The Best ELD Providers for Fleet Managers in 2024

Fleet owner-operators are facing significant economic pressure in 2024. According to the American Transportation Research Institute, top concerns for owner-operators include parking costs, gas prices, and managing the overall cost of running their fleet.

Vehicle tracking tech can help with these issues. The best Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) have become increasingly indispensable tools for ensuring compliance with commercial driving regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and optimizing fleet operations with data beyond the capabilities of top fleet GPS tracking systems.

Still, the vast range of ELD options can be overwhelming, and many providers aren’t transparent about their prices. This guide will simplify your decision by focusing on the things that set each provider apart from the pack, and what kind of businesses they’re suitable for. Whether you require help keeping up with hours of service, break times, managing your Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) – or something else – the right ELD provider is around the corner.

Quick Comparison: Best ELD Providers

After extensive research into their features, capabilities, and pricing, we’ve determined these are the best ELDs on the market:

1. Verizon: Best Overall ELD Provider

Key Details About Verizon

ELD rules can be challenging, but Verizon Connect Reveal makes them much more manageable – that’s why we named it the best overall ELD provider. Below are some key highlights we found throughout our tests.

Comprehensive ELD Compliance Support: As alluded to, Verizon simplifies compliance, helping fleets meet regulatory standards and avoid fines. Its ability to update Records of Duty Status (RODS) even when disconnected ensures continuous compliance.

Robust Driver Management: Verizon’s ELD offers features like daily and weekly hours logged, time remaining, HOS status, and violation alerts. These tools enable fleet managers to monitor and manage driver activities effectively, preventing HOS violations and promoting safety. Because of their quality and extent, we awarded Verizon top marks in our driver management portion of testing.

24/7 Mobile App Support: Verizon provides 24/7 mobile app support, ensuring technical issues are resolved promptly. This minimizes downtime and enhances productivity, making the system reliable and user-friendly for fleet managers.

Driver ELD Health Reports: Detailed driver ELD health reports include data on driver details, diagnostic events, and malfunctions. These reports help fleet managers maintain operational efficiency and ensure timely interventions, reducing equipment failures and enhancing fleet safety.

Accessible ELD Compliance Reports: Verizon simplifies access to ELD compliance reports, which include essential details like driver information, DOT number, and carrier name. Easy access and download options streamline record-keeping and ensure readiness for audits or inspections.

Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR): DVIR functionality helps forecast routine repairs and maintenance. This proactive approach reduces unexpected breakdowns, extends vehicle lifespan, and optimizes operational efficiency.

Customizable Reporting Styles: Users can customize and save reporting styles, facilitating quick access to specific reports. This feature is particularly useful for businesses with unique reporting requirements or those needing focused operational analysis.

Custom Pricing Plans: Verizon offers tailored pricing based on fleet size and contract length, providing flexibility. While advanced ELD support may incur additional costs, custom pricing ensures businesses only pay for necessary features, offering better value.

Verizon Compared To Other ELDs

While ELDs like GPS Trackit also get the memo regarding accessible tools that let you set automatic and customized alerts, Verizon has the upper hand because it has more powerful features, such as the Driver ELD health reports. These can update your system even when not connected to your vehicle. Simply put, Verizon is our top pick for these advanced capabilities. 

Who Do We Recommend Verizon For?

2. Samsara: Best ELD Provider for Communicating with Drivers

Key Details About Samsara

From our research, Samsara’s top-tier features proved well worth investment from businesses, especially for communicating with drivers directly. Here are some core reasons as to why:

Dispatch Optimization: Samsara excels in dispatch optimization by allowing fleet managers to choose the best vehicle and route for each job. It calculates predicted departure times based on traffic conditions, site time, and travel time, enhancing efficiency and reducing delays.

Preventative Maintenance Scheduling: With Samsara, fleet managers can schedule preventative maintenance, effectively monitoring vehicles to minimize downtime. This proactive approach ensures vehicles remain in optimal condition, reducing unexpected repairs and associated costs.

Advanced IoT Solutions: Samsara, a top-tier Internet of Things (IoT) solutions provider, pioneers the Connected Operations Cloud. This platform enables fleet businesses to leverage IoT data for actionable insights, optimizing overall operations and enhancing decision-making processes.

Enhanced Vehicle Safety: In partnership with Motormax, Samsara offers automated 360-degree video telematics for enhanced fleet vehicle safety. This feature provides comprehensive video coverage, improving driver safety and incident management.

