Using GPS fleet tracking services, businesses can keep track of their assets, including drivers, equipment, and vehicles. The best services offer easy-to-use software; hardware that's simple to install; and valuable tracking, driver safety, and fuel performance features. We researched more than 14 solutions, scrutinizing ease of use, price and safety features before arriving at four best picks for small businesses in 2021.
"}},{"__typename":"SectionBestPicks","id":"best-picks","isInToc":true,"type":"bestpicks","megaBestPicksTopCardLimit":5,"bestpicks":[{"bullets":["Intuitive software","Real-time fleet updates","Open APIs"],"description":"You can streamline your operations and reduce costs with Samsara's all-in-one platform for fleet management. Live, to-the-second GPS tracking shows your vehicles in real time and pairs with rich reports so you can optimize your routes, dispatch drivers at the last minute, and share accurate ETAs with customers. With integrated smart dashcams, driver safety scores, and automatic alerts for speeding, idling, and geofences, Samsara helps you protect your business and assets. Samsara is an FMCSA-approved ELD.\r\n\r\nJune 2020: Samsara recently announced its release of new features to improve driver safety and fuel efficiency across fleets. The driver safety score helps identify drivers engaging in unsafe behavior, such as speeding, tailgating and distracted driving. The driver efficiency score tool monitors fuel usage and offers tips on how drivers can reduce fuel costs. An improved route performance feature offers additional route details, better route tracking and new route playback tools. ","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best for Small Businesses ","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":false,"tabTitle":"Best for Small Businesses ","review":{"displayName":"Samsara","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/samsara/","id":"8bba474949fd930099fd16988364888c","url":"https://www.samsara.com/","review":{"pros":["Samsara offers second-to-second updates on fleet vehicles.","It offers in-depth safety features and ELD compliance support."],"cons":["Samsara requires a minimum of three vehicles."],"fullReviewTest":"","fullReview":"Samsara is our choice as the best GPS fleet tracking service for small businesses. You can streamline operations and reduce costs with Samsara's all-in-one platform for fleet management. Samsara's solution provides integrated smart dashcams; driver safety scores; and automatic alerts for speeding, idling, and geofences, helping you protect your business and assets. Live, second-to-second GPS tracking pairs with Samsara's software, providing you with rich reports to help optimize your routes, dispatch drivers at the last minute and share accurate ETAs with customers.
\r\nSamsara is an FMCSA-approved electronic logging device (ELD), and customer support is available by phone, email, webchat, or online ticket. Pricing is customizable, contracts are required and typically last three years.
\r\nPreviously when we evaluated Samsara, you had to contact the company's sales team to obtain pricing; the company didn't list pricing online. Now, however, Samsara has added a price configurator on its website; you input a few details, including the number and types of vehicles you have, the features you desire, then your email address, and the company emails you a price quote.
\r\nSamsara will require you to sign a contract, which lasts three years – this is on a par with industry standards for telematics solutions. The company has a three-vehicle minimum. Samsara has a series of demo videos on its YouTube channel so you can get a feel for how the software works.
\r\nSamsara offers some of the best services in the GPS fleet tracking industry. Here's a brief recap about its hardware and the safety and performance features.
\r\nSamsara offers such a wide selection of hardware, which gives small businesses a lot of power and flexibility to create a customized tracking solution that fits their needs. For instance, Samsara offers plug-and-play OBD II port devices, as well as more advanced tracking hardware. The company can also provide in-cab cameras, so you can get an immediate view of your driver's field of vision. Other hardware accessories include environmental monitors, wireless door and cargo monitors, panic buttons, privacy buttons, engine immobilizers, auxiliary input hubs, ID card readers, dashcam lens covers, and windshield shims.
\r\nThe company has a comprehensive app that logs information like hours of service (HOS), driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs), documents, and more. Samsara provides driver safety scorecards in real time, which identifies drivers engaging in unsafe behavior, such as speeding, tailgating and distracted driving. The driver efficiency score tool monitors fuel usage and offers tips on how drivers can reduce fuel costs. A cool safety add-on to Samsara is its dashcam solution. While this costs extra, Samsara can outfit your fleet with dashcams, so you can review incidents after they occur and work with drivers to improve their safety behind the wheel. You can set up this feature to view both the driver and the road in front of them.
\r\nWith Samsara, you can analyze your fuel consumption and utilization patterns. Samsara can help you plan better routes and coach your drivers on adopting more fuel-efficient habits. Samsara has a documentation component with its service, so you can log fuel receipts. You can view vehicle diagnostics and monitor fault-code alerts in real time. This kind of access helps you plan and schedule needed vehicle maintenance so you can prevent breakdowns. It also allows you to quickly manage accidents and breakdowns if they occur.
\r\nSamsara is one of the few telematics solutions we reviewed that offers second-to-second real-time tracking. Many companies claim to offer real-time tracking, but, in reality, the software updates every one to three minutes, depending on the company you partner with. Besides viewing your fleet in real time, you can set up text and email alerts to keep you informed. Samsara also provides reports (e.g., time on-site reports, utilization reports) that can help you make informed business decisions.
