Written by Julia Watts Reviewed by James Macey Updated on 2 June 2023 On this page The best low-cost vehicle tracking systems Samsara Teletrac Navman TN360 RAM Tracking Radius Telematics Quartix How did we find the best cheap vehicle tracking systems? Expert verdict How to choose the right cheap fleet tracking system FAQs Expand Our site is reader-supported – by clicking our links, we can match you with a potential supplier, and we may earn a small commission for this referral. Swipe right to see more 0 out of 0 backward forward Best cheap vehicle tracking system Samsara Teletrac Navman TN360 RAM Tracking Radius Telematics Quartix Best For Best for managing vehicles Best For Best for managing drivers Best For Best for affordability Best For Best for smaller fleets Best For Best for managing fuel costs Key Features 24/7 customer supportAutomatic route optimisationDriver messagingAlerts on engine idling Key Features Ability to track vehicles and retrieve current statusSend and receive messagesView vehicles and fleet information in real timeGet notifications Key Features Data updated every 60 seconds, 1,000 metres, or 90 degree turnCustomisation of locationsReal-time graphic dashboardPoints and leaderboard system Key Features Display traffic informationCall or text driversSelect which vehicles you want to see on the mapExamine performance of drivers Key Features Live trackingDaily vehicle logs for driving historyPoints and leaderboard system for driver behaviour managementCO2 emission reports Get free quotes Get free quotes Get free quotes Get free quotes Get free quotes Based on our meticulous testing, the shining star on our cheap vehicle tracking leader board is Samsara. With its excellent efficiency features and solid tracking functionality, it scores a stellar 5/5 for both driver and vehicle management during our in-depth testing. We particularly like Samsara’s fuel management feature which, through customised reports, can help you obtain all the insights you need to avoid paying astronomical fuel fees.Whether it’s because of inflation, rising fuel prices, or supply shocks caused by conflicts abroad, business fleet operational costs are climbing without a clear end in sight. With such costs to contend with, it’s vital that you keep your costs low. How can you navigate all of these cost-related headaches? A robust vehicle tracking system from the best supplier.When you’re looking for your next vehicle tracking system, your wish list should include three key aspects. You’ll want a system that is affordable, that is filled with tons of features to help optimise your routes and keep your drivers safe, and that offers reliable customer support. If you’re feeling a bit disoriented, we’ve created a shortcut for you – use our free comparison tool and we’ll connect with providers that can meet your fleet’s needs!Time to crunch the numbers – which suppliers provide the best cheap vehicle tracking systems? The best low-cost vehicle tracking systemsWe tested a range of cheap car tracking suppliers available to UK businesses, and we’ve found that the best cheap vehicle tracking systems are provided by Samsara, Teletrac Navman TN360, RAM, Radius Fleet Services, and Quartix. Let’s find out what makes them great.The best cheap vehicle tracking suppliers for UK businesses:Samsara: best for managing vehiclesTeletrac Navman TN360: best for managing driversRAM: best for affordabilityRadius Fleet Services: best for smaller fleetsQuartix: best for managing fuel costs Compare obligation-free quotes from the low-cost vehicle tracking suppliers that are right for you Get tailored quotes! ▶ Read more: The 5 best UK vehicle tracking providers Samsara – Best for managing vehicles Samsara 4.6 Pricing Monthly license from £10.83 - 23.75 Get free quotes Read our review Quick overview Samsara stands out on the motorway thanks to its excellent vehicle management features that help you optimise routes, cut down on idling, and save time and money while you’re at it. Scoring a fantastic 5/5 for vehicle management in our research, Samsara makes a name for itself thanks to its driver messaging system that prevents drivers from reading messages while driving. Once you are alerted to your employee’s erratic driving, you can communicate directly in real time, ensuring your fleet is safe in real time as well. Thanks to its strong set of vehicle management features, Samsara takes home a strong 4.6/5 overall rating in our independent research, as well as a stellar 5/5 for driver management features.However, the downside to Samsara is that it’s not for everyone. Scoring an above-average 3.1/5 for price in our research, Samsara is on the pricier end of the spectrum, ranging from £10.83 to £23.75 for a monthly licence. Samsara also requires you to take out a contract of at least three years, representing a long-term commitment that might not be the best course of action for all fleets. If this sounds like a dealbreaker for your business, we’d recommend looking at RAM or Radius, which score above 4/5 for price in our research. However, we will say that it’s a worthy investment if you’re looking for lots of functionality, but we’d say it’s