Best ELD for Small Fleets: Top 5 Solutions Under 10 Trucks

Quick Comparison for Small Fleets

What Makes an ELD Great for Small Fleets

Essential vs Nice-to-Have Features

Small fleets (2-10 trucks) need different things than large operations. Here's what actually matters:

Must-Have Features:

• FMCSA compliance without complexity
• Phone support when drivers need help
• No huge upfront investment
• Month-to-month payment options
• Works with drivers' existing smartphones
• Simple IFTA reporting

Skip These Premium Features:

• Advanced analytics dashboards
• API integrations
• Custom reporting modules
• Enterprise support tiers
• Complex routing algorithms

As discussed in our comprehensive ELD comparison, small fleets should prioritize ease of use and affordability over advanced features.

Top 5 ELD Solutions for Small Fleets

1. Motive (Best Overall for Small Fleets)

Why It Works for Small Operations

Motive understands small fleet economics. No contracts required, hardware ships next-day, and setup takes under an hour per truck. Their support actually answers the phone - critical when you're both dispatcher and safety manager.

Real Costs:

• Device: $149 (often on sale for $99)
• Monthly: $35 per vehicle
• IFTA: Included
• Support: 24/7 phone included

Small Fleet Advantages:

• No minimum trucks: Works for 1 or 100
• Driver app: Drivers use personal phones as backup
• Quick setup: Plug in and go, no installer needed
• Instant documents: Roadside inspection reports in seconds

Potential Drawbacks:

• App updates sometimes change interface
• Customer service quality varies by time of day
• Some features require higher tier ($45/month)

Bottom Line: Best balance of features, price, and support for fleets ready to grow.

2. BigRoad (Best Budget Option)

Why It Works for Cost-Conscious Fleets

At $20/month per truck, BigRoad offers legitimate compliance at the lowest price point. Perfect for small fleets where every dollar counts.

Real Costs:

• Device: $199
• Monthly: $20 per vehicle
• IFTA: Manual export (automated costs extra)
• Support: Email and chat only on basic plan

Money-Saving Features:

• Free trial: 30 days to test before buying
• No activation fees: Unlike many competitors
• BYOD option: Use tablets you already own
• Bulk pricing: Discounts start at 5 trucks

Limitations to Consider:

• Phone support costs extra ($10/month)
• IFTA automation requires upgrade
• Less reliable in poor cell coverage
• Canadian company (support hours reflect this)

Bottom Line: Acceptable solution when budget is the primary concern.

3. Garmin eLog (Best for Avoiding Monthly Fees)

Why It Works for Intermittent Operations

Garmin's unique selling point: buy once, no monthly fees for basic compliance. Ideal for seasonal operations or part-time hauling.

Real Costs:

• Device: $249 (one-time)
• Monthly: $0 for compliance only
• Optional tracking: $15/month
• Support: Email only on free plan

Perfect For:

• Seasonal agriculture haulers
• Part-time hotshot drivers
• Backup compliance for paper log users
• Owner-operators wanting to minimize recurring costs

Reality Check:

• No real-time tracking without subscription
• Manual data transfer for IFTA
• Limited fleet management features
• Dated interface compared to app-based solutions

Bottom Line: Unbeatable for minimizing ongoing costs, but you get what you pay for.

4. KeepTruckin (Best for Growing Fleets)

Why It Works for Expansion Plans

KeepTruckin (now part of Motive family) offers scalability. Start with 2 trucks, grow to 20 without changing systems.

Real Costs:

• Device: $149
• Monthly: $35 (month-to-month) or $30 (annual)
• Growth discounts: 10+ trucks get better rates
• Installation support: Free remote assistance

Growth-Friendly Features:

• Easy driver onboarding: 15-minute training videos
• Fleet dashboard: Manage all trucks from phone
• Violation alerts: Prevent problems before inspections
• Fuel card integration: Automated IFTA matching

Scaling Considerations:

• Pricing improves significantly at 10+ trucks
• Advanced features unlock with more vehicles
• Dedicated support at 15+ trucks
• Custom contracts at 25+ trucks

Bottom Line: Invest now in a system that won't limit growth.

5. Azuga (Best for Safety-Focused Fleets)

Why It Works for Safety-Conscious Operations

Azuga's driver scoring and reward systems help small fleets build safety culture from day one.

Real Costs:

• Device: $150
• Monthly: $25 per vehicle
• Safety rewards program: $5/driver/month
• Minimum commitment: 6 months

Safety Features That Matter:

• Driver scorecards: Weekly performance emails
• Reward points: Drivers earn rewards for safe driving
• Accident detection: Automatic notification system
• Speed alerts: Real-time notifications to dispatch

Implementation Reality:

• Takes time to build driver buy-in
• Reward program costs add up
• Some drivers resist gamification
• Best with company driver model

Bottom Line: Worth it if safety incentives align with your management style.

