DAT vs Truckstop: Which Load Board Is Better for Owner Operators?

Quick Verdict: DAT vs Truckstop at a Glance

Before we get into the details, here is the side-by-side snapshot. Both platforms are legitimate tools used by thousands of professional carriers every day. The right choice depends on your equipment type, budget, and what you value most in a load board.

Category	DAT	Truckstop
Our Rating	4.2 / 5	4.0 / 5
Daily Load Volume	644,500 - 700,000	500,000+
Entry-Level Price	$49/month (Standard)	$42/month (Basic)
Mid-Tier Price	$99/month (Enhanced)	$135/month (Advanced)
Pro-Level Price	$149/month (Pro)	$159/month (Pro)
Top Tier Price	$199/month (Select)	$369/month (Broker Premium)
Rate Data	RateView: 68,000+ lanes, up to 90-day history	Rate Insights + RPM heat maps
Route Optimization	TriHaul (Pro tier and above)	Not available
Instant Booking	Book It Now	Book It Now
Fraud Prevention	Network Governance Team	AI-powered Risk Factors (FreightWaves 2025 Fraud Fighter Award)
Broker Vetting	Credit checks (varies by tier)	Broker ratings with days-to-pay data
OOIDA Discount	No (lost partnership in 2024)	Yes, 15% off for members
Mobile App Rating	4.2 Google Play / 4.5 iOS	4.4 iOS
Free TMS Included	Yes (AscendTMS)	No
Best For	Maximum load volume, rate data, dry van/reefer	Flatbed/open deck, fraud protection, OOIDA members

Both platforms offer value. The question is which one fits your specific operation better. If you are brand new to load boards and want to understand the basics first, start with our complete load board guide and come back here when you are ready to choose a platform.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

1. Load Volume and Market Coverage

This is where the rubber meets the road. A load board is only as good as the freight it shows you.

DAT claims 644,500 to 700,000 loads posted every business day and reports roughly 235 to 284 million loads annually. ¹ They say 440,000 loads appear on DAT first or nowhere else. With 1.65 million trucks in their network and nearly five decades of broker relationships, DAT has the deepest pool of freight in North America. When carriers tell us DAT is worth the subscription, load volume is almost always the reason they give.

Truckstop reports 500,000+ daily loads and processes over 80 million loads annually. ³ While the raw numbers trail DAT, the platform has built deep strength in specific segments. Truckstop's 30 years of broker relationships have created particularly strong coverage for flatbed, step deck, and lowbed freight. Forum discussions on TruckersReport consistently name Truckstop as the go-to board for open deck equipment. One carrier mentioned using Truckstop for "99% of the loads for lowbed" while calling DAT "hit and miss" for that equipment type.

Winner: DAT for overall volume. Truckstop for flatbed and specialized freight. If you pull a dry van or reefer, DAT's larger total volume gives you more options in more markets. If you pull a flatbed or step deck, Truckstop's depth in open deck freight could matter more than DAT's overall numbers. For a deeper look at each platform, see our DAT load board review and Truckstop load board review.

2. Rate Data Quality and Accuracy

Knowing what a lane is actually paying before you accept or reject a rate is one of the biggest advantages of a paid load board. Both platforms offer rate tools, but they are not created equal.

DAT RateView covers 68,000+ lanes with historical pricing data. ⁵ On the Enhanced tier ($99/month), you get 30-day rate history. On Pro ($149/month) and above, that extends to 90-day history. The Quick Rate Lookup tool shows what loads on a specific lane have actually paid over the selected time window. When a broker offers you $2.10 per mile and DAT shows the 15-day average at $2.45, you walk into that conversation with facts instead of guessing. DAT also claims over $1 trillion in freight market transaction data powering their analytics ¹, and the sheer volume of transactions flowing through their network gives their averages statistical weight.

Truckstop Rate Insights with RPM heat maps are available on the Pro tier ($159/month). ⁴ The heat maps visualize rate trends across regions, helping you spot where rates are strong and where they are soft. The load comparison tools let you see how a specific load stacks up against the market. Truckstop's rate tools are useful and improving, but they do not match the lane-level granularity or historical depth that DAT offers at a comparable price point.

