27 Best Route Planning Software for Route Optimization in 2023 [Voted by Top Industry Experts]

When juggling multiple tasks, manually planning your day becomes a chore. 

Yet planning is crucial for professionals working in industries such as field sales, delivery, and fleet management. 

While there’s no getting rid of planning, you can use route planning software to cut out the busy work and maximize your success in 2021.

Along with staying competitive, route planning software helps you develop to your full potential by enabling you to quickly plan your days with no added stress. With all the time you save on planning, you can spend more time getting the job done.

To write this blog, we asked a number of leaders from various industries, including field sales and delivery services, to name their favorite route planning tool. With that information, we’ve compiled a list of the most frequently mentioned software along with valuable information such as:

• The best route planners for your industry
• The pros and cons of each software
• The key features each software offers
• Their pricing
• The main benefit of each software

What is Route Planning?

Route planning is the process of creating a route that allows you to make all your stops in the shortest amount of time.

This process can be done manually or with old tools like Streets and Trips, but it’s time-consuming and gets very complicated very quickly. When planning, you have to take in your desired arrival time, how long it takes to get between stops, traffic conditions, etc. The most efficient option is to use a specialized route planning software that automatically creates the best route for you.

Yet, the most useful route management software lets you do much more than just plan a route. Case in point: Badger Maps, the number one route planner software for salespeople. 

In addition to route optimization, Badger is designed to streamline every single part of the sales process for field salespeople. From prospecting to following up, Badger’s features allow you to get the most out of your day and not let anything slip through the cracks.

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Why is Route Planning Important?

Planning your optimized routes in advance is crucial if you want to maximize your efficiency. 

Route planning saves you both time and money by cutting down drive time, saving you money on fuel costs, and freeing up more time for you to get your job done.

When you use route planning software, the benefits go beyond what you would gain from manually planning routes. Most route planning software includes additional features that cater to specific industries and enable you to streamline your processes.

By planning routes using route planning software, you’ll also benefit from:

• Navigation and real-time traffic updates to guarantee you’re always on the fastest route
• The ability to adjust your schedule at any moment and stay on track
• Account visualization on a map so you can make informed decisions and react quickly to any changes
• Access to customer information on-the-go

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Best Route Planning Software Tools for 2021

Here are the 27 best routing planning tools for field sales, delivery services, logistics/trucking, and road trips.

Field Sales

1. Badger Maps

 

Price: $49/month Business, $95/month Enterprise (7-day free trial & 30-day team pilots available)

Main Features: Route Optimization, Visualize, Prospecting, Check-ins, Follow-ups

Top Benefit: Features made specifically for field sales

In terms of route planning software for sales, Badger Maps is the best field sales planner on the market. By using Badger as a route optimizer, salespeople spend 20% less time driving and sell 22% more. 

However, Badger Maps does more than just optimize routes. You can use Badger as an all-in-one tool for optimizing routes, planning your day, accessing your CRM data in the field, and managing territories. All of this makes it easier to stay on top of client relationships and make informed decisions at any time.

Badger’s sales-specific features such as check-ins, follow-ups, and prospecting tool allow you to keep track of key customer information and never miss out on an opportunity to close a deal.

PROSCONSOptimized route building
Requires Internet connection Ability to create custom check-ins No mobile invoicing Automatic weekly reports Only available in EnglishNative mobile applications for iOS and AndroidEasy to use (and free training & resources)
Great customer support

2. OptimoRoute

Price: $17.10 per driver/month Starter, $26.10 per driver/month Business, $35.10 per driver/month (Prices for Billed Annually)

Main Features: Route Optimization, Live Tracking and ETA, Real-time Order Tracking, Analytics 

Top Benefit: Multiple order parameters supported

OptimoRoute is a dynamic route planner that is useful for many industries, including sales. 

Their primary function is planning and optimizing routes that are accessible via the web or smartphone. Yet, OptimoRoute does much more.

Boasting over 50 features, you can adjust routes at any moment, keep track of reps working in the field, and plan routes for multiple days. OptimoRoute also has a number of features that are useful for those working in the delivery or logistics industry.

PROS
CONS

Easy to use

Limited customization

Ability to communicate with customers
Outdates maps

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3. BatchGeo

Price: $99/month

Main Features: Sales Data Visualization, Embed Maps within Websites 

Top Benefit: Data Analysis

Despite not having a route optimization feature, BatchGeo is still a great sales route planner for a number of reasons.

BatchGeo’s biggest strength is its ability to map valuable sales information such as customers, leads, and assets. After creating a map, you can visualize it in a number of different ways and then make informed decisions about how you want to use the data.

