Compared honestly · 8 companies · Updated September 2026

The best truck driver recruiting software in 2026 — carrier ATS compared, plus the platform we build

By Andrius Pletniovas, founderPublished September 2026

Two different products get called "truck driver recruiting software." The first is a carrier's applicant tracking system: the DOT-compliant application, the DQ file, the texting, the job-board posting and the pipeline that a carrier's own recruiters work every day. The second is the layer between recruiting agencies and carriers — the system an agency uses to submit screened drivers and get paid per placement. We build one of the second kind, and we say so where it appears below.

This list covers seven carrier ATS and sourcing platforms, described from their own sites with pricing exactly as published (which for most means not at all), and then Onboard by CDL Agency, positioned honestly as what it is: not a Tenstreet alternative, and not something a carrier buys. The carrier keeps its ATS.

How we compared them

  1. 01

    What it actually is

    A full ATS with DQ files, a sourcing layer that feeds an ATS, a conversational front end, or an agency-side placement platform. They are not substitutes for each other.

  2. 02

    Who it is for

    A 30-truck carrier, a 1,500-truck carrier and a recruiting agency have different problems. Enterprise tools aren't wrong; they're aimed elsewhere.

  3. 03

    Pricing as published

    Two of the eight publish a price. The rest quote. 'Not published' is a fact, not a criticism.

  4. 04

    Trucking only?

    Several platforms also serve bus, waste, utility and private fleets. Fine — but the roadmap is shared.

  5. 05

    What it does for the phone

    Software makes a good recruiting team faster. It does nothing for a carrier with nobody to call the driver back.

The list

  1. 1

    Tenstreet

    Software

    tenstreet.com

    "Trucking's favorite driver lifecycle management platform": the Hiring Center (IntelliApp, Xchange verifications, Job Store, the Driver Pulse app, an AI assistant), a Safety Center for DQ files, and optimization tools. Acquired DriverReach on March 31, 2025. Pricing "is not rigid" and depends on products, fleet size and other variables — quote via sales.

    Fits

    • Carriers of almost any size that want the industry-default application and verification network
    • Fleets whose recruiting partners already integrate with it (Class A Recruiting, for one)

    Doesn't fit

    • Anyone who wants a published price
    • Carriers that want a single-purpose lightweight tool
    How you pay:
    Not published — depends on products used and fleet size
    Who employs the driver:
    n/a (software)
    Coverage:
    US trucking; "thousands of motor carriers and private fleets" (their words)
    Trucking only:
    yes

    Claims Driver Pulse has 480,000 active users a month and that Xchange handles half of all industry verifications.

  2. 2

    Double Nickel

    Software

    getdoublenickel.com

    An AI-powered recruiting platform whose AI Recruiter "calls new applicants in seconds" and qualifies them on the phone, plus an ATS with calls, texts, email and transcripts, DQ files, an application portal, e-sign and verifications. Publishes a "Double Nickel vs. Tenstreet" page and names customer fleets of roughly 50 to 1,600 trucks. Pricing not published.

    Fits

    • Mid-size fleets whose bottleneck is the first callback
    • Carriers that want AI screening built in rather than bolted on

    Doesn't fit

    • Anyone who needs a Tenstreet integration — it positions itself as the alternative, and its integrations section says 'coming soon'
    • Carriers that want published pricing
    How you pay:
    Not published (demo and ROI calculator)
    Who employs the driver:
    n/a (software)
    Coverage:
    Not stated; US Class A fleets in its case studies
    Trucking only:
    yes

    The company's site is getdoublenickel.com; doublenickel.com is unrelated.

  3. 3

    Avatar DriverHub

    Software

    avatarfleet.com/driverhub

    Recruiting and compliance software for motor carriers: lead capture, careers pages, workflow triggers, source tracking, electronic DQ files built during onboarding, a compliance dashboard and e-signatures, with an AI assistant that scans licences and medical cards. "Transparent all-in, per-driver pricing" with "no fees, gimmicks, tiers, hidden costs, upgrades" — quoted by sales. Claims 70+ integrations.

