Best ELD Devices for Trucks in 2026 – Which One Is Best?

After 100 hours of testing 14 different options, we found that Samsara is the best ELD provider for most logistics businesses. It offers strong compliance covering IFTA and DVIR and time-saving features like route optimization and vehicle management, making it a full-on fleet management system.

There are a lot of ELD providers to choose from though, and picking the right ELD is crucial for avoiding hefty fines, as these devices are required by law for nearly all commercial motor vehicles in the US.

This guide breaks down the details on Samsara and other top ELDs to help you find a cost-effective and Department of Transportation (DOT)-compliant solution for your fleet.

In this guide:

• Which ELD Devices Have Been Revoked By FMCSA?
• Best ELD Devices: Reviews
• Which ELD Devices Are Cross-Border Compliant?
• What Are the Benefits of Using an ELD?
• How to Choose the Right ELD
• What’s the Difference Between ELD and Fleet Management Software?
• Methodology: How We Rank the Best ELD Devices
• Verdict: What Is the Best ELD Device?
• FAQs

FMCSA Revoked Devices: Updated 2026

All ELDs must be registered with and meet the technical standards outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It’s important to keep up-to-date with FMCSA’s Revoked Devices List to ensure your device is compliant before purchasing.

Here are the latest revoked devices as of January 2026:

• SUNSET LOGBOOK – Self-revoked 01/16/2026
• SUNSET LOGS – Self-revoked 01/16/2026
• PREMIERRIDE LOGS – Revoked 01/13/2026
• STATE ELOGS 2 – Revoked 01/13/2026
• SP LOGBOOK – Self-revoked 01/07/2026

Best ELDs for Truckers: Full Reviews

We’ve turned all our research and tests into five reviews of all the high-quality ELDs you should consider. Take a look at how they match up against each other in the table above.

1. Samsara – Best for a full fleet management solution
2. Matrack ELD – Best affordable ELD-compliant solution
3. GPS Insight – Best for comprehensive customer support
4. Gorilla Safety ELD – Best for in-depth document management
5. BigRoad Dashlink ELD – Best for seasonal fleets

1. Samsara ELD: Best for a Full Fleet Management Solution

Price from: Custom
Best for: Truckers who need full fleet management

Samsara’s ELD is the best option for fleet managers who are interested in a complete fleet management service. This is because its features, like compliance, route optimization, and driver and vehicle management tools, give fleet managers everything they need to streamline operations.

Samsara’s broad range of functionality makes it particularly attractive today, when fleets are suffering major unforeseen disruptions like extreme weather events more than ever: a hefty 30% cited disruptions as the biggest cause of spiking operational pressure in a February 2026 Tech.co survey, up from just 21% the month before.

What do we like about Samsara’s ELD?

• Strong compliance: Samsara’s reporting functions cover International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) fuel tracking and Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR), which ensures easy DOT compliance. Dispatchers also receive alerts directly for compliance violations.
• Useful mobile app: Users report Samsara’s mobile app is easy-to-use overall, which is great for managers who want to keep a handle on operations while on-the-go.
• Simple plug-and-play setup: Samsara’s ELDs plug directly into a vehicle engine via its on-board diagnostics (OBD) port and connect to a mobile app that drivers can use to track and log their vehicle data in real time. This means a professional is not needed to install the system.
• Clear dashboard: Dispatchers can see the hours of service (HOS) for all their drivers in a central location. This is a key benefit, as Tech.co’s January 2026 survey data shows compliance is the biggest type of regulation fleets are focused on today, with 56% choosing it over options like environmental or English language proficency regulation.
• Minimum contract length: Samsara requires a longer commitment than many other ELDs, but if you would prefer a rolling monthly contract, we’d recommend Matrack.

Samsara’s compliance tools allow drivers to track their hours of service with tablets or smartphones. Source: Samsara

How do I install a Samsara ELD?

The devices are easy to connect and set up, with installation guidance available through the app if needed. You’ll just need to locate the diagnostic port, attach the connector cable, and hook up the other end of the cable to the ELD device.

Managers can easily upgrade to Samsara’s full fleet management service while retaining the ELD-specific software’s dashboard and app infrastructure.

2. Matrack ELD: Best Priced ELD Compliance

Price from: $19.95 per month, no contracts
Best for: Truckers on a budget

The Matrack ELD hardware device comes free with its monthly subscription, which starts at $19.95 per month and goes up to $24.95 per month if you choose the premium plan. This makes Matrack the cheapest no-contract option on our list, and we’d recommend it for trucking operations that want to keep costs low while managing a small fleet.

What do we like about Matrack’s ELD?

