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GPS fleet tracking is a management system that businesses in transportation industries, such as trucking and car services, often use to monitor company assets, including vehicles, equipment, and drivers. GPS fleet tracking systems (telematics) allow companies to know where their merchandise and equipment are in near-real time and provide useful data about fleets and driver performance. Understanding what a telematics solution is lets you see how it can help your business reduce costs (such as fuel consumption), manage vehicle maintenance, monitor your mobile workforce, and maintain driver safety and compliance. Equally important is knowing which solution is best for your business. We evaluated fleet tracking companies to determine which ones are best for various types of business. When making our choices, we looked at cost, ease of use, hardware and software options, and customer service. You can view our top GPS fleet tracking services below or check out our guide to choosing a GPS fleet tracking system first.

Verizon Connect is our choice as the best GPS fleet tracking system for midsize fleets. Although the company can serve any size of business, it focuses primarily on midsize and larger fleets. One great feature of Verizon Connect is the industry-specific solutions for distribution, oil, gas, mining, government and public safety, services and specialty trades, construction and heavy equipment, utilities, transportation and logistics, and farming. You can contact a representative or simply fill out an online form for a custom quote to meet your fleet tracking needs. Verizon Connect offers hardwired tracking devices, as well as fuel card tracking and integrated video tracking, so you can securely monitor your fleet.

Verizon Connect offers a few unique features that we found to be especially useful for midsize fleets, like tools for multiple time zones and languages, custom security levels with unlimited users, and customizable automatic scripts and alerts. To make it easier to manage your midsize fleet, Verizon Connect offers flexible labeling (for example, you can change “vehicle” to “crane”), a quick-search function with maps, and smart dispatching with various filters and scheduling recommendations.

A great way to optimize your fleet is to take advantage of Verizon Connect’s many reports – you can access historical reports on up to two years of fleet data. This can provide you with insightful trends and forecasts as your fleet expands. If your team needs help learning the many features that Verizon Connect offers, you can access live training.

Samsara is the best GPS fleet tracking system for small businesses that need a comprehensive solution. Not only is it one of the most robust GPS tracking solutions we analyzed, but it also offers industry-specific plans customized to your unique needs. Additionally, it has one of the largest selections of tracking hardware and accessories, letting you choose the devices you need to monitor your fleet. Samsara is one of the only companies we reviewed that offers real-time reporting and tracking, which is essential for many small businesses.

We found that Samsara has all the features you need to track your fleet and maintain legal compliance with regulations like the ELD mandate, IFTA, and DVIR, which is critical to operating a fleet. You can view engine diagnostics (e.g., fuel usage, idle time, preventative reminders, over-the-air diagnostics), receive real-time code alerts, and plan proactive maintenance on your vehicles. One useful option that not all companies offer but Samsara does is integration with FleetCor-issued fuel cards, which can reduce your overall fuel costs. Your managers and admins can keep an eye on your fleet by setting up geofences with alerts, tracking your fleet in real time with helicopter view, and accessing video footage from AI dashcams. If your priority is driver safety and performance, you can access Samsara’s driver coaching with in-cab feedback and video-based coaching. You can also access the new driver workflows that Samsara recently released. Drivers can create multiple customized workflows, link third-party tasks and access end-of-day workflows like certifying logs. This automated guidance can improve your drivers’ experience and increase compliance and safety.

Part of what makes a GPS fleet tracking system so useful is its ability to integrate with third-party applications. To enhance the way businesses can customize and streamline their telematics data and functions, Samsara recently added four new integration capabilities to its marketplace of more than 125 partners. With access to integrations like Alert Rental, CMS Clara, EKA Omni-TMS and TruckIT, businesses can gain more visibility into their critical workflows and boost overall efficiency.

Samsara partners with Drivewyze to streamline the driver onboarding process. Drivewyze, a weigh station bypass system, consolidates all information inputted in users’ Samsara accounts and automatically syncs it to Drivewyze PreClear and Drivewyze Safety+ applications. This information, which includes data points like safety score and registration, is then calculated against the specific state’s bypass criteria to determine whether the driver can bypass the site.