With BatchGeo, you can still import your addresses and plot and route your destinations, they will just not be put in an optimized order.

PROS
CONS

Free basic plan
No CRM integration

Easy to use
No check-in and routing features

No live traffic updates

No route optimization

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4. Mapline

Price: $0/month Starter, $30/month Plus, $60/month Pro, $90/month Enterprise (Prices for billed annually)

Main Features: Route Optimization, Data Visualization, Territory Management 

Top Benefit: Data Mapping and Visualization

Spreadsheets make it hard to visualize your sales territories, but with Mapline, you can simply copy and paste your spreadsheet data into the software and create a map of all your data.

Mapline makes it easy to analyze trends using segmentation, filtering, and more, so you can optimize your sales territories and make other strategic decisions based on your data.

All paid tiers of Mapline have route optimizations, so once you’ve analyzed your data and decided what your next move is, you’re ready to hit the ground running.

PROS
CONS

Easy to use

No mobile app

Limited features for sales

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5. ElasticRoute

Price: Free, $29/vehicle Monthly, $290/vehicle Annually

Main Features: Route Optimization, Easy Integration 

Top Benefit: Can route up to 1,000 stops per plan

If your core need from a route planning tool is optimization, Elastic Route may be for you.

Possibly one of the lesser-known tools on the list, Elastic Route is simple enough to meet all your sales routing needs and complex enough to take into account the fields that are important to you.

By importing or manually entering your addresses you can create a route in seconds, significantly cutting down planning time.

PROS
CONS

Easy to use

No mobile app

Lack of customization

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6. Geopointe

Price: $45 per user/month Annual Plan, Contact for Enterprise Pricing

Main Features: Route Optimization, Territory Management, Geographic Searching and Analysis 

Top Benefit: Ability to visualize Salesforce data

If you use Salesforce as a CRM, Geopointe may be a great route mapping software for you.

Geopointe makes it easy to visualize your Salesforce data on a map, create optimized routes, and plan next steps. Along with territory management features, Geopointe also has a number of features designed for sales professionals.

Geopointe is not a stand-alone solution, so if you are looking to get all the capabilities out of the software you must be using Salesforce as your CRM.

PROS
CONS

Easy to visualize data
Must have Salesforce CRM

Easy to manage territories
Lacks advanced data filtering

Steep learning curve

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7. MapBusinessOnline

Price: $500/year single-user Standard Plan, $900/year single-user Pro Plan, $475/user Standard Team Plan (minimum of 5 users)

Main Features: Route Optimization, Data Visualization, Territory Management 

Top Benefit: Easy to create and adjust sales territories

MapBusinessOnline is a web-based sales territory management tool that integrates with a host of CRM.

With MapBusinessOnline, you can create optimized routes and use a number of data visualization tools to get the best view of your sales territory. 

There is no mobile app, but you can export your optimized routes to a personal navigation device to get turn-by-turn directions to your destinations.

PROS
CONS

Easy to use

No mobile app

Required Internet connection

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Delivery Services

8. RouteXL

Price: Free up to 20 stops, €35/month RouteXL 100, €70/month

Main Features: Route Optimization, Data Import 

Top Benefit: Easy to import data

RouteXL is a great route planner for delivery drivers. It’s especially useful for small businesses since it allows you to create a route with up to 20 stops for free.

You can create routes by manually adding destinations or by importing your spreadsheets. Once you input data, RouteXL automatically optimizes your route. You can then share your route and export it to a navigation app.

PROS
CONS

Easy to use

No Mobile App

Limited features for sales

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9. SpeedyRoute

Price: $10/day or $50/month

Main Features: Timeboxing, Location Reordering 

Top Benefit: Timeboxing feature

An easy-to-use no-frills delivery route planner, SpeedyRoute is a great option for those looking for a tool on the simpler side. With a recently updated interface, Speedy Route is easier to use than ever before.

Available worldwide, Speedy Route optimizes routes for you and has a timeboxing feature that guarantees you reach a specified destination at a pre-set time.

You can also use drag-and-drop location reordering at any time, so you always have full control of your route.

PROS
CONS

Easy to use

No mobile app

Free up to 10 stops
Limited features for sales

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10. Flightmap

Price: Free for Bootstrap, $209/month Growth, $375/month Premium

Main Features: Route Optimization, Live Traffic Updates, Store Locator, Customized Maps 

Top Benefit: Highly customizable maps

Flightmap is a routing software that allows you to create highly customized maps. Flightmap integrates your route, inventory, invoice, and client communication. By aggregating the best mapping APIs in one platform, they minimize any disruptions and delays.