• No contract: There’s no contract with Matrack, unlike our top choice, Samsara. Better yet, users will receive a lifetime warranty and can cancel at any time, making it the ELD we’d recommend for businesses that want maximum flexibility.
• Hardware included: Matrack ELD’s hardware is included free in your monthly software subscription, so managers won’t have to worry about additional costs in this area.
• Easy-to-use features: Matrack includes geofencing, data logging, data history, and an optional IFTA report tracking add-on. It also provides an audit trail and a time clock that logs an employee’s hours worked.

However, Matrack doesn’t have efficiency features like fuel comparisons, route optimization, and driver safety tools. That could be a problem: Tech.co data shows that logistics businesses are focused on optimizing routes for fuel efficiency, since 47% picked this as their biggest focus in our January 2026 survey.

This suggests ELDs might only be the tip of the iceberg for what logistics firms need today, so you might be better off opting for a system with more advanced features.

The Matrack ELD offers geofencing, so managers can be warned when a truck leaves or enters a restricted area. Source: Matrack

How do I install a Matrack ELD?

Matrack ELDs connect with a nine-pin port, so adding the hardware should be a simple process. Once the hardware is connected, you can log into your account and find the ELD.

You’ll need to have your vehicle turned on and your Bluetooth connection open to see the device on your account. An amber light will turn on when the ELD has been powered up by your vehicle starting up.

3. GPS Insight: Best for Customer Support Options

Price from: $14.95 per month
Best for: Truckers who need support with ELDs

GPS Insight’s standout quality is its great customer support. It’s one of just a few providers to offer 24/7 support via phone and email, as well as an online knowledge base, along with Motive and Omnitracs. This makes it a great option for businesses that know they will need additional assistance with using an ELD.

What do we like about GPS Insight’s ELD?

• Solid customer support: GPS Insight offers 24/7 customer support via phone and email, and has an online knowledge base. This makes it a great option for managers that need additional assistance with ELD devices.
• Account manager feature: GPS Insight is our highest-rated ELD to offer an account manager to users, as neither Samsara nor Matrack offer this support perk.
• Cost-effective: Plans start at just $14.95 per month and rise to as much as $32.95 per month, making GPS Insight one of the more cost-effective solutions for small and medium fleets that need fleet management alongside GPS tracking.
• Great safety features: GPS Insight uses audible and visual alerts to ensure truckers keep their remaining hours at the forefront of their minds, which helps the business run at peak efficiency. Alerts can also be set up for management, safety, vehicle health, and assets. That’s great news for the 56% of respondents who named safety as a core focus in Tech.co’s latest industry survey.
• Advanced fleet management: GPS Insight offers fuel reports and traffic updates on a live map, as well as two-way messaging, which is highly beneficial for improving driver-manager communication.
• Maintenance tracking: Another advanced GPS Insight tool is preventative maintenance tracking, a crucial tool for vehicle upkeep, which 22% of fleets flagged as a top priority in a February 2026 Tech.co survey.
• GPS location tracking: With Matrack, managers can know where their drivers are at all times with GPS location tracking. They can also dispatch jobs with auto-generated step-by-step instructions that guide drivers to their next location, creating a framework that can respond rapidly to unexpected events, such as rapid roadside assistance in the case of a breakdown.

GPS Insight’s live map tracks assets and vehicles, with updates every 30 seconds. Source: Tech.co testing

How do I install a GPS Insight ELD?

Fleets can self-install the hardware units, both plug-in and hardwired. The hardwired devices are a little tougher to install, but GPS Insight has a video guide available online. The HOS solution is available as an add-on to the Standard fleet management plan.

4. Gorilla Safety ELD: Best for Document Management

Price from: $250 upfront
Best for: Truckers who want properly organized and in-depth paperwork

Gorilla Safety offers great document management tools, grouping paperwork into 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.

All these tools make the service useful for fleets that need to keep all their paperwork handy and well-sorted, particularly if you are a manager with a large amount of drivers and vehicles.

What do we like about Gorilla Safety’s ELD?

• Document tracking feature: Gorilla Safety’s has a unique feature that allows drivers to scan and digitally file documents into 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.” It can also help speed up the journey to paperless.
• No minimum contracts: Gorilla Safety offers no minimum contracts, and so fleet managers can trial the system as long as they need, depending on their business needs.
• Good customer support: Gorilla Safety offers an online knowledge center, with support hours from 7am to 7pm CT on weekdays. This pales in comparison to the 24/7 support available from Samsara and Matrack, but is better than GPS Insight’s offering.

