a business. While the company does not publicly list detailed pricing, typical costs include:
- Hardware Costs involve initial purchase of devices like GPS trackers and dashcams.
- Subscription Fees includes monthly fees for accessing the platform and its features.
- Add-Ons includes optional features such as advanced analytics or extended support may incur additional charges.
For further accurate pricing options, you must contact Samsara directly to discuss.
7. OptimoRoute
OptimoRoute is a leading AI-powered platform for route optimization and planning, delivering seamless, end-to-end solutions for delivery, field service, and logistics operations. It offers unmatched speed and scalability, optimizing over 10,000 routes in seconds. Unlike traditional platforms, OptimoRoute integrates diverse business considerations like time windows, vehicle capacity, and customer preferences, driving efficiency, scalability, and significant time and cost savings.
Key Features
- OptimoRoute plans routes as per long-term operational goals and sets routes to ensure consistent and efficient delivery patterns. Also, assigns routes automatically to drivers for seamless scheduling.
- Focuses on high-priority deliveries and optimises accordingly. Dynamic re-routing is done to avoid delays caused by traffic or unexpected changes.
- OptimoRoute tracks key metrics to identify areas for improvement and analyses delivery times and costs to maximise profitability.
Pros
✅ Comprehensive Features: A wide range of tools for routing, scheduling, and analytics.
✅ Note Management: Easily manage and communicate notes related to specific deliveries.
✅ Real-Time Updates: Ensure flexibility and responsiveness to changing circumstances.
Cons
❌ Connectivity Issues: Occasional disruptions in app connectivity can affect operations.
❌ Data Issues: Infrequent data inaccuracies can impact route planning and delivery performance.
Reviews
Pricing
Following are the pricing plans provided by OptimoRoute:
- Lite Plan: This plan costs $35.10 per driver per month and includes features such as 700 orders at once, mobile app for drivers, route history, export to tools like Excel and Garmin.
- Pro Plan: This plan costs $44.10 per driver per month and includes features such as 1000 orders at once, advanced tools for route history and data export, additional features for larger-scale operations.
Custom Plan: This plan includes thousands of orders at once, extensive customization options, advanced mobile and export tools.
8. RouteManager by WorkWave
WorkWave’s Route Manager is a cloud-based route planning software designed to streamline and optimise last-mile deliveries with ease. By leveraging its capabilities, customers have achieved at least a 30% boost in operational efficiency, a 10-15% reduction in insurance and fuel costs, and a 20% increase in revenue through higher delivery volumes.
Key Features
- Minimises travel time and fuel costs through intelligent routing algorithms and adjusts delivery plans in real time based on changing circumstances.
- Provides customers with accurate delivery times and enables real-time updates and two-way communication for customer’s better engagement.
- Analyses operational performance with detailed reports on deliveries, costs, and driver efficiency and evaluates resource utilisation to identify areas of improvement.
- Serves businesses of all sizes and operational complexities.
Pros
✅ Ease of Use: The Intuitive interface enhances ease of navigation and minimises the learning curve.
✅ Value for Money: Offers a balanced feature set at competitive pricing.
✅ Customer Service: Provides responsive support to address issues promptly.
Cons
❌ Limited Advanced Features: May lack some of the advanced functionalities found in competitors.
❌ Interface Usability: Some users report minor challenges with navigating specific settings.
Reviews
Pricing
RouteManager offers customised pricing to meet your business needs. Contact WorkWave directly for a personalised quote that matches your operational scale and specific requirements.
9. Route4Me
Eliminate routing chaos with Route4Me Route Planner, an intuitive solution that automatically generates optimised routes for your business and dispatches them to a mobile app with integrated navigation. Ideal for field service, sales, marketing, merchandising, territory management, and any business needing last-mile optimization, Route4Me is trusted by over 40,000 customers worldwide. Route4Me serves both small businesses and large enterprises.
Key Features
- Standardise and automate route distribution to team members and modify schedules dynamically and ensure accurate estimated arrival times.
- Analyses time, costs, and productivity to identify areas for improvement and leverages data for strategic decision-making.
- Monitors field teams in real-time for improved coordination.
Pros
✅ Route Optimization: High-quality algorithms ensure efficient delivery and field operations.
✅ Easy Integration: Seamlessly connects with other applications for unified workflows.
✅ Communication: Facilitates effective communication between team members and customers.
Cons
❌ Feature Limitations: Lacks some advanced functionalities compared to competitors.
❌ Limited Customization: Minimal options for tailoring features to unique business needs.
❌ Performance Issues: Reports of slow loading and lag during operations.
❌ Confusion: Some users find the initial setup and navigation unclear.
Reviews
Pricing
Following are the pricing plans:
- Route Management: This plan costs $200/month and includes up to 5 team members ($40/month for each additional team member) and features such as live tracking, collaboration tools, app connectivity, and real-time insights.
- Route Optimization: This plan costs $300/month and includes features of Route Management, plus single-person route optimization and includes up to 5 team members ($60/month for each additional team member).
- Business Optimization: This plan costs $450/month and includes all features of Route Optimization, plus multi-person route optimization and business rule integration and includes up to 5 team members ($90/month for each additional team member).
Why NextBillion.ai Is the Best Speedy Route Alternative
NextBillion.ai is the perfect choice for businesses needing fast, efficient, and customizable route optimization solutions. Its flexible platform caters to diverse operational needs with features such as private maps, custom routing preferences, and off-road navigation. Leveraging advanced tools like Route Optimization and Matrix APIs, NextBillion.ai delivers precise route planning and ensures efficiency, even for the most complex logistics demands. Its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and ability to provide quick ETAs and dynamic route adjustments make it a top option for optimizing operations. With a focus on adaptability, reliability, and cutting-edge innovation, NextBillion.ai empowers businesses to streamline their logistics and delivery processes.
