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Samsara offers the best ELD device for truckers in 2024. Samsara gives users all the compliance and tracking tools needed in an ELD, as well as an impressive array of features, including two-way messaging, GPS location tracking, and even 24/7 support. It’s a key offering for businesses that might be new to ELD technology.
Your fleet almost certainly needs an ELD system: Any drivers who don’t comply with the federal ELD mandate risk hefty fines. If your operation needs to save on fuel costs or boost its vehicle lifecycles with a better maintenance schedule, you might want to expand your search beyond traditional ELD devices.
In this guide, we’ll showcase some of the best ELD devices available today and help you decide if top fleet management software options – which include ELD compliance features and much more – might be a better fit.
Top 3 ELD Devices
We examined all the leading ELDs on the market, rating them across various categories, such as integrations, pricing, support options, mobile support, and compliance features. Here are our top three best ELD devices for 2024:
- Samsara – Best overall, being easy to set up and use, with unbeatable upgrade options and a strong mobile app.
- Matrack ELD – Best for basics, with all the necessary compliance features and low pricing.
- GPS Insight – Great location and HOS tracking, with plenty of automated alerts.
Learn more about our in-depth research process
Best ELD Devices: Quick Comparison
Before we start listing features and explaining costs, take a minute to preview all twelve of the top ELD brands with a comparison table. These prices and features are all accurate, as of our November 2024 update.
Price from Publically available price for lowest-cost plan | ELD rating Tech.co rating out of 5, based on impartial comparative research analysis of ELD devices | Key benefit | Automatic Route Optimizing | Contract Length | HOS Tracking Hours of Service are used to determine the number and length of federally mandated rest periods | DVIR Reporting Driver Vehicle Inspection Report must be completed daily by federal mandate | Compliance alerts Alerts managers to federal compliance violations. | Installation | Customer Support | |||
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BEST OVERALL | Lytx with Geotab GO Cloud ELD | |||||||||||
4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.2 | |
Best combination of features and support | Budget-friendly pricing | Simple location tracking | Streamlined paperwork and maintenance | Displays traffic conditions | Durable hardware units | A good, cheap, all-round solution | No contracts | Easy plug-and-play install | Most features and add-ons | Reliable, centralized reports | Fleet manager-friendly features | |
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3 years | Monthly rolling | On Request | Monthly rolling | 1 year | 3 years | 1 year | Monthly rolling | On Request | 3 years | On Request | 1 year | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | |
OBD2 plug and play | OBD2 plug and play | Plug in or hardwired | OBD2 plug and play | Plug in or hardwired | Plug in or hardwired | Plug in or hardwired | OBD2 plug and play | OBD2 plug and play, app | Plug in or hardwired | OBD2 plug and play | OBD2 plug and play | |
24/7 | M-F: 8-5 PST | 24/7 | M-F: 7-7 CT | 24/7 | M-F: 5-6 PT (Sat: 8-2) | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 – Spanish & English | |
See Pricing | Compare Quotes | Compare Quotes | Compare Quotes | Compare Quotes | Compare Quotes | Visit Motive | Compare Quotes | Visit Azuga | Visit Verizon | Compare Quotes | Visit Teletrac |
We’ve turned all our research and tests into five big reviews for our tip-top picks, as well as short reviews for all the other high-quality ELDs to consider. Take a look at how they match up against each other in the table below and click the corresponding links below to see a more in-depth look at these ELD options.