In-Cab Wi-Fi Hotspots and Text-to-Speech Messaging: Samsara’s ELD system include in-cab Wi-Fi hotspots, ensuring connectivity even in areas without cellular service. Text-to-speech messaging allows drivers to receive messages safely, keeping their focus on the road and enhancing communication and overall operational efficiency of your fleet.

Easy Installation and Driver App: Samsara’s Vehicle Gateway installs within minutes by plugging into the vehicle diagnostic port, saving time and reducing engineer callout costs. The Driver App upgrades any Android or IOS device to ELD compliance without the need for specialized hardware, making it a versatile solution and one of the best fleet management apps for simplifying compliance.

Samsara Compared To Other ELDs

Samsara’s dispatch optimization and advanced IoT solutions, amongst other tools, make it a standout choice for features that enhance fleet management and operational efficiency. Like a few other ELD providers, its three-year minimum contract and upfront hardware costs make it less flexible than providers like Linxup, which offer more budget-friendly and shorter-term solutions.

Who Do We Recommend Samsara For?

3. Teletrac Navman TN360: Best ELD Provider for Managing Driver Fatigue

Key Details About Teletrac Navman TN360

With rest break reporting and tools, Teletrac Navman TN360 is the sort of ELD provider your long-haul drivers will value highly. Here are some core features of what it offers.

Driver Fatigue Management: Teletrac Navman TN360 has a dedicated function to monitor rest breaks meaning it is an excellent tool to manage driver fatigue. This feature centralizes data on timing, duration, and frequency of rest breaks, making driver management more efficient and reducing the reliance on phone calls and manual updates from drivers.

Decade-Long Experience and Cloud-Based Solution: Leveraging over a decade of experience in providing ELDs, Teletrac Navman offers a robust cloud-based telematics solution. The software uses Hours of Service (HOS) rules and vehicle data, such as driving time and mileage, to ensure compliance with the ELD mandate. This experience translates into a reliable and efficient ELD system according to our testing.

Comprehensive HOS Dashboard: Teletrac Navman’s dashboard dedicated to HOS logs allows fleet managers to monitor and review all driver logs in one place. The system tracks violations and duty status, and while the process is automated, it also allows for manual corrections to eliminate errors, enhancing accuracy and compliance.

Teletrac Navman Compared To Other ELDs

Teletrac Navman TN360 stands out for its advanced driver monitoring tools and real-time data updates. On the downside, it lacks some advanced hardware features like cargo and engine temperature monitoring and does not provide weather updates or a panic button. Comparatively, Verizon offers more reliable customer support too, while Teletrac’s support can be inconsistent, potentially causing delays in addressing your business’ urgent ELD concerns.

Who Do We Recommend Teletrac Navman TN360 For?

4. Azuga: Best ELD Provider for Promoting Safe Driving

Key Details About Azuga

After testing out several providers, Azuga came out on top as our preferred ELD system for promoting driver safety. Here are some reasons behind why it scored so highly:

Driver Safety and Rewards: Its core quality is promoting driver safety. Azuga’s app includes a driver score that evaluates safety based on braking, accelerating, and seatbelt use. It generates a daily leaderboard, rewarding safer drivers with gift cards from popular retailers like Amazon and Walmart. We found this system promotes safer driving habits and incentivizes drivers to improve their performance.

Tracking Capabilities: Azuga’s ELD offers robust tracking capabilities comparable to Verizon Connect Reveal. It includes fuel reporting and vehicle diagnostics, which help in monitoring fuel usage and maintaining vehicle health. These features contribute to better fleet management and cost efficiency.

Operational Efficiency: Azuga enhances operational efficiency by tracking fleet maintenance costs and service records, features that are only available on certain Verizon Connect plans. This helps in scheduling timely maintenance and managing expenses effectively, ensuring the fleet operates smoothly.

Battery Usage: A notable downside is that Azuga’s ELD can draw heavily on the vehicle’s battery, potentially leaving it low on power during long journeys. This can be a significant issue for fleets with extended routes, requiring careful consideration and planning.

Azuga Compared To Other ELDs

Azuga lacks a specific crash reporting feature, which is a common function in telematics devices like Samsara’s Vehicle Gateway. This absence may be a drawback for fleets that prioritize automatic crash detection and reporting for enhanced safety measures. Some users have reported that the ELD tends to draw heavily on the vehicle’s battery, too, which could leave you dangerously low on power if your drivers go on longer journeys.

