Geotab vs Samsara: ELD, Hardware, Plans & Pricing Compared (2026)

Updated October 31, 2026 · By the TruckingStack team · How we research

We are an independent directory. Prices and terms below come from each vendor’s own website on the date shown, and they change often, so confirm before you sign. Some outbound links are affiliate links and are always labeled; they never change what we include or how we order it. Disclosure.

Geotab and Samsara are both full telematics platforms, not budget logbooks. Neither publishes a price. The useful differences are how each packages ELD, what hardware sits in the truck, and how you buy (Geotab is usually sold through resellers).

Short answer

Geotab fits if you want to buy through a local reseller who installs and supports the fleet.
Samsara fits if you want to skip driver data plans (gateway WiFi hotspot).
Starting price in our directory: Geotab Contact for pricing; Samsara Contact for pricing.

Geotab vs Samsara: side by side

	Geotab	Samsara
Pricing	Quote only (“Get Pricing” on every plan)	Quote only (pricing page asks your vehicle count)
Plans	GO Core (entry) and GO Plan (full platform)	Not published as named tiers on the ELD page
Which plan has full ELD/HOS	GO Plan (“Full HOS/ELD compliance”); GO Core lists basic IFTA reporting	ELD compliance product page
Hardware	Geotab GO device; Geotab says “no upfront hardware costs” on its software packages	Vehicle Gateway plugs into the diagnostic port; or ELD on a supported phone or tablet, “no proprietary hardware needed”
FMCSA registered device	Geotab Drive Cloud ELD (GO6 to GO10 and others)	Samsara ELD (VG)
Roadside transfer	Telematic (web service, email) per FMCSA list	Telematic (web service, email) per FMCSA list
Driver app	Geotab Drive on Android and iOS; up to 3 co-drivers on one device	Samsara Driver App on supported iOS and Android devices
Coverage gaps	GO device stores data offline and syncs when coverage returns	Built-in WiFi hotspot so drivers don’t need separate data plans
Integrations	400+ Marketplace integrations	200+ turnkey integrations
IFTA	Basic IFTA reporting in GO plans	IFTA reporting (plans page)
Our directory’s “best for”	Small fleets	Small fleets

From each company’s own website (see sources below), checked October 31, 2026. We have not tested either product, and neither company paid for this comparison.

When Geotab makes more sense

You want to buy through a local reseller who installs and supports the fleet.
You want a large add-on marketplace (400+ integrations).
Your drivers run team shifts on one device (up to 3 co-drivers).

Geotab details →

When Samsara makes more sense

You want to skip driver data plans (gateway WiFi hotspot).
You want rulesets that switch automatically by GPS location.

Samsara details →

Free tool: Estimate your quarterly IFTA →

See every option in ELDs (Electronic Logging Devices), where you can tick up to three and compare them side by side.

Related comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Is Geotab or Samsara cheaper?

Neither publishes prices. Geotab shows “Get Pricing” on its GO Core and GO Plan packages; Samsara asks how many vehicles you run. Ask both for the per-vehicle monthly price, the term and any hardware or install fees in writing.

Does Geotab’s entry plan include ELD?

Geotab lists “Full HOS/ELD compliance” in GO Plan, not GO Core. GO Core lists basic IFTA reporting. Confirm with your reseller before you sign.

Are both on the FMCSA registered ELD list?

Yes. Geotab Drive Cloud ELD and Samsara ELD were on the FMCSA registered list when we checked. Registration is self-certified and is not an FMCSA endorsement.

Sources

Geotab software packages (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Geotab ELD solution (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Geotab Drive ELD/HOS compliance (support) (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Geotab Cloud ELD (support) (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Samsara ELD compliance (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Samsara plans (checked Oct 31, 2026)
FMCSA registered ELD list (checked Oct 30, 2026)

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