As an owner operator, choosing an affordable yet fully-featured ELD is crucial to simplify compliance and improve safety without breaking the bank. We reviewed the top budget-friendly options that provide essential tracking and integrate smoothly with your operations without unnecessary extras that drive up costs.
Whether you’re looking for basic e-logs, built-in GPS tracking, or flexible ‘bring your own device’ solutions, this list of the best ELD systems on the market today will help you pick the right device for your budget.
Quicklook: 7 best ELDs for owner operators on a budget
- Best for small fleets: Motive
- Best for no monthly subscription fees: Garmin eLog Compliant ELD
- Best for truckers wanting to use their own smart devices: Konexial
- Best for hotshot truckers: Samsara
- Best for easy installation: TFM GPS ELD
- Best for features: DriveELD
- Best for hotshot truckers: BigRoad DashLink ELD
What does ELD stand for in trucking?
Before we get into the details of the products on our list, let’s cover the basics. First of all, ELD stands for electronic logging device. It’s used to digitally record a driver’s hours of service (HOS), tracking the time they spend driving, on duty, resting, or off duty.
The purpose of an ELD is to improve road safety by ensuring driver adherence to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) regulations on rest and driving times. They automatically track driving times by syncing with truck engines, resulting in more reliable records than the traditional paper logs that were used for decades.
What is ELD compliance?
ELD compliance refers to meeting the technical specifications and standards of the FMCSA’s ELD Mandate for commercial vehicles.
Along with accurately recording driving and hours of service data, the core aspects of ELD compliance include:
- Supporting roadside inspections
- Ensuring that logs are tamper-proof to prevent fraudulent edits and deletions
- Using GPS to match locations, dates, and times with driving records
- Providing both standard and alternate means of data transfer
ELD providers must self-certify that their devices meet all requirements unless they fall under HOS exemption rules (which we’ll cover later in the article). Compliance ensures that electronic logbooks can be used to enforce regulations for greater safety and accountability.
Best ELD for owner operators: Budget edition
The best ELD for truckers operating their own vehicles who are on a budget should meet all regulatory requirements without skimping on usability. Here are some of the best ELD devices for this purpose.
Motive
The Motive ELD is one of the best ELD devices for small fleets because it’s so easy to use. Motive simplifies the process of tracking, managing, and sharing hours of service data, reducing administrative burden. Drivers for small fleets with limited resources and personnel can benefit from Motive’s intuitive ELD interface, which requires less training time, enhances productivity, and efficiently ensures regulatory compliance.
In 2024 Motive announced its expansion to Mexico to help meet the unique safety and security needs of drivers and fleets in the region.
Best for: Small fleets
Features and benefits
- Less fuel waste
- Vehicle diagnostics
- Reduced liabilities
- Location tracking
- Better route management
- HOS alerts
- Quality customer service
Disadvantages
- Annotation notes for edits are difficult for some
- Each driver needs a smart device
Pricing: Starter plan starts at $25 per month
Garmin
Garmin provides owner operators with an ELD that doesn’t require an ongoing monthly subscription service. Its Garmin eLog Compliant ELD device only requires the up front hardware fees, and then you’re set. It makes tracking your hours of service (HOS) simple and affordable, without the worry of having to commit to monthly subscription plans. The ELD also integrates with Garmin Dezl GPS and fleet management tools, and offers customizable interfaces and reporting.
Best for: No monthly subscription
Features and benefits
- Reliable name brand
- No monthly subscriptions
- 24/7 customer support
- Automated recording of HOS
Disadvantages
- No IFTA reporting
- Limited functionality
- Not compatible with OBDII
Pricing: $249.99
Konexial
Konexial ELD’s super affordable price point makes it a viable budget-friendly ELD solution for owner operators looking for no-frills real-time GPS and compliance tracking. Their ‘bring your own device’ feature allows drivers to use their own tablets or smartphones with their app, reducing upfront hardware costs. Their basic monthly subscription plan is $25 per vehicle, while the fleet plan is $40 per month.
Best for: Truckers wanting to use their own smart devices
Features and benefits
- CSA scoring and alerts
- GPS vehicle tracking (add-on $5/month)
- Dashboard and analytics
- Compliance monitoring and notifications
- Android and iOS apps
- No long-term contract required
- Easy to use, driver-friendly mobile app
- Good compliance monitoring
- Integrated IFTA reporting
- Bring your own device option saves on hardware costs
Disadvantages
- Lacks more advanced dispatch and fleet management integrations
- Fewer features and customization options compared to premium ELDs
Pricing: $149 per ELD device (or no cost for BYOD), monthly subscription starts at $25 per month per vehicle
Samsara
Samsara’s Vehicle Gateways (VGs) serve as both ELD and GPS tracking devices. This dual functionality means that when you install a Samsara VG device, you’re getting both compliance and real-time weather/traffic insights in one unit. It’s one of the most reliable devices on the market, even in areas with limited connectivity. In fact, drivers can use the device as a Wi-Fi hotspot.
With easy installation, getting started with Samsara is simple for fleet managers and owner operators of any skill or ability level, with low upfront hardware costs of around $50 per vehicle. With an intuitive app, engine diagnostics, and automated alerts, Samsara offers the best ELD for hotshot trucking.
