The 9 Best Telematics Companies for 2024

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Top telematics platforms do more than just track vehicles. They are integrated systems for monitoring and improving fleet efficiency, usually provided by specialist fleet management companies.

Verizon Connect is currently the best telematics provider on the US market. Our testing found it is more advanced than any other provider, offering features like predictive maintenance and a job scheduler to organize your fleet operations that most systems can’t.

Still, although Verizon packs some great tools, you might not need all of them – especially if you want to keep your monthly outlay to a minimum. Below we review eight other top-ranked options so you can find the best solution for your fleet.

What Are the Top 9 Telematics Companies for 2024?

If you’re short on time, here are our top picks at a glance:

  1. Verizon Connect Best overall
  2. Samsara – Best for organising dispatches
  3. Azuga – Best for efficient routes
  4. Teletrac Navman TN360 – Best for managing drivers
  5. RAM – Best for improving driver safety
  6. GPS Trackit – Best for smaller fleets
  7. Quartix – Best for managing fuel costs
  8. Spireon – Best for mixed fleets
  9. Linxup – Best for pricing transparency

Clicking any of the links above will allow you to compare quotes to find the best telematic company for your business. Since most providers use custom prices, you can also fill out our free quote-finder tool to get telematics deals and prices within sixty seconds.

Why You Can Trust Expert Market's Fleet Telematics Recommendations

At Expert Market, we are dedicated to helping our readers make informed purchases to make their businesses thrive.

We conducted an independent, user-led research project to evaluate the best fleet telematics systems software on the market, which has included extensive user testing of the platforms themselves. Refer to our methodology section for a more detailed breakdown of how we arrived at our top nine.

The Best Telematics Providers in 2024

After extensive research into their features and pricing, we’ve determined these are the nine best telematics providers:

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RAM

GPS Trackit

Quartix

Spireon

Linxup

4.7
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30 seconds

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30 seconds – 1 minute

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30 – 59 seconds

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In real time

Data Refresh Time

30 seconds

Data Refresh Time

1 minute

Data Refresh Time

15-60 seconds

Data Refresh Time

15-60 seconds

Data Refresh Time

1 minute

Auto-Route Optimisation
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Auto-Route Optimisation
Driving Performance Tracking
Driving Performance Tracking
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Driving Performance Tracking
Driving Performance Tracking
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From $25 to $35/month

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From $25/month

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From $15.99

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From $23.95

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From $14.90 to $22.90

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On request

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Starts at $25 per month

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1. Verizon: Best Overall Telematics Provider

Simply put, Verizon Connect is the best vehicle telematics provider on the US market. Parent company Verizon bought Ireland-based Fleetmatics in 2016, California-based Telogis in 2017, and Spanish company Movildata in 2018. These were rebranded into Verizon Connect the same year, with its Reveal software since growing into one of the most well-known options around.

We found Verizon Connect provides greater oversight on the movements of your drivers than any other tool we’ve tested. You’ll get a vast range of features from daily reports for each driver that help you identify trends or opportunities for improved efficiency, to live notifications if anyone starts late, drives harshly, or idles too long.

Verizon Connect's new logo
Verizon Connect
Pricing From $23.50 per month
Strengths

Top tracking features, including fast data refresh rate (30 seconds)

Advanced driver KPI features

Automatic route creation based on driver availability

Weaknesses

Theft prevention limited to out-of-hours alerts

Typically offers a long contract period of three years

Some businesses may not need all its features

Pricing
Typical price Prices are bespoke, based on factors like fleet size, package options, and contract length
From $23.50 Per vehicle, per month
Our experience with Verizon Connect

When testing out the system, we particularly liked the “Street View” which allows you to home in on any of your drivers’ locations at any given moment. We should note, however, that what you’re seeing is a Google Maps shot, rather than live footage.

The map view displays vehicle and driver data as well as a color-coded system that communicates whether the vehicle is stopped, in motion or idling. The Scheduler tab offers an overview of your drivers’ timetables, indicating whether they are en route, in the process of completing a job, or have finished it.

We found the reporting tab extremely user-friendly. With options including Daily, Detailed, Distance Travelled and Geofencing, you can have control over which data is reported while saving time as Verizon automatically collects the necessary data to collate it into the final report.

Why we like Verizon Connect for fleet telematics

Verizon has the most advanced features of any telematics system we researched. Its vehicle tracking features allow you to gain maximum visibility over your fleet with daily summary reports, predictive alerts and notifications, and live tracking that updates every 30 seconds.

Route planning, automatic route optimization, dedicated scheduling, and dispatching features enable you to keep time and fuel waste at minimum levels.

live map view - a benefit of verizon's vehicle tracking solution
As demonstrated, Verizon's Live Map gives an overview of your entire fleet with color-coded icons to indicate motion status - Source: Expert Market

Verizon also has some outstanding driver management features, such as a leaderboard and points system which rewards safety and productivity.

