Cloud TMS for small fleets
The free Tailwind TMS alternative for owner-operators and small carriers
Tailwind TMS starts at ~$90/mo, no free tier (user-reported, June 2026). Rigbird is free for one truck, with IFTA, dispatch, and broker invoicing built in. No credit card, no onboarding call, ready in about five minutes.
Side by side
Rigbird vs Tailwind TMS
| Feature | Rigbird | Tailwind TMS |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free for 1 truck / $29/mo for fleets | ~$90/mo (user-reported) |
| Free tier | Yes, genuinely free for 1 truck | No |
| IFTA filing | Built-in IFTA calculator + quarterly worksheets | Yes, IFTA included |
| Load dispatch board | Yes, included | Yes |
| Broker invoicing | Yes (Fleet plan) | Yes |
| Setup time | About 5 minutes, browser-based | Hours to days |
Competitor figures from public sources and user reviews, June 2026.
What people like about Tailwind TMS
- IFTA tracking included in the subscription
- Cloud-based with no local install required
- Covers dispatch, invoicing, and fuel taxes in one tool
Common complaints
- Around $90/mo is steep for a solo operator
- No free plan to evaluate the product before committing
- Learning curve is longer than some users expect
Why small carriers pick Rigbird
Reasons owner-operators choose Rigbird over Tailwind TMS
- Free for one truck, save around $90/mo
- Same core features: IFTA, dispatch, and invoicing included
- Up and running in about five minutes, nothing to configure
Questions
Common switching questions
Yes. Rigbird is free for one truck indefinitely. You can run your whole back-office on the free plan with no time limit and no card required.
Ready to switch from Tailwind TMS?
Free forever for solo owner-operators. No credit card. Set up in about five minutes.