9 Last Mile Delivery App Features to Look for in 2025

The last-mile delivery process has long been (and continues to be) one of the biggest challenges in the supply chain. However, having a smooth last-mile delivery process has grown increasingly important in recent years due to the rise of eCommerce, which has made deliveries an integral component of the modern supply chain. As if this didn’t put enough pressure on businesses operating in the last-mile landscape, recent years have seen customer expectations regarding delivery speeds grow as 2-day and same-day deliveries have become more common. This has put pressure on eCommerce businesses to find new ways to make deliveries faster and smoother than ever before.

The good news is that emerging technologies are giving retailers and last-mile delivery companies ways to streamline last-mile deliveries to cut costs, improve the customer experience, and maintain a competitive edge. The fact is that the technology you implement in last-mile delivery, and the effect this has on your delivery times, can be the difference between a satisfied and a dissatisfied customer in an increasingly competitive delivery landscape.

For tackling last-mile delivery challenges head on, there’s a smart solution. Like any modern problem, there’s an app for that!

Well, actually, there are a lot of apps for it. However, delivery apps aren’t all created equal, so we’ve put together this guide to help you focus on the key features that matter most. Keep reading to uncover what to look for in a last-mile delivery solution.

Use the links below to navigate directly to the sections that interest you most:

• Our Top Pick for a Last-Mile Delivery App
• Automatic Dispatch
• Crowdsourcing Delivery Jobs
• Real-Time Tracking
• Live Chatting
• Data & Analytics
• Last-Mile Optimization
• Artificial Intelligence
• Proof of Delivery
• Customer Feedback

Automatic Dispatch 

One of the most important features to look for in any last-mile delivery app is automatic dispatch. Matching deliveries to drivers and vehicles can be a complex and time-confusing process that has historically slowed down the last-mile delivery process. Fortunately, the latest technology makes it possible to automate this process, as last-mile delivery software can assign tasks efficiently without the typical paperwork involved in manual order dispatching.

Automatic dispatch software assigns tasks to delivery teams based on their availability, distance, and the priority of the order fulfillment. With automatic dispatch, the service admin does not need to assign tasks manually, saving time that can be used on more important business-critical processes.

Not only does automatic dispatching save time, but it also improves efficiency. This is because the software can analyze available drivers, vehicle space, and delivery destinations to ensure that resources are not wasted during the dispatching process. This feature can then help save time and money while ensuring that your orders are delivered on time.

Crowdsourcing Delivery Jobs 

An increasingly popular trend in last-mile delivery is crowdsourcing delivery jobs to help maintain delivery speeds during peak hours. The fact is that with eCommerce continuing to grow, and customers having increasingly high expectations for delivery times, companies may not always be able to manage their delivery load and promised delivery times if they only use their existing staff and fleet. Crowdsourcing features are then set to become extremely popular in last-mile delivery apps in 2025, as they will provide a way for organizations to get help from people outside of their company. When demand is high, this software will help companies hire, and assign work to, external freelancers. The computer will be able to automatically assign jobs to drivers based on proximity, cost, and urgency, helping to keep delivery times and costs low during periods of peak demand.

Live Tracking of Agents 

Another essential feature every last-mile delivery app should have is smart tracking capabilities. The fact is that the modern consumer doesn’t just want their packages fast, they also expect transparency throughout the delivery process. Having a robust last-mile tracking system is then essential to not only ensure efficient operations but also to boost customer satisfaction. Modern buyers expect to be able to track their packages in real time so that they know when they can expect their shipment to arrive and can plan their day around their delivery. In fact, research shows that over 80% of buyers expect accurate real-time tracking, and many shoppers prioritize businesses that offer this feature.

Fortunately, last-mile delivery apps can give your customers real-time access to the status of their orders, providing them with the transparency they want. They can monitor delivery agents in real time and schedule appropriately depending on the ETA. If there is a delay in delivery, they will also be notified, giving them time to adjust their schedules. Real-time tracking is then an essential feature to look for in a last-mile delivery app, as it helps businesses maintain a quality relationship with their customers. Smart tracking is then a win-win for customers and businesses, as it also allows retailers to monitor drivers’ movements in real time, which can help them identify potential issues and make adjustments accordingly.

Online Chat 

Communication plays a critical role in providing an excellent last-mile delivery experience, which is why it is essential that your last-mile delivery app has an online chat feature that allows the customer to talk to a support agent. This ensures that customers always have the ability to get in direct contact with delivery agents who can quickly answer their queries with proper communication. This provides customers with an added layer of transparency, as they can quickly get information regarding the location of their package and when they can expect their delivery.

