Descartes

What is Descartes

Descartes is a provider of cloud-based logistics and supply chain management software and networked services aimed at companies that move goods and information across borders and modes. The platform combines connectivity services (including EDI and messaging), transportation management, routing and telematics, customs and regulatory filing, ecommerce fulfillment, and trade intelligence into a single portfolio targeted at shippers, freight brokers, carriers, customs brokers and third-party logistics providers (3PLs). The company also operates a broad logistics network that connects trading partners for document exchange, compliance checks and shipment visibility.

Descartes products are designed to support complex, regulated cross-border flows as well as domestic last-mile delivery operations. Typical customers include freight forwarders that need enterprise forwarding systems, corporate trade compliance teams preparing customs declarations, retailers scaling ecommerce fulfillment, and transportation teams that need route planning and fleet telematics. The platform is used in industries such as retail, manufacturing, distribution, and transportation and logistics.

Implementation options are primarily cloud-hosted SaaS and managed services; Descartes often integrates with customer ERPs, WMS, and accounting systems to provide end-to-end operational control and visibility. The company offers professional services and onboarding to configure solutions for specific lanes, regulatory regimes, or industry requirements.

Descartes features

What does Descartes do?

Descartes provides a suite of logistics and trade automation capabilities that cover the life cycle of moving goods and managing compliance. Core capability areas include:

• B2B Connectivity & Messaging: centralizes EDI, e-invoicing, and partner communications to ensure consistent data exchange across global trading networks and local regulatory formats. This reduces manual intervention in order-to-cash and procure-to-pay cycles.
• Transportation Management: supports planning, execution and analytics for multi-modal freight — routing, carrier selection, rate management, load optimization and shipment tracking.
• Routing, Mobile & Telematics: offers route planning, dispatch, driver mobile applications and telematics integration for last-mile and fleet operations, improving on-time performance and customer notifications.
• Customs & Regulatory Compliance: prepares, files and tracks customs and security filings (e.g., manifest, import/export declarations, VAT and e-invoicing where applicable) and maintains regulatory logic for different jurisdictions.
• Ecommerce Shipping & Fulfillment: supports listing, inventory synchronization, warehouse automation, pick/pack operations, and multi-carrier shipping for brands and 3PLs scaling online sales.
• Global Trade Intelligence: provides trade data, import classification, landed-cost calculations, and restricted-party screening to support sourcing decisions and export control compliance.

Each capability is supported by connectivity to Descartes’ network of trading partners and by integrations (APIs, connectors, file-based interfaces) to customer systems. Descartes emphasizes compliance configuration for local rules, document formats and filing requirements in specific countries and customs regimes.

Descartes pricing

Descartes offers flexible pricing tailored to different business needs, from single-product customers to global enterprise deployments. Pricing commonly varies by product module, transaction volume (for EDI, filing and messaging), number of managed shipments or vehicles (for transportation and telematics), and the scope of implementation and support services. Organizations typically purchase individual modules (for example, customs filing or TMS) or broader suites and may negotiate enterprise licensing and volume discounts for multi-product agreements.

Because Descartes sells across many product lines and global markets, published list prices are uncommon; commercial terms usually reflect module choice, integration complexity and usage metrics such as message counts, API calls, seat counts or shipment volumes. Typical commercial models include subscription fees, per-transaction or per-document fees, and professional services/implementation fees.

Common plan names used across enterprise software evaluations include Free Plan, Starter, Professional, and Enterprise, but Descartes generally provides tailored quotes rather than fixed public tiers. For accurate, up-to-date rates and available subscription models, consult Descartes’ commercial team or their official pricing information. Visit Descartes’ official pricing information for the most current information.