\r\nSamsara allows users to set up geofences to keep their fleet within a predetermined perimeter. However, unlike competitors, Samsara also lets users stay connected with a high-speed Wi-Fi hotspot. This feature ensures wireless connectivity and reduces cellular data costs.
\r\nWhile other solutions we reviewed offer refresh times ranging from one to three minutes, Samsara truly provides information in real time, which is essential for fleet managers that need accurate and timely reporting. Samsara is best suited for businesses in transportation and logistics, food and beverage, construction, higher education, K-12 school transportation, state and local government, utilities, passenger transit and field service fleets.
\r\nSamsara's tracking software is intuitive and easy to use. Additionally, it has open API and third-party integration capabilities, which allow you to seamlessly integrate it with other business applications. Samsara helps businesses maintain compliance with its ELD, IFTA and DVIR. It offers several other easy-to-use products (e.g., dash cams, routing and dispatch, reefer monitoring, trailer tracking, and asset tracking), making it an ideal all-in-one solution for many businesses.
\r\nSamsara offers customer support by phone, email, webchat and ticketing. It also has helpful online resources like blogs, webinars, and a searchable knowledgebase. When we contacted Samsara representatives, posing as a fleet manager for a small business, we were extremely pleased with how quickly and professionally they answered our questions. Samsara also has strong reviews on various telematics review sites, and it is accredited with the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":null,"isFeatured":false,"primary":false,"selected":"no-monetization","widgetId":"","widget":null,"affiliate":{"cta":null,"link":"https://www.samsara.com/","name":null}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/601199105a215e4d3e8b4567/samsara_logo.jpg"}}},{"bullets":["Exceptional asset tracking","Long life and rechargeable trackers","Live map of drivers"],"description":"Asset tracking is useful in a number of different scenarios for small businesses. Keeping track of heavy equipment, such as trailers or items like large electronic signs, can be a difficult task for any small business. Besides generally locating your equipment, this technology can help you recover an item in the event of theft. \r\n\r\nAzuga provides great asset-tracking services. It has a separate pricing structure for this function, and you can enroll in its services whether you're already partnering with Azuga for telematics or not. It provides multiple hardware devices, charging options and installation services. All its devices are weatherproof, with some being ruggedized for extra support. On top of this, Azuga provides a compelling telematics service for small business. These two offerings make Azuga our best pick for asset tracking. ","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"Best GPS Service for Asset Tracking","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":true,"tabTitle":"Best Asset Tracking","review":{"displayName":"Azuga","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/azuga-fleet/","id":"7bed87f60805936bda959f09db35c441","url":"https://www.azuga.com/","review":{"pros":["Azuga offers GPS fleet trackers and asset trackers.","Users get access to a host of live alerts and scheduled reports."],"cons":["You'll need to sign a contract committing to Azuga for 36 months."],"fullReviewTest":"Azuga is one of the few fleet tracking services we reviewed that has a stellar asset telematics offering. Azuga can provide asset monitoring, coordinate recovery, and help companies locate and service a deployed asset. Asset tracking is necessary for a variety of businesses, such as those with cranes, fuel storage tanks, forklifts, rental equipment, trailers, containers and more, where the theft of these items can have a catastrophic effect on a business's bottom line.
\r\nThere are multiple options for tracking hardware, and Azuga's intuitive interface is ideal for businesses wanting to maximize efficiency while monitoring their company assets. For all these reasons, Azuga is our pick as the best solution for asset tracking.
\r\nAzuga charges a one-time cost for hardware, and then there is a recurring monthly fee. In addition, you will need to sign a contract with a 36-month term. For specific pricing details, you'll need to contact Azuga for a customized quote based on the tracking devices and service you need.
\r\nWith each plan, regardless of whether it's for vehicle tracking or asset tracking, you will receive access to Azuga's cloud-based application that provides real-time monitoring. Azuga offers several add-on features, including enhanced vehicle data reporting, roadside assistance, scheduled maintenance reminders, electric vehicle data, FuelSaver and SpeedSafe. FuelSaver and SpeedSafe are proprietary Azuga solutions that provide additional data and context to business owners about how they can optimize efficiency with their fleet and provide enhanced analysis about driver behavior.
\r\nThe features listed below are for Azuga's vehicle telematics and asset telematics solutions. Since the asset tracking works with the same software, many features translate as well. Some advanced features, like fuel tracking and driver safety scorecards, are geared more toward Azuga's vehicle telematics solution.
\r\nAzuga offers OBD II port devices for its vehicle tracking solution and a long-life tracker and a rechargeable tracker for its asset-tracking solution.
\r\nThe OBD II port devices are easy self-install components, while the asset tracking hardware may require additional installation. Azuga asset trackers support both powered and non-powered assets.
\r\nAlthough we selected Azuga as the best solution for asset tracking, we wanted to touch on Azuga's driver scorecards and safety features of its vehicle telematics solution. Multiple services we assessed provide integrated driver scorecards, but Azuga is one of the few that automatically compares them for both the administrator and driver to see. This allows drivers to track their own score and work to improve or maintain it. It also provides an easy way to grade drivers and issue incentives based on performance.
