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Practical advice for independent couriers

SDCN, Courier Exchange, AnyVan, Shiply and Drive It: a driver’s guide

Choosing a courier platform starts with what you need: another source of work, a way to use spare capacity, or tools to manage deliveries for your own customers. Compare the work available to your vehicle and area, the full charges and the daily workflow before committing.

By Nexus Delivery Team Limited · Updated

Compare the service, not just the headline

The summaries below describe each provider’s own public driver information, checked on 11 October 2026. They are not a test of job availability, service quality or earnings. Each provider sets its own eligibility and commercial terms, which can change.

Drive It is published by Nexus Delivery Team Limited. The other named services are independent businesses; this page does not imply affiliation or automatic data sharing.

SDCN: a subscription courier network

Same Day Courier Network promotes finding loads and using return journeys, with mobile job alerts, electronic proof of delivery and invoicing. Its pricing page lists a flat subscription and says there are no per-job charges. Check the current plan, VAT treatment and work relevant to your area directly with SDCN.

Courier Exchange: an exchange for transport businesses

Courier Exchange presents services for owner drivers, courier companies and freight forwarders. Its driver content focuses on finding loads and return journeys, business relationships and managing finances. Ask for the current membership offer, joining requirements and the tools included for your operation.

AnyVan: transport partner opportunities

AnyVan’s partner page covers delivery and removals work, browsing and claiming jobs, and vehicle-based opportunities. It also describes tools for adding private jobs, live tracking and delivery evidence. Its advertised faster payment options have conditions; check which arrangements apply to the work offered to you.

Shiply: quote for customer delivery requests

Shiply says transport providers can register without sign-up or subscription fees, search delivery requests and submit quotes. Its provider page describes adding a fee above the driver’s quoted amount and payment of the courier charge by the customer. Its terms explain that success fees vary by category and quote, so check the actual fee before quoting.

Drive It: organise your work and review eligible opportunities

Drive It combines your own order records, route planning, delivery progress tracking and proof of delivery with access to eligible network work. Approved independent drivers can review suitable Deliverate opportunities while retaining their direct customer work.

The current offer is 60 days free after approval, then £79 including VAT monthly from day 61 when renewal is authorised. Google Maps usage and applicable network charges are separate. The iPhone and Android apps are in beta. Work and earnings are not guaranteed.

Questions to ask before paying for a courier platform

A large advertised network does not tell you how many suitable jobs will be available on your route tomorrow. Check the details that affect your own working day.

  • Is the available work suitable for my vehicle, crew and service area?
  • What subscription, job fees, mapping charges and VAT apply?
  • Do I quote, accept a fixed offer or agree a separate contract?
  • Who pays me, when is payment due and what evidence is needed?
  • Can I manage my own jobs, tracking and delivery records?
  • What happens to my records and access if I stop paying?

Read the providers’ own information

Sources checked on 11 October 2026. Confirm current availability, charges and terms directly with each provider.

Read the individual comparisons

Drive It vs Track-POD

Tracking, electronic POD and the cost of a one-driver setup

Drive It vs Onfleet

Owner-driver membership versus delivery operations software

Drive It vs OptimoRoute

Route planning, driver licences and delivery evidence

Drive It vs Routific

Order-based route software versus a driver membership

Drive It vs Courier Exchange

Finding loads, subscription commitments and your own customers

Drive It vs SDCN

Subscription value, electronic POD and suitable loads

Drive It vs AnyVan

Transport partner work, private jobs and delivery tools

Drive It vs Shiply

Quoting for work versus paying for a courier workflow

All software and marketplace comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Is Drive It a Courier Exchange or SDCN alternative?

It is an option to consider if you want to organise your own courier jobs and review eligible network opportunities. The services differ in their work sources, terms and tools, so assess the workflow and current opportunities that matter to you.

Why pay for Drive It when Shiply has no subscription?

Drive It membership pays for tools to manage your own jobs, routes, tracking and proof of delivery as well as eligible network access. Shiply promotes a marketplace without a subscription. Decide whether Drive It’s tools are useful to your business during the trial.

Can I use work from another platform in Drive It?

You can manually add jobs and customer details you are authorised to use, subject to the original platform’s terms. This does not imply an automatic integration, permission to move a booking off-platform or a way to avoid its fees.

More help for your driving day

Owner-driver courier work: find jobs that fit your van

Find suitable owner-driver courier work, assess delivery requirements and manage your own customer jobs alongside Deliverate opportunities with Drive It.

Courier return loads: make better use of your journey home

Learn how to assess courier return loads and backloads, reduce avoidable empty mileage and fit extra collections around existing delivery commitments.

Courier job costs: check the miles, time and money before accepting

A practical courier job costing guide covering total mileage, loading time, running costs, payment terms and Drive It membership with a worked example.

Put Drive It to work with your own jobs

60 days free after approval, then £79 including VAT monthly from day 61 when renewal is authorised. Separate Google Maps usage and applicable network charges. Apps in beta. Work and earnings are not guaranteed.