How much is Descartes per month

Descartes offers flexible pricing and does not publish a single standard monthly list price because costs depend on selected modules, transaction volumes, and the scope of services. Monthly billing is available for some products, while others are sold as annual subscriptions or transaction-based services. Companies evaluating Descartes should request a tailored monthly estimate based on message volumes (for EDI), shipments or vehicles (for TMS and telematics), and the number of users requiring access. Visit Descartes’ official pricing information for the most current information.

How much is Descartes per year

Descartes offers flexible pricing that often provides discounts for annual commitments, particularly for package deals covering multiple modules. Annual pricing will reflect license counts, transaction allowances, and implementation fees; enterprises typically negotiate multi-year agreements with SLA and support commitments. To obtain specific annual billing figures and to understand any savings for annual commitments, contact Descartes sales or review their official pricing information. Visit Descartes’ official pricing information for the most current information.

How much is Descartes in general

Descartes pricing ranges from small monthly or per-transaction costs for single-function services to large multi-year enterprise contracts for customers that license multiple modules across global operations. Small teams using a single capability (for example, EDI messaging with low volumes) can expect modest recurring charges, while large shippers, brokers and 3PLs deploying TMS, routing, telematics and customs filing across many countries should plan for a higher total cost of ownership that includes subscription fees, transaction charges and implementation services. For exact figures and to estimate total cost of ownership, consult Descartes’ sales team or their official pricing information. Visit Descartes’ official pricing information for the most current information.

What is Descartes used for

Descartes is used to automate logistics processes, maintain regulatory compliance, and connect trading partners across global supply chains. Companies rely on Descartes to remove manual document handling through EDI and e-invoicing, to file customs and security declarations automatically, to optimize freight and fleet operations, and to support ecommerce fulfilment workflows. The solution set is often deployed where multi-jurisdictional regulatory compliance and complex partner networks make manual processing error-prone and costly.

Operational use cases include:

• EDI and partner connectivity: routing purchase orders, invoices, shipment notices and other standardized messages between buyers, suppliers and carriers.
• Customs filing and compliance: preparing and submitting import/export declarations, safety/security filings, and restricted-party screening to reduce delays at borders.
• Transportation and fleet operations: planning loads, assigning and tracking shipments, administering carrier contracts, and integrating telematics for on-road visibility.
• Ecommerce fulfillment: multi-channel order management, inventory synchronization, warehouse processes and multi-carrier shipping orchestration.

By centralizing these functions, Descartes helps teams reduce paperwork, improve accuracy of filings and declarations, and create a single source for shipment visibility and trade intelligence data needed for landed-costing and compliance audits.

Pros and cons of Descartes

Descartes is a mature vendor in the logistics technology space with strengths and trade-offs to consider when assessing fit for your organization.

Pros:

• Broad, integrated functionality spanning connectivity, compliance, transport and last-mile operations, which can reduce the number of separate vendors a company must manage.
• Deep support for customs and regulatory filings across many jurisdictions, including logic for local formats and agency requirements.
• A large logistics network that facilitates electronic trading partner onboarding and reduces the time required to connect new partners.
• Industry-specific solutions (ecommerce fulfillment, freight forwarding systems) and professional services for complex implementations.

Cons:

• Enterprise focus means pricing and contract complexity; smaller businesses may find per-transaction and onboarding costs relatively high for limited use cases.
• Implementation timelines can be longer when integrating multiple modules and connecting to existing ERPs, WMS and carrier systems.
• Some customers report that user experience varies between modules because the product family has grown through acquisitions; consistent UX across modules may require additional configuration or training.

Evaluating Descartes typically involves a careful assessment of integration complexity, transaction volumes, and the specific regulatory jurisdictions you operate in. Requesting references in your industry and a pilot implementation can help clarify expected ROI and ramp-up time.

Descartes free trial

Descartes often offers product demonstrations, pilot programs or limited trials depending on the product line and the customer’s requirements. For modular services (for example, EDI or specific compliance filings), potential customers can sometimes evaluate functionality with trial accounts or sandbox connections; for transportation and routing products, companies commonly engage in proof-of-concept projects that run real lanes with limited scope to validate optimization and integration prior to full deployment.

