The global digital freight brokerage market was valued at USD 5.87 billion in 2024 and is projected to witness robust expansion, reaching USD 24.36 billion by 2030. This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.3% between 2025 and 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing segments within the logistics and supply chain industry.

The rapid adoption of digital freight brokerage solutions is primarily driven by the limitations of traditional freight brokerage models. Conventional methods are often hampered by several persistent challenges, including:

• Lack of real-time tracking and visibility, which restricts shippers’ ability to monitor cargo movements effectively.
• Unpredictable pricing fluctuations, resulting in inefficiencies and difficulties in cost forecasting.
• Manual processes, such as phone-based booking, paperwork, and delayed communication, which slow down operations.
• Capacity constraints, leading to mismatched supply-demand cycles and underutilization of assets.

To overcome these challenges, companies are increasingly turning toward digital freight brokerage platforms. These solutions leverage automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and real-time data analytics to create a more transparent, efficient, and agile freight matching process. Digital freight brokerage is essentially a technology-enabled model that uses online platforms or mobile applications to seamlessly connect shippers with carriers. Core processes such as tendering, booking, payment settlement, and shipment execution are automated, reducing time and errors while optimizing route planning and load management.

This model is particularly valuable across industries such as retail, manufacturing, and e-commerce, where logistics speed and efficiency directly impact customer satisfaction and business performance. By enabling real-time freight matching, digital platforms ensure better fleet utilization, dynamic pricing transparency, and quicker decision-making, thereby reshaping the competitive dynamics of the logistics industry.

Key Market Trends & Insights:

• North America dominated the digital freight brokerage market in 2024, accounting for a 42.4% revenue share. This dominance is attributed to the presence of major logistics companies, advanced digital infrastructure, and strong adoption of freight technology in the U.S., which remains the leading national market. Increasing focus on real-time tracking, sustainability in freight operations, and growing investments in logistics digitization further strengthen the region’s leadership position.
• Road freight was the leading transportation mode, contributing a 74.7% revenue share in 2024. The segment benefits from the vast road transport networks, high demand for full-truckload and less-than-truckload services, and strong adoption of digital matching platforms. The air freight segment is projected to record a significant CAGR over the forecast period, supported by the rising need for faster deliveries in time-sensitive sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce.
• The full-truckload (FTL) brokerage segment held the largest share of the market in 2024, driven by the increasing demand for bulk and long-haul shipments across retail, manufacturing, and consumer goods industries. The refrigerated (temperature-controlled) freight segment is expected to grow at a notable CAGR, largely due to the rising transportation needs of perishable goods, including fresh food, pharmaceuticals, and biologics.
• Business-to-business (B2B) services accounted for the largest share in 2024, reflecting the dominance of industrial and commercial shippers in global trade and supply chains. The business-to-consumer (B2C) segment is projected to grow rapidly, fueled by the booming e-commerce sector, rising direct-to-consumer delivery models, and increasing expectations for faster and more reliable last-mile delivery solution.
• Retail & e-commerce was the leading industry segment in 2024, as companies increasingly rely on digital freight platforms to enhance fulfillment efficiency and reduce delivery times for online orders. The healthcare & pharmaceuticals segment is projected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period, driven by rising demand for temperature-controlled logistics and faster distribution of medicines, vaccines, and critical medical supplies.

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Market Size & Forecast:

• 2024 Market Size: USD 5.87 Billion
• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 24.36 Billion
• CAGR (2025-2030): 27.3%
• North America: Largest market in 2024

Key Companies & Market Share Insights:

The digital freight brokerage market is moderately fragmented but competitive, with established logistics providers and tech-driven startups actively expanding their digital capabilities. Leading companies are focusing on technology integration, partnerships, acquisitions, and digital platform development to strengthen their market presence.

Some of the key players include:

• H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. - A global third-party logistics (3PL) provider offering a wide range of services, including freight transportation, warehousing, and transportation management. Its extensive freight network covers truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), air freight, intermodal, and ocean transportation. C.H. Robinson has invested heavily in building a robust digital freight platform that connects shippers with carriers across multiple modes, ensuring end-to-end visibility and efficiency.
• Total Quality Logistics, LLC (TQL) - A leading freight brokerage firm specializing in FTL, LTL, and intermodal shipping services. TQL operates one of the largest carrier networks in the U.S. and has developed a proprietary digital platform that provides real-time tracking, automated load matching, and optimized carrier selection. Its focus on digital innovation allows shippers to access greater transparency and speed in freight management.

Other major players in the sector include RXO, Inc., WWEX Group, and Landstar System Holdings, Inc., each of which is investing in digital transformation strategies to strengthen competitiveness. These companies are also prioritizing the integration of AI, predictive analytics, and IoT-enabled tracking to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.

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Conclusion:

The global digital freight brokerage market is entering a high-growth phase, with demand driven by the inefficiencies of traditional freight systems and the rise of automation, AI, and real-time data analytics. North America currently dominates, but other regions are catching up quickly. Road freight remains the backbone of digital brokerage, while sectors such as refrigerated freight and healthcare logistics are opening new avenues for expansion. As leading companies continue to innovate and scale digital platforms, the industry is set to fundamentally reshape freight management, offering faster, smarter, and more transparent logistics solutions worldwide.