Most fleet operators choose route planning software based on the wrong things. They compare stop limits, monthly pricing and feature lists, then assume the platform with the most features is the best option.
The problem usually appears later, when the software struggles to handle real operational conditions like LEZ restrictions, HGV weight limits or last-minute driver and route changes.
The best route planning platform is not the one with the most features. It is the one built for the realities of your operation.
One note on who is publishing this. This comparison is published by Saphyroo, a fleet management platform operating across Australia, the UK and the Middle East. Our own Route360 platform is one of the seven tools below. We have included six other route planners to give a balanced view of where each one performs well and where it may not suit your operation.
This guide reviews seven route planning tools. Three are likely to fit most UK fleet operations: Saphyroo Route360 for integrated mid-market fleets, Maxoptra for HGV operations with London exposure and OptimoRoute for multi-van dispatch teams. The remaining four are included to help operators quickly identify which platforms may not suit the way they run.
Why Google Maps is not built for fleet route planning
Consumer mapping apps are not designed for fleet operations, and the limitations become clear as soon as you move beyond simple navigation.
Planners built for fleet work handle all of this, but not every platform is built for the same type of fleet operation.
Why these 7 route planners made the list
To be included in this comparison, each platform needed to handle commercial multi-drop routing and be accessible to smaller or mid-sized operators through transparent pricing or a free plan. It also needed a genuine UK user base.
We excluded consumer journey planners such as the AA, RAC and Green Flag because they are designed for personal navigation rather than fleet operations, which makes them unsuitable for commercial multi-drop work.
We also left out large enterprise HGV platforms such as Webfleet, Microlise, Aptean Paragon, Descartes and Samsara. These systems are typically built for larger fleets with dedicated compliance or transport teams and are better covered in specialist HGV-focused comparisons.
The seven tools included here are aimed at operations ranging from solo couriers through to mid-sized dispatch teams managing around 20 to 25 vehicles.
Comparison overview
1. Saphyroo Route360 (our platform)
Best for: mid-sized fleets that want route planning, GPS tracking and proof of delivery in one platform.
Route360 is our route planning and scheduling platform, built as part of a broader operational system that also includes GPS tracking, proof of delivery and driver compliance workflows. The operators we work with run real compliance. One contractor running a mixed fleet on Route360 became the only operator in a major national logistics network to score 100% in a compliance audit, with every maintenance record, fatigue log and route plan traceable to a single system, no manual assembly and no gaps on the day.
Route optimisation
Visibility and compliance
The main difference is integration. Most standalone route planners simply generate a sequence of stops, but once drivers are on the road, the planner is no longer connected to what is actually happening. If a driver goes off route or falls behind schedule, dispatch may not realise until much later.
When routing, GPS tracking and proof of delivery all sit in the same platform, route changes and delays can trigger live alerts and update the plan in real time. Delivery records, tracking data and proof of delivery are then stored together in one system, instead of being spread across multiple tools.
Integrations
Route360 connects with more than 300 apps through API and iPaaS integrations, including platforms such as Salesforce, Xero and NetSuite.
For operators that need native integrations with UK-specific compliance platforms such as Mandata, Tachomaster, R2C Online or FleetCheck, API access is available for custom builds. This is worth confirming during the demo to agree on scope and timeline.
Pricing
Pricing is tailored following a demo, based on fleet size, operational requirements and any hardware or integration scope.
2. Spoke Route Planner (formerly Circuit)
Best for: solo couriers who want a mobile-first route planner at a price that is hard to beat.
Circuit Route Planner rebranded its consumer app to Spoke Route Planner across 2025 to 2026, while its team product, Circuit for Teams, is now called Spoke Dispatch. It remains the same parent company, but the naming shift has caused some confusion, especially as many UK drivers still refer to it as Circuit.
Pricing (USD)
Spoke localises pricing into GBP at checkout, so sterling costs may vary depending on the exchange rate shown on the vendor’s UK pricing page at the time of purchase. If you go over your plan’s included stop limit, you are charged for each additional stop, so fleets with busy or unpredictable weeks should factor in some buffer when estimating monthly cost.