probably not the best move for smaller fleets. Read more + Read less - Strengths Very strong range of vehicle and driver management features 24/7 customer support You can customise what constitutes a harsh event, giving it lots of functionality Weaknesses Minimum 3-year contract length Pricier than other fleet management systems Pricing See more See less Price guide Monthly license from £10.83 - 23.75 How does Samsara compare to other cheap vehicle tracking systems?Compared with other vehicle tracking systems, Samsara definitely speeds ahead if you’re on the hunt for powerful functionality in the vehicle management arena. Scoring a perfect 5/5 for vehicle management features in our research, Samsara gives you valuable insights into fuel usage, helping you manage your gas expenses – which is crucial, considering how gas prices keep on climbing. It also comes equipped with advanced vehicle management features, like cargo and engine temperature, giving it an edge over other suppliers, such as RAM or Teletrac Navman TN360.However, if we focus on just the price, Samsara isn’t the star student of the vehicle tracking class. Scoring an above-average 3.1/5 for price in our research, Samsara isn’t the best option for smaller fleets due to higher starting monthly prices and minimum contracts of three years. If you’re willing to forego the deeper vehicle management features to pay less, then we’d recommend looking at RAM, which scores a much healthier 4.6/5 for price. Teletrac Navman TN360 – Best for managing drivers Teletrac Navman TN360 4.6 Pricing Starts around $25 per vehicle, per month Get free quotes Read our review Quick overview Being able to collect lots of data to identify gaps in performance, or areas where you can optimise your routes, is crucial when it comes to managing your drivers. Scoring an overall 4.6/5 in our in-depth research, Teletrac Navman speeds ahead thanks to its innovative reporting features that give you the necessary insights to understand driver behaviour and identify performance gaps in your fleet. With its smart and futuristic reporting feature, you can simply write in search phrases like 'show me fuel consumption by x vehicle for the past 7 days', and Teletrac will generate a report and a chart graphic on command. Other shiny driver management features include driving style analytics and driver performance scorecards, which give you a heads up on erratic driving or idling. These features earn Teletrac a 5/5 for driver management.Scoring an above average 3.4/5 for price, it also isn’t the most affordable solution among the cheap vehicle tracking systems available. We understand that prices start at around $25 per vehicle, per month (prices are only provided in USD), which means it might not be the best option for smaller fleets. Read more + Read less - Strengths Innovative reporting feature Short contract length Comprehensive driver management features, including driver fatigue management Weaknesses Cannot integrate with satnav devices Doesn't provide weather updates Lacks advanced hardware features like cargo temperatures and engine temperature Pricing See more See less Price guide Starting at $25 per vehicle, per month How does Teletrac Navman TN360 compare to other cheap vehicle tracking systems?If your fleet is on the larger end of the spectrum, and you’re looking for a system that is rich in driver management features, we’d say that Teletrac Navman TN360 performs admirably well compared with the rest of the crowd. Scoring an impressive 5/5 for driver management in our testing, Teletrac equips your fleet with driving history insights, driver messaging, driver behaviour management, driving style data, and driver performance. This will make you feel like you’re the co-pilot of your whole fleet, giving you all the control you need to keep on top of your operation.Where Teletrac lags behind others – despite being relatively cheap overall – is price. Starting at roughly $25 per vehicle, per month (keep in mind prices will change depending on your fleet’s characteristics), Teletrac scores a 3.4/5 for price in our research, behind RAM’s 4.6/5 and Radius Fleet Service’s 4.3/5. Therefore, if price is your absolute priority and you’re willing to give up some driver management features, like driver messaging or ELD compliance, then RAM or Radius might be a better fit for you. ▶ Read more: Best Van Tracking Systems Save by comparing vehicle tracking quotes from leading suppliers Do you already have a vehicle tracking system? Yes No RAM Tracking – Best for affordability RAM 4.5 Pricing £8.99 - 14 per vehicle, per month Get free quotes Read our review Quick overview Scoring an impressive 4.6/5 for price in our in-depth research, RAM takes the pole position alongside Quartix for fleets that aren’t looking to drop lots of money on their new vehicle tracking system. For as little as £8.99 per vehicle, per month, RAM has short contract lengths so, if your fleet doesn’t want to commit lots of money just yet, you’ll have that very welcome breathing space to decisively make up your mind. Aside from its alluring price point, we also like RAM because of its tracking features. Scoring a 4.6/5 