TruckSmarter is a free load board for owner-operators with built-in factoring and fuel-card products. Free for carriers, monetized through factoring and broker fees.
TruckSmarter is great for owner-ops who want one app for loads + factoring. GetHaulDirect is the model for shippers who want the broker margin removed entirely; carriers benefit from full rate transparency on every offer.
The load search is free. TruckSmarter monetizes through factoring (typically 1.5–2.5% per advance), the fuel-card spread, and broker margin on TruckSmarter-brokered loads. The economics shift the cost from a subscription to a per-transaction fee on factoring/fuel — totals can exceed a paid load-board sub for high-volume carriers.
GetHaulDirect is also $0 to carriers — no subscription, no factoring fee, no fuel-card spread. The 5% lives on the shipper side, transparent on the rate confirmation, and the carrier sees the full posted rate (less the 2.9% standard Stripe ACH line). Carriers get paid via Stripe Connect ACH ~2 business days post-POD upload, no factoring middleman.
Yes — many carriers run multiple boards in parallel. GetHaulDirect's matching engine sends offers; TruckSmarter is a search-driven directory. There's no exclusivity, and carriers picking up direct-shipper freight on GetHaulDirect tend to see higher rate-per-mile because the broker margin isn't being layered on.