Access to trials is typically managed through Descartes’ sales or customer success teams, who can scope the environment, provide sandbox credentials and define success metrics for the trial period. Trial agreements will normally include terms around data handling, partner connectivity and support levels during the pilot phase.

If you are evaluating Descartes, ask for a demo or a pilot that mirrors your most important flows (EDI volumes, customs filing for specific countries, or last-mile delivery routes). Contact requests and trial inquiries are available through Descartes’ site; request a product demonstration through their contact and demo request pages. Visit Descartes’ official pricing information for the most current information.

Is Descartes free

No, Descartes is primarily a paid enterprise offering with commercial licensing for its modules and managed services. While Descartes may provide sandbox or trial access for evaluation purposes, ongoing production use requires a subscription, transaction fees or a contract that covers software licensing and support. For trial availability or pilot programs, speak with Descartes sales or request a demonstration through their contact channels.

Descartes API

Descartes provides APIs, integration connectors, and partner adapters to integrate with ERP, WMS, carrier systems, telematics providers and marketplace platforms. API capabilities typically cover messaging exchange, shipment creation and tracking, tariff and classification queries, customs submission status, and telematics telemetry ingestion for route and fleet analytics. The platform also supports traditional EDI and file-based integrations for trading partners that do not have API capabilities.

Documentation for APIs and integration patterns is available to customers and partners; Descartes also supports partner onboarding and provides developer resources for mapping messages and configuring transformations. If your team needs to integrate Descartes into existing systems, plan for mapping of data fields, transformation rules (for different regulatory formats), authentication methods (API keys, OAuth or token-based systems), and testing in a sandbox environment prior to production go-live.

For technical details, check Descartes’ developer and integration resources or request API documentation directly from their support or sales organization via their technical resources and documentation. Visit Descartes’ official pricing information for the most current information.

10 Descartes alternatives

Paid alternatives to Descartes

• SAP Logistics/Transportation Management (SAP TMS): Enterprise-grade TMS and supply chain platform integrated with SAP ERP; strong for end-to-end SAP landscapes and global freight management.
• Oracle Transportation Management (OTM): Comprehensive transportation planning and execution within Oracle’s suite; used by large shippers for multi-modal orchestration and rate management.
• Manhattan Associates (TMS & WMS): Focused on distribution and fulfillment with integrated WMS and transportation execution; popular with retailers and 3PLs.
• BluJay (now part of E2open): Global logistics platform offering TMS, customs and supply chain visibility; strong in cross-border trade and carrier connectivity.
• MercuryGate: Cloud TMS with flexible pricing and focus on shippers and brokers needing multi-modal optimization and carrier management.
• Kuebix (Trimble): Cloud-native TMS for shippers of varying sizes, with marketplace connectivity for carrier procurement and rate shopping.
• Infor Nexus: Supply chain visibility and global trade collaboration platform geared toward complex supply chains and large manufacturers.

Open source alternatives to Descartes

• OpenBoxes: Inventory and warehouse management system that supports order and fulfillment workflows; used by smaller distributors and healthcare supply chains as a low-cost WMS option.
• ERPNext: Open source ERP with modules for stock, purchasing and basic logistics; suitable for small to midsize businesses that want extensible code and lower licensing costs.
• OpenGTS: Open-source GPS tracking system that can serve as a telematics foundation for fleet tracking and basic route visibility.
• OpenTMS (community projects): Community or research TMS projects and academic tools that can be adapted, but typically require significant customization for production use.

When comparing alternatives, consider integration depth, regulatory coverage, transaction-based costs, implementation resources and whether you need a commercial support contract for SLA-backed production use.

Frequently asked questions about Descartes

What is Descartes used for?