in this category in our research, RAM gives you access to user-friendly fleet summary reports, customisable locations, 60-second data updates (or every 1,000 metres or every 90 degree turn), and traffic alerts. All of this helps streamline your vehicle tracking and remove any metaphorical speed bumps along your way.Where RAM has more distance to cover is with its vehicle management features. RAM scores a disappointing 1.9/5 in this category and, when compared with other providers, like Radius Fleet Services or Teletrac Navman TN360, which both score above 4/5 in our research. This is because you miss out on fuel management, vehicle diagnostics, fleet maintenance, cargo temperatures, and engine temperature. Read more + Read less - Strengths Short contract lengths One of the cheapest products on the market Offers an agile system for managing driver behaviour Weaknesses Doesn't automatically optimise routes Users aren't allowed to message drivers Limited vehicle management features Pricing See more See less PlanPrice guide (per vehicle, per month) 12 Months £14 36 Months £10.99 48 Months £9.99 5 Years £8.99 How does RAM compare to other cheap vehicle tracking systems?When it comes to finding an affordable vehicle tracking system, RAM is tough to beat. Offering you lots of flexibility in contract length, and with plans starting as low as £8.99 per vehicle, per month, RAM scores 4.6/5 for price in our testing – the highest score alongside Quartix. Keep in mind, the reason why RAM is superior to Quartix for affordability is because it gives users more contract flexibility, whereas Quartix only offers one-year contracts. When it comes to product features, RAM also gives a strong performance when compared with the other providers on this list. Scoring a 4.8/5 in this category, it shoots ahead of all of the suppliers thanks to its provision of weather updates and asset tracker.However, RAM falls very short when it comes to vehicle management. Scoring a poor 1.9/5 for vehicle management in our test, RAM misses out on key features that include fuel management, vehicle diagnostics, fleet maintenance, and cargo and engine temperature. Considering how expensive fuel is getting, we empathise with you if you need a vehicle tracking system that has fuel management. If this sounds like you, we’d recommend looking at Quartix. Radius Telematics – Best for smaller fleets Radius Telematics 4.3 Pricing Starting from £7.20 per vehicle, per month Get free quotes Read our review Quick overview If you have a smaller fleet, and are on the search for a vehicle tracking system that doesn’t feel overwhelmingly pricey or imposing, then we think Radius Telematics could be the solution for you. Scoring a solid overall 4.3/5 in our research, you can get a Radius subscription for as little as £7.20 per vehicle, per month - and you can pay as you go for up to two years. This makes it a great option for smaller fleets that want to avoid long-term costly and lofty commitments and want to have wiggle room if they choose to change providers. Another bonus with Radius is that just because you’re paying less it doesn’t mean you’re compromising on features. Scoring a 4.5/5 for driver management in our research, it gives you tools like driving style and driver performance data, allowing you to keep on top of your fleet.No vehicle tracking provider is perfect, and Radius’s Achilles' heel is its help and support offering. Although you can access a knowledge centre and email support, you miss out on 24/7 phone support and a chat bot. This means that if you have a vehicle tracking emergency, you’re likely to be left out in the cold. Read more + Read less - Strengths Competitive price point Wide range of driver and vehicle management features Users can send tracking data externally to customers Weaknesses Doesn't have 24/7 support or chatbot available You can't access a demo or a trial Doesn't offer automatic route optimisation Pricing See more See less Price Guide Starting from £7.20 per vehicle, per month How does Radius Telematics compare to other cheap vehicle tracking systems?When it comes to flexibility and affordability, our testing shows that Radius takes the cake. With pay-as-you-go arrangements available on a two-year basis, and low monthly prices starting at £7.20, it’s a very persuasive option for smaller fleets. This explains why Radius scores a very strong 4.3/5 for price in our research, above Samsara (3.1/5) and Teletrac Navman TN360 (3.4/5). If we focus on vehicle management features, Radius scores a superior 4.3/5 in this category in our testing. It comes equipped with fuel management, speed control, and cargo and engine temperature – outperforming RAM and Teletrac Navman.However, Radius doesn’t offer very reliable customer support. Although it provides a contact number, it doesn’t advertise a 24-hour service. If this is a must for your fleet, we’d recommend steering your wheel towards Samsara, which does offer 24/7 support. Quartix – Best for managing fuel costs Quartix 4.1 Pricing £9.90 - 16.90 per vehicle, per month Get free quotes Read our review Quick overview The one thing that is on every fleet manager's mind in this