trusted formMotive vs Samsara | Several.com
Although we earn commissions from partners, we ensure unbiased evaluations. More on our 'How We Work' page

Motive vs Samsara

Press [Add to Compare] to Edit, Add or Remove Vendors

Pros
  • Free tour (demo) available
  • ELD & other proprietary hardware integrations
  • Real-time tracking with a high refresh rate
  • Helps improve fleet fuel efficiency
Pros
  • Scalability
  • Onboarding and training
  • Real-time updates and reporting
  • All-in-one platform
Cons
  • Lack of plan and cost transparency
  • Reports of customer service communication issues
  • Competitors may provide other additional features
Cons
  • Lack of transparency
  • Three-year commitment
  • Lack of a free trial
Summary

Motive is a software company that offers fleet management software solutions. They are based in San Francisco, CA, and were founded in 2013 as KeepTruckin. Their products include an Hour of Service monitoring system, GPS tracking, and smart dashcams. Trusted by over 120,000 companies with over 400,000 fleet vehicles, Motive serves businesses of all sizes in different industries like construction, manufacturing, field service, and food & beverage. They offer fleet tracking software, telematics, integrated solutions, and hardware products like dashcams and GPS trackers. Their solutions help businesses and fleet managers track vehicles and assets in real time and view historical data. Motive's systems run on Amazon Web Services, a secure and scalable cloud platform. They comply with SOC 2 requirements and support SSO, MFA, and user authorization. Motive is a well-regarded company in their industry, having won many awards and accolades. They are recognized for their exceptional fleet management leadership and have been featured on top lists. Their A+ rating from BBB and inclusion in the Forbes Cloud 100 from 2018 to 2023 are additional feathers in their cap. While they receive mostly satisfactory customer reviews, some are critical of their service and feature consistency.

Summary

Since their founding in 2015, Samsara has positioned themselves as a pioneer in fleet management solutions. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices around the world, extending their solutions globally. Their extensive array of services accommodates businesses of various sizes and operates in a wide spectrum of industries, including construction, government, transportation, and logistics. Samsara's unique method combines hardware with user-friendly software and cloud-based services in order to provide immediate insights and improvements to operations. A handful of solutions they provide are video safety, telematics, driver scorecards, extensive integration capabilities, and more. They proudly boast an A+ accreditation from the BBB and admirable ratings on reputable platforms such as Trustpilot and G2. Akin to that, the customer experience with Samsara is generally favorable, with existing users praising their intuitive interface, dash cameras powered by AI for improved safety, and robust compliance functionalities.  Samsara's unwavering commitment to scalability, electric vehicle (EV) compatibility, and customer satisfaction has resulted in a fresh outlook for fleet management.

Quick Stats
  • Mobile Application : Available
  • Real-Time Tracking : Available
  • Starting Price : $20 per vehicle per month
  • Vehicle Maintenance Alerts : Available
  • BBB Score : A+
  • Trustpilot Score : 3.1 out of 5
Quick Stats
  • Free Trial : Not Available
  • Mobile Application : Available
  • Real-Time Tracking : Available
  • Starting Price : Quote-based
  • Vehicle Maintenance Alerts : Available
  • BBB Score : A+
  • Trustpilot Score : 3.8 out of 5
Selling Points
  • Simplified spend management solution
  • 24/7 technical support
  • Trusted by over 120,000 fleets with over 400,000 vehicles
Selling Points
  • Suitable for EVs
  • Temperature monitoring
  • Industry-specific solutions
  • To-the-second GPS and vehicle diagnostics
  • Panic buttons for drivers
Features
  • Customizable Alerts
  • Driver Behavior & Safety Monitoring
  • ELD Integration
  • Fuel Efficiency Reports
  • Fuel Tracking
  • Geofencing
  • Ongoing Technical Support
  • Open API (for integrations)
  • Performance Reports & Analytics
  • Real-Time Location Tracking
  • Route Optimization & Scheduling
  • Vehicle Maintenance Management
Features
  • Customizable Alerts
  • Driver Behavior & Safety Monitoring
  • ELD Integration
  • Fuel Efficiency Reports
  • Fuel Tracking
  • Geofencing
  • Ongoing Technical Support
  • Open API (for integrations)
  • Performance Reports & Analytics
  • Real-Time Location Tracking
  • Route Optimization & Scheduling
  • Vehicle Maintenance Management
Compliance Adherence
  • Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
  • Electronic Logging Device (ELD)
  • Hours of Service (HOS)
  • International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA
Compliance Adherence
  • Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
  • Electronic Logging Device (ELD)
  • Hours of Service (HOS)
  • International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA
Customer Support
  • Blog
  • Email
  • FAQs
  • Help Guides
  • Live Chat
  • Phone
  • Ticket
Customer Support
  • Blog
  • Email
  • FAQs
  • Help Guides
  • Live Chat
  • Phone
  • Ticket

