RouteXL alternative
Beyond RouteXL’s 20-address limit
Side by side
| Planner | Free stops | Optimizes order | Account needed | Paid from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SortMyStops.comOfficial details | 100 per route | Yes | No | Free |
| RouteXLOfficial details | 20 addresses | Yes | No | €40/month ex. VAT for 100 |
Selected free-tier limits checked on . Each planner name links to the provider page used for verification. Plans can change without notice.
When the 20-address limit matters
Twenty stops can cover many useful routes. If your largest recent route, including its start and fixed end, fits within that limit, RouteXL may already be a good answer.
The limit matters when:
- the full address list cannot be optimized as one route;
- you have to decide the split between two routes before either one is optimized;
- a busy-day route exceeds the limit even though the average day does not.
You can split the day into two RouteXL routes, but each half is optimized separately. You still have to decide which stops belong together before either route is calculated.
Feature differences
Stop limit
Twenty versus 100, both free. Shipday also publishes a 100-stop free browser tool, so stop count alone does not make this product unique.
Getting addresses in
Both accept pasted addresses. SortMyStops.com also takes .xlsx, .csv, .txt and .tsv uploads, recognizes common column headers automatically, and carries a notes column through to the route, the printed sheet and the phone.
Unmatched addresses
Anything ambiguous is held back here with its candidates shown on a map, so you can pick the right one or drop a pin yourself. One address placed at a city center can distort the order of an entire route.
Getting the route onto the phone
Finished routes open in Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze or OsmAnd, split into legs that fit each app’s own limits. There is a QR hand-off for moving a route from a desktop to a phone, and a mobile route mode for ticking stops off as you go.
When to stay with RouteXL
Your routes fit inside twenty stops. If they do, RouteXL is a mature, established tool. There is no reason to switch for its own sake.
You need multi-vehicle planning. RouteXL’s paid tiers can split stops across several drivers. SortMyStops.com does not do that at any price, because there is no paid tier.
You are already paying and use its advanced features. A subscription that reliably handles your workflow is not a problem to solve. A free tool is useful only if it covers the same requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How many addresses can RouteXL handle for free?
Twenty per route, without an account. RouteXL currently lists its 100-address Business plan at €40 per month excluding VAT.
Is there a free RouteXL alternative with more stops?
Sort My Stops optimizes up to 100 stops per route for free, with no account and no daily route quota. Shipday also publishes a free 100-stop tool; MapQuest allows 26 locations.
Is RouteXL bad?
No. It is a long-running optimizer with a documented 20-address free tier. The useful questions are whether that limit covers your route and whether you need features from its paid plans.
Do both tools optimize the same way?
Both order stops using road drive times rather than straight-line distance. Neither checks every possible order because the number of possible sequences becomes enormous, so both return an efficient solution rather than a proven optimum.
Can I import a spreadsheet into Sort My Stops?
Yes. Paste a column from Excel or Google Sheets, or upload .xlsx, .csv, .txt or .tsv. Addresses that cannot be matched confidently are flagged for you to correct on a map instead of being silently placed.
Try it on a real route
Paste the addresses you are driving tomorrow, then compare the map and estimated total with your original order.
Open the planner