economy is fuel prices – and we don’t blame you. Whether it's because of inflation or supply shocks, paying for fuel is undoubtedly becoming a more stressful part of your operation. Quartix comes equipped with fuel management features that will help take some of that stress off your shoulders by avoiding gas wastage. Scoring an overall 4.1/5 in our research, Quartix gives you CO2 emission reports to estimate the emissions of all your vehicles, and is integrable with Fleetcheck, allowing you to access data obtained from fuel cards. This gives an extra level of depth for understanding how you’re using your fuel, and which areas of your fleet you can target to cut back spending.Quartix is also great for small, field-service companies thanks to its low price range, short contracts, and strong tracking functions. All of this explains why Quartix scores a high 4.6/5 for price in our research.However, Quartix doesn’t have the strongest performance for driver management or product features. Scoring a 3.5/5 for both categories, Quartix misses out on key features like crash reporting, driver messaging, and asset tracking, which can handicap the agility of your fleet. If you want providers that are stronger in these arenas, we’d recommend looking at Samsara or Teletrac Navman TN360. Read more + Read less - Strengths One of the cheapest providers on the market Provides free installation to customers Can monitor temperature of cargo Weaknesses Doesn't allow users to message drivers in the field System doesn't automatically optimise routes Doesn't allow users to create maintenance schedules for their vehicles Pricing See more See less PlanPrice (per vehicle, per month) Infopoint £9.90 Infoplus £11.90 Infofleet £16.90 Add-ons £1 How does Quartix compare to other cheap vehicle tracking providers?If saving fuel is at the top of your priority list, then we think Quartix is a very solid solution for your fleet. With advanced fuel management features that clue you in on your CO2 emissions, and syncs data with your fuel cards using Fleetcheck, Quartix can help you avoid fuel wastage and give you more confidence when facing future fuel price increases. Quartix is also exceptional if we focus on price, scoring 4.6/5 in our testing – the highest score (alongside RAM) of all the providers we look at! This is thanks to the low starting prices it offers as well as the flexibility you get with optional add-on purchases, which cost as little as £1.However, where Quartix lags behind Samsara, Teletrac, and Radius is for driver management features. Scoring a marginally acceptable 3.5/5 in this category in our research, Quartix doesn’t offer crash reporting or driver messaging. How did we find the best cheap vehicle tracking systems?We rigorously tested seven of the most used and top-rated project management suppliers on the market. After compiling all the needed information, we then narrowed it down to the top five cheap vehicle tracking apps based on these factors:Price: the platforms with the most competitive prices score the highestTracking: we look at how good the providers are at tracking, based on their offering of fleet summary reports, custom locations, scheduling and dispatching drivers, automatic route optimisation, and moreDriver Management: we assess how easy it’s to manage drivers based on whether you can access driving history, driver messaging, driver ID, driver behaviour management, crash reporting, and moreVehicle Management: we find whether you have access to vehicle diagnostics, fleet maintenance records, speed control, distance travelled, engine temperature, cargo temperature, theft prevention, and moreFeatures: whichever provider offers the widest range of features will rank above those with a thin offeringCustomer Support: we look at the type of features the providers offer to support their customers in case of a vehicle tracking SOSAfter factoring in all of the individual scores from these categories, we calculated an overall score for each supplier to help guide your buying decisions. ▶ Read more: Best Micro GPS Trackers Expert Verdict When it comes to finding the star-student of the vehicle tracking circuit, we definitely think you should look no further than Verizon. Scoring an overall 4.7/5 in our independent research, Verizon has carved a name for itself because of its 5/5 driver and vehicle management features that give you all the necessary tools to feel in control of your fleet. It also has a speedy 30-second data refresh and a fuel efficiency report, which helps improve your customer service and efficiency.However, if based on your budget and fleet size you don’t think Verizon will be the solution for you, we also strongly recommend Samsara. Scoring an almost-equally-competitive overall 4.6/5 in our research, Samsara is an excellent tool for managing vehicles thanks to its comprehensive fuel management offer. You can track current fuel level, fuel used, fuel efficiency, estimated cost, engine run time, and idle time – all crucial insights when everyone in the fleet industry is looking for ways to cut down on fuel spending. Samsara also scores 3.1/5 for price above Verizon’s 2.5/5, making it a more