# Motive vs Samsara vs Geotab: 11 Best ELD Compliance Software 2026

> The best ELD compliance software for US trucking fleets is Motive for the deepest published hours-of-service tooling, followed by Samsara for location-aware rule sets and Geotab for an open platform. Linxup is the only vendor here that publishes an ELD price.

- URL: https://topelevens.com/eld-compliance-software
- Last verified: 2026-10-12
- Methodology: https://topelevens.com/methodology
- JSON: https://topelevens.com/api/lists/eld-compliance-software · CSV: https://topelevens.com/api/lists/eld-compliance-software/csv

## Ranking

### #1 Motive · 8.4/9.4
- Best for: Carriers that want the most detailed HOS tooling and a compliance dashboard for the safety manager, and can accept a quote-based price.
- null · founded null · pricing not published, quote only
- Motive ranks first because its ELD page describes the most complete set of logging controls we found: a compliance hub, rule sets for U.S. and Canadian cycles, team driving for up to nine co-drivers, and offline operation. A safety manager gets more to work with here than on any other page we read.
- Pro: The ELD page lists a Compliance Hub with violation breakdowns and driver leaderboards, forecasted CSA scores, personal conveyance and yard move categories, and supported cycle rules including USA 70/8 and 60/7 and Texas 70/7. It states the ELD is FMCSA-registered.
- Con: No price appears on the ELD page or the home page, and the home page links no pricing page. You have to talk to sales to learn what a truck costs per month. The driver app requires Android 10 or later, or iOS 12 or later, which matters if your drivers use older phones.

### #2 Samsara · 8.4/9.4
- Best for: Fleets that want ELD tied to a wider telematics platform, with automatic rule set switching by location and a no-code driver workflow builder.
- null · founded null · pricing not published, quote only
- Samsara earns second place on a very close read. Its page covers the core HOS limits by name, switches rule sets from the driver's real-time GPS location, and lets a carrier customize the driver app with Workflow Builder and App Designer. It scores below Motive only on the depth of the manager dashboard described.
- Pro: Automatic rule sets that follow GPS location, AI-assisted annotation of yard moves and unassigned time, and an Inspection Mode for roadside stops. The page says Samsara has been FMCSA-registered since 2017 and is third-party certified. The driver app runs on supported iOS and Android devices, so no proprietary tablet is required.
- Con: No ELD price is published. The pricing page asks how many vehicles you have, using size bands, but shows no amounts. The integrations page text says 200+ turnkey integrations while an image label says 350+, and the page does not settle which is current.

### #3 Geotab · 8.4/9.4
- Best for: Fleets that value an open platform, a wide hardware range, and a large partner ecosystem around the ELD.
- null · founded null · pricing not published, quote only
- Geotab ranks third because its ELD page is specific about rule coverage (100+ rule sets and exemptions for the U.S. and Canada), hardware (GO7, GO8, GO9 and GO9+), and openness (APIs, an SDK, and a partner marketplace). It is a strong pick if the ELD is one piece of a larger build.
- Pro: The page describes four violation types handled, a 7-day Roadside Inspection Mode, tamper-resistant edit rules where drivers cannot remove or reduce drive time, around-the-clock ELD phone support for drivers, and four languages. It states the ELD is self-certified and registered with FMCSA.
- Con: No price or plan detail is published on the ELD page. The page links to Get pricing and View Subscription Plans without figures. Geotab's ELD sits inside a broader platform, so a carrier that only wants logs will read through more than it needs.

### #4 Linxup · 7.6/9.4
- Best for: Small carriers and owner-operators who want a published ELD price and a clear choice between a bring-your-own tablet and a supplied one.
- null · founded null · $30 per vehicle per month for ELD, listed on the vendor's pricing page
- Linxup ranks fourth overall, helped by being first on price transparency, which matters to the small buyer this list is for. The pricing page states $30 per vehicle per month for ELD, a $99 one-time tablet cost on a 3-year contract, and a bring-your-own-device option. Its ELD page documents the Apollo ELD with clear alert thresholds.
- Pro: Pop-up alerts one hour and thirty minutes before a potential violation, HOS gauges that turn yellow then red, installation described as taking minutes, 6-pin, 9-pin and RP1226 adapters, and no activation fee. The page points buyers to the FMCSA registry to verify the Apollo device.
- Con: The ELD page contradicts itself on enforcement dates, which is a small trust issue for a compliance product. ELD is sold separately from GPS tracking and dash cams. The pricing page says contract options for ELD are no contract, 2-year or 3-year, but other ELD prices read 'let's talk', so check the real total in writing.

