Keeping tabs on vehicles can sometimes feel like herding cats—if those cats were 18-wheelers spread across three time zones. With the right tracking tools, you can go from “Where’s truck #237?” to “Joe’s making great time on I-95” faster than you can say DOT inspection. Fleet managers are tasked with optimizing operations, ensuring safety, and maximizing efficiency. Real-time visibility and control over your fleet isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
This guide examines the top commercial fleet tracking solutions, from GPS trackers to software platforms. We review the best GPS fleet tracking solutions, looking at their pros and cons. Here are the solutions we’ve reviewed in this article:
- Easiest to use: Samsara
- Easiest to integrate: Geotab
- Best for compliance: Omnitracs
- Most customizable: Verizon Connect
- Best for driver monitoring: Azuga
- Most comprehensive fleet data: Lytx
- Most cost-effective: OneStepGPS
- Vehicle tracking-only: Passtime Fleet GPS
But first, let’s look at what you must consider in a commercial fleet tracking solution.
What To Look For In A Commercial Fleet Tracking Solution
Choosing the right fleet tracking system is a bit like picking a stop on a long haul—get it wrong, and you might end up with stale coffee and questionable restrooms for the next 100 miles. Whether you’re upgrading an existing system or implementing fleet tracking for the first time, these criteria will help you evaluate commercial fleet trackers:
- Real-time GPS tracking
- User-friendly Interface
- Mobile Accessibility
- Customizable Alerts
- Maintenance Scheduling
- Fuel Management
- Integration Capabilities
- Compliance Support
Let’s look at these one by one.
1. Real-Time GPS Tracking
Look for fleet monitoring systems that update vehicle locations every 1 to 5 minutes. This frequency allows for accurate ETAs and swift responses to unexpected events. Spotty updates in poor service areas are a common complaint with GPS trackers. Look for commercial GPS trackers that can handle your fleet’s size. Some platforms work well with smaller fleets but fail at scale.
2. User-Friendly Interface
Look for software and interfaces that are intuitive, allowing you to access critical information with minimal clicks. Ease of use is crucial since your drivers need quick access to information and the ability to correct any system errors. Look for customizable views that let you prioritize the most important data for your operations.
3. Mobile Accessibility
Does your solution offer a fully-featured mobile app? Some platforms offer scaled-down versions of desktop apps on mobile, limiting their practical use. Evaluate the kinds of push notifications and alerts the app gives you. Before purchasing a platform, test the app’s performance on various devices and network conditions for reliability.
4. Customizable Alerts
Every fleet is different and needs custom alerts. Look for a system that includes speeding, idling, geofence violations, and harsh driving alerts. Remember that these alerts need context to ensure you’re grading drivers correctly.
For instance, a driver might brake harshly to avoid an accident, causing a fleet management system to grade the driver negatively. But the common sense approach here is to override this rating. Look for platforms that allow you to adjust alert thresholds to balance safety with operational efficiency.
5. Maintenance Scheduling
An ideal commercial fleet tracking system tracks vehicle mileage, engine hours, and diagnostic trouble codes. Look for features that allow you to set custom maintenance schedules based on manufacturer recommendations or your fleet’s needs. A good solution provides detailed maintenance histories and offers predictive maintenance features that minimize downtime.
6. Fuel Management
A good fleet tracking solution integrates with smart fleet gas cards that track fuel efficiency. Look for features that identify fuel-wasting behaviors like excessive idling or inefficient routing. The system should provide detailed reports that help you pinpoint opportunities for fuel savings. This integration helps you automate fuel expense management and security, preventing gas theft and slippage.
7. Integration Capabilities
Ensure your fleet tracking solution integrates with existing software like ERP systems, payroll, and customer management tools. Look for solutions with open APIs that allow for custom integrations if needed.
Scalability is another issue to evaluate. Look for platforms that can adapt to your fleet’s size.
8. Compliance Support
Fleet compliance is critical in any commercial fleet operation. Choose a solution that tracks compliance with regulations, including HOS rules and ELD mandates. Look for features that automate IFTA reporting and DVIRs to reduce administrative burden.
Check whether the platform updates itself to reflect the latest compliance requirements.
The 8 Best Commercial Fleet Tracking Solutions
Every fleet is different and each fleet GPS tracking platform specializes in a different area. Here are the best commercial fleet tracking platforms:
- Easiest to use: Samsara
- Easiest to integrate: Geotab
- Best for compliance: Omnitracs
- Most customizable: Verizon Connect
- Best for driver monitoring: Azuga
- Most comprehensive fleet data: Lytx
- Most cost-effective: OneStepGPS
- Vehicle tracking-only: Passtime Fleet GPS
Let’s look at these in more detail.
1. Easiest To Use – Samsara
Samsara is like the Apple of commercial fleet management—clean, sleek, and easy to use. The platform has all the bells and whistles you need to manage your fleet, from real-time GPS and driver safety to maintenance tracking, all rolled into one neat package.
With an easy-to-use dashboard and a great mobile app, Samsara is perhaps the best platform for fleets looking to get up and running quickly. The platform also offers in-depth fleet reports, giving you a granular view of efficiency.
However, all this comes at a steep price. Smaller fleets might find the platform’s features an overkill, resulting in poor ROI.
Why do we recommend it? Samsara’s interface is as clean as a whistle. Whether you’re a tech whiz or still figuring out your smartphone, you’ll navigate this platform like a pro in no time.