To improve efficiency and reduce response times, your delivery app should have an easy-to-use chat platform that responds automatically to basic customer queries using artificial intelligence (AI). Modern customers want to stay updated with information at every step, and a state-of-the-art online chat system can help make this possible.

Data Collection and Analytics 

As we move into 2025, we will also see more last-mile delivery apps offering data collection and analytics features. These features can be essential in helping ensure efficient last-mile deliveries, as automated data management and analytics tools can help you collect data about your deliveries and take steps to improve your service. With the help of advanced data analytics tools, you can track delivery statuses, resource utilization, the performance of agents, and the number of on-time deliveries. This data can then give you a bird’s eye view of your business’s performance while also giving you insight into where you are falling short and what is preventing you from meeting your goals and KPIs. Data analytics features are then an essential component of any good last-mile delivery app, as they can give you the insights and data you need to take proactive steps to improve performance and eliminate the chances of delayed, missed, or failed deliveries.

Last-Mile Optimization 

As we already mentioned, modern customers have high expectations regarding delivery times, with an increasing number of customers expecting same-day delivery to be a shipping option. These modern problems require modern solutions, with route optimization tools being one of the most effective ways for businesses to reduce delivery times, cut costs, and meet increasingly challenging customer expectations.

These tools use advanced algorithms (often enhanced with artificial intelligence) to analyze data such as traffic patterns, customer locations, vehicle capacities, weather, and construction projects to create the most efficient routes for drivers. Route optimization software can even continuously monitor a driver’s route and provide instant updates should traffic conditions change. Route optimization software is then a key feature for any last-mile delivery solution to have, as it automates route planning to reduce overall delivery turnaround time. Drivers are provided with the shortest routes, ensuring that customers get their deliveries on time. By improving route efficiency, route optimization software also helps cut costs by reducing fuel consumption as well as billable hours for drivers.

Artificial Intelligence 

Over the past few years, artificial intelligence (AI) has had a significant impact on the supply chain by boosting efficiency and reducing human error. This trend is expected to continue in 2025, with AI poised to have a particularly profound effect on last-mile logistics. Not only does AI have the potential to reduce delivery times through the use of drones and autonomous vehicles, but AI is also increasingly being incorporated into last-mile logistics software to boost efficiency.

If you plan on adopting a new last-mile delivery app in 2025, look for software that incorporates artificial intelligence. AI has the potential to change last-mile deliveries by analyzing large sets of data quickly and using this data to make informed decisions regarding route optimization that can help save fuel and improve delivery times, predict high demand, and boost operational efficiency. AI can even recalculate routes when traffic, weather, or construction causes delays, helping ensure customers receive their deliveries on time.

Proof of Delivery 

Another important feature you should be looking for in last-mile delivery software is proof of delivery. This feature allows you to collect signatures from customers and/or photos from drivers after each delivery, providing you with proof that your product was delivered on time and in good condition. Look for last-mile delivery software that allows drivers to create proof of delivery (POD) documents. This is where the driver will add information about the delivery including the name of the person who received the package, their signature, the date and time it was delivered, and a picture of the package.

Proof of delivery documents are essential in last-mile delivery, as they provide proof that a package was successfully delivered. This can protect your business in the event that a customer tries to claim that their package was not delivered, was delivered late, or was damaged when it arrived. With your last-mile delivery app’s proof of delivery feature, you can easily access archived delivery data and verify whether a package was delivered, what time it was received, and the condition it was in without having to track down physical signatures or talk to delivery drivers to verify delivery status.

Customer Feedback 

When searching for a last-mile delivery app, you should also look for software that provides customers with a way to give feedback and reviews about the delivery experience that they’ve had. Choosing a last-mile delivery app that gives customers the option to rate and review their delivery experience is essential, as it can give your company greater insight into where you are succeeding, and where your service still has room for improvement, allowing you to make proactive changes to improve your service quality. Furthermore, customers appreciate when businesses ask for their opinions, as this makes them feel valued. This can in turn lead to repeat business, as customers like knowing that their opinion matters and they are valued by the companies they do business with.

Choose Elite EXTRA for Your Last-Mile Delivery Software Needs 

• Real-Time Driver Tracking
• Digital & Photo Signature POD
• Customer ETA Notifications
• Automatic Dispatcher Updates
• And So Much More!

Learn more about our mobile app and last-mile solutions here: Elite EXTRA Driver Mobile App

Sources 

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220420005141/en/Verte-Research-Reveals-Consumers-Are-Obsessed-With-Order-Tracking-Visibility#:~:text=Expectations%20are%20high%20when%20it,%25

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/ecommerce-statistics

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/did-you-know-over-80-consumers-prefer-delivery-services-offer-real-time-pvcmf

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2023/07/19/how-ai-could-impact-last-mile-logistics-in-the-next-five-years