7 Best GPS Fleet Tracker Devices
Frustrated with employees claiming they were at a job site, only to have customers say no one showed up? Or maybe you’re just looking for a way to ensure your team is operating company vehicles safely. We get it—those situations can be a real headache. The good news is that GPS vehicle tracking can help solve these issues and more! In this article, we’ll dive into the benefits of GPS tracking for your fleet and share our top picks for the best GPS fleet trackers for small businesses.
DISCLAIMER: We want to be transparent with you—two of the items featured in this article are products we carry. But we’re not including them out of bias. We genuinely believe they’re some of the best GPS fleet tracking solutions available today. These products aren’t ranked from best to worst; instead, they’re top-quality options designed to support different fleet management needs. Your trust is important to us, and we value honesty in our recommendations. As you explore this list, we hope it helps you find the fleet tracking solution that best fits your business.
Plug & Play GPS: Overall Best Fleet GPS Tracker 2024
- Track Vehicle’s Location 24/7
- GPS Vehicle Tracking With No Monthly Fees
- Catch Employees Who Are Mis-Using Work Vehicles
- User-Friendly Fleet Management Software
Plug & Play is the first fleet management solution designed to help your small businesses track all the vehicles in your fleet. And the best part? This vehicle tracker has no monthly subscription fees! Simply connect this real time GPS tracking device to the OBD2 port of your vehicle and start getting answers about how your employees are driving. With this simple plug and play GPS tracking solution your team can get information on vehicle diagnostic data, harsh braking, vehicle idling, while discovering how fast your drivers are really going. If you want to enhance vehicle security, monitor drivers, and improve fleet efficiency, Plug & Play is the solution for your business.
Additional unique features include vehicle idling time recording, and unlimited realtime GPS updates every 3 seconds. This is 10-20x faster than other OBD car GPS tracker options such as Vyncs, MotoSafety, and Linxup.
|
PRODUCT |
KEY FEATURES
|
SPECS
|
AMAZON RATING |
 |
|
|
As of 3/25/2024
4.6 Stars | 4 Ratings |
|
|
|
|
|
Bottom Line: This is the best overall OBD2 GPS fleet tracker with no monthly fees.
SpaceHawk: Best Wireless GPS Car Tracker For Small Fleets
There are a lot of real time GPS tracking devices on the market to help businesses manage vehicles. But what is the best GPS fleet tracking small business solution? According to online reviews, the answer is a car tracking device called SpaceHawk.
SpaceHawk 4G tracker is an affordable, wireless fleet GPS tracker that can provide live updates on vehicle location, detailed driving reports, and real time speed alerts. SpaceHawk makes tracking a vehicle fleet simpler than ever. All you need to do is place this covert GPS tracker on your company vehicle than view the data from a free GPS tracking app. No backup batteries are required with SpaceHawk. Simply remove the tracker from your business vehicle and recharge it via USB whenever the battery is low.
|
PRODUCT |
KEY FEATURES
|
SPECS
|
AMAZON RATING |
 |
|
|
As of 3/25/2024 4.2 Stars | 22,248 Ratings |
|
|
|
|
|
Bottom line: SpaceHawk is the best wireless GPS tracker for small businesses.
Real customer experience via SpaceHawkGPS.com
Verizon Connect: ELD Compliant Commercial Dash Cam
Verizon Connect is a comprehensive GPS fleet tracking solution that is ideal for midsize businesses and fleet managers. The fleet tracking platform is highly customizable and meets ELD compliance regulations. The popular dash cam offers geofencing, mapping, reporting features and detailed fleet analytics. The software is hardware-agnostic, so you can access your fleet data from a variety of devices.
Verizon Connect is more customizable than most of its competitors, and its plans are flexible and easily scalable as your business grows. Some of the features we love include driver scorecards, in-cab fleet dashcams, fuel cards, vehicle maintenance tracking, and speed alerts. If your company has a large number of fleet vehicles, Verizon provides driver training and educational resources to help you use the platform effectively.
We should note, the Verizon Connect platform may have a bit of a learning curve. Not to mention, the fleet tracking solution requires a 36-month service contract. Despite this, the car GPS dash camera is a powerful tool for fleet safety.
|
|
|
|
|
Bottom Line: This is a solid brand name dash camera, but there is a service contract and $40 monthly subscription per vehicle.
