In this article, we’ll be comparing two prominent ELD devices in the market, KeepTruckin VS Samsara.
This comparison is made based on their benefits, price, ease of use, customer services, and user feedback. Pros and Cons are also provided side by side so that you can decide easily which benefits you’ll be getting before buying any of these ELDs.
We all are aware that using an ELD has multiple benefits. It helps you remain compliant with Hour of Service (HOS) regulations, plus you can save time and money doing electronic logging, tracking, and navigation.
Manual logging used to be a big waste of time and resources for drivers and fleet managers. This is where the ELD mandate comes into play.
ELD is more than just for logging, tracking, and navigation. It also helps with route management, speed, and mileage monitoring.
Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) and Samsara are two popular names in the ELD market. Both are HOS compliant and have a good reputation in the market.
You might be wondering, “But who is the winner considering all the features? How do I decide which ELD is the best for my fleet?”
To help you navigate through this KeepTruckin vs Samsara comparison, this article aims to make the decision easier for you. By the end of it, you’ll be informed enough to make the right choice on which ELD company to go with, as we provide a complete overview of Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) vs. Samsara.
Motive (formerly KeepTruckin)
It is a well-known fact that the ELD of Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) is considered the top-rated logging device across the USA. Motive ELD is recognized for its commitment to compliance, as evidenced by its FMCSA self-certification. The comprehensive tracking and reporting capabilities provide fleet managers with all the data needed for effective fleet oversight.
Companies like Flying Star Transports reported saving up to $40,000 after switching to Motive (formerly KeepTruckin), thanks to its optimized accuracy and productivity. This ELD increases savings per driver annually. It is quite impossible to find an ELD device in the market with so many benefits at this price.
Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) is compliant with FMCSA and DOT. In addition, it shows compatibility with a large variety of vehicles and cable options. For data transmission, Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) ELD uses Bluetooth, so it can also work in times of cellular data disconnection.
Key Benefits
Not only the moving and storage industries but many major industries like oil, gas, construction, and food companies have benefited from Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) ELD.
They have provided excellent feedback about Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) ELD and how they are saving large sums of money and enhancing their productivity. It is important to remember that these industries make up most of the GDP.
One of the positive feedback from the Oil and Gas industry admired the safety this ELD provided. They stated:
“Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) ELD ensured the reduction of accidents by over 30% because of their safety features. It identifies the risk or potential problem and alters the behavior at the front end.”
The simplicity of operation: Using an ELD can be haunting for many drivers and one of the significant causes why several experienced drivers leave jobs. But Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) ELD has widely been lauded for its ease of use and initial setup. You can check out the video below showing how easy it is to work with KeepTruckin ELD.
Accuracy: Keeptuckin has improved the productivity and efficiency of the fleet by many folds. Accurate route management and GPS tracking save the waste of time and indirect fuel consumption.
Best For Larger Fleets: Many of the major companies have shifted to Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) ELD after electronic logging mandate, including retail, beverages, food, and hydrocarbon.
Mobile App Functionality: KeepTruckin’s (or now Motive’s)  mobile app continues to offer robust features such as driver location tracking and driver alerts, but recent updates have expanded its capabilities. It now integrates with dashcams to provide real-time driver behavior analysis, including detecting events like harsh braking or tailgating. This feature has significantly enhanced safety monitoring for fleets​.
HOS Compliance; Due to precise navigation system and route compliance, drivers do not have to exhaust themselves. Instead, they take needed breaks and stop for timely maintenance. As a result, the fleet is compliant with hours of service set by FMCSA.
Enhanced Score of CSA: As a result of all the benefits provided by Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) , ELD fleet companies get a better CSA score: compliance, safety, and accountability.
Data Transfer and Compatibility: The Motive ELD offers various data transfer methods, including the cloud, Bluetooth, or USB, and is compatible with a wide range of vehicles.
- Increased safety
- Optimize productivity
- Saves resources
- Easy to use
- Excellent customer support
- Free trial is available
- Only dispatch management can edit logs
- Not an economical option for a small fleetÂ
Check our Motive (formerly Keep Truckin) ELD full review for further information…
Samsara
Samsara has grown to become one of the largest IoT providers in the United States and a popular ELD solution with over 15,000 customers.
It is approved by the FMCSA, which connects directly to the engine with the help of an onboard diagnostic port (OBD). It can track when the engine starts or stops, how much fuel is consumed, mileage, etc. Samsara promises efficiency, compliance, and safety.
