Garmin eLog provides the best all-around ELD device and service. It has loads of features, including two-way messaging and GPS location tracking, and typically costs a flat fee of $249.99.
As of Dec 2019, the U.S. government requires ELDs for almost all commercial motor vehicles operating across the nation. It's tough to find a better reason than that to ensure your fleet has ELDs today. Plus, an ELD can do more than just compliance. The right solution will help your fleet with everything from fuel savings to accident reductions and quicker route planning.
Since today's shipping industry is tightening its financial belt, our experts have tested and ranked 14 of the best options to help you figure out which ELD device is best for you. Just looking for the best price? Don't search endlessly. Compare tailored prices between top providers with our fleet management cost comparison tool. It only takes a minute to fill out and gives you easy, no-obligation quotes for your operation.
Top 3 ELD Devices
Our researchers examined all the leading ELD devices on the market, rating them in various categories including integrations, pricing, support options, and multiple types of features. Fuel-tracking, for example, can make a big difference to your bottom line.
Businesses have also voiced their frustrations to us regarding over-complicated ELD devices – when you're managing a whole fleet of vehicles, keeping things as simple as possible is key. So is affordable pricing, particularly now that pandemic costs have stabilized and the premium prices of 2021 have dropped.
We've got reviews of the 14 best ELD devices below, but here are our top three ELD devices for 2023:
- Garmin eLog – With features such as fuel-tracking, the eLog can quickly recoup its pricey initial cost
- Motive ELD (formerly KeepTruckin) – Strong all-around features and fairly attractive pricing, if not the best
- Samsara – A easy-to-use interface and simple service with unbeatable upgrade options
These ELD devices stand above the rest on this list thanks to their feature sets and price range. They can serve small and large fleets equally well, making them useful no matter what business you run.
Compare | Price from | Our rating | Key benefit | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Garmin eLog | Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) | Samsara ELD | |||
$249.99 | $150 upfront + $25/month | $99 upfront + $30/month | |||
4.1 | 3.6 | 4.7 | |||
No ongoing costs | A good, cheap, all-round solution | Best combination of features and support |
You might balk at the idea of spending $150 or more upfront (or $30 per month) on a little box that tracks your trucks, but you will be able to recoup that investment over time. Gas costs will decrease, and you should find that your drivers make fewer mistakes while on the road. Your business matters, so understanding every aspect of it is crucial — and a good ELD device will let you do just that.
Best ELD Devices for 2023: Full Reviews
So, you've seen the top three ELD devices, but there are plenty of other ELD solutions on the market, which may be better suited to the long term needs of your business. Samsara's ELD offering, for example, plugs straight into a vehicle's OBD port, and can provide managers with real time data as well as combine with GPS tracking, artificially intelligent dash cams, and more.
Fleet management providers like Samsara will offer the greatest returns on your investment in the long run, as well as ensuring ELD-compliance.
Here are all 14 of our best ELD devices for 2023:
- Garmin eLog – Best all around ELD.
- Motive ELD (formerly KeepTruckin) – Best for advanced fleets.
- Samsara – Best for fleet management features.
- Matrack ELD – Best for avoiding contracts.
- GPS Trackit ELD – Best for simple maintenance.
- Gorilla Safety ELD – Best for document management.
- Omnitracs XRS and IVR – Best for variety of features.
- EROAD Ehubo ELD – Best for ease of use.
- BigRoad's Dashlink ELD – Best for seasonal or irregular ELD users.
- Verizon Connect ELD – Best for add-ons and extras.
- GPS Insight Hours of Service – Best for location tracking.
- Teletrac Navman ELD – Best for fleet manager support.
- Lytx with Geotab GO Cloud ELD – Best for data security.
- Azuga eLogs – Best for quick adaptation.
