If you manage vehicles, equipment, or mobile teams, you’ve probably noticed that fleet tracking solutions have moved from “nice-to-have” to mission-critical. Rising fuel costs, tighter delivery windows, and evolving safety expectations mean you need more than dots on a map—you need a platform that gives you real-time visibility, actionable insights, and measurable ROI. In this comparison, we break down three of the most widely adopted options in North America today—Samsara, Verizon Connect Reveal, and Geotab—so you can pick the right fit for your operations.
Why fleet tracking matters now
Organizations are doubling down on GPS tracking, in-cab video, and predictive analytics to cut costs and improve safety. Industry data shows continued growth in adoption and ROI through 2025, with GPS tracking and video specifically called out as difference-makers.
The contenders at a glance
Samsara
Best for: All-in-one visibility and safety with strong hardware + software integration
What stands out: Samsara’s platform is known for real-time GPS tracking, AI-enabled dash cams, driver safety tools, maintenance alerts, and compliance (HOS/ELD). It also leans into EV readiness with tools for electrification planning and energy monitoring—useful if you’re piloting or scaling a mixed ICE/EV fleet.
Samsara’s device lineup (Vehicle Gateway, asset trackers) powers high-frequency location pings and diagnostics, which helps dispatchers respond quickly and maintenance teams spot issues early.
Watch-outs: Pricing and contract terms can vary by fleet size and hardware bundle; some reviews mention multi-year commitments and premium costs for advanced features.
Verizon Connect Reveal
Best for: Route optimization at scale with robust support and mature feature set
What stands out: Reveal is a full-featured fleet tracking solution known for fast data refresh, detailed driver management, geofencing, vehicle diagnostics, maintenance scheduling, and 24/7 support. It’s frequently rated a top pick for GPS tracking in the U.S., with broad adoption across industries.
Fleet managers praise the platform’s ease of locating vehicles, geofencing, time and speed tracking, and overall day-to-day usability—which matters when your teams are juggling live ops.
Watch-outs: Expect custom quotes and—commonly—a three-year minimum contract, plus a learning curve due to the depth of features.
Geotab
Best for: Open ecosystem, data depth, and mixed-fleet (including OEM data) operations
What stands out: Geotab takes an open-platform approach with the Geotab Marketplace and extensive third-party integrations, letting you tailor workflows across safety, compliance, sustainability, and analytics. Recent announcements highlight unified management for mixed fleets, including deep OEM data coverage spanning 157 manufacturers and ~15,000 vehicle makes/models/years—powerful if you manage diverse assets.
Geotab continues to focus on AI, predictive analytics, and sustainability use cases—useful if you’re automating KPIs or pursuing emissions goals.
Watch-outs: The open approach is flexible but can require more configuration and partner coordination compared to all-in-one stacks.
Feature-by-feature comparison
1) Real-time tracking and visibility
All three platforms deliver live GPS location, trip histories, and geofencing. Samsara emphasizes high-frequency pings (seconds-level) via its gateways and trackers; Verizon highlights fast refresh in its live map; Geotab surfaces granular telematics from both aftermarket devices and OEM data pipes—useful for mixed fleets.
Who wins: Tie—choose based on your hardware posture (Samsara all-in-one vs. Geotab open OEM/aftermarket) and refresh needs.
2) Safety and video telematics
Samsara’s AI dash cams and driver coaching are core to the platform’s value proposition. Verizon Connect offers in-cab video integrations and robust driver management tools. Geotab supports a rich ecosystem of video partners via Marketplace and emphasizes analytics for risk identification.
Who wins: Samsara for integrated camera + coaching out of the box; Verizon for mature driver tools; Geotab if you prefer best-of-breed camera partners through an open marketplace.
3) Compliance (ELD/HOS)
Each vendor supports U.S. FMCSA compliance. Samsara’s ELD is frequently cited for combining HOS with broader fleet features; Verizon and Geotab also provide ELD capabilities as part of their suites or through partners.
Who wins: Tie—verify device models and certification alignment with your specific vehicle classes and workflows.
4) Maintenance and diagnostics
Verizon Connect offers strong maintenance scheduling and fault code alerts; Samsara and Geotab both tap into engine diagnostics for proactive maintenance. Geotab’s depth in telematics and OEM coverage can surface more nuanced data for mixed fleets, while Samsara makes insights highly accessible in a unified UI.
Who wins: Geotab for data breadth (especially across mixed fleets); Verizon and Samsara for straightforward workflows and alerts.