While there is no mobile app available, you can download the maps to your smartphone to access online and receive turn-by-turn directions.

PROS
CONS

Easy to use

No Mobile App

Can provide real-time updates to customers
Limited features for sales

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11. OnFleet

Price: $149/month Starter, $349/month Basic, $799/month Premium, $1,999/month Professional

Main Features: Route Optimization, Search and Filter, Auto-dispatch 

Top Benefit: Easy integration with other software tools

If you want a delivery route planner with all the bells and whistles, OnFleet may be right for you.

OnFleet offers a number of features such as route optimization, auto dispatching, delivery analytics, and customer communications.

The OnFleet app also has its own internal communication platform so drivers can communicate with each other and receive real-time updates.

PROS
CONS

Easy set-up
Price

Real-time delivery tracking
Lacks some useful customization features

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12. Circuit

Price: Individual – Free up to 10 stops, $20/month for larger routes

Team – $40/driver/month Dispatch, $60/driver/month Recipient, $100/driver/month Premium

Main Features: Route optimization, Create accurate ETAs, Real-time tracking 

Top Benefit: Accurate ETAs based on driver’s history

Another basic and easy-to-use multi-stop delivery route planner, Circuit is a reliable option. 

Circuit optimizes routes and even creates delivery ETAs based on a driver’s previous deliveries and drive times. Drivers are also able to label stops and pickups as “priority” or “time-sensitive” to guarantee deliveries are on time.

Managers can use Circuit to keep track of drivers based on their previous stop and view multiple drivers at the same time.

PROS
CONS

Free up to 10 stops
Only available as an app

Spreadsheet importing only available on Android

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13. WorkWave Route Manager

Price: Starting at $49/month/vehicle, Additional Pricing Available on Request

Main Features: Route Optimization, Order Management, Customer Notifications 

Top Benefit: Ability to input customer receiving window

WorkWave Route Manager is a delivery route optimizer that enables users to create around specified time windows.

Once you create your route, you still have full control over it and can reorder stops at any moment. You can also use the “best fit” feature for assigning any last-minute deliveries.

With the app, drivers can keep managers updated on their progress, share proof of delivery, check-in at stops, and much more. Overall WorkWave Route Manager is a great software that both drivers and managers will benefit from.

PROS
CONS

GPS tracking
Long set-up time

Accurate ETAs
Issues with reporting

Lack of advanced filtering

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14. RouteSavvy

Price: $300/year for up to 3 users, $100/user/year for additional users

Main Features: Route Optimization, Turn-by-Turn Navigation, GPS Tracking System 

Top Benefit: Can optimize routes with 100s of stops

RouteSavvy is a delivery route planner best suited for small to mid-sized fleets of up to 100 vehicles.

RouteSavvy is easy to use and allows you to create two different types of routes. You can either create a roundtrip route or a start-to-finish route. You’re able to view multiple routes on the screen at the same time for a better view of your territory.

Turn-by-turn navigation is available through the app or directions can be downloaded and printed.

PROS
CONS

Easy to use
Occasional glitches

Multiple route view
Cannot input customer delivery window

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Logistics & Trucking

15. TruckRouter

Price: Free

Main Features: Truck routes, regulation information, trip cost calculator 

Top Benefit: Specifically designed for Trucking

Perfect for small businesses, TruckRouter is free and has all the features you need without anything non-essential.

TruckRouter includes useful trucking features such as truck-specific routes, weight/height restriction information, a trip cost calculator, and stop optimization, to name a few.

With truck warnings, toll roads and costs, and route elevation information, you’ll be more prepared than ever when you hit the road.

PROS
CONS

Free
No mobile app

Outdated interface

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16. My Route Online

Price: Starts at $29

Main Features: Route Optimization, Data Import 

Top Benefit: Simple to use and easy to save routes

One of the most popular tools in professional transportation, MyRoute has been used to plan over 5 million routes.

Tailored to the needs of trucking and logistics professionals, MyRoute allows you to route upwards of 350 stops per route. Your route can then be optimized either by distance or by time.

MyRoute is only available online but you can export your list of addresses to your GPS system or mobile device.

PROS
CONS

Simple user interface
No mobile app

Maps upwards of 350 stops
Limited features for sales

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17. Routific

Price: $39 per vehicle/month Essentials, $59 per vehicle/month Professional, Premium pricing available upon request

Main Features: Route Optimization, Dispatch to Driver App, Live GPS Tracking, Delivery Analytics 

Top Benefit: Easy-to-use API

Routific is a multi-stop route planner that specializes in planning and optimizing routes for delivery drivers. 

