Side-by-Side Comparison
Bennett vs SPI Logistics
A concise, side-by-side comparison of pay, independence, technology, and support. For experienced freight brokers deciding which agent program best aligns with their business goals.
Comparing Bennett and SPI Logistics Freight Agent Programs
Experienced freight brokers looking to join an agent program often consider Bennett, a family‑owned logistics provider, and SPI Logistics, one of North America’s largest independent broker networks. Both companies have decades of experience and offer agent‑focused models, yet they appeal to different business priorities. This overview highlights contrasts in pay, support, tools and independence so you can decide which independent freight agent program works best for you.
Company Overviews
Bennett Family of Companies
Bennett is a WBENC-certified transportation and logistics company that has grown from a small carrier into a large network of independent agents¹. Its freight-agent program emphasizes stability and a family-oriented culture. Agents are paid weekly and are not required to pay for load boards or core technology. Sales development support, margin reporting, and guidance from centralized operations centers help agents operate more efficiently than they would on their own². Overall, Bennett positions its agent program around consistency, centralized support, and a structured operating model.
SPI Logistics
SPI Logistics is a 100% agent-based freight brokerage with over 45 years of experience and more than 70 independent offices across North America. SPI’s model gives agents control over customers, carriers and pricing. SPI provides industry-leading commissions up to 75%, pays agents weekly, even if the shipper delays payment, and charges no desk or franchise fees. Its platform is built on a Salesforce-integrated TMS that provides load-board access, CRM tools and real-time analytics. Agents receive personalized, 24/7 back-office support while retaining ownership of their book of business.
Key Similarities
- Administrative Relief: Both companies handle invoicing, billing and carrier payments, allowing agents to focus on sales and operations.
- Carrier Access: Each offers broad carrier networks; agents can tap into vetted carriers and load boards to source capacity quickly.
- Onboarding Support: Bennett provides guidance through its operations centers and offers sales development and margin reporting2, while SPI relies on personalized onboarding anchored by its leadership and back‑office teams4.
- Large Carrier Networks: Both programs give agents access to expansive carrier bases and streamline carrier onboarding and payments.
Key Differences
Commission Structure & Agent Pay
- Bennett: The company promotes financial stability by paying agents weekly and covering the costs of technology and load‑board access5. Public information does not specify an exact commission percentage, but Bennett highlights that agents can grow their earnings without incurring desk fees or technology expenses.
- SPI: SPI’s commission model is transparent and high‑earning. Agents can earn up to 75% of gross margin, with weekly payouts regardless of when shippers pay3. There are no desk fees, deductions or hold‑backs, giving agents a predictable income path.
Technology & Tools
Bennett
Agents are equipped with modern brokerage tools such as a carrier portal, mobile app, EDI connectivity, and real-time tracking, along with margin reporting and sales insights to help manage day-to-day performance.
SPI
SPI delivers a more fully unified platform, combining TMS, CRM, and real-time analytics into a single freight-management system, with built-in integrations to load boards and tracking tools designed to scale and adapt as an agent’s business grows.
Support & Back Office
Bennett
Bennett supports agents through dedicated operations centers, sales‑development teams and a network of satellite offices1. This structure offers personalized guidance, margin reporting and back‑office help but may involve more internal layers than SPI.
SPI
SPI’s back‑office model provides 24/7 support for billing, compliance and collections. With fewer internal layers, agents often experience faster turnaround times and a more personalized feel, enabling them to keep operations moving quickly.
Agent Autonomy & Business Growth
Bennett
As a family‑run company, Bennett encourages an entrepreneurial mindset while maintaining a strong corporate culture. Agents operate under Bennett’s values‑based framework and use its proprietary systems and tools, which can bring stability but may also limit customization. Bennett’s emphasis on community and shared success tends to resonate with agents who value structure more than full operational independence.
Bennett’s Broker Freight Agent program is limited to US citizens, as stated in its published role requirements. As a result, program structure and eligibility may be an important consideration for brokers who are permanent US residents, Canadian, or planning cross-border operations or long-term geographic flexibility.
SPI
SPI structures its program to give agents broad operational control, including ownership of customer relationships, pricing decisions and carrier selection. Agents can “do it on their own without the financial risk” while also using SPI’s technology and back office support. The program supports experienced brokers operating across the US and Canada, making it well-suited for cross-border and internationally minded agent businesses.
Reputation & Reviews
Bennett
Bennett is recognized as a top woman‑owned business and has built a reputation for safety and customer service1. Glassdoor reviews typically place Bennett at around a 3.5-out-of-5 rating6, with employees frequently citing a family-oriented culture and supportive environment, though experiences can vary by role and team.
SPI
SPI typically earns ratings in the mid 4‑star range on employee‑review sites7. Agents frequently mention transparent communication, responsive support and an easy‑to‑use tech environment. Industry lists of top freight agencies note SPI’s competitive commissions, agent customer protection and independence.