Real customer experience via G2.com
Black Tiger GPS: Best Solar Powered Trailer Asset Tracker
If your company needs a trailer tracking solution for auto theft security, the solar powered Black Tiger GPS is what we recommend. Black Tiger GPS offers a smarter and easier solution powered by advanced solar and cellular technology. The best part? The asset tracking devices are perfect for trailers and have a super easy install!
Installed on the roof or side a trailer, the Black Tiger solar GPS makes sure you never lose your trailers again. How? The solar telematics updates every 10 minutes when your trailer is moving. Black Tiger solar equipment tracking device also reports every 4 hours when your trailer is parked. And of course, you can set geofences to instantly be alerted if your trailer is stolen!
|
|
|
|
|
Bottom Line: Black Tiger solar GPS is a great tool if you want to protect your cargo and trailers.
Real customer experience via ResellersRating.com
Samsara: Best GPS Fleet For Temperature Tracking
Samsara temperature monitoring tracker is FSMA compliance for for and beverage shipping. So if you are transporting cargo that needs to stay cool, the Samsara GPS fleet tracker is the device for you. This GPS uses wireless, waterproof sensors to capture real-time and historical temperature and humidity data. With this technology, you can ensure product quality by monitoring temperatures in-transit to prevent product spoilage and rejected deliveries.
Additionally, the Samsara fleet tracker simplifies FSMA compliance with automated, continuous temperature logging that allows you to pull temperature records on-demand. The powerful combination of wireless sensors and instant alerts also increase your operating efficiency by providing visibility and control of your entire cold chain operation. Real-time, to-the-second, cloud-based alerts for fluctuations in temperature will automatically notify you when the temperature is out-of-range. This allows you to avoid spoilage and protect your bottom line! And our favorite part? Samsara GPS requires no software configuration, SIM card provisioning, or IT infrastructure. This makes it a great GPS locator for your vehicles, assets, and trailers.
|
|
|
|
|
Bottom Line: Samara temperature monitoring GPS tracker is the best for food and beverage fleet management.
Real customer experience via GetApp.com
Rexing V1: 4K Ultra HD Car Dash Camera
 |
Rexing V1
|
Enhance your fleet’s situational awareness with the 170-degree ultra-wide-angle lens. This 7-layer glass lens captures a comprehensive view of the surroundings, vital for incident analysis. The Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) technology ensures clarity in varied lighting conditions, producing balanced images and videos. This feature aids in accurately documenting road incidents, vital for insurance and liability purposes.
Consider the durability and functionality of the REXING V1. It operates on a supercapacitor, enduring extreme temperatures from -20 to 176°F. This design minimizes overheating risks, increasing the camera’s lifespan and reliability. The parking monitor function automatically records upon detecting vibration, crucial for monitoring your vehicles when parked. Additionally, the WIFI connect feature lets you wirelessly access recordings via a mobile app. The loop recording and G-sensor features ensure continuous coverage and protection of critical footage, vital for your fleet’s safety and accountability.
|
PRODUCT |
KEY FEATURES
|
SPECS
|
AMAZON RATING |
|
|
|
|
As of 3/25/2024 4.1 Stars | 5,553 Ratings |
|
|
|
|
|
Bottom Line: Rexing V1 does not offer GPS tracking, but is a top-rated dash camera for fleet management.
Real customer experience via Amazon.com
 |
Garmin DriveSmart 65
|
In addition, the navigator features voice-activated controls, live traffic and weather updates, and hands-free calling. These can all be paired with your driver’s mobile phone. Another cool feature of this navigator is the HISTORY network. This notifies a driver of notable historic sites and a U.S national parks directory!
|
PRODUCT |
KEY FEATURES
|
SPECS
|
AMAZON RATING |
 |
|
|
As of 3/26/2024 4.4 Stars | 316 Ratings
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bottom Line: Garmin DriveSmart 65 is one of the best GPS navigation systems for fleet management.
Real customer experience via Amazon.com
What Is GPS Fleet Management?
GPS fleet management refers to the ability to monitor and manage all mobile assets in real-time through the use of vehicle tracking devices. With access to real-time driving information like speed, stops, and GPS data, a fleet manager can use a tablet, computer, or mobile phone to manage an entire vehicle fleet.
GPS data can be used for various purposes, including theft recovery, revealing unauthorized use of company vehicles, tracking wear-and-tear on vehicles, and improving route and driver efficiency. By investing in GPS fleet management, you can enhance profitability and personal security for your business.