Winner: DAT. Rate data is one of DAT's genuine differentiators. If you use lane-level rate history to negotiate with brokers, DAT's tools are stronger. The ability to pull up 90-day rate history on a specific lane and use that data in a phone call with a broker can pay for the subscription many times over. Want to sharpen your rate negotiation approach? See our freight rate negotiation guide.

3. Pricing Tiers and Value for Money

Both platforms use a tiered subscription model. Here is how the money breaks down.

DAT Pricing:

Tier	Monthly Cost	Key Additions
Standard	$49	Basic load search, DAT One app, unlimited searches
Enhanced	$99	30-day rate history, additional filters, enhanced broker data
Pro	$149	TriHaul route optimization, 90-day rate history, rate negotiation tools
Select	$199	Full feature access, priority support

Truckstop Pricing:

Tier	Monthly Cost	Key Additions
Basic	$42	Load search, truck posting, authority age filter, Canadian loads
Advanced	$135	Full Broker Ratings, Book It Now, FuelDesk integration
Pro	$159	Real-time live loads, Rate Insights, RPM heat map, load alerts

A few things stand out. Truckstop's entry-level is $7 cheaper per month ($42 vs $49). But there is a wide gap between their Basic and Advanced tiers ($93 jump vs DAT's $50 jump from Standard to Enhanced). At the Pro level where most serious carriers land, DAT is actually $10 cheaper ($149 vs $159).

Both platforms charge per user, not per fleet. That means a five-truck operation needing multiple logins pays the subscription times each user. DAT includes free AscendTMS access for carrier customers, which adds real value if you do not already have a TMS.

OOIDA members get 15% off Truckstop subscriptions, which brings the Pro tier down to roughly $135/month. ⁶ That discount shifts the value equation for the roughly 150,000 OOIDA members.

Important warning on both platforms: carriers have reported price increases at renewal. DAT users describe increases of 25% to 45%. Truckstop users report frustration with billing windows and cancellation policies. Get renewal terms in writing before you commit to either platform, and set calendar reminders before your billing cycle renews.

Winner: Depends on your situation. DAT Pro at $149 offers the best combination of volume and rate data for the price. Truckstop Pro at $159 (or $135 for OOIDA members) offers stronger fraud tools and open deck coverage. On a tight budget, Truckstop Basic at $42 gets you into a professional load board for less than DAT Standard.

4. Search Tools and Filtering

How quickly and precisely you can find loads that match your truck, lane, and rate requirements directly affects your productivity.

DAT provides unlimited load searches across all tiers. Higher tiers unlock additional search filters that help you narrow results by lane, equipment type, rate range, and more. The TriHaul route optimization tool on Pro and above helps you plan multi-stop routes that minimize deadhead miles. Instead of just finding the next load, TriHaul maps out triangle routes that keep you loaded more of the time. DAT also supports Book It Now for instant booking with participating brokers when you want to lock in freight fast without phone calls.

Truckstop offers basic load search and truck posting on the Basic tier, with more powerful tools unlocking at Advanced and Pro. The Pro tier delivers real-time live loads, meaning you see new freight the instant it posts rather than on a delayed refresh. Load alert notifications push matching loads to your phone automatically. Book It Now works similarly to DAT's version. The authority age filter on even the Basic plan helps newer carriers find brokers willing to work with them.

Winner: DAT for route optimization. Truckstop for real-time alerts. DAT's TriHaul tool is unique and genuinely useful for carriers who plan routes strategically. Truckstop's real-time load feed and push alerts keep you ahead on fast-moving freight. Both platforms support instant booking. For most carriers, the search differences are less important than load volume and rate data.

5. Broker and Shipper Vetting Tools

Hauling a load you never get paid for is worse than sitting empty. Both platforms offer tools to check out brokers before you commit.

DAT includes broker credit checks on certain subscription tiers (some tiers charge extra). You can look up a broker's credit score and general reliability before accepting a load. Given the ongoing issues with fraudulent postings on the platform, these vetting tools matter. An incident in March 2025 saw 19,000 fake loads posted under a major broker's name on DAT. The company has a Network Governance Team working on fraud prevention, though carriers report the problem persists.

