The Best GPS Fleet Tracking Services of 2021

GPS fleet tracking uses a combination of hardware and software to track company assets like trucks, equipment and drivers. The hardware can be an OBD II plug-and-play device or a hardwired device. The software is typically cloud-based and can be accessed via any computer or mobile device with an internet connection. These services are commonly used to improve driver safety, maintain fleet health and performance, increase fuel efficiency and monitor fleets and equipment in real time.

The specific features you need in a GPS tracking service depend on several factors like what industry you're in, what type of vehicle or equipment you're tracking, how large your fleet is and what details you need to track. However, the following are universal features every business should consider when looking for a GPS tracking service:

Hardware and Installation

There are two basic types of GPS tracking hardware devices: OBD II plug-and-play or hardwired. The plug-and-play device is very popular because it can be easily inserted and removed from the OBD II port of any vehicle. This is especially useful for businesses that need to transfer the same GPS tracking device to different vehicles. Hardwired devices are more labor-intensive to install. Some services will hardwire the device for you, and some will not.

Other common tracking devices can include dual dash cameras for video telematics, asset trackers, trailer trackers and heavy equipment trackers. Another type of hardware is a driver ID reader. With these devices, drivers use a key when they operate the vehicle.

Driver Safety and Performance

One of the most useful GPS fleet tracking features is the ability to track drivers. Most systems come with the ability to track driver behavior, such as harsh driving, speeding, hard braking, acceleration, cornering, idling, fuel usage, cell phone distractions, unauthorized usage and engine on/off times. This data can be compiled to create driver scorecards so you can see who your best drivers are and who needs extra training.

Vehicle Condition and Maintenance

Maintaining the health of your fleet is imperative for reducing costs and increasing safety and performance. GPS tracking software can record the fuel level, battery voltage, odometer, coolant and engine temperature of each company vehicle.

It also provides maintenance reminders based on features like time, distance, mileage and engine hours. This is crucial for ensuring your vehicles operate at peak performance, and it is especially important if you have company trucks or vehicles that travel often or cover long distances.

Alerts and Reports

Most GPS fleet tracking software provide alerts, which inform you about driver performance and safety, the condition of your fleet, and route optimization. The frequency of these alerts can be customized based on your preferences. The data can be compiled into easy-to-read reports and used to make important business decisions that cut costs and improve fleet performance.

Although most companies claim real-time reporting, they are often actually "near real time," giving you updates every 10 to 120 seconds. Only a few companies we researched offered second-to-second reporting.

Navigation and Location

When you think of the word "GPS", you probably think of "location" – and rightfully so. An essential feature of every GPS fleet tracking software is its ability to track fleet location and navigation. Nearly every GPS tracking service we researched offers geofencing to some extent. A geofence is a predefined virtual perimeter for a real-world geographic location. If a vehicle or asset moves outside of that geofence, you get an alert. Although the extent of the geofence monitoring can vary by service, they generally record basic information like geofence arrival and departure.

Usability

Once installed and setup, most GPS tracking software is relatively easy to use. The cloud-based software often comes with an intuitive dashboard from which you can view alerts and other data. Most software has corresponding mobile applications for iOS and Android devices. Be sure to test the software before you sign a contract.

Customer Support

The level of customer support given to GPS tracking service users can vary. Most services offer free live demos and phone and email support, but some take it one step further and offer webchat support. The best GPS tracking services offer dedicated support representatives as well.

With GPS tracking services, you can track and improve driver performance and safety, schedule vehicle maintenance, track vehicle and asset locations, monitor and improve fuel efficiency, and optimize navigation. Monitoring your vehicles, assets and drivers can help you maintain a safe workspace and cut costs. 

GPS tracking is especially important for those with mobile fleets or high-value assets like trailers, tractors, storage containers, construction equipment or generators.

GPS tracking works using a combination of tracking devices and tracking software. The hardware is installed on the truck, trailer or piece of equipment. The software is accessed via an internet-capable device and is used to track the fleet.

GPS software comes with an intuitive dashboard and mobile app that displays a wealth of information based on the specific features you want to track. For example, you can view driver safety and performance, fuel efficiency and optimization, geofences and route navigation, vehicle condition and maintenance needs, and other predetermined alerts. 

