Rising fuel, labor, and insurance costs can squeeze small business budgets. GPS fleet tracking helps reduce expenses and protect your assets. Fleet trackers provide real-time visibility into routes, drivers, and vehicles, whether running a five-truck HVAC service or hauling deliveries across state lines.
The best GPS fleet tracking systems offer more than just location data; they send timely maintenance alerts and can even integrate with fuel cards or scheduling software. To help you find the right solutions, we researched vendors, pricing, and features. Explore our in-depth buyers’ guide to learn what to look for when comparing top GPS and fleet tracking tools.
Guide to selecting a GPS fleet tracking platform in 2025
The best GPS fleet tracking systems can help your small business cut costs and reduce risks through efficiency and safety improvements. In a Verizon Connect–backed 2025 Fleet Technology Trends Report, where nearly half of the recent respondents ran fleets under 50 vehicles, 62% increased efficiency and 57% strengthened driver safety.
But finding the right fleet tracker for your needs can be challenging. Software marketplaces list nearly 900 fleet management applications, ranging from basic GPS trackers to full-featured telematics systems.
Our guide explains how features and pricing differ between top GPS tracking platforms. Let’s explore what small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) should look for in 2025 and how to ensure a system you buy today scales with your fleet.
What is GPS fleet tracking, and why do SMBs need it?
GPS fleet tracking software shows where each company vehicle or asset is located on a map in near real-time. Both GPS tracker apps and full-featured fleet management systems monitor vehicle locations and movement using GPS satellites. They transmit information from vehicles or assets over cellular networks to software platforms, mobile apps, or dashboards.
However, data insights vary. Low-cost or plug-and-play fleet trackers like Force Fleet Tracking offer real-time updates, including vehicle position and route history. Meanwhile, fleet management tools like Verizon Connect or Motive track location, driver behavior, and vehicle performance insights. Fleet tracking solutions may include in-cab dashcams, GPS asset tracking, and field service management.
How vehicle tracking systems can help your business
You can achieve operational and customer service goals by understanding the pros and cons of offering company cars and choosing the right tools to manage your fleet. Around three out of four businesses using GPS trackers or fleet management solutions rated them as “extremely or very beneficial” in Verizon’s survey. Nearly half saw a return on investment (ROI) in less than a year.
GPS vehicle tracking systems and related tools help fleet managers and business owners:
- Reduce costs: Save money on fuel, maintenance, and labor using reporting dashboards and alerts to reduce fleet idle times and equipment downtime.
- Improve customer satisfaction: Adjust routes on the fly, provide accurate arrival times, and communicate with customers or drivers to consistently meet demand and satisfy clients.
- Ensure compliance: Automate recordkeeping to comply with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requirements.
- Lower insurance rates: Meet insurance requirements for company vehicles while reducing driver distractions, recovering stolen vehicles or assets, and preventing false claims.
- Attract and retain employees: Mobile app features for drivers combined with shorter, less frustrating routes help companies find and keep qualified staff.
What to look for in fleet management solutions
To realize the benefits of GPS vehicle tracking systems, consider what features and devices you need to reach your goals. The type of cars, trucks, or assets employees use, where they drive, and what products or services they deliver affect your software and hardware buying decision. Therefore, taking inventory of your fleet and discussing expectations with managers or team leaders before selecting fleet tracking solutions is vital.
Find the best GPS tracking devices for your fleet
Look for the hardware that suits your fleet’s needs, whether those are tracking drivers delivering to customers or company vehicle use. To ensure the system is suitable for your setup, explore equipment options, including costs, features, and warranty coverage.
Fleet tracking companies offer mobile, plug-in-play, and wired GPS trackers. Support for additional devices and sensors varies by vendor. If your policy allows delivery drivers to use their own vehicles for work, mobile GPS tracking software is less invasive than plug-in-play devices. However, your solution must comply with local and state GPS tracking laws.
OBD-II (onboard diagnostics, second generation) systems can deliver check engine notifications, which come from the vehicle ECM (electronic control module) and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) alerts. Hardwired devices can detect snow plows or other connected equipment and provide customizable alerts.
Look for software integrations
Many small business owners rely on software for payroll and accounting. Integrating your GPS fleet tracking system with business tools saves time when transferring working hours or mileage expenses. Some fleet management platforms sync with maintenance and industry-specific software for delivery or HVAC services.
