Best ELD Devices for Trucks in 2026 – Top Providers Compared

After 100 hours of testing 14 different options, I found that Samsara is the best ELD provider for most logistics businesses. It offers strong compliance covering IFTA and DVIR and time-saving features like route optimization and vehicle management, making it a full-on fleet management system.

There are a lot of ELD providers to choose from though, and picking the right ELD is crucial for avoiding hefty fines, as these devices are required by law for nearly all commercial motor vehicles in the US.

In this guide I’ll break down the details on Samsara and other top ELDs to help you find a cost-effective and Department of Transportation (DOT)-compliant solution for your fleet.

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		Price Publicly available price for lowest-cost plan	Best for	Pros	Cons	Key benefit	Top features	GPS route planning	Scheduling and dispatch	Driver safety monitoring	Automatic route optimizing	Contract length	HOS tracking Hours of Service are used to determine the number and length of federally mandated rest periods	DVIR reporting Driver Vehicle Inspection Report must be completed daily by federal mandate	Compliance alerts Alerts managers to federal compliance violations	Installation	Customer support
SPONSORED PROVIDER	BEST OVERALL
Verizon Connect	Samsara ELD	Matrack ELD	GPS Insight	Gorilla Safety ELD
Custom pricing	Custom pricing	$19.95/month	$14.95/month	$250 upfront
Add-ons and extras	Best overall ELDs	Best-priced ELD compliance	Customer support	Document management
Automated HOS tracking Hardware units and installation are free Live maps and geofencing	Strong compliance with IFTA & DVIR Simple plug-and-play setup Clear HOS tracking dashboard	No minimum contract length Hardware included in subscription Intuitive interface for beginners	24/7 customer support via phone and email Advanced features like fuel reports and traffic updates Intuitive driver to manager communication	Unique document tracking feature No minimum contracts Helpful HOS & DVIR compliance alerts
ELD only comes with FMS software subscription No public pricing Lengthy three-year contracts	3-year minimum contract length Steep learning curve for beginners	No two-way messaging Dispatch is only available with an add-on	Requires manual refresh One-year contract requirement	No 24/7 support on phone or email Requires upfront payment for hardware
Most features and add-ons	Best combination of features and support	Budget-friendly pricing	Simple location tracking	Streamlined paperwork and maintenance
Daily or weekly history reports	24/7 support	Audit trail	Wide variety of alerts	Document management tools
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3 years	3 years	Monthly rolling	On request	Monthly-rolling
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Plug in or hardwired	OBD2 plug-and-play	OBD2 plug-and-play	Plug in or hardwired	OBD2 plug-and-play
24/7	24/7	Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm PT	24/7	Monday-Friday: 7am-7pm CT
Visit Verizon	Visit Samsara	Compare Quotes	Compare Quotes	Compare Quotes

FMCSA Revoked Devices: Updated 2026

All ELDs must be registered with and meet the technical standards outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Keep up-to-date with FMCSA’s Revoked Devices List to ensure your device is compliant before purchasing.

Here are the latest revoked devices, as of August 2026:

• Moonlight ELD (revoked 08/06/2026)
• HGRS ELD (revoked 08/06/2026)
• Truckford ELD (revoked 08/06/2026)
• Sparkle ELD (revoked 08/06/2026)

Best ELDs for Truckers: Full Reviews

I’ve turned all our research and tests into five reviews of all the high-quality ELDs you should consider. Take a look at how they match up against each other in the table above.

1. Samsara – Best for a full fleet management solution
2. Matrack ELD – Best affordable ELD-compliant solution
3. GPS Insight – Best for comprehensive customer support
4. Gorilla Safety ELD – Best for in-depth document management
5. Verizon Connect ELD – Best for fleets that want to expand

1. Samsara ELD: Best for a Full Fleet Management Solution

Price from: Custom
Best for: Truckers who need full fleet management

Samsara’s ELD is the best option for fleet managers who are interested in a complete fleet management service. Its features cover compliance needs, route optimization, and driver and vehicle management tools, giving fleet managers a broad range of functionality.

Samsara can streamline all elements of a fleet’s daily operation, including fuel use: 20% of fleet pros cite rising diesel costs as their top concern in a March 2026 Tech.co survey.

Samsara ELD

In Short

• Pros

  • Excellent value plans for small businesses
  • Wealth of features offers economy of scale for large operations
  • Strong 24/7 support to solve problems and help adjust to updates

• Cons

  • Frequent software updates mean you’ll have a strong learning curve
  • Contracts require a high commitment of 3 years at a time

30 Second Facts

• check Starts at: Custom pricing
• check Compliance: HOS, DVIR
• check 3-year contracts
• check OBD2 plug-and-play
• check Compliance alerts
• check Support: 24/7

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2. Matrack ELD: Best Priced ELD Compliance

Price from: $19.95 per month, no contracts
Best for: Truckers on a budget

The Matrack ELD hardware device comes free with its monthly subscription, which starts at $19.95 per month and goes up to $24.95 per month if you choose the premium plan.