As you search for a GPS fleet tracking solution, asking the following questions can help you find a service that's well suited for your business.

1. Do they offer free trials or demos? Some companies offer a 30-day trial of their hardware and software. This is crucial if the company you're considering using requires you to sign a long-term contract. Even if you're dead set on one company, still take advantage of the trial period.
   
   
2. What is their refresh time? A lot of the software, while it's described as "real-time tracking," is not technically in real time. GPS fleet tracking software may refresh anywhere from every second to every three minutes, depending on the company. Of the companies we reviewed, only a few offer real-time, second-to-second tracking. The rest offer tracking with a refresh rate ranging from 10 seconds to two minutes.     

3. What type of hardware and software is included in the cost? Fleet tracking hardware are usually plug-and-play devices that are about the size of a deck of cards and can be inserted into your vehicles' OBD II ports. More advanced hardware includes separate pieces that link with information centers in your vehicles. The software is usually cloud-based and usable on desktops, tablets and smartphones.

What Types of Businesses Can Benefit From GPS Tracking?

Any business with a mobile fleet or high-value assets can benefit from GPS fleet tracking. Although trucking companies are commonly perceived as the primary users of GPS fleet tracking, other industries can take advantage of GPS tracking for their fleets or assets as well.

If you operate a business within one of the following industries, you can most likely benefit from GPS tracking services: agriculture, cable and telecom, construction and heavy equipment, distribution, electrical, enterprise and rental fleet, food and beverage, government and public safety, HVAC, landscaping, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, pest control, private investigations, transportation, and utilities. 

What Are the Most Common Applications of GPS Trackers for a Business Fleet?

The most common use for GPS fleet trackers is locating vehicle positions. It is important for many businesses to know exactly where their vehicles, drivers and assets are at all times. This information is used for both safety and cost efficiency. Other common applications include monitoring driver performance, fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance. The software connected to the trackers can provide insight into how vehicles are being used and what changes can be made for them to run more efficiently.  

What Are the Security Benefits of GPS Trackers for a Business Fleet?

Having GPS trackers on your business's vehicles or assets allows you to keep real-time tabs on where each vehicle and driver is, which can help prevent theft, accidents, or misuse.

Many GPS trackers come with a geofence feature, which allows you to set a specific perimeter for your fleet. If a tracked vehicle or asset leaves the geofence, you are notified. Geofencing helps you verify that your team is staying within a designated zone and not taking your vehicles or assets to unapproved or unsafe areas.

Additionally, GPS trackers will analyze fleet routes and provide recommendations for the safest and most efficient itinerary.

How Should You Compare GPS Tracking Services for Businesses?

As you evaluate services, compare companies based on the features that are most important to you. For example, if driver safety is your No. 1 concern, you want to analyze what specific safety features and alerts the service has, as well as what type of driver coaching and feedback options they have. If your primary goal is to improve fuel efficiency and vehicle condition, you want to compare features like fuel tracking, maintenance scheduling and navigation optimization.

In addition to the primary features that matter most for your business, consider the type of hardware offered, pricing (including if you will need to sign a contract and how long the contract lasts), vehicle minimums, software ease of use, and customer support.

At business.com, we strive to be fair and objective during our research and review process. When reviewing GPS fleet tracking services, we began with an initial list of 25 GPS tracking companies. We came up with this list by identifying top industry players and researching other review site recommendations. We judged each company based on the features offered, the reporting that was available, as well as the level of customer support. We also determined whether the company serviced small businesses.

After this analysis, we whittled our list down to the top 14 services. We compared these top services based on features like tracking services, driver safety features, fuel performance and optimization, vehicle condition, maintenance scheduling, alerts and reports, hardware and installation, navigation optimization, and communication capabilities.

From this list of 14 companies, we determined our four best picks based on their pricing, ease of use, refresh time, hardware installation, minimum requirements, safety details and customer reviews.

Last, we analyzed the finalists based on more specific criteria. For example, we scrutinized if contracts were required (and if so, how long the contract lasted), whether a cancellation policy existed and customer support. We tested customer support over email and webchat and participated in software demos for companies that offered that option. For companies that didn't offer a demo, we analyzed video overviews of their software. The four final companies came through our series of evaluations and hold up as our best picks for the best GPS fleet tracking services of 2021.