Look for integrations in the following areas:
- Business software: Prioritize tools based on your immediate needs. Options may include inventory, payroll, accounting, or customer relationship management (CRM) software.
- Satellite navigation (SatNav): Trucking GPS systems often integrate with SatNav services, which offer truck-specific routing and reliable connectivity in areas with spotty or no coverage.
- Fuel card integrations: The best GPS trackers for company vehicles integrate with popular fuel cards like EFS, WEX, or PAPCO.
- Application programming interfaces (APIs): For custom integrations, consider fleet tracking apps offering open APIs and software development kits.
Consider compliance tools
The best fleet tracking systems for trucks account for their heavier weight and larger dimensions, which affects fuel consumption and route optimization. Likewise, GPS tracking devices for commercial trucks are typically more durable and built to handle the road vibrations in tractor trailers.
Without digital tools, staying compliant can be time-consuming. Consider GPS fleet tracking platforms that simplify compliance by offering built-in features, such as:
- Fuel tax tracking: Look for International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) support to track and automate compliance for commercial vehicles crossing state or Canadian borders.
- Hours of service (HOS): Certain vehicles require electronic logging devices (ELDs) to document HOS.
- Driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs): Digital DVIRs help with HOS compliance and are required for some commercial vehicles.
Assess customer support
Check with GPS fleet tracking companies to see how you can reach them and what self-service options they offer. At a minimum, the vendor should provide live phone support during your operating hours. Other convenient options may include live chat, email, help desk, or ticketing systems.
Look over the provider’s online knowledge center and resources to see if the information is easy to understand when troubleshooting software or hardware issues, and contact live support channels to assess helpfulness before signing up with a fleet tracking service.
Many small business owners rely on software for payroll and accounting. Integrating your GPS fleet tracking system with business tools saves time when transferring working hours or mileage expenses.
GPS fleet tracking must-have features
A good GPS and fleet management solution provides core functionalities to track vehicle location and movements. Additional capabilities like driver routing, real-time alerts, and maintenance monitoring vary by platform and subscription tier.
Entry-tier GPS tracker apps have fewer fleet management features than all-in-one platforms but may integrate with fleet manager software. According to Gartner, 69% of buyers prioritize dispatch and scheduling tools when buying fleet management software, whereas daily users consider route planning a critical feature.
Here are important features to compare when looking for GPS tracking systems:
- Real-time tracking: Active GPS trackers automatically transmit vehicle location data at preset refresh rates, ranging from 15 seconds to five minutes. It shows whether trucks are idling, moving, or parked. Top-rated fleet tracking apps update information every 30 to 60 seconds, but software with faster or more customizable rates may be more expensive.
- Geofencing: Some fleet management platforms have a geofence feature, allowing you to set a perimeter and receive alerts if trucks or equipment leave the zone. Look for GPS software that lets you draw custom zones and set alerts by driver or time.
- Driver behavior monitoring: Implement driver scorecards, in-cab coaching, and real-time alerts to improve safety. Performance insights differ between basic apps and GPS fleet tracking systems with cameras.
- Route planning and optimization: Simple and advanced routing tools help small fleets reduce travel time and fuel consumption, especially those with drivers who make multiple stops. See if options can re-route based on road delays or suggest the fastest versus most fuel-efficient routes.
- Fuel monitoring and management: Fleet trackers show usage per vehicle and may connect with fuel cards. Consider apps that flag waste or idling, compare trends over time, and show cost per trip, miles per gallon, and total gallons used.
- Vehicle management: When managing company cars and maintenance, look for GPS apps that alert teams when vehicles need service. Some allow custom scheduling rules, provide mileage or engine hour-based alerts, or track repair costs.
- Mobile app access: Delivery and truck drivers, fleet managers, and business owners benefit from GPS systems with user-friendly mobile apps. Ensure you and your team can manage alerts, assign jobs, log service hours or DVIRs, and communicate from smartphones.
- Compliance tools: Check the FMCSA ELD registry for certified systems to ensure compliance with DOT rules. Select GPS fleet tracking devices fully integrated with the vendor’s software, allowing drivers to access DVIRs and receive alerts before violations occur.