\r\nIn addition to driver scores, Azuga provides real-time alerts on driver safety related to harsh braking, acceleration, speeding and excessive idle time. Azuga offers add-ons that block smartphone use when a vehicle is being driven, track employee hours, and provide video-based coaching.
\r\nAzuga provides real-time data so you can schedule fleet maintenance and track repairs. Azuga's vehicle monitoring software provides full fuel-reporting features, which can help you optimize your fuel. You can also analyze routes and stretch your fuel budget further by optimizing delivery routes for greater efficiency.
\r\nAzuga users can access live, scheduled and custom reports. It provides safety alerts, and you can receive notifications on vehicle maintenance and driver behaviors. You can also schedule reports on fleet health and status.
\r\nAzuga's software is among the best we reviewed. The easy-to-use dashboard and mobile apps help users meet compliance requirements for electronic logging devices (ELDs) and hours of service (HOS). It displays diagnostics, data and analytics, and it allows users to schedule calls and send dispatch notifications. The geofencing and mapping technology lets managers set perimeters for their fleet and view their asset locations in real time. Azuga is an ideal solution in industries like construction, pest control, utilities, electrical, plumbing, waste management, HVAC, telecom, landscaping and trucking.
\r\nAzuga customer support is available by phone, email and webchat. We reached out to Azuga representatives, posing as small business owners in need of asset management, and we were pleased with the level of support we got. Representatives answered our questions quickly.
\r\nAzuga isn't accredited with the Better Business Bureau, and while this isn't necessarily a reflection of the type of service you will receive from them, it is something to keep in mind. Azuga was positively rated on other telematics review sites.
","fullReview":"Many telematics solutions are ideal for fleet optimization and tracking, but Azuga is one of the few companies we reviewed that has a stellar asset telematics offering as well. Azuga can provide asset monitoring, coordinate recovery, and help companies locate and service a deployed asset. Asset tracking is necessary for a variety of businesses, such as construction, landscaping and public services. It can help business owners monitor their fleets and prevent theft. Azuga introduced this feature to its service two years ago, and it can provide two different types of hardware. Azuga also has advanced software, so you can group assets based on type or geography.
\r\nTo view all our recommendations for GPS fleet tracking software, visit our best picks page.
\r\nAzuga provides vehicle fleet telematics services that offer good support with flexible contract structures and easy hardware installation. It's ideal for businesses looking to add fleet tracking services to smaller fleets. The intuitive interface is ideal for operators and managers looking to stay efficient while also keeping track of vehicles. Azuga also offers plug-and-play devices, so business owners can get started with fleet tracking just by plugging a device into a vehicle's OBD II port. For all these reasons, Azuga earns our best pick for asset tracking.
\r\nAzuga lists pricing for its fleet tracking services on its website, offering two plans for OBD II port devices and advanced software. Depending on which plan you opt for, you'll pay no device fee and a $25 monthly subscription fee or a $99.99 fee per device and a $22 monthly subscription fee. The second option doesn't require a contract, whereas the first is a two-year commitment. There is no vehicle minimum for these services, and Azuga can meet compliance requirements for ELDs and HoS. There are demo videos online, so you can get a feel for what Azuga's software will be like without doing an official demo with the company.
\r\nWhile asset tracking likely takes on a different pricing model, the company says the asset tracking services use the same fleet tracking software as its vehicle monitoring software. It's a cloud-based application that provides real-time monitoring, according to the company. Azuga also provides two hardware options for companies interested in asset tracking: a long-life asset tracker and a rechargeable asset tracker. The long-life asset tracker is ruggedized and weatherproof. It has a battery life of up to five years at one location ping per day. This device is ideal for long deployments on non-powered assets, since its battery longevity comes from just one ping per day. The rechargeable asset tracker is also weatherproof and offers a six-month battery life. It can be connected to a 12- or 24-volt power source for power and to recharge. This device is better for powered assets, like generators, portable lights or powered signs.
\r\nThe features listed below are for Azuga's vehicle telematics and asset telematics solutions. Since the asset tracking works with the same software, many features will translate within the expected use cases. We've marked what features apply to which offering below. Some advanced features, like fuel tracking and driver safety scorecards, are likely not a feature of Azuga's asset telematics offering.
\r\nAzuga's software and interface is among the best we reviewed. While we didn't do a demo with the software, we watched several online tutorials and demos and viewed screenshots on the company's website. The dashboard is fully customizable and separated into tiles, which feature info on topics like driver scores, vehicle health, billing cycle and location. It provides a sleek toolbar with a bird's-eye map view for easy access to where each vehicle in your fleet is. It refreshes every 30 seconds, and you can view both weather and traffic data in the map screen.