Azuga also cannot connect with third-party GPS systems. For fleets needing integration with existing routing devices, Samsara or Verizon Connect may be better options due to their compatibility with various GPS systems.

Who Do We Recommend Azuga For?

5. GPS Trackit: Best ELD Provider for Smaller Fleets

Key Details About GPS Trackit

In our testing of GPS Trackit’s Apollo ELD, we found it could be a highly reliable tool for small businesses since it streamlines operations to only the core essential features like HOS logging and DVIR recording. This helps small business owners maintain compliance without overwhelming complexity. But there’s more to it than that. Here are some of our highlight features:

Vehicle Maintenance Guide: The Apollo ELD provides a comprehensive guide for vehicle maintenance, covering inspections of air compressors, drive lines, and other critical parts. This allows businesses to keep vehicles well-maintained, thereby reducing downtime and repair costs.

Real-Time Alerts: The real-time alerting feature helps drivers avoid violations by providing instant notifications. Businesses can set customized alerts based on various industry-specific triggers, enhancing operational safety and compliance.

Automated Data Logging: Apollo ELD system automates data logging and transfer, ensuring accurate ELD logs. This reduces manual entry errors and saves time, providing peace of mind that compliance records are consistently accurate.

Zero-Contract Policy: For businesses that want to try out an ELD service without any long-term commitments, GPS Trackit’s zero-contract policy provides ample flexibility. You can opt for monthly payments, which include a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing for a risk-free trial period.

GPS Trackit Compared To Other ELDs

GPS Trackit’s apollo ELD lacks advanced connectivity features such as in-cab Wi-Fi and detailed reports offered by providers like Samsara and Verizon Connect Reveal. Additionally, it doesn’t provide traffic alerts or vehicle diagnostics, which might be a limitation for some users looking for greater information about their fleet.

Who do we recommend GPS Trackit for?

6. Spireon: Best ELD Provider for Fast Updates

Key Details About Spireon

Speed is Spireon’s core asset – and on the road, that can make all the difference. Here’s where it applies it’s speedy powers and what else it can offer your fleet.

Versatile Fleet Management: Spireon’s FleetLocate Compliance system, powered by Gorilla Safety, excels in managing mixed, small, or medium-sized fleets. This cloud-based software provides the flexibility to handle different vehicle types, such as trucks needing HOS regulation and vans that don’t. It also integrates sensor data from various mobile assets like trailers and containers, allowing comprehensive fleet monitoring.

Onboard Telematics Integration: FleetLocate tracks data from onboard telematics systems, enabling fleet managers to monitor their entire fleet in real-time. This integration helps in maintaining efficient operations and ensures compliance with ELD mandates.

HOS Compliance and Violation Warnings: FleetLocate assists in keeping track of drivers’ hours of service (HOS) and provides immediate warnings before drivers are flagged for violations. This proactive feature allows fleet managers to make necessary schedule adjustments, ensuring compliance and reducing the risk of penalties.

Driver Notification System: The system sends notifications to drivers who start journeys without completing required vehicle inspections. This feature enhances safety and compliance, ensuring that all necessary checks are performed before vehicles are on the road.

Tax Liability Reduction: FleetLocate Compliance reduces tax liabilities by providing automatic, real-time updates on state jurisdiction compliance reports, including the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA). This feature helps businesses stay compliant with tax regulations and reduces administrative burdens.

Custom Pricing and Contract Terms: While Spireon offers custom pricing based on fleet size and features, it requires a three-year minimum contract. This long-term commitment didn’t impress us much, especially compared to GPS Trackit’s more flexible plans.

Spireon Compared To Other ELDs

Spireon’s requirement for a three-year minimum contract and upfront hardware costs make it less flexible than competitors like GPS Trackit, which offers shorter contracts and potentially lower initial expenses. We still think it is an excellent asset in terms of versatility and comprehensive fleet management, particularly for mixed fleets, so if you can stump up the cash it is worth consideration.

Who do we recommend Spireon for?

7. Linxup: Best ELD Provider for Minimizing Downtime

Key Details About Linxup

Keeping downtime to a minimum should be one of the first logistical priorities of a fleet business – and we found Linxup to be adept at managing your commercial vehicles to do just that. Here’s some details about what it offers you and your fleet.

Easy Access to Data: Linxup’s ELD system ensures easy access to vital data during roadside inspections, reducing delays and ensuring smooth operations. This feature is essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding penalties during inspections.

