Kubova

Overview

Kubova turns cargo and equipment data into container and pallet loading plans, capacity estimates, and reports. It suits exporters, freight forwarders, and 3PLs that need to inspect cargo placement or connect planning to other systems. The free tier supports modest web use; API and MCP workflows start at $29/ month.

Key features

Kubova handles multiple SKUs and cylindrical cargo, lets users configure standard or custom containers, and supports mixed container types. Its packing engine factors in container dimensions, payload limits, and gravity, and flags items that do not fit. That makes it more useful than a bare volume estimate when planning around loading constraints, though the output is only as dependable as the cargo and equipment data supplied.

Results include exact placements in an inspectable CAD-style 3D view, with shareable PDF reports. The REST API returns placements, used volume, and unplaced pieces. MCP supports clients including Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Cline, and VS Code; Kubova also describes REST and MCP endpoints for ERP and automation use, naming Claude, OpenAI Assistants, and n8n workflows as callers. These connections are useful for teams embedding calculations in other tools, but they are unavailable on Free.

The API's default limit is 60 requests per minute per key, with a 290-second timeout for pack requests. Kubova says it stores data in a managed encrypted database, keeps PDFs in private storage behind short-lived signed URLs, and computes in a secure cloud region with the US as the default. Teams with regional requirements should account for that default.

Pricing

Free costs nothing, billed $0 forever. It allows 50 packs and 20 PDF reports per month, with web UI access and community support. That is a practical way to evaluate visual planning or handle light workloads, but the monthly caps and lack of API access rule it out for sustained automation.

Pro costs $29 a month, billed $29/ month. It raises the limits to 5,000 packs and 2,000 PDF reports per month, adds REST and MCP API access and email support, and is limited to 1 user and 1 organization. A 14-day Pro trial gives an individual or small operation a chance to assess integration needs before paying; the single seat makes it a poor fit for a shared team workflow.

Team costs $69 a month, billed $69/ month, and includes 3 seats, up to 3 organizations, unlimited packs and reports, shared workspaces, white-label PDFs, and priority email support. Its 30-day trial and collaboration features make it the stronger fit for a small team with ongoing volume. Enterprise has custom pricing and adds unlimited usage, white-label PDFs, SAML SSO, a dedicated worker pool, and a 99.9% SLA, aimed at organizations needing those controls and service commitments.

Platforms

Kubova is available through a web interface and API. Free is web-only; REST and MCP API access begins with Pro.

Who it's for

Choose Kubova if you are an exporter, freight forwarder, 3PL, or logistics team that needs to inspect loading placements, account for payload and other constraints, or feed calculations into AI or ERP workflows. It is less suitable for users whose workload exceeds Free's quotas but who do not need integrations or cannot justify a paid plan.

Pros and cons

• Constraint-aware planning: Dimensions, payload, and gravity inform the plan, while spillover is identified instead of hidden.
• Useful inspection and sharing: Exact 3D placements and PDF reports support review beyond a capacity figure alone.
• Integration path: Pro and higher provide REST and MCP access, with defined request limits and support for named AI clients.
• Free is tightly capped: 50 packs and 20 PDFs monthly, with no API access, may be too little for regular operational use.
• Pro is single-user: Teams needing shared workspaces or multiple seats must move to the $69/ month Team plan.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Load Planning Software. Consider CargoLoader3D if you want Android or iOS support and its free tier's manual placement, item load order, and priority groups. Goodloading may suit users who need Linux or macOS access, but its free plan excludes palletization, oval loads, and axle loads. LOP is an option for a permanent free tier limited to 3 plans per month, one container and 20 items per plan, one seat, and no exports.

ALPHA LOADING is another alternative. LoadingMCP offers a browser-based 3D planner and compliance verdict on its free plan without login or card, so it is worth considering for no-account browser use. LoadOptimizer.ai may be a fit if you want unlimited AI optimizations on its Standard plan, while API access is on its €99.99 a month Pro plan. Loggy is an alternative. MAXCUBE offers a free Basic plan with one packing computation per day, one container, up to 2,000 cargo items, and three SKU types.

Verdict

Kubova is a strong fit for logistics teams that need constraint-aware plans with visual placements, or want REST and MCP access for integrated workflows. Its main trade-off is the gap between a tightly capped, web-only Free tier and paid plans: choose it if Pro's integration access or Team's shared capacity justifies the cost, and look elsewhere if Free quotas are insufficient and a paid subscription is not an option.