Dispatch vs Freight Broker: What's the Difference?

Freight brokers sit between shippers and carriers and are responsible for building and pricing the load. Dispatchers work on the carrier side, helping you find and negotiate freight that fits your operation.

A dispatcher is paid by you, the carrier, and is focused on your best interest: better rates, better lanes, and less downtime.

Many successful carriers use both: brokers as a source of freight and a dispatcher as their back-office and planning partner.

Brokers make money on the spread between what the shipper pays and what the carrier receives. Dispatchers typically charge a percentage of your gross or a flat weekly fee.

Understanding this difference helps you build the right team around your trucking business and know who is working for your interests.