Motive vs Samsara: ELD & Fleet Platform Comparison for Small Fleets
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Short answer
- Both are full fleet platforms (ELD, GPS, AI dash cams, maintenance) with quote-only pricing. Get both quotes on the same bundle and term.
- Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) markets to owner-operators as well as fleets, supports team driving on one device, and is certified for the US and Canada.
- Samsara leans toward growing and larger fleets, with a built-in WiFi hotspot, 200+ integrations and location-based automatic rulesets.
- One truck and logs only? A published-price ELD will almost certainly cost less.
Side-by-side
| Motive | Samsara | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Quote only (pricing page is a contact form) | Quote only (asks your vehicle count) |
| FMCSA registered device | Motive ELD (Vehicle Gateway) | Samsara ELD (Vehicle Gateway); separate device for International trucks |
| Roadside transfer | Web services and email (per Motive) | Telematic web service and email (per FMCSA list) |
| Hardware install | Plugs into 9-pin, 6-pin and OBD-II; special harness for 2013+ Mack and Volvo | Plug-and-play into the diagnostic port |
| Driver app | Android 10+ or iOS 12+; teams of up to 9 co-drivers on one device | Any supported iOS or Android device |
| Connectivity | Works offline, syncs later; Motive recommends a cellular data plan | Built-in WiFi hotspot so drivers don’t need separate data plans |
| Canada | Certified for the Canadian ELD mandate (Android and iOS) | Says it is FMCSA-registered and third-party certified |
| Integrations | App marketplace of partner integrations (see vendor) | “200+ turnkey integrations” and an open API |
| Our directory’s “best for” | Owner-operators & small fleets | Small fleets |
Facts from each company’s own ELD pages and the FMCSA registered list, checked October 30-31, 2026. We have not tested either product.
When Motive makes more sense
- You run team drivers and want both logbooks on one tablet.
- You run into Canada and want a vendor that states Canadian certification on both Android and iOS.
- You want one vendor for logs, cameras and spend: Motive also sells a fleet card alongside its ELD.
When Samsara makes more sense
- You want to avoid paying for driver data plans (the gateway’s WiFi hotspot covers drivers’ devices).
- You already use a TMS, maintenance or insurance platform and need it connected through an API.
- You run mixed operations across states and want rulesets that switch automatically by GPS location.
Questions to put to both sales reps
- What is the per-vehicle monthly price for ELD only, and for ELD plus dash cam?
- How long is the term, and what is the early-termination fee if I sell the truck?
- Is the hardware bought, leased or included? Do I return it when I cancel?
- Are there install, activation or cable charges for my truck make and year?
- Do you offer month-to-month billing for a single truck?
Not sure you need a fleet platform? Read Best ELD for owner-operators or browse all ELDs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Motive or Samsara cheaper?
Neither publishes prices. Motive’s pricing page opens a contact form and Samsara’s asks how many vehicles you have before a rep follows up. Get written quotes from both for the same bundle (ELD only, or ELD plus dash cams) and the same term length, then compare the total over the full contract.
Are Motive and Samsara on the FMCSA registered ELD list?
Yes. Both have devices on the FMCSA registered ELD list as of October 30, 2026 (Motive ELD and Samsara ELD). Registration is self-certified and is not an FMCSA endorsement.
Is Motive the same as KeepTruckin?
Yes. KeepTruckin rebranded as Motive. Motive says the ELD solutions are the same and run on the same Vehicle Gateway hardware.
Is Motive or Samsara better for an owner-operator with one truck?
Both are built as fleet platforms, and you pay for features a single truck may not use. If you only need logs, compare them against owner-operator ELDs with published prices, such as HOS247 ($19/month) or Garmin eLog ($249.99 one-time). If you want AI dash cams and plan to add trucks, get quotes from both.
Do I need a cellular data plan?
Samsara says its Vehicle Gateway has a built-in WiFi hotspot so drivers don’t need separate data plans. Motive recommends using its products with a cellular data plan and says drivers using the Vehicle Gateway must keep an active internet connection to meet their ELD obligations.
Sources
- Motive ELD compliance page and FAQ (checked Oct 31, 2026)
- Motive pricing (contact form) (checked Oct 31, 2026)
- Samsara ELD page and FAQ (checked Oct 31, 2026)
- Samsara pricing (quote form) (checked Oct 31, 2026)
- FMCSA registered ELD list (checked Oct 30, 2026)
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