The best ELD devices in 2024:
- Samsara – Best overall ELDs
- Matrack ELD – Best-priced ELD compliance
- GPS Insight – Best for customer support
- Gorilla Safety ELD – Best for document management
- BigRoad’s Dashlink ELD – Best for seasonal fleets
- EROAD Ehubo ELD –Best for ease of use
- Motive ELD (formerly KeepTruckin) – Best for advanced fleets
- GPS Trackit ELD – Best for simple maintenance
- Azuga eLogs – Best for quick adaptation
- Verizon Connect ELD – Best for add-ons and extras
- Lytx with Geotab GO Cloud ELD – Best for data security
- Teletrac Navman ELD – Best for fleet manager support
Pros
- Excellent value plans for small businesses
- Easy learning curve for beginners
- Strong 24/7 support to solve problems
Cons
- Frequent software updates can be tough to keep up with
Samsara’s ELD is the best option for fleet managers who are also interested in a complete fleet management service. The provider’s ELD features alone stand out for two reasons. For one, we found the mobile app easy to use, which is always nice. On top of that, the reporting functions cover International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) fuel tracking and Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) for easy compliance.
It has a minimum contract length of three years, so Samsara requires a longer commitment than many other ELDs. If you would prefer a rolling monthly contract, take a look at Matrack, our second top pick on this list.
Samsara’s compliance tools allow drivers to track their hours of service with tablets or smartphones. Source: Samsara
Samara’s ELDs plug 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 hours of service (HOS) for all of their drivers in one central location. They will also receive alerts for compliance violations.
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.
Pros
- Easy to use even for beginners
- Hardware free with $19.95/month plan
- Fuel tax tracking available on plans
Cons
- No two-way messaging
- Dispatch only with add-on
The Matrack ELD hardware device comes free with its monthly subscription, which starts at $19.95 per month and goes up to $25.95 per month (if you choose the Premium Plan). Users will receive a lifetime warranty and can cancel at any time because they won’t be bound by a contract, unlike Samsara and its three-year contract.
This makes Matrack the cheapest no-contract option on our list, and a great pick for trucking operations that don’t have much runway and need to keep their costs low.
The Matrack ELD offers geofencing, so managers can be warned when a truck leaves or enters a restricted area. Source: Matrack
Our research found that Matrack is a nimble ELD solution, in contrast to the more powerful Samsara. Two-way messaging is not offered, and dispatch is only through an add-on.
Still, Matrack exeeds expectations in other areas: It offers a strong range of features that are easy to use, an audit trail, and the ability to keep a timeclock that logs an employee’s hours worked.
All that to say, Matrack is an inexpensive solution providing the basics for those who need ELD compliance without additional efficiency features like fuel comparisons, route optimization, and driver safety tools.
Pros
- Easy manager/driver communication
- 24/7 support to help solve your problems
- Simple to use GPS tracking
Cons
- No auto-refresh, so you'll need to do it manually
GPS Insight’s standout quality is its great customer support. Along with Motive and Omnitracs, it’s one of just a few providers to offer 24/7 support via phone and email, as well as an online knowledge base. Plus, GPS Insight is our highest-rated ELD to offer account managers to users, as neither Samsara or Matrack offer this support perk.
For trucker safety, 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. In addition to maintenance, alerts can be set up for management, safety, vehicle health, and assets.
GPS Insight’s live map tracks assets and vehicles, with updates every 30 seconds. Source: Tech.co
Fleet management features are also included in this solution, from maintenance tracking to fuel reports to traffic updates on a live map. As with our other top picks, Samsara and Matrack, GPS Insight includes two-way messaging for better driver-manager communication. We’ve reviewed the full GPS Insight fleet management system here.
Thanks to GPS location tracking, it lets managers know where their drivers are at all times. 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, such as rapid roadside assistance in the case of a breakdown.
Fleets can self-install the hardware units, both plug-in and hardwired. The HOS solution is available as an add-on to the Standard fleet management plan. Plans can rise to as high as $32.95 per month, but they start at just $14.95 per month, making GPS Insight one of the most cost-effective solutions for small and medium fleets that need fleet management alongside GPS tracking.
Pros
- Great for easy documentation sharing
- Low pricing compared to other options
- Reliable service with a high uptime
Cons
- Support isn't 24/7
- Features are a bit limited compared to alternatives
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 particularly useful for large fleets that need to keep all their paperwork handy and well-sorted.
