Hikyaku

Hikyaku is an open-source logistics system for courier and delivery operations, best suited to teams that want dispatch, tracking, proof of delivery and fleet workflows connected. Its appeal is the breadth of its operational tools and the option to run it on infrastructure the operator controls; its free self-hosted plan is limited to personal use.

Overview

Hikyaku connects parcel tracking, fleet coordination, warehouse operations and route optimization for clients, dispatchers, drivers and recipients. Dispatchers can arrange parcels manually or optimize routes around delivery windows, then send runs to the driver app. They can follow driver locations and delivery statuses in real time, while recipients can track parcels on a public page without an account.

This joined-up workflow is useful for courier teams that want delivery progress visible to staff and customers. The breadth is also a consideration: businesses seeking only a basic proof-of-delivery tool may find Hikyaku’s fleet and warehouse scope unnecessary.

Key features

Dispatch, tracking and proof

Drivers can scan packages, navigate routes, and record photos and signatures. Delivery photos appear both on the recipient tracking page and in the dashboard, giving customers evidence while keeping it accessible to dispatch staff. GPS evidence and real-time delivery status add operational visibility, though teams that need only a signed handoff may not need the wider dispatch workflow.

Fleet, safety and access

Fleet records cover vehicle capacity, skills and maintenance. Shift limits can account for working time, driving time, distance and stops, which gives dispatchers constraints to consider when planning work. Permission-aware access and two-factor authentication support controlled access to the system.

Deployment and integrations

Hikyaku can run in the cloud or on-premise, including on an operator’s own infrastructure. That flexibility suits organizations that want deployment control, but self-hosting also means taking responsibility for operating their installation. Its API and n8n connection can move orders, status changes and proof-of-delivery events between systems through OAuth-backed workflows.

Driver tools and fuel cards

The driver app supports package scanning, route navigation, and photo and signature capture. Android phones can also be used to add packages, vehicles and warehouses. Virtual fuel-only cards can have per-transaction or time-based spending limits and can be frozen or cancelled; they add spending controls for fuel, rather than general-purpose payment functionality.

Pricing

The free plan’s personal-use restriction is the key limit for delivery businesses: it does not establish a free tier for a working team. The enterprise cloud trial gives larger operators a route to evaluate hosted deployment, but Hikyaku’s ongoing cloud cost depends on custom pricing.

Platforms

Hikyaku supports Android, web, API access and self-hosted deployment. Android is relevant for driver and operational workflows; the web interface supports dispatch and dashboard work, while the API and n8n integration connect other systems.

Who it's for

Hikyaku is strongest for courier and delivery operators coordinating dispatchers, drivers, clients and recipients in one workflow. It is particularly relevant to teams that need live tracking, recipient-facing proof, vehicle and shift controls, or the option to self-host. A small business looking only for a standalone proof-of-delivery app, or one needing a clearly priced commercial cloud plan, should compare narrower or more transparent options.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Dispatch, live tracking and recipient-facing photo evidence work together, reducing the separation between route operations and delivery confirmation.
• Pro: Self-hosting and on-premise deployment give operators control over where the system runs.
• Pro: Fleet capacity, maintenance and shift limits support planning beyond parcel handoffs.
• Con: The zero-cost self-hosted plan is for personal use, so it is not a stated free option for commercial delivery teams.
• Con: Cloud pricing is custom, making cost harder to compare before an enterprise quote.
• Con: Its broad logistics scope may be more system than a business needs if it only wants proof of delivery.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison of tools centered on delivery evidence, see Proof of Delivery Software.

• Maxmove Digital POD is worth considering if a freemium option with a free entry tier and cancellable monthly terms is preferable to Hikyaku’s personal-use self-hosted plan.
• Pocpod may suit a very small operation: its free Basic plan is limited to one user and 10 jobs per month, while its Premium plan costs £20 a month.
• SmartCourier offers a free Starter month for up to three runners and one branch, with GPS tracking, photo evidence and API access; consider it if that bounded starter setup fits better than Hikyaku’s self-hosted approach.
• InfoTech Proof of Delivery App is an option for organizations already using InfoTech weighbridge software, since use requires that software and a POD licence.
• Witylogix is another free option to compare.
• Civica Complaints Management is a paid alternative.
• DQT Proof of Delivery is a paid alternative.
• Dispatch is an alternative with paid on-demand delivery pricing that varies by trip distance, delivery speed, vehicle size and optional equipment or handling.

Verdict

Choose Hikyaku if your courier operation needs dispatch, live parcel visibility, proof of delivery and fleet workflows in an open-source system, especially if self-hosting matters. Look elsewhere if you need a free commercial team plan, a simple evidence-only app or a cloud service with a stated price.