\r\nEditor's note: Looking for a GPS fleet tracking system? Click the Compare Quotes button below to have our sister site BuyerZone connect you with vendors that can help.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"affiliate-widget","widgetId":"10230","widget":{"id":"10230","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://businesscom.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=434&aff_id=1000&source=gps-fleet-tracking&aff_sub4=revenue|QT&aff_sub3=deal|azuga-inc&url_id=1","name":"QT Program"}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5fa5a3409c658abc1c8b4569/azuga1_logo.png"}}},{"bullets":["Month-to-month service","Low cost","No minimum contract"],"description":"GPS Trackit is a low-cost telematics platform that provides excellent services for small businesses. As our pick for best value, it prioritizes cost without sacrificing quality of services. It's a good option for fleets that are just being introduced to this technology or looking to switch providers without breaking the bank. It includes important features like safety, fuel consumption and maintenance. \r\n\r\nGPS Trackit is a transparent company, listing its prices online. It includes its hardware in your monthly fee and doesn't even require an activation fee. There are no long-term contracts, and it offers a money-back guarantee, so you can try this company's services without committing to a deal. Its favorable cost structure doesn't sacrifice features: It offers a wide selection of speed and safety reports, vehicle health and temperature reports, and other vehicle diagnostics. It has a great reputation with the Better Business Bureau and other telematics review websites. Overall, GPS Trackit provides great services at an affordable price point for just about any small business. ","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"GPS Service With the Best Value","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":true,"tabTitle":"Best for Value","review":{"displayName":"GPS Trackit","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/gpstrackit/","id":"7d8b830592a1dac005646346e032387d","url":"https://gpstrackit.com/","review":{"pros":["GPS Trackit is a low-cost solution with robust features.","It has no vehicle minimum or contract requirements."],"cons":["Hardware installation is not included in the cost."],"fullReviewTest":"GPS Trackit is our choice as the GPS fleet tracking service offering the best value. It offers a variety of plug-and-play and hardwired devices, dual dash cams for video telematics, asset trackers, trailer trackers, and more. The company offers full ELD compliance, safety features and vehicle diagnostics. Businesses can set up geofences and make informed operation decisions based on the many different reports. GPS Trackit software is easy to use, and it works on tablets and mobile phones. GPS Trackit has a 30-day, money-back guarantee and unlimited live training.
\r\nGPS Trackit is transparent about its pricing: For $23.95 per month, you get a plug-and-play or hardwired device. Pricing doesn't include installation, but GPS Trackit says the hardware is easy to install, with most customers installing the device themselves. There are no activation fees, contracts or minimum vehicle requirements. This flexibility is not something that is common among fleet tracking solutions.
\r\nHere's more about GPS Trackit's safety and performance features:
\r\nGPS Trackit offers a variety of tracking hardware, like a plug-and-play OBD II device, a self-certified ELD, and two hardwired devices. It has dual dash cameras and four-channel video for video telematics, an asset tracker for asset management, and a trailer tracker. This selection of hardware is ideal for businesses that need various tracking devices.
\r\nGPS Trackit records and reports driver behavior, which can help ensure driver safety, productivity and compliance. You can track speeding, idling and hard braking. The dashcam and video add-ons allow you to get video footage of your drivers and fleet.
\r\nYou can view driver behavior and safety through a fuel efficiency lens, prevent idling and coach drivers on how to be more fuel efficient. GPS Trackit also offers fuel card integration, so you can closely manage fuel spending and monitor your fleet's fuel consumption.
\r\nGPS Trackit provides various reports on vehicle diagnostics such as airbags, brakes, coolant, cruise control, ignition, oil pressure and other diagnostics. You can also troubleshoot engine issues and set alerts to manage preventative maintenance.
\r\nYou can access reports on driver safety, vehicle health, temperature, speed and other vehicle diagnostics. You can also customize alerts and geofences.
\r\nGPS Trackit can be accessed via desktop and mobile devices, so you can check on your fleet from anywhere. Its dashboard intuitively features maps, metrics, and all the relevant information for your fleet. It breaks down key metrics and analytics into simple graphs and dashboards so you get the most relevant insights out of your data.
\r\nCustomers can reach GPS Trackit by phone, email and webchat. One support option that impressed us is that customers receive free unlimited live training and expert support.
\r\nWhen we contacted GPS Trackit representatives, posing as fleet managers, we were pleased with the level of support they provided.
\r\nGPS Trackit is accredited with the Better Business Bureau and has an A+ rating. It has garnered good reviews on other telematics review sites as well. This company has one of the strongest online reputations of any company we reviewed.
","fullReview":"GPS Trackit is a low-cost telematics platform with great features for small business. It offers month-to-month services, a money-back guarantee, and online transparency about its pricing and contract structure. It's a great value pick because of its low cost and flexible service offering. Just because it's value, though, doesn't mean it sacrifices anything in terms of its features. This company offers full ELD compliance, safety features and vehicle diagnostics. It also has great reviews with the Better Business Bureau.
\r\nTo view all our recommendations for GPS fleet tracking software, visit our best picks page.
\r\nOur best pick for value is ideal for small business owners looking to implement fleet tracking without breaking the bank. Large carriers have used telematics solutions for a long time. Things like fuel efficiency, route optimization and preventative maintenance have all been tackled by big fleets.