5) Routing and dispatch
All three provide route planning, ETAs, and geofencing. Verizon Connect is often praised for route optimization at scale and real-time responsiveness; Samsara integrates routing with live video and safety context; Geotab relies on add-ons and integrations for advanced workflows.
Who wins: Verizon Connect for large fleets that need mature, scalable routing and dispatch features.
6) EV and sustainability
Samsara includes EV tools like automated suitability assessments and energy monitoring—useful for planning electrification. Geotab positions sustainability as a core vector (e.g., EV management, analytics), reinforced by its ecosystem and platform direction. Verizon supports sustainability objectives and reporting within its broader toolkit.
Who wins: Samsara and Geotab if EV adoption is a priority.
7) Ecosystem and integrations
Geotab’s open platform + Marketplace is a standout for extensibility and niche use cases. Verizon and Samsara both offer integrations, but Geotab’s partner depth remains a differentiator for organizations that want to tailor every layer.
Who wins: Geotab for extensibility; pick Samsara or Verizon if you prefer a single-vendor stack.
Cost, contracts, and total cost of ownership
Pricing varies widely by fleet size, hardware mix, feature tiers, and term length. A few directional notes:
- Verizon Connect Reveal commonly uses three-year minimum contracts, with custom quotes. Budget for onboarding and a learning curve if you adopt a broad feature set.
- Samsara bundles hardware + software; independent reviews note premium pricing for advanced capabilities and multi-year terms depending on your plan and fleet size.
- Geotab pricing depends on resellers, device choices, and Marketplace add-ons; evaluate total cost, including third-party modules you’ll rely on.
To model TCO, include hardware, subscriptions, installation, training, and potential soft costs (change management, data migration, integration work). Then offset with projected savings: reduced fuel/idle time, fewer incidents, lower insurance premiums, better asset utilization, and improved on-time performance—benefits supported by recent fleet tech adoption data.
Which fleet tracking solution is right for you?
Use this quick decision guide to match fleet tracking solutions to your priorities:
- “We want a unified, camera-forward platform with strong safety and EV tools.”
Choose Samsara. You’ll get real-time visibility, AI dash cams, ELD, and EV readiness in one stack. - “We need mature routing at scale, fast refresh, and round-the-clock support.”
Choose Verizon Connect Reveal. It’s a top pick for large fleets that value route optimization and enterprise-grade support—even if you accept longer contracts. - “We’re a mixed fleet that wants deep data and an open ecosystem.”
Choose Geotab. Its unified platform and Marketplace shine when you have diverse assets and want to tailor integrations.
Implementation tips that make or break ROI
- Set crisp KPIs before rollout.
Define baseline metrics (idle time, harsh events per 100 miles, fuel burn, on-time delivery %) so you can quantify gains after go-live. The latest trend reports show ROI is there—prove it internally. - Start with safety and utilization.
Begin with geofences on yards, speeding alerts, and idling thresholds. Layer in camera coaching after driver onboarding to accelerate culture change. - Plan your data flows.
If you run maintenance in a CMMS or manage payroll/dispatch in other systems, map integrations early. Geotab’s Marketplace and Verizon/Samsara integrations reduce swivel-chair time. - Right-size hardware.
Mix vehicle gateways, asset trackers, and camera SKUs to match asset criticality and risk profile. Samsara’s hardware catalog, Geotab device options/OEM data, and Verizon add-ons give you flexibility. - Train dispatchers and drivers.
Budget for a learning curve—especially with deep platforms like Reveal—and use phased rollouts to build confidence without overwhelming teams.
Bottom line
Samsara, Verizon Connect Reveal, and Geotab are all proven fleet tracking solutions capable of delivering real-time visibility, safer operations, and measurable ROI. Your best choice hinges on how you like to work:
- Pick Samsara if you want an integrated stack that pairs live telematics with strong safety and EV tools.
- Pick Verizon Connect Reveal if you need enterprise-grade routing and support—and you’re comfortable with longer contracts.
- Pick Geotab if you value an open ecosystem and rich OEM data for a complex, mixed fleet.
Whichever route you take, anchor your rollout to KPIs, sequence features to win early buy-in, and design your integration footprint from day one. That’s how modern fleets turn a tracking line item into a durable advantage.
Note: Always confirm pricing, contract terms, and device certifications with the vendor/reseller you engage, as these can vary by fleet size, region, and configuration.