Where it fits and where it does not
Spoke is built primarily for courier and last-mile delivery teams. Neither the solo app nor the Dispatch product publicly describes UK-specific regulatory features such as LEZ routing, drivers’ hours rules or DVS Safety Permit awareness.
For last-mile teams where the focus is clean route optimisation and a reliable driver app, Spoke Dispatch Starter or Essential can be a strong fit and a practical starting point. For compliance-heavy HGV operations, or fleets that need built-in regulatory awareness, other tools in this comparison are likely to be more suitable.
3. RouteXL
Best for: SME owner-drivers and sales reps who need a free, simple multi-stop route planner that just works.
RouteXL has offered a free tier for over a decade, allowing up to 20 addresses at no cost, with a simple optimisation algorithm that orders stops into the most efficient route without requiring sign-up for basic use.
The platform is positioned for a wide range of users, including couriers, sales teams, transport operators, distributors, account managers and logistics users, as well as inspectors, charity shops and disposal services. That reflects its deliberately broad, general-purpose design.
RouteXL is not built as an HGV multi-drop planning tool and does not include features such as vehicle weight restrictions, drivers’ hours rules or compliance-based scheduling. Instead, it works as a simple multi-stop optimiser that can sequence routes across UK postcodes as well as several other countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, France and Spain.
RouteXL operates through infrastructure based in the Netherlands, so UK fleets using customer address data should factor cross-border data handling under UK GDPR into their standard security and procurement checks.
For solo drivers or territory sales reps handling up to around 20 stops per day, its simplicity and free access can be more practical than more complex paid tools.
4. MyRouteOnline
Best for: delivery operations and sales teams that need flexible import options and higher multi-stop capacity.
MyRouteOnline is one of the more established tools in this shortlist, offering multiple pricing tiers and support for large stop volumes, which makes it suitable for users who need to plan more complex or higher-volume routes.
Pricing tiers (USD)
UK buyers should note that prices are listed in USD with no published GBP equivalent. At current exchange rates, the final cost in sterling will depend on your bank’s foreign exchange rate and any conversion fees applied at checkout.
Strengths
MyRouteOnline’s main strength is flexible data import, with support for Excel, Google Drive and Dropbox, plus an API for teams that want to connect address data directly from other systems. It is positioned for a wide range of users, spanning deliveries, truck drivers, road trips, service, maintenance and sales teams.
Where it does not fit
MyRouteOnline includes a generic “Truck Routes” feature, but it does not provide UK-specific routing detail such as LEZ, DVS or drivers’ hours compliance. It is best suited to high-volume route planning where regulatory constraints are not a priority. It is not the right choice for operations that involve London HGV routing or compliance-driven scheduling.
5. OptimoRoute
Best for: mid-market dispatch operations that need clear per-driver pricing and do not require truck-specific routing on entry-level plans.
OptimoRoute is one of the more transparently priced platforms in this comparison for multi-driver operations, with published subscription pricing based mainly on the number of drivers, which makes costs relatively easy to understand and scale.
Pricing
A 30-day free trial is available across all tiers.
Route optimisation capabilities
OptimoRoute supports real-time route adjustments when last-minute changes occur, with an optimisation engine that takes account of driver skills, vehicle capacities, delivery time windows and job durations. The platform is designed around completing more orders at lower cost, with capacity limits of up to around 700 concurrent orders on Lite, up to 1,000 on Pro and “thousands” on Custom plans depending on configuration.
The detail most write-ups miss
OptimoRoute places truck routing and dangerous goods (ADR) routing behind its Custom tier rather than including them in Lite or Pro, which means HGV operators needing vehicle-weight-aware routing will not get that capability on lower plans. This is not a limitation of quality. It is a deliberate pricing structure, and access to those features requires a bespoke sales conversation.
The platform operates across the UK as well as markets including the US, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Austria and Poland. No UK-specific modules such as ULEZ, LEZ, DVS or drivers’ hours compliance are publicly described. For multi-van field service operations where per-driver pricing is easier to forecast than flat enterprise contracts, OptimoRoute Pro can still be a strong candidate for evaluation.