Managing city snow removal can be an easier process thanks to some public works fleet tools provided by Samsara. After a snowstorm, fleet vehicle progress and productivity can be difficult to track. Samsara’s new Coverage Map solves this problem with its shareable tracking features. By providing real-time information about which roads have been serviced already, companies managing snowplow fleets can avoid having their crews re-salt and re-plow roads that were recently cleared while redirecting their focus to areas of greater need.

Azuga is one of the easiest GPS fleet tracking solutions on the market. You can choose from the bundled plans or create a custom plan by contacting an Azuga representative. Azuga uses OBD-II plug-and-play tracking hardware, which is one of the easiest device types to install, so your fleet can be on the move in no time. We found the Azuga dashboard and mobile app intuitive and easy to learn, and some plans even include messaging tools to facilitate communication between managers and drivers within a single platform.

Azuga integrates with Onfleet, a provider of last mile delivery management software. With this integration, users can access enhanced telematics features like route planning, dispatching, task statuses, and real-time events. This data is especially useful when trying to meet regulatory requirements, optimize driving routes and safeguard drivers.

Azuga offers fuel card integration so that you can automatically track fuel expenses, as well as FuelSaver, a unique feature that tells drivers where the closest gas station with the cheapest fuel is. Through its partnership with GreenPrint, Azuga offers a fleet sustainability service. Fleets can conveniently and cost-effectively reduce their carbon impact and certify that they are carbon neutral. This unique feature is easy to add on and doesn’t require any additional hardware.

Azuga also leverages its partnership with CerebrumX, a data-driven, AI-powered fleet-management platform provider that tracks vehicle data and has advantageous cloud-based programming interfaces, to improve fleet management with real-time insights. Together, CerebrumX and Azuga provide customers with predictive fleet maintenance, which further enhances driver safety, reduces operational costs, lowers emissions, and better manages fleets and drivers.

We like how easy it is to set geofences and track your fleet’s whereabouts with a live map of driver locations. You can incentivize safe driving with driver scores and rewards programs, and you can track your drivers’ behavior with automatic safety alerts and notifications (such as when a driver speeds or brakes harshly). If you’re worried about distracted driving, the software lets you monitor calls a driver makes, receives, and misses when the vehicle is in motion. Azuga offers personalized online video-based safety coaching, so your team can stay on top of proper driving behavior. Although the Azuga platform is easy to use, unlimited customer support is available by phone, email, and webchat.

Jobber is an all-in-one management solution for home service businesses. Unlike most of the companies we reviewed, it primarily serves home service teams (landscaping, plumbing, contracting, HVAC, cleaning, etc.) and offers a full suite of features they need to operate. In addition to GPS tracking, time and expense tracking, scheduling, routing, alerts, and reports, you can use Jobber for quoting, invoicing, and accepting customer payments.

The platform includes a CRM (which it calls a client manager) to keep track of client details, a self-service hub where your clients can approve quotes and pay their invoices, online booking capabilities, lead management, and two-way customer text messaging. These are unique features that we didn’t see in any competitors. Jobber recently implemented a new tipping feature allowing app users to send a tip to their provider and workers directly. With tipping added, homeowners can conduct all transactions for home service in the app without needing to use cash.

Jobber doesn’t require contracts, which is particularly convenient if you perform sporadic service jobs and may only need the platform for a short time. It also offers both hardwired and plug-and-play tracking devices through FleetSharp, so you can choose whatever device best fits your needs. You can see when your team members complete jobs within Jobber, or you can purchase FleetSharp hardware to track jobs in real time. 

ClearPathGPS is an affordable GPS fleet tracking solution with robust features, making it our choice for the best value. Unlike many competitors, ClearPathGPS lists its GPS tracking pricing online, and it has multiple competitively priced plans ($15 to $25 per asset, per month), making it a good option for those budget-conscious fleet managers. You can choose from plug-and-play and hardwired tracking devices, as well as dual-powered and solar-powered asset trackers, dashcams, and several accessories – complete with price listings online. We like how this allows businesses to choose a combination of hardware that fits their needs and their budget, rather than locking them into a specific hardware package.