Hidden Costs Small Fleets Miss

Installation Reality Check

What They Say: "15-minute plug-and-play installation" What Actually Happens:

• First truck: 1-2 hours figuring it out
• Subsequent trucks: 30-45 minutes each
• Driver training: 2-3 hours per driver initially
• Troubleshooting: 5-10 hours first month

True Monthly Costs

Beyond the advertised price:

• Data overages: $10-20 if exceeding plan limits
• Paper backup logs: $20-30 monthly supply
• Replacement cables: $25-40 when original fails
• Tablet/phone mounts: $30-50 per truck
• Training time: 10+ hours monthly initially

Contract Traps to Avoid

1. Auto-renewal clauses: Require 60-day cancellation notice
2. Equipment return fees: Must be "like new" condition
3. Early termination penalties: Often 50% of remaining contract
4. Price increase rights: Allow 5% annual increases
5. Minimum vehicle requirements: May require all trucks on system

Making the Decision: Questions to Ask

About Your Operation

1. Compliance only or fleet management?

   • Just need to be legal → Garmin or BigRoad
   • Want to improve operations → Motive or KeepTruckin

2. Company drivers or owner-operators?

   • Company drivers → Any solution works
   • Owner-operators → Need flexible, portable options

3. Local or long-haul?

   • Local with 16-hour exception → Basic ELD sufficient
   • Long-haul with split sleeper berth → Need advanced features

4. Growth plans?

   • Staying small → Focus on price
   • Planning expansion → Invest in scalability

About the Vendor

Critical questions before signing:

1. "What's the total 2-year cost including everything?"
2. "Can I cancel anytime without penalty?"
3. "What happens if a device fails - replacement time and cost?"
4. "Show me actual phone support wait times"
5. "What data is included vs. what costs extra?"

Implementation Strategy for Small Fleets

Week 1: Setup Phase

• Install devices during downtime
• Create driver accounts
• Test inspection mode
• Verify FMCSA registration

Week 2: Training Phase

• One-on-one driver training
• Practice log edits
• Review violation warnings
• Test support channels

Week 3: Parallel Running

• Run ELD alongside paper logs
• Compare for accuracy
• Address driver concerns
• Fix mounting/cable issues

Week 4: Full Implementation

• Switch to ELD primary
• Keep paper as backup
• Daily compliance checks
• Address violations immediately

Common Small Fleet Mistakes

Buying Wrong

• Choosing by price alone: Cheapest often costs more long-term
• Overbuying features: You don't need enterprise solutions
• Ignoring support quality: Critical when you're a small operation
• Not testing first: Always use free trials

Implementation Errors

• No backup plan: Always have paper logs available
• Rushing rollout: Allow 30 days for smooth transition
• Skip training: Every violation costs money
• Ignoring driver feedback: They'll find the problems first

State-Specific Considerations

Interstate vs Intrastate

Some states have different requirements:

• Texas: Intrastate exemptions for certain operations
• California: Additional break requirements affecting ELD programming
• Florida: Agricultural exemptions during harvest

Verify your specific requirements based on operating authority.

The Money-Saving Decision Tree

If You Have 1-2 Trucks:

• Seasonal/Part-time: Garmin eLog (minimal monthly cost)
• Full-time operation: BigRoad (lowest monthly rate)
• Growth planned: Motive (scalable solution)

If You Have 3-5 Trucks:

• Budget priority: BigRoad with phone support
• Balanced needs: Motive or KeepTruckin
• Safety focus: Azuga with rewards program

If You Have 6-10 Trucks:

• Standard operations: Motive with annual contract
• Complex operations: KeepTruckin with advanced features
• Enterprise features needed: Consider Samsara or Omnitracs

Final Recommendations

Best Overall Pick: Motive

• Right balance of price and features
• No contract requirement
• Solid support for small fleets
• Room to grow

Best Budget Pick: BigRoad

• Lowest monthly cost
• Acceptable functionality
• No contracts

Best No-Monthly Pick: Garmin eLog

• One-time purchase
• True ownership
• Minimal ongoing costs

Key Takeaways

• Small fleets need flexibility more than features
• Avoid long-term contracts initially
• True cost includes training and troubleshooting time
• Support quality matters more for small operations
• Test before committing - use free trials
• Plan for growth but don't overbuy

Remember: The best ELD for your small fleet is the one drivers will actually use correctly. Prioritize ease of use and support quality over advanced features you might never need.

For more information on Hours of Service regulations or to compare these with other ELD options, check our comprehensive guides. Use our ELD comparison tool to evaluate specific features side-by-side.