Price from | Our rating | Key benefit | Top features | GPS Route Planning | Scheduling and Dispatch | Driver Safety Monitoring | Automatic Route Optimizing | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Verizon Connect | Samsara ELD | Azuga eLogs | Teletrac Navman ELD | Garmin eLog | GPS Trackit ELD | Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) | Matrack ELD | Gorilla Safety ELD | Lytx with Geotab GO Cloud ELD | Omnitracs ELD | EROAD Ehubo ELD | BigRoad's Dashlink ELD | GPS Insight Hours of Service |
$20/month | $99 upfront + $30/month | $25/month | $25/month | $249.99 | $23.95/month | $150 upfront + $25/month | $14.95/month | $175 upfront + $19.99/month | Personalized quotes | Initial cost varies | $25/month | $25/month | $14.95/month |
4.7 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 3.2 |
Most features and add-ons | Best combination of features and support | Easy plug-and-play install | Fleet manager-friendly features | No ongoing costs | No contracts | A good, cheap, all-round solution | Budget-friendly pricing | Streamlined paperwork and maintenance | Reliable, centralized reports | Multiple hardware options | Durable hardware units | Displays traffic conditions | Basic location tracking |
Daily or weekly history reports | 24/7 support | Custom location landmarks | Role-based support | Fuel tracking | Maintenance checklist and custom alerts | High customer satisfaction | Audit trail | Document management tools | Secure cloud-based data uploads | Two-way messaging | “Smart Short Haul” for ELD exemptions | Fuel tracking | Wide variety of alerts |
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Garmin eLog can come with a big learning curve, both for setup and daily use. However, the complete lack of ongoing costs is rare among ELD providers, and makes Garmin stand out as the best long-term ELD investments. It does the job, even offering fuel tracking. Once drivers have mastered it, the Garmin eLog can save a business thousands of dollars a month. Those savings – and Garmin's high rating across all other research categories – make it our top pick.
- No ongoing costs
- Fuel tracking
- Data backed up on mobile app
- Free mobile app
- 24/7 Support
- Serves fleets of all sizes
The fist-sized Garmin eLog offers ELD compliant logs, which can be locally accessed via USB and Bluetooth for roadside inspections. A free-to-download mobile app allows drivers to enter their on-duty status manually, and easily see their remaining available hours. IFTA fuel tracking is also a supported feature. The units can be installed in 6-pin and 9-pin ports, but not in OBDII ports.
Check for third-party resellers before you commit: The Garmin eLog's price might drop to $125 new from some retailers or as low as $85 when sold used on sites like Ebay, potentially saving you a bundle.


Pros
- No ongoing costs
- Include fuel tracking, a big money-saving feature
- Strong support
Cons
- It's a large initial investment
A strong suite of features, an easy-to-use interface, and an okay-enough price point make Motive one of the more attractive ELD options. Add to that the service's 24/7 support, and you have a recommended ELD option for any fleets that need to track their HOS in a streamlined, cost-effective manner.
- Intuitive interface
- Two-way messaging
- Vehicle inspections
- 24/7 support
- Serves fleets of all sizes
Motive rebranded in April 2022 from its previous name KeepTruckin, and now offers an ELD solution for vehicles of any size, using a hardware unit called the Motive Vehicle Gateway.
The basic plan includes ELD compliant logs, two-way messaging, GPS location tracking, and customizable vehicle inspection features that include vehicle histories and automated alerts. It's a raft of features that sums up everything you could reasonably expect from an ELD, and it's a lot more than most offer, making this service a great pick for particularly feature-heavy fleets that want to take every possible advantage and have the resources to do just that.
Motive Vehicle Gateway hardware units are $150 to lease, starting with a one-year contract. Light and medium duty vehicle units can be hardwired to the OBDII port, while heavy duty vehicle units can be installed via 6-pin and 9-pin diagnostic ports. The ELD-compliant plan starts at $25/month/vehicle, billed annually, while additional features are available for $30/month/vehicle, including IFTA fuel tracking, vehicle diagnostics, and driver safety scorecards.


