Load Boards Compared: DAT, Truckstop, 123Loadboard and Amazon Relay
How load boards make money, what each tier adds, and the checks that matter more than price when you book freight from a stranger.
A load board is an online marketplace where brokers and shippers post freight and carriers search for loads. As of November 2026, DAT One carrier plans list at $59 to $339 a month and 123Loadboard at $39 to $79 a month, while Amazon Relay charges nothing to approved carriers but books only Amazon’s own freight.
Prices below come from each company’s published pricing page in November 2026 and change often, sometimes with promotions. No board is endorsed here, and the right choice depends on lanes, equipment and how much rate data you need.
How do load boards work?
Brokers and some shippers post loads with origin, destination, equipment, dates and sometimes a rate. Carriers pay a subscription to search them, post their own available trucks and see data about the poster. The deal itself is made with the broker by phone, message or a book-now button, and the broker sends a rate confirmation.
The board is not a party to the load. Payment terms, detention and claims are between the carrier and the broker, under the broker-carrier agreement and the rate confirmation. How the price of a load is built is explained in how truckload freight rates work.
How do the main load boards compare?
| Board | Carrier plans (published, Nov 2026) | Rate data | Broker credit and pay info | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAT One | Standard $59, Enhanced $149, Pro $169, Select $259, Office $339 per month | 15-day average spot rates on Standard, 7-day on Enhanced, best available on Pro and up | Broker average days to pay, credit scores and reviews | Higher tiers add more search tabs; DAT lists payment-collection help on Pro and up |
| Truckstop | Several carrier tiers listed on its site | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Current prices and features could not be confirmed from Truckstop’s site in November 2026; check before buying |
| 123Loadboard | Standard $39, Premium $59, Premium Plus $79 per month | Rate Check lane insights and rate trends | Credit scores and days to pay | Prices listed for fleets up to 10 trucks; 5-day free trial |
| Amazon Relay | Free for approved carriers | Rates shown on each Amazon load | Amazon pays directly, weekly | Amazon freight only; approval required |
Feature lists vary by tier, and not every feature is in every plan. Read the plan comparison before paying, especially for rate data, which is the main difference between the cheaper and the more expensive DAT tiers.
What does Amazon Relay require?
Amazon Relay is Amazon’s own load board for its linehaul and middle-mile freight. Carriers book directly with Amazon, not with a broker. Amazon’s carrier page lists these requirements as of November 2026:
- A USDOT number with interstate authority active for at least 180 days, and a valid MC number.
- Commercial general liability of at least $1 million per occurrence, auto liability, and cargo coverage of at least $100,000.
- An FMCSA safety rating of Satisfactory, or no rating; Amazon also applies BASIC score and violation thresholds.
Amazon says applications are decided in 1 to 3 weeks. Loads completed by 11:59 p.m. Saturday are paid the following Friday. Relay loads often come with tight appointment windows and scorecards, so compare on-time requirements, not just the rate.
What about broker apps?
Many large brokers run their own apps where approved carriers book loads directly at a posted price. They cost nothing to use, but each one shows only that broker’s freight, and you must be set up as a carrier with each broker. Combining a paid board for search and rate data with two or three broker apps is a common setup for small fleets.
How do you avoid fraud on a load board?
Double brokering and identity theft have made the check before booking more important than the board itself. A posting that looks real can come from someone using a stolen MC number. Basic steps:
- Look up the broker’s MC number in FMCSA’s public records and confirm active broker authority and a bond or trust on file.
- Call the broker at the phone number in FMCSA records, not the number in the posting or an email signature.
- Check the email domain against the company’s real website.
- Read the board’s credit score and days-to-pay data for that exact company.
- Match the rate confirmation to the posting before dispatch, and do not haul a load that is reassigned to you by someone other than the broker of record.
Our step-by-step guide to checking a freight broker covers each lookup. If a broker does not pay, see how carriers collect from brokers. Fraud and unpaid freight can be reported to FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database.
Bottom line
A board subscription pays for itself only if you use the rate data to negotiate; booking posted loads at posted rates leaves the board’s main value on the table. New authorities should expect fewer brokers to work with them for the first months, so pairing one paid board with Amazon Relay, once eligible, and a few broker apps spreads the risk.
FAQ
Which load board is the cheapest?
Among paid boards checked in November 2026, 123Loadboard’s Standard plan listed at $39 a month. Amazon Relay is free but carries only Amazon freight and requires 180 days of active authority.
Do load boards guarantee payment?
No. The contract is between the carrier and the broker. Boards show credit data, and some offer help with past-due payments on certain plans, but the broker’s bond is the main backstop.
Can a new authority use load boards?
Yes, but many brokers set minimum authority age or insurance requirements, and Amazon Relay requires 180 days of active authority.
Are posted rates on load boards negotiable?
Usually. Posted rates are a starting point, and rate data from the board shows whether the offer is above or below the recent lane average.
