The 7 Best ELD Devices for 2023

If we’re talking about the top ELD providers, we’re handing the baton to Verizon. Ranked as the best overall in our independent research with a score of 4.7/5, it ticks off all the right boxes to help you easily navigate the ELD mandate. 

An ELD, aka electronic logging device, helps drivers log accurate hours of service (HOS) and automatically record the driving time, journey, and mileage. This is legally mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to promote a safer, more efficient work environment for drivers.

The latest ELD devices are almost impossible to tamper with and if a driver attempts to breach HOS guidelines, it will be flagged by the device.

With our in-depth research on one hand and the top fleet GPS tracking system providers on the other, we’ll dissect their ELD compliance and see how they match up. 

The 7 Best ELD Providers for 2023

After extensive research into their features, capabilities, and pricing, we’ve determined these are the seven best ELD providers:

1. Verizon
2. Samsara
3. Teletrac Navman
4. Azuga
5. GPS Trackit
6. Spireon
7. Linxup

Verizon: Best Overall ELD Provider

Verizon ELD Device Pros and Cons

ELD rules can be challenging, but Verizon makes them much more manageable – that’s why we named it the best overall ELD provider, with an overall score of 4.7/5. 

Thanks to its 24/7 mobile app support, you can easily integrate your fleet management system and monitor your commercial drivers as they start their shifts. Its ELD software also employs driver ELD health reports, which provide access to data, including driver details, diagnostic events, number of ELD events, and malfunctions. Another perk is that it updates the records of duty status (RODS), even when not connected to the vehicles.

But Verizon’s ELD software is not only for drivers; it’s also for fleet managers. Its system lets you access daily and weekly hours logged, time remaining, HOS status, violation alerts, and Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR). It allows you to manage your drivers efficiently and forecast routine repairs and maintenance using the DVIR reports. So, it should come as no surprise that Verizon scores a perfect 5/5 for driver management! 

Verizon offers custom pricing plans, so if you wish to upgrade to a plan with ELD support, such as the Verizon Connect cost plan, it will come with an additional cost, depending on your fleet size and contract length. GPS Trackit also gets the memo regarding accessible ELD features, as it lets you set automatic and customized alerts. However, Verizon has the upper hand because it has more powerful features, such as the Driver ELD health reports, and it can update your system even when not connected to your vehicle.

Samsara: Best ELD Provider for Managing Vehicles

Samsara ELD Device Pros and Cons

Despite being new to the industry, Samsara proves that its strength exceeds the test of time. With an overall score of 4.6/5 in our independent research, it has top-tier features worthy of its title as the best for managing vehicles.

But we see it as a two-way street: vehicle management also lies with your drivers, and your drivers need ELD-compliant systems. Fortunately, Samsara’s ELD system is one of the most versatile today. We commend its Plug-and-Play hardware, which allows you to directly plug the Samsara Vehicle Gateway into your vehicle diagnostic port and get it up and running within minutes. Its Driver App also upgrades any certified Android or IOS device to add ELD compliance sans specialized hardware, earning a spot on our list of the best fleet management apps. 

What sets Samsara’s ELD systems apart from other providers is its built-in in-cab wifi hotspots with a 500 MB limit. It helps you connect with your drivers, even if they are in areas without cellular service. If your drivers don’t have smartphones, Samsara’s ELD tablet has built-in 4G connectivity. If you wish to provide more tablets for your drivers, you can do so at an additional cost. Speaking of costs, ELD price plans are custom, depending on your fleet size, features, and contract length. But if you’re looking for free quotes from top suppliers, including Samsara, our free quote comparison tool will match you up in a snap. 

Although Samsara scores 4.9/5 in our tracking analysis, some users reported discrepancies in its features. Samsara’s ELD devices tend to lose connection, affecting its tracking reports and built-in wifi hotspots. And since this is vital for accurate data reports, we recommend opting for Verizon, which scores 5/5 in our tracking analysis and provides real-time tracking for your vehicles.

Teletrac Navman: Best ELD Provider for Managing Drivers

Teletrac Navman ELD Device Pros and Cons

Teletrac Navman leverages its decade-long experience of providing ELDs to customers, and it is dedicated to delivering the most convenient cloud-based software solution. The proof lies in its ELD features that help improve your fleet’s efficiency, such as real-time notifications, streamlined communication, automated workflows, detailed reporting, 24/7 customer service, and on-demand driver training. The software uses HOS rules, driving time, and mileage to help you comply with the ELD mandate. It also includes GPS tracking, so you can keep an eye on your driver’s status and location at all times. 

Teletrac also has a dashboard dedicated to HOS logs, which helps you monitor and review all your drivers’ logs in one place, including violations and duty status. You can also suggest edits to the logs as the whole process is automated, meaning fewer errors and troubles under the mandate. 

We’re also giving Teletrac extra credit with its pay-as-you-go plans, which is an excellent solution for fleet managers that wish to cut down on out-of-pocket expenses, such as upfront costs. Prices start at $25 per vehicle, per month, and may depend on your fleet size and features. While this is arguably its most enticing feature, it does come at a cost. According to client reviews from G2, its ELD units are prone to failure, and the driver process is also not user-friendly. Clients also report its poor support channel despite having 24/7 customer support. With this, we recommend opting for Verizon. A peek at its customer service reviews from G2 shows that its clients applaud their 24/7 support channel with minimal wait time – an essential factor if you have urgent concerns regarding your ELD units.