2. Easiest To Integrate – Geotab
Geotab is like the Swiss Army knife of telematics—it plays nice with just about everything out there. If building fleet financial efficiency is your top priority, Geotab is your best bet.
The platform integrates with everything from smart gas cards and telematics to powerful business intelligence tools that help you visualize fleet performance.
On the flip side, the platform has a learning curve. Also, live GPS tracking comes only with the highest-tier subscription, making this a good choice only for the biggest fleets.
Why do we recommend it? Geotab takes the cake for expense management integration. It talks to all your other software, keeping your fleet’s financial data flowing smoothly.
3. Best For Compliance – Omnitracs
Omnitracs is like the hall monitor of fleet management—always making sure you’re following the rules. It boasts several compliance-specific features such as a tax manager, digitally configurable DVIR forms, and other ELD tools.
IFTA reporting is also a breeze with Omnitracs. Add to this video tools to monitor safety and a full-fledged TMS, and the platform is a great overall fleet management solution.
However, all these features might be a bit much for small fleets. In addition, the platform’s interface might feel dated, making it tough to use.
Why do we recommend it? Omnitracs has been in the fleet game longer than some have been driving. They know the rulebook inside and out, helping you stay compliant without breaking a sweat.
4. Most Customizable – Verizon Connect
Verizon Connect is like the Build-A-Bear of fleet management—make it just the way you like it. Featuring highly customizable dashboards, fleet tracking GPS systems, and a ton of add-ons, Verizon Connect seamlessly scales to your fleet’s size.
Customizability also reduces its overall cost compared to other platforms since you can choose features based on what you need. Despite this, Verizon Connect isn’t cheap, potentially putting it out of range for smaller fleets.
The customizability also makes evaluating the platform challenging, seeming like an endless menu of options.
Why do we recommend it? Verizon Connect wins the customization crown because it lets you tweak almost everything. Want your dashboard to show just red vehicles on Tuesdays? There’s probably a setting for that.
5. Best For Driver Monitoring – Azuga
While a comprehensive fleet management and tracking solution, Azuga shines the most as a driver coach and manager. From AI safety dashcams to driver safety alerts, Azuga’s got more ways to track performance than a Little League dad with a spreadsheet.
What sets Azuga apart is its simplicity. From providing video coverage of incidents to offering real-time updates of all fleet assets, the platform gives fleet managers everything they need to monitor and track fleet performance.
While these advantages are great, Azuga’s mobile app lacks a few features of its desktop cousin. The good news is, none of these missing features compromise the app’s ability to help you track fleet efficiency.
Why do we recommend it? Azuga is the go-to choice for fleet managers who want to turn their drivers into a team of safety superstars without feeling like the bad guy. Perfect for fleets looking to boost their safety game while keeping morale high and insurance premiums low.
6. Most Comprehensive Fleet Data – Lytx
If it’s fleet data you want, Lytx has more data points than a NASA control room and isn’t afraid to use them. This powerhouse solution offers fleet managers a smorgasbord of insights, from real time fleet tracking maps to video-powered collision evidence collection.
Lytx is like having a crystal ball, a flight recorder, and a driver coach all rolled into one for every vehicle in your fleet.
However, all this information can be a double-edged sword for smaller teams and those looking for smaller fleet tracking use cases. It’s like being handed the keys to a supercomputer when all you needed was a calculator.
Why do we recommend it? Lytx is the dream solution for data-hungry fleet managers who want to know everything from their drivers’ cornering angles to the number of times they blinked on Tuesday. Know your needs before diving into this data deep end.
7. Cost-Effective – OneStepGPS
One Step GPS is like a trusty fleet tracking solution that gets the job done without fuss. It offers all the essential tracking features a small to mid-sized fleet needs, from real-time GPS updates to geofencing and optimal routing.
While it might not have all the bells and whistles of some high-end systems, One Step GPS shines in its simplicity and user-friendly interface.
What really sets One Step GPS apart is its wallet-friendly pricing model. Plus, its customer service is known for being helpful and onboarding and installation are a breeze.
Why do we recommend it? One Step GPS is the go-to choice for fleet managers who want to keep tabs on their assets without needing a CFO’s budget. Perfect for those who want fleet tracking essentials without diving headfirst into the deep end of complexity and cost.
8. Vehicle Tracking-Only – Passtime Fleet GPS
Passtime Fleet GPS is that straightforward friend who tells it like it is—just the facts, no fluff. If all you need is in-depth fleet vehicle tracking, this platform is your best bet.
Passtime focuses entirely on telling you where your vehicles are, making its GPS features top-notch. The company’s devices are easy to install and help you monitor fuel and route performance. In addition, its Fleet GPS solution is tailor made for commercial fleets,integrating with Garmin and giving you detailed asset information in real-time.
On the flip side, this intense focus might make it impractical for fleets seeking compliance support and additional integrations that simplify accounting.
Why do we recommend it? Passtime is the tracking equivalent of a flip phone—it does one job, and it does it right. No complex interfaces, no feature overload, just straightforward “where’s my stuff” technology.
Link Commercial Fleet Tracking To Fuel Management
The platforms on our list do a great job of giving you data. But how can you turn this output into automated systems that guarantee fuel efficiency and security? More importantly, how can you prevent these insights from creating more clerical work for you?
This is where a smart fuel card like Coast enters the picture.
Link Coast to telematics and fleet management platforms and you can say goodbye to long hours dissecting fleet analytics reports. With custom spending rules, automatic categorization, and instant alerts, Coast helps you reduce your fuel bill by 10%.
Learn more about how Coast compares to the competition.
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