Fleetio
#1Modern fleet maintenance and management platform for mixed fleets.
Per vehicleVehicle records, basic maintenance, fuel trackingCloudFree trial
Free ELD Compliance Software — FMCSA-Compliant Logging at Zero Cost
Free ELD solutions for owner-operators and small carriers. Compare FMCSA-certified options with no monthly fees — and what you sacrifice.
A few ELD providers offer free or ad-supported apps that pair with low-cost Bluetooth OBD-II dongles. They meet the FMCSA mandate technically, but most lack DVIR, IFTA tracking, and reliable roadside data transfer. If you are an owner-operator or running 1-3 trucks, a free ELD keeps you compliant.
Last reviewed Mar 19, 2026
How to evaluate free & freemium eld compliance
FMCSA certification is non-negotiable — free or paid. Before using any free ELD, verify it appears on the FMCSA's registered ELD list at fmcsa.dot.gov. Some free apps claim compliance without proper registration, which means you fail roadside inspections despite having an ELD. Pull the registration number and verify it yourself. A $10,000+ HOS violation is not worth saving $20/month.
Free ELD apps typically run on your personal phone, which creates three problems: battery drain, distracted driving liability, and data transfer during roadside inspections. When an officer asks to see your logs, they need to access them on your device — do you want a DOT inspector holding your personal phone? Dedicated ELD tablets cost $100-200 and eliminate all three issues. Most 'free' ELD solutions are only free until you factor in the tablet cost.
$
Pricing guidance
Truly free ELD apps cost $0/month but require a $50-100 Bluetooth OBD-II dongle and a tablet ($100-200) for reliable operation. Total first-year cost: $150-300 per truck. Paid ELD solutions cost $15-35/truck/month with included hardware for 1-3 year contracts. For an owner-operator, the free route works. For 5+ trucks, the paid route is safer and usually includes DVIR and IFTA.
All free & freemium eld compliance platforms
21 platforms reviewed with pricing, deployment details, and editorial verdicts. Each profile includes a full review.
Samsara
#2Connected operations platform for fleet tracking, safety, and compliance.
Per vehicleGPS tracking, basic reporting, geofencingCloudFree trial
Fleet management with strong compliance and safety features for commercial fleets.
Per vehicleGPS tracking and basic fleet managementCloudFree trial
Azuga
#4Simple, affordable GPS fleet tracking with driver rewards and safety features.
Per vehicleGPS tracking, geofencing, trip history, basic reportingCloudFree trial
CalAmp
#5CalAmp is a telematics hardware manufacturer and fleet management software provider known for its LMU and TTU device families and the CalAmp iOn cloud platform. With roots in OEM telematics hardware, CalAmp serves fleet operators, construction companies, and asset-heavy industries. We tested the iOn platform, analyzed real user feedback from G2 and Capterra, evaluated their hardware lineup, and compared CalAmp against leading competitors to deliver this comprehensive review.
~$25–$45/vehicle/mo (custom quotes)Varies by features and fleet size
ClearPathGPS is an 8.1/10-rated GPS fleet tracking platform best suited for small-to-mid-size field service, construction, and trade fleets that want reliable tracking with transparent pricing and exceptional customer support. At ~$20/vehicle/month with no contracts and a 14-day free trial, it offers real-time GPS tracking, geofencing, driver behavior monitoring, and maintenance alerts — making it the top choice for service-based businesses that value simplicity and responsive US-based support o
~$20/vehicle/mo; no setup feesReal-time tracking, geofencing, alerts, driver behavior, reportingFree trial
Fleet Complete (now Powerfleet) is a Canadian-born fleet management platform serving 30,000+ customers across North America. We tested its GPS tracking, AI dash cameras, ELD compliance tools, and asset tracking for 90 days to see how it stacks up against Geotab, Samsara, and other top players.
From $10/vehicle/moGPS tracking, geofences, basic reporting. 36-month contract. Best for basic location tracking.
Motive
#8AI-powered fleet management with ELD, dashcams, and spend management.
Per vehicleELD, GPS tracking, basic reportingCloudFree trial
Geotab
#9Open-platform telematics with advanced data analytics for fleet optimization.
Per vehicleGPS tracking, basic reporting, geofencingCloudFree trial
GPS Trackit
#10Budget-friendly fleet tracking with flexible hardware options.