ClearPathGPS offers essential fleet management features like geofencing, live map and traffic overlay, unlimited automated reports, maintenance and odometer readouts, temperature monitoring, driver behavior tracking (e.g., idling and speeding), virtual timecards, driver IDs, driver scorecards, and real-time alerts. One impressive aspect of ClearPathGPS is how easy we found it to use. This means your drivers will be up and running with the system in no time. However, if you do need assistance, ClearPathGPS offers good customer support by phone, webchat and help ticket. It also provides onboarding assistance as well as ongoing training and guidance.

NexTraq, a Michelin Group company, is our pick for the fleet tracking software with the best safety features. You have the choice of hardwired or plug-and-play tracking devices, all of which can support NexTraq’s fleet visibility and driver safety features. NexTraq’s devices are tamper-proof, so you can rest assured they will be secure and accurate. One unique feature of NexTraq that we like is how you can set the refresh intervals that work best for you and your fleet, with updates ranging from every 30 seconds to every 15 minutes.

As a fleet manager, you can get a firsthand look at your team’s driving performance and incidents with video recordings from dashcams. If a driver engages in unsafe behavior (e.g., speeding, cornering, harsh accelerating, hard braking), they can receive a simple one-second alert to remind them to be more cautious. These actions can also be recorded on driver safety scorecards for you to review with your team. To keep your drivers up to date on the safest and most efficient driving practices, NexTraq offers several training courses. One safety feature we especially like is NexTraq MobileBlock – this locks your drivers’ smartphones and tablets while they drive, so they can’t engage in unsafe activity like texting, emailing, web browsing, or gaming.

In addition to its safety features, NexTraq provides a complete fleet tracking service with functions like routing and dispatching, vehicle maintenance tracking, and ELD compliance.

GPS Trackit is a fleet management solution with exceptional reporting. It allows you to monitor your fleet with breadcrumb tracking, updated every 30 to 60 seconds. You can access reports on a variety of fleet data and optimize your fleet with those insights. For example, you can view maintenance reports, engine diagnostics, service history and costs. To simplify your reporting process, you can automate reports, which we find valuable. Additionally, you have access to real-time interactive maps of vehicle locations, live traffic, current weather and street-level views.

If you want to monitor and evaluate your drivers, you can view reports on driver performance details like productivity, safety and compliance. You and your team managers can also view landmark reports, which show how long each driver spends at a given location or landmark. You can customize alerts to notify your team about poor driving behavior like speeding, braking harshly and leaving geofences.

To access these features, you have your choice of hardwired or plug-and-play devices, as well as other telematics accessories. Not all competitors offer this option. GPS Trackit also has a lifetime hardware warranty, financing options, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it one of the most affordable and flexible options we evaluated.

Force by Mojio is an ideal GPS tracking solution for businesses that want an emphasis on driver accountability, primarily those in home service industries like HVAC, plumbing, electrical services, pest control, roofing and cleaning. Force is one of the most affordable GPS fleet tracking solutions we analyzed, costing just $15 per vehicle per month, with a 60-day free trial. Plug-and-play GPS tracking devices are included, which means you can start tracking your drivers almost immediately. Force also offers one of the most frequent refresh rates, allowing you to see updates in near-real time – every 10 seconds or less.

We like that you can hold your drivers accountable with Force by monitoring driving behavior like speeding, harsh acceleration and braking, cornering, idling, and inefficient routing. This is critical to ensure your drivers are operating safely, not just for their own benefit, but for everyone else on the road with them. You can monitor driver safety scores and reports with RoadScore, and you can ensure your drivers are on their assigned routes by tracking their locations, routes, mileage, and start and end times. It also has disturbance alerts for when one of your tracked vehicles is bumped, towed or disturbed while parked.

One tool Force offers that many others don’t is the ability for your customers to track a driver’s status. The software lets you provide customers with a temporary tracking link, so they can see when their driver will arrive on the job. This key feature is a great way to hold your drivers accountable and improve customer satisfaction.