Pros
- Easy to install and learn
- Simple communication
Cons
- Free version is very limited
The Samsara ELD is a great option for fleet managers who are also interested in a complete fleet management service. Our researchers rated the full FMS an impressive 4.7/5 — no other FMS was rated higher, although it's tied with Verizon's overall score. While you won't need to purchase a full FMS (field management system) in order to buy the ELD-compliance hardware/software package, it's easy to upgrade to one, and Samsara offers one of the most comprehensive FMS services available, even if Verizon's feature selection is slightly better.
- Intuitive Interface
- Easy Installation
- Upgrading to FMS is simple
- Free Trial
- 24/7 Support
- Serves fleets of all sizes
Samara's ELD solution is a unit that plugs directly into a vehicle engine via its OBD port, and is paired with a mobile app that a driver can use to track and log their vehicle data in real time. In addition, dispatchers can use a dashboard to see the HOS for all of their drivers in one central location. The devices are easy to connect and set up, and managers can easily upgrade to Samsara's full fleet management service while retaining the ELD-specific software's dashboard and app infrastructure.
Samsara's FMS offers better help and support than Verizon, too, earning a 4/5 to Verizon's 3.5/5 because it includes live chat support, although both services required self-installation.


Pros
- Excellent value plans
- Easy learning curve
- Strong support options
Cons
- Frequent software updates can be tough to keep up with
The Matrack ELD hardware device comes free with a monthly subscription, starting at $14.95 per month. Users will get a lifetime warranty and can cancel at any time, as they won't be bound by a contract. This makes Matrack the cheapest no-contract option on our list — and since our research found it offers a nice range of features with good ease of use, it's a great pick for cost-conscious businesses.
Once their ELD is registered, users just have to install it and download the app to get started. Matrack isn't for use with cloud or on-premise software, and solely runs on desktop for Mac and Windows and mobile for iOS, iPadOS, and Android.
- Violation tracking
- Employee timeclock
- IFTA fuel tracking
- Audit trail
- GPS location tracking
- Serves all fleet sizes
Matrack's ELD solution does include fuel tax tracking functionality as well as the typical ELD compliance features like an audit trail and the ability to keep a timeclock that logs an employee's hours worked. It's an inexpensive, just-the-basics solution for those who need ELD compliance without a bunch of bells and whistles that they'll never use.
Customers can contact Matrack's support team on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., PST, by phone or email. Manuals and video tutorials are also available online.


Pros
- Easy to use
- Hardware free with $14.95/month plan
Cons
- Not available via on-premise deployment
Like Matrack, GPS Trackit's ELD system is available to fleets without locking them into any contract — not even for one year. The service offers simple, easy to install plug-and-play hardware units and a software that delivers all the essential features and abilities for an ELD mandate-compliant system.
Hours of service are tracked automatically, with a clock tracking when drivers have signed in or out. Reports can be generated and transmitted with the touch of a button, and maintenance checklists can guide drivers through the process of inspecting air compressors, drive lines, and any other items needing regular checkups. The service does not offer traffic alerts or fuel tracking, and route optimization is not automatic.
- Simple Installation
- Intuitive Interface
- No Contracts
- Downloadable app
- Custom alerts
- Maintenance checklist
Another sign of how the service is designed for ease of use: Managers will be able to set up customized notifications or can pick the most popular options out of an array of industry-specific triggers and alerts. The driver app for the service is free to download from the Google Play store.
GPS Trackit offers both hardware packages and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) options, with monthly rates starting at a trim $23.95 with no contracts. Tech support is by phone and email from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET during the week and from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET on the weekend. There's a 30-day money-back guarantee as well.


Pros
- Customizable alerts make it easy to highlight important details
- You can supply your own hardware if you want
- No contracts needed
Cons
- Doesn't include a huge feature set
A cost-efficient option, the Gorilla Safety ELD offers a high-quality ELD compliance and DVIR service at one of the lowest up front and monthly costs in the industry.