\r\nGPS Trackit allows small business owners to use the same powerful features larger companies have enjoyed for years. This means smaller fleets can benefit from the insight this type of technology provides. It's also a great way to meet the requirements of the ELD mandate that was recently enacted. GPS Trackit is a full-fledged solution and platform for small business. It provides fleet managers with access and insights that prove to be competitive in the industry.
\r\nGPS Trackit is a transparent company. Many companies we reviewed tried to hide their pricing information or make you go through the sales process in order to learn what their plans are. GPS Trackit is one of the few companies that lists its pricing and contract structure directly on its website. It doesn't have any contract requirements.
\r\nInstead, to commit to its services, you pay $23.95 per month. There are no activation fees, and GPS Trackit offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee. This is a marquee feature that not many companies provide. In fact, most of the companies we reviewed do not offer any kind of money-back guarantee. One of the few other companies we evaluated that does offer a money-back guarantee was Onfleet, our best pick for value.
\r\nWith no contract requirement and a money-back guarantee. GPS Trackit is one of the most flexible fleet tracking solutions we reviewed. It has a strong platform with refresh times ranging from 30 seconds to one minute, depending on your plan. There's no vehicle minimum, so you'll be able to partner with GPS Trackit even if you only have one vehicle in your fleet. This adds to the overall flexibility of the service.
\r\nGPS Trackit doesn't sacrifice quality in its flexibility. It has a very robust compliance offering, providing support for ELDs. This can help you ensure HoS and better understand your driver's hours. You can read more about this company's compliance offering here.
\r\nGPS Trackit has a solid platform. It can be used on desktop and mobile devices, so you can check in on your fleet from anywhere. Its dashboards feature maps, metrics and include all the relevant information for your fleet. It also breaks down key metrics and analytics into simple graphs and dashboards so you can get the most relevant insights out of your data.
\r\nEditor's note: Looking for a GPS fleet tracking system? Click the Compare Quotes button below to have our sister site BuyerZone connect you with vendors that can help.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"widget","widgetId":"10230","widget":{"id":"10230","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"https://gpstrackit.com/","name":""}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5e2882435a215e0f488b4576/GPS-Trackit.png"}}},{"bullets":["Exceptional safety features","No minimum vehicle requirement ","Flexible contract lengths"],"description":"Our pick for best safety features offers excellent tools to promote safe driving among your team. Many companies offer standard features like driver scorecards, but NexTraq excels in its safety features by offering comparative driver analysis. Instead of providing scorecards per vehicle, it allows you to compare the driving style of each driver. This can help you reward top performers and coach inexperienced drivers. It's also an advantage from a driver standpoint, since it can act as a verified log of driving behavior, which is handy in the event of an accident or other incident on the road where your driver may not have been at fault. NexTraq has some other perks to its services as well. It offers free installation, so you don't have to worry about setting up the hardware in your vehicles. It also provides compliance with ELDs and DVIR. Beyond safety, NexTraq provides great telematics solutions to fleets throughout the country.\r\n\r\nApril 2020: NexTraq recently updated its mobile apps, NexTraq Connect and NexTraq View. The updates include new home screen icons, new fonts and in-app widgets, a cleaner interface, and a dark mode for Android. For iOS users, dark mode is expected to release soon. \r\n","descriptionTest":"","fullTitle":"GPS Service With the Best Safety Features","isFeaturedBestPick":false,"isJumpLink":true,"tabTitle":"Best Safety Features","review":{"displayName":"NexTraqrigo","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/reviews/nextraq/","id":"9ffe86da65b7cfb639d71909e3ce9164","url":"http://www.nextraq.com/","review":{"pros":["With NexTraq, you can track individual driver performance.","It offers strong compliance features for ELDs and DVIR."],"cons":["Online customer support can be delayed at times."],"fullReviewTest":"With its strong compliance features, flexible contracts, and comprehensive safety offering, NexTraq is our choice as the best GPS fleet tracking service for driver and fleet safety. You can keep your fleet safe with features like driver scorecards, behavior alerts, engine diagnostics, and preventative maintenance. NexTraq offers a comprehensive Safety package as well. The company offers plug-and-play and advanced hardware – free device installation is included. No vehicle minimum is required, which means even the smallest of fleets can take advantage of this safe telematics solution. NexTraq contracts vary from one to three-years.
\r\nNexTraq offers a variety of contracts, which range from one to three years. Pricing depends on how many vehicles you have, how long your contract is and which specific features you want. For example, when we inquired about GPS tracking for 20 vehicles, we were told that a one-year plan costs $80.00 upfront per unit, plus $16.96 per vehicle per month, whereas a three-year plan would cost $17.95 per vehicle per month with no upfront costs.
\r\nNexTraq is one of the only companies we reviewed that offers an additional Safety package, which includes features like dual-facing dash cameras, driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIR) and in-cab buzzers. A three-year Safety package costs approximately $39.95 for outward-facing cameras and $42.95 for dual-facing cameras. These prices are estimates based on our criteria ‒ you will need to contact NexTraq for a precise quote based on the number of vehicles you have and what features you need.
