The short answer
Freehand is an AI platform for large importers and logistics companies that audits duties, tariffs, broker invoices and compliance, with a drawback recovery agent as one of several AI agents and custom pricing tied to the broader platform. Stable Software makes DrawbackAI, flat-license duty drawback software that U.S. customs brokers white-label for their importer clients and file under their own filer code. Choose Freehand if you are an enterprise importer that wants drawback inside a broad AI audit of trade spend; choose Stable Software if you are a customs broker offering drawback to your clients, or an importer who wants your own broker to run it.
Key takeaways
- Freehand is a trade spend audit platform: its AI agents cover HS classification, duty calculation, FTA qualification, broker invoice audit, tariff monitoring, compliance screening and drawback recovery.
- DrawbackAI by Stable Software is dedicated duty drawback software built for customs brokers, who file for their clients under their own filer code and POA.
- Freehand describes its pricing as custom and tied to its broader platform; Stable Software charges a flat software license and never takes a percentage of the refund.
- Freehand sells to the importer (or 3PL); Stable Software keeps the drawback service, and the client relationship, with the broker.
Stable vs Freehand at a glance
| Feature | Stable | Freehand |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Dedicated duty drawback software (DrawbackAI) | AI trade compliance and spend audit platform with a drawback agent |
| Built for | Customs brokers and their importer clients | Enterprise importers, shippers and 3PLs |
| Pricing | Flat software license; no percentage of the refund | Custom, tied to the broader platform |
| Who files | Your brokerage, under your filer code and POA | Not stated publicly |
| Broker white-label | Yes, under your brand | Not described on its site |
| Scope beyond drawback | HTS classification, reconciliation, denied party screening, entry audit, ABI filing | HS classification, duty calculation, FTA qualification, broker invoice audit, tariff monitoring, screening |
| Security | SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 | SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 (per its site) |
Choose Stable if
You are a customs broker who wants to offer drawback under your own brand, filer code and POA on a flat license, or an importer who wants drawback run through your own broker.
Choose Freehand if
You are a large importer or logistics company that wants one AI platform auditing duties, tariffs, broker invoices and compliance, with drawback as one part of that audit.
What is the difference between Freehand and Stable Software for duty drawback?
Scope and buyer. Freehand presents itself as a platform of trade and compliance AI agents that audit an importer's trade spend: classification, duty calculation, FTA qualification, broker invoices, tariff changes, screening and drawback, connected to ERP and GTM systems such as SAP and Oracle. Drawback is one agent among them. DrawbackAI by Stable Software does one job, duty drawback, and is built to be run by customs brokers for their importer clients, with import-to-export matching and claim assembly filed under the broker's own filer code.
Who files the claims, and whose client is it?
With Stable Software, the customs broker files the drawback claims under its own filer code and power of attorney, in its own brand, so the client relationship stays with the broker. Freehand is sold to the importer, or to a 3PL, as a platform; its public materials describe preparing and filing claims before the recovery window closes but do not say whose filer code they go out under, and they do not describe a broker white-label. Freehand's broker audit agent also validates broker fees for its importer customers, so it typically sits on the importer's side of the broker relationship.
How do the pricing models compare?
Freehand's own drawback roundup describes its pricing as custom and tied to the broader audit platform rather than a standalone contingency fee. Stable Software is priced as a flat software license. No contingency, no percentage of the refund. Brokers on DrawbackAI can charge their clients however they like, including on contingency, and keep the whole spread. See drawback contingency fees for how the models differ.
Can a customs broker use Freehand for drawback?
Freehand's site lists enterprise shippers, importers, global trade teams and 3PLs as its users and connects to broker systems as a data source. A broker that wants to offer drawback as its own service, under its own brand and filer code, is the use case DrawbackAI by Stable Software is built for. Importers comparing the two can also do both: an audit platform on the importer side, and a broker running drawback on DrawbackAI.
Sources
Freehand facts come from its own pages as of October 2026: Trade & Compliance AI Agents, AI Trade Compliance Software and Best Duty Drawback Software in 2026. Spot something out of date? Email hello@stablesoftware.com and we will correct it.
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Platform modules
Alternatives
Frequently asked questions
How does Freehand's duty drawback product compare with other drawback software?
Freehand's drawback recovery is one AI agent inside a broader trade spend audit platform for enterprise importers, priced as part of that platform. Dedicated drawback tools work differently: DrawbackAI by Stable Software is flat-license software that customs brokers white-label and file under their own filer code, DutyCalc is licensed drawback software, and Zollback, Pax AI and Caspian are contingency filers.
Is Freehand drawback software or a drawback service?
Software. Freehand describes itself as a platform of trade and compliance AI agents, including a drawback recovery agent that matches imports to exports and prepares claims, sold to importers and logistics companies.
Which is better for a customs broker, Freehand or Stable Software?
Stable Software. DrawbackAI is built for brokers to offer drawback to their clients under their own brand, filer code and POA on a flat license. Freehand is built for enterprise importers and 3PLs auditing their own trade spend.
Does Stable Software take a percentage of drawback refunds?
No. Stable Software charges a flat software license and never takes a percentage of the refund.