Samsara Vs Motive Vs Geotab Comparison

---
name: samsara-vs-motive-vs-geotab-comparison
description: |
  Use when a carrier is evaluating ELD / telematics / dashcam platforms and needs an objective
  comparison of Samsara, Motive (formerly KeepTruckin), and Geotab. Covers ELD compliance, AI
  dashcams, driver scoring, integrations, pricing structure, and which fleet profile suits which
  platform.
---

# Samsara vs Motive vs Geotab — ELD/Telematics Comparison

These three vendors dominate the U.S. commercial fleet telematics market. Each is FMCSA-registered as an ELD provider and offers fleet management beyond compliance. Choice affects 5–7 years of operating workflow.

## High-level positioning

| Vendor | Sweet spot | Pricing tier |
|---|---|---|
| Samsara | Mid-to-large fleets, integrated AI dashcam + safety | Premium |
| Motive | Small-to-mid fleets, all-in-one with strong dashcam | Mid |
| Geotab | Mixed fleets, vehicle-data depth, custom integrations | Variable (MarketPlace add-ons) |

## ELD compliance (table stakes — all three pass)

All three are FMCSA-registered ELDs, log driver duty status, auto-record drive time at 5+ mph, support driver edits with annotations, transfer data to inspectors via email/web service.

Differentiators in ELD experience:
- **Samsara**: Best driver app polish, easiest unidentified-drive resolution
- **Motive**: Easiest co-driver swap, strong personal-conveyance handling
- **Geotab**: Robust ELD core, less polished driver UX

## AI dashcam

| Feature | Samsara | Motive | Geotab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward-facing camera | Standard | Standard | Standard (3rd-party SureCam, Lytx integration) |
| Driver-facing camera | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| AI event detection (harsh brake, follow distance, distraction) | Excellent | Excellent | Variable (depends on add-on) |
| Coaching workflow | In-app driver coaching cards | In-app + scorecard | Geotab + 3rd-party UI |
| Video upload (cellular) | Auto-flag → review queue | Auto-flag → review queue | Add-on dependent |
| Driver-side replay (right-to-view) | Yes | Yes | Add-on dependent |

Samsara and Motive AI dashcam are roughly equivalent at this point — both detect distraction, drowsiness, phone use, smoking, following distance, harsh braking, harsh cornering. Geotab requires third-party integration for AI dashcam.

## Driver scoring

| Metric weighting | Samsara | Motive | Geotab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speeding | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Harsh brake / accel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Following distance (AI) | Yes | Yes | Add-on |
| Distraction (AI) | Yes | Yes | Add-on |
| Seat belt | Yes | Yes | Yes (engine data) |
| Fuel economy (idle) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customizable thresholds | Yes (good) | Yes (good) | Yes (best — fully programmable) |

## Vehicle data depth (Geotab's strength)

Geotab GO9 device captures **richer engine ECM data** — fault codes, fuel level, coolant temp, DPF status, after-treatment fluid, regen state. Useful for:
- Predictive maintenance
- Fault-code alerting before breakdown
- Detailed fuel economy by trip / driver / route

Samsara and Motive cover the basics (odometer, fuel, fault codes) but Geotab goes deeper. For mixed fleets (light vehicles + heavy trucks), Geotab has an edge.

## Integrations

| Platform | Notes |
|---|---|
| Samsara | Open API, strong TMS integrations (McLeod, TMW, Truckmate), HOS/IFTA exports |
| Motive | API published, growing TMS integrations, native dispatch via Motive Dispatch |
| Geotab | Largest marketplace (SDK + 200+ apps), deepest 3rd-party ecosystem |

Geotab is the platform of choice for carriers needing custom workflows or specialty integrations (refrigerated logistics, hazmat, vocational).

## Pricing structure (typical, 2025)

| Vendor | ELD only | ELD + tracking | + AI dashcam | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsara | $30/mo/truck | $35–$45 | $55–$70 | Hardware bundled, multi-year contracts |
| Motive | $25/mo/truck | $30–$40 | $40–$55 | Hardware free with 3-year, $300 outright |
| Geotab | $20/mo/truck | $25–$35 | Add-on dependent | $99–$199 hardware, marketplace adds cost |

Negotiate 3-year vs month-to-month — multi-year contracts save 20–30% but lock you in.

## Driver app quality

Samsara > Motive > Geotab for driver-app UX. Samsara's app feels most polished, fewest driver complaints. Motive close behind. Geotab's driver app (called "Geotab Drive") is functional but less refined.

Driver app matters because driver friction = driver turnover.

## Customer support

| Vendor | Support quality |
|---|---|
| Samsara | Premium support tiers, dedicated CSM for fleets > 100 |
| Motive | Self-service strong, phone/chat for paid plans |
| Geotab | Channel partner model — quality varies by reseller |

## Implementation timeline

| Vendor | Typical rollout |
|---|---|
| Samsara | 2–4 weeks for 50-truck fleet, professional services available |
| Motive | 1–2 weeks for 50-truck fleet, self-installable |
| Geotab | 2–4 weeks, reseller-dependent |

## Which fleet should pick which

**Pick Samsara if:**
- Fleet 50+ trucks, professional ops culture
- AI dashcam is mission-critical (heavy insurance pressure)
- Need single-vendor TMS-ELD-camera-tracking
- Willing to pay premium for polish

**Pick Motive if:**
- Fleet 5–100 trucks, growing fast
- Want all-in-one without enterprise pricing
- Drivers will resist a "clunky" app
- Need free hardware on multi-year

**Pick Geotab if:**
- Mixed fleet (light-duty + heavy trucks + vocational)
- Need custom integrations or specialty marketplace apps
- Want most-detailed vehicle data
- Have a channel partner relationship

## Common mistakes

- Selecting ELD based on monthly cost alone — driver-app quality affects turnover
- Bolting on AI dashcam after the fact instead of bundling (cost penalty)
- Letting the ELD provider double as the TMS (lock-in)
- Underestimating driver training time on switch (2–4 weeks of dual-running typical)
- Signing 3-year contracts with no exit clause
- Skipping the driver-facing camera "to save retention" — many insurance carriers now require it

## Where this fits in X3

X3 integrates with Samsara, Motive, and Geotab via official APIs. ELD violations, HOS data, idle %, harsh events, and fault codes flow into the driver and vehicle scorecards. Carriers don't need to pick X3 over their ELD — X3 sits on top.

There is no objectively "best" — the right pick is the platform whose strengths match your fleet's biggest pain point.


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## Built by X3 Compass

The AI-powered DOT compliance platform for fleets 1–100 power units. Try a 7-day free trial — no credit card required — at https://x3compass.com/?utm_source=skill&utm_medium=github&utm_campaign=samsara-vs-motive-vs-geotab-comparison

X3 Compass turns these skills into a complete operational platform: driver qualification files, drug & alcohol consortium, MVR pulls, hours-of-service tracking, hazmat shipping, IFTA filing, FMCSA audit prep, and DataQ dispute drafting — all CFR-cited, all in one place.

*This skill is published under the X3 Compass open skills initiative. Contributions welcome at https://github.com/x3fleetsafety/skills*