Descartes is used for logistics and supply chain management, including EDI and partner connectivity, customs and regulatory filing, transportation management, routing and telematics, and ecommerce fulfillment. Organizations use it to automate document exchange, manage cross-border compliance, optimize routes and track shipments across modes.

How does Descartes handle customs and regulatory compliance?

Descartes provides filing and compliance modules that prepare and submit customs declarations, security filings, and agency-specific documents. The system maintains jurisdiction-specific rules and supports restricted party screening, tariff classification assistance and audit trails to help reduce delays and penalties.

Does Descartes offer APIs for integration?

Yes, Descartes provides APIs and integration connectors for ERP, WMS, carrier systems and telematics providers, along with EDI and file-based interfaces. Customers receive developer documentation and sandbox environments to test integrations before production.

Can Descartes integrate with my ERP or WMS?

Yes, Descartes integrates with common ERPs and WMS solutions using APIs, connectors, or EDI. Integration scope depends on the specific systems and modules you deploy; plan for data mapping, transformation rules and testing to ensure end-to-end workflows operate correctly.

Is Descartes suitable for small businesses?

Descartes is primarily an enterprise-grade provider but some modular services (for example, EDI messaging or single-country customs filing) can be cost-effective for smaller firms depending on volumes. Smaller businesses should assess per-transaction pricing and implementation costs and consider pilots to validate ROI.

Why choose Descartes for transportation management?

Descartes provides multi-modal transportation capabilities combined with connectivity to carriers and a global partner network, making it useful for companies that need planning, execution, visibility and carrier settlement in one platform. The combination of routing, telematics and TMS features supports both strategic planning and operational execution.

When should I contact Descartes sales?

Contact Descartes sales when you have defined business requirements and expected volumes, such as message counts, shipment numbers or number of vehicles, and when you need a solution that spans multiple functions (e.g., customs filing plus TMS). Early engagement helps scope integrations and identify potential pilot projects.

Where can I find Descartes pricing?

Descartes offers flexible pricing and tailored quotes based on selected modules, usage volumes and implementation scope. For precise plans and commercial terms, consult Descartes’ sales team or review their official pricing information on the Descartes website: their official pricing information. Visit Descartes’ official pricing information for the most current information.

What are common Descartes competitors?

Common competitors include SAP, Oracle Transportation Management, Manhattan Associates, BluJay (E2open), MercuryGate, and Kuebix. These vendors compete across transportation, fulfillment and trade compliance segments and should be evaluated according to integration needs and industry fit.

How secure is Descartes?

Descartes implements enterprise-grade security controls appropriate for global logistics platforms, including encrypted communications and role-based access controls; specific certifications and security features vary by product and contract. For details on certifications, data residency and security controls, review Descartes’ security and compliance resources or contact their security team via their official site.

Descartes careers

Descartes recruits across product development, professional services, sales, support and operations. Career opportunities typically include roles for logistics domain experts, software engineers working on integrations and APIs, data scientists for trade intelligence, and customer success professionals who support implementations. Check Descartes’ corporate career pages and job boards for current openings and regional opportunities in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Descartes affiliate

Descartes works with partners and resellers — including systems integrators, channel partners and value-added resellers — to distribute and implement its solutions. If you are interested in reseller or referral arrangements, Descartes maintains partner programs with technical onboarding, certification and commercial incentives. Contact their partner team via Descartes’ partner pages for program details.

Where to find Descartes reviews

Independent reviews and buyer feedback are available on business software review sites such as G2 and TrustRadius, and industry analyst reports may mention Descartes when reviewing TMS, EDI and trade compliance vendors. For case studies and customer stories, consult Descartes’ own resources and press releases; for peer reviews, check G2’s Descartes listings and TrustRadius insights to understand typical strengths and areas of customer concern:

• Descartes listings on G2 and TrustRadius provide user feedback and feature ratings.
• Industry analyst commentary (e.g., Gartner, Forrester) may reference Descartes in reports on transportation management and global trade services.