This makes Matrack the cheapest no-contract option on our list. We recommend it for small fleets.

Dashcams can be bundled into either plan for $34.95 per month (Basic) or $39.95 per month (Premium), after a one-time $99 fee.

Matrack ELD

In Short

• Pros

  • Easy to use, even for beginners
  • Hardware is free with $19.95/month plan
  • Includes fuel tax tracking

• Cons

  • No two-way messaging
  • Dispatch is only available with an add-on

30 Second Facts

• check Starts at: $19.95/month
• check Compliance: HOS, DVIR
• check Monthly rolling contracts
• check OBD2 plug-and-play
• check Compliance alerts
• check Support hours Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm PT

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3. GPS Insight: Best for Customer Support Options

Price: $14.95 per month

GPS Insight’s standout quality is its great customer support. It’s one of just a few providers to offer 24/7 support via phone and email, as well as an online knowledge base, along with Motive and Omnitracs.

This makes GPS Insight a great option for businesses that know they will need additional assistance with using an ELD. Small businesses agree: Tech.co’s own survey data finds GPS Insight is the second most common vehicle tracking vendor in 2026 after Verizon, with a 23% market share.

GPS Insight

In Short

• Pros

  • Easy manager/driver communication
  • 24/7 support to help solve your problems
  • Simple to use GPS tracking

• Cons

  • No auto-refresh, so you’ll need to do it manually

30 Second Facts

• check Starts at: $14.95/month
• check Compliance: HOS, DVIR
• check Contracts: On Request
• check Plug in or hardwired
• check Compliance alerts
• check Support: 24/7

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Expert Tip: Fleets are taking proactive measures, data shows

Geopolitical events are making times tough for US fleets in Summer 2026: The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has hiked diesel costs, while high freight demand is being met with workforce shortages.

Fleets are responding with an increasing focus on two tech solutions. Tech.co survey data found 19% are investing in fuel cards in March 2026, a big jump from the 9% who said the same a month earlier. During this time frame, 55% also started looking into route optimization software, up from 45% in February.

Paired with recruitment efforts, this software is helping fleets handle increasing operational pressure.

Adam Rowe Fleet Writer

4. Gorilla Safety ELD: Best for Document Management

• Price: $250 upfront

Gorilla Safety offers great document management tools, grouping paperwork into four files: Driver Qualification File, Truck File (registration, cab cards, and repair history), Company File (IFTA reports, loss runs, and permits), and ELD Supporting Documents.

All these tools make the service useful for fleets that need to keep all their paperwork handy and well-sorted, particularly if you are a manager with a large amount of drivers and vehicles.

Gorilla Safety ELD

In Short

• Pros

  • Great for easy documentation sharing
  • Low pricing compared with other options
  • Reliable service with a high uptime

• Cons

  • Support isn’t 24/7
  • Features are a bit limited compared with alternatives

30 Second Facts

• check Starts at: $250 upfront
• check Compliance: HOS, DVIR
• check Monthly rolling contracts
• check OBD2 plug-and-play
• check Compliance alerts
• check Mon-Fri: 7am-7pm CT

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5. Verizon Connect Reveal ELD: Best for Fleets Wanting to Expand with Additional Features

• Price: Custom

Verizon’s ELD solution is part of its larger fleet management system, known as Verizon Connect Reveal. This gives users access to a wide range of fleet management features outside of just ELDs, such as route optimization and vehicle management. It’s easily the most popular system on the market, with a 38% share among small to midsize businesses, according to Tech.co survey data from January to April 2026.

Businesses will pay more for Verizon’s system, but our research shows this is beneficial in the long term if you require fleet management.

Verizon Connect ELD

In Short

• Pros

  • Comes with full FMS features
  • Integrates with Verizon’s field service and asset tracking add-ons
  • Hardware units and installation are free
  • Live maps, geofencing
  • Support options: phone, live online, chatbots, webinars, and training materials
  • Field service and asset tracking available as add-ons

• Cons

  • ELD solution is only available in the FMS bundle, and is not standalone
  • Too many features for small fleets
  • No public pricing
  • Lengthy three-year contracts

30 Second Facts

• check Starts at: Custom pricing
• check Compliance: HOS, DVIR
• check Contracts: 3 years
• check Plug in or hardwired
• check Compliance alerts
• check Support: 24/7

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Which ELDs Are Border-Crossing Compliant?