### #5 EROAD · 7.5/9.4
- Best for: Carriers that want a rugged stand-alone in-cab ELD or an app-based option, with independent testing cited.
- null · founded null · pricing not published, quote only
- EROAD is fifth. It stands out for evidence: the page says the ELD is FMCSA registered and third-party verified, and that PIT Group reported it fully meets the FMCSA's functional requirements. It also offers two hardware paths, the Ehubo device and the Drive ELD app. Feature detail is narrower than the leaders.
- Pro: The Ehubo is a rugged tethered in-cab device that connects to the engine control module. Drive ELD runs as an app and works with EROAD's gateway devices. Geofence-enabled rule sets can separate yard move time, and alerts can go out by email, SMS, or push.
- Con: No price is published; the only call to action is Get a Demo. The page names no specific integrations beyond saying EROAD connects to TMS, ERP and dispatch tools.

### #6 Verizon Connect · 7.4/9.4
- Best for: Fleets that want ELD from a large telecom-backed vendor, with OEM connections that can avoid extra installed hardware.
- null · founded null · pricing not published, quote only
- Verizon Connect takes sixth place. The compliance page covers daily certification, a 7-day roadside view, and four violation types, and it is candid that an ELD alone does not prevent violations. Its page does not state FMCSA registration in plain terms, and it names no hardware models, which holds its score back.
- Pro: Around-the-clock ELD phone support for drivers, a Logbook app that can send ELD transmission files when requested, and OEM partnerships that mean no additional tracking hardware is needed to start on compatible vehicles. The page says plainly that the ELD does not stop violations on its own.
- Con: No prices, tiers or terms are shown; the pricing button on the home page is an on-page anchor with no figures. The ELD page does not name hardware models and does not use the word registered, so you should check the registry yourself before you buy.

### #7 Teletrac Navman · 7.1/9.4
- Best for: Carriers that want a straightforward ELD page with HOS forecasting and exemption tracking for dispatchers.
- null · founded null · pricing not published, quote only
- Teletrac Navman ranks seventh. Its ELD page is titled FMCSA Registered and describes an Available Hours dashboard, HOS forecasting that includes 34-hour reset planning, and tracking of exemptions such as yard moves and personal conveyance. It is thinner than the top four on hardware and audit detail.
- Pro: The Available Hours dashboard shows each driver's remaining hours at a glance, and forecasting tells drivers when they can return to duty after a rest. The page states a dispatcher-facing integration with the DVIR app and maintenance platforms.
- Con: Hardware is described only as an in-cab tablet or other mobile device, with no models. No price is shown; the page sends you to Get Pricing and Build Your Solution. The FAQ says IFTA reporting needs a Promiles integration, which is an extra system to run.

### #8 Azuga · 7/9.4
- Best for: Small and mid-size carriers that want ELD bundled with a fleet tracking subscription and driver coaching.
- null · founded null · Quote only. The ELD page title says 'from $30/mo' with no unit or terms; the pricing page says pricing is customized
- Azuga ranks eighth. The ELD page covers HOS alerts, automatic conflict detection for inconsistent logs, and switching between U.S. and Canadian rules. It cites FMCSA section 395.15 and links to the registry. The price statement is ambiguous, and integrations are listed by count only.
- Pro: Automatic detection of inconsistent or incomplete logs, real-time driver availability for dispatch, English, French Canadian and Spanish support, and a stated 75+ telematics integrations. The page also links to the FMCSA registered ELD list so you can verify the device.
- Con: The ELD page title says from $30 per month, but the pricing page says there is no list price and you get a custom quote after a questionnaire. Treat the $30 as a starting claim, not a quote. No contract terms are shown.

### #9 Lytx · 6.2/9.4
- Best for: Carriers whose main need is video safety, with ELD and HOS audit support as a secondary tool.
- null · founded null · pricing not published, quote only
- Lytx is ninth for this buyer. Its strength is video, and the pages we read treat ELD as a supporting service. The ELD page describes an FMCSA-compliant solution running through the DriveCam device and a mobile app, and a service that audits HOS records from ELDs, paper logs and time sheets together.
- Pro: HOS records from ELDs, paper logs and time sheets can be audited in one system, and the ELD runs off the DriveCam device with an engine connection so no extra hardware is needed. The home page footnote mentions a limited-time offer of trial services at no cost for up to one month.
- Con: The ELD page gives little feature detail, such as rule sets or inspection mode, and no price. It does not state FMCSA registration, only that the solution is described as compliant. If ELD is your main need, a specialist page is more informative.