On the flip side, you can keep track of problem drivers with alerts for dangerous driving and idling, which are sent to both drivers and management. You’ll be able to collect data on driving style and driving history, making it easy to identify drivers who require further training.

And finally, Verizon is one of the best ELD providers, with ELD-compliant reports specific to each driver.

Verizon Connect Reveal dashboards showing different metrics in bar charts, including vehicle activity, harsh driving and wasted fuel
Reveal+, seen here, is a version of Verizon Connect Reveal designed for large fleets, though you can use dashboards on the regular version of Reveal too - Source: Expert Market

Verizon Connect’s potential drawbacks

No system is perfect, although Verizon comes close. Its main drawback is that, despite how advanced the rest of the system is, it doesn’t have extensive theft prevention features.

You can set time limits and out-of-hours alerts, which can pass as theft detection, though not entirely secure. This is the bare minimum when it comes to theft prevention, but some providers have additional tools. GPS Trackit, for example, provides 24/7 protection, even if your vehicles are turned off, and has a remote main power disconnect function.

Who is Verizon Connect suited to?

Given its breadth of features, Verizon Connect is best for large fleets or companies that prioritize comprehensive vehicle tracking. Its telematics tools, such as 30-second data refreshes, live driver tracking, and customizable reports, can provide businesses a deep level of insight into driver performance and fleet activity.

Companies with high standards for safety will benefit from Verizon’s driver management tools, including a safety leaderboard and detailed reporting on driving behaviors.

What's New for Verizon? November 2024

Verizon Connect has added a trends column to its Video Safety Score so you can see in one glance how a driver has improved over a rolling 4-week period.

verizon connect reveal driver safety score trends

Source: Verizon

verizon logo
Discover the most efficient way to track your fleet

Verizon Connect is our top pick for telematics. Learn more about its fleet management systems by visiting Verizon’s website.

2. Samsara: Best Telematics Provider for Organizing Dispatches

Samsara is our top pick for organizing dispatches. A top-tier Internet of Things (IoT) solutions provider, it facilitates fleet managers to choose the optimal vehicle and route for jobs and calculate predicted departure times according to live traffic conditions, time on site, and expected travel time. Here’s what you else can expect if you opt for Samsara as your chosen telematics provider.

Samsara flexi
Samsara
Pricing From $27/month
Strengths

Increases dispatch efficiency

Excellent driver management tools

30-second to one-minute data updates

24/7 customer support

Weaknesses

Three year minimum contract

Not a cheap option

Doesn't help with installation

Pricing
ProductPricing (per device, due upfront) Samsara has custom packages; these prices are exemplary
Vehicle Gateway (ELD) $1584 for 3-year software license ($44/mth)
Cargo Monitor $162 for 3-year software license ($4.5/mth)
Environmental Monitor $324 for 3-year software license ($9/mth)
Panic Button $59

Why we like Samsara for fleet telematics

Samsara is another strong contender for telematics, and we rate it highly for its ability to streamline driver dispatches.

Its automatic route optimization feature calculates what order of jobs and stops will take the least amount of time (at a maximum of 20 stops). It uses data from previous trips to estimate how much time each stop will take and generates a planned departure time for each. This avoids wasting time and helps you improve fuel efficiency, something the vast majority of fleet managers will appreciate in the current economic climate.

Samsara also allows you to customize your alerts, so you can set your own parameters for what’s considered harsh driving, for events such as acceleration, brakes, turns, and crashes. This level of customization allows you to build a complete picture of your safety trends and improvements over time, in a way that’s unique to your fleet.

Samsara Dashboard map
Samsara's Dashboard Map shows all your fleet vehicles and assets, as well as their current status (green arrows indicate a moving vehicle, for example) - Source: Samsara

Samsara’s potential drawbacks

One of Samsara’s downsides is that it doesn’t offer installation support. For individual or smaller fleets who don’t have a designated team for this, it can hinder operations as you have to know how to install a car tracker on your own.

It’s also on the expensive side. While Samsara provides custom pricing packages, exemplary quotes we’ve received show most fleets will pay $27 to $33 per vehicle, per month for a Samsara system. If you’re looking for a cheaper option that offers free installation support, RAM with its quotes starting at less than $20 per vehicle, per month.

screenshot of Samsara GPS tracking map
Samsara’s route map lets you see the progress made by your driver, including notes on missed stops - Source: Samsara

Who is Samsara suited to?

As you might expect, fleets focused on improving dispatch efficiency and managing complex scheduling needs will find Samsara a good fit. Its route optimization capabilities and integration with real-time traffic data help dispatchers make smarter decisions, and keep jobs on schedule with minimal fuel waste.

