Routeware vs Starlight Software
Head-to-head comparison of pricing, features, integrations, and use-case fit.
Routeware
Waste and recycling collection software for private haulers and municipalities: routing, dispatch, in-cab tools, billing and resident engagement
- Starting price
- Custom quote
- Best team size
- 25-1000
- Free trial
- None listed
Starlight Software
Waste and recycling software for roll-off, collection, portable toilet and recycling facility operators
- Starting price
- Custom quote
- Best team size
- 5-200
- Free trial
- None listed
What actually separates them
Only the points where our data on Routeware and Starlight Software differs. A feature or integration missing from one tool's list means our entry does not record it, not that the tool lacks it. Everything they share is further down.
- → Integrations listed for one tool only: Routeware: samsara, geotab, esri, worldpay; Starlight Software: quickbooks.
- → Features listed for one tool only: Routeware: route optimization, fleet management, driver app; Starlight Software: scheduling, asset tracking, customer management.
Quick verdict
Routeware: Private waste haulers and city or county solid waste departments that need route optimization, dispatch, in-cab driver tools, billing and customer or resident self-service across a collection fleet.
Starlight Software: Waste and recycling companies running several lines of business (roll-off, commercial and residential collection, portable toilets, recycling facilities) that want live dispatch, billing, detailed reporting and a branded ordering app for their customers.
Routeware lists more integrations in our data (5 vs 1).
Decision matrix: which one is right for you?
Pick Routeware if…
- → Your situation matches Routeware's target profile: Private waste haulers and city or county solid waste departments that need route optimization, dispatch, in-cab driver tools, billing and customer or resident self-service across a collection fleet
- → Integrations matter: Routeware lists 5 integrations in our data, against 1 for Starlight Software
Pick Starlight Software if…
- → Your situation matches Starlight Software's target profile: Waste and recycling companies running several lines of business (roll-off, commercial and residential collection, portable toilets, recycling facilities) that want live dispatch, billing, detailed reporting and a branded ordering app for their customers
- → QuickBooks matters: Starlight Software lists a QuickBooks integration (QuickBooks (product not specified)); our entry for Routeware lists none
Pricing side-by-side
| Tier | Routeware | Starlight Software |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Custom quote: quote | Custom quote: quote |
Neither Routeware nor Starlight Software publishes a price, so both need a quote before you can compare them. Request quotes for the same team size and feature set, and get what is included (users, integrations, onboarding) in writing.
Pros & cons
Routeware
- + Founded in 2000
- − No published pricing (custom quote based on fleet size, services and needs)
- − The product line spans several brands (Elements, SmartCity, ReCollect and older products), so scope the quote carefully
- − Built for collection fleets and public agencies, not small rental-only or junk removal businesses
- − No QuickBooks integration in our data (Starlight Software lists one)
- − No published price: you need a quote
Starlight Software
- + QuickBooks integration listed (QuickBooks (product not specified))
- − No published pricing or free trial
- − Integrations other than QuickBooks are not documented on the site
- − Route optimization is not advertised (the site describes live dispatch maps and route reports)
- − No published price: you need a quote
Feature comparison
Features as listed in our entries. The lists use different words for similar features, so check a feature you need on both vendors' sites.
Listed for Routeware only
- + route optimization
- + fleet management
- + driver app
- + payment processing
- + crm
- + vehicle tracking
Listed for both
- ✓ dispatching
- ✓ automated billing
- ✓ customer portal
- ✓ reporting
Listed for Starlight Software only
- + scheduling
- + asset tracking
- + customer management
- + mobile app
Integrations
Listed for Routeware only
- + samsara
- + geotab
- + esri
- + worldpay
- + mytruckscales
Listed for both
None in common in our data
Listed for Starlight Software only
- + quickbooks
Which fits better in each trade
| Trade | Routeware fit | Starlight Software fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waste & Junk Removal | 10 / 10 | 10 / 10 | Tie |
Vertical-fit scores (1-10) rate how well each tool is built for the trade, checked against the trades the vendor's own pages say it serves. See methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Routeware or Starlight Software?
It depends on your trade, team size and budget. Routeware is best for private waste haulers and city or county solid waste departments that need route optimization, dispatch, in-cab driver tools, billing and customer or resident self-service across a collection fleet. Starlight Software is best for waste and recycling companies running several lines of business (roll-off, commercial and residential collection, portable toilets, recycling facilities) that want live dispatch, billing, detailed reporting and a branded ordering app for their customers. See the decision matrix above, and the trade-by-trade fit table if you work in one trade.
Is Routeware cheaper than Starlight Software?
Neither publishes a price. Request quotes from both for the same team size and features.
Can Routeware and Starlight Software integrate with QuickBooks?
Our entry for Routeware lists no QuickBooks integration. Starlight Software lists QuickBooks (product not specified). Check which way each sync runs, and on which plans, in each tool's full review before you buy.
Do Routeware or Starlight Software offer a free trial?
Routeware: no free trial in our data. Starlight Software: no free trial in our data.
Can I move from Routeware to Starlight Software (or the other way)?
Our data does not record migration support for either tool. Ask both vendors which records they import and export (customers, jobs, invoices, recurring agreements, price books), in which file format, and whether they help with the import.
Routeware vs Starlight Software: which has better customer support?
Our data does not record support channels or response times for either tool. Ask each vendor which support comes with the plan you would buy. Each full review links to G2 and Capterra, where you can read current user reviews.
Which suits a solo contractor, and which a growing team?
Our data puts Routeware's best team size at 25-1000 and Starlight Software's at 5-200. Routeware's entry price is no published price (quote only); Starlight Software's is no published price (quote only). Price both at the team size you expect to have, not only today's.
Need a deeper look?
See our full reviews with each tool's pricing tiers, integrations and weaknesses.
Should your product be in this comparison?
We check Routeware and Starlight Software against their own websites and list the cons next to the pros. If you build a competing product that is not listed here, you can submit it for editorial review. An evaluation can end with or without a listing.
Listings are free. We do not accept payment for inclusion, for placement, for a score, or to remove a documented con. Read this page first and decide whether you want that.