Bennett vs. SPI Logistics — Freight Agent Program Comparison
The table below summarizes the most important operational and structural differences between Bennett and SPI for experienced freight agents.
| Category | Bennett Family of Companies | SPI Logistics |
| Ideal Agent Profile | Brokers seeking stability, structured support, and a family-oriented corporate environment | Experienced brokers seeking autonomy, scalability, and long-term business equity |
| Commission Structure | Weekly commissions; public materials do not disclose a fixed percentage | Up to 75% of gross margin with transparent, published terms |
| Pay Timing | Weekly payouts | Weekly payouts, regardless of shipper payment timing |
| Fees & Deductions | No load board or technology fees. No mention of any other fees. | No technology or load board fees. No desk fees, franchise fees, holdbacks, or hidden deductions. |
| Technology Stack | Carrier Portal, mobile app, EDI, real-time tracking, margin reports | Unified freight-management system (TMS + CRM + analytics) with load board and tracking integrations |
| Back-Office Support | Dedicated operations centers, sales development, margin reporting | 24/7 back-office support with streamlined escalation and fewer internal layers |
| Agent Autonomy | Operates within Bennett’s systems, processes, and values-based framework | Agents control pricing, carriers, customer relationships, and workflows |
| Book of Business Ownership | Not explicitly stated in public materials | Agents retain ownership of their book of business |
| Eligibility & Geographic Scope | Broker Freight Agent role limited to US citizens | Works with qualified agents across the US and Canada, supporting cross-border and internationally minded broker businesses |
| Scalability & Long-Term Growth | Emphasizes stability and long-term partnership within a structured model | Designed to scale with independent agents building transferable business equity |
Conclusion
As the comparison above shows, eligibility, autonomy, and geographic flexibility are key differentiators between the two models.
Bennett is well suited for agents who value a family-oriented culture, consistent weekly pay, and comprehensive back-office support within a more traditional employment framework. The program is structured for agents seeking stability and clearly defined operating requirements, which tend to align best with brokers who are able to meet Bennett’s US-based eligibility and compliance criteria.
SPI works with experienced independent brokers across the United States and Canada who want maximum control over how they run and grow their business. The model is designed for agents seeking higher earning potential, transparent commissions, and a modern, integrated technology stack, without heavy corporate constraints. For brokers who view their agency as a long-term, transferable business rather than a commission-based role, SPI offers a flexible, scalable platform built for North American operations.
Ready to Experience the SPI Difference?
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Frequently Asked Questions — SPI vs Bennett
Bennett pays agents weekly and covers technology and load‑board costs, but its public materials do not disclose a specific commission percentage. SPI provides up to 75% of gross margin with straightforward weekly payouts and no hold‑backs.
Yes. Bennett emphasizes weekly commissions to provide financial stability. SPI also pays agents weekly, even if shippers delay payment, ensuring predictable cash flow.
Bennett targets experienced brokers with established books of business and alignment with its family-culture values, and notes that Broker Freight Agents must be US citizens2.
SPI looks for seasoned brokers managing active accounts, evaluates them on experience, relationships, and compliance, and works with qualified agents across the US and Canada.
SPI offers a higher level of day‑to‑day independence. Agents control pricing, customer relationships and carrier selection and retain their book of business. Bennett provides independence within a structured framework and emphasizes collaborative growth.
Bennett equips agents with a Carrier Portal, mobile app, EDI connectivity and real‑time shipment tracking5. SPI combines a proprietary FMS with CRM, load boards and real‑time analytics, creating a unified workspace that agents find flexible and modern.
Bennett provides support through its operations centers, offering sales development, margin reports and centralized assistance2. SPI offers 24/7 back‑office support with fewer internal layers, which can lead to faster decision‑making and more personalized service.
Public information does not indicate franchise fees, desk fees or percentage hold‑backs for Bennett agents. SPI explicitly states that it does not charge franchise fees, desk fees, hidden deductions or hold‑backs.
Bennett agents often praise the family‑oriented culture and support network1, while SPI agents consistently point to transparent communication, responsive back-office support, and intuitive technology. As SPI agent Nathan Chaney states, “SPI has everything I need—strong tech, back-office support, and a team that actually cares about my success8.”
Both programs offer access to large, vetted carrier networks and manage compliance.
Yes. Bennett’s onboarding involves guidance from its operations centers and emphasizes understanding company systems and values. SPI delivers a tailored onboarding process designed to get agents up and running quickly while allowing them to operate their business their own way.
Sources
- About Us | Bennett Family of Companies
- Become an Agent | Bennett Family of Companies
- Join the SPI Independent Freight Agent Network – SPI Logistics
- Freight Brokerage Back-Office Support | SPI Logistics
- Innovative Technology Solutions | Bennett Family of Companies
- Bennet Family of Companies | Glassdoor Review:
- SPI Logistics | Glassdoor Review
- The Ultimate Guide for Experienced Freight Agents: Choosing the Right Freight Agent Program in 2025 and Beyond | Everything is Logistics