Managers are able to create routes and download them prior to dispatch or send routes directly to drivers’ phones by using the Routific app.

Drivers can keep customers updated by sending notifications regarding ETA and completion of delivery. If needed, they can even send a message to customers regarding their delivery.

PROS
CONS

Easy-to-adjust routes
Requires Internet connection

Great customer service
Cannot alter route once dispatched

Bug issues with route optimization

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18. LogiNext Mile

Price: Free, $20 per month/resource Basic, $30 per month/resource Premium, $49 per month/resource Advanced, Enterprise pricing available upon request

Main Features: Route Optimization, Automated Real-time Resource Allocation, Proof of Delivery, Real-time Tracking 

Top Benefit: Real-time updates

To cover all your bases in an industry as complicated as logistics and trucking, you need to invest in a route planner that goes beyond just the basics.

LogiNext Mile is an all-in-one solution with features including route optimization, automated resource allocation, and delivery associate management, allowing you to take charge of your entire process.

With a more streamlined process, you’ll complete more orders, lower costs, and increase customer satisfaction.

PROS
CONS

Easy to use

Unable to take into account time constraints

Good customer service
Lack of customization

Cannot alter route once started

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19. ShipTrack

Price: Contact for Pricing

Main Features: Route Optimization, Administration Portal, Reporting & Analytics 

Top Benefit: Complete visibility for customers in regards to their order

ShipTrack is a complete delivery solution that provides real-time insight into the movement of shipments. 

Along with its tracking abilities, ShipTrack allows users to build their own workflow, create and adjust schedules for multiple drivers, optimize routes, update customers, and much more.

The best part, ShipTrack is available on iOS and Android devices, so you can have a full view of your delivery process while on the road.

PROS
CONS

Easy to customize

No upfront pricing information

Available on mobile devices
Issues with offline capabilities

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20. DispatchTrack

Price: Pricing Available Upon Request

Main Features: Route Optimization, Live Driver Tracking, Performance Metrics 

Top Benefit: Ability to communicate with customers

There are a lot of things to juggle when working in the logistics or trucking industry. DispatchTrack makes getting to your destination at the right time and keeping customers in the loop easy.

DispatchTrack helps you create optimized routes that take into account specified delivery windows so you never miss the mark.

With DispatchTrack, you can also keep customers informed by sending updates, significantly improving the customer experience.

PROS
CONS

Ability to keep customers informed

No upfront pricing information

Bug issues

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21. Locus Dispatcher

Price: Pricing Available Upon Request

Main Features: Route Optimization, Intelligent Clubbing of Orders, Transparency in Operations 

Top Benefit: Order Management Features

A comprehensive solution, Locus does much more than just optimize routes. By using deep machine learning, Locus lets you streamline your distribution process by intelligently clubbing and sequencing orders, then allocating deliveries to the correct driver.

Locus also allows you to keep tabs on your drivers and alerts you of any route deviations and unnecessary stops, enabling you to keep customers informed on the arrival of their delivery.

PROS
CONS

Customizable

No upfront pricing

Useful tools for managing orders
Bug issues

Steep learning curve

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Road Trips

22. Roadtrippers

Price: Free up to 5 stops or $29.99/year for Plus

Main Features: Turn-by-Turn Directions, Live Traffic Updates, Point of Interest Search 

Top Benefit: Ability to discover independently owned points of interest

If you’re looking to plan an epic road trip, Roadtrippers is the route planner for you. Available as a web-based application and mobile app, Roadtrippers allows travelers to plan a road trip with up to 150 stops.

With Roadtrippers, travelers can estimate their total gas costs before they hit the road and discover unique independently owned points of interest to stop along the way.

Once you create a route on Roadtrippers, you can sync it to the Roadtrippers app where you’ll receive turn-by-turn directions and live traffic updates.

PROSCONSCan route up to 150 stops (paid option)
Only available for U.S. based users Ability to discover points of interestsNot designed for outside sales/delivery services

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23. Maps.me

Price: Free

Main Features: Offline Maps, Offline Search, Offline Navigation

Top Benefit: Offline navigation

When traveling to a new place, getting lost can be a huge deal. Luckily, with Maps.me you have offline maps and navigation at your fingertips.

Maps.me allows you to download maps and create navigation routes for travel by foot, car, bicycle, or public transport. Additionally, the app also features a number of travel guides so you enjoy traveling without the stress of looking for wifi if you make the wrong turn.