Azuga: Best ELD Provider for Efficient Routes

Azuga ELD Device Pros and Cons

Our research ranks Azuga as the best for efficient routes, with an overall score of 4.4/5. It also fares closely with our perfect scorer Verizon in our tracking analysis with a score of 4.9/5. Like Verizon, its ELD systems work with GPS, vehicle diagnostics, and upkeep. However, it does more than that. With Azuga, you can also monitor your drivers through telematics to ensure your drivers adhere to safe practices and increase operational efficiency. It also matches Samsara’s multiple compatibility with iOS and Android devices, allowing you to connect and transmit data. This is just from the outside looking in. Azuga’s specialization is in driver gamification, which offered a new perspective in boosting performance and efficiency through a reward system.

Its app offers a driver score that evaluates driving safety based on braking, accelerating, cornering, seatbelt use, and more. This will help you know how well your drivers perform. By determining a driver score at the end of each day, you can recognize and reward your most outstanding drivers. The rewards are available through the Azuga Driver Rewards program, wherein drivers with the highest performance ratings can get gift cards from major merchants, like Amazon and Walmart.

Competitive is a great way to describe Azuga’s ELD system, although some of its users argue that it may be overcompensating. Some users report that the ELD often pulls out their battery’s charge, leaving them with low batteries. It also cannot work with third-party software, even for routing purposes. If this is important for your business, Samsara would be a better choice since you only have to plug your devices to their ELD system. No complications at all!

GPS Trackit: Best ELD Provider for Smaller Fleets

GPS Trackit ELD Device Pros and Cons

Because of its constant changes, ELD compliance is not a piece of cake, making compliance that much harder. Fortunately, this is where we found GPS Trackit to be the most reliable because it makes ELD compliance work for you! Its electronic logbook software solution helps drivers avoid violations and streamlines regular logging operations with a robust array of HOS logging and DVIR recording functions. It also provides a guide to maintaining vehicles, from inspecting air compressors, drive lines, and other parts that require upkeep. 

GPS Trackit’s ELD system also takes simplicity to the next level, incorporating features that promote ease of use for drivers and fleet managers. With this, you can set customized alerts and notifications from various industry-specific triggers and alerts. Everything is also automated, from the data logging to transfer, so you can rest assured that your ELD logs are as accurate as possible.

However, this ends up being a double-edged sword, as its ELD software is too simple and lacks the powerful features offered by Samsara (4.6/5) and Verizon (4.7/5), such as the in-cab wi-fi hotspot and Driver ELD health reports.

But our favorite feature about GPS Trackit’s ELD is its zero-contract policy. It’s the only provider that doesn’t hold you up with contracts! It offers monthly payments and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have ample time to test out the product before committing.

Spireon: Best ELD Provider for Fast Updates

Spireon ELD Device Pros and Cons

Spireon is a tough contender among ELD providers with its FleetLocate ELD system. Powered by Gorilla Safety, a fleet efficiency software solution, FleetLocate is a cloud-based software that helps mixed, small, or medium-sized fleets keep up with the ELD mandate. It gives you the flexibility you need as you manage different vehicle types, such as trucks that need HOS regulation and vans that don’t. It also uses sensor data from various mobile assets, like trailers and containers. Additionally, it tracks data from the onboard telematics systems, helping you manage and monitor your entire fleet.

Fleet managers will also appreciate that FleetLocate keeps track of your drivers and how long they have left until they break HOS regulations. Its system also sends immediate warnings before being flagged for violations, allowing you to make the necessary schedule adjustments. Furthermore, FleetLocate Compliance sends notifications to drivers who started a journey without finishing the required vehicle inspections. It can also reduce tax liabilities by providing automatic, real-time data updates on state jurisdiction compliance reports, such as the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).We’re just hitting the brakes at its pricing plans, though. Scoring 2.5/5 in our research in this category, Spireon offers custom pricing depending on fleet size and features, but we’ll still opt for GPS Trackit (3.9/5) because it does not hold you up with long contracts. Spireon offers a three-year minimum contract, which sees its score dip.

Linxup: Best ELD Provider for Minimizing Downtime

Linxup ELD Device Pros and Cons

Linxup’s ELD system is your driver’s best friend. It gives you easy access to data that will come in handy during roadside inspections. It will also notify you in case of impending violations or problems with your vehicle. The best part is that it automatically updates your drivers’ duty updates and monitors their behavior. It helps with accurate HOS logs that are vital to ELD compliance. 

We’d also like to highlight two of its strongest points: vehicle protection and ELD data plans. With Linxup’s ELD system, you get peace of mind as a bonus as it protects your vehicles 24/7, even if it’s turned off. Its dedicated ELD-only data plan ensures your vehicles follow ELD guidelines to a tee.

Linxup’s plans start as $25 per vehicle, per month, but if you wish to avail its ELD compliance, the plans start at $30 per vehicle, per month. It is worth mentioning that you need to pay extra to enjoy IFTA compliance, unlike Spireon. You also can’t integrate its ELD with third-party devices. This may cost more bucks as you need to provide each driver with a tablet of their own to be able to adhere to the ELD mandate.

How Did We Compare the Best ELDs?

Expert Market is a proud team of passionate, experienced in-house researchers who delved into the top ELD providers so that you don’t have to. We combed through every feature and weighed them up with each other according to these factors: 

• Driver Management: We look at how each provider tracks your drivers’ behavior and performance on the road, ensure their safety, and provide convenience.
• Price: This one is pretty straightforward – the cheaper it is, the higher it scores! We also look at the contract lengths, features included, warranty, and more.
• Tracking: This tests how effective each provider is at tracking your fleet, depending on their data refresh time, route optimization, and more.
• Vehicle Management: You need all the help you can get to manage your fleet, and this is where we sneak a peek at their features. Do the providers schedule maintenance checks, retain fleet records, and ensure your vehicles are in tip-top shape?
• Product Features: This is in addition to the other features offered by each provider – there’s more to fleet management than tracking, vehicle management, and driver management, after all. 
• Customer Support: This compares the providers according to their assistance and support channels for their users.