In 2024, the name of the game is efficiency. Long gone are the times when you could keep everything noted in a notebook. Lost the notebook? Get another one and hope you can remember when you did your last oil change.
You own a dispatching company in the 70s and your trucker says he’ll be there in 2 hours? You better believe him, because there is no way to know for sure.
Nowadays it is much different. You open an app on your smartphone and you know when things are due, how long until you reach your destination, fuel usage, maintenance, etc. No more guesswork.
Sounds cool? Make sure you read this article and by the end, you will be able to make an educated decision.
What is a Fleet Management Software?
Fleet Management Software is a tool that any trucker should have in his arsenal. It will help you stay organized by reminding you when it’s time for maintenance, monitoring driver behavior, measuring performance, managing fuel properly, optimizing routes, and ensuring you’re compliant with all the local and national laws. There are multiple fleet management software in the market, each with strengths and weaknesses. Here are our top picks:
1. Fleetio
Fleetio is one of the top options because it has a great quality-price ratio. For an annual plan, you will pay $4, $7, or $10 per truck, each month.
The low-tier plan includes vehicle inventory management, vehicle inspections, fuel tracking & analytics. If you’re looking for parts inventory or purchase orders, you have to upgrade to the $7 plan.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Custom reporting tool
- Keeps records of inspection
- Location Tracking
Cons:
- Requires a minimum of five vehicles
- No parts inventory management on low-tier plan
2. Azuga
Azuga is a popular fleet management software because it utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to help with prevention and detection. The price isn’t displayed on Azuga’s official website. You will have to contact them via email for a quote.
Pros:
- Easy to install and use
- GPS Tracking for assets & equipment
- Has a reward program
- Two-way dashcam
Cons:
- Support is hard to reach at times
- More expensive than its competitors (∼25$ per truck monthly)
3. Samsara
Samsara is a fleet management software solution for large businesses with massive fleets. Pricing isn’t listed on their website, so you’d have to get in touch with staff for a quote.
The software has AI dashcams that can be implemented which capture incidents, create a report, and train drivers on how to avoid such incidents in the future. This feature has exonerated drivers in 50% of reportable incidents.
Samsara also has an open API that allows you to seamlessly integrate other software you are using with it
Pros:
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Open API lets you integrate with other software
- Fuel use reports
- Maintenance alerts
- Route tracking
Cons:
- No clear pricing
- No parts inventory tracking
4. Motive
Motive’s strong point is its friendly software interface that makes it easier for both drivers and management to navigate through. They are also putting a strong emphasis on driver management solutions.
Pricing isn’t displayed on their website, so you will have to contact staff for a personalized quote.
Pros:
- AI-assisted, real-time safety warnings for drivers
- Automated driver coaching
- Virtual geofenced parameters aid
Cons:
- Issues with freezing app
- Sometimes the app gets stuck in drive mode
5. Fleet Commander
Agile Fleet’s FleetCommander is an easy-to-integrate software with features such as fleet maintenance, parts management, fleet risk and accident management, fuel cost management, and GPS solutions.
The price of the software isn’t listed on their website, so you’ll have to reach out to them for a quote.
Pros:
- Friendly user interface
- Accident management feature
- Fleet risk management
- Fleet maintenance alerts
Cons:
- The maintenance module has room for improvement
- The price isn’t listed on their website
Conclusion
It can be overwhelming when you have so many options to choose from. We feel you. But how do you know exactly which one is the best for your business? Well, if you own a large fleet then Samsara is a no-brainer, but if your fleet is small to medium-sized, all the other 4 options are great.
To choose one, we recommend you write down your biggest pain points or concerns. You are not a tech-savvy person? Motive’s user-friendly interface will come in clutch. You’re on a tight budget and you want to know exactly how much you’ll spend monthly if you commit to a software? Fleetio will be your buddy. You get the point. Choosing the best software isn’t only about your business's needs, but also your needs or your employees' needs.
If you will consider everything we mentioned we’re pretty confident you’ll make the right choice. Keep hauling!