Our researchers found Gorilla Safety's document management tools to be better than any other ELD tested. All paperwork can be grouped in four files: Driver Qualification File, Truck File (registration, cab cards, and repair history), Company File (IFTA reports, loss runs, and permits), and ELD Supporting Documents. Businesses that prioritize documentation should find Gorilla Safety to be the best on the market for streamlining the process.
- Document management
- Mechanic inspections
- Low cost
- Free Trial
- Support during business hours
- Serves fleets of all sizes
Gorilla Safety also offers a unique feature. Through the app, drivers can switch on document tracking as they drive – this allows them to scan and digitally file documents to different categories, including sections specific to the driver, the truck, or the company. According to Gorilla Safety, this makes it the “only company to offer a fully automated ELD document feature,” and this ability can help businesses go paperless that much faster.
Location tracking is accurate to within one mile when the driver is on duty. In addition, the service offers communication abilities that can help aid driver-mechanic communication, or help drivers record photos and take notes in the event of collision. Each ELD unit costs around $175 if bought to own, but just $7 each if leased. Support hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, M-F.


Pros
- Great for easy documentation
- Low pricing
- Reliable service
Cons
- App works better on Android than on iOS
Omnitracs offers plenty of features, but its cost-efficiency can depend on the type of service plan, and whether your fleet leases the hardware units. The interface and features are hard to beat, and 24/7 online support can guide operators through any concerns. Top features include:
- Fuel tracking
- Safety reporting
- Driver monitoring
- Free Trial
- 24/7 Support
- Serves fleets of all sizes
Omnitracs offers one ELD compliance-oriented unit, in addition to the Omnitracts FMS unit, which we won't cover here. The Omnitracs XRS device is a plug-and-play unit, so it won't have to be hardwired into the vehicle. It brings with it the common range of features required, including automatically recorded data for HOS, IFTA fuel tracking, and DVIR, as well as vehicle tracking, safety reporting, two-way messaging, driver monitoring, Bluetooth support, and proof of delivery. There's no initial cost for the XRS if it is leased.


Pros
- Great feature set
- Fuel tracking features are a money-saver
- Bluetooth support
Cons
- All those features can make for a steep learning curve
8. EROAD Ehubo ELD
Best for ease of use
Starts at: $25 per vehicle per month with upfront hardware purchase or $35 per vehicle per month with no hardware
EROAD's Ehubo device stands out for the features and functions a fleet needs to track HOS, offering both daily and weekly summaries covering data including on-duty status, rests, and resets. Thanks to an intuitive software design, our researchers report that the touchscreen is easy to navigate — although customer feedback has noted that the size of the screen is on the small side. Top features include:
- Cloud-based storage
- Fuel tracking
- Safety tracking
- Handles short-haul exemptions
- Serves fleets of all sizes
The Ehubo software tracks safety compliance as well as fuel tax compliance, which are two nice perks that not all ELDs handle. The physical device is durable and accurate, making it a good fit for harsh environments, and it comes with one unique feature, a “Smart Short Haul” function that automatically addresses short-haul exemptions from the ELD mandate.
The $35 per month starting price will only provide you with a bare-bones ELD solution, however — additional features will cost $45 per month, or $60 per month for the most advanced abilities.
If your fleet's drivers want an ELD that makes roadside inspections quick and simple with little-to-no learning curve, the EROAD Ehubo is a great solution that's squarely within the average market price for an ELD. Phone-based customer support is available during typical business hours, but not 24/7.