Gorilla Safety also offers a unique feature: using the app, drivers can switch on document tracking. This will allow 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.” It can also help speed up the journey to paperless. You won’t get similar tools from no-frills compliance ELDs like GPS Insight, which helps Gorilla Safety stand out.
The basic Gorilla Safety plan, Prime8 ELD, offers truckers full compliance with US regulation. Source: Gorilla Safety
The Gorilla Safety ELD used to offer public subscription pricing, but now follows the industry norm and won’t share pricing details until approached for a quote. The service comes with three plans (Prime8 ELD, Fleet Xpress, and Xtreme), with no minimum contracts. You’ll get different options with different plans, with features including fuel tracking, remote document delivery, DOT inspections, and DVIR reporting in the more expensive plans.
Each ELD unit costs $250 if bought to own, but just $7 each if leased. In addition to an online knowledge center, its support hours are from 7am to 7pm CT on weekdays, giving it more hours than GPS Insight, but fewer than Samsara and Matrack’s 24/7 support.
Pros
- Driver-friendly notifications and traffic alerts
- Saves money by tracking fuel use
- Includes location tracking
Cons
- GPS signal drops occasionally
BigRoad’s Dashlink system is a standalone ELD solution, since it offers all of the necessary core features, including hours of service (HOS) tracking, duty status, and report generation. Complete with dash cam support, Dashlink offers a full fleet management system bundle for those who need more than just an ELD. The pricing for this is higher than that of Samsara and Verizon, with Dashlink plans starting at $36 per month.
Dashlink doesn’t require you to sign a lengthy contract, making it a great fit for fleets that operate during one season and will only want to pay for the months in which the ELD is used. Dashlink also comes with a one-year hardware warranty. Included in this is a fuel-tracking ability and notifications ahead of a violation. Dashlink displays traffic conditions to help truckers know what their ETA is and any possible changes.
BigRoad’s ELD includes support for dash cams, a perk that not all ELDs will offer. Source: BigRoad
The support hours are not specified, but there is an online knowledge center and there are account managers available. BigRoad offers free downloadable materials on its website, including guides, videos, and ebooks. No live installation aid is offered, but this is fairly rare for ELDs: Samsara and Omnitracs are among the only few that offer in-person installation help.
Pros
- Data is easy to access due to cloud storage
- Simple to adapt and install
- Fair pricing
- Compliance Breach Alerts
- Fuel tracking
- Handles short-haul exemptions
Cons
- User reviews say mobile interface is small, difficult to read
- Driver app is unrated on Android
- Driver app is poorly rate on iOS
- Starting price offers bare-bones features: More costs $45 or $60 per month
- No traffic alerts
- No auto route optimization
EROAD’s Ehubo device offers the features and functions a fleet needs to track HOS. It offers daily and weekly summaries that cover on-duty status, rests, and resets, as well as needed alerts. Its OBD-II plugin and hardwired devices are available for a self-installation process, so truckers can independently set everything up.
Software-only subscriptions start at $35 per vehicle per month, and this starting cost drops to $25 per vehicle per month for users who commit to upfront hardware purchases as well.
Pros
- Easy to install and learn
- Custom vehicle histories
- 5-year warranties
- Coaching software aids driver safety
- Compliance breach alerts, two-way messaging, vehicle inspections
- Tracks drivers' CSA scores
Cons
- Chat support may leave users unanswered for long periods
- Two-way messaging is not available on mobile
- No in-person training
- Lacks custom locations
- No traffic alerts
- No panic button
A strong suite of features and an easy-to-use interface make Motive a good ELD overall, since it has the key functions that drivers and managers depend on: Fuel tracking, safety alerts, and compliance. Add in the service’s 24/7 support, and you have an ELD option for any fleet that needs to track their HOS in a streamlined, cost-effective manner.