Automatic Duty Updates and Driver Behavior Monitoring: Linxup automatically updates drivers’ duty statuses and monitors their behavior, ensuring accurate Hours of Service (HOS) logs. This helps maintain compliance with ELD mandates and enhances driver performance management.

Vehicle Protection: Linxup offers 24/7 vehicle protection, even when the vehicle is turned off. This feature provides peace of mind, knowing that vehicles are continuously monitored and protected against theft or misuse.

Dedicated ELD Data Plans: Linxup’s dedicated ELD-only data plans ensure that your vehicles adhere strictly to ELD guidelines. These plans provide a reliable and straightforward solution for maintaining compliance without additional data management hassles.

Cost Considerations: Linxup’s plans start at $25 per vehicle per month, with ELD compliance plans starting at $30 per vehicle per month. However, additional costs for IFTA compliance and the need for dedicated tablets for each driver might increase overall expenses. The inability to integrate with third-party devices could also result in higher costs compared to more flexible solutions like Spireon.

Linxup Compared To Other ELDs

Linxup provides easy access to data and continuous vehicle protection, making it a strong contender for fleet managers focused on security and compliance. It does have higher costs for additional features and the lack of third-party device integration makes it less flexible than providers like Spireon, which offers more integrated solutions, so you may find you outgrow it depending on your business needs.

Who Do We Recommend Linxup For?

Linxup’s ELD system is your driver’s best friend. It gives you easy access to data that will come in handy during roadside inspections. It will also notify you in case of impending violations or problems with your vehicle. The best part is that it automatically updates your drivers’ duty updates and monitors their behavior. It helps with accurate HOS logs that are vital to ELD compliance. 

We’d also like to highlight two of its strongest points: vehicle protection and ELD data plans. With Linxup’s ELD system, you get peace of mind as a bonus as it protects your vehicles 24/7, even if it’s turned off. Its dedicated ELD-only data plan ensures your vehicles follow ELD guidelines to a tee.

Linxup’s plans start as $25 per vehicle, per month, but if you wish to avail its ELD compliance, the plans start at $30 per vehicle, per month. It is worth mentioning that you need to pay extra to enjoy IFTA compliance, unlike Spireon. You also can’t integrate its ELD with third-party devices. This may cost more bucks as you need to provide each driver with a tablet of their own to be able to adhere to the ELD mandate.

ELD Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Below you’ll find all the essential information you should be aware of before taking the plunge and investing in your chosen ELD solution. We’ll cover which types of fleets need an ELD, how much you can expect to pay upfront and for installation and whether your phone can double as an ELD device.

How Do I Choose an ELD For My Fleet?

There’s lots of different ELD brands on the market so it can be tricky to pick the right one for your business needs. The first thing you should consider is your budget and the size of your fleet. This will give you an idea of how many devices you need and how much you can spend on each.

An important thing to remember is to choose a device that’s registered with the FMCSA. Check out their list of registered and revoked list of revoked devices. As we’ve noted above, on February 29th 2024, the FMCSA removed a number of devices from its registered list.

• Features are an important factor also when choosing an ELD. Most ELDs track time, date, location, miles, engine hours, driver ID, fuel and driver behavior. It also useful if the ELD comes with an easy to use mobile app.
• Pricing is another factor to consider when choosing an ELD. Each provider will have a slightly different pricing plan. Some will charge for the ELD device and offer the software and app for free. Others will charge a monthly fee for the service and software and offer the device for free. Choose a pricing structure that suits your budget best.
• Integration into your current fleet management software is another thing you need to consider. Or, if you don’t have fleet management software already, look for an ELD device that comes with a management software.

Do I Need an ELD if I Drive Fewer Than 150 Air Miles?

You do not need to use an ELD if you operate within a 150-air-mile radius of your usual work reporting location as you are exempt from the ELD mandate. This is known as the “short-haul exception“.

To qualify, you must start and end your workday at the same place each day. You’ll also need to meet additional requirements, such as working hours, vehicle tracking, and record keeping. Certain trucking companies and states require ELD use regardless of this exception, so you should check your contract to be sure.  For example, the state of New York requires ELDs for most commercial truck drivers operating within the state, even short-haul.

Using paper logs can be easier, simpler and cheaper than investing in an entire ELD system. You can also avoid pesky bugs that can occur with technology by manually handling your hours.

How Much Do ELDs Cost Monthly?