FleetUp is an ideal GPS fleet tracking solution for those who place high importance on great customer service. FleetUp representatives can walk you through a platform demo and work with you to create a custom telematics solution based on your needs (e.g., the size of your fleet, the features you need, and the type of hardware you are looking for). You have a large variety of devices to choose from, including hardwired and plug-and-play trackers with easy installation. We found it helpful how FleetUp lists the entire step-by-step process for device implementation, account setup, and training, so it is easy to get up and running. It offers standard fleet tracking features like engine audits and alerts, maintenance schedules, geofences, driver behavior alerts, safety scorecards, trip analyses, and 20-second refresh times.

FleetUp’s annotation labeling feature cuts down on time spent watching dashcam footage and makes videos easily sharable with drivers. The technology automatically categorizes videos by risk level, from false events to high risks. It monitors for all kinds of risky behaviors, from stopping short to using cell phones while driving. Managers can review each incident and email the video to drivers so they can learn from it. This system can help fleet management teams instill better driving habits, which can, in turn, reduce insurance premiums and vehicle damage costs while keeping the roads safer.

In addition to FleetUp’s setup guides, it offers online resources, blogs, and FAQs. If you need further assistance, you can contact 24/7 customer support. Representatives are available by phone, email, webchat and ticket. If you want additional, personalized telematics support, you can sign up for FleetUp’s Professional Services feature. This gives you access to a telematics expert who can help you manage your fleet. For example, they can set up your telematics platform, build and maintain geofences, monitor your drivers, manage vehicle maintenance, customize your notifications, and analyze your fleet data. Not many of FleetUp’s competitors offer this level of personalized support.

KeepTruckin is an easy GPS tracking solution to implement, and it’s ideal for industries like construction, agriculture, delivery, oil and gas, field services, food and beverage, passenger transit, trucking, and logistics. We like how its plug-and-play hardware makes it easy to get your team up and running. Instead of hardwiring a device into each vehicle, you can easily install the ELD in your diagnostic port within minutes. The company also offers road-facing and dual-facing dashcams, so you can get a firsthand look at driver behavior and security.

Although KeepTruckin devices are easy to install, the company offers several installation and setup guides with step-by-step instructions on how to install each device properly. This is ideal for those who need extra assistance but don’t want to contact customer support. In case you do need one-on-one assistance with the platform, customer support is available 24/7.

Once your devices are installed and connected, you can track and monitor your fleets with ease. We found the dashboard to be user-friendly, and many customers rave about how easy it is to learn. It displays a variety of fleet information in one location, including driver location and performance, hours of service (HOS), safety issues, fuel consumption, vehicle service history, and maintenance reminders. Additionally, KeepTruckin offers an in-app instant messaging feature with automatic, interruption-free alerts.

Teletrac Navman is our choice as the best GPS fleet management solution for vehicle maintenance. It offers solutions by industry as well as role, with a variety of hardwired and plug-and-play devices, giving you the ability to choose the tracking option that best matches your vehicle- or asset-tracking needs. You can maintain an optimized and healthy fleet with the various Teletrac Navman features. For example, you can easily view real-time engine diagnostic alerts with color-coded icons. You can also track your vehicle maintenance history with maintenance records and digital inspection schedules. We were impressed with its ability to create automatic notifications for when a vehicle must undergo maintenance, so you never miss a service.

We like how you can track the cost of maintenance across your entire fleet with Teletrac Navman. With tracking measures like repair turnover rates, you can optimize maintenance schedules and reduce potential vehicle downtime. You can also quickly identify maintenance problems or trends to ensure you keep your vehicles as healthy as possible.  

Another feature that plays into your vehicle health is driver performance data. Teletrac Navman lets you track your team’s driving activity with driver scorecards, and then use that data to create driver training plans. This helps you ensure your drivers are not engaging in aggressive behavior that puts too much wear and tear on your vehicles.

The total cost of a GPS fleet tracking service depends on several factors, including the kind of hardware, the number of devices and the included features.

Costs typically include an upfront charge for each hardware device and then a monthly service fee for the tracking service capabilities. Pricing starts around $100 for one hardware device and $15 to $35 a month for subscriptions. Some plans allow you to rent the hardware for an additional monthly fee.

The average service agreement ranges from 12 to 36 months. Only a few companies we reviewed offer month-to-month plans. This flexibility is something to look for if you need GPS fleet tracking only for a short time. Some companies also offer free trials or money-back guarantees.