Pros
- Custom alerts
- Option to supply your own hardware
- No contracts needed (monthly rolling)
- Driver behavior scorecards
- Interactive maps, vehicle theft protection and maintenance checklists
- Installation guides in Spanish and Canadian French
Cons
- Price by quote, with full telematics solution only
- No traffic alerts
- No auto route optimization
- No fuel tracking
- Poorly rated mobile apps
- No free trial (but there is a 30-day money-back guarantee)
Like Matrack, GPS Trackit’s ELD system is available to fleets without locking them into a contract. This paid-monthly contract flexibility makes GPS Trackit great for fleets that have limited funds or those that operate seasonally. Plus, the service offers simple, easy to install plug-and-play hardware units and software that delivers all the essential features and abilities for an ELD mandate-compliant system. All customers will also receive a limited lifetime warranty for hardware.
Pros
- Custom locations
- Geofencing
- 30-second refresh time
- Route optimization
- Tracks ELD compliance with OBDII port plug-in - no need for hardwiring
- No costly installation
Cons
- Only available bundled with the Azuga Fleet FMS
- No driver safety ratings
- No crash reporting
- No cargo temperature tracking
- No public pricing
Azuga eLogs, Azuga’s ELD compliance solution, is available through the software company as an add-on to its full fleet management system (FMS) bundle – which includes GPS tracking and geofencing among other fleet management perks. Our researchers like the ELD for its dependable reporting and decent mobile app. Read more in our full Azuga FMS review.
Pros
- Comes with full FMS features
- Integrates with Verizon's field service and asset tracking add-ons
- Hardware units and installation are free
- Live maps, geofencing
- Support options: phone, live online, chatbots, webinars, and training materials
- Field service and asset tracking available as add-ons
Cons
- ELD solution is only available in the FMS bundle, and is not standalone
- Too many features for small fleets
- No public pricing
- Lengthy three-year contracts
Verizon Connect’s ELD solution is baked into its larger fleet management system, Verizon Connect Reveal. While this might scare off fleets in need of a quick ELD-compliant solution, it actually offers the largest possible cost savings for most fleets. This is because it includes access to live maps and geofencing, as well as options for field service and asset tracking add-ons. Our researchers loved the FMS solution, finding that its wide range of features beat any other top FMS service, with the exception of Samsara. However, the ELD alone – if that’s all you’re after – is only okay, as it offers a more limited mobile app.
Pros
- Most secure ELD due to cloud storage
- Easy to use with full Lytx FMS
- Compliance Breach Alerts
- Driver notifications
- RAIR compliance services for CSA scores
- Supports dash cams
Cons
- Only available bundled with other Lytx compliance services or its full FMS
- Hardwired ELDs are not supported
- No public pricing
- No fuel card integrations
- No theft prevention
- No two-way messaging
The Geotab GO software solution can be bought directly from the telematics supplier, Geotab, for use with its hardware. However, the best version is available through the Lytx fleet management solution, making this another ELD-compliance service that brings the full power of fleet management software to bear. You’ll need to get in touch with Lytx for a personalized quote.
Pros
- Great employee training tools
- Google Maps traffic alerts, compliance breach alerts
- Role-based security
- 12-month hardware warranty
- Phone support in both Spanish and English
Cons
- Contracts may be for three years
- No hardwired option
- No public pricing
- Drivers must use in-cab Drive tablet hardware
Like Samsara, Teletrac Navman is a well-known fleet management service provider that’s worth the hype. It earned an okay score from our researchers due to good reporting functions paired with opaque pricing and a lack of hardwired units. This is the same score as the ELD-specific compliance module, Director ELD. Teletrac Navman doesn’t have public pricing, so you’ll need to contact them for a quote.
How to Choose the Right ELD
All this talk about the best ELD options for truckers and you could get overwhelmed with your options, particularly if you don’t know how to choose which ELD is right for you. Fortunately, we’ve put together a short buyer’s guide to with important criteria to consider before making a decision.
