Head-to-head · Transport Management software
Descartes 3G TMS vs Manhattan Active Transportation Management
Descartes 3G TMS leads on 0 checks, Manhattan Active Transportation Management on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreDescartes 3G TMS · 8.8/10
Descartes 3G TMS scores higher on our rubric for transport management software: 8.8 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.
Descartes 3G TMS is the better fit for mid-market and enterprise multimodal shippers. Manhattan Active Transportation Management is the better fit for mid-market and enterprise freight networks.
- Descartes 3G TMS fits best
Mid-market and enterprise multimodal shippers
- Manhattan Active Transportation Management fits best
Mid-market and enterprise freight networks
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Side by side
| Feature | Descartes 3G TMS 8.8/10 Visit ↗ | Manhattan Active Transportation Management 8.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.8 | 8.5 |
| Ranking | #4 in Transport Management software | #7 in Transport Management software |
| Best for | Mid-market and enterprise multimodal shippers | Mid-market and enterprise freight networks |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | Pricing on request | Pricing on request |
| Free plan | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Phone | Docs |
| Integrations | 6 integrations | 3 integrations |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise | Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Descartes 3G TMS 1/4 · Manhattan Active Transportation Management 1/4 | ||
| Shipment planning | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Carrier tendering | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Shipment tracking | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Freight audit | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Transport modes | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Deployment | Not checked yet | Cloud |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Descartes 3G TMS is a cloud-based transportation management system for shippers, third-party logistics providers, freight brokers, and other logistics organizations. It supports truckload, LTL, parcel, intermodal, and drayage operations… Read the review → |
Manhattan Active Transportation Management is a cloud transportation management system for organizations managing domestic and global freight networks. Its workflow spans transportation order and shipment creation, carrier and rate… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Descartes 3G TMS — where it wins
- Multimodal planning, rating, optimization, and carrier tendering
- Freight audit, reconciliation, settlement, and advanced analytics
- EDI, APIs, web services, and Descartes network connectivity
Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires contacting sales
- Cloud deployment with web access only
- Broad configuration may exceed simpler shipping workflows
Manhattan Active Transportation Management — where it wins
- Supports truckload, LTL, intermodal, parcel, ocean, air and rail
- Covers planning, tendering, tracking, dispatch and freight settlement
- Offers continuous optimization and API-first extensibility
Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires contacting the sales team
- Support channels listed are limited to documentation
- Integration options are described broadly rather than by named systems
- Descartes 3G TMS8.8/10 · Pricing on request
A broad cloud TMS for multimodal planning, execution, settlement, and analytics.
Visit DescartesFull verdict → - Manhattan Active Transportation Management8.5/10 · Pricing on request
A cloud TMS spanning multimodal planning, shipment execution, tracking and settlement.
Visit ManhattanFull verdict →
More comparisons
All transport management software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update