6. Maxoptra
Best for: UK mid-market HGV and distribution operators that need vehicle-aware routing with configurable constraints for complex fleet operations.
Maxoptra lists a UK office at Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LE11 3QF), which may be relevant for buyers who place value on a supplier with an operational presence in the UK.
Pricing
From £200 per month for fleets with fewer than five vehicles on a 12-month contract. Above that, pricing is bespoke and provided on request. This is a structured entry point rather than a flexible self-serve model, but for small distribution fleets running regular London multi-drop routes, £200 per month can be modest compared with the cost of a single TfL Low Emission Zone Penalty Charge Notice.
Truck routing and UK constraints
Maxoptra makes one of the clearest public HGV-aware routing claims in this shortlist, stating that it can automatically handle HGV attributes, including size, weight and access restrictions such as the London Low Emission Zone, while also positioning truck routing as an add-on feature within its wider optimisation offering. The algorithm considers driving time, traffic conditions, driver breaks and known roadworks, alongside vehicle capacities, order volumes and delivery time slots.
Reported UK customers
UK customer logos shown on Maxoptra marketing materials include Krispy Kreme, Parson’s Nose Butchers of London, The Cotswold Company, Wellocks, Arthur David, Crendon Timber Engineering and Sharps Bedrooms. That is a mix of distribution, food service and retail operators that mid-market fleets can benchmark against. Verify each is a current customer at trial, as logos can linger on vendor pages after a contract ends.
Where it does not fit
Maxoptra does not clearly publish detailed integrations beyond in-vehicle tracking and basic file imports. Operators already using UK-specific transport systems such as Mandata or Tachomaster should confirm during a trial whether the required connectors are available and how well it integrates with their existing setup.
7. MapTools UK
Best for: solo UK delivery drivers, couriers and field workers who need a free, postcode-based route planner with no learning curve.
MapTools UK is a free, UK-focused route optimiser designed for drivers planning up to around 100 stops. The vendor positions it as “Free for UK Drivers”, “Built for the UK” and offering coverage across Britain, which reflects its focus on simple postcode-based routing rather than advanced fleet management features.
Free version: features and limits
MapTools UK is aimed at UK delivery drivers, couriers and field workers, as well as sales reps, estate agents, engineers and food delivery operators. It focuses on simple postcode-based routing for everyday use.
Where it fits best
MapTools UK does not include LEZ, ULEZ, DVS or drivers’ hours features, nor does it offer integrations or team functionality. For solo couriers, estate agents or field workers handling up to around 100 UK postcode stops per day, it provides a simple and free way to plan routes. Beyond that volume, or where regulatory and fleet requirements matter, the tools earlier in this comparison are more suitable.
How to choose by fleet type
The right tool is not the one with the most features, it is the one your dispatch team actually uses every morning to plan and run the day.
Low-volume courier operations (under 20 drops a day)
Free tools are often enough at this level, with clear stop limits across each option: Spoke Route Planner handles up to 10 stops, RouteXL up to 20 and MapTools UK up to 100. Most users should start with a free plan and only move to a paid tool once stop limits start to restrict daily work. Mid-market platforms such as Maxoptra are generally not a fit at this stage, as they are designed and priced for fleet-level operations rather than solo courier use.
SME van fleet (5 to 25 vehicles)
At this stage, the choice depends on whether you only need route optimisation or want routing combined with tracking and proof of delivery in one system. If the focus is purely on routing efficiency, Spoke Dispatch Starter or Essential can handle roughly 500 to 1,000 stops across the team at a predictable monthly cost. Maxoptra starts from around £200 per month for smaller fleets and is often considered where UK operational requirements and fleet control are more central. Where tracking, proof of delivery and driver workflows need to sit alongside routing in a single platform, the comparison shifts towards more integrated fleet systems.
Mid-market HGV with London exposure
For multi-drop routes that regularly operate in London LEZ, ULEZ or Direct Vision Standard areas, Maxoptra is the strongest candidate in this comparison, with publicly stated support for HGV attributes, UK-based operations and a customer base spanning distribution and food service. OptimoRoute also supports truck routing on its Custom tier, but pricing is bespoke and not publicly listed.