\r\nIn our research of NexTraq, here's what we found about its specific performance and safety features.
\r\nNexTraq has hardwired and plug-and-play fleet tracking devices, or you can choose from asset-tracking, trailer-tracking and heavy equipment tracking devices. The company offers to install the hardware for free, which is convenient for business owners and staff who don't have the time or expertise to install this type of hardware. Other fleet tracking solutions we considered either didn't offer free installation or charged separately for it. NexTraq tracking devices have built-in accelerometers, and they provide up-to-the-minute tracking and reporting.
\r\nNexTraq provides tools to track harsh braking, acceleration and overall idling time. This can help increase your fleet's fuel efficiency and keep both your driver and community safe. You can use driver scorecards to view performance on a per-driver basis and compare performance between drivers, helping you start important conversations about staying safe on the road.
\r\nThe additional Safety package includes dash cameras, a DVIR, and an in-cab buzzer that alerts drivers when they engage in poor driving behaviors (e.g., hard braking, acceleration, cornering). NexTraq also offers MobileBlock, which prohibits active drivers from device activity like texting, emailing, web browsing and gaming.
\r\nIn addition to its safety tools, NexTraq provides maintenance information. You can track when each vehicle is due for maintenance, ensuring that your fleet is up to date on repairs and operating safely. You can access NexTraq Engine Diagnostics and the NexTraq Vehicle Maintenance Module for advanced insight into your fleet. With NexTraq's software, you can optimize your fleet's routes for fuel efficiency. It provides fuel cards so you can track, monitor and analyze your fuel consumption. It also allows you to see how drivers are fueling and reduce inefficiencies.
\r\nNexTraq offers extensive alerts and reports. You have more than 30 alerts to choose from, which you can receive in real time to help improve driver safety. Alerts can be set to appear over email or text message, and they include notifications for things like speeding, idling time, destination departure or arrival, and maintenance issues.
\r\nFleet managers and drivers can easily access NexTraq and its reports on the go, via a cloud-based program or mobile app. It offers helpful features like geofencing and mapping, dispatching, and time and attendance information. It can provide compliance support if your business needs it, whether that be for ELDs, FMCSA, HoS or DVIR. NexTraq is best suited for companies in the following industries: services, transportation, food and beverage, utilities, manufacturing, government and public safety, oil, gas and mining, distribution, construction and heavy equipment, agriculture, cable and telecom, enterprise and rental fleet.
\r\nNexTraq offers phone, email and chat support to its customers. When we reached out to the company, their response time online took longer than we would have liked; however, their answers were thorough. Based on our experience, we recommend that you call the company if you need assistance.
\r\nNexTraq is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau and earned an A+ rating, but its customer reviews on BBB weren't great. While this may not necessarily reflect NexTraq's overall services, it's something to be aware of.
","fullReview":"NexTraq provides comprehensive fleet tracking services at a standard agreement structure for the GPS fleet tracking industry. Where NexTraq shines, however, is its safety features. Many companies provide safety features like driver scorecards and preventative maintenance, but NexTraq goes above and beyond these requirements. It takes a comparative approach to driver performance, showing you where your top performers stand among your drivers. This can inform driver coaching and lead to better incentives for top performers. Besides general liability of accidents and other issues on a route, using a telematics provider with good safety features can also help with insurance costs, depending on your provider.
\r\nTo view all our recommendations for GPS fleet tracking software, visit our best picks page.
\r\nIn addition to its safety features, NexTraq provides solid services all around. It gives you access to automated reports and live alerts for your fleet. The company offers both plug-and-play and advanced hardware. It can also track driver behavior to give you a better understanding of your fleet's overall safety. For its extensive safety tools, in conjunction with its general service offering and plan structure, NexTraq earns our pick for the best safety features in a GPS fleet tracking system.
\r\nBusinesses that partner with NexTraq have to sign a three-year contract, which is on par for the industry. The plan structure includes an upfront price for vehicle hardware and then a monthly contract fee for software use. One perk NexTraq provides is free installation – the company will send someone out to your business to install your hardware. It even provides a lifetime warranty on its hardware, so if you have an issue, you can deal directly with NexTraq to get new devices.
\r\nNexTraq doesn't have a minimum vehicle requirement, meaning it supports fleets of all sizes. You can also use its software on smartphones or tablets, keeping you informed on your fleet even when you're out of the office.
\r\nUnlike some companies we reviewed, NexTraq doesn't provide pricing on its website. If you want to know what pricing will look like for your business, you'll have to speak directly with NexTraq.
\r\nNexTraq's software refreshes every 30 seconds, putting it at nearly real-time tracking. It can provide compliance support if your business needs it, whether that be for ELDs, FMCSA, HoS or DVIR. You can read more about NexTraq's compliance support here.
\r\nWhile NexTraq does have a YouTube channel, we didn't see any demos of the company's platform on it. If you want a hands-on view of the software, you'll have to work directly with NexTraq to set up a demo.