Pros
- Data is easy to access due to cloud storage
- Simple to adapt and install
- Fair pricing
Cons
- Screen is a little small
9. BigRoad's Dashlink ELD
Best for seasonal or irregular ELD users
Starts at: $25 per unit/month (no initial cost)
The Dashlink system is a standalone ELD solution with all the basic features — it automatically tallies up hours of service (HOS), it records duty status, and it generates reports. Also included are a few noteworthy additions that include a fuel-tracking ability and notifications to let managers know when they're at risk for a violation. Dashlink also displays traffic conditions to help drivers know what their ETA is and how it may change in the near future. Top features include:
- Fuel tracking
- Risk notifications
- Traffic display
- GPS tracking
- Free Trial
- Serves fleets of all sizes
BigRoad offers a free trial and free demo, with free downloadable materials on their website that include guides, videos, and ebooks. The Dashlink ELD solution bundle offers plug-and-play hardware units for each vehicle which can be easily installed and paired with the BigRoad mobile app through Bluetooth, but it does not charge an upfront hardware cost. It costs $25 per month, per user, with annual billing required for any fleets under 10 vehicles. A full fleet management service is also available, at around $40 per month, per vehicle.


Pros
- Driver-friendly notifications and traffic alerts
- Saves money by tracking fuel use
- Includes location tracking
Cons
- Features are limited
Verizon Connect's ELD solution is baked into their larger fleet management system, Verizon Connect Reveal. While this might scare off fleets looking for a quick ELD-compliant solution, it actually offers the largest possible cost savings for most fleets, as it includes access to optimizing features like live maps and geofencing, as well as options for field service and asset tracking add-ons. Our researchers scored it 4.7/5 overall, the highest score of any top FMS service alongside Samsara.
The main ELD add-on is called Logbook, and gives drivers the notifications they need to track their HOS and avoid violations, while giving managers an eagle's-eye view of which drivers have the time to take on another assignment.
- Risk warning alerts for drivers
- Administrator dashboard
- Phone and online support
- Free demo
- Strong Support
Support options include phone, live online, chatbots, webinars, and training materials. Logbook includes the engine connectivity hardware for free, and includes a free demo, though fleets will need to provide their own smartphones and tablets in order to run the drivers' mobile apps.
Verizon does not make their Connect Reveal pricing public, so you'll need to get in touch for a personalized quote — our quick quotes form can help you contact Verizon as well as other leading FMS vendors if you'd like to contrast their price point against the competition.
Check out our full Verizon Connect review for all the details.


Pros
- Comes with full FMS features
- Easy to adapt with field service/asset tracking add-ons
- Hardware units are free with free installation
Cons
- The ELD solution is only available in the FMS bundle, and is not standalone
GPS Insight offers an ELD-compliant service, its Hours of Service Solution. In addition to guaranteed FMCSA E-log mandate compliance, the service delivers on the DVIRs that make sure a vehicle's preventative maintenance needs are accounted for with pre- and post-trip inspection prompts. It also uses both audible and visual alerts to ensure drivers constantly keep their remaining hours at the top of their mind, which lets them make the most of their time and keeps the business running at peak efficiency. Alerts can be set up for a variety of categories in addition to maintenance, including management, safety, vehicle health, and assets. Top features include:
- Two-way messaging
- GPS location tracking
- Wide variety of alerts, including DVIR inspection
- 24/7 Technical Support
- Serves fleets of all sizes
Fleet management features are included in this solution, as well. The GPS Insight Hours of Service solution includes two-way messaging for better driver-manager communication, and, thanks to GPS location tracking, lets managers know where their drivers are at all time. Managers can dispatch jobs with auto-generated step-by-step instructions that guide drivers to their next location. The end result is a streamlined operation that can respond rapidly to unexpected events like delivering rapid roadside assistance in the case of a breakdown.
Fleets can self-install the hardware units or can opt for GPS Insight’s installation network, depending on the size of their fleet. The Hours of Service solution is available as an add-on to the Standard fleet management plan. You'll need to get in touch with GPS Insight for a quote, as it can vary based on industry, fleet size, and other factors.


