RouteXL is a solid route planning tool that's helped many drivers optimise their deliveries. But if you're hitting the 20-stop limit on the free tier, or you'd prefer a tool specifically designed for UK postcodes, MapTools Route Planner might be worth a look.
RouteXL vs MapTools: Quick Comparison
Both tools solve the same problem — finding the most efficient order to visit multiple stops. Here's how they compare:
| Feature | MapTools.uk | RouteXL |
|---|---|---|
| Free stops per route | 100 | 20 |
| Sign-up required | ✓ No | ✓ No |
| UK postcode extraction | ✓ Automatic | Manual entry |
| Distance calculation | Straight-line | ✓ Road distances |
| Privacy | ✓ Browser only | Server-based |
| Speed | ✓ Instant | Few seconds |
| Share routes | ✓ WhatsApp, email, link | ✓ Link |
When to Choose RouteXL
RouteXL has some genuine strengths. It calculates actual road distances rather than straight-line distances, which can give you more accurate total journey times. If you're planning routes where the road network is complex (lots of one-way streets, motorways, etc.), RouteXL's distance matrix approach may produce slightly better results.
RouteXL also works internationally, so if you're planning routes outside the UK, it's a good option.
When MapTools Might Work Better
You Need More Than 20 Stops
RouteXL's free tier caps you at 20 stops per route. If you're a delivery driver doing 30, 50, or even 100 drops per day, you'd need to pay for RouteXL's premium plans. MapTools handles up to 100 stops completely free.
You Want to Paste Postcodes From Anywhere
With MapTools, you can paste messy text — copied from emails, spreadsheets, PDFs, whatever — and we'll automatically extract all the UK postcodes. No need to format your data or enter addresses one by one.
For example, paste something like:
Deliver to John Smith, 15 High Street, SW1A 1AA, call before arrival
Mrs Jones - EC1A 1BB (leave with neighbour)
URGENT: W1A 0AX before 2pm
MapTools extracts SW1A 1AA, EC1A 1BB, and W1A 0AX automatically.
Privacy Matters to You
MapTools processes everything in your browser. Your delivery addresses never leave your device — they're not sent to any server. When you close the page, your data is gone. If you're handling sensitive customer addresses, this might be important.
You Want Instant Results
Because MapTools runs entirely in your browser, optimisation is instant. Paste 50 postcodes, click optimise, and you have your route in under a second. No waiting for server requests.
A Note on Accuracy
MapTools uses straight-line distances between postcodes to determine the optimal stop order. RouteXL uses actual road distances, which is more accurate for calculating total journey time.
However, for most delivery routes, the stop sequence ends up being very similar either way. The main difference is in the estimated total distance — MapTools will show a shorter figure because it's measuring as-the-crow-flies, while RouteXL shows actual road miles.
For practical route planning, both approaches get you to the same place: an efficient order to visit your stops.
How to Switch From RouteXL
There's nothing to set up — just:
- Go to the MapTools Route Planner
- Enter your start postcode
- Paste your delivery postcodes (any format)
- Click "Optimise Route"
- Share via WhatsApp, email, or open in Google Maps
The Bottom Line
RouteXL is a capable tool, especially if you need road-distance accuracy or you're planning routes internationally. But if you're a UK driver who needs more than 20 stops, wants to paste postcodes without formatting, or values privacy — MapTools is worth trying.
It's free, there's no sign-up, and you can test it in 30 seconds. See which one works better for your daily rounds.
Got questions or feedback? Get in touch — we're always improving based on what drivers tell us.