Given its breadth of features, only truly rivaled by Verizon Connect in this sense, including robust driver management features, customizable alerts for driving behavior, as well as its 24/7 customer support, it’s a solid choice for larger fleets in general looking to cover all bases. Albeit, this does come at a more premium price point than some other telematics systems.

What's New for Samsara? November 2024

Samsara recently launched its Drowsiness Detection system. An AI trained on its large-scale dataset, the feature proactively detects when signs of drowsiness occur and triggers in-cab audio alerts for drivers, as well as notifying managers via text or email. These insights can later be viewed via reports on the Samsara Platform to analyze patterns of fatigue across a fleet.

3. Azuga: Best Telematics Provider for Efficient Routes

Azuga provides the best route for your drivers based on business priorities, even for routes with multiple stops, earning some of the highest praise in this portion of our testing. That adeptness, alongside some strong vehicle management tool performance around fuel conservation and driver resources, has impressed us enough to take third spot in our telematics ranking.

azuga Logo
Azuga
Pricing $25 - $35
Strengths

One of the best options for managing vehicle health and maintenance

Suggests efficient driving routes

Monitor driver activity with geofencing

Weaknesses

Not compatible with third-party sat navs

No crash reporting

No hardwired option

Pricing
Price range Prices are bespoke, based on factors like fleet size, package options, and contract length
$25 to $35 Per vehicle, per month

Why we like Azuga for fleet telematics

Azuga truly understands the art of telematics, especially when it comes to finding you the most efficient routes.

Its Web Platform Structure uses algorithmic and machine learning techniques to compute and analyze your journey stops. You can also set parameters for route optimization, including maximum route duration and maximum distance, but you can also get granular and set a maximum revenue per route, or weight per vehicle.

It’s the most innovative calculation we’ve observed and surpasses Samsara’s automatic route optimization feature since it doesn’t have a 20-stop limit.

Another standout feature is Azuga’s fully customizable data refresh times. Although it is on par with Verizon and Samsara’s 30-second refresh rate, you can customize the speed as you see fit, between 30 seconds to 59 minutes. This is in addition to other excellent tracking features, such as the breadcrumb view to track every vehicle on your live map.

image of route replay on Azuga
After a route has been completed, you can replay it with all the details record in the Azuga platform - Source: Azuga

Azuga’s potential drawbacks

Azuga’s major drawback is that it doesn’t integrate with third-party satellite navigation (GPS) devices, something both Verizon Connect and Samsara do.

It also doesn’t have hardwired options, potentially weakening its security features as anyone can quickly disconnect the vehicle from the system. To add to these safety concerns, Azuga has no crash reporting, so if a driver gets into an accident you won’t have a record of it. If you prefer having these features in your telematics system, we recommend opting for Verizon. 

hand holding green ELD GPS device in front on a steering wheel inside a car
Azuga's plug-in device can be plugged directly into your vehicle's diagnostic port - Source: Azuga

What businesses is Azuga suited to?

Its vehicle tracking technology, with data-driven route suggestions and customizable data refresh rates, makes Azuga one of the best choices for detailed data on fuel usage. This might be last-mile delivery services that tend to burn more fuel driving in slower neighborhoods, or it could be long-haul truckers who constantly use entire tanks of gas.

Relatedly, Azuga’s system also includes valuable vehicle maintenance insights including fuel efficiency tracking, making it ideal for fleet managers who need to monitor vehicle health closely, such as those with aging vehicles.

In terms of price, fleets looking for a balance between affordability and powerful telematics features will find Azuga a good fit, though it lacks some integration options for external GPS devices and crash reporting.

What's New for Azuga? November 2024

Azuga just launched its new Equipment Tracking system for US customers last month. This includes new impact-resistant tracking devices with longer-lasting battery lives and low-power capabilities. The system also features motion detection and low battery alerts to keep fleets aware of the latest status of their equipment.

4. Teletrac Navman TN360: Best Telematics Provider for Managing Drivers

Teletrac Navman is one of the world’s largest telematics and fleet solutions providers, boasting over 35 years of experience.

Its TN360 software is particularly beneficial for driver management, showing a detailed breakdown of driver history and the ability to manage driver behavior. This is done through various features including a leaderboard system, automatic alerts for dangerous driving, and reporting to analyze journeys or specific events. We’ll explain these driver-related features and more shortly.

Teletrac Navman TN360
Pricing From $25
Strengths

Best option for a one-year initial contract

Top-tier driver monitoring tools, including driver fatigue management

Provides real-time data updates for vehicle tracking

Weaknesses

Expensive product

Lacks some advanced hardware features like cargo temperature and engine temperature monitoring

No panic button

Pricing
Starting price Prices are bespoke, based on factors like fleet size, package options, and contract length
From $25 Per vehicle, per month

Why we like Teletrac Navman for fleet telematics

Teletrac Navman TN360 is the best telematics system for managing drivers.