- Price – The cost of an ELD should always be at the forefront of your decision making, as prices can range dramatically depending on your particular needs.
- Compliance – The purpose of an ELD is to be compliant with certain laws and regulations around trucking, so make sure your device offers the correct compliance for your situation.
- Ease of use – You aren’t going to use it if it’s difficult to figure out, so make sure the device is intuitive for new users, or at least has a responsive support team to help with the learning curve.
- Device type – There’s two options: dedicated solutions, which are the ones listed above, and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) that allows truckers to use smartphones and tablets as their logging option.
- Security – All this trucker data needs to be protected, so make sure your ELD offers some kind of security and encryption protocol to keep it safe.
The most important thing to consider when it comes to choosing the right ELD is what you’ll actually use it for. Make sure you establish your needs before starting your search, as this will help inform your ELD decision in the long run.
Check out our how to use an ELD guide for more information
If you’re in the market for an ELD, there’s a good chance that fleet management software (FMS) might actually be what you’re looking for. These platforms are admittedly a bit more expensive but provide a lot more functionality that can help you manage your entire fleet.
All of the best fleet management software providers offer data tracking that helps maintain ELD compliance. If a small fleet starts to add even more trucks, 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 possible financial savings.
If you’re an owner-operator, an ELD should be enough to handle your needs, though, as a 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:
Price From The typical lowest starting price. The lowest price available for your business will depend on your needs. | Contract length | Legal compliance | Route optimization | Vehicle diagnostics | Geofencing | Inventory management | |
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Average ELD | Average FMS | ||||||
$15-35/vehicle/month | $25-45/vehicle/month | ||||||
1-12 months | 1-3 years | ||||||
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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, the service offers 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’s Asset Tracking. This lets managers locate non-vehicle assets in real time through a desktop or mobile interface, helping deter theft and 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.
The Verizon Connect fleet system is one of the most feature-rich options on the market. Source: Tech.co testing
Samsara
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. It is also easy to adapt to 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.
Samsara’s fleet system is neck and neck with Verizon when it comes to depth and breadth of features. Source: Samsara
Teletrac Navman
Teletrac Navman provides more features than a high-end ELD, but at a lower cost than a typical FMS. It offers users 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 also allows 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.
The Teletrac Navman fleet management software has all the functions you’re likely to need, with a customizable dashboard to boot. Source: Teletrac Navman
These three FMS systems are far from your only options: check out Tech.co’s comparison of the best fleet management systems for a detailed breakdown. You can also read our guides to the best trucking software and the best route planning systems.
Methodology: How Did We Compare the Best ELD Devices?
To find the best ELD device, we analyzed products from the top ELD providers in the US. We focused on criteria that fleet managers told us were important to them to accurately rank and rate each one.
Each factor in our analysis receives a different weighting, depending on how important it is to business operations. For example, cost was given higher importance than installation because we found that most ELD devices are fairly easy to install.
What we analyzed:
- Reporting – 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 – 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 – 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 compliance.
- Installation – 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 – 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.
Next Steps for Choosing ELD Tracking
Prices in the ELD industry are not always public knowledge and are 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 and ensure your fleet of trucks is ELD compliant, you’ll need to find and compare prices that are tailored to you. Fill out Tech.co’s handy fleet management quote comparison tool, and you’ll be contacted by the top companies with obligation-free quotes.
Verdict: What Is the Best ELD?
Samsara is the best ELD service overall, offering great 24/7 support, top-notch mobile apps, outstanding functionality, with a full suite of fleet system features just one upgrade away. While we found it a bit expensive compared to competitors, the value was definitely there in terms of what you get for the money.
That said, we found Matrack ELD to be a standout budget choice for its compliance tools, which even include an employee timeclock and fuel tax tracking. It also comes at a great low price, costing just $19.95 per month, or $25.95 per month for the feature-rich plan.
The best way to find the right ELD device for the specific needs of your business is to compare custom quotes from the top fleet management services before you make a final decision.
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