- Dashcam integration: SMBs can expand their systems by adding cameras. Some vendors offer record-only dashcams, while others use artificial intelligence to detect distracted driving or tailgating events. To see higher returns, consider dual-facing cameras (road and driver) offering real-time alerts and cloud video access.
- Job dispatch and workflow management: Comprehensive systems like Samsara and Verizon Connect offer built-in job dispatch tools; others require third-party apps or don’t support this function. For scheduling capabilities or delivery teams with frequent stops, look for two-way messaging, calendar integrations, and live assignment features.
- Asset tracking: If you store tools, trailers, or expensive gear, check if the vendor offers solar or battery-powered trackers. Consider durability, battery life, and features, such as geofencing and movement alerts.
How much does GPS fleet tracking cost a small business?
GPS fleet tracking typically costs between $20 and $45 per vehicle per month for small business fleets. Features, hardware, and contract terms vary, with some vendors offering entry-level systems for under $15 per vehicle monthly, while enterprise-grade software can exceed $100.
Here’s what you can expect for your budget at each tier:
- Entry level ($10 to $25): These mobile-based or plug-and-play trackers are ideal for small fleets or local-only drivers needing month-to-month or no-contract GPS location services. Most offer one to five-minute updates, preset mileage and speed reports, and basic alerts for idling or speeding. Some provide simple geofencing but limited or no integrations, fuel tracking, ELD, or dashcam support.
- Mid-tier ($25 to $45): One- to three-year contracts are more common at this level. These platforms deliver real-time GPS tracking with 30- to 60-second refresh rates, driver scorecards, customizable geofences, and automated maintenance reminders. Many support ELDs and DVIRs and integrate with fuel cards and business software, like CRMs and payroll apps. SMBs with five to 25 vehicles benefit from adding basic safety, compliance, and efficiency features.
- Premium ($45 to $100): These advanced hardware and software solutions are geared toward companies in regulated industries or those operating multiple locations. Vendors often require more extended contracts but provide dedicated onboarding and support. You can expect features like live engine diagnostics, role-based dashboards for custom reporting and trend forecasting, AI-powered dashcams, robust integrations, and compliance suites with ELDs.
- Heavy duty or enterprise ($100 to over $450): Large, complex operations in construction, long-haul trucking, logistics, or utility industries select these hardware-heavy GPS fleet management systems. Companies can use sensors to monitor temperature, cargo weight, tire pressure, and more. The platforms support cross-border compliance and integrate with transportation management and enterprise resource planning software.
What affects the price of GPS fleet tracking systems?
Many software vendors charge per vehicle, and some require a minimum of three or five tracked vehicles. The more trucks, company cars, or assets you track, the higher your monthly cost. Volume-based discounts may lower your per-unit price.
Contracts are prevalent among GPS tracking software companies. The longer the contract, the steeper the discount. But, you give up flexibility and may have cancellation fees if you end the agreement early.
Keep the following costs in mind when looking for GPS fleeting tracking solutions:
- Software subscription: Fleet trackers that transmit data in real-time have ongoing fees. If you want GPS tracking without a subscription, consider passive devices that store information locally.
- Hardware costs: Asset trackers, dashcams, and ELDs have one-time and monthly expenses. Vendors may bundle these into their fees or charge separately. The hardware model and features can impact the price.
- Installation: Many small business fleet tracking systems require self-installation, and vendors provide detailed instructions. They may recommend third-party providers for hardwired unit installation or include it with higher-tier plans.
How do you onboard with a new GPS fleet tracking company?
After choosing a fleet tracking provider and receiving equipment, most systems take 10 to 15 minutes to install per vehicle through mobile apps or plug-in OBD-II ports. Hardwired devices may require professional installation unless your team knows the process.
However, before rolling out a new fleet tracking solution, build a plan that includes the following:
- Create or update your company vehicle policies: Develop a company vehicle use policy that covers GPS monitoring, safe driving, and personal use.
- Decide how you will train drivers and managers: Use vendor onboarding and training tools to offer real-time and self-paced sessions about mobile app features, GPS tracking, and privacy protections.
- Start small: Install and configure the fleet trackers on a few vehicles before rolling them out to the entire fleet. Test alerts, reports, and dashboards.
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