Per vehicleReal-time tracking, trip history, basic geofencingCloudFree trial
IntelliShift
#11IntelliShift is a 7.9/10-rated fleet intelligence platform best suited for mid-to-large mixed fleets in construction, utilities, and field service that need to unify data from multiple vehicle types and telematics sources. The platform aggregates connected vehicle data, AI safety scoring, compliance management, and maintenance insights into a single dashboard — making it the top choice for complex operations with diverse asset types, though its custom pricing and steeper learning curve favor lar
~$25–$45/vehicle/mo (custom quotes)Connected vehicle data, GPS tracking, basic safety scoring, reportingFree trial
Lytx
#12AI-powered video safety platform with the largest driving behavior database.
Per vehicleDual-facing camera, MV+AI, self-managed video reviewCloud
Netradyne
#13Netradyne is an 8.6/10-rated AI dash cam platform best suited for fleets that prioritize driver safety, video telematics, and positive behavior coaching. The Driveri camera uses four lenses and edge AI to provide 360-degree vision, real-time alerts, and GreenZone scoring that rewards safe driving — making it the top choice for safety-focused fleets, though it requires integration with a separate fleet management platform for GPS tracking and ELD compliance.
~$30–$50/vehicle/mo + hardwareAI alerts, GreenZone scoring, video cloud storage, driver coaching, analytics dashboard
Omnitracs
#14Omnitracs is a veteran fleet management platform now owned by Solera, built for long-haul trucking and enterprise carriers. With the Omnitracs One unified platform, it combines ELD compliance, route optimization, driver safety, and critical event video in a single ecosystem. We tested the platform, analyzed hundreds of user reviews, and compared it against modern competitors to determine whether Omnitracs still delivers value in 2026.
From $23/vehicle/mo (quote-based)EOBR ($23), Compliance ($32), Premium ($46)
One Step GPS
#15One Step GPS is an 8.0/10-rated GPS fleet tracker best suited for small businesses and budget-conscious fleets that need reliable real-time tracking at the industry’s lowest price point. At ~$13.95/vehicle/month with no contracts, it delivers solid GPS tracking, geofencing, and driver behavior monitoring — making it the top choice for cost-conscious fleets that need visibility without paying for features they won’t use.
~$13.95/vehicle/mo (no contract)Real-time tracking, geofencing, alerts, trip history, driver reports
Rastrac
#16Rastrac is a 7.5/10-rated GPS fleet tracking and asset management platform best suited for small to mid-size fleets that need affordable real-time vehicle tracking, geofencing, driver behavior monitoring, fuel management, and maintenance alerts. Founded in 1993, Rastrac is one of the longest-running GPS tracking providers in the industry, offering solid core tracking features at competitive pricing — though it trails newer platforms like Samsara and Motive in advanced analytics, AI capabilities,
Contact for pricingReal-time tracking, geofencing, basic alerts
Simply Fleet
#17Simply Fleet is a 7.6/10-rated fleet maintenance app best suited for very small fleets, owner-operators, and individual vehicle owners who need basic maintenance tracking, fuel logging, and expense management without paying enterprise prices. With a free plan for one vehicle and Pro plans starting at ~$3/vehicle/month, it delivers solid maintenance reminders and fuel tracking — but lacks GPS tracking, telematics, and the advanced features that growing fleets eventually need.
Free plan; Pro from ~$3/vehicle/mo1 vehicle, maintenance tracking, fuel logging, service reminders, basic reportingFree trial
GPS fleet tracking and fleet management for businesses of all sizes.
Per vehicleGPS tracking, geofencing, basic alertsCloudFree trial
Zonar Systems is a commercial fleet telematics provider known for its dominance in school bus and public transit fleet management. Now merged with GPS Trackit to form Zonar Ignition, the platform offers GPS tracking, EVIR electronic inspections, ELD compliance, and AI-powered dash cams. We tested the platform, analyzed 300+ user reviews, and compared it against market leaders to deliver this independent assessment.
From ~$26/vehicle/moIncludes Zonar Logs, DVIR, Ground Traffic Control, HOS
Rhino Fleet Tracking is a 7.8/10-rated budget GPS fleet tracking platform best suited for small to mid-size fleets that need affordable real-time vehicle tracking, geofencing, maintenance alerts, and basic reporting without long-term contracts. It delivers solid core GPS tracking at low cost but lacks advanced telematics, dash cams, and ELD compliance features offered by larger platforms.