Key takeaway: GPS fleet tracking services charge an upfront hardware fee starting at about $100 per device and a monthly software fee of about $15 to $35. Contracts range from 12 to 36 months.

Many businesses are legally required to implement some form of fleet tracking system, but even if you’re not, there are several advantages to doing so. If you are unsure whether a fleet tracking system is right for you, check out these ways it can benefit your company.

One of GPS fleet tracking’s main advantages is improved driver safety and performance. With features such as dashboard cameras and driver ID readers, you can gain insight on your team’s driving practices. Many GPS tracking systems also include driver reports and scorecards that track driving behavior. You can analyze driving metrics to pinpoint who your best drivers are and who needs additional training. If you notice a driver behaving recklessly, you can address the situation before it ends in disaster.

GPS fleet tracking software includes alerts and reporting features that can aid business decision-making. By tracking driver performance, route trends, and fuel consumption, you can optimize your fleet’s performance, reduce drivers’ idle time and save money.

Fleet tracking software helps you comply with legal regulations and ensure your drivers are being safe on the road. Businesses with vehicle fleets must adhere to certain rules and regulations to ensure the safety of their drivers. For example, the ELD mandate requires certain companies to install ELDs in their vehicles to track how many miles and hours each driver logs. Fleets must also adhere to hours of service (HOS) regulations, which determine how long a driver can be on the road before a break. GPS fleet tracking systems have features that can help you maintain compliance with such laws and regulations, which not only ensure your fleet’s safety, but can also save you from hefty fines and penalties.

Did you know? Commercial fleets that violate HOS rules can face penalties and fines ranging from $1,000 to $11,000 per violation.

GPS fleet tracking systems are a combination of tracking hardware and software that collect data and convert it to usable information. For example, GPS tracking systems can help you optimize navigation, monitor vehicle health and maintenance, and ensure driver safety and efficiency.

Here is a rundown of some of the many features GPS fleet tracking systems offer.

Although many GPS fleet tracking systems seem the same, they often have minor (sometimes major) differences that can make a world of difference to your fleet. Every fleet is unique, so you will want to evaluate your choices carefully to determine the best telematics solution for your business.

The first step in choosing a GPS fleet tracking system is identifying what types of vehicles and assets you need to track, and how many you have of each type. Because you will need different types of tracking hardware based on what you are tracking, this will help you narrow down your viable options. For example, some companies offer very limited selections of tracking accessories, and some companies require you to track a minimum number of vehicles. 

Once you know what you need to track, you should identify your purpose for tracking them. GPS fleet tracking systems can vary in how comprehensive their features are, so you will need to pinpoint which features are your top priority and which features are negotiable.

For example, if driver safety is your top priority, look for a solution that offers dashcams, driver scorecards, driver training and coaching, vehicle safety and maintenance alerts, and geofencing. However, if you are simply looking to track the location of your non-powered assets and equipment, you can look at less comprehensive options.

Tip: See the features section above for a list of the most common GPS fleet tracking features that you may need.

GPS fleet tracking systems often have hefty upfront costs. You will need to purchase all the hardware upfront and then pay a monthly subscription fee for the software. However, some tracking solutions have tiered plans that vary in features, which allows you to save money if your tracking needs are minimal. After you identify the features you need, you can set a realistic budget and then look for telematics solutions within that budget. In addition to hardware and software costs, budget considerations include contract lengths, vehicle minimums, and free trials.

As you already know by now, many GPS fleet tracking solutions are available. Research your options to narrow it down to the best choice for your business. To help you start, we’ve researched and identified 11 of the best GPS fleet tracking solutions and pinpointed their best features. In addition to features and pricing, you will want to research which options will be the easiest for your team to use. 

If you’re stuck between a few different fleet tracking options, reach out to company representatives to learn more about their services and how they will meet your needs. Ask any remaining questions you might have; for example, you may want to inquire about contract requirements, free trials and scalability. Working with a representative will also give you insight on what it might be like to work with the company and receive customer support.  