It is an all-in-one solution not just providing services for truck drivers but dispatchers and managers as well. The features of Samsara ELD are designed to optimize safety and productivity.
Samsara’s range of solutions includes fleet management for various types of vehicles and assets, with all sensors linking to a cloud dashboard through the ELD.
Samsara offers one of the most comprehensive FMS services available.
- Intuitive Interface
- Easy Installation
- Upgrading to FMS is simple
- Free Trial
- 24/7 Support
- Serves fleets of all sizes
Samara’s ELD plugs directly into the OBD port and is paired with a mobile app that a driver can use to track and log their vehicle data in real-time. Also, dispatchers can use a dashboard to see the HOS for all of their drivers in one central location. Managers can easily upgrade to Samsara’s full fleet management service while retaining the ELD-specific software’s dashboard and app infrastructure. Samsara’s mobile app has also been improved. In addition to real-time vehicle tracking, drivers can now upload documents, like proof of delivery and digital signatures, directly through the app. This feature is especially useful for enhancing operational efficiency
Samsara has also enhanced its driver coaching features, offering video-based coaching through dashcam integration. This feature monitors driving behaviors and sends real-time safety insights to fleet managers, reducing incidents of unsafe driving​.
- Automated calculation of IFTA reports
- Vehicles with certified Samsara ELD will have to pay fewer insurance premiums
- In case of any issue or emergency, a text message or email is sent to the owner
- Free demo is available
- Inefficient customer support
- Complicated refund process
- Limited features
- Routes larger than twenty stops cannot be posted.
Motive VS Samsara Pricing
The features and ease of use that Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) provides at such a reasonable price are not seen anywhere in the ELD market. Free trial and use of free version are also available. Mostly pricing of an ELD is divided into two parts. First is after installing the ELD hardware to the truck and then the monthly fee of every vehicle.
While doing market research for our KeepTruckin vs Samsara comparison, I found that Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) does not publicize its ELD prices, but you can request the price after selecting your fleet size and other questions here.
They offer various subscription plans, starting from $20 per month. The cost for the initial hardware installation and the monthly fee per vehicle is tailored according to the fleet size and selected plan. Contracts typically extend for 12 months, after which they switch to a monthly contract.
In the case of Samsara, the pricing is relatively low. For example, the installation fee of Gateway vehicle ELD is $130. And the monthly cost per vehicle is up to $31.
This pricing is dependent on the fleet size and includes installation fees and monthly costs per vehicle. Samsara tends to offer contracts ranging from 2 to 3 years in length, providing options for longer-term commitments.
Check our Samsara ELD Device review
Both Motive and Samsara’s pricing structures are designed to cater to various fleet sizes and needs, offering flexibility and scalability in their ELD solutions.
For a tailored recommendation that fits your specific needs, fill out our questionnaire for a free consultation on the best ELD solutions.
Free Custom QuoteIntegration Capabilities
Both Motive and Samsara offer advanced integration with third-party software. Samsara is particularly notable for its seamless connection to fleet management systems like Fleetio, while Motive supports open APIs, making it easy to integrate with other tools for dispatch and operations management​. These integrations allow for improved fleet visibility and operational efficiency, making both ELDs versatile for various industries.
Putting It All Together
In our KeepTruckin vs Samsara comparison, we find that both ELDs have unique features and services they offer to their customers. The best ELD can only be chosen depending on the size of the fleet and the customer’s needs. But when it comes to a comparison between Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) and Samsara ELD then KeepTruckin has more positive reviews and admiration from customers than Samsara.
On top of that, Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) provides quite a large number of features that justify its price. No other ELD in the market provides that many benefits at such a reasonable price. KeepTruckin is constantly lauded by drivers, fleet managers, and dispatchers for its ease of use.
The company also provides free tutorials and videos to help guide its customers. Even after all these resources, if you face issues working with ELDs then their 24/7 active customer service will be there to guide you through the process of using the electronic logging device. All in all, considering the key benefits and features, Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) is your best choice for buying an ELD.
You can read more ELD comparisons here.
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One Response
We went from Omnitracs to Samsara..no idea why..never had a problem with Omnitracs.
Samsara though…always almost daily have to sign out and in to keep it upgraded.
Long story short in just little over a year I’ve had to replace 3 tablets due to some kind of malfunction or hiccup in the program.
No wonder Samsara is a third of the cost!! There’s an old saying..,” you get what you pay for!!”