Percentage dispatch
Most dispatchers charge a percentage of the gross load, commonly in the range of about 5 to 10 percent, with specialised equipment often at the higher end. You pay only when a load is booked, so the cost scales with your income.
Flat-fee dispatch
Flat fees can be per load, weekly or monthly. They give predictable costs, which many carriers like when their revenue is high, but you may pay even in a slow week if the plan is monthly.
How to choose
- New or part-time operators: percentage pricing carries less risk.
- High-revenue trucks running steady lanes: flat weekly pricing can be cheaper.
- Specialised or heavy equipment: ask what is included, as the work is more complex.
Check for extra fees
Ask about setup fees, software fees, admin charges and termination terms, and get everything in writing before you sign.
A simple example
If a truck earns a steady weekly revenue, a percentage fee may cost more than a flat weekly fee once the truck is consistently busy. If the truck runs fewer loads, the percentage model costs less because it rises and falls with your income. Do the maths with your own numbers.
What good service looks like
Whatever the model, expect a named dispatcher, quick replies, clear reporting and honest advice about loads that do not make sense. Cheap dispatch that books poor freight is not cheap.
Read the terms
Check how long the agreement lasts, how to cancel and what happens to loads already booked. Fair terms signal a provider confident in their service.
At Softnexis we offer percentage and flat weekly dispatch, so you can pick what suits your truck.
