No six-figure license, no six-month implementation

The Best CargoWise Alternative for Modern Forwarding

Gateway gives you a complete forwarder operating system in a modern web platform: shipment management, customs filing, accounting integrations, document automation, satellite tracking, and AI features. No enterprise license, no implementation project, no annual release wait.

$0
License Cost
Day 1
Operational
Weekly
Release Cadence
GPT-5
AI Native

Why Modern Importers Choose Gateway Over CargoWise

CargoWise was built for an era of desktop software and annual releases. Gateway was built for the web era.

Web-Native, Not Desktop

Gateway runs in any browser on any device with no client install, no Windows requirement, no VPN. Your operations team works from the office, the warehouse, or a phone with equal access.

Weekly Releases, Not Annual

New customs filing types, carrier integrations, AI features, and reporting upgrades ship weekly. You never wait twelve months for the feature you need next quarter.

AI Built In

Native GPT-5 powered document parsing, HTS classification, AI freight pricing, and Poseidon assistant included. No separate AI module to license, configure, or maintain.

Gateway vs CargoWise: Feature Comparison

Feature
Gateway
CargoWise
License Model
Free, included with shipping
Enterprise license, typically six figures annually
Implementation Time
Operational on day one
Three to nine months with dedicated team
User Interface
Modern web app, mobile responsive
Windows desktop client, legacy UI
Release Cadence
Weekly updates, continuous improvement
Annual major releases
AI Features
Native GPT-5 powered document and shipment AI
Limited; AI modules priced separately
API Access
Public REST API plus webhooks, no per-call fees
Proprietary API, enterprise contract gated
Container Tracking
Satellite AIS plus carrier feeds, built in
Add-on integration with visibility vendors
Customs Filing
ISF, AMS, AES, entry status native
Native, mature feature set
Multi-entity Accounting
QuickBooks integration; more systems coming
Built-in multi-entity GL, mature

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Gateway different from CargoWise?

CargoWise is legacy enterprise forwarder software with multi-year license costs, multi-month implementations, and annual release cycles. Gateway is a modern web-native platform that includes the same shipment management, customs filing, accounting, and tracking capabilities, plus native AI features, with no license cost, no implementation project, and continuous weekly releases.

Is Gateway suitable for a forwarder running on CargoWise today?

For importers and small to mid-sized forwarders, yes. Gateway covers shipment lifecycle, customs status, document management, accounting integrations, and reporting. Very large forwarders running thousands of shipments per day with complex multi-entity general ledger needs may still want CargoWise for now; Gateway is expanding enterprise capabilities continuously.

How long does Gateway implementation take versus CargoWise?

Gateway is operational on day one. Create an account, import shipment history via CSV or API, and start managing shipments immediately. CargoWise implementations typically run three to nine months with a dedicated implementation team and significant data migration effort.

What about integrations with QuickBooks, NetSuite, and other systems?

Gateway has native QuickBooks integration with more accounting systems on the roadmap. CargoWise has its own accounting module that requires you to migrate off your existing system or maintain dual books. The Gateway approach is to integrate with what your finance team already uses.

Does Gateway support API access for ERP integration?

Yes. Gateway publishes a REST API at api.gatewaylines.com plus webhooks for shipment events. No per-call fees, and the API is the same one Gateway uses internally so coverage is complete.

Modern freight platform, no implementation project.

Sign up free and have your first shipment operational the same day. Compare it to your existing CargoWise workflow and see what a modern platform feels like.