Its standout features for drivers include customized alert parameters for harsh driving, similar to those offered by Samsara, with the difference being that Teletrac Navman lets you choose where you receive alerts (on desktop, by email, or by text).

The system also has pre-made driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR) templates, making it quick and easy for drivers to submit reports, and has an entire set of tools for managing driver fatigue. This includes scheduling mandatory breaks and driver training, to help ensure the safety of your drivers and keep your vehicles in tip-top shape.

Teletrac Navman also has some commendable tracking features, like real-time data refresh time. It is the fastest refresh rate among all the suppliers we’ve researched, as the next fastest rate is at 15 seconds with Spireon. Having real-time tracking data available helps you monitor your vehicles efficiently. And, unlike RAM, Quartix, and Spireon, Teletrac provides 24/7 phone support to its users, which comes in handy during urgent concerns and queries.

teletrac navman driver scorecard for truckers
Teletrac Navman's driver scorecards create easily interpreted visuals for an oversight on your trucker's driving and the necessary detail to understand exactly where inefficiencies lie - Source: Teletrac Navman

Teletrac Navman’s potential drawbacks

Teletrac doesn’t have cargo and engine temperature sensors. So, if your fleet handles temperature-sensitive goods, such as food or medicine, we recommend opting for Verizon, as it uses diagnostics to detect temperature.

But if you are more concerned about pricing than temperature sensors, we’d hand it to Quartix, which starts at around $14.90 per vehicle, per month, compared to Teletrac, which starts at around $25 per vehicle, per month. 

Who is Teletrac Navman TN360 suited to?

We highly recommend Teletrac Navman for companies that want advanced driver management tools and real-time data updates. Its driver-focused features, such as a comprehensive leaderboard system, DVIR templates, and fatigue management tools, make it a strong choice for businesses focused on ensuring driver safety and compliance. If you’ve been stung in this regard before, you’ll be in good hands with its TN360 software.

However, for fleets needing temperature monitoring for sensitive cargo, alternatives like Verizon may be more appropriate.

5. RAM: Best Telematics Provider for Improving Driver Safety

Founded in the UK back in 2004, RAM Tracking expanded into Canadian and US telematics markets in the intervening years.

It has somewhat basic telematics and fleet management software, though it did impress us with how much it offers at its comparatively low cost. In particular, its driver safety features are useful for keeping tabs on how careful your fleet is on the road. We’ll detail exactly how it achieves this shortly, as well as what else you can expect with RAM.

RAM tracking
4.3 Expert research score
Pricing From $15.99
Strengths

Comprehensive driver scoring system

Map view live vehicle tracking

Weather updates from Google Maps

Weaknesses

Won't plan the best routes for your drivers

No vehicle maintenance tracking

No driver messaging feature

Pricing
Pricing Custom. Based on fleet size, package features, and contract length
From $15.99 per month, per vehicle (representative price for five year contract)

Why we like RAM for fleet telematics

RAM is our top recommendation for a telematics system that improves driver safety. With a centralized Driver App, you’ll be able to see summaries of essential driver information including assigned vehicle, locations visited and driving time, anytime, from anywhere.

In terms of behavior management, you’ll receive alerts on accidents, speeding, harsh braking and acceleration which can be compiled into reports. You can encourage and reward safer driving practices with a points and leaderboard system.

It’s also one of the more affordable solutions on our list. Although RAM offers custom pricing, like most telematics providers, the example quotes we received show that you can get a software and dashcam bundle for around $15.99 per vehicle, per month, much less than Samsara or Verizon.

Apart from being affordable, RAM also helps you manage overall fleet costs, including fuel, with financial reporting that you can integrate with your timesheet reports to effectively track travel and on-site expenses. It includes approximate fuel cost expectations and driver travel time expenditure

Installing telematics is also a breeze with RAM, as it schedules engineers to come in and install it for you without additional fees.

RAM tracking daily timeline
Creating and reviewing a daily timeline for a driver is via the Live Grid is pretty simply done, as this clip shows - Source: RAM Tracking
What's New for Teletrac Navman? November 2024

There have been no major updates to the US version of Teletrac Navman’s TN360 software in the past couple of months. However, it’s worth noting that it just won AutoTech’s Breakthrough Award for “Vehicle Tracking Solution of the Year”, which is something worth shouting about.

Teletrac Navman has also launched a ‘decarbonization consultancy service‘ for businesses looking for advice on multi-energy products. This leverages Teletrac’s parent company Vontier, which offers tools across infrastructure, energy management, and fleet operations.

