In this post, we’re going to be comparing one route planning and optimization software, PlaceMaker, against our own, MyWay Route Planner.
MyWay Route Planner is the #1 alternative to PlaceMaker Route Planner
Are you interested in comparing all apps in a single view? Here you go!
There are a lot of benefits to using route optimization software - you can save a lot of your time by following the most efficient route and money on fuel. It's especially important in the current environment when the fuel price is going up on a daily basis. When you pick route optimization software, there are many options to choose from. Some of those options work great for big (enterprise) companies. Some of those are better suitable for medium and small businesses, and some are smashing it for individuals. You can even use free tools like Google Maps, but to use those means, you have to become an algorithm and try to find the best possible route by dragging stops back and forth by yourself.
This article's primary goal is to highlight the main features of one of the best route optimizers out there, PlaceMaker Route Planner, and compare it with MyWay Route Planner. Here we will take a deep dive and compare the features, usability, pricing tiers, and other aspects of PlaceMaker and MyWay apps, so let's begin.
PlaceMaker Route Planner, same as MyWay, are two route planners who are doing an incredible job of providing the best in class route optimization. The main difference between the two actually sits in user experience, and from a features point of view, they both are solid.
MyWay Route Planner app is available on the Apple App Store (for iPhone/iOS) and will soon be available on Google Play Store (for Android). PlaceMaker is also available on Apple AppStore and already has a presence on Google Play Store.
PlaceMaker has must needed features for delivery and works pretty well for those who need basic route optimization. Route4Me can work for any industry but is not well optimized for industries like sales, property management, healthcare, etc. Placemaker is a great app, and there are many positive reviews out there. It's simple and does the job. It does not shine on a feature list, but it has almost everything you might need. The most important feature, unfortunately, is hidden behind the paywall, but we will discuss that in a pricing section. Overall - if you are willing to pay for things like route optimization - it's all good. Keep reading.
MyWay Route Planner has everything PlaceMaker has and even more. It works great for those in delivery, sales, pest control, telco, and others, as it has customizable fields which you can set up for your specific needs. MyWay is simply the most effortless route planner you can start using today, and it works very well. From the feature POV, those two are very similar, but their approach to the user interface is very different.
PlaceMaker has a classic user interface. That one people used to have in 2015. It takes some time to figure out a layout and a lot of time to master. Also, PlaceMaker is very heavy on pop-ups you can't close, which is very bad for the user experience. Even their main feature (route optimization) sits behind a trial pop-up, so you will see a "suggestion" to try it out every few seconds. Speaking about user interface and user experience, we would say it's the worst enemy of PlaceMaker. A pretty good route optimization algorithm and solid feature set is hidden in a simple but very ugly-looking interface. Animations, feedback on buttons, lists, and scrolls are not great. If those cons can be addressed (or you get used to it), the overall experience is going to be good.
If we talk about usability and user experience, you can find that MyWay is better looking and much better optimized for operation efficiency. The interface is straightforward, and the animations are smooth. All critical information is highlighted, so it's pretty easy to find it. The layout does not brake when you scroll stuff and It does not look on a screen like a mess. Important labels are bold, and all gestures are intuitive. MyWay user interface is "modern".
All it's being said, it's easy to see a difference when you start using the app yourself. When you perform operations using MyWay, the app saves you a second here, half a second there. Overall on a route with hundreds of stops, you will save 3-5 minutes on average - it does not feel much, but when you use the app every day, it makes a huge difference.
PlaceMaker pricing tiers are simple. All plans are either a per-month fee or per annum fee. The route optimization feature is not free, but you can choose how many stops you need to optimize. There are three options to choose from: up to 25 stops, up to 150 stops, and unlimited stops. The price for up to 25 stops is pretty good ($4.99 US), but the next option (up to 150 stops) is $9.99, and that's when it's not that great. Most apps offer more stops for the same price and have more generous free tiers in general. Add some UX/UI issues to the mix, and there are better options out there.
MyWay Route Planner pricing structure is pretty simple. On a free plan, you can get up to 20 stops with no features being limited. MyWay Route Planner has two types of premium subscriptions: 1-month plan, and 1-year plan. Each plan has a limit of 200 stops and no limitations on features. The yearly plan also allows you to save up to 50% off your expenses if you need a route optimization all year long. With all bells and whistles and pretty good user experience it's an amazing mix and great tool to use.
When it comes to route planning and optimization, both PlaceMaker and MyWay use best in breed route optimization algorithms, which help drivers save time and money daily. They both very capable tools and have all features you might need.
PlaceMaker is a little cheaper if your max number of stops is not above 25, but it lacks user experience and usability. However, it has been around since 2015, and there are many people who like it.
The MyWay Route Planner app is a simple, good-looking, and affordable solution for individual drivers and small businesses. It costs a little bit more but also provides more in return. The user experience is overall better, and the whole app recently is attracting more and more people, especially those who want not just a robust tool in their pocket but those who care about experience and simplicity.
MyWay app helps you to build efficient routes and saves you up to 30% of your time and money on fuel
"MyWay Route Planner is a real gem for real estate agents like me! It simplifies property visits by optimizing routes and providing accurate directions. The app's user interface is intuitive, making it easy to use even for non-tech-savvy individuals. Highly recommended!"
"It’s made it simple and understandable for non-technical inclined users such as myself. It has convenient features that make it easy to complete my route and be time and cost-efficient. Would recommend to everyone.”
"This app is a game-changer for delivery drivers like me! It optimizes my routes, ensuring timely and efficient deliveries. The user-friendly interface and accurate directions make it a must-have tool. Thumbs up for this fantastic app!"
"This app gets better with every update. The developer clearly has an understanding of transportation and routing. Every update makes this even better. Excellent route planning tool with many cool features. A clear winner for me.”
"This app gets better with every update. The developer clearly has an understanding of transportation and routing. Every update makes this even better. Excellent route planning tool with many cool features. A clear winner for me.”
"After endless hours spent on choosing a good delivery planner, I finally have found this one. Good looking, with good address coverage, allows you to optimize stops without any need to buy a subscription. Just amazing.”