Truckstop takes a different and arguably stronger approach to broker vetting. The Broker Rating System includes days-to-pay metrics, credit history, and the Report a Broker feature where carriers share experiences. For a cash-flow dependent owner-operator, knowing a broker averages 45 days to pay versus 15 days is the kind of information that keeps your operation running. On top of that, Truckstop's AI-powered Risk Factors system won the FreightWaves 2025 Fraud Fighter Award. The company reports a 57% reduction in fraud incidents among Truckstop users between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025. That is a measurable result in an industry where double-brokering and identity theft have become epidemic.

Winner: Truckstop. The combination of detailed broker payment data and award-winning fraud prevention gives Truckstop a clear edge in protecting carriers from bad actors. If you have been burned by a broker who slow-paid or did not pay at all, Truckstop's vetting tools address that problem more directly than DAT's offerings.

6. Mobile App Experience

You are not sitting at a desk. You need a load board that works from your cab, a truck stop parking lot, or wherever you happen to be when you need freight.

DAT One mobile app pulls solid ratings: 4.2 on Google Play and 4.5 on the iOS App Store. The app provides load search, trip planning, and access to the core platform features. Even carriers who have complaints about DAT's pricing or customer service tend to give the mobile app positive marks. It is functional and reliable for on-the-road load matching.

Truckstop Go pulls 4.4 on the iOS App Store from over 2,000 ratings. The app delivers live loads, alert notifications, equipment filtering, and Book It Now access. Users do note that some features available on desktop, including saved searches and map views, are missing from the mobile version. For basic load matching and booking on the road, it works well.

Winner: Tie. Both apps are functional and well-reviewed. Neither is perfect. If mobile is your primary way of using the load board, both platforms will serve you adequately. Test them during free trials and see which interface clicks with how you work.

Which Is Better for Your Situation?

Which Is Better for a New Owner-Operator on a Tight Budget?

Truckstop Basic at $42/month is the better starting point. You get access to a professional load board with 500,000+ daily loads, broker factorability data, and Canadian loads access for $7 less than DAT's entry tier. If you are an OOIDA member, the 15% discount sweetens the deal further.

That said, $42 or $49 per month may still be more than a brand-new authority can justify when revenue is uncertain. If cash is truly tight in your first weeks, start with free options like Amazon Relay, Uber Freight, or 123Loadboard's free tier. Build some cash flow, prove your lanes, and then step up to a paid board once you know where you need load coverage.

What you should not do is skip a paid load board indefinitely. The rate data and broker vetting tools alone justify the cost once you are hauling regularly. One avoided non-payment from a bad broker saves you months of subscription fees. Use our load profitability calculator to run the numbers on any load before you commit. That discipline matters more than which board you choose.

Which Is Better for Rate Data and Lane Research?

DAT wins this category. The RateView analytics covering 68,000+ lanes with up to 90-day rate history give you the deepest pool of pricing intelligence available. If your approach to load selection involves researching lane averages before you negotiate, DAT's data tools are the better investment.

This advantage shows up most at the Pro tier ($149/month), where you get the full 90-day rate history, rate negotiation tools, and advanced analytics. The Enhanced tier at $99/month with 30-day history is a solid middle ground if you want lane data without paying for the full package.

Truckstop's Rate Insights and RPM heat maps are helpful, but they do not offer the same lane-level granularity. If rate research is your deciding factor, DAT is the clear choice.

Which Is Better for Finding the Most Loads?

DAT for total volume. Truckstop for specific equipment types.

If you haul dry van or reefer and need the largest possible pool of freight, DAT's 644,500 to 700,000 daily load postings give you the most options. The volume advantage is particularly noticeable in secondary markets and less common lanes where smaller boards have gaps.

If you haul flatbed, step deck, lowbed, or other specialized equipment, Truckstop's strength in open deck freight makes it the better fit. The broker network Truckstop has built over 30 years in the flatbed segment runs deep, and carriers in those equipment types consistently report better results on Truckstop than on DAT.

For a broader look at all load board options including budget alternatives, see our comparison page.

Should You Subscribe to Both?

Many experienced carriers run dual subscriptions, and there is a strategic case for it. DAT and Truckstop do not share the same broker base entirely. Some brokers post exclusively on one platform. Running both maximizes your load visibility, which translates directly to more options and better rates.

The math: DAT Pro ($149) plus Truckstop Pro ($159) runs $308/month or $3,696/year. For an OOIDA member, that drops to $284/month.