RAM’s potential drawbacks

Where RAM falters a little is its optimization features. Unlike Samsara and Verizon, it doesn’t offer automatic route optimization, which could significantly reduce fleet expenses by suggesting the shortest journey for your drivers.

What’s more, if you do want your drivers to take the most optimal route, you’ll have to put time aside to manually plan it out that you wouldn’t with RAM’s rivals. 

The company also doesn’t provide vehicle diagnostics or track fleet maintenance records, which are crucial when it comes to maintaining your vehicles and reducing downtime.

RAM calendar scheduler
Once you have create a job in RAM Assist, you can then drag-and-drop it into the calendar under any driver at any time to schedule the job - Source: RAM Tracking

Who is RAM Tracking suited to?

Overall, we’d suggest RAM Tracking to smaller fleets that prioritize drivers over advanced tracking or route optimization features. Its driver behavior management tools, centralized Driver App, and affordable pricing make it well-suited for managers who need a straightforward monitoring solution that facilitates easy communication with drivers.

RAM’s simplified telematics functionality is best for businesses that can manage route planning manually (or with another app) but still need essential fleet-tracking features. Fleets on a tight budget will appreciate its affordability and installation support, too.

What's New for RAM? November 2024

RAM now offers a ‘LiveShare’ feature that allows drivers to share their location with customers. The feature can be enabled via the RAM Tracking web app, and after this is done, a tracking link will be sent to the customer.

6. GPS Trackit: Best Telematics Provider for Smaller Fleets

Headquartered in Roswell, Georgia, GPS Trackit provides telematics tracking and fleet management solutions at an appealing price that, like RAM Tracking, makes it a great solution for smaller-sized fleets with less budget to spend. Its GPS tracking tech collects detailed driver behavior reports so you can hone in on patterns of unsafe road activity.

GPS Trackit
Pricing From $23.95 per vehicle, per month
Strengths

Excellent theft prevention measures

Customized reporting

Two-way driver messaging with canned responses

Weaknesses

No satnav integration

No vehicle diagnostics

No automatic route optimization

Pricing
Price Custom pricing packages based on needs, fleet size, and contract lengths. Below is a referential amount
From $23.95 per vehicle, per month

Why we like GPS Trackit for fleet telematics

We’ve singled GPS Trackit out as the best provider for smaller fleets, providing advanced features at a reasonable price.

The system allows you to track your vehicles’ locations in real-time (something not offered by top provider Verizon Connect), and it has an outstanding theft prevention feature, which provides 24/7 protection, off-hours and unauthorized movement alerts, as well as remote main power disconnections.

GPS Trackit also allows you to customize vehicle reporting tools, such as driver scorecards, landmark reports, and speed and safety reports, making it easier to sift through data. And, it has cargo and engine temperature monitoring, premium features that are absent from both RAM and Teletrac Navman.

GPS Trackit does have the most basic interface among the suppliers we’ve looked into, but we think that makes it easy to navigate, making it perfect for smaller fleets looking for a simple solution.

GPS Insight map view showing a driver's route in a green line on Google Maps, with a pane featuring an SMS message to the driver
In the right-hand driver pane on GPS Insight's map view, you can send messages to your drivers - Source: Expert Market

GPS Trackit’s potential drawbacks

The simplicity of GPS Trackit’s system is a bit of a double-edged sword since it means it’s missing key features such as vehicle diagnostics, automatic route optimization, and traffic alerts.

It also doesn’t integrate with satnavs, so if that’s a deal breaker for you, we suggest you look at Verizon Connect or Samsara.

Who is GPS Trackit suited to?

If you are a smaller fleet seeking robust theft prevention and customized reporting at a budget-friendly price, GPS Trackit might be the pick for you. You’ll need to put up with fairly basic telematics features lacking things like route optimization or vehicle diagnostics.

Additionally, fleets looking for flexible contract options will find GPS Trackit a strong option, too.

What's New for GPS Trackit? June 2024

GPS Trackit recently launched a new feature called “Custom Map Layers“. While still not an automatic route optimization feature, it’s an improvement that’s there to help fleet managers design routes. They can highlight preferred routes or restricted zones, and the map shows traffic patterns, construction areas, and accident-prone zones.

7. Quartix: Best Telematics Provider for Managing Fuel Costs

Founded in 2001, and with US offices since 2014, Quartix is a leading telematics system that is a superb choice for helping businesses reduce fuel costs and improve fleet performance. 

Quartix Logo
Quartix
4.1 Expert research score
Pricing $14.90 - $22.90
Strengths

Integrates with fuel cards

Tracks fuel spending and emissions

Gives a comprehensive view of active vehicles

Weaknesses

Doesn't automatically optimize your routes

Lacks automated maintenance scheduling

No vehicle diagnostics

Pricing
Pricing Custom. Based on fleet size, package features, and contract length. Figures shown are representative
From $14.90 per month, per vehicle
Our experience testing Quartix

Overall, I’d say Quartix offers a more back-to-basics approach to fleet tracking software. It has great live tracking functionality, as you would have from a telematics platform, alongside route histories and vehicle metrics for journeys, incidents, and inspections.

