Routific Alternative: Kardinal's Route Optimization API
A factual comparison, based on Kardinal's open benchmark of 149 constraints and both vendors' public pricing. For a pure API need, Kardinal is the stronger choice: broader coverage, from simple routes to complex ones, and 2x to 4x cheaper than Routific at equal scope. Routific mainly fits teams that want its bundled, turnkey app rather than an API to build on.
1,000 stops free · no credit card · self-serve sign-up
Kardinal's open benchmark, 149 constraints across 8 sectors. See the methodology
Both are developer-facing route optimization APIs, but they play different games. Kardinal is an API-first optimization engine: it covers far more constraints, handles everything from simple routes to complex operations, bills per stop, and is built to be called by AI agents. A driver app, Laskar, is available separately when you need field execution. Routific is simpler and bundles a driver app, which mainly appeals to small fleets that want a turnkey suite rather than an API to build on.
For a pure API need, Kardinal is the stronger choice, and cheaper at equal scope. Routific mainly fits teams that want its bundled, turnkey app rather than a developer API.
Feature by feature
The same criteria, side by side. Coverage figures come from our open benchmark of 149 real-world constraints.
| Criteria | Kardinal | Routific |
|---|---|---|
| Benchmark coverage (149 constraints) | 93% | 23% |
| Ease of integration | First routes on your first call, typed SDKs, clear docs | Simple to start, but limited scope |
| Best fit | Simple routes to complex, multi-constraint operations | Small fleets wanting a turnkey bundled app |
| Real-time re-optimization | Yes | Partial |
| Lexicographic optimization | Yes | No |
| Driver / execution app | Yes, via Laskar (optional add-on) | Yes, bundled in the offer |
| Billing model | Per stop, re-optimizations free within 24h | Monthly subscription, per visit |
| Self-serve | Any volume, no cap | 15,000 visits/month, then sales quote |
| Free tier | 1,000 stops, no credit card | 30-day trial, 1,600 addresses max |
| Built for AI agents | MCP server, agent-ready docs, modeling corpus | Not offered |
You want a turnkey bundled app
Routific bundles a driver app and is built to get started fast. If you are not building on an API, run a small fleet, and want a turnkey suite with the app included, Routific is a reasonable option.
The moment your need is a pure API, the comparison tips to Kardinal: we cover more, from simple routes to complex ones, and cost less at equal scope.
From simple to complex, and AI agents
Kardinal is an API-first engine that scales from simple routes to the operations simpler tools can't model. Our open benchmark shows the gap: 93% of 149 constraints against 23% for Routific. It widens on hard cases, multi-temperature vehicles, skip handling, multi-depot, nested time windows, real-time re-optimization.
And we're built to be called by AI agents: MCP server, agent-ready documentation, and a modeling corpus from ten years of real cases, something Routific doesn't offer.
If you also need field execution, our Laskar app takes over on the driver side, from the optimized plan to the completed route.
Pricing: an engine price, not an all-in price
Routific bundles its driver app into the offer, which inflates the price, even for teams that don't need it. Many developers just want the optimization engine to plug into their own product. Kardinal bills the engine alone, and offers Laskar as an option. You get the choice. Routific imposes the package.
| Fleet profile | Kardinal (API) | Routific (Engine API) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 vehicles, 20 stops/day (~2,100 stops/mo) | ~€63/mo | ~€267/mo |
| 100 vehicles, 50 stops/day (~105,000 stops/mo) | ~€1,260/mo | ~€4,830/mo (Enterprise) |
Roughly 4x cheaper on the engine, same scope.
| Fleet profile | Kardinal (API + Laskar) | Routific (app included) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 vehicles / 5 drivers | ~€108/mo (~€63 + ~€45) | ~€267/mo |
| 100 vehicles / 100 drivers | ~€2,159/mo (~€1,260 + ~€899) | ~€4,830/mo |
Laskar is €8.99/driver/month. Even matching Routific's bundled app, Kardinal stays more than 2x cheaper.
Self-serve much further
Routific caps self-serve at 15,000 visits/month, beyond that it's a sales quote. Kardinal stays self-serve at any volume, with no cap.
Prepaid packs, no expiry
Our packs adapt to your real pace, no forced monthly tier you pay even in quiet periods.
Depending on your stops-per-vehicle volume, a subscription model can suit some operations, but for most profiles, per-stop billing is more predictable, and cheaper.
Our verdict
The best test is your own data. Our free tier of 1,000 stops lets you check whether we cover your constraints before you commit.
You are not building on an API: you run a small fleet and want a turnkey suite with a bundled app. That is Routific's sweet spot.
You need a route optimization API, for anything from simple routes to complex, multi-constraint operations, real-time re-optimization, deep integration, or agents. For a pure API need, Kardinal is the superior choice, and cheaper at equal scope, engine alone or engine plus app.
1,000 stops free · no credit card
Frequently asked questions
What's the main difference between Kardinal and Routific?
Is Kardinal cheaper than Routific?
Can I test both for free?
Does Kardinal have a driver app?
Which one handles complex constraints better?
Test Kardinal on your own routes
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