    Fits

    • Fleets that want recruiting and compliance in one system with a client success manager
    • Carriers that also run bus or private fleets — Avatar serves them too

    Doesn't fit

    • Anyone who wants the price before the sales call
    • Carriers that want a trucking-only roadmap
    How you pay:
    Per-driver, all-in; figures not published
    Who employs the driver:
    n/a (software)
    Coverage:
    Not stated
    Trucking only:
    no — one of several verticals
  4. 4

    CDL Suite

    Software

    cdlsuite.com

    A web-based recruiting ATS plus DQ file and DOT/FMCSA compliance management: electronic applications, consent forms, applicant tracking, AI document review, onboarding automation, background screening and MVR monitoring. "Starting at only $199.95/month," billed month-to-month with no long-term contract; Basic, Enterprise and Premium plans with DQ files as an add-on. Cites a 4.7/5 Capterra rating from 250+ reviews.

    Fits

    • Small and mid-size carriers that want a published entry price and no contract
    • Fleets that need the DQ file and the application in one place

    Doesn't fit

    • Anyone who needs the per-plan prices — only the starting price is published
    • Enterprise fleets wanting a conversational AI front end
    How you pay:
    Published: from $199.95/month, month-to-month; tier prices not shown
    Who employs the driver:
    n/a (software)
    Coverage:
    Not stated
    Trucking only:
    yes
  5. 5

    TruckRight

    Software

    truckright.com

    Recruiting, retention and compliance software for fleets: a configurable ATS with mobile applications, knockout questions and scorecards, built-in CRM texting and email, job-board posting, interactive DQ files and online training. Priced monthly by the size of the fleet housed in the system — $499.99 a month base, with unpriced add-ons — and serves waste, utility, motorcoach and construction fleets as well as for-hire carriers.

    Fits

    • Fleets that want a published base price and a configurable ATS
    • Mixed fleets (trucks, buses, utility) that want one system

    Doesn't fit

    • Carriers over 500 vehicles (the site says 'let's talk')
    • Anyone who wants a trucking-only vendor
    How you pay:
    Published: $499.99/month base, scaled by fleet size; add-ons unpriced
    Who employs the driver:
    n/a (software)
    Coverage:
    North America (US and Canada)
    Trucking only:
    no — one of several verticals
  6. 6

    CDLConnect

    Software

    cdlconnect.io

    "The only programmatic driver recruiting platform built for trucking," powered by CDLLife: it aggregates applicants from 20+ sourcing channels plus the CDLLife audience, runs follow-up "Driver Journeys," and reports funnel analytics. It is a sourcing layer that feeds your existing ATS, not an ATS itself. Pricing not published.

    Fits

    • Carriers with an ATS and a recruiting team whose problem is top-of-funnel volume
    • Larger fleets — its logos include national carriers

    Doesn't fit

    • Anyone who needs an ATS or DQ files — that isn't what it does
    • Carriers that want published pricing
    How you pay:
    Not published (quote)
    Who employs the driver:
    n/a (software)
    Coverage:
    Not stated
    Trucking only:
    yes
  7. Enterprise conversational hiring software — the assistant Olivia handles apply, screening, scheduling and CRM by text — with a trucking and logistics solution page citing U.S. Xpress, Koch Trucking and REV Group. Integrations named are Workday, SAP SuccessFactors and Indeed. Multi-industry; pricing not published.

    Fits

    • Enterprise fleets with an HRIS like Workday or SuccessFactors
    • Carriers whose recruiting volume justifies a conversational front end

    Doesn't fit

    • Small and mid-size carriers — nothing on the site says so, but the customer list and integrations are enterprise
    • Anyone who needs a trucking ATS or DQ file (it sits in front of one)
    How you pay:
    Not published
    Who employs the driver:
    n/a (software)
    Coverage:
    Global enterprise customers; trucking is one vertical
    Trucking only:
    no — one of several verticals
  8. 8

    Onboard by CDL Agencyour company

    Software

    How it works

    Our product, stated plainly: the invite-only placement platform between recruiting agencies and carriers. Agencies submit vetted drivers as complete packets, carriers decide from their inbox, the pipeline is tracked through drug test and hire, and commissions are ledgered per placement. It is not a carrier ATS and not a Tenstreet alternative — the carrier keeps whatever it runs.