In terms of general usability, I found the newly designed web app to be functional with an intuitive interface that utilizes easily interpreted icons to make for a simple navigation process (albeit, I found jumping between features frustrating due to its lack of memory). It also has some of the fastest loading speeds for retrieving reports and accessing other tools I’ve experienced with fleet software (even if its refresh rate lags behind the top providers at one minute).

Why we like Quartix for fleet telematics

Fuel is one of fleet management’s biggest and most unpredictable expenses, but fortunately, Quartix can help stay on top of fuel spending.

Its system integrates data from your fuel cards through its partnership with FleetCheck. You’ll have oversight on spending, and get reports on your vehicles’ CO2 emissions. On top of this, Quartix also sends alerts whenever it detects driving behaviors that waste fuel, such as speeding and idling.

Screenshot of Quartix vehicle mileage report
You can create IFTA mileage reports using Quartix's software in very quick time - Source: Expert Market

When it comes to other features, we found the Quartix interface a little tricky to use at first, especially when it came to flipping between tabs. Despite the fact that each tab had well-placed buttons for generating reports or adjusting settings when needed, it wasn’t immediately obvious how to get from one tab to the other.

Once you do figure it out, however, any data-hungry managers will be able to analyze speeding incidents and track critical battery statuses on a granular level that covers specific vehicles, locations, and times.

quartix map view zoomed on to vehicle data information showing vehicle in red on map and traffic conditions in green
Vehicle information is displayed in a instantly legible manner via Quartix - Source: Expert Market

Quartix’s potential drawbacks

When it comes to reducing fleet costs beyond fuel savings, Quartix lacks the necessary components. For starters, it doesn’t offer vehicle diagnostics or maintenance scheduling, which are essential when it comes to ensuring your vehicles function properly and are roadworthy.

It also does not support automatic route optimization, another tool that could help cut down your fleet’s fuel expenses as it provides the most efficient routes. For great route optimization tools, we recommend Azuga or Samsara.

Lastly, Quartix has a slower data refresh rate of one to two minutes (depending on your package). If you need these features, then we recommend Teletrac, since it has real-time tracking.

What businesses is Quartix suited to?

If you need advanced features for fleet management beyond telematics, such as route optimization, driver dispatching, and in-depth reports on driver safety and efficiency, Quartix isn’t for you. It purely focuses on fleet tracking past and present.

To that end, we would say if you just need telematics tracking, or you are a small-sized fleet that doesn’t require much functionality of this type, then Quartix is an excellent choice. What features it does have are excellently deployed, including an easy-to-understand live tracking map, useful driver and vehicle histories, and vehicle metric data to dive into, too.

quartix replay route feature displaying a route previously taken by a driver/vehicle on a map
The Route map in Quartix lets you easily see routes previously taken by drivers within a specified time period - Source: Expert Market
What's New for Quartix? November 2024

Quartix hasn’t yet rolled out any new updates of note this calendar year. Its last new feature was in December 2023 for “Speed Limits”. Users can view speed violations, and where each driver has exceeded the speed limit on the daily route map. This feature can be fine-tuned to your preference based on what percentage or how many mph the speed limit was exceeded.

8. Spireon: Best Telematics Provider for Mixed Fleets

Spireon’s FleetLocate software is its GPS fleet tracking management system for fleet, trailer, and asset managers. Founded in 2002 as a telematics company, Spireon has since expanded into a variety of other fleet management solutions including asset tracking, vehicle finance solutions, and dealer inventory management. As such, it is well suited to fleets of different configurations; no matter what sorts of telematics tracking you require, Spireon likely has a specialized tool.

spireon logo
Spireon
Pricing On request
Strengths

Solutions for cars, vans, and trucks

Very accurate tracking thanks to fast refresh rate

Full set of maintenance tools

Weaknesses

Mandatory three-year contract

No route optimization capability

No panic button or crash reporting

Pricing
Pricing
Bespoke Based on fleet size, package features, and contract length

Why we like Spireon for fleet telematics

Spireon is another great telematics provider that helps you stay on top of vehicle tracking, with tailored solutions to suit a variety of fleet types. It has telematics solutions for car dealers, commercial fleets, and trailer and asset managers, so can be used by fleets that utilize cars, vans, trucks, or a mix.

It also comes with key telematics features. For example, with its Fleetlocate app, managers can access real-time GPS tracking at all times, and receive instant notifications for speeding, and other harsh maneuvers.