Regional 3PL (50 to 150 vehicles)
At this scale, the requirement typically moves beyond route optimisation alone and into live tracking, compliance evidence and integration with tachograph and back-office systems. This is the segment where Route360 is most competitive, bringing routing, GPS, proof of delivery and compliance records into one system.
Enterprise dispatch (150+ vehicles)
At this scale, this comparison is no longer the right reference point. Enterprise platforms such as Webfleet, Microlise, Aptean Paragon, Descartes and Samsara are designed for this segment and are commonly covered in dedicated HGV and enterprise fleet reviews.
When to look beyond this comparison
Samsara and Webfleet are not in this comparison because they are not the right tools for the operators this guide is written for. Being direct about that is more useful than listing them as alternatives.
Samsara is a North American enterprise platform. Its core products include AI dashcams, connected sensors and IoT hardware, built for large fleets with dedicated compliance teams. UK mid-market operators will find the sales process, contract structure and pricing reflect that enterprise orientation. If you are running under 100 vehicles in the UK and do not have a dedicated fleet systems manager, Samsara is unlikely to suit your procurement cycle or budget.
Webfleet (TomTom Telematics) is a strong platform for large European fleets with established back-office systems and the IT resource to manage integrations. For operators under 50 vehicles without a dedicated transport systems team, the implementation scope and contract terms typically do not suit the operational model.
If your operation runs 150 or more vehicles, has a dedicated compliance team and is procuring on a multi-year contract, both platforms are worth including in a separate enterprise evaluation. For everyone else, this comparison covers the right field.
UK HGV compliance basics for route planning
There are three core UK HGV constraints that route planning needs to account for, rather than treat as optional extras.
What a UK HGV route plan has to respect
For the underlying rules, see the GOV.UK guidance on the assimilated drivers’ hours rules, which set the 45-minute break and the 4.5-hour driving cap. If the tool you are trialling does not prevent routes from exceeding the 4.5-hour driving limit, or does not flag whether vehicles are DVS compliant for London routes, make sure those gaps are accounted for in your evaluation.
Beyond the route planner
Route planning is only one part of the wider operation. The operators who see the biggest efficiency gains are usually the ones who stop evaluating route planners in isolation.
A standalone planner will produce a sequence of stops, but it does not show whether a driver is running on time, whether a delivery has been completed and signed for, or whether today’s tachograph activity matches the planned schedule. Those questions are handled by the wider operational stack, including GPS tracking, electronic proof of delivery, driver hours monitoring and maintenance scheduling.
When these systems are separate, teams end up working across multiple logins and exporting data from different places, often assembling evidence by hand when DVSA checks or an escalation to a Public Inquiry before a Traffic Commissioner require it.
Operators who bring routing, tracking and compliance into an integrated fleet platform typically reduce day-to-day admin and make audit trails easier to produce. The route planner is the starting point, but the systems it connects to determine the overall return.
How to evaluate route planning tools
Before any vendor demo, use your real operational data to frame the comparison.
1
Pull the last 30 days of route plans from your current system and use them as a baseline.
2
Count the multi-drop runs that exceeded 4.5 hours of driving time.
3
Identify the routes that entered Greater London or any other Clean Air Zone.
4
Flag the jobs that required proof-of-delivery photos or signatures at the point of delivery.
5
Use that information as your shortlist filter when comparing vendors.
If LEZ routing and HGV access restrictions are a major operational focus, Maxoptra is worth considering. If your operation is centred on multi-van delivery fleets with predictable per-driver pricing, OptimoRoute Pro may suit that structure well. For operators that want route planning, live fleet visibility, proof of delivery and driver compliance managed through one connected platform, Saphyroo Route360 offers the most complete integrated option in this comparison.
Saphyroo is a fleet management platform operating across Australia, the UK and the Middle East. This article is editorial guidance, not regulated compliance advice. Charges and PCN amounts are TfL figures as published April 2026. Confirm current rates on tfl.gov.uk before acting on them.