10 Benefits Of GPS Fleet Tracking Devices For Business
Boost Driver Safety
By keeping an eye on your drivers’ speed and behavior, you can proactively address risky habits, prevent accidents, and make sure your drivers and vehicles stay safe. This not only reduces the chance of costly collisions but also promotes a culture of safety within your fleet, protecting both your employees and your bottom line.
Improve Fleet Utilization
With real-time GPS tracking, you can keep track of your vehicles’ locations, usage, and movements. This allows you to optimize your fleet utilization and reduce fuel consumption.
Increase Productivity
By reducing the number of unnecessary trips and optimizing routes, GPS fleet management can increase the productivity of your team.
Enhance Accountability
Real-time GPS fleet trackers can give you a detailed record of your drivers’ activities. This allows you to hold them accountable for any inappropriate actions and improve overall performance.
Auto Theft Security
By always knowing where your vehicles are, you can quickly spot any unusual activity and reduce the risk of theft or unauthorized use. Whether it’s an employee taking a vehicle off-hours or a suspicious movement in a restricted area, GPS tracking lets you take action immediately to protect your assets and maintain control over your fleet.
Improve Customer Service
Share the location of your drivers to provide your customers with accurate delivery times and better overall service.
Save Money
By reducing fuel consumption, GPS fleet management can save you money by eliminating unnecessary trips.
Get Detailed Reports
With GPS fleet tracking software, you can access detailed reports that show you how your vehicles are being used. This includes data such as where drivers going, and how much time is being spent on the road.
Prevent Unauthorized Use
With GPS tracking, you can set up alerts to notify you instantly if a vehicle is being used outside of approved hours or locations. For example, if an employee takes a company truck home for personal use over the weekend, you’ll know right away. This helps you address unauthorized usage in real-time, prevent wear and tear on your vehicles, and keep your fleet operating according to company policies.
Auto Insurance Discount
Many auto insurance providers offer discounted rates to businesses that use GPS fleet tracking devices. Why? Because GPS tracking has been proven to improve driver behavior and increase the chances of recovering stolen vehicles, making your fleet safer and less risky to insure.
Commercial Fleet GPS Tracking – What You Need To Know About ELD Mandates
Small businesses can boost their fleet’s performance with GPS tracking solutions. But for commercial trucking operations, it’s a must-have. Why? The ELD Mandate for Electronic Logging Devices. IFTA reporting requires truck drivers to use an ELD system to track hours-of-service. Certified and registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the ELD must provide clear guidelines for supporting documents and ban data harassment.
- Stay Compliant with the ELD Mandate: All commercial truck drivers must have an ELD system that can prepare hours-of-service records of duty status by the end of 2019. GPS fleet tracking systems meet these requirements and are certified and registered with FMCSA.
- Increased Productivity: GPS fleet tracking systems improve employee productivity and efficiency by reducing fuel costs, unauthorized trips, and liability.
- Improved Record Keeping: GPS fleet tracking software provides clear guidelines regarding all supporting documents truck drivers are required to maintain, and these documents are accessible in a digital format for review. These custom reports can also provide details such as driver ID and harsh driving behaviors
- Harassment: The ELD Mandate bans harassment of commercial truck drivers based on ELD data or GPS technology, such as fleet tracking systems.
- Streamline Fleet Management: GPS fleet tracking systems are the ultimate vehicle management solution that will modernize any fleet of vehicles and make it easier to oversee operations.
How We Evaluate & Test GPS Fleet Software
We test every GPS telematics solution by using them in real-world scenarios. This means battery life evaluations, hands-on use of mobile apps, and industry-standard benchmarks. We ensure the realtime tracking devices meet small business needs. That can mean looking at everything from the reliability of live traffic data to the accuracy of custom reports. After testing, we compare performance to competitors for accurate and fair recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Employee GPS Tracking Legal?
Yes, your employer can legally use a GPS tracking system to monitor a company-owned vehicle that you drive. However, in some states, they must get your consent before tracking the vehicle. It's important to know that it’s illegal for employers to track employee-owned vehicles without permission, so always check the rules in your state if you have concerns.
Do I Need A GPS Fleet Tracker For My Small Business?
Absolutely! GPS fleet trackers are a game-changer for managing vehicles. They help reduce maintenance costs and boost fleet efficiency with real-time tracking. By keeping an eye on maintenance schedules and optimizing routes, you save time and cut expenses. So what does that mean for your business? Lower fuel costs and a safer, more efficient fleet overall!