Freight agents chasing big-name brokerages often pay in other ways, through lost clients, less control, or zero support. We’ve put together this article to discuss freight brokerage comparisons with big and small brokerages, and why a bigger name isn’t always better.

Freight Brokerage Comparison: Big Doesn’t Always Mean Better

When you’re comparing freight brokerages, it’s easy to get swept up in the big names. The large brokerage promises. The big numbers. The shiny tech stack. But here’s what most freight agents don’t find out until it’s too late:

You’re going to pay for it, in one way or another.

Whether it’s limited access to support, customers being reassigned without your knowledge, or feeling like just another number in a massive system, larger brokerages often look great on the outside… and leave agents burned out on the inside.

So how do you know what’s best for your business?

Let’s compare.

Small Freight Brokerages vs Large: A Real Freight Brokerage Comparison

Additional Article: FreightWaves: Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better for Freight Agents

The Hidden Costs of Big-Box Brokerages

A lot of freight agents find out the hard way:

1. Your customers can be reassigned.
Some large brokerages enforce contract terms where, if you haven’t moved a load with a customer in a set period, like 6 month, that customer becomes “fair game” for other agents. Even if it’s a seasonal account you’ve nurtured for years.

2. You don’t control the service your customers get.
Big brokerages are often siloed. Even if you land a huge customer, you may not have a say in how that customer is supported. Your reputation? Out of your hands.

3. You become a number, not a name.
When you need help, at 6am or 6pm, will someone answer? Or will you submit a ticket and wait?

Why Smaller Brokerages Give Freight Agents a Bigger Voice

Working with a smaller freight brokerage doesn’t mean you’re thinking small.

It means:

• You get to build relationships with the team supporting you
• Your vote actually matters when business decisions are made
• You’re seen and supported, not just tracked in a dashboard
• You have ownership and protection of your customer base

At Somerset, for example, we’ll never reassign your customer just because their volume dipped. If you landed them, they’re your account, full stop.

Check out our article: Burnout for Freight Agents: Why the Cradle-to-Grave Model Can Burn You Out

What Really Matters in a Freight Brokerage Comparison

Forget the hype. Ask yourself:

• Can I talk to someone when it matters most?
• Does my work actually impact my future, or just theirs?
• Am I building something mine, or just lining someone else’s pocket?
• Will I still be supported if my volume slows down for a season?
• Will I be treated with the same respect as the top-producing agent?

You’re not just choosing a brokerage, you’re choosing a partnership that shapes how you grow, serve, and eventually, how you exit.

The Right Brokerage Won’t Just Support You, They’ll Partner With You

At Somerset, we’re proud to be small enough to know your name, but big enough to support your growth.

We protect your customers

We support your hustle.

And we answer the phone, even if it’s 6:03am.

Because to us, you’re not just another agent in a sea of commission splits. You’re building something real. And we’re here to help you protect it.

Ready to Compare Freight Brokerages the Right Way?

If you’re weighing your options, don’t just look at the surface-level promises. Dig deeper. Look at how they treat you, your book of business, and your long-term goals.

Contact Somerset today to talk about our agent partnerships.