\r\nNexTraq's software is backed by Google Maps, which means that everything you can do on Google Maps you can also do in NexTraq's software. This includes viewing traffic data, routing information and even using the street-view feature. The software refreshes every minute, so you'll have real-time updates on where your vehicles are at any time. You can even adjust this configuration to 30 seconds.
\r\nNexTraq also supports the ability to geofence different areas, meaning you can draw a virtual boundary around an area to receive alerts when a vehicle enters or leaves it. This is especially useful if you need to track when a vehicle arrives at a job site or airport.
\r\nEditor's note: Looking for a GPS fleet tracking system? Click the Compare Quotes button below to have our sister site BuyerZone connect you with vendors that can help.
"},"pricing":{"isCapped":false,"isFeatured":false,"primary":true,"selected":"widget","widgetId":"10230","widget":{"id":"10230","cta":"Compare Quotes","isExclusive":false},"affiliate":{"cta":"Visit Site","link":"http://www.nextraq.com/","name":""}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5b75bb181039eb4b7f8b456a/nextraq.png"}}}]},{"__typename":"SectionWidget","id":"get-a-quote","isInToc":false,"type":"widget","title":"Find the Right GPS Fleet Tracking Service for Your Business","widget":{"widgetId":"10230"}},{"__typename":"SectionOurApproach","id":null,"isInToc":false,"type":"ourapproach","isActive":null,"ourapproach":{"isClonable":false,"servicesConsidered":"25","servicesTested":"14","servicesSelected":"4","linkText":"How we evaluate products and services","linkUrl":"mailto:editor@business.com"}},{"__typename":"SectionContainer","id":"compare-our-best-picks","isInToc":true,"type":"container","title":"Compare Our Best Picks","container":{"isBuyingGuide":false,"html":"\n| \r\n | Samsara | \r\nAzuga | \r\nGPS Trackit | \r\nNexTraq | \r\n
| Pricing | \r\nHardware/licensing fee plus recurring monthly cost. Prices are customized based on specific need | \r\nOne-time device cost plus recurring monthly fee. Prices are customized based on specific need | \r\n$23.95 per month | \r\nPrices are customized based on specific needs | \r\n
| Contract length | \r\n3 years | \r\n3 years | \r\nMonth to month | \r\n1-3 years | \r\n
| Vehicle minimum | \r\nThree | \r\nFive | \r\nNone | \r\nNone | \r\n
| OBD II plug-and-play | \r\nYes | \r\nYes | \r\nYes | \r\nYes | \r\n
| Customer support | \r\nPhone, email, webchat and ticket | \r\nPhone, email and webchat | \r\nFree unlimited live training. Phone, email and webchat | \r\nPhone, email and webchat | \r\n
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionReviews","id":"our-reviews","isInToc":true,"type":"reviews","title":"Our Reviews","reviews":[{"title":"Samsara"},{"title":"Teletrac Navman"},{"title":"Verizon Connect"},{"title":"Quartix"},{"title":"NexTraqrigo"},{"title":"Azuga"},{"title":"GPS Insight"},{"title":"Omnitracs"},{"title":"Rhino Fleet Tracking"},{"title":"ClearPathGPS"},{"title":"Geotab"},{"title":"Onfleet"},{"title":"GPS Trackit"}]},{"__typename":"SectionContainer","id":"pricing","isInToc":true,"type":"container","title":"Pricing and Contracts","container":{"isBuyingGuide":false,"html":"\n
Agreements with fleet tracking companies are generally contract-based and tailored to your business's needs. Contracts run from 12 to 36 months and include a recurring monthly service fee and an upfront fee for the hardware devices. Some companies, though, rent the devices to you, which means they roll the cost of using the device into your monthly cost.
\r\nWe reviewed some companies that don't operate on long-term contracts. Instead, they charge clients month to month, and you can cancel at any time. These companies provide flexibility for very small businesses and the option of short-term service for larger ones. Some companies also provide a trial period or money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service without committing to a contract.
\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionBuyingGuide","id":"what-is-gps-fleet-tracking","isInToc":true,"type":"buying-guide","title":"Buying Guide","containers":[{"title":"What Is GPS Fleet Tracking? ","html":"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.
"},{"title":"What Should You Look for in a GPS Tracking Service for Your Business?","html":"\nThe 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:
\r\nThere 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.
\r\nOther 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.
\r\nOne 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.
\r\nMaintaining 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.
\r\nIt 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.
\r\nMost 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.
\r\nAlthough 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.
\r\nWhen 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.
\r\nOnce 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.
\r\nThe 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.
\n"},{"title":"The Importance of GPS Tracking for Businesses","html":"\nWith 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.
\r\nGPS tracking is especially important for those with mobile fleets or high-value assets like trailers, tractors, storage containers, construction equipment or generators.
\n"},{"title":"How GPS Tracking Works for a Business Fleet","html":"\nGPS 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.
\r\nGPS 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.
\n"},{"title":"What Questions Should You Ask When Determining the Right GPS Tracking Service for Your Business?","html":"\nAs 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.