Managers should be aware that features like fuel tracking, remote document delivery, DOT inspections, and DVIR reporting are reserved for Gorilla Safety’s more expensive plans.

The basic Gorilla Safety plan, Prime8 ELD, offers truckers full compliance with US regulations. Source: Gorilla Safety

How do I install a Gorilla Safety ELD?

The ELD installation process is just as easy as any other plug-and-play hardware we’ve mentioned in this guide: Gorilla Safety claims the process takes just one minute.

5. BigRoad Dashlink ELD: Best for Seasonal Fleets

Price from: $25 per month
Best for: Truckers who only need a month of ELDs at a time

BigRoad Dashlink’s ELD solution is best for seasonal or intermittent commercial drivers, because of its flexible, no-contract and pay-as-you-go model. You’ll only have to pay for the service when you use it, making it perfect for seasonal fleet operations.

What do we like about BigRoad Dashlink’s ELD?

• Flexible model: BigRoad Dashlink ELD has no upfront cost and an affordable monthly rate, starting at $25 per month. Plus, you’ll only have to pay for the service when you need it, as part of a pay-as-you-go pricing model.
• Standalone solution: BigRoad Dashlink ELD’s system offers all of the necessary core features include HOS tracking, duty status, and report generation – all key features for the 40% of fleets that Tech.co’s latest survey found have made HOS their main regulatory focus. Along with dash cam support, Dashlink offers a full fleet management system bundle for those who need more than just an ELD.
• Affordable pricing: ELD-only plans start at just $25 per month ($15 for the user account and $10 for the ELD). Plus, BigRoad Dashlink doesn’t require you to sign a lengthy contract, making it a great fit for fleets only wanting to pay for the months in which the ELD is used.
• One-year hardware warranty: BigRoad Dashlink offers a fuel-tracking ability and notifications ahead of a violation on top of a one-year hardware warranty, meaning managers are covered if hardware isn’t up to scratch.
• Traffic conditions feature: BigRoad Dashlink displays traffic conditions to help truckers know what their ETA is and any possible changes.
• Good customer support: The support hours aren’t specified, but there is an online knowledge center and there are account managers available, as well as free downloadable materials on BigRoad Dashlink’s website, including guides, videos, and ebooks.

BigRoad’s ELD includes support for dash cams, a perk that not all ELDs will offer. Source: BigRoad

How do I install a Dashlink ELD?

Like other plug-and-play devices, you’ll need an adaptor cable that fits your vehicle’s six-pin or nine-pin port. Once it’s plugged in, you’ll just have to log into your app to connect to the device.

No live installation aid is offered, but this is fairly rare for ELDs: Samsara and Omnitracs are among the few that offer in-person installation help.

Which ELDs Are Border-Crossing Compliant?

Below, we outline if and how each provider reconciles US-Canada border-crossing requirements for international fleets.

What Are the Benefits of Using an ELD?

It’s tough to overstate how important ELDs are for the modern US fleet.

The amount of fleets planning to adapt ELDs wasn’t that high in our latest survey (29% plan to, compared to 48% that want asset tracking, or 46% that want route optimization), but that’s likely because so many fleets already have them: ELDs are a regulated requirement for truckers in 2026.

Here are all the money-saving benefits these devices offer:

• DOT compliance: Yes, you are required to use an ELD in the US in 2026, so getting set up with one can ensure you don’t incur hefty fines.
• Fuel efficiency: Many ELDs can track fuel consumption and idle time, allowing you to monitor your usage and adjust accordingly.
• Reduce maintenance costs: ELDs can also monitor your vehicle health, allowing you to make repairs before larger issues arise.
• Minimize paperwork: Instead of paper logs, ELDs automate and digitize the tracking process to save you time and money.
• Improve accuracy: Given the digital system, an ELD can make sure that your fleet information is as accurate as possible, without human errors.
• Limit accidents: ELDs can monitor driver behavior, so you can ensure that they aren’t driving erratically or dangerously while on the road.

How to Choose the Right ELD

The most important thing to consider when choosing the right ELD is whether the device complies with the current DOT laws and regulations.

Similarly, the device must be registered and approved by FMCSA. You should keep a close eye on FMCSA’s list of registered and revoked devices, to ensure you’re aware of which systems are allowed.

Here are the some of the other questions you should also ask yourself when choosing an ELD for your fleet:

What’s the Difference Between ELD and Fleet Management Software?

An ELD must meet a strict set of DOT compliance criteria from the FMCSA. This includes:

• Log and send records for the driver’s current 24-hour period
• Log and send records for the driver’s previous consecutive seven days
• Produce data file(s) of 30 days’ worth of records of duty status (RODS)

In addition, the motor carrier must keep records going back six months. Check out the FMCSA’s website for further clarification.

