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.
Why Trust Us? Our Research Methodology
After conducting an initial exploration to identify the most relevant, popular, and established ELD providers in the market, we put 14 ELDs to the test across 21 areas of investigation.
Based on years of market and user needs research, we’ve established an ELD testing methodology that scores each product in five main categories of investigation — including price (25%), reporting (30%), installation (15%), customer support (10%), and mobile functionality (20%).
This data is then used by our human writers to research and write these in-depth reviews of ELD providers like Samsara.
| Price Publicly available price for lowest-cost plan | Best for | Pros | Cons | Key benefit | Top features | GPS route planning | Scheduling and dispatch | Driver safety monitoring | 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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| SPONSORED PROVIDER | BEST OVERALL | | | | ||||||||||||||
| Verizon Connect | Samsara ELD | Matrack ELD | GPS Insight | Gorilla Safety ELD | ||||||||||||||
| Custom pricing | Custom pricing | $19.95/month | $14.95/month | $250 upfront | ||||||||||||||
| Add-ons and extras | Best overall ELDs | Best-priced ELD compliance | Customer support | Document management | ||||||||||||||
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| Most features and add-ons | Best combination of features and support | Budget-friendly pricing | Simple location tracking | Streamlined paperwork and maintenance | ||||||||||||||
| Daily or weekly history reports | 24/7 support | Audit trail | Wide variety of alerts | Document management tools | ||||||||||||||
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| 3 years | 3 years | Monthly rolling | On request | Monthly-rolling | ||||||||||||||
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| Plug in or hardwired | OBD2 plug-and-play | OBD2 plug-and-play | Plug in or hardwired | OBD2 plug-and-play | ||||||||||||||
| 24/7 | 24/7 | Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm PT | 24/7 | Monday-Friday: 7am-7pm CT | ||||||||||||||
| Visit Verizon | Visit Samsara | Compare Quotes | Compare Quotes | Compare Quotes |
Key Takeaways
- Best: Samsara ELD is the best overall ELD device, offering comprehensive DOT compliance and tracking tools, two-way messaging, and 24/7 support, though it requires a three-year contract.
- Budget: Matrack ELD is recommended for budget-conscious truckers, starting at $19.95 per month, with no contracts and free hardware, it provides basic compliance features.
- How to choose: Businesses should consider DOT compliance, the budget they’re working with, ease of use, integration options, and whether drivers will be onboard with the new system.
- Research: Our top choices are based on our in-depth research process of 14 ELDs, which takes into account pricing, installation, mobile functionality, support, and reporting.
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.
- Samsara – Best for a full fleet management solution
- Matrack ELD – Best affordable ELD-compliant solution
- GPS Insight – Best for comprehensive customer support
- Gorilla Safety ELD – Best for in-depth document management
- Verizon Connect ELD – Best for fleets that want to expand
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, since it can streamline all elements of a fleet’s daily operation. Route optimization in particular can cut back on fuel use, a boon to the 20% of fleet pros that cite rising diesel costs as their top concern, according to a March 2026 Tech.co survey.
Pros
- Excellent value plans for small businesses
- Wealth of features offers economy of scale for large operations
- Strong 24/7 support to solve problems and help adjust to updates
Cons
- Frequent software updates mean you'll have a strong learning curve
- Contracts require a high commitment of 3 years at a time
- Starts at: Custom pricing
- Compliance: HOS, DVIR
- 3-year contracts
- OBD2 plug-and-play
- Compliance alerts
- Support: 24/7
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.
Pros
- Easy to use, even for beginners
- Hardware is free with $19.95/month plan
- Includes fuel tax tracking
Cons
- No two-way messaging
- Dispatch is only available with an add-on
- Starts at: $19.95/month
- Compliance: HOS, DVIR
- Monthly rolling contracts
- OBD2 plug-and-play
- Compliance alerts
- Support hours Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm PT
3. GPS Insight: Best for Customer Support Options
Price: $14.95 per month
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 GPS Insight a great option for businesses that know they will need additional assistance with using an ELD.