Samsara vs. Motive

Features and services

Samsara offers a robust suite of fleet management solutions designed to optimize operational efficiency. Key features include real-time GPS tracking, advanced driver safety tools, and comprehensive vehicle diagnostics. The platform integrates seamlessly with third-party systems, providing a holistic view of fleet operations. Samsara's AI-powered dashcams enhance driver safety by identifying risky behaviors and offering instant feedback. Additionally, their environmental sustainability tools help businesses reduce their carbon footprint.

Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) focuses on providing a streamlined, user-friendly experience for fleet management. Their features include real-time GPS tracking, electronic logging devices (ELDs) for compliance, and robust driver safety tools. Motive also offers advanced telematics that provide detailed insights into vehicle health and performance. The platform supports integration with various third-party applications, enhancing their utility for businesses of all sizes. Motive's AI-powered dashcams similarly aim to improve driver safety by detecting and correcting unsafe driving behaviors.

Plans and prices

Samsara offers flexible pricing plans tailored to the needs of different businesses. According to customer feedback and research, Samsara operates under a per-vehicle, per-month pricing model and charges for early termination and auto-renewal. The upfront cost for the initial three-year contract typically ranges from $1,300 to $6,000. Renewal fees vary between $115 and $900, depending on the remaining period of your contract. The average hardware cost can also range from $20 to $300, depending on the hardware purchased. For customized pricing, it is recommended to obtain a quote by filling out a form on their website or contacting their sales team by phone or email.

Motive offers a tiered pricing model that depends on fleet size and selected features. Similar to Samsara, Motive does not publicly disclose specific pricing information, and interested parties need to request a quote. According to online sources, Motive's plans may include the following options: Starter - potentially priced at $20 per month, Pro - potentially priced at $35 per vehicle per month, and Enterprise or Custom - a plan with pricing based on a quote.

Benefits and drawbacks

Samsara's strengths lie in their comprehensive feature set and seamless integration capabilities. The platform's real-time tracking and advanced safety tools are particularly beneficial for large fleets looking to enhance operational efficiency and driver safety. However, the extensive feature set can overwhelm smaller businesses or those with less complex needs. Additionally, the cost of hardware and subscription fees may be a barrier for some companies.

Motive is praised for their user-friendly interface and robust compliance tools, making them a popular choice among small to mid-sized fleets. The platform's focus on ease of use and essential fleet management features ensures that businesses can quickly adopt and benefit from the system. However, some users may find Motive's feature set less comprehensive than Samsara's, particularly in areas like environmental sustainability and advanced vehicle diagnostics. Pricing transparency is another area where Motive could improve, as potential customers need to request a quote to understand the full cost implications.

Conclusion

Samsara and Motive offer compelling fleet management solutions, each with strengths and potential drawbacks. Samsara excels at providing a comprehensive, integrated platform with advanced safety and sustainability features, making them ideal for larger fleets with complex needs. On the other hand, Motive's user-friendly interface and robust compliance tools make them a strong contender for small to mid-sized fleets seeking a straightforward, effective solution.

Ultimately, the choice between Samsara and Motive will depend on your fleet's specific needs and priorities. Businesses should consider the complexity of their operations, budget constraints, and desired features when deciding. Both platforms offer the tools necessary to enhance fleet management, improve driver safety, and boost overall operational efficiency. 

Get Your Free Fleet Management Quote Now!

Save Big on Fleet Management

Fill out a quick form to claim special offers on Fleet Management

image