Pros
- Easy manager/driver communication
- 24/7 support
- Simple GPS tracking
Cons
- No auto-refresh, so you'll need to do it manually
Like Samsara, Teletrac Navman Director is a popular FMS service that's worth the hype: It earned a solid 4.2/5 score from our researchers. Its ELD-specific compliance module, Director ELD, includes role-based support for drivers and administrators. It offers both on-demand and live ELD training, including a range of courses preloaded on each ELD device. Top features include:
- Route optimization
- Role-Based Support
- Google Maps traffic alerts
- Free Demo
- 24/7 Phone Support
- On Demand and Live Training Courses
The Director ELD features are particularly attractive for managers who want a central location to keep an eye on all their vehicles. Managers can see at a glance which vehicles in their fleet are on duty, off duty, driving, at risk, or in violation of the ELD mandate. They can also easily see their drivers' names, vehicle numbers, current location, time of last update, and duty status all from a Driver Overview dashboard. Drivers, meanwhile, can use their in-cab Drive tablets to expedite roadside inspections with a special one-click DOT inspection feature, and can receive audible and visual HOS violation alerts.
Live customer support is available through phone, email and online. Automatic route optimization is not supported, but the system can integrate with third-party solutions. Teletrac Navman doesn't make their pricing public, but you can expect prices to start at $25 per month and rise depending on fleet size, which makes their service inexpensive for the industry average. Once you have their ELD solution, it is easy to grade to their FMS, or other solutions including fleet safety and workflow management software.


Pros
- Centralized data
- Great employee training
- Easy to upgrade
Cons
- Contracts may be for three years
The Geotab GO software solution can be bought directly from the telematics supplier Geotab, for use with their hardware, but the best version is available through the Lytx FMS solution, making this another ELD-compliance service that brings the full power of fleet management to bear. Lytx's FMS solution includes RAIR compliance services for DOT and CSA scores, GPS tracking and dash cams, so adding Geotab’s ELD lets you meet all compliance needs through one central dashboard. Top features include:
- Secure cloud-based data upload
- HOS tracking
- Driver notifications
- GPS tracking
- DOT and CSA compliance
Geotab GO through Lytx uses a cloud-upload process to store data recorded both from the driver's mobile app (duty status logs) and from the hardware unit (GPS location and engine data). As a result, all data is securely backed up at all times. It's the most reliable way to store ELD compliance reports.
Managers can easily track each vehicle's speed, idle times, stops, distance and duration from one dashboard, and can quickly monitor any violations that might occur. All the extra data makes it easy for managers to spot recurring patterns that might help them avoid violations or increase driver safety. Support is available at Lytx via phone or support ticket. You'll need to get in touch with Lytx for a personalized quote.


Pros
- Intuitive interface
- Most secure ELD due to cloud storage
- Easy to use with full Lytx FMS
Cons
- Only available bundled with other Lytx compliance services or its full FMS
Azuga eLogs, Azuga's ELD compliance solution, is available through the software company as an add-on to their full FMS bundle which includes GPS tracking and geofencing among other fleet management perks. Our researchers gave the full FMS a 4.3/5 score, although the ELD itself is more pared down.
The service's eLogs handle HOS logs and DVIR reports alike, offering alerts on hour limits to ensure drivers know when they are at risk of a violation. Top features include:
- Driver alerts
- Geofencing
- Custom locations
- 30-second refresh time
- Route optimization
- Driver Scores
- 24/7 Support
- Serves fleets of all sizes
With the intuitive interface, drivers will be able to tell at a glance how many hours they have remaining on a shift or a cycle with little effort. Managers, meanwhile, will have a comprehensive, timely, and error-free look at their fleet: The FMS allows them to track everything from driving events like speeding and hard braking to cell phone distractions or regular service warnings. Reports can be generated for stops, time cards, diagnostics, idling, speed reports, and more.
Plug-and-play Azuga Tracker units are the only hardware needed for the eLogs and FMS — they'll plug into a vehicle's OBDII port, with no costly installation needed. The eLogs service is an add-on to the main FMS, and additional add-ons include dash cam functionality and asset tracking. Azuga offers three FMS plans: BasicFleet, for $25 per vehicle, per month; SafeFleet, for $30 per vehicle, per month; and CompleteFleet, for $35 per vehicle, per month. Read more in our full Azuga review.


