Written by Julia Watts Reviewed by James Macey Updated on 1 July 2020 On this page What is telematics? The best telematics for businesses Verizon Connect Quartix Teletrac Navman Movolytics Masternaut The benefits of telematics Expert verdict How We Test Vehicle Tracking Systems 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. If your business runs a fleet of vehicles, a telematics system could bring you all sorts of benefits – from ample cost savings to water-tight asset security.But, with so many systems out there, which one is right for your business? Well, to help you get started, we’ve narrowed it down to our top five. What is telematics?First things first – what does telematics actually mean?Telematics is a technology that combines telecommunications with informatics. It relates to the collection and use of data from remote objects. In this case, the remote objects in question are your fleet’s vehicles.So, in this context, vehicle telematics is technology that enables you to track and monitor your motors, and use the data collated to run a more efficient fleet. The best telematics for businessesThe best telematics for UK fleets and vehicles are:Verizon ConnectQuartixTeletrac NavmanMovolyticsMasternautThe best telematics for UK businessesVerizon Connect★★★★★Best overallQuartix★★★★★Best for excellent customer serviceTeletrac Navman★★★★★Best for safety and complianceMovolytics★★★★★Best for boosting fuel efficiencyMasternaut★★★★★Best for easy installation Verizon ConnectThe best telematics overall With over 800,000 vehicles on its books, Verizon Connect is one of the world’s leading telematics providers. Using “the industry’s fastest” interactive maps and live satellite images, it specialises in ultra-reliable GPS tracking, and offers global coverage, too – so you’ll keep track of your motors no matter where they are. Complete with simple dashboards that report on all sorts of fleet management data – and can be viewed using any device with an internet connection – Verizon Connect pretty much does it all. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Our full Verizon Connect review Pros Global coverage Wide range of reporting capabilities Excellent help and support for customers Free demo available Cons Some customers report a lack of training Unclear pricing – only available on request QuartixBest for excellent customer service With a new Quartix telematics system installed every 80 seconds, this company is known for its advanced hardware and sophisticated software – and on top of that, its system is designed for ease of use. You won’t need to go into many different reports to get all the information you need – it’s simple, with most of the data in one place. With customisable real-time dashboards, Quartix analyses your data and produces simple reports on your mileage, vehicle utilisation, and driver behaviour, as well as route analyses and timetables that plot out when vehicle services and insurance renewals are coming up. Importantly, Quartix’s customer service reps are highly praised far and wide. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Our full Quartix review Pros Comprehensive range of features Lots of customers report friendly, helpful, and fast customer service Easy to use Free demo available TrustScore of 9/10 Cons Cheapest package excludes some of the features that are available on higher tier plans Compare prices from leading telematics providers Get free quotes Teletrac NavmanBest for safety and compliance Born of the 2015 merger of Teletrac Inc. and Navman Wireless, Teletrac Navman is all about innovation. Notably, its award-winning fleet management software, DIRECTOR, reports on a wealth of data – from fleet compliance and safety solutions to heavy equipment scheduling. Alongside keeping fleets safe and compliant with specialist reporting, Teletrac helps businesses reduce fuel costs and boost profits – according to the company, the average customer reports a 15% increase in productivity, and a 30% reduction in fuel spend. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Our full Teletrac Navman review Pros Focus on safety and compliance Serves big names like Virgin Atlantic, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover Comprehensive reporting features Great customer service Free demo available Cons Lower TrustScore of 6.8/10 Unclear pricing – quotes only available on request MovolyticsBest for boosting fuel efficiency Over the years, Movolytics has invested millions in developing the most comprehensive telematics software on the market – and it’s definitely paid off. In particular, Movolytics leads the pack (or fleet) when it comes to fuel consumption. Its patented tech gives incredibly accurate, real-time data on how much fuel your fleet is using, how much it’s wasting, and how much that’s costing you – all to help you minimise fuel spend (and boost your eco-friendly credentials). ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Our full Movolytics review Pros Comprehensive range of features and capabilities Reporting geared towards reducing fuel spend Prompt help and support for customers Free demo available Cons Unclear pricing – quotes only available on request MasternautBest for easy installation Active since 1996, Masternaut has a wealth of experience in the fleet telematics field. It provides two main products: Masternaut Go, a simple but powerful vehicle tracking solution for SMEs, and Masternaut Connect, a more complex offering for larger fleets, enabling on-demand reporting on everything from fuel consumption to historical journeys. Handily, Masternaut Pulse –the tracking device the company provides its Go clients – doesn’t require any fiddly or expensive installation. Rather, it just plugs into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Our full Masternaut review Pros Tracking device that drivers can fit themselves – no expensive installation Wide range of features with Connect Simpler, cheaper offering for SMEs with Go Great customer support Clearer pricing – starting from £5.99 per month, per vehicle Free demo available Cons Few independent online reviews to help you make your decision What are the benefits of telematics services?There are plenty of benefits to be reaped from using telematics, including:Lower fuel costsThere are two main ways in which telematics can help you to reduce fuel consumption and, by extension, cut your fuel costs. These are:By alerting you to erratic driving behaviour. Drivers who frequently perform harsh brakes, speed excessively, and spend a lot of time idling will find their vehicles use more fuel than they should. By alerting you to these behaviours, telematics enables you to train drivers in better conduct where necessary, in turn saving you fuel costs.By calculating fuel efficient routes. Telematics systems can calculate the most efficient route for each job, meaning you only use (and pay for!) the amount of fuel you need.Lower insurance premiumsAs we mentioned in the point above, telematics can help you monitor your drivers’ conduct and cut down on aggressive, erratic, and unsafe driving. For many drivers, simply knowing their driving style is being monitored will be enough to keep their conduct in check.In the eyes of an insurer, this means your drivers are less likely to get into accidents and damage their vehicles – making your fleet less of a risk to insure. Plus, your insurance company will be better able to accurately monitor appropriate premium costs for the entire fleet.Greater securityAs well as tracking the locations of each of your fleet’s vehicles – which in itself is a fantastic benefit – telematics devices can also alert you to any unauthorised use of your motors. For example, if one of your vans starts moving outside of designated work hours – or if it travels beyond the routes set out for it – you’ll be made aware in real-time.This gives you a much better chance of locating and recovering any stolen vehicles or cargo, and much more quickly.Monitoring and reportingTelematics enables you to collate and store huge amounts of detailed data about your business and its performance. With so much telling information at your fingertips, you’ll be able to create KPIs, and monitor your progress towards them. You can also make any number of changes – big or miniscule – to the way your business operates, and monitor how your changes impact efficiency. Expert verdictWhile many come with similar features and reporting capabilities, no two telematics systems are the same. The best approach is to choose one based on your business’ particular priorities.If you’re looking for a great all-rounder, Verizon Connect could be the one for you. If you’d like the reassurance of having top-class customer support at your disposal, Quartix might be the right solution. If safety and compliance are at the top of your list, it could be that Teletrac Navman is your ideal provider.If you’re keen to cut fuel costs, Movolytics could be for you. If you’re a small business with limited resources and want something affordable and easy to set up, take a look into Masternaut Go.For added certainty, why not let us help you make the decision? Simply fill in a few details about your business using the form at the top of this page, and you’ll receive tailored quotes from telematics suppliers that can cater to your needs. It’s quick, easy and free – give it a go today! How We Test Vehicle Tracking Systems for BusinessesWe tested 29 market-leading vehicle tracking systems to evaluate them in terms of functionality, usability, vehicle management, price, and more so we can make the most useful recommendations to UK businesses.Our rigorous testing 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 – and that's our algorithm in a nutshell!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 optimisation, 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, 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. 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 thinks all businesses can improve if they use the right technology. At Expert Market, he utilises his 4+ years experience as a researcher to offer specialised advice on a wide range of categories from CRM to Fleet Management.