\r\nAny 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.
\r\nIf 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.
\r\nThe 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.
\r\nHaving 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.
\r\nMany 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.
\r\nAdditionally, GPS trackers will analyze fleet routes and provide recommendations for the safest and most efficient itinerary.
\r\nAs 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.
\r\nIn 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.
\n"},{"title":"Our Methodology ","html":"\nAt 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.
\r\nAfter 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.
\r\nFrom 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.
\r\nLast, 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.
\n"}]},{"__typename":"SectionContainer","id":"community-expert-insight","isInToc":true,"type":"container","title":"Community Expert Insight ","container":{"isBuyingGuide":false,"html":"\nWe reached out to business owners and fleet managers to see what GPS fleet services they used, as well as the specific GPS tracking features they found to be the most important.
\r\nChris Spano, co-owner of Traffic Management Inc., said that for his company (which has a fleet of 800 vehicles), the GPS tracking features that matter the most are real-time tracking, trip and miles reports, 10-second GPS pinpoints, Google maps, geofencing and locations, disconnection alerts, and idle reports. However, said Spano, these features may not apply to every business owner.
\r\n\"Fleets at our size care about features like idle reports, but a small fleet may only care where their trucks are,\" Spano told business.com. \"In our case, the idle report tells us which drivers are the worst offenders so we can proactively reach out to them and reduce idling. This has made a significant difference.\"
\r\nAlthough it is important for each business to narrow their search to the features that are essential for their specific fleet, Spano added that there are some features that are always important, regardless of fleet size. These include easy installation and flexible terms. It was ease of use and payment flexibility that led Spano's team to ultimately settle on their GPS fleet tracking service.
\r\n\n"}},{"__typename":"SectionMoreCoverage","id":"","isInToc":false,"type":"morecoverage","isActive":null,"title":"More Coverage","articles":[{"title":"Choosing a GPS Fleet Tracking System","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/gps-fleet-tracking-guide/","author":{"displayName":"business.com editorial staff"},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/594/9699f1039eb59308b4568/1500-0-"}},{"title":"Considering a Fleet Tracking Solution? How to Pick the Right One","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/considering-fleet-tracking-solutions/","author":{"displayName":"Larry Alton"},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/592/f35ea51ee479b618b4569/1500-0-"}},{"title":"Trucking Technology Is Improving Fuel Efficiency","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/articles/truck-tech-fuel-efficiency/","author":{"displayName":"Matthew D'Angelo"},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/content/5c6/303257b43745a0f8b458b/1500-0-"}}]}],"tocElements":[{"title":"Best Picks","id":"top-of-page"},{"title":"Intro","id":"intro"},{"title":"Get a Quote ","id":"get-a-quote"},{"title":"Compare Our Best Picks","id":"compare-our-best-picks"},{"title":"Our Reviews","id":"our-reviews"},{"title":"Pricing","id":"pricing"},{"title":"Buying Guide","id":"what-is-gps-fleet-tracking"},{"title":"Community Expert Insight ","id":"community-expert-insight"}],"author":{"id":"5e2f111c7b4374b05b8b4573","name":"Skye Schooley","bio":"Skye Schooley is an Arizona native, based in New York City. She received a business communication degree from Arizona State University and spent a few years traveling internationally, before finally settling down in the greater New York City area. She currently writes for business.com and Business News Daily, primarily contributing articles about business technology and the workplace, and reviewing categories such as remote PC access software, collection agencies, background check services, web hosting, reputation management services, cloud storage, and website design software and services.","thumbnail":null,"status":"enabled","type":"Staff","user":{"slug":"skye-schooley","imagePath":"https://staging.business.com/images/uploads/user/profile/b90031d86ad400c4d947707423e3c77d43b9d.jpg"},"title":null,"image":null,"social":{"facebook":"","linkedin":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/skyeschooley/","twitter":null,"website":"https://www.business.com"}},"breadcrumbs":null,"channels":{"primary":{"name":"Technology","slug":"technology"},"sub":{"name":"Technology Solutions","slug":"technology-solutions"}},"thumbnail":{"path":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5e00d75b7b437429388b456d/Trucks_vitpho_Getty.jpg","caption":"vitpho / Getty Images","isBlurred":false},"image":"https://staging.business.com/images/rz/5e00d75b7b437429388b456d/Trucks_vitpho_Getty.jpg","meta":{"robots":"index, follow","description":"Our team of experts has compared the best GPS fleet tracking services for 2021. See up-to-date comparisons, reviews and costs for the top-rated services.","title":"The Best GPS Fleet Tracking Reviews for 2021 - business.com"}}},"pageContext":{"displayModified":"2021-01-28T20:51:00.000Z","title":"The Best GPS Fleet Tracking Services of 2021","template":"mega","meta":{"robots":"index, follow"},"docType":"categories","slug":"best-gps-fleet-tracking-services","canonical":"https://staging.business.com/categories/best-gps-fleet-tracking-services/"}},"staticQueryHashes":[]}