Pros
- Intuitive Interface
- Streamlined Communication
- Strong Support
Cons
- Only available bundled with the Azuga Fleet FMS
What's Better Than the Best ELD?
What can beat the features of the best ELD? A full fleet management system (FMS) – designed to serve the same needs, and do a whole lot more.
All of the best fleet management software providers offer data tracking that maintains ELD compliance. Granted, an FMS will cost more per vehicle than an ELD – but an FMS pays for itself over time, thanks to its many money-saving features.
An FMS can be worth adopting early, too, given the infrastructure it offers. For example, with a simple ELD like the Garmin eLog, you won't get a central dashboard that can support a manager’s routing and dispatch management.
If a small fleet starts to grow, its need for better routing features will grow, too. Avoiding an upgrade to a full FMS means that a fleet will miss out on chances to improve routing efficiency — as well as the financial savings that would result.
Here’s a look at how the two fleet-oriented services overlap in terms of features.
ELD vs. Fleet Management Software
Typical ELD | Typical FMS | |
Per-vehicle monthly costs start at | $15-20 | $30-50 |
Ensures legal compliance | Yes | Yes |
Contract length | 1 year | 1-3 years |
Installation | Plug-and-play or hardwired | Plug-and-play or hardwired |
Tracks fuel | Depends on vendor | Yes |
Routing and dispatch | No | Yes |
Route optimization | No | Yes |
Vehicle diagnostics | No | Yes |
Safety alerts | Depends on vendor | Yes |
Geofencing | No | Yes |
Inventory management | No | Yes |
Asset tracking | No | Depends on vendor |
Best ELD Devices With Fleet Management Included
If you’re open to exploring fleet management companies, these are the top ELD-compliant choices to consider.
Verizon Connect
The biggest of the FMS options, Verizon Connect offers a fleet management system that tracks IFTA, DVIR, and ELD data. As an FMS, however, the service offers far more ways to save fuel than simply tracking IFTA data.
Route optimization finds the best routes, while real-time route updates help drivers avoid bad traffic. Unneeded idle times and fuel card fraud can be tracked and deterred, while additional features include work order delivery, engine diagnostics, and weather alerts.
Fleets that need to track high-value assets can opt for Verizon Connect Asset Tracking – this lets managers locate non-vehicle assets in real time through a desktop or mobile interface, in order to deter theft and further boost efficiency. Field service management software can also be added to the central dashboard.
For more on features, pricing, and support, check out Tech.co’s full Verizon Connect review.
Samsara
As mentioned above, Samsara’s ELD service can be upgraded smoothly to an FMS service. The FMS retains the same dashboard, but adds features including routing and dispatch, driver safety, vehicle diagnostics, improved fuel tracking, and asset tracking.
The easy-to-use interface, intuitive hardware units, and 24/7 support options make this FMS an attractive option, and one that’s easy to adapt if your fleet doesn’t need a full FMS yet, but plans to use one in the future.
Read Tech.co’s full review of Samsara FMS for more details on its features, support options, and pricing.
Teletrac Navman
Teletrac Navman provides more features than a high-end ELD, but at a lower cost than a typical FMS. If you’ve read this far, you’ll likely recognize its ELD compliance, GPS fleet tracking, two-way messaging, and safety alert features. In addition, Teletrac tracks drivers’ fuel usage, idle times, vehicle authorization, harsh turning, rapid acceleration, or instances of speeding – any of which can be set to automatically send alerts to managers when triggered.
A customizable dashboard allow managers to decide which KPIs are the most important, and whether they’d prefer to see their fleet in real time via the satellite view, a GPS map, a list of vehicles, or even a street-level camera.
Check out Tech.co’s full Teletrac Navman review for more details on these features, pricing, and support.