And, although Spireon doesn’t have a native route optimization tool, it can integrate with third-party tools, offering a neat workaround that’s absent from RAM and Quartix’s kit.

Spireon also has a full set of vehicle maintenance tools, such as maintenance record tracking, maintenance scheduling, and vehicle diagnostics, which sets it apart from those two as well.

Spireon FleetLocate software map features
Spireon's FleetLocate software has a map view that's par for the course with GPS tracking software, though it functions well and allows you to view driver history in a couple of clicks - Source: Spireon

Spireon’s potential drawbacks

However, our deep dive into Spireon identified its pricing plans as its downside. With an average score of 2.5/5 in our pricing analysis, Spireon is committed to its mandatory three-year contracts. If you do not want to be tied into a lengthy contract or if your fleet operates seasonally, we’d recommend trying GPS Trackit, which employs a zero-contract policy.

It’s also worth noting that Spireon offers custom pricing plans based on fleet size, contract length, and features.

Who is Spireon suited to?

Mixed fleets managing a variety of vehicle types should find Spireon’s FleetLocate software a handy, tailored solution for cars, vans, trucks, and trailers alike.

However, its three-year contract length may deter seasonal fleets, who might benefit more from providers like GPS Trackit with zero-contract policies.

What's New for Spireon? November 2024

Spireon has not announced any product updates so far this year.

9. Linxup: Best for Pricing Transparency

Linxup‘s advantage over other telematics providers is that many of its larger-sized competitors use custom-based pricing, as I’m sure you can tell from this webpage. As such, its pricing transparency, with details about its bundles all readily available online, makes it easier to compare pricing in an industry often guilty of confusing sales tactics. We’ll detail what features you get for that spend shortly.

linxup Logo
Linxup
Pricing From $25 per month
Strengths

Transparent pricing

Short contract lengths available

User-friendly and comprehensive tracking

Weaknesses

No traffic alerts or route optimization

No crash reporting

Short warranty on devices

Pricing
ItemStarting Price Prices displayed are for three-year contracts. Prices go up for shorter contracts
Plug-In GPS Vehicle Tracker From $25/month/vehicle
Wire-In GPS Tracker From $25/month/vehicle
JBUS Plug-In GPS Tracker From $25/month/vehicle
Linxcam Dash Cam (add-on) From $99 + $25/month/vehicle
LinxCam AI Dash Cam From $99 + $40/month/vehicle
ELD From $30 per month (free hardware with contract)

Why we like Linxup for fleet telematics

Linxup is one of the few telematics companies that advertises its pricing, with vehicle trackers starting at $25 per month per vehicle. Custom pricing is also available for high-volume orders. Either way, this transparency makes it easy for you to tell if Linxup’s telematics system fits into your fleet’s budget, without the need to wait for a quote, something that’s rare in the industry.

For added flexibility, Linxup has varying contract lengths, from one year to three years, so you don’t need to feel locked into their services.

Besides clear pricing, Linxup has some decent telematics features. The system automatically syncs data whenever a fault is detected in your vehicle, minimizing vehicle downtime caused by faulty systems. It also produces mileage reports for every journey to help you track diagnostics.

Another cost-reducing feature from Linxup is its detailed fuel reports, which include the gallons used per vehicle, fuel tax rates per state, and the due dates of taxes.

map view from within linxup software
The live map view within Linxup uses very similar iconography to Verizon Connect Reveal, with red pauses for stationary vehicles and green arrows for moving ones - Source: Linxup

Linxup’s potential drawbacks

Linxup isn’t without its faults. It doesn’t provide traffic alerts or automatic route optimization, essential features for minimizing fuel costs and speeding up journeys.

The system also doesn’t do crash reporting. Crashes can be recorded with Linxup dashcams, but they won’t be logged it the system, which can make it more difficult to keep track of vehicles and drivers that have been previously involved in accidents.

Lastly, Linxup has quite a short warranty on its hardware. The warranty is only one year, whereas providers like RAM or Quartix have lifetime warranties. This might suggest that Linxup doesn’t trust its products to last.

Who is Linxup suited to?

Linxup is perfect for businesses that value pricing transparency and straightforward telematics tools without hidden fees. Its clear pricing, short contract options, and easy-to-use tracking features make it ideal for budget-conscious companies that need reliable fleet tracking without advanced features like traffic alerts or crash reporting.

What's New for Linxup? November 2024

Linxup has not announced any product updates so far this year.

Telematics Buying Guide

The best fleet telematics systems combine telecommunications and informatics to monitor and manage vehicles effectively. But if you don’t know what in particular to look out for with a telematics system, here’s our whistle-stop guide to help you understand what you’re getting into.