That is a real expense. But consider this: if having access to both platforms lets you find one additional load per month that pays $200 more than what you would have settled for on a single board, the dual subscription pays for itself. For carriers running 10,000+ miles per month, the incremental load opportunities from a second board often justify the cost.

A smarter approach for most owner-operators: Start with one platform at the Pro tier and the other at the lowest tier. Use the Pro subscription as your primary search tool and the Basic subscription for supplemental load visibility. If you find the secondary board generating enough additional revenue, upgrade it. If not, cancel it after a few months and put that money elsewhere.

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Our Verdict

After spending years watching carriers use both platforms and analyzing the data from our reviews of DAT and Truckstop, here is what we recommend.

For most owner-operators hauling dry van or reefer, DAT is the better primary load board. The combination of maximum load volume and superior rate analytics gives you the best shot at finding and pricing loads profitably. Start at the Pro tier ($149/month) if your budget allows, or Enhanced ($99/month) if you want rate data without the full package. DAT's free AscendTMS access adds real operational value that Truckstop does not match.

For carriers hauling flatbed or specialized freight, Truckstop deserves the primary spot. The platform's deep broker network in open deck equipment types and 30 years of relationships in that segment give it an advantage DAT does not match. The award-winning fraud prevention tools add a layer of protection that matters in a market where scams are increasing. OOIDA members get a meaningful 15% discount on top.

For carriers who prioritize fraud protection above all else, Truckstop's Risk Factors system and its FreightWaves 2025 Fraud Fighter Award make a strong case regardless of equipment type. The 57% reduction in fraud incidents is a real number that translates to fewer wasted calls, fewer unpaid loads, and less time dealing with bad actors.

For budget-conscious new operators, Truckstop Basic at $42/month is the cheapest entry into a professional load board. It is not feature-rich, but it gets you into a legitimate marketplace with half a million daily loads while you build your business.

Neither platform is perfect. DAT's premium pricing with reported renewal increases of 25-45% creates budgeting headaches. Fake load complaints persist despite their governance efforts. Truckstop's customer service record, including a D- BBB rating and 1.8/5 on Trustpilot, raises legitimate concerns about what happens when something goes wrong. The Denim factoring transition has caused payment delays for some users.

Go in with your eyes open on either platform. Use the free trials both offer to test load quality on your specific lanes before committing. Get renewal terms in writing. And remember that a load board is a tool, not a strategy. The carriers who do best on any platform are the ones who use rate data to negotiate, vet their brokers before booking, and build direct shipper relationships over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both DAT and Truckstop at the same time?

Yes, and many experienced carriers do exactly that. There is no exclusivity requirement on either platform. Running both gives you the widest possible load coverage, but the combined cost at Pro tiers runs about $308/month or $3,696/year. Most owner-operators who try both for a month or two eventually settle on one primary board for daily use and keep the other on a lower tier or cancel it altogether.

Which load board has more loads, DAT or Truckstop?

DAT claims 644,500 to 700,000 loads posted every business day, while Truckstop reports 500,000+ daily loads. DAT holds the overall volume advantage, especially for dry van and reefer freight. However, Truckstop is widely regarded as the stronger platform for flatbed, step deck, and other open deck equipment types. The best board for you depends on what you haul and where you run.

Is there a free version of DAT or Truckstop?

DAT offers a limited free version of DAT One that gives you basic load visibility with significant restrictions on filters and data. Truckstop also has a free search option with limited functionality. Neither free tier is practical for running a business full-time. Budget alternatives like 123Loadboard's free tier, Amazon Relay, and Uber Freight provide more usable free access, though with less total load volume.

Do OOIDA members get a discount on Truckstop?

Yes. Truckstop became OOIDA's exclusive load board partner in October 2024, and OOIDA members receive a 15% discount on monthly subscriptions. That brings the Pro tier from $159 down to about $135/month. DAT previously held the OOIDA partnership for over 15 years but lost it when the association switched to Truckstop.

Which load board is better for rate negotiation?

DAT has the edge on rate data. Their RateView analytics cover 68,000+ lanes with 15, 30, and 90-day rate history depending on your subscription tier. That depth of historical pricing data gives you strong leverage when a broker throws out a number. Truckstop offers Rate Insights and RPM heat maps on the Pro tier, which are useful but not as deep. If rate negotiation is your top priority, DAT's data tools are the stronger choice.