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

Best for Violation tracking across many drivers

Motive (#1, 8.4/9.4). Most complete published HOS feature set. It also handles Forecasting CSA exposure, Team driving logs.

Best for Rule sets that change by state or border

Samsara (#2, 8.4/9.4). Location-aware rule sets and customizable driver app. It also handles Yard move and unassigned time handling, Customizing the driver workflow.

Best for Mixing ELD with partner hardware

Geotab (#3, 8.4/9.4). Open APIs and broad hardware support. It also handles Multi-language driver teams, Open API needs.

Best for Knowing the ELD price before a sales call

Linxup (#4, 7.6/9.4). The only vendor here with a published ELD price. It also handles Bring-your-own-tablet setups.

Best for Running logs on a driver's phone

Gorilla Safety Fleet Management (#11, unrated wildcard). Phone-based ELD for the smallest carriers. It also handles Low upfront cost.

What is ELD compliance software?

It is the software and in-cab hardware a trucking company uses to record drivers' hours of service electronically instead of on paper. A device connects to the truck's engine, records driving time and duty status, and a driver app and back-office portal let drivers certify logs and let managers find problems. Several vendors on this list bundle the ELD with DVIR inspections and fuel tax reporting, so the same system can cover more than logging.

Why does this list not score GPS accuracy or driver video?

The neighbouring fleet management list weighs tracking, maintenance and dashcams. This list is narrower. A carrier buying an ELD is mostly asking whether logs are accurate, whether an inspector can be shown a log without drama, whether the manager can see trouble coming, and what it costs. So the rubric spends its weight there, and video safety, which matters, is left to the other list.

How is this list different from the fleet management software list?

The fleet list rewards breadth. This list rewards ELD depth and honesty about price. A vendor can rank high on the fleet list because of cameras or maintenance tools and still land lower here if its ELD page is thin. If you also need tracking, maintenance and cameras, read both lists and compare the same vendor on each.

What can I verify myself before I buy?

The FMCSA publishes a registry of ELDs at eld.fmcsa.dot.gov. It has a Registered tab and a Revoked tab, and says that devices are self-certified by the manufacturer and that FMCSA does not endorse any ELD. So a vendor's claim of compliance is only as good as an entry on that registry. Look up the exact device and software version you will install, and check the revoked tab too.

How to choose

1. 1First, decide whether you need a manager dashboard or just clean logs. A single owner-operator needs accurate logs, a clear driver screen and an inspection mode. A safety manager with many drivers needs violation reports, unassigned driving tools and forecasting, which is where the top three on this list pull ahead.
2. 2Second, look up the exact device on the FMCSA registry at eld.fmcsa.dot.gov, including the revoked tab. Vendor pages say they are registered, but the registry says devices are self-certified by the manufacturer and that FMCSA does not endorse any ELD, so the entry is the thing to check.
3. 3Third, ask for the full monthly price in writing, including the tablet or device, any contract term, and any charge for DVIR or IFTA. Only one vendor here, Linxup, publishes an ELD price on its own site. For the rest, request a quote that states the cost per truck per month and the length of the commitment.
4. 4Finally, test the driver side. Ask for a trial or a demo login, put a real driver on it for a week, and check how it behaves with no signal, how team driving works, and how fast an inspection screen can be shown at a roadside stop.

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.