COVID-19 has transformed the shipping world, setting record numbers and driving a need for innovative GPS fleet tracking software to satisfy consumer demands. According to Verizon Connect’s 2022 Fleet Trends Report , 65% of respondents believe GPS fleet tracking has been very or extremely beneficial for business. They reported improvements in routing, vehicle maintenance and customer service, and decreased accident, labor and fuel costs.

Particularly due to the pandemic, remote fleet management is expected to further depart from static monitoring systems in 2022, to allow fleet tracking from any location. According to eMAXX, the average trucker drives 500 miles per day, proving that as fleets grow, more advanced software will be required to manage an increasing number of vehicles on their journeys.

However, with increased remote access, security must be improved as well. This year, as GPS fleet tracking becomes more prevalent, expect an increased focus on cybersecurity. As companies accumulate more sensitive information, software improvements will be crucial to keeping data safe.

Based on a report by The Business Research Company, the vehicle tracking systems market size will grow from $14.24 billion in 2021 to $17.24 billion in 2022. The growth will have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.1%. By 2026, experts predict the market size to grow to $33.14 billion with a CAGR of 17.7%.

The research found that the growing demand for car rental and leasing will drive the industry’s growth over the next five years. In addition, the development of 5G technology continues to shape the market with increased functionality like faster data transfer and enhanced vehicle communication.

While certain features (and the benefits of those features) depend on your business’s unique needs, standard GPS fleet tracking systems should include driver safety tracking, navigation and communication options, fuel card integration, vehicle maintenance tracking, dashboards with trending key metrics, and ongoing customer support. The best GPS fleet tracking systems are easy to use and often have extra features, like alert systems and mobile access.

You will need to install a GPS tracking device on each vehicle or asset you want to track. One of the most popular types of tracking hardware is a plug-and-play device that can be easily inserted and removed from your vehicle’s OBD-II port. Another option is to have a hardwired tracking device installed on each vehicle. Common device add-ons include dashboard cameras (for video telematics) and driver ID readers (for tracking drivers). You may also consider installing tracking devices on non-powered assets and equipment.

GPS tracking services can provide you with a wealth of data on your vehicles and drivers. Although the specific alerts and reports vary, most GPS fleet tracking software provides data on vehicle location, driver behavior and performance, vehicle health and maintenance, fuel consumption, navigation and route optimization, and fleet safety and security. Most software allows you to customize your reports.

You should keep in mind that not all systems offer real-time tracking. Although many services claim to do so, they are actually “near-real time.” That means that instead of offering second-to-second tracking on where your fleet is, they update every 10 to 120 seconds with breadcrumb trails. This might not be an issue for most businesses, but it is something to be aware of if you need second-to-second updates. Only a few companies we researched offer true real-time tracking.

GPS fleet tracking systems allow businesses to monitor their trucks, equipment and drivers in real time. Instead of just hoping that their assets are being taken care of, businesses can use GPS fleet tracking to keep their trucks and equipment secure. For example, you can use a GPS tracker to ensure your trucks are staying within a designated area, or you can leave your large machinery at a construction site overnight and rest assured that it can be safely tracked if necessary. Some GPS tracking systems also have video telematics capabilities, so you can gain firsthand insight on how your fleet is being managed.

Although most businesses that use fleet tracking are in transportation and logistics industries, such as trucking and car services, virtually any business that needs to monitor company assets, vehicles, or equipment can benefit from these solutions. For example, businesses in the following industries may need GPS tracking:

Fleet management software provides a variety of insights that can help your business save money. By viewing fleet trends and GPS data, you can track and improve your drivers’ performance, reduce your fuel consumption, optimize driver routes, and minimize risks. GPS trackers on your assets can also help you locate and recover them in the event of theft.

There are two potential disadvantages of using GPS fleet tracking software: low employee morale and significant upfront costs. Your team may be uncomfortable with the monitoring system and view it as a lack of trust – so be upfront with your employees about how and why you are tracking them, and focus on the benefits of the software. You can also mitigate this downside by using GPS tracking software data for performance-based incentives.

GPS fleet tracking software can also be expensive. However, in the long term, the benefits of optimizing routes and cutting fuel costs often outweigh the initial upfront and monthly costs.