Best for: Hotshot trucking
Features and benefits
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Routing and dispatching
- Engine diagnostics and fault codes
- Violation alerts and RODS visibility
- Driver behavior reporting
- Fuel tracking
- Optional dashcams
Disadvantages
- Frequent software updates
- Onboard diagnostics (OBD)-only port
Pricing: Hardware ranges from $99-$148 depending on contract length; subscription costs between $27-$33/month with a mandatory three-year contract.
TFM GPS ELD
TFM offers owner operators an affordable, straightforward ELD solution that meets FMCSA compliance requirements without extensive setup or costly hardware. The TFM GPS ELD is designed for quick plug-and-play installation and integrates easily with a smartphone, allowing drivers to track HOS with minimal fuss.
TFM’s budget-friendly approach includes low upfront costs, making it a great choice for anyone needing straightforward compliance tracking without extra features (like telematics or geofencing, for example) that drive up ELD costs.
Best for: Easy installation
Features and benefits
- Low upfront device cost with affordable monthly subscription options
- Reliable FMCSA-compliant tracking
- Easy mobile device integration via the TFM app
- User-friendly setup that gets you quickly up and running
Disadvantages
- Limited advanced features
- No standalone screen; relies on mobile app integration
- No IFTA reporting
Pricing: $189 for the device, with low monthly subscription costs.
DriveELD
DriveELD hits a great balance point for owner operators focused on minimizing costs but still needing a fully compliant and user-friendly ELD solution. The low-cost plan includes GPS tracking, document management, compliance monitoring, maintenance logs, driving performance reports, and more. It delivers solid features without all the unnecessary extras that drive up costs.
Best for: Generous features
Features and benefits
- Bring your own device options
- GPS tracking
- Truck maintenance reporting
- Document storage
- Driver performance metrics
- No long-term contract required
- Intuitive mobile apps
- Good basic compliance features
- Integrated maintenance logging
Disadvantages
- Limited advanced analytics compared to premium ELDs
- Lacks more complex dispatch and fleet integration capabilities
- Mostly self-service troubleshooting and support
- Cannot edit logs after submission
Pricing: Basic plan starts at $19.99 per month per vehicle
BigRoad DashLink ELD
BigRoad DashLink ELD is a cost-effective plug-and-play solution well-suited for hotshot truckers who need easy and reliable compliance tools. This product features real-time GPS tracking and automatic HOS logging, ensuring that drivers can remain compliant without extensive setup. Its mobile app is praised for user-friendliness, making it ideal for solo truck owner operators or small trucking company owners.
Best for: Hotshot truckers
Features and benefits
- Straightforward subscription model
- Simple installation and compatibility with most vehicles
- Real-time GPS tracking and HOS compliance
- Mobile device app for easy log management
- Cross-border compliance (U.S. and Canada)
Disadvantages
- Basic compared to more comprehensive ELD systems
- Limited advanced fleet management tools
- Occasional connectivity issues reported
Pricing: Device-free, with monthly subscription costs ranging from $25 to $36 per vehicle
Do owner operators have to use an ELD?
Yes, owner operators are generally required to use one if they operate a commercial motor vehicle in the U.S. and are subject to HOS regulations.
However, there are some exceptions that could apply:
Short-haul exemption: If an owner operator drives within a 150 air-mile radius (for non-CDL drivers) or 100 air-mile radius (for CDL drivers), starts and ends their workday at the same location, and does not drive for more than 11 hours, they may qualify for the short-haul exemption and not require an ELD.
Older vehicle exemption: Vehicles with engines manufactured before the model year 2000 are exempt from the ELD requirement. Many older vehicles cannot support ELD technology due to engine compatibility.
Drive-away-tow-away operations: If the owner operator’s driving a vehicle as part of a drive-away-tow-away operation (where the vehicle being driven is the commodity or a part of the shipment), they are exempt from needing an ELD.
Limited use exemption: Drivers who keep RODS for no more than eight days within any 30-day period are also exempt from the ELD requirement. This can apply to owner operators who only occasionally drive distances that require logging.
For owner operators not meeting any exemption, an ELD is necessary to ensure compliance, accurately track driving hours, and avoid HOS violations.
Don’t break the bank buying the best ELD for trucks
So, what’s the best ELD for owner operator trucking when you’re trying to stick to a budget? You can’t go wrong with any of the devices on our list. Just make sure you consider all-inclusive monthly costs versus upfront hardware fees, and avoid spending extra for bells and whistles that you’re unlikely to actually use.
FAQ
A truck driver can drive a maximum of 11 hours within a 14-hour work period, after which they must take a mandatory 10-hour break. The driver also cannot exceed 60 hours of driving over seven consecutive days.
The FMCSA hours of service regulations set limits for when and how long commercial truck drivers can operate vehicles to ensure adequate rest between driving shifts for safety, as fatigue is a major cause of accidents.
ELD mandate exemptions include drivers of vehicles older than model year 2000, drivers using paper RODS no more than eight days in any 30-day period, those who conduct drive-away-tow-away operations, and drivers of vehicles requiring special registration.
ELD system costs typically range from $20 to $50 per month per vehicle. Some ELD providers charge more based on additional features and fleet management tools.
While there are some free ELD apps available in app stores, they typically don’t meet all FMCSA compliance requirements on their own. Most are actually limited trials or basic versions that require paid upgrades for full compliance and functionality. You also still need to purchase compatible hardware to make a connection to your vehicle’s engine.