Flat-rate vs per-user TMS: the math brokers are running in 2026

Most legacy TMS platforms charge per user or per load. It feels normal -- until you grow. Add three agents and your bill jumps; win a big shipper and your per-load fees eat the margin you just earned.

Run the numbers

Per-seat pricing means every hire is a software tax. Per-load pricing means every good month costs you more. Flat-rate flips both: you pay one predictable price, add unlimited users and loads, and keep the upside of growth.

The only thing worth metering is the one real variable cost -- AI actions -- and even that should be disclosed and capped so a plan can never quietly run at a loss.

What to look for

Flat monthly price. Unlimited users and loads. No setup fee. Open API on every paid tier, not gated to the top plan. Data you can export in a day, for free. That is the standard Ellys is built to.

See exact, published pricing at ellystms.com/pricing, compare us honestly at /compare, or start a 30-day free trial.

Ellys International Logistics LLC. USDOT 4576045. MC 1820877.