Core components of a telematics system

  • Telematics device: An onboard hardware unit that collects data such as location, speed, and vehicle diagnostics. It typically connects to the vehicle’s OBD-II port or CAN bus depending on the vehicle.
  • Data transmission: Utilizes cellular or satellite networks to send collected data to a central server for analysis. Normally this will be a component of the telematics device itself.
  • Fleet management software: A platform that processes incoming data, providing real-time insights and reports accessible via web or mobile applications.

Essential features of telematics systems

  • Real-time GPS tracking: Monitors vehicle locations to enhance routing and dispatching efficiency. This is a part of every telematics system we’ve researched and is usually the landing page of software you’ll encounter.
  • Driver behavior monitoring: Analyzes driving patterns to promote safety and reduce wear on vehicles.
  • Maintenance alerts: Notifies managers of upcoming service needs, preventing costly breakdowns.
  • Fuel usage analysis: Tracks consumption to identify savings opportunities and reduce environmental impact.

How to choose the optimal telematics system for you

There are many factors to consider when picking a telematics provider, and ultimately which ones are most important for your business will vary. Still, here are some things we suggest you think about when picking the one for you:

  • Scalability: Choose a system that can grow with your fleet’s size and operational complexity. It can be difficult to stop using a telematics system if you are bound up in a long contract or simply in terms of exporting all your past data to the new system should you outgrow your current one.
  • Integration capabilities: Ensure compatibility with existing systems like dispatch, accounting, or CRM software. If you have existing tools, you’ll need them to be working in harmony with the telematics provider you choose.
  • User-friendly interface: Opt for intuitive platforms that require minimal training for effective use, especially if more than just the fleet manager is using the telematics system.
  • Data security: Prioritize providers that implement robust measures. If you are a fleet company dealing with sensitive information, this is even more important.

How We Ranked the Best Telematics Companies

We investigated 29 market-leading fleet management and vehicle tracking systems to evaluate them in terms of functionality, usability, accuracy, and aesthetics so we can make the most useful recommendations to US businesses.

Our rigorous research process means these products have been scored and rated in six main categories of investigation and six subcategories – in fact, we covered 51 areas of investigation in total. We then gave each category score a ‘relevance weighting' to ensure the product's final score perfectly reflects the needs and requirements of Expert Market readers.

Our main testing categories for vehicle tracking systems are:

Price: The cost associated with using the vehicle tracking software, including upfront costs, subscription fees, hardware costs (if applicable), and any additional charges for advanced features or add-ons.

Tracking: The core functionality of the vehicle tracking software, which involves monitoring and tracking the location and movements of vehicles in real-time, such as GPS tracking, route optimization, and geofencing.

Driver Management: The features and tools provided by the vehicle tracking software to manage and monitor driver activities. This can include driver behavior monitoring, driver performance reports, and driver identification.

Vehicle Management: The functionalities that allow for the efficient management and maintenance of vehicles, such as vehicle health monitoring and maintenance scheduling.

Product Features: The additional functionalities and capabilities offered by the vehicle tracking software beyond basic tracking and management, such as real-time alerts and notifications or driver routing and dispatching.

Support: The resources, assistance, and guidance provided by the vehicle tracking software company to users, including phone support, email or chat support, and online forums.

 

Verdict

In summary, Verizon Connect is the best telematics provider according to our extensive research.  It offers the most comprehensive set of management and tracking features, which help boost fleet efficiency while cutting down on general costs, be it fuel or unprecedented vehicle downtime. And we found it intuitive to use during our testing of the Reveal platform, too.

However, the extent of its tool and the price they add up to means its Reveal software won’t be the right fit for everyone. RAM, Quartix, and Spireon are some of the lowest-cost providers we’ve reviewed, though each uses custom pricing so any listed prices are estimates. Annoyingly, learning the exact price of most telematics companies takes time since you’ll need to source custom quotes for your business requirements via each provider.

To get answers right away, you can use our free quote-finding tool. We’ll match you with top provider plans that meet your needs to get those conversations going in under 60 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between fleet telematics and vehicle tracking?
Vehicle tracking is one aspect of fleet telematics. A fleet telematics system combines multiple functions vital to fleet management, including vehicle tracking, but also telecommunications between drivers and managers, driving behavior monitoring, fuel management, and reporting. In short, a telematics provider is a fleet management system.
What is the largest telematics company?
The largest telematics company, according to our research, is Verizon. It has thousands of users all over the US and has a comprehensive array of vehicle tracking and management features – and more!
Written by:
Laurice first fell in love with words at seven years old. Today, she drives her passion by writing informative content about fleet management systems and vehicle tracking solutions for Expert Market. When she’s not writing, she’s indulging her profound love for all things pink or caffeine-infused.
Reviewed by:
Headshot of Expert Market Senior Writer Tatiana Lebtreton
Tatiana is Expert Market's resident payments and online growth expert, specialising in (E)POS and merchant accounts, as well as website builders.