Three questions decide this one: does your FMS track containers natively, does it give your customers self-service visibility, and is switching platforms actually the right fix if the answer is no.
Native tracking: Magaya, CargoWise, GoFreight
All three build container and shipment tracking into the core platform. GoFreight goes a step further and bundles a customer-facing portal with it, so a client can check a shipment’s status themselves instead of emailing your operations desk, which is the single biggest source of avoidable support volume at a busy forwarder.
Magaya and CargoWise both carry tracking as part of their broader operational depth, useful if tracking is one requirement among several rather than the entire reason you are shopping.
Do not migrate your FMS just for tracking
If your current platform’s tracking is weak but everything else about it works, a full FMS migration is the wrong-sized fix. Forwarders in this position typically add a dedicated visibility layer on top of what they already run: Descartes MacroPoint or Descartes OneView , or a broader platform like project44. It is a smaller, cheaper decision than replacing the operational system underneath it, and it is the more common path in practice.
Make that call before assuming the whole platform needs to change. A tracking gap is usually a bolt-on problem, not a foundation problem.
Does freight forwarding software with tracking cost more?
Not distinctly. Tracking is bundled into the core price of Magaya, CargoWise, and GoFreight rather than sold as a separate add-on. A visibility layer like MacroPoint added on top of an existing FMS is a separate line item, priced apart from the base platform.
Can customers track their own shipments without calling my team?
Yes, with GoFreight’s built-in customer portal. Magaya and CargoWise both support customer-facing visibility as well, though the portal experience is a smaller focus for CargoWise than the customs and operational depth it’s built around.
For the full comparison with pricing, ratings, and demo checklists across all seven platforms, see best freight forwarding software .