PROS
CONS

Free

Limited features for sales

Offline Navigation

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24. Google Maps

Price: Free

Main Features: Routing, Turn-by-Turn Directions, Live Traffic Conditions, Street View

Top Benefit: Easy to use

Google Maps is a household name for a reason. It’s an easy-to-use route planner that’s available right on your smartphone. With just a few taps you can create a route for travel by foot, car, bicycle, or public transport.

You can add up to 9 stops to your route, search for gas or food at any moment, and receive turn-by-turn directions with real-time traffic updates to remain on the quickest route to your destination.

As a route optimizer, Google Maps falls a bit short since it does not optimize routes with more than one stop.

PROS
CONS

User-friendly

Limited to only 10 stops

Free
Can’t set departure, arrival, or duration time

Reliable
Can’t track customer information

Create optimized routes with up to 10 stopsCan’t view top priority customers at a glance

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25. MapQuest

Price: Free

Main Features: Real-time Traffic Updates, Point of Interest Search, Hotel Booking

Top Benefit: Ability to create simple routes and find points of interest along the way

The first commercially available web mapping software, MapQuest is the original road trip route planner. MapQuest is a simple routing tool that is great for making simple routes and locating intermediate stops such as gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores.

MapQuest is available on your smartphone where you can receive turn-by-turn directions and live traffic updates. You can also conveniently find and book hotels near you directly from MapQuest.

PROS
CONS

Free

Limited number of stops

Reliable
Not designed for outside sales/delivery services

Easy to use
Difficult to plot multiple stops

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26. Waze

Price: Free

Main Features: Turn-by-Turn Directions, Traffic Notifications, Mobile Speed Checks, Carpool

Top Benefit: Traffic, Hazard, and Police Detection

Waze is often compared to other popular routing software such as Google Maps, which makes sense since Google bought Waze back in 2013. Despite that, Waze still has a lot of features that differentiate it from other routing apps.

What sets Waze apart is its use of real-time user data to provide you with current road conditions, as well as police and hazard detection.  

With Waze’s route planning capabilities, you can also plan trips in advance and decide on the best departure time based on traffic, making it a great road trip companion.

PROS
CONS

Easy to use

Cluttered layout

Free
The app can be distracting

User-based Data for traffic, hazard, and police detection
Can only add up to 2 stops

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27. The Dyrt

Price: Free, $35.99/year for Pro

Main Features: Route optimization, Locate nearby campgrounds, Estimate fuel cost

Top Benefit: Campground Locator

The Dyrt trip planner is a great tool for outdoor enthusiasts. The Dyrt allows you to plan a road trip or choose from one of their suggested trips. When planning your route, you can find campsites near your stop and read reviews for each site.

Once you create your route, you can export your itinerary to share with travel mates and export to Google Maps to receive turn-by-turn directions.

PROS
CONS

Free Option

Limited features with free version

User-submitted locations, reviews, and tips
Bug issues

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Conclusion

Using route planning software can differentiate you from competitors. By adopting the right route planner, you’ll ultimately save time and money by cutting down planning and drive time –  allowing you to accomplish more each day.

The tricky part? Choosing the right software for your business needs. There are tons of options out there so it’s better to do your research than run the risk of spending money on a route planner that isn’t the right fit.

If you work in field sales, the decision is clear. Badger Maps is the best route planning software in the market. Plus, it’s the only tool that offers all the features a field salesperson needs to streamline every single part of their job.

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MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT ROUTE PLANNING SOFTWARE

What is the difference between routing and scheduling?

Routing is the process of creating a particular path or direction for travel while scheduling is the process of arranging when you will make a particular stop. When you plan your route yourself, you don’t automatically get the fastest route. You have to actually optimize the route to get the fastest route to your appointments.

How does route planning software work?

Route planning software works by using an algorithm to determine the optimal order of your stops to guarantee you visit all your stops in the shortest amount of time.

What software should I use for route planning?

It depends on the types of routes you need to plan. There are specialized route planning apps for any kind of route. For example, Badger Maps specializes in routes for field sales while Google Maps specializes in everyday routing.

Routing is the process of creating a particular path or direction for travel while scheduling is the process of arranging when you will make a particular stop. When you plan your route yourself, you don’t automatically get the fastest route. You have to actually optimize the route to get the fastest route to your appointments.

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BADGER PAYS FOR ITSELF WITH GAS SAVINGS

Sales Reps using Badger sell at least 22% more and drive 20% fewer miles.

See the potential return on investment you can get by using Badger Maps with your field sales team.

CALCULATE YOUR GAS SAVINGS