GPS Insight
This FMS lets managers view their fleet’s real-time activity easily within its dashboard on desktop and mobile. They'll be able to track maintenance needs, check hours worked against hours claimed, and monitor speeding, idling, or unauthorized usage. With the FMS's historical data, they'll be able to identify trends and take action to extend the life of their vehicles and assets as long as possible.
Available integrations include a wide variety of vendors and services, from Asana and Wex to Service Titan or Fleetio, and these flexible options can extend the value of the GPS Insight FMS even further.
GPS Trackit
The GPS Trackit FMS collects all the data and features a fleet manager needs: Interactive maps, historical data, driver scorecards, mobile access, and the ability to search for the vehicle nearest to any given point. It supports fuel management, automated email reports, dual-facing dash cams, and temperature monitoring, making it a great choice for a specialized fleet that needs to monitor extra details like how cold their trailers are. Granular geofencing functionality allows managers to set boundaries and establish what's off-limits. Automated reporting can be customized to deliver exactly what each unique fleet needs to function at peak capacity.
In addition to all that, asset and vehicle theft protection features are available, giving fleets and drivers 24/7 visiblility of their most valuable possessions. Training materials are provided for the GPS Trackit solution, although it's a fairly easy-to-adapt technology.
These five FMS systems are far from your only options: Check out Tech.co’s comparison of the best fleet management systems for a more detailed breakdown.
How Did We Compare the Best ELD Device Providers?
Tech.co's team of researchers rounded up all the top FMS and ELD services in the US in order to comprehensively rank them. First, they identified six areas of investigation, scoring each provider on a five-point scale for each of these separate criteria.
- Price: Everything connected to how much the user pays, including contract length, free trials, and hidden fees.
- Tracking: Features related to GPS tracking and route optimization.
- Driver management: Features related to safety tracking, crash reporting, and other driver-focused tools.
- Vehicle management: Features related to the vehicle, including theft prevention, fuel tracking, and maintenance scheduling.
- General product features: What apps, compliance measures, and third-party integrations are available?
- Support: What are the hours or types of help and support offered?
Once each brand was tested and every feature logged, all six scores were compiled into a single five-point ranking for each service. So, when we tell you which service is best and why, you can rest assured that we have the data to back up our stance.
Next Steps for Choosing ELD Tracking Software
The vendor-specific costs listed in our guide are intended as guidelines – prices in the ELD industry are rarely public knowledge, and are always subject to change. Once you know which vendors you are interested in, you'll want to compare prices to make sure you're getting the best deal. If you operate a large enough fleet, the vendor may offer you a custom quote aimed specifically at your needs.
To find the best prices to ensure ELD compliance while saving your operation money in the long term, you’ll need to find and compare prices which are tailored to you. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, though – just take a couple minutes to fill out Tech.co’s handy fleet management quote comparison tool, and you can easily track down the best ELD-compliant fleet management system for your business.
Our Verdict: The Best ELD Devices
That said, if you have a little more budegt to invest, Samsara may be a better choice in the long run, given its better support options and full suite of operational features, which will save you more money over time, keep your drivers safe, and help you stay ahead of your competitors.
The best way to find the right ELD device service for your specific business needs is to compare custom quotes across all the top ELD services before you make a final decision.
- The requirements of the federal ELD mandate — This is covered in Tech.co’s guide to the ELD mandate.
- The features your fleet requires — ELD compliance is a must, but fuel tracking, two-way messaging, and even the maintenance or safety features of a full FMS may be useful as well.
- The features offered by each ELD service — This guide covers the key features offered by each of the top ELD vendors.
- The price range your operation needs — You’ll need to balance the long term benefits of adopting a feature-rich ELD against the short term financial burden the upfront costs represent.
Once you have all four of these factors at the front of your mind, you’ll be ready to pick the best ELD for your needs. If you're still unsure, it's also worth going through the FMCSA's checklist to make sure you've got everything covered.
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