Trucking Software Pricing for Small Fleets: What You'll Actually Pay (Estimates + Checklist)
Quick answer
Small fleets typically budget $180 to $900 monthly for trucking software, plus onboarding and optional integrations, with first-year totals often landing between $3,000 and $18,000.
Where DENEMO fits
DENEMO is a fit for small asset-based fleets that want practical dispatch-to-cash workflows without carrying enterprise-level process overhead. Compare plan ranges on the pricing page and review connection options in integrations.
How to estimate your small-fleet TMS cost
Use the ranges below as budgeting estimates, not vendor quotes. Final pricing varies by contract terms, rollout scope, and integration requirements.
| Input | Low estimate | High estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active trucks (power units) | 5 | 20 | Most small-fleet pricing scales with truck count or active units. |
| Office users (dispatch + billing) | 1 user | 5 users | Additional user seats can increase subscription cost. |
| One-time onboarding | $500 | $8,000 | Scope depends on migration complexity and training depth. |
| Monthly integrations/support add-ons | $0 | $600 | Often applies to accounting, telematics, API, or premium support. |
Example scenarios (all estimates): year-one estimate includes monthly range x 12 plus one-time onboarding.
| Scenario | Profile | Monthly estimate | One-time estimate | Year-one estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lean starter fleet | 5 trucks, 1-2 office users, basic dispatch and billing | $180-$400 | $500-$1,500 | $2,900-$8,100 |
| Growing small fleet | 12 trucks, 2-3 office users, core integrations enabled | $450-$900 | $1,500-$4,000 | $8,100-$18,400 |
| Complex small fleet | 20 trucks, multi-role team, advanced workflow automation | $900-$1,600 | $3,000-$8,000 | $16,800-$34,400 |
Hidden costs checklist
Confirm each item in writing before signing. These are common cost drivers that do not always appear in headline pricing.
- Data migration cleanup and field mapping work.
- Accounting and telematics connector fees.
- Extra charges for additional office seats or role permissions.
- Training costs for new hires after initial rollout.
- Document storage, e-signature, or scan-processing overages.
- Premium support tiers and after-hours support pricing.
- Contract minimums, renewal increases, or early termination clauses.
FAQ
What does trucking software usually cost for a small fleet?
For many small fleets, core software often lands around $180 to $900 per month, depending on truck count, user count, and workflow depth.
Are onboarding fees normal for carrier software?
Yes. Many vendors charge one-time onboarding or implementation fees for setup, migration, and role-based training, especially when billing rules are complex.
What is the biggest hidden cost in TMS pricing?
The most common surprise is integration and data cleanup work that is not included in base pricing, especially for accounting and telematics handoffs.
Should small fleets choose per-truck pricing or per-user pricing?
Choose the model that best matches how your team operates. Per-truck can be predictable for asset-heavy fleets, while per-user can fit smaller office teams.
How should we budget year-one TMS cost?
Use a simple model: monthly platform range x 12, plus onboarding, plus any recurring integration or support add-ons that are not in the base plan.
Can a small fleet keep costs down without sacrificing workflow quality?
Yes. Start with dispatch, driver documents, and invoicing first, then phase in advanced integrations once core adoption is stable.