In contrast, fleet management software (FMS) offers broader operational tools, like route optimization and vehicle diagnostics, which may provide greater value despite higher fleet management costs.

All of the best FMS providers offer data tracking that helps maintain DOT compliance. If a small fleet starts to add even more trucks, it’ll need better routing features, too. Avoiding an upgrade to a full FMS means that a fleet will miss out on chances to improve routing efficiency — and the financial savings that come with it. 

TransVac LLC, an operation with 36 trucks and two locations, upgraded from paper logs to BigRoad’s Dashlink ELD in one case study. They found three big benefits: it was easier to use, it minimized violations, and it maximized fleet efficiency.

If you’re an owner-operator (who doesn’t have an ELD exemption), an ELD should be enough to handle your needs, though, as fleet management software is designed for — you guessed it — managing an entire fleet, rather than just a single truck.

Here’s a look at how the two fleet-oriented services overlap in terms of features:

Which ELD Devices Have Fleet Management Included?

For fleets needing more than basic compliance, several top ELD providers like Verizon Connect, Samsara, and Teletrac Navman integrate ELD functions into comprehensive systems.

You can also read our guides to the best trucking software and the best route planning systems.

Verizon Connect

• Tracks IFTA, DVIR, and ELD data.
• Offers route optimization software, with real-time route updates to help drivers avoid bad traffic. This is a constant issue for fleets: Tech.co’s latest survey found 47% of fleets say they’re focusing ways to reduce idling time.
• Unneeded idles times and fuel card fraud can be tracked and deterred. Additional features include work order delivery, engine diagnostics, and weather alerts.
• Offers asset tracking, which lets managers locate non-vehicle assets in real-time from a desktop or mobile interface, helping deter theft and boost efficiency.
• Offers field service management software as part of the central dashboard, which allows managers to coordinate and manage their drivers and resources.

Check out Tech.co’s full Verizon Connect review.

When paired with the Verizon Connect Reveal fleet software, Verizon’s dash cams can give managers a street view of all vehicles at once. Source: Tech.co testing

Samsara

• Includes routing and dispatch, driver safety, vehicle diagnostics, improved fuel tracking, and asset tracking.
• Easy-to-use interface. We found the interface easy to navigate, which will benefit drivers not used to advanced systems.
• Intuitive hardware units that Samsara mails to customers for free, allowing managers to install and trial the devices for up to 30 days, if you opt for a free trial.
• Email, chatbot, and 24/7 live support available. 

Check out Tech.co’s full Samsara review. 

Samsara’s route-optimization software uses AI to make travel time as short as possible. Source: Samsara

Teletrac Navman

• Offers ELD compliance, GPS fleet tracking, two-way messaging, and safety alert features.
• Tracks drivers’ fuel usage, idle times, vehicle authorization, harsh turning, rapid acceleration, or instances of speeding. These can be set to automatically send alerts to managers when triggered. This is particularly important, as data from Tech.co shows that the rising cost of fuel is a significant pain point for logistics businesses in 2025.
• Has a customizable dashboard to allow managers to decide which KPIs are most important.
• Offers different views based on whether managers want to see their fleet in real-time using the satellite view, via a GPS map, a list of vehicles, or even a street-level camera.

Check out Tech.co’s full Teletrac Navman review.

Users can view dash cameras within the Teletrac Navman system. Source: Teletrac

How Do We Evaluate ELD Devices?

To find the best ELD device, we analyzed products from the top ELD providers in the US. We focused on the criteria that fleet managers told us were important to them to accurately rank and rate each one.

What we analyzed:

• Reporting (30%): Compliance tools including HOS logs, driver reports, DVIR, and alerts. This was weighted the highest because these functions are the purpose of the system.
• Price (25%): Costs, contracts, warranties, and how easily the ELD can be expanded to a full fleet system. This category was weighted second highest because businesses want ELD compliance at the most cost-effective price point.
• Mobile app (20%): iOS and Android apps, and their customer ratings. This was weighted third highest because this nifty add-on feature increases the ease and flexibility of DOT compliance.
• Installation (15%): Installation fees and services, plus the type of hardware unit offered. This was weighted second lowest — most ELD services offer similar installation options, so these factors don’t play a large role in comparative difference.
• Customer support (10%): Email, phone, online help centers, or account managers. This was rated the lowest — while still important, support options aren’t specific to ELD as a product, so they’re less likely to influence a purchase decision.

Once each ELD device has been tested and ranked, we award a single five-star score for each service, allowing us to compare them in this guide.

FAQs