These providers can all reconcile US-Canada border-crossing requirements for international fleets.

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		Border-crossing compliance Does the platform support US and Canadian border-crossing requirements	Border-crossing additions
Samsara ELD	Matrack ELD	GPS Insight	Gorilla Safety ELD	Verizon Connect
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Provides automatic zone detection (which will change HOS based on region) and a manual operating zone selection	The device meets both US and Canadian requirements and will automatically change HOS when borders are crossed	Driving rules are automatically switched based on the country, and this will be recorded in the driver log	The system will adhere to HOS rules based on the country you’re in, and meets both FMCSA and Canadian ELD technical standards	Verizon’s HOS app will detect border crossings, adjust HOS rules, change distance metrics to suit Canadian rules, and share driver logs

What Are the Benefits of Using an ELD?

It’s tough to overstate how important ELDs are for the modern US fleet: They are a regulated requirement for truckers in 2026.

That’s not the only money-saving benefit these devices offer.

• DOT compliance: Most commercial fleets are required to use an ELD in the US in 2026, so getting set up with one can ensure you don’t incur hefty fines.
• Fuel efficiency: Many ELDs can track fuel consumption and idle time, allowing you to monitor your usage and adjust accordingly.
• Reduce maintenance costs: ELDs can also monitor your vehicle health, allowing you to make repairs before larger issues arise.
• Minimize paperwork: Instead of paper logs, ELDs automate and digitize the tracking process to save you time and money.
• Improve accuracy: Given the digital system, an ELD can make sure that your fleet information is as accurate as possible, without human errors.
• Limit accidents: ELDs can monitor driver behavior, so you can ensure that they aren’t driving erratically or dangerously while on the road.

How to Choose the Right ELD

The most important thing to consider when choosing the right ELD is whether the device complies with the current DOT laws and regulations.

Similarly, the device must be registered and approved by FMCSA. You should keep a close eye on FMCSA’s list of registered and revoked devices, to ensure you’re aware of which systems are allowed.

Here are some of the other questions you should also ask yourself when choosing an ELD for your fleet:

• How much do you want to spend on an ELD? Prices can vary based on the size of your fleet and how often you’d like to use the ELDs you have. Choosing a budget early on will help rule out any providers from the start.
• How easy is the ELD to install? If the device is complicated to set up or requires a professional technician, you might have to spend more money overall.
• How easy is the ELD to use? Be sure to look for a smooth, intuitive ELD experience that can automate processes and makes its core functions easy to carry out.
• How secure is the ELD? All of your trucker data needs to be protected, so make sure your ELD offers some kind of security and encryption protocol to keep it safe.
• What features do you need in an ELD? Some ELD devices will offer features beyond compliance, like route optimization and predictive maintenance alerts. However, just 13% of small businesses use vehicle tracking tools, Tech.co’s 2026 Q1 surveys found.
• What integrations does the ELD have? Integrating your ELD with your existing systems will streamline processes for your fleet, as all operations can be controlled from a singular core interface.

How Do We Evaluate ELD Devices?

To find the best ELD device, we analyzed products from the top ELD providers in the US. We focused on the criteria that fleet managers told us were important to them to accurately rank and rate each one.

What we analyzed:

• Reporting (30%): Compliance tools including HOS logs, driver reports, DVIR, and alerts. This was weighted the highest because these functions are the purpose of the system.
• Price (25%): Costs, contracts, warranties, and how easily the ELD can be expanded to a full fleet system. This category was weighted second highest because businesses want ELD compliance at the most cost-effective price point.
• Mobile app (20%): iOS and Android apps, and their customer ratings. This was weighted third highest because it increases the ease and flexibility of DOT compliance.
• Installation (15%): Installation fees and services, plus the type of hardware unit offered. This was weighted second lowest — most ELD services offer similar installation options, so these factors don’t play a large role in comparative difference.
• Customer support (10%): Email, phone, online help centers, or account managers. This was rated the lowest — while still important, support options aren’t specific to ELD as a product, so they’re less likely to influence a purchase decision.

Once each ELD device has been tested and ranked, we award a single five-star score for each service, allowing us to compare them in this guide.

FAQs

Written By

Nicole Mousicos

Nicole is Tech.co’s News Editor, reporting on the latest technology news and curating The AI Strat newsletter. After studying English Literature and Creative Writing, they worked on local newspapers and online publications, including Outlander Magazine. Previously, they covered tech products and news at Expert Reviews. Outside of Tech.co, they enjoy sports and video games.

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