### #10 TrackEnsure · 5.8/9.4
- Best for: Small fleets that want a low-key ELD with IFTA and DVIR in the same app and a phone or email ordering process.
- null · founded null · pricing not published, quote only (ELD price not found; camera and GPS prices only on the home page)
- TrackEnsure rounds out the ranked ten. Its home page describes an ELD with a device and app, tamper prevention, live driver event logs, DVIR and IFTA reports, and calls it certified for the U.S. and Canada. We could not open a dedicated ELD page, so the score rests on one page.
- Pro: The home page lists tamper prevention, live driver event logs and alerts for unsafe driving. Ordering is by phone or email, and choosing a plan does not require payment details.
- Con: The ELD page returned an error, so detail is limited to the home page. The home page names no ELD price, and the page makes a certification claim without a registry identifier. Verify the device on the FMCSA registry before ordering.

### #11 [WILDCARD, UNRATED] Gorilla Safety Fleet Management
- Unrated by design. Selected by the wildcard signal model (wildcard-v2.0): https://topelevens.com/methodology/wildcard
- Signal read: This is the ELD I can run on my own phone without buying a tablet, if I confirm it on the registry first.
  - under_the_radar (strong): The vendor's pages are plain and specific about phone-based logging and third-party assessment, yet it is absent from the usual ELD comparison lists.
  - category_fit_anomaly (strong): Most vendors here lead with proprietary hardware and a sales call; this one centres the driver's phone and says costs are minimal upfront.
  - effort_transfer (notable): The page says installation is plug-and-play and managers can view logs within seconds, which puts little setup work on a small carrier.
  - promise_practice_gap (mixed): The page claims full FMCSA compliance and KPMG assessment, but shows no registration identifier and no price to check the claim against.
  - ceiling_distance (notable): Pages describe logs, reports and messaging, not rule-set depth, dashboards or an open API, so growing carriers may outgrow it.
- Right for: An owner-operator or carrier with a handful of trucks who wants logs on drivers' own phones and will verify the device on the FMCSA registry before signing.
- Wrong for: A safety manager with dozens of drivers who needs compliance dashboards, violation forecasting, an open API or weekend support.
- Best for: Small carriers that want a phone-based ELD with minimal upfront cost and a support line staffed on weekdays.
- null · founded null · pricing not published, quote only
- Gorilla Safety is the wildcard because it sells an ELD that runs on the driver's own phone, with the page claiming minimal upfront cost and an outside firm assessing its compliance process, in a market where most vendors lead with hardware and sales calls.
- Pro: The page says logs are calculated down to the minute rather than rounded, and that drivers use an app on their phone so there is no extra device in the cab. It says KPMG assesses the solution, testing processes and security governance.
- Con: No price, plan or contract term is shown, and no FMCSA registration identifier appears on the pages we opened. Headquarters and founding date are not stated. Support runs Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central, so weekend breakdowns may go unanswered.

## FAQ

**How much does ELD software cost?**

Most vendors on this list do not publish an ELD price, so we cannot give a market range from their own pages. Linxup states $30 per vehicle per month for ELD, plus a $99 one-time tablet cost on a 3-year contract, with a bring-your-own-device option. Azuga's ELD page title says from $30 per month, but its pricing page says you get a custom quote. For everyone else, expect to request a quote.

**Is an ELD from one of these vendors automatically legal to use?**

Not automatically. The FMCSA registry states that listed devices are self-certified by the manufacturer and that FMCSA does not endorse any ELD. Several vendor pages here say they are registered and some point you to the registry. Check the registry entry for the exact device before you buy, and read the revoked tab as well.

**Can I use my own tablet or phone?**

Some vendors say yes. Linxup offers a bring-your-own-device option, Samsara says its driver app runs on supported iOS and Android devices, Motive lists Android 10 or later and iOS 12 or later, and Gorilla Safety describes a phone app. Hardware still has to connect to the truck's engine, so ask which gateway or cable your truck needs.

**Does the ELD also handle DVIR and fuel tax reporting?**

It depends on the vendor. Motive's page says IFTA, DVIR and HOS are managed in one solution. EROAD lists DVIR, IFTA and FSMA reporting. Teletrac Navman says IFTA reporting needs a Promiles integration. Check the exact module list in your quote.

**How long does setup take?**

We could not verify onboarding times from vendor pages, so we publish none. Linxup describes installation as taking minutes with no special tools, and Samsara says its gateway installs in a few minutes. Ask each vendor for a written timeline that includes driver training.