Contact for pricingStandard rate; all core features included
Trimble
#21Trimble Transportation is one of the most established names in enterprise fleet and transportation management. Born from acquisitions of TMW Systems, PeopleNet, and others, the platform now offers a cloud-native, AI-powered TMS alongside fleet maintenance, driver mobility, and real-time visibility tools. We evaluated the full Trimble Transportation ecosystem — testing its new AI-powered Trimble TMS, analyzing hundreds of user reviews, and comparing it against Omnitracs, Samsara, Motive, and Geot
Contact for pricing
Free & Freemium eld compliance software — side by side
Pricing, deployment, and trial availability for every platform reviewed. Click any row to read the full review.
Scroll horizontally to see all columns →
| Software | Pricing model | Starting price | Deployment | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fleetio | Per vehicle | Vehicle records, basic maintenance, fuel tracking | Cloud | Yes |
| Samsara | Per vehicle | GPS tracking, basic reporting, geofencing | Cloud | Yes |
| Teletrac Navman | Per vehicle | GPS tracking and basic fleet management | Cloud | Yes |
| Azuga | Per vehicle | GPS tracking, geofencing, trip history, basic reporting | Cloud | Yes |
| CalAmp | ~$25–$45/vehicle/mo (custom quotes) | Varies by features and fleet size | — | — |
| ClearPathGPS | ~$20/vehicle/mo; no setup fees | Real-time tracking, geofencing, alerts, driver behavior, reporting | — | Yes |
| Fleet Complete | From $10/vehicle/mo | GPS tracking, geofences, basic reporting. 36-month contract. Best for basic location tracking. | — | — |
| Motive | Per vehicle | ELD, GPS tracking, basic reporting | Cloud | Yes |
| Geotab | Per vehicle | GPS tracking, basic reporting, geofencing | Cloud | Yes |
| GPS Trackit | Per vehicle | Real-time tracking, trip history, basic geofencing | Cloud | Yes |
| IntelliShift | ~$25–$45/vehicle/mo (custom quotes) | Connected vehicle data, GPS tracking, basic safety scoring, reporting | — | Yes |
| Lytx | Per vehicle | Dual-facing camera, MV+AI, self-managed video review | Cloud | — |
| Netradyne | ~$30–$50/vehicle/mo + hardware | AI alerts, GreenZone scoring, video cloud storage, driver coaching, analytics dashboard | — | — |
| Omnitracs | From $23/vehicle/mo (quote-based) | EOBR ($23), Compliance ($32), Premium ($46) | — | — |
| One Step GPS | ~$13.95/vehicle/mo (no contract) | Real-time tracking, geofencing, alerts, trip history, driver reports | — | — |
| Rastrac | Contact for pricing | Real-time tracking, geofencing, basic alerts | — | — |
| Simply Fleet | Free plan; Pro from ~$3/vehicle/mo | 1 vehicle, maintenance tracking, fuel logging, service reminders, basic reporting | — | Yes |
| Verizon Connect | Per vehicle | GPS tracking, geofencing, basic alerts | Cloud | Yes |
| Zonar Systems | From ~$26/vehicle/mo | Includes Zonar Logs, DVIR, Ground Traffic Control, HOS | — | — |
| Rhino Fleet Tracking | Contact for pricing | Standard rate; all core features included | — | — |
| Trimble | Contact for pricing | Custom quote | — | — |
Frequently asked questions about eld compliance for free & freemium fleets
What is the ELD mandate?
The FMCSA ELD mandate requires most commercial motor vehicle drivers to use electronic logging devices to record their hours of service (HOS). The rule applies to drivers required to keep records of duty status (RODS) and replaced paper logs with automatic electronic recording.
How much do ELD devices cost?
ELD hardware typically costs $100-$500 per device, with monthly service fees of $15-$35 per vehicle. All-in-one fleet management platforms with ELD capability may charge $25-$50 per vehicle per month.
Also compare eld compliance software by
Not sure which eld compliance platform fits?
Start with the full category page — it has comparison tables, buyer guidance, and our editorial verdict on every platform.