economical choice, specially for smaller fleets.Whether you’re looking for an advanced vehicle tracking solution or just need the basics to get your wheels rolling, investing in a vehicle tracking system can really help streamline your fleet’s operation. Looking for a quick and easy way to compare quotes and find the provider that works for you? Use our free quote comparison tool. We’ll connect you with providers that will give you obligation-free quotes. How to choose the right low-cost fleet tracking systemBefore you start counting out the pennies for a cheap vehicle tracking system, you need to compare your options and make sure you’ve picked the right one – cheapest isn’t always best, and every cheap car tracker is different.To help you, we’ve put together three questions to ask to avoid the most common pitfalls for first-time vehicle tracking users:1) Is it flexible?Before you start leasing your cheap fleet tracking system, you’ll need to dive into the depths of the small print and examine how much wiggle room the contract will give you.What do we mean by that? Well, if your fleet radically grows or shrinks, you’ll need to be able to adjust your system accordingly. Simply, it is to quickly acquire more devices and sign up more drivers, or send back devices and remove user accounts – with minimal hassle. Will your contract allow this?There’s a whole variety of other things to consider, too. What if you want to upgrade or downgrade to a different payment tier – will that be easy for you? If you choose to change suppliers completely, will the contract length and cancellation policy make that difficult? Are there cancellation fees? Is there a buyout option?2) Is it future-proof?Forget how fun Marty McFly made it seem, when it comes to your business, you can’t afford to get stuck in the past.Vehicle tracking tech is getting better – and cheaper – every year. Even though a deal might look good at first, low fees can sometimes come with long contracts that’ll saddle you with outdated, static technology for a number of years.So, before you sign, make sure you’ll have the option to upgrade your software and devices if, and when, you need to. You might also choose to go for a supplier that can give you a short contract, which will offer more frequent opportunities to review or change the service you’re getting. 3) Is it feature-rich?It may seem like an obvious one, but it can actually be really easy to forget the features – especially if you’re preoccupied with price. As with many things, you get what you pay for – and the more features you want from your vehicle tracking system, the more it’ll cost you. For example, you’ll pay more if you want vehicle speed monitoring.You should definitely only pay for the features you really need. On the flipside though, you shouldn’t forgo the features that could really help boost your operations in favour of a lower price.4) Our bonus question: Is there a faster way to do all this research?Yes! We can help you find the right cheap vehicle tracking system for you – and quickly.Simply answer a few questions about your fleet, and we’ll match you with the UK suppliers that best fit the unique needs of your business. They’ll contact you with personalised, obligation-free quotes, and further information about what their service can offer you. This matchmaking service is fast, free, and easy – why not give it a go? Save by comparing vehicle tracking quotes from leading suppliers Do you already have a Vehicle Tracking System? Yes No FAQs Can I get a free vehicle tracking system anywhere? Unfortunately not! In some cases, companies might offer the software for free, but charge big fees for the hardware – basically, you’ll always need to pay something.Of course, it has to be said that Google Maps does offer a very basic, free solution for small-scale vehicle tracking, which can be a good way to dip your toes into the world of GPS technology. But trust us – it’s not a feasible option for any (even remotely) ambitious business. Where can I find more information about vehicle tracking costs? It doesn’t just come down to one monthly price. Some vehicle tracking suppliers might also charge setup fees, hardware costs, termination charges, and more. Then there’s the question of whether you plan to lease the system – incurring that monthly cost – or buy it outright, forking over a big sum in one go.You’ll find a detailed explanation of all of these considerations and more in our comprehensive guide to vehicle tracking costs. Be sure to check it out if you want to stay cost-savvy! Written by: Julia Watts Software Expert Specialising in business software, Julia writes jargon-busting guides about VoIP, fleet management, dash cams, fuel cards, and more. Having spent almost a decade writing for entrepreneurs and reviewing business solutions, she loves helping exciting ventures – big or small – to flourish. Reviewed by: James Macey Senior Business Software Researcher James draws on his 4+ years experience as a researcher to offer specialized advice on a wide range of categories from CRM to Fleet Management. He believes all businesses can grow if they use the right tools and services.