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
- One-year contract requirement
- Starts at: $14.95/month
- Compliance: HOS, DVIR
- Contracts: On Request
- Plug in or hardwired
- Compliance alerts
- Support: 24/7
Expert Tip: Fleets are taking proactive measures, data shows
Geopolitical events are making times tough for US fleets as we enter Spring 2026: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has hiked diesel costs, while high freight demand is being met with workforce shortages.
Fleets are responding with an increasing focus on two tech solutions. Tech.co survey data found 19% are investing in fuel cards in March 2026, a big jump from the 9% who said the same a month earlier. During this time frame, 55% also started looking into route optimization software, up from 45% in February.
Paired with recruitment efforts, this software is helping fleets handle increasing operational pressure.
4. Gorilla Safety ELD: Best for Document Management
- Price: $250 upfront
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.
Pros
- Great for easy documentation sharing
- Low pricing compared with other options
- Reliable service with a high uptime
Cons
- Support isn't 24/7
- Features are a bit limited compared with alternatives
- Starts at: $250 upfront
- Compliance: HOS, DVIR
- Monthly rolling contracts
- OBD2 plug-and-play
- Compliance alerts
- Mon-Fri: 7am-7pm CT
5. Verizon Connect Reveal ELD: Best for Fleets Wanting to Expand with Additional Features
- Price: Custom
Verizon’s ELD solution is part of its larger fleet management system, known as Verizon Connect Reveal. This gives users access to a wide range of fleet management features outside of just ELDs, such as route optimization and vehicle management.
While this does mean that businesses may pay slightly more, our research shows that this is beneficial in the long term if you’re looking to one day invest in other fleet management features.
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
- Starts at: Custom pricing
- Compliance: HOS, DVIR
- Contracts: 3 years
- Plug in or hardwired
- Compliance alerts
- Support: 24/7
| Border-crossing compliance Does the platform support US and Canadian border-crossing requirements | Border-crossing additions | |||
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| Samsara ELD | Matrack ELD | GPS Insight | Gorilla Safety ELD | Verizon Connect |
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| Provides automatic zone detection (which will change HOS based on region) and a manual operating zone selection | The device meets both US and Canadian requirements and will automatically change HOS when borders are crossed | Driving rules are automatically switched based on the country, and this will be recorded in the driver log | The system will adhere to HOS rules based on the country you’re in, and meets both FMCSA and Canadian ELD technical standards | Verizon’s HOS app will detect border crossings, adjust HOS rules, change distance metrics to suit Canadian rules, and share driver logs |
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 (31% plan to, compared to 43% that want scheduling and dispatch software, or 55% 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:
- How much do you want to spend on an ELD? Prices can vary based on the size of your fleet and how often you’d like to use the ELDs you have. Choosing a budget early on will help rule out any providers from the off.
- How easy is the ELD to install? If the device is complicated to set up or requires a professional technician, you might have to spend more money overall.
- How easy is the ELD to use? Be sure to look for a smooth, intuitive ELD experience that can automate processes and makes its core functions easy to carry out.
- How secure is the ELD? All of your trucker data needs to be protected, so make sure your ELD offers some kind of security and encryption protocol to keep it safe.
- What features do you need in an ELD? A lot of ELD devices will offer a vast range of features beyond compliance, like route optimization and predictive maintenance alerts.
- What integrations does the ELD have? Integrating your ELD with your existing systems will streamline processes for your fleet, as all operations can be controlled from a singular core interface.
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.
Verdict: What Is the Best ELD?
Samsara is the best ELD service overall, offering great 24/7 support, top-notch mobile apps, outstanding functionality, and a full suite of fleet system features just one upgrade away.
That said, we found Matrack ELD to be a standout budget choice for its DOT compliance tools, which even include an employee time clock 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.
Many providers, such as Matrack and BigRoad, will include hardware within their software plans. Other times, you’ll have to pay for hardware upfront.
To get the most accurate pricing, we’d recommend going directly to the provider themselves.
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