    Fits

    • CDL recruiting agencies and solo recruiters who place drivers with carriers
    • Carriers that want screened submissions without adopting new software

    Doesn't fit

    • Carriers looking for an ATS or DQ-file system — see entries 1–5
    • Anyone who wants to buy it — it is invite-only and free for agencies
    How you pay:
    Free for agencies; invite-only; carriers pay per placed driver, not for software
    Who employs the driver:
    n/a (platform; the carrier employs the driver it hires)
    Coverage:
    US
    Trucking only:
    yes

Side by side

The same facts as the cards, in one table. "Not published" means the company's website doesn't say — we didn't guess.

CompanyWhat it isPricing as publishedCoverageTrucking only
1. TenstreetThe default carrier ATS and verification networkNot published — depends on products used and fleet sizeUS trucking; "thousands of motor carriers and private fleets" (their words)Yes
2. Double NickelFleets that want the AI to make the first callNot published (demo and ROI calculator)Not stated; US Class A fleets in its case studiesYes
3. Avatar DriverHubRecruiting plus compliance for mixed fleetsPer-driver, all-in; figures not publishedNot statedNo
4. CDL SuiteSmall fleets that want a price on the pagePublished: from $199.95/month, month-to-month; tier prices not shownNot statedYes
5. TruckRightMid-size fleets that want a configurable ATS with a stated base pricePublished: $499.99/month base, scaled by fleet size; add-ons unpricedNorth America (US and Canada)No
6. CDLConnectProgrammatic sourcing on top of an existing ATSNot published (quote)Not statedYes
7. ParadoxEnterprise carriers automating the conversation layerNot publishedGlobal enterprise customers; trucking is one verticalNo
8. Onboard by CDL Agency (us)Recruiting agencies — the other side of the table from an ATSFree for agencies; invite-only; carriers pay per placed driver, not for softwareUSYes

Questions people ask

How much does Tenstreet cost?

Tenstreet doesn't publish pricing. Its pricing page says the price "is not rigid" and depends on the products and services used, fleet size and other variables, with a quote from sales. Of the platforms on this list, only CDL Suite (from $199.95/month) and TruckRight ($499.99/month base) publish a figure.

Is DriverReach still available?

Not as a standalone product. Tenstreet announced its acquisition of DriverReach on March 31, 2025, and driverreach.com now redirects to tenstreet.com. Tenstreet's announcement says it will fold DriverReach's advances into its own platform; whether the brand continues is not stated.

What is the best ATS for a trucking company?

It depends on size and on what's missing. Tenstreet is the industry default and verification network; Double Nickel if your bottleneck is the first callback; Avatar DriverHub or CDL Suite if you want compliance and the DQ file in the same system, with CDL Suite the one that publishes a starting price; TruckRight for a configurable ATS with a stated base price; Paradox for enterprise conversational hiring. CDLConnect is sourcing on top of an ATS, not a replacement for one.

Do I need recruiting software if I use a recruiting agency?

Not for the agency's work. A pay-per-driver agency runs its own screening and submission — ours through Onboard — and sends you a packet you decide on from your inbox. You still need somewhere to keep the DQ file and the application once you hire, which is what a carrier ATS is for. The two are different layers, not alternatives.

What is the difference between an ATS and a driver placement platform?

An ATS is the carrier's system: it holds the driver's application, DQ file and pipeline for the carrier's own recruiters. A placement platform sits between recruiting agencies and carriers: the agency submits screened drivers, the carrier accepts or declines, and the platform tracks the hire and the commission. Onboard by CDL Agency is the second kind; a carrier keeps its ATS alongside it.

Which truck driver recruiting software publishes pricing?

Two of the seven carrier tools here: CDL Suite (from $199.95/month, month-to-month) and TruckRight ($499.99/month base, scaled by fleet size). Tenstreet, Double Nickel, Avatar, CDLConnect and Paradox quote. If you want the build-versus-buy math before you shop, it's at cdlagency.com/blog/truck-driver-recruiting-software-build-vs-buy-2026.

Keep reading

A

Written by

Andrius Pletniovas — Founder, CDL Agency

Andrius Pletniovas (Andrius Digital) is the founder of CDL Agency, a truck-driver recruiting and marketing company that has placed 3,000+ CDL drivers for 50+ carriers across the U.S. He writes about driver recruiting, retention, and the trucking market from running the agency every day.

More about Andrius →Official personal website →

Software makes recruiters faster. We are the recruiters.

If the problem is nobody on the phone with the driver, an ATS won't fix it. Tell us the seats and we'll tell you on the first call whether we can fill them — you keep whatever software you run.