For a dedicated ELD system, you can expect to pay between $25-$45 per unit with the software license included. If you need extra features such as advanced driver behavior monitoring, cargo monitoring, and GPS routing, you’ll likely pay more. Some providers, such as GPS Trackit, offer longer contracts where you’ll pay less than a month-by-month plan. Always be mindful as well of incurring extra costs like installation or training costs. Most ELD providers offer bespoke pricing plans so ultimately, pricing will depend on the fleet size, contract length, and features.

How Much Does it Cost to Install ELDs?

Depending on which ELD provider you choose, the installation process may differ.

Some are installed via OBD Plugin and some via hardwiring. Some providers, including Motive, Verizon and Samsara, include the necessary cables. For other providers, you may have to source OBD-II or 6-pin/9-pin DLC ECMD harnesses to install the system in your vehicles. These can cost as little as $25 or as much as $90, depending on the required accessories for your system and vehicles.

In terms of installation service costs, some providers offer self-installation which of course means you are not paying for the service of installation. To assist with self-installation, some providers offer online help guides. Some ELD providers include the installation cost in the subscription fee, while others charge an additional installation fee. These fees can range between $100 and $200.

Read more about how much you can expect to pay in our useful guide to fleet management costs.

Can I Use My Phone As My ELD?

Yes, it’s possible to use your phone as an ELD device. The only way to do this properly though is by using a compatible mobile app by your ELD provider. These apps can be used on iOS and Android devices.

There are a few conditions that determine whether your phone can substitute for a designated ELD device:

• The app must be certified and registered with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
• It must be able to record HOS (hours of service), DVIR (driver vehicle inspection reports), shipment documents, and other necessary functions to count as an ELD device.
• The device must have a decent battery life and storage capacity so that it can record the necessary data.
• The phone must be mounted so that it has an unobstructed view of the driver for recording.
• You may need a portable WiFi extender in case you drive through areas with limited 4G connectivity.
• You will also need to ensure the phone can adequately back-up data to a central location in case the device dies.

Most larger fleets will be better off with a designated ELD device that is separate from a mobile device, but following these conditions, it can be an adequate solution for smaller fleets or those on a budget.

What Is the ELD Mandate?

The ELD mandate requires commercial fleet drivers to use electronic logging devices (ELDs) to track their driving hours and duty status, replacing the previously used paper logbooks. The mandate was set into motion by the 2012 MAP-21 Act, with full ELD compliance necessary since 2019.

The latest ELD models automatically record driving time, engine hours, and other relevant information to ensure compliance with the HOS regulations. The main aim of ELD regulation was to reduce driver fatigue and lower the rate of accidents and deaths on the road.

Read more on the latest regulations in our ultimate guide to US vehicle tracking laws. Bear in mind that there are similar rules that apply in Canada and Mexico – so you should check whether your ELD is compatible with those regulations if your business operates in either nation.

Which Fleets Need to Comply with ELD Regulations?

While there are exceptions to the rule, the ELD mandate applies to most commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) that previously had to maintain records of duty status (RODS) under HOS regulations.

Specifically, fleets that should be ELD-compliant if they meet the following criteria:

• CMVs definition: vehicles with a gross weight rating of 10,001 lbs or more, vehicles that are used to transport 8 or more passengers for compensation or vehicles used to transport 15 or more passengers not for compensation. This typically covers most trucks and buses.
• Interstate commerce: vehicles involved in the domestic or international transportation of goods or passengers.
• HOS Compliance: fleets that are required to record RODS for their drivers are subject to HOS regulations so should also now be ELD-compliant.

How Did We Compare the Best ELD Providers?

Expert Market is a proud team of passionate, experienced in-house researchers who delved into the top ELD providers so that you don’t have to. We combed through every feature and weighed them up with each other according to these factors: 

• Driver Management: We look at how each provider tracks your drivers’ behavior and performance on the road, ensure their safety, and provide convenience.
• Price: This one is pretty straightforward – the cheaper it is, the higher it scores! We also look at the contract lengths, features included, warranty, and more.
• Tracking: This tests how effective each provider is at tracking your fleet, depending on their data refresh time, route optimization, and more.
• Vehicle Management: You need all the help you can get to manage your fleet, and this is where we sneak a peek at their features. Do the providers schedule maintenance checks, retain fleet records, and ensure your vehicles are in tip-top shape?
• Product Features: This is in addition to the other features offered by each provider – there’s more to fleet management than tracking, vehicle management, and driver